Aaron Judge Offers Candid Confession Ahead of First Father's Day

Aaron Judge Offers Candid Confession Ahead of First Father's Day originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As important as a primetime showdown with the rival Boston Red Sox is, one can't fault New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge for having a little something extra on his mind Sunday night.
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This weekend marks Judge's first Father's Day since he and his wife, Samantha, welcomed their daughter during the offseason. Nora Rose Judge was born on Jan. 27, two months before Judge and the Yankees began their latest pennant chase.
On the field, it's been business as usual for Judge, who is on pace for his third AL MVP in four years. Judge has an outside chance at becoming the first hitter since Red Sox legend Ted Williams to hit over .400, and he's already tallied a league-high 5.6 bWAR for the first-place Yankees.
'Hopefully, she's old enough to see me play this game,' Judge told Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch. 'I might be a little older by the time she really starts recognizing what's going on.
'I just want to teach her the importance of hard work, the importance of showing up every day for something, and the importance of being a team player,' Judge continued. 'It's all about the little things.'
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When that time comes, Nora will see both her father and one of the greatest modern sluggers. Judge enters Tuesday leading the league in average (.394) and OPS (1.269). His 25 home runs trail only Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh's 26.
Thankfully for Judge, he's mastered long home runs and changing diapers.
'I love doing it all,' Judge said. 'Especially if it helps her or helps my wife.'
Aaron Judge and Samantha Judge in 2022Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images
Judge has excelled as the Yankees' captain the last three seasons. His newest role, though, is an entirely different challenge—not that he's focusing on the harder parts of it.
'She brings me so much joy, so much excitement, so much wonder,' Judge said.
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'Especially on the good days or bad days here at work, when I come home to her, everything changes,' Judge continued.
Related: MLB Makes Aaron Judge Announcement During Yankees-Royals Game
Related: Yankees Announce Pitching Injury Before Royals Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.

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