Empire state of mind: Aaron Judge’s mint gear trend sweeps Yankees

Sunday September 1, 2024

Aaron Judge’s 300th career home run at Guaranteed Rate Field was nothing short of cinematic—a towering blast, a salute to the bullpen, and a swarm of teammates celebrating at home plate as the dugout erupted in cheers for their captain. Yet, beyond the milestone itself, what caught the eye was the striking color of Judge’s batting gear.

Throughout his standout 2024 season, which has drawn parallels to Roger Maris’ legendary year and solidified Aaron Judge as an MVP frontrunner, he has consistently sported seafoam green accessories—a shade often referred to as “mint” by those around the team. This color choice has become an unmistakable part of his nightly appearances at the plate.

Asked about the origin of his unique gear, Aaron Judge explained that he’s been integrating the color into his accessories since the early days of his career. In 2019, during a collaboration with Adidas, he adopted the shade as a tribute to New York City and the Statue of Liberty. Judge noted the connection between his gear and the city’s iconic symbol, emphasizing how much Aaron Judge appreciates the subtle nod to the Big Apple.

“I love it,” he said. “I think it goes pretty good with the pinstripes.”

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The distinctive green hue mirrors the patina of the Statue of Liberty, formed by the natural oxidation of its copper exterior. Aaron Judge first began incorporating mint accents with Jordan-branded equipment during the Yankees’ opening series in Houston this season, fully committing to the look on April 13 in Cleveland, where he wore matching mint batting gloves, arm bands, and an elbow guard.

A departure from his usual navy, white, and black gear, the mint-colored accessories have become a defining element of Aaron Judge’s 2024 campaign. The Yankees’ slugger expressed his fondness for the fresh look, noting that he feels it pairs well with the team’s iconic pinstripes, adding a modern twist to his game-day style.

Aaron Judge’s mint gear grips Yankees

Aaron Judge’s influence in the Yankees’ clubhouse extends far beyond his on-field prowess, cementing him as a trendsetter in team fashion. His signature seafoam green gear has caught the eye of teammates, sparking a wave of interest and imitation throughout the roster.

Outfielder Alex Verdugo noted that Aaron Judge’s comprehensive use of the mint color across his batting accessories inspired others to join in, with several teammates now placing their own orders. What began as his personal style statement has evolved into a widespread phenomenon, almost as popular as a new hit at the ballpark concession stands.

“[Judge] kind of had it on all his gear like that,” the left fielder told. “We all liked it and kind of started ordering to match.”

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Washington. — AP Photo/Nick Wass

The mint trend has quickly spread, with Verdugo, Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes Jr., Oswaldo Cabrera, and Austin Wells all-embracing the hue. The color can be seen across various gear, from batting gloves and cleats to arm sleeves and even catcher’s equipment.

Cabrera shared his excitement about the color, linking it to the Statue of Liberty’s iconic green patina. Inspired by his teammates, he customized his own cleats, noting how wearing the mint shade adds a positive vibe to his game.

“I saw my guys with that color, the mint means like the Statue of Liberty,” the utility star said. “I said, ‘This color would probably give me a couple matches.’ I saw the pair of the shoes, and I was like, ‘I had to customize this with my guys that I’ve been working with, Custom Cleats.’ My mind was like, ‘This will be crazy.’ When I get that color, I feel so good.”

A standout moment in this trend came on April 24, when Cortes contacted his glove manufacturer, 44 Pro, to craft a mint-colored glove featuring a navy torch with an orange flame on the webbing—a nod to the Statue of Liberty. Benny Miller, who works on designs and shipping at 44 Pro, said it was the first time anyone had requested a Liberty-themed glove.

Miller initially expected Cortes would only showcase the glove on social media, but Cortes surprised him by using it during a game against the Orioles on June 18. Since then, Cortes has taken the field with the distinctive glove three more times, and Verdugo has followed suit, ordering his own mint glove complete with the torch logo on his sliding mitt.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus Stroman reacts after the final out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in New York. — AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Miller expressed amazement at seeing the Statue of Liberty-inspired glove make its way into actual gameplay, highlighting the impact aron Judge’s fashion choice has had on the Yankees’ on-field appearance.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Statue of Liberty glove,” he said. “This is kind of the first time anyone’s ever had the idea to, surprisingly.”

Major League Baseball rules on pitchers’ gloves prohibit white, gray, or any color considered distracting by umpires, except for piping. Despite these guidelines—which have previously forced Nestor Cortes to switch gloves mid-game—he has faced no issues with his mint-colored glove this season. Miller speculates that this could be due to a recent easing of color restrictions across teams.

The Yankees have embraced a more flexible approach to team colors, stepping away from their traditional palette. Gleyber Torres welcomed this shift, noting that the introduction of new hues adds a sense of excitement and individuality, creating a fresh, cohesive look for the team.

“This season, we’re going to use some colors to match everybody together,” he said. “I think things are different and cool. We have a bunch of guys doing it right now. I think it’s fun for me.”

While mint is commonly associated with the New York Liberty basketball team, its use among New York sports franchises, especially MLB teams, is rare. The Yankees’ adoption of the color marks an unusual move for a baseball team collectively embracing a non-traditional shade.

New York Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo jumps onto the fence in an effort to catch Washington Nationals’ Dylan Crews solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Washington. — AP Photo/John McDonnell

Miller, a self-proclaimed baseball gear aficionado, underscored the distinctiveness of this trend, observing that he had never seen an entire MLB team adopt a new color scheme on such a broad scale.

“I was shocked,” Miller said. “I was like, ‘Dude, that’s insane that you’d actually use the Statue of Liberty glove in a game.’ I’ve never really seen anything like this before, where a whole MLB team just kind of grabs one new color and just adds it into the mix. I can’t think of anything on this scale, [with] almost every player.”

As the Yankees chase their first World Series title since 2009, the mint color has become a symbol of team unity. Aaron Judge revealed that the squad made a collective decision to incorporate the color as a visual sign of their camaraderie and shared goals.

Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, the mint gear will remain a staple for Aaron Judge and other key players as they fight for the AL East crown and a deep postseason run. This color choice, which might not have aligned with the Yankees’ past traditions, now carries a special significance.

Oswaldo Cabrera praised the trend’s novelty, emphasizing that the mint color is more than just an aesthetic choice—it’s a meaningful emblem of the Yankees’ connection to their city and team identity.

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