Aaron Judge stood on stage Saturday night at the 101st New York Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner, accepting his third American League MVP Award while surrounded by family, teammates, and the weight of Yankees history, according to footage captured by Foul Territory on YouTube.
The ceremony became something more than an awards presentation when Anthony Rizzo, Judge’s former teammate and close friend, delivered an emotional introduction that peeled back the curtain on what makes the Yankees captain special beyond the box score.
“Without you, Aaron is not a three-time MVP,” Rizzo said, addressing Judge’s wife, Samantha, from the stage. “You are such a rock for him. And what you bring, your steady presence is amazing.”
Judge joined Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees to win three MVP awards, cementing his place among the franchise’s all-time greats.
Aaron Judge MVP 2025: Anthony Rizzo Speech, Wife Samantha, New York Yankees History
Judge’s 2025 season rewrote multiple record books. He hit .331 with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs while leading the majors in on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688), OPS (1.145), runs (137), walks (124), and extra-base hits (85).
The batting title was Judge’s first, making him the tallest batting champion in MLB history at 6-foot-7. He became just the third player ever to pair a batting title with at least 50 home runs, joining Mickey Mantle (1956) and Jimmie Foxx (1938).
Judge’s 53 homers were the most ever by a batting champion, and he became the fourth player with four seasons of at least 50 home runs. He also passed Berra and DiMaggio for fourth on the Yankees’ all-time home run list.
The MVP voting was one of the closest in years. Judge received 17 first-place votes and 355 points from Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters, narrowly edging Seattle Mariners’ catcher Cal Raleigh, who received 13 first-place votes and 335 points.
Rizzo’s Speech Reveals Judge’s True Impact
Rizzo, who played alongside Judge from 2021-23 before retiring, didn’t focus on statistics during his introduction. Instead, he painted a picture of Judge’s daily impact on everyone around him.
“Playing in New York is different,” Rizzo said. “The lights shine brighter, the pressure is heavier, every moment is magnified, and not everyone’s built for this stage. You’ve seen a lot of guys fold under these big lights. And what he does every day with his selfless leadership is something that I admire.”
Rizzo highlighted Judge’s ability to make everyone feel valued, from parking attendants to rookies from around the world navigating their first season in pinstripes.
“Anytime you have an interaction with Aaron Judge, he makes you feel like you’re the biggest person in the room,” Rizzo explained. “And that’s such a special feat to have as a superstar in this game.”
Rizzo also praised Judge’s consistency, noting that “whether he’s four for four or oh for four,” Judge maintains the same steady presence—a quality Rizzo admitted he once thought would be easy with Judge’s production, before realizing “the superstars, they go through their own grind and they struggle a lot more than people think.”
Judge’s Emotional Response
Judge’s acceptance speech focused heavily on gratitude, particularly to his family. He thanked his wife, Samantha, calling her “my hitting coach when I need you, my therapist when I need you. Just kind of everything.”
The couple’s daughter, Nora Rose, was born Jan. 27, 2025. Judge missed the 2024 BBWAA dinner in January 2025 to stay home with Samantha during the final stretch of her pregnancy.
“Giving me the greatest gift of all, which is our beautiful daughter, Nora, that’s been incredible to be a father,” Judge said Saturday. “It didn’t matter if I’m four for four or oh for four, coming home and seeing their smiling faces is that’s what it’s all about. It really puts it in perspective.”
Judge also thanked his parents, Wayne and Patty, for their endless support during his childhood. He shared a quote his father told him that still guides his approach: “If what you did yesterday still seems big today, then you haven’t done anything today.”
“It doesn’t matter if you pitch a complete game, shut out with four for four the night before, won the game for your team,” Judge explained. “That’s in the past. It’s about what you can do today. How are you going to show up today?”
Judge’s Message to Yankees Ownership
Judge closed by thanking Yankees ownership, his teammates, the training staff, and the fans who “demand a lot” and “expect a lot”.
“I think that’s what brings the best out of us and brings the best out of me,” Judge said. “A lot of you save up to come to one game to watch us play, watch me play. And that’s what it’s all about. I want to give you guys the best and put on a show for you guys.”
The King of New York walked off stage with his third MVP trophy, having proven once again why he belongs among Yankees’ royalty.
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