A plaque commemorating Aaron Judge’s historic 62nd home run of the 2022 season at Globe Life Field in Texas was stolen for the second time and will not be replaced again, according to WFAN’s Justin Shackil. Judge made history by breaking the American League single-season home run record against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in the penultimate game of the 2022 season. The ball, which broke the record previously set by Roger Maris in 1961, was caught by a fan named Cory Youmans in deep right field. Despite being previously stolen, the Rangers have decided not to put up a third plaque to honor Judge’s achievement. This incident is not the first theft of memorabilia from historic Yankee moments, as in 2014, several of Yogi Berra’s World Series rings and MVP plaques were stolen from a museum in New Jersey.
Judge and the Yankees are set to return to Globe Life Field for a three-game series against the Rangers. Currently, Judge has hit 51 home runs with 25 games left in the season, putting him on pace to challenge his 2022 home run record. Despite hitting 55 home runs at the same point in 2022, Judge has been hitting at a hotter pace since the end of April after a slow start. If Judge manages to hit 60 home runs this year, he would become the third player with multiple 60-homer seasons, joining Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. Only two players in history have matched or exceeded each of Judge’s slash line totals from this season while also hitting at least 50 homers, and both did so before MLB’s integration: Babe Ruth accomplished this three times, and Jimmie Foxx did it once for the 1932 Philadelphia Athletics.
This latest theft of the commemorative plaque adds to a series of incidents where significant sports memorabilia has been stolen. In 2014, several of Yogi Berra’s prized possessions were taken from a museum, showcasing the continued vulnerability of such items. The decision by the Rangers not to replace the stolen plaque represents a missed opportunity to honor Judge’s record-breaking achievement and emphasizes the need for heightened security measures to protect valuable sports memorabilia. The incident serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication of sports fans who desire to hold onto a piece of history, as well as the unfortunate reality of theft and vandalism in the sports world.
The theft of the memorial plaque has cast a shadow over Judge’s historic achievement and the ongoing season for the Yankees. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Judge’s performance on the field continues to impress, with the possibility of his second 60-homer season on the horizon. The stolen plaque serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers and risks associated with celebrating sporting achievements in public spaces. As Judge and the Yankees prepare for their upcoming series at Globe Life Field, the absence of the plaque stands as a poignant symbol of the impermanence of physical tributes and the enduring legacy of athletes like Judge in the world of sports.
