NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have celebrated more than just home runs and walk-offs this season. A growing number of players — both current and former — have welcomed newborns in 2025, turning clubhouses and living rooms alike into scenes of new fatherhood.
Here’s a look at the Yankees’ baby boom of 2025, featuring stars past and present who became dads this year:
Aaron Judge welcomes first child — daughter Nora
Yankees captain Aaron Judge and wife Samantha Bracksieck became first-time parents on Jan. 27, welcoming daughter Nora Rose Judge. The announcement came via Instagram on Feb. 5 with Judge sharing a family photo and the caption, “1/27/25 Nora Rose Judge… What an incredible week it’s been.”
The reigning AL MVP had returned to Yankees camp days later, beaming as teammates congratulated him on the milestone.
Trent Grisham joins the dad club
Outfielder Trent Grisham was placed on the paternity list in April 2025, missing a series against the Cleveland Guardians. The team confirmed the leave was due to the birth of his first child with wife Megan. Grisham rejoined the Yankees days later and received a warm reception in the dugout.
Devin Williams starts the season as a new father
Reliever Devin Williams, acquired by the Yankees in late 2024, began the 2025 season by stepping away for paternity leave in early April. The team placed him on the paternity list before Opening Day, signaling the arrival of his first child. Though Williams keeps a low profile on social media, teammates confirmed the happy news.
J.C. Escarra latest to join
Catcher J.C. Escarra left the team on June 25, during a road series in Cincinnati, to attend the birth of his son, affectionately referred to as “JC III” in clubhouse chatter. Escarra’s absence was noted postgame by manager Aaron Boone, who offered his congratulations during media availability.
Ex-Yankees stars who become dads in 2025
Former Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who played in pinstripes from 2021 to 2024, also joined the new dads club. Rizzo and his wife Emily welcomed their son, Enzo Rizzo, on March 17, 2025. The couple shared a photo on Instagram holding their newborn with the caption, “Welcome to the world, Enzo.”
While Rizzo remains a free agent after stepping away from baseball following the 2024 season, the moment marked a major personal milestone for one of the clubhouse’s most beloved veterans.
Left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr., now with the Milwaukee Brewers, celebrated the birth of his first child — son Néstor Cortés III — in April 2025. Cortés, who pitched for the Yankees from 2021 to 2024 and earned an All-Star nod in 2022, shared the news via family and team channels. Yankees fans flooded social media with congratulations for the fan favorite known as “Nasty Nestor.”
A special season off the field
The string of baby announcements has brought smiles to the Yankees’ locker room and beyond. From rising stars to retired fan favorites, 2025 has been as much a season of new beginnings off the field as it has been on it.
As the second half of the season looms, the Yankees’ baby boom has added a personal touch to an already high-stakes year in the Bronx — and a few more tiny pinstripes to the family.
What do you think?
