This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge’s first standing ovation of 2026 came in a crowded Manhattan ballroom on Saturday evening, applause following a celebratory introduction from a familiar hype man — former teammate Anthony Rizzo.
Judge and Rizzo sat side by side throughout the 101st dinner held by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, with Judge in attendance to receive his American League Most Valuable Player Award and the chapter’s “Toast of the Town” honor.
“He’s the most special person I’ve ever been around,” Rizzo said. “Playing in New York is different, as everyone knows. When you put the pinstripes on, you’re going to have good times and bad times. They get heavy at times.
“… The lights shine brighter. The pressure is heavier. Every moment is magnified. Not everybody is built for this stage. You’ve seen a lot of guys fold under these big lights. What he does every day with his selfless leadership is something that I admire.”
Judge opened his remarks by thanking his wife, Samantha, saying he definitely would not be a three-time MVP without her love and support.
“You’re my hitting coach when I need you, my therapist when I need you,” Judge said. “And giving me the greatest gift of all, which is our beautiful daughter, Nora. It’s been incredible to be a father and what that’s done for our life. It doesn’t matter if I’m 4-for-4 or 0-for-4 — coming home and seeing their smiling faces, that’s what it’s all about.”
Judge didn’t drag many hitless performances back to the apartment in 2025. In 152 games, he compiled a slash line of .331/.457/.688 with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs, posting a Major League-best 215 OPS+ while becoming the tallest player ever to log a batting title.
“I’ll speak for him, because I know he won’t,” Rizzo said. “I think the one he’s probably most proud of is that .331 average. There’s no cheap hits there. There’s no infield hits. These are all hits the hard way, and the pitching is only getting better.”
In describing the hunger that continues to fuel his success, Judge recalled a quote from his father, Wayne, who often told him: “If what you did yesterday still seems big today, then you haven’t done anything today.”
“It really sticks with me,” Judge said. “It doesn’t matter if you pitched a complete game shutout or went 4-for-4 the night before. It’s in the past. It’s about what you can do today, how you show up today and how you can be better today for your teammates and everybody around you.”
Judge concluded by thanking the fans.
“Getting a chance to represent not only the Yankees but the city of New York, it comes with high standards,” Judge said. “You expect a lot. You demand a lot. I think that’s what brings the best out in all of us, and brings the best out in me.
“So I just want to thank you guys. A lot of you guys save up to come to one game to watch us play, watch me play. That’s what it’s about. I want to give you guys the best and put on a show for you.”
