Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees captain, has been a pivotal influence behind the scenes at the club. In 2024, he played a crucial role in welcoming Juan Soto during his time as a Bronx Bomber. Now, another player has highlighted Judge’s impact on the game.

Michael King draws inspiration from Aaron Judge as he enters walk year

CNN
As Michael King approaches his contract walk year, the Yankees pitcher looks to Judge for inspiration. King witnessed firsthand how Judge turned down a $213.5 million extension in 2022 spring training, choosing instead to bet on himself—a decision that led to a historic season.

King reflected on Judge’s mindset during a conversation with Corey Kluber on the Casa De Klub podcast. The pitcher expressed his admiration for how Aaron Judge’s approach to the game transcended personal statistics.

“If your main goal is to win the game you’re playing and not care about your stats, your stats then kind of take care of themselves,” King said. “My college coach taught me that, and then Judgy was the one that really embodied it in ’22 when he hit 62 home runs. He turned down a big extension in spring training or whenever that was.

“He just focused on helping everyone around him be as good as they could be and on winning baseball games. He didn’t put that pressure on himself to hit numbers for a bigger contract—it came naturally to him.”

Aaron Judge’s gamble, fueled in part by frustration with the Yankees’ decision to publicize the extension offer, paid off. That year, he broke Roger Maris’s franchise record for single-season home runs, hitting 62 and cementing his place in Yankees history. In the offseason, he re-signed with the team on a $360-million deal, validating his bet on himself.

King, who became a centerpiece in the Yankees’ trade for Juan Soto before last season, has established himself as one of the most promising young starters in the league. He posted a 13-9 record with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 173 ⅔ innings for the San Diego Padres last season, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star.

Originally acquired by the Yankees as a minor leaguer in a trade with the Marlins, King developed into an elite reliever before transitioning to the rotation. In his final season with the Yankees in 2023, he recorded a 2.75 ERA across 49 appearances, including nine starts, showcasing his versatility and value.

As King heads into a pivotal year, he hopes to channel Judge’s unwavering focus and team-first mentality. For King, the lesson is clear: success comes from prioritizing the game itself rather than the numbers on the back of a baseball card.