Aaron Judge Homers Twice After Meeting Trump Who Praised Him

The New York Yankees’ towering captain, Aaron Judge, delivered a historic performance on a night already steeped in significance. In a 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers, Judge blasted two home runs—fresh off an unexpected pregame meeting with former President Donald Trump at Yankee Stadium.

The date, September 11, 2025, marked the 24th anniversary of the tragic events in New York. That brought a wave of emotion to the evening.

Judge’s performance fueled the Yankees’ victory. It added another chapter to his rapidly growing legacy.

A Special Meeting Before the Game

Before first pitch, Trump visited the Yankees clubhouse to greet players. He praised Judge as a “fantastic player” and drew laughter by joking that he wished the slugger was “a little bigger”—a nod to Judge’s already imposing 6-foot-7, 282-pound frame.

The lighthearted encounter seemed to set the tone for what would become a memorable night, both on and off the field.

Trump’s Presence on an Emotional Anniversary

Trump showed up on a day of remembrance for New Yorkers and Americans everywhere. On the somber anniversary of September 11, having a public figure in the stadium alongside one of baseball’s most recognizable stars made the night feel different.

The combination of nostalgia, commemoration, and top-tier baseball brought a unique energy to Yankee Stadium.

Judge’s Dominant Night at the Plate

Judge entered the game locked in. By the end of the night, his bat had rewritten parts of the Yankees’ record book.

His two blasts brought his season total to 46 home runs. That matched Joe DiMaggio for fourth place on the Yankees’ all-time list with 361 career homers.

Breaking Down the Performance

Judge’s batting line for the night read like an MVP resume:

• 3-for-4 at the plate
• Two home runs (45th and 46th of the season)
• One single
• One strikeout looking
• Hit by a pitch in the third inning, which drew loud boos from the Bronx crowd

With the pair of homers, Judge now sits at exactly 100 RBIs in 2025. He’s just four home runs away from notching his fourth career 50-homer season.

Only legends like Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Babe Ruth have pulled that off before.

The Tight MVP Race

As the reigning American League MVP, Judge finds himself in another hot race for the award, this time against Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.

Raleigh leads MLB in home runs with 53, but Judge still tops him in key categories like batting average and OPS. If Judge wins, he’ll become the first Yankee since Roger Maris in 1960–61 to claim back-to-back MVP titles.

Chasing History Once Again

Winning this year’s MVP would secure Judge’s third in just four seasons. That’s a level of dominance New York hasn’t seen since Joe DiMaggio won three MVPs between 1939 and 1942.

The way he’s producing in September, you can’t help but think his chances are pretty good.

What’s Next for Judge and the Yankees

Judge is on the cusp of more history, eyeing another entry into the 50-home-run club. He’s possibly cementing himself as one of the most decorated Yankees of all time.

His ability to perform under the spotlight—especially on emotionally charged nights like September 11—continues to define his career.

The Bigger Picture

The Yankees picked up a win over Detroit and grabbed a bit more momentum for their postseason push. Judge’s steady brilliance keeps the lineup steady, too.

Every time he steps up to the plate, it feels like something big might happen. The baseball world can’t help but watch.

The season’s winding down, and honestly, Judge isn’t just after another MVP. He’s putting together a legacy that could someday be mentioned with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio.

Nights like this? They just make it clearer—he’s more than earning that Yankees captain title.

 
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