NEW YORK — Trevor Bauer has found another way to stay in the spotlight. The former Cy Young Award winner is using Aaron Judge’s World Series error to sell a new glove.
Bauer’s latest product, a cherry blossom-themed glove called “Blossom,” launched with a viral video. The ad begins with Judge’s dropped fly ball in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The timing was intentional. Bauer makes it clear in the video’s narration.
“What happens when the wrong glove costs you the biggest game of your life? We’ve all seen it,” Bauer says. “A ground ball rolls right through, a flyball clanks off the web, and suddenly a whole season flips. In baseball, gloves don’t just make the plays; they can change history.”
The clip spread quickly across social media. Yankees fans were furious.
Targeting Yankees captain’s most painful moment
Judge’s error came in the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. With Kiké Hernández on first, Tommy Edman lifted a routine fly to right field. Judge dropped it, and the Dodgers erupted for five runs to tie the game.
At that point, Gerrit Cole was working on a no-hitter. New York held a five-run lead. The momentum swung in an instant.
Los Angeles went on to win 7-6 and take its eighth World Series title. Judge’s drop was his only error of the 2024 season.
“That comes back to me, I gotta make that play,” Judge said after the game. “You can’t give a team like the Dodgers extra outs, they’ll take advantage of it.”
The ball later sold at auction for $43,510, with proceeds going to the Dodgers Foundation.
Bauer builds business around baseball gear
Bauer, now with Japan’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars, has shifted into business since his exile from Major League Baseball. He joined the BayStars in January 2025 and has grown his “Bauer Outage” brand.
The “Blossom” glove is the latest in his series of limited runs. Only 30 units are available.
In April, he introduced the teal and gold “Kaiju” glove, made from Japanese kip leather and branded with his sword logo. Only 31 were produced. In May, he claimed his “Breeze” glove saved him when a line drive headed for his face was caught in the webbing.
Each release creates buzz online. Bauer’s YouTube channel has more than 1 million subscribers.
Judge vs. Bauer: Contrasting fates for former rivals
Judge and Bauer’s history adds fuel to the ad. Judge is 2-for-8 lifetime against the right-hander.
Judge, 33, remains the face of the Yankees. He is batting .326 with 48 home runs this season and is signed through 2031 on a nine-year, $360 million deal.
Bauer, meanwhile, was demoted to the minors in Japan in June after command issues and a clash with his pitching coach. He has not pitched in the majors since 2021. The Dodgers released him in 2023 after a lengthy suspension following sexual assault allegations.
Yankees connection runs deeper than expected
Bauer’s ad also invoked Yankees icons. He cited Derek Jeter’s jump throw and compared it to the importance of trusting a glove.
“Think about it. Derek Jeter’s jump throw, Nolan Arenado making a play down the line, backhanding and firing across, Ozzie Smith flying at full extension. None of it happens without trust in your glove,” Bauer said.
The reference ties Judge’s miscue to the Yankees’ storied past, a marketing tactic aimed directly at New York fans.
Judge has said he never watched the replay.
“I’ve already experienced it,” Judge said in spring training. “One or two things go differently, and nobody’s talking about it. Since you lose, everyone’s talking about it.”
Bottom line for business and baseball
The ad shows Bauer’s willingness to use controversy as a marketing tool. His decision to highlight Judge’s mistake has drawn outrage but also boosted sales.
The “Blossom” gloves are selling quickly, and engagement on Bauer’s social channels has spiked since the video dropped.
For Judge, the sting remains.
“Falling short in the World Series will stick with me until I die,” Judge said after Game 5. “Just like every other loss, those things don’t go away, they’re battle scars along the way.”
Bauer may profit from Judge’s pain. But for the Yankees’ captain, the focus is still on winning the championship that slipped away on that October night.
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