With Derek Jeter’s retirement in 2014, the New York Yankees captaincy position was left vacant. Today, it’s been eight years since Jeter retired and the Pinstripes are yet to elect a captain. However, this isn’t the first time the Bronx Bombers have fielded for long years without the presence of an on-field captain. But with the loud announcement of Aaron Judge in 2022, maybe the captaincy election will come sooner than the world presumed.
Before Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly led the Yankees. After his retirement in 1995, it took Jeter eight years to earn the position of captaincy. The selective and rare election of captains is evocative of the New York nature to only finalize a captain after absolute certainty behind the decision.
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Will Aaron Judge become the next Yankees’ captain?
Similarly, as the offseason arrived and talks of Aaron Judge’s future take flight, Hal Steinbrenner speaks about the prospective future of the outfielder in New York. He spoke about the possibility of Aaron Judge being named as the next Yankees captain if he chose to remain in New York.
Hal Steinbrenner said he'd consider naming Judge captain if he re-signs.
Judge would be the 12th captain in franchise history and the first one since Derek Jeter retired in 2014.https://t.co/CPM04h5lux pic.twitter.com/NhJxQHfYLz
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) November 15, 2022
In the interview, Steinbrenner talks about the importance of Judge in Pinstripes and adds that “he would consider making him a captain if he re-signs.” However, in the case that Judge chooses to not return, Steinbrenner said, “we will move in the best we can.”
This is how fans reacted to the possibility of Aaron Judge as their new captain.
Ummm this was already a thing in my books he reminds me so much of the energy Jeter brought be he’s his own person with his own legacy pic.twitter.com/WCG6I4eLiO
— El Fox 🦊 (Disclaimer) (@MikeyVanhailen) November 15, 2022
I’m sure he will forego millions of dollars for this honor
— MrCup (@Matty_JL) November 15, 2022
Huh? Are you feeling ok?
— Adam Klein (@gmen11champs) November 15, 2022
Has he considered winning a world series?
— George Pickens ROTY Campaign (@WickedLadyAlexa) November 15, 2022
The sound of a ratio
— Hurts Brown ‘24 (8-0) 🇨🇴🇺🇸 (@HurtsSZN24) November 15, 2022
Remove consider
— John Johnson (@LocoJoJo89) November 15, 2022
@Yankees pay @TheJudge44 and make the man CAPTAIN. best player we’ve had since Jeter.
— Ghosty💀 (@GhostMBrush) November 15, 2022
Hal Steinbrenner naming Aaron Judge Yankees captain will add exactly 0 wins to next years record.
Replacing Hicks Donaldson Chapman and Frankie might do so— Spud Springer (@SpudSpringer) November 15, 2022
If Aaron Judge doesn’t stay a Yankee next year, no way I will become a Yankee fan again. I was one month a day old when Derek Jeter joined the Yankees. I was 21 when Aaron Judge made his debut!! Yankee captain next: Aaron Judge
— Kristen (@MrsStyles42895) November 11, 2022
This is a joke right?
— Sunday Sauce (@doublearmbar1) November 15, 2022
He'd better make Anthony Rizzo Assistant Captain then.
— *****jerZboyMediaUSA/STILL SHADOWBANNED? YES!**** (@jerZboyUSA) November 15, 2022
The big question that still remains is whether Judge stays in New York with potential suitors in the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Derek Jeter, the last captain in Pinstripes
Back in 2017, as ex-captain and 20-year-long Yankee, Derek Jeter’s jersey retirement ceremony came close, Brian Cashman made a very bold statement. He spoke about the retirement of the captaincy label, along with Jeter’s jersey number two.
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The general manager spoke about the badge of captaincy. And he said, “Derek wore it so well for so long. I wouldn’t give up another captain’s title to anyone else.”
Today, when the Yankees delivered another postseason upset, memories of Captain Clutch stood fresh.
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Watch This Story – The Top-5 Most Electrifying Home Runs By New York Yankees Star Aaron Judge
All in all, do you think that Aaron Judge can fill the shoes of Derek Jeter? Especially after an extremely forgettable postseason. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.