Why is Aaron Judge Not in the Home Run Derby? Who Won the Home Run Derby 2024?
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Updated Jul 16, 2024
Why is Aaron Judge Not in the Home Run Derby?
Aaron Judge, who leads MLB with 34 home runs, is not participating in the 2024 Home Run Derby. When asked why, Judge told the New York Post, "There’s no need this year." He also mentioned that he isn't done with the Home Run Derby and plans to join once it’s back in New York. So, we might have to wait a while before seeing him in the competition again.
Who is Aaron Judge?
Aaron Judge is a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on April 26, 1992, he is known for being very tall and strong, standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 282 pounds. Judge was named the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year in 2017 and has been an MLB All-Star six times. In 2022, he set a new AL record by hitting 62 home runs in a single season, breaking a 61-year-old record. Judge played college baseball at Fresno State and was drafted by the Yankees in 2013. He made his MLB debut in 2016, hitting a home run in his first at-bat. In 2017, he had a remarkable rookie season, becoming the first rookie to win the Home Run Derby and hitting 52 home runs. After the 2022 season, he signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees and was named the team captain.
| Name | Aaron Judge |
| Full Name | Aaron James Judge |
| Born | April 26, 1992 |
| Age | 32 |
| Profession | Baseball Player |
| Nationality | American |
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Aaron Judge Early Life
Aaron Judge was born in Sacramento, California, on April 26, 1992. He was adopted by Patty and Wayne Judge, who were both teachers in Linden, California, the day after he was born. Aaron and his older brother John were both adopted, and Aaron is biracial. Growing up, Aaron was a fan of the San Francisco Giants.
Aaron went to Linden High School, where he was a star athlete in three sports. He played baseball as a pitcher and first baseman, football as a wide receiver, and basketball as a center. He set a school record in football with 17 touchdowns and led the basketball team with an average of 18.2 points per game. In baseball, he helped his team reach the California Interscholastic Federation Division III playoffs. Aaron graduated from Linden High in 2010.
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Aaron Judge Personal Life
Aaron Judge is a Methodist Christian and often shares his faith on his Twitter account. To stay motivated, he keeps a note on his phone with ".179," his batting average with the Yankees in 2016, and looks at it daily.
Judge has endorsed many organizations and products and has made several media appearances. He was on the cover of the May 15, 2017, edition of Sports Illustrated and appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon the same day, where he went undercover to ask Yankee fans questions about himself. On November 6, 2017, it was announced that Judge would be the cover athlete for MLB The Show 18. He endorsed Under Armour gear from 2014 until 2018, when he signed a deal with Adidas. In 2023, Judge signed with the Jordan Brand. Also, in 2023, Legends Hospitality introduced "The 99 Burger," a California-inspired food item at Yankee Stadium named after Judge's uniform number.
In December 2021, Judge married Samantha Bracksieck.
Judge is also the founder of the ALL RISE Foundation, where his mother, Patty, serves as Executive Director and President. The Foundation's mission is to inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens and encourage them to reach unlimited possibilities.
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Has Aaron Judge Won a Home Run Derby?
Yes, Aaron Judge has won a Home Run Derby. He claimed the title in 2017 during his rookie year while playing for the New York Yankees. The event took place at Marlins Park in Miami. Since his victory, Judge has not participated in the Home Run Derby. Despite leading MLB in home runs this year, he announced that he will skip the competition. Judge told the New York Post that he doesn't feel the need to participate this year. He plans to join again once the event returns to New York.
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Who Won the Home Run Derby 2024?
In 2024, the Home Run Derby was full of excitement and surprises. Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernández won the event, beating young Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. in a close final round. Hernández hit 14 home runs in the finals, just one more than Witt, to claim the title. This victory made Hernández the first Dodger ever to win the Home Run Derby, and it was his first time competing in the event. His powerful swings and smart strategy, including a helpful timeout and chat with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., led him to this impressive win.
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The Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is a yearly contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) where players try to hit as many home runs as possible. It happens the day before the MLB All-Star Game, usually on a Monday in July. In this event, a home run means hitting the baseball out of the playing field in fair territory. Unlike regular games, batters don't face a pitcher and a team trying to get them out. Instead, a coach throws easy pitches from a closer distance, making it easier to hit home runs.
Batters stay in the box after each swing and don't run the bases. They don't have to wear full league uniforms and can wear a regular cap instead of a helmet since there's no danger of being hit by a pitch. The event usually takes place at sunset, so batters can wear their hats backward if they want.
The Home Run Derby started in 1985 and has changed over the years. It went from a simple outs-based contest to a multi-round, bracket-style timed event. In 2023, Julio Rodríguez set a record by hitting 41 home runs in a single round, beating the previous record of 40 home runs set by Vladimir Guerrero in 2019.
