Aaron Judge won the AL MVP award after a historic season and returned to the New York Yankees in the offseason when he signed a nine-year, $360 million contract extension.
On Monday, Judge appeared on «The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon» and discussed why he decided to return to the Yankees. The San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox were also rumored to be interested in the outfielder.
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Aaron Judge, #99 of the New York Yankees, speaks to the media during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 21, 2022 in the Bronx, New York.
(Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Fallon revealed that Anthony Rizzo and the first baseman’s dog played a role in Judge’s return to the team. Rizzo contacted Judge daily, sending him photos of his dogs together in an effort to get the outfielder back in pinstripes.
Judge admitted that Rizzo played a «huge role» in his free agency decision. Rizzo opted out of his contract with New York only to re-sign with the team. So, work began on Judge.
Aaron Judge, number 99 of the New York Yankees, greets fans after a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 21, 2022 in the Bronx, New York.
(New York Yankees/Getty Images)
HOW AARON JUDGE’S BET ON HIMSELF TURNED INTO A HISTORIC YEAR ON AND OFF THE FIELD
«It was because of my heart,» Judge said of Rizzo. «So it was for my little Penny.»
Judge was spotted out and about in New York City last month with his pup just before finalizing his new contract and being named team captain.
A four-time All-Star from the Bronx, Judge hit 220 home runs and produced 497 RBIs with a .284/.394/.583 slash line and .977 OPS in 729 Yankee games over the past seven seasons.
He was named the 2022 AL MVP after breaking Roger Maris’ AL single-season home run record with 62 and was in the Triple Crown conversation until the end of the regular season.
Aaron Judge, #99, and Anthony Rizzo, #48 of the New York Yankees, react after the first out was recorded against the Houston Astros during the second inning of game three of the American League Championship Series in Yankee Stadium on October 22. 2022 in New York City.
(Elsa/Getty Images)
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Judge led the majors in home runs, RBIs (131), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686), runs (133) and total bases (391), while his 111 walks topped the standings. of the American League. His .311 batting average was second best in the American League and only five points behind Luis Arraez of the Minnesota Twins.