On the heels of one of professional baseball's most impressive seasons, Aaron Judge was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League on Thursday (Nov. 17). Judge, who is poised to enter free agency as the hottest commodity in the game, has also been spotted recently wearing the red-hot fashion brand inspired by harness racing.
Judge’s 2022 season captured the attention and imagination of the baseball world at large, highlighted by his journey to shatter Roger Maris’ AL single-season record for home runs. That unforgettable campaign was recognized on Thursday, when Judge was crowned as the AL MVP Award winner, as voted by eligible members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Judge received 28 of a possible 30 first-place votes, claiming the MVP over two-way player Shohei Ohtani of the Angels and outfielder Yordan Alvarez of the Astros. Ohtani received the other two first-place votes.
“I was extremely nervous,” Judge said. “You’re going up against Yordan Alvarez, one of the top premier hitters in this game, and Shohei Ohtani is by far one of the best players on this planet. You never want to assume anything. Both of those guys had incredible years and it’s been fun competing with them over the years.”
It is the first career MVP Award for Judge, who finished second to the Astros’ Jose Altuve in 2017, a year in which Judge unanimously claimed the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
“He was incredible in every facet of the game in 2022, and put up a season that ranks with the very best of all time,” said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. “Aaron’s success was especially meaningful for our organization, as we’ve been able to watch him grow throughout his professional career into the player and leader he has become -- an offensive force in the batter’s box, a run preventer wherever we’ve put him in the field and someone who sets the tone in the clubhouse with his relentless commitment to winning. He has been our MVP for quite some time now, and this honour couldn’t be more deserved.”
Cashman — the son of Hall of Fame horseman John Cashman — isn't the only Yankee with ties to harness racing. Over the past month, Judge has been sporting gear from the Siegelman Stable collection on multiple occasions. He donned the signature Siegelman Stable cap during a number of post-game interviews late last month.
He was also spotted wearing the harness racing-logo of Siegelman Stable earlier this month, along with current Yankees teammate Giancarlo Stanton) at the New York City Marathon, supporting his wife Samantha Bracksieck . Siegelman Stable line founder Max Siegelman was also one of the participants in the marathon, pictured with Judge below.
Siegelman Stable is a family owned business, fusing harness racing and luxury sports fashion brand. A portion of all proceeds goes to equine therapy programs for veterans, nurses, doctors and inner-city youth programs. The clothing line, spotted on celebrities the likes of Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Camille Kostek and Post Malone, has also collaborated within the industry to help promote the International Trot and the Hambletonian.
(with files from MLB; Twitter photos courtesy and @max__siegelman)