The New York Yankees might have looked much different today had Patty Judge allowed her son to play football. Aaron Judge may be one of the biggest stars in baseball, but he was initially a three-sport athlete. The young Judge, who was born in California, played as wide receiver on the football team and as a center for the basketball team. Of course, Judge was also a fixture on his school’s baseball team, though his role was that of a pitcher and first baseman. But those positions took time to come to him.

Given his 6’7″ stature, the Yankees player would have been an asset to any team he played. But high school is when a parent still has a say over their child, and the same went for Aaron Judge. His position on the football team was achieved through some struggles.

Patty Judge was reluctant to let her son play additional sports

It would have been natural to assume that a tall kid like Judge back then would be a natural athlete. Although already a baseball and basketball star, he had his sight set on football next. In an interview with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, Judge watched some clips from his high school football days. When Betts mentioned his mom didn’t let him play, the Yankees player said, “Same.” His coach had wanted him on the field at first sight, and excited about the opportunity, Judge went home to tell his parents about it.

“I go home, I tell my Mom Dad, some football coach wants me to try out on the field. And she’s like, nah, no way. I’m like, Mom I’m 6’6″, I’m bigger than everybody, what’re you worried about? She’s like, let’s give it a year, you stay up on your grades and maybe as a sophomore, you can go out there. So I was fine with my grades, didn’t play that freshman year, and then sophomore year, I said, you can’t fight it now, I’m going out there,” the Yankee told Betts. However, that meant he could still pay attention to his education, according to Patty Judge.

READ MORE – ‘Game Within a Game’- Yankees Phenom Aaron Judge Opened Up on What Made Him Choose Baseball Over Football and Basketball

Ultimately, Judge chose baseball, and the MLB world for its betterment. Looking at the current state, Yankees could use some help from their captain.

Aaron Judge is on the IL indefinitely

The Bronx Bombers’ struggles are growing day by day. Aaron Judge watches his team from the dugout at every game, losing almost every match-up. His play at Dodger Stadium may have caught attention, but the aftermath means he’s paying dearly for it. Judge recently revealed that it was more than just a toe injury, and there’s no set timeline for his return.

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How will the Yankees fare in his absence in the future? Do you think their slump will continue?