Aaron Judge‘s biggest supporter was by his side on a celebratory Saturday night in New York, as the New York Yankees superstar attended the 2026 BBWAA (Baseball Writers’ Association of America) dinner with his wife, Samantha Judge.
The annual event honored Judge with his second consecutive American LeagueMVP award, further cementing his place among the most decorated players in franchise history.
Dressed in a burgundy gown, Samantha smiled as she posed beside Judge, 33, who wore a classic black tuxedo for the occasion.
The night served as both a professional celebration and a personal moment for the couple, whose partnership has increasingly become part of Judge‘s public story.
A seven-time MLB All-Star, Judge made history in November when he became the fourth player in Yankees history to win a third AL MVP award, joining Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Joe DiMaggio.
He previously claimed the honor in 2022, and his sustained excellence has placed him firmly in the conversation among the franchise’s all-time greats.
“I never came into this game chasing awards or chasing anything but getting a chance to win and leaving the game better than I found it,” Judge said during a conference call at the time.
“If I won by one vote or 20 votes, it really didn’t matter in my eyes.”
A night that highlighted family and legacy
Before Judge took the stage to accept his award, his close friend and former teammate Anthony Rizzo delivered a heartfelt tribute that underscored Samantha‘s impact on the slugger’s career.
“Sam, without you – and getting to know you over all these years – without you, Aaron is not a three-time MVP, and I mean that sincerely. You are such a rock for him, and what you bring, your steady presence, is amazing,” Rizzo said, according to Yankees Source.
Judge and Samantha married in a destination ceremony in Hawaii in December 2021, and their family grew in January 2025 with the birth of their daughter, Nora Rose Judge.
Announcing the milestone on Instagram, Judge wrote, “What an incredible week it’s been, can’t wait for the memories the three of us make.”
On the field, Judge‘s 2025 season reinforced why he remains the face of the Yankees.
He launched 53 home runs and captured the first batting title of his career with a .331 average, combining power and consistency in a way few players of his era have matched.
Greatest Yankee of all time?
That dominance has fueled bold projections about his place in baseball history. MLB.com analyst and former New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips recently asserted that Judge could finish his career as the greatest player the Yankees have ever had.
“Babe Ruth had great seasons. Hit 714 home runs. Remember, he hit 60 home runs in 1927. He faced 64 pitchers that season in 154 games,” Phillips said.
“When Maris hit 61, he faced 101 pitchers. Look at where the game is today. When Aaron Judge hit 62 home runs, he faced 256 different pitchers in that season. All of them throw 98-99 [mph]. They didn’t do that back then.”
As Judge continues to collect accolades and redefine standards in the modern era, moments like Saturday night reflect a broader narrative.
There is a growing belief that the Yankees may be witnessing the defining career of a generation, and 2026 offers him the chance to make even more history.
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