NEW YORK — When Aaron Judge first graced the cover of MLB The Show in 2018, he was a rising star fresh off a record-breaking rookie campaign. Now, eight years later, the Yankees captain has etched his name alongside a Minnesota Twins legend in video game history.
Judge was revealed as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26 on Tuesday. The announcement came just months after his third American League MVP season. It also arrived on the heels of his first career batting title.
The 6-foot-7 slugger now joins Hall of Fame catcher Joe Mauer as the only players to appear on The Show’s cover more than once. Mauer graced back-to-back editions in 2010 and 2011 during his prime years with the Twins.
Two batting champions share rare video game honor
The connection between Judge and Mauer extends beyond their shared cover status. Both players won batting titles while standing among the tallest champions in MLB history. Mauer captured three batting crowns during his career. Judge claimed his first in 2025 with a .331 average.
At 6-foot-7, Judge became the tallest batting champion ever last season. He surpassed the previous record height of 6-foot-5, shared by Mauer and Hall of Famers Dave Parker and Frank Thomas.
“I just gave him a ball and said, ‘You know, Tony Gwynn, Rod Carew, Wade Boggs, you’re in that company now,'” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Judge after he won the batting title.
From rookie sensation to three-time MVP
Judge first appeared on The Show’s cover following his explosive 2017 rookie season. That year, he set a then-rookie record with 52 home runs and won the AL Rookie of the Year Award unanimously.
In the eight years since that cover debut, Judge has transformed into one of baseball’s all-time greats. He is now a three-time MVP, seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and three-time home run king. His 62 home runs in 2022 broke Roger Maris’ American League record.
His 2025 season may have been his best yet. Judge crushed 53 home runs while leading the majors in batting average, on-base percentage (.457) and slugging percentage (.688). He became just the third player to hit 50 or more homers and win a batting title, joining Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle (1956) and Jimmie Foxx (1936).
Aaron Judge gets dual cover treatment
The MLB The Show 26 cover showcases Judge in both his Yankees pinstripes and his Team USA uniform. He was named captain for the United States ahead of the upcoming World Baseball Classic. This marks the first time The Show has featured a player in his country’s jersey.
The World Baseball Classic tournament will also return to Diamond Dynasty mode within the game. Fans can expect more details in the coming weeks.
MLB The Show 26 will launch on March 17 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S and Nintendo Switch. Early access for the Digital Deluxe Edition begins March 13. Preorders open Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. ET.
Yankees history on The Show covers
Judge remains the only Yankees player to grace the flagship edition of MLB The Show in its 21-year history. The franchise dates back to MLB 06: The Show, which featured David Ortiz on its cover.
Derek Jeter appeared on a special collector’s edition of MLB The Show 23. Bernie Williams was featured on one of the predecessor games, MLB ’98. But neither made the main cover during The Show era.
This year’s game returns to a single-cover athlete format. Last year featured a trio of rising stars: Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson.
Mauer’s legacy looms large
Mauer earned his back-to-back cover appearances thanks to his dominant 2009 season. That year, he won his third batting title with a .365 average and captured the AL MVP Award. He accumulated 8.3 fWAR while leading the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
The St. Paul, Minnesota native was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024. He remains the only catcher in MLB history to win three batting titles. His .306 career batting average ranks among the highest for any catcher.
Judge is the first reigning MVP to be on The Show’s cover since Shohei Ohtani in 2022. Other reigning MVPs who served as cover athletes include Josh Donaldson (2016), Miguel Cabrera (2014), Mauer (2010) and Dustin Pedroia (2009).
“Those are legends in the game who will be talked about forever,” Judge said of being mentioned alongside batting champions like Gwynn, Carew and Boggs. “Getting a chance to be with that group is something I don’t take lightly.”
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