That baby, born in Linden, California, on April 26, 1992, was given away the day after he came into this world. The young mother, as they had arranged, handed the child over to Patty and Wayne Judge, a couple of school teachers. What wasn't planned was that the mother would bring him wrapped in a dirty, smelly rag.
But from the contempt in his first hours of life, the child went to a life of much love, special care, good nutrition and concern for his studies.
“I believed I was the Judges’ son until I was 15, when they revealed the truth to me,” said Aaron Judge, the Yankees slugger. “From then on, I loved them even more than before, for everything they did for me, despite not being my biological parents.”
Outstanding student
Aaron was an outstanding child at every educational level. He arrived at elementary school with a strong command of the language, taught by his adoptive parents. At Liden High School, he was recognized as the top student and was a star on the baseball team. So much so, that he earned a scholarship to study economics at California State University.
He was selected by the Yankees in the June 2013 draft, at the age of 21.
Judge, the big leaguer
After his preparation in the minors, the Yankees introduced him to the upper echelons of baseball on August 13, 2016, at the age of 24, and he immediately began to demonstrate his power.
His debut game was a victory for the club, against the Rays, and Judge hit two hits in four at-bats, including a home run.
The Yankees, of course, consider the $360 million they paid to sign Judge for 10 years, $40 million annually, until 2031, to be justified.
The Power Records 2026
Well, that baby wrapped in the dirty, smelly rag is now a very well-bathed gentleman, very elegantly dressed, and beloved in baseball for his remarkable strength, plus his ease in connecting with pitches and thus also achieving high batting averages.
Aaron Judge started this year's season with an astounding home run record. Can you imagine, a mark that neither Hank Aaron, nor Babe Ruth, Albert Pujols, nor Alex Rodriguez could reach?
Not even Barry Bonds or Mark McGwaire, intoxicated with steroids as they were, could get to where Aaron Judge is now about to ascend.
This Yankees right fielder has achieved four seasons with 50 or more home runs in his first 10 seasons:
52 in 2017, 62 in 2022, 58 in 2024, 73 in 2025. And now, with 17 hits already, he is heading into his fifth campaign with such numbers.
Let's review the history:
Barry Bonds only had one season there, hitting 73 home runs in 2001; Aaron's most in his 22-year career was 47 in 1971; Ruth hit 50 four times, 54 in 1920, 59 in 1921, 60 in 1927, 54 in 1928; Pujols didn't manage it even once in his 22 seasons and Alex Rodriguez, three times in 22 years, 52 in 2001, 57 in 2002, 54 in 2007.
How many more seasons will Judge have with 50 or more home runs?… He's only 34 years old and this is his 11th season.
So, is Judge just a power hitter?
That's not the case. I see him as very close to being gifted in all five skills. Look at this summary of his totals, just as he begins his 11th season:
Batting average .292, home runs 385, RBIs 864, stolen bases 70 in 94 attempts.
The lovely story comes to an end
That baby, given away in Linden, California, is therefore about to set a power record in 11 seasons, which Aaron in 23, Ruth in 22, and Pujols in 22 were unable to achieve.
Thanks to life for giving me so much, including a reader, or female reader, like you.
