Aaron Judge Surprises Fans by Snubbing Cubs Legend From His Top 3 Former Teammates

Aaron Judge was all over the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and not just because the New York Yankees captain was the leading candidate for the American League MVP award, but he was a force off the field. It was he who successfully pushed Commissioner Rob Manfred to bring back classic team uniforms for the event. He also held his ground on sitting out the Home Run Derby, a decision he’s maintained since his 2017 victory. And this time, amid the media tornado, his every word held value. But it was a plain, honest response to what appeared to be an equally plain question that really sent shock waves through the baseball world.

Amid the standard questions about his season, media personality JoezMcfly asked the Yankees slugger a personal one. “Who’s your top three former teammates?” Judge paused, giving the question genuine thought before answering. “Top three? Yeah, I’m gonna start with Brett Gardner. Played next to him for quite a long time. Number two, I’ll go CC Sabathia. Yeah. He was quite a leader, just an anchor for everybody in that whole clubhouse. And three… I miss my guy T-Wade, Tyler Wade… He always had a smile on his face… The guy always brought energy, brought excitement. He just loved being a Yankee”

At first blush, the captain’s list is a lesson in leadership philosophy. Each decision stakes out a different part of a winning culture.

Brett Gardner is the grinder, the 14-year veteran whose entire career has been a case study in perseverance. CC Sabathia is the ace, the Hall of Fame presence who helped set the tone for the “Baby Bombers.” And Tyler Wade is the spark plug, the utility man whose infectious energy and selfless attitude impacted that clubhouse with positivity. While Judge’s list includes affection for loyalty, mentorship, and team-first chemistry, the name that didn’t make it blew everyone’s mind.

The snub of Anthony Rizzo was like a record scratch at the party. It is one of modern baseball’s most celebrated “bromances.” Their friendship had transcended the diamond, to their wives and cherished dachshunds, Penny and Kevin. It was Rizzo, former Cubs legend, who led the charge to make sure he stayed in New York at the eleventh hour of his 2022 free agency. Judge himself gave Rizzo the credit for making it happen, telling “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon that Rizzo “went for my heart” with a steady stream of daily texts and photos of their dogs playing together.

This deep, personal connection is precisely why Judge’s list felt less like a professional ranking and more like a personal statement to many fans, igniting a firestorm online.

The anatomy of a fan reaction: Why the Rizzo snub stung

Reaction was swift, with fans interpreting the omission as a public comment on Judge-Rizzo’s otherwise well-publicized friendship. One fan wrote, “can’t believe he dissed Rizzo like this smh 💔”. This sentiment views the snub through the lens of betrayal. Fans invested in the “bromance” narrative, amplified by Judge himself. He had said it was Rizzo’s personal pleading that had kept him in New York. To their mind, this wasn’t merely a list; it was a public rejection of that bond, a devastating “diss” to a man who was once his most trusted ally.

For others, the shock came from a purely logical standpoint. “I would’ve put money that he was going to say Rizzo.” This fan’s confidence is a product of recent memory. Rizzo was Judge’s right-hand man through the great 2022 MVP season and the high-stakes free agency that followed. While Gardner and Sabathia were former mentors, Rizzo was Judge’s present-day partner. And that felt like Rizzo could’ve been a surefire choice.

For many, the sequence of events worsened the confusion. “I’m sorry HAS RIZZO DIED.” This snarky question sums up the fan confusion. Rizzo’s stay in pinstripes came to an end after the 2024 season. His departure was fresh. Gardner last played in 2021; Sabathia, in 2019. The fan’s overreaction belittles the decision, making it sound as though nothing short of a permanent breakup would justify ignoring a teammate who was in the dugout so recently.

The most jarring aspect of that ranking was the presence of an established star being seemingly leapfrogged by a role player. “Wow, T -Wade beating out Rizzo was not on my bingo card.” It marks the black-and-white nature of player profiles. Rizzo has won a World Series and hit more than 300 home runs. Wade hit .212 as a Yankee. Judge’s decision valued intangible clubhouse energy over All-Star credentials. It was an unexpected judgment no one saw coming.

Finally, many fans felt a sense of empathy for Rizzo himself. “I wonder if Rizzo’s seen this…….” This comment reflects the human cost of the omission. The Yankees declined Rizzo’s contract option after his career was derailed by serious injuries, including a devastating concussion. The heartbreak was clear!

For many, Judge’s list felt like a public slight delivered to a close friend at a professional and personal low point, a tough blow for a player who hoped to retire a Yankee.