9781422269817

Chapter 1

Greatest Moments Ever since Aaron Judge first stepped on a Major League Baseball (MLB) diamond in 2016, he has left an undeniable impact on the game of baseball and the MLB record books. Whether it was his first home run (HR), his incredible record-breaking rookie season, or his pursuit of the New York Yankees’ and American League (AL) single-season home run records, Judge has smashed his way into history. Judge grew up in Linden, California, the adopted son of Patty and Wayne Judge. He was a three-sport star in high school before continuing his pursuit of baseball. His six-foot-seven-inch frame looked more at home on the football field or basketball court, but he could hit a baseball harder and farther than most, so he went to Fresno State to play baseball. The Yankees drafted Judge in the first round of the 2013 draft, and after he spent time playing minor league ball with the Yankees’ affiliates , he made his Major League debut in August 2016. That debut offered some foreshadowing for his career to come, as he hit home runs in both of his first two games before a relatively quiet finish to the season.

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