24 January 2023 , 16:30
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The New York Yankees breathed a sigh of relief this winter as MVP Aaron Judge opted to re-sign, but they may have his team-mate Anthony Rizzo - and, in parcitular, his dog - to thank.
Judge broke the American league home-run record last season, hitting 62 over the campaign and scooping up the MVP award in the process. However, Judge initially declined the Yankees offer of an extension, and quickly became the most wanted man in the league. He is believed to have been close to signing for the San Francisco Giants before making a late U-turn and opting to stay put at Yankee Stadium.
Judge finally penned a stunning nine-year $360million (£292.5m) contract to remain at Yankee Stadium, meaning it's very likely he will finish his career as a one-club man. Judge has claimed that both he and his wife couldn't imagine not being a Yankee, but the baseball star acknowledged his team-mate for convincing him to stay.
Judge had quite the evening in New York on Monday night, as not only was he in attendance to watch NHL side New York Rangers thrash the Florida Panthers, he appeared on The Jimmy Fallon Show. Fallon is a Yankees fan and a regular at their home games, and asked Judge about his decision to re-sign.
The baseball star admitted that he met with other teams, but it was always going to be the Yankees for him and his wife. "It was a fun process, every athlete wants to get to that position where they can kind of choose where they get to play," Judge said on Jimmy Fallon.
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"It just so happened that I got drafted by the best team on the planet. I met a lot of great teams and a lot of great people along the way, but after every meeting I'd sit down with my wife and we'd look at each other and be like 'we're Yankees'."
Aaron Judge explained contract negotiations on Jimmy FallonBut then Judge explained how Rizzo played a huge part, with his team-mate also heading into free agency at the same time as his close friend. "Yeah, Anthony Rizzo played a big part," Judge added.
"He was a free agent too, he opted out but he got his contract out the way and then said 'we gotta get you locked in'. He was calling me everyday, sending me texts everyday, he was working hard.
"He went for my heart, he went for my little Penny (dog) and his dog Kevin are the best of friends. This is what I had to deal with, everyday."
Rizzo used the dogs as an emotional trickJudge didn't just re-sign for the Yankees, he was rewarded by being named captain - joining an elite list. Judge is only their 16th captain ever, and the position hasn't been filled since Derek Jeter had the honour in 2014.
"It was a shock to me, you always dream about stuff like that, getting the opportunity to represent the Yankees like that as a captain. I didn't think it would happen but I was on the phone with Hal the boss, and we were talking about the deal.
"At the end he was like 'oh by the way, I'm going to name you 16th captain'. I was speechless, I didn't really know what to say, but it's an honour I don't take lightly."