Aaron Judge relives emotional debut, names Yankees’ starting lineup

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When Aaron Judge stepped onto the field for his MLB debut on Aug. 13, 2016, he likely couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead. Now, as the 2024 AL MVP and the face of the New York Yankees, Judge has played alongside a rotating cast of teammates—some for years, others for just a handful of games. Despite the countless lineups he’s been part of, Judge recently showed he could still recall the one from his very first game.

Aaron Judge remembers lineup from MLB debut

On Dec. 23, Topps, the trading card and sports collectible company, shared a video on social media challenging Judge to name the Yankees’ starting lineup from his debut game against the Tampa Bay Rays. With hundreds of games under his belt since then, Judge rose to the task with an impressive recall.

He began confidently, naming Jacoby Ellsbury in center field and Aaron Hicks in left. Chase Headley at third base and Didi Gregorius at shortstop came just as easily. Judge paused briefly before correctly identifying Starlin Castro as the second baseman.

According to Sports Illustrated, the most challenging position for Judge to remember was the designated hitter.

“DH…” he said, pausing for a few moments. “Oh my goodness… DH was… not Mark Teixeira, I know that. Give me the position he plays.”

A voice off-screen provided a helpful hint: “He’s a catcher.”

Judge smiled as it clicked. “Gary Sanchez,” he said, correctly naming his teammate. With a laugh, he added, “My goodness, how do I forget Gary? Don’t show him this.”

Aaron Judge had no trouble finishing the rest of the lineup, naming Tyler Austin at first base, Austin Romine behind the plate, and Masahiro Tanaka as the starting pitcher. With a little assistance on Sanchez, Judge successfully named every position.

The Aug. 13, 2016 game was one for the Yankees’ history books. Judge and Tyler Austin, both making their MLB debuts, hit back-to-back home runs in their first at-bats—a feat no pair of teammates had ever accomplished in the same game. The Yankees won 8-4, adding to the significance of the day.

While Aaron Judge has reached countless milestones since then, his debut clearly holds a special place in his memory. As for the brief moment of forgetfulness, it’s safe to say Sanchez would forgive him, given the emotions of that historic game.

Aaron Judge’s ability to recall the lineup from his first game highlights just how impactful that day was—not only for the Yankees but for the career of one of baseball’s brightest stars.

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