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. Judge broke the American League single-season home run record against the Texas Rangers in the penultimate game of the 2022 season. The ball traveled to deep right field and was caught by a fan named Cory Youmans. However, the plaque that was placed in section 31, row 1, seat 3, where the ball was caught, has been stolen twice and now will not be replaced for a third time. This incident is not the first theft of memorabilia from historic Yankees moments, as in 2014, several items belonging to Yankees legend Yogi Berra were stolen.
Judge and the Yankees are set to return to Globe Life Field for a three-game series against the Rangers. Judge currently has 51 home runs with 25 games left in the season, and he is on pace to challenge his 2022 home run record. Although Judge had already hit 55 home runs at this point in 2022, he has been hitting at a hotter pace since the end of April after a slow start. If Judge is able 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 instances occurred before MLB’s integration.
In a separate incident, the 49ers’ first-round pick, Ricky Pearsall, was shot during a robbery attempt in San Francisco. The details surrounding the incident were not provided, but it is a concerning development for the young player. The altercation underscores the need for increased security measures to protect athletes and ensure their safety, both on and off the field. Professional athletes are often targets for robbery due to their high profile and wealth, and incidents like this highlight the risks they face in their personal lives.
The theft of the plaque at Globe Life Field raises questions about the security and preservation of sports memorabilia in public spaces. Fans and collectors seek to acquire and protect items that commemorate significant moments in sports history, but incidents of theft can compromise the integrity of these tributes. The decision not to replace the stolen plaque for a third time reflects a reluctance to invest in a vulnerable display that may be targeted again. Museums and sports facilities must implement robust security measures to safeguard valuable artifacts and prevent further thefts.
As Judge continues to make headlines with his impressive home run count, fans and analysts track his progress and compare his achievements to those of baseball legends from the past. Each milestone that Judge reaches brings him closer to the prestigious company of players who have achieved similar feats in the history of the sport. While Judge’s accomplishments are remarkable in their own right, they also serve as a tribute to the legacy of baseball and the enduring appeal of the game. As he approaches his record-breaking home run total, Judge’s performance captivates audiences and reignites the excitement of America’s favorite pastime.
