Someone’s really having the best day of their life with Aaron Judge’s plaque. The New York Yankees Centre fielder was commemorated in 2022 for hitting the most homers in a season. He scored 62 homers which surpassed the record of 61 set by Roger Maris in 1961, almost 50 decades later! So, the Rangers had honored his home run in the Globe Life field with a plaque exactly where the ball hit.

In a dramatic twist, the renowned home run plaque honoring Aaron Judge’s historic blast has once again been swiped. Either some really diehard fan of Judge wanted this memorabilia all to himself, or was it some Rangers devotee who did not like an opposing team’s plaque in their stadium? Who knows; either way, the plaque’s disappearance added a new layer to its storied legacy.

Second plaque for Aaron Judge’s record homer stolen

On October 4, 2022, Aaron Judge hit a homer that will be in the history books forever. His 62nd home run of the season, a monumental achievement that crowned him as the American League’s single-season home run king, soared high into the right-field stands at Globe Life Field. The ball went straight to the right field where it was caught by 35-year-old Cory Youmans in the stands. The game was against the Texas Rangers on their home field. As Judge rounded the bases, the stadium erupted in a thunderous standing ovation, a tribute to the sheer magnitude of his feat. In a gesture that captured both the grandeur and the competitive spirit of the game, the Texas Rangers immortalized the spot where Judge’s historic ball landed. But here’s the twist: The plaque has been stolen not once but twice!

It looks like the thief has struck again. Just as the New York Yankees prepared for a highly anticipated three-game series against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, the plaque honoring Judge’s historic 62nd home run has mysteriously vanished. This marks the second time the Rangers’ tribute to Judge’s record-breaking moment has been stolen, fueling speculation and intrigue among fans and sports enthusiasts alike. The timing, coinciding with the Yankees’ visit, only adds to the drama surrounding this high-profile theft.

As the Yankees gear up for their series in Texas, all eyes will be on Globe Life Field, where the plaque’s disappearance has turned into a captivating subplot. Having lost the plaque twice now, it is reported that the Rangers have decided not to restore it. Perhaps for the best. Several souvenirs from memorable Yankees games have been stolen in the past too. 

Looking back on past Yankees’ stolen artifacts

Back in 2014, a group of thieves made off with some of the most treasured artifacts in baseball history from the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey. Imagine this: World Series rings, two MVP awards, and, Roger Maris’s legendary 1961 Hickok Belt – the very belt that celebrated his jaw-dropping achievement of hitting 61 home runs in a single season! These were not just any old collectibles; they were pieces of baseball’s golden tapestry.

Fast forward a decade, and we finally got some answers. Federal Prosecutors had charged nine people in connection with this crime spree, which targeted museums and historical centers, including our beloved Yogi Berra Museum. But here’s the kicker: the stolen rings were melted down into metal discs or bars and sold off for thousands of dollars. So, what’s the deal with these stolen baseball treasures?

As the mystery of the missing Judge plaques continues and the aftermath of the Berra Museum heist lingers, one thing is clear: baseball’s rich history is both a treasure and a target. The excitement and passion that fuel the game also drive some to take drastic measures to claim a piece of that legacy for themselves. What’s your take on this? Share below.