Catch the Yankees hype with a parental twist
Baseball player Aaron Judge of the Yankees looking forward to debuting in a Father's Day game, having achieved the most significant achievement of his career - the coveted World Series title.
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Experience it yourselfBOSTON - Aaron Judge flaunts an impressive array of titles: Captain, MVP, the best hitter in baseball. However, the one he cherishes the most?
Daddy.
Judge's little girl, Nora, born around early 2025, will be cheering him on this Father's Day at Fenway Park during his first Father's Day game. By this season, she's already a regular at Yankees games alongside Judge's wife Sam. But this special event carries a little more emotion.
"I aspire to be just like my dad," Judge, who had 0 hits in the Yankees' 4-3 loss to the Red Sox on June 18, said. "I wish to teach my daughter valuable life lessons, be there for her through thick and thin, and instill the importance of hard work and small things like that. I consider getting the chance to be my daughter's dad as my most significant achievement; it's special."
There've been plenty of theories attempting to explain why or how Judge finds himself in one of the best runs in baseball history. But perhaps the simplest explanation?
Dad strength.
As of June 18, Judge boasted a .390 batting average and a 1.265 OPS, along with 26 home runs through 68 games. Could Nora have played a part in that?
Since becoming a dad, there's been a shift in his balancing act between time at and away from the field. But Judge insists it's easier to leave the game behind when his daughter's smile never changes.
"It contributes to a faster page turn. Whether I go 4-for-4 or 0-for-4, she's still looking at me with joy. That helps me transition to the next day and the next moment, as I want to savor every moment with her and share those meaningful moments. I try not to let what's happening at work affect my time at home," Judge shared.
Judge's daughter, Nora, is already on his baseball schedule, staying up late when he returns from games. She wakes up during mornings with them, too, before he heads to Yankee Stadium.
Life has changed in other ways as well. There are fewer dinners out and less time spent playing video games. Road trips are tougher when his wife and daughter can't travel with him.
"I'm not sleeping well on the road. I'm used to having them with me, and knowing they're safe and close by. So a few trips without them are difficult," Judge admitted.
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Even at the ballpark, Judge's mind never strays far from his family. He used to tease his teammates who had babies, but “all they wanted to do was share photos of their kids.” Yet he's become one of those guys himself.
"I can't help it whenever I get a new picture of my daughter from my wife; I show it to the trainers and everyone, exclaiming, 'Look what she did today!' " Judge shared, laughing.
The Yankees have their fair share of new dads in the clubhouse these days. Judge, Trent Grisham, Devin Williams, and Tim Hill are all enjoying their first tastes of fatherhood and sharing their experiences with one another.
"I spoke with Grisham about how to help babies sleep through the night, and stuff like that. It's great that we get to share these moments," Judge said.
What do you think? Post your thoughts below.
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Are you a baseball fan looking for a unique experience with a focus on family? Join Post Sports+ to chat personally with Greg Joyce about the Yankees' inside scoop, and catch the father-daughter bond between Aaron Judge and his daughter Nora, as she cheers him on during his first Father's Day game. During the game, Judge shared how becoming a father has impacted his game, mentioning that his little girl's joy helps him leave the game behind and focus on cherishing every moment with his family.
