Yankees Slugger's Alma Mater to Retire His Jersey Number
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is having his number retired by his alma mater, the Fresno State Bulldogs, in a ceremony set for Nov. 19.
Judge wore No. 29 for the Bulldogs. His number will be retired along with former Fresno State coach Mike Batesole’s No. 44. The pair will also be honored at a Fresno State football game on Nov. 18.
Batesole was Judge’s head coach at FSU.
"Aaron Judge epitomizes all that Fresno State Athletics stands for, not only with respect to his remarkably high levels of athletic success, but more importantly in who he is as a person and the impact he makes on his communities," said Director of Athletics Terry Tumey in a release announcing the jersey retirement.
Judge spent three seasons with the Bulldogs (2011-13) before the Yankees took him in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft.
As a Bulldog, Judge was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2011, as well as WAC Freshman of the Year. In 2012, Judge won the TD Ameritrade College Baseball Home Run Derby where he launched 16 home runs over the course of three rounds. Judge owned a .345 average with a total of 18 home runs and 109 RBI in 169 games in a Bulldog uniform until he was drafted in 2013.
With New York, he’s emerged as their top power hitter. He was the 2022 American League MVP after he broke the American League record for most home runs in a season with 62. He was the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year, a five-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger.
Last season Judge only played in 106 games due to injury, but he slashed .267/.406/.613/1.019 with 37 home runs and 75 RBI.
For his eight-year MLB career Judge is a .282 hitter with 257 home runs 572 RBI.
