On Wednesday night, the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants are playing the first MLB game of the season in California.
Aaron Judge is entering his 11th season in the MLB (all with New York).
He comes into the year seeking his first ever World Series Championship.
Barry Bonds Makes Feelings Clear About Aaron Judge
GettySCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Slugger Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants talks to the media during spring training February 22, 2005 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bonds, who was commenting for the first time since his grand jury testimony concerning steroids use in Major League Baseball, told reporters he could not discuss the issue for legal reasons. (Photo by Blair Bunting/Getty Images)
Before the first pitch, MLB legend Barry Bonds spoke about Judge (via Netflix Sports).
Bonds: “If you want to talk about team, that’s the man I want on my team. If you want to talk about character, that’s the man I want on my team… On that field, I was probably the best teammate you would ever have. I took more walks for my team. Got on base for my team. And that’s what baseball is about… Aaron Judge brings that to his team every day. Year in and year out.”
GettySAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 17: Barry Bonds #25 of the San Francisco Giants is hugged by daughter Aisha, 5, during a press conference after Bonds hit career home run # 700 against the San Diego Padres on September 17, 2004 at SBC Park in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 4-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Judge’s MLB Career
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees reacts to hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 24, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Judge was picked 32nd in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Fresno State.
The 2025 MVP is coming off a year where he batted .331 with 53 home runs, 114 RBI’s, 137 runs and 12 stolen bases in 152 games.
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic wrote (on November 13): “Aaron Judge won his third American League MVP. He joins Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio as the only Yankees in franchise history to win three MVPs. Judge finished with a 204 wRC+ and 10.1 fWAR, which led MLB.”
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees high fives through the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 24, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Judge has won three MVP Awards, made seven All-Star Games and reached the 2024 World Series.
If he can win a World Series Championship, he will go down among the best Yankees of all time.
Looking Ahead For New York
Following the Giants, the Yankees will head to Seattle for a series with the Mariners.
They will then return to New York to host the Miami Marlins on April 3.
Barry Bonds Makes Feelings Clear About Aaron Judge Before Yankees-Giants Game