New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge had another historic season with the Bronx Bombers in 2024, earning him a unanimous American League MVP title, his second of the career.

The All-Star slugger has lived up to his role of captain since signing a franchise record $360 million, nine-year contract in 2022. However, things could have been very different for the two-time MVP had it not been for his wife, Samantha.

In July’s episode of “The Casa de Klub Podcast,” Aaron Judge, in conversation with former Yankees Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, revealed Samantha being the instigator behind his record deal.

While Judge was undecided on the team he wanted to play for after his record-breaking 62 home run season with the Yankees in 2022, he didn’t see his future away from the Bronx. Samantha read her husband’s thoughts and urged him to call the Yankees front office.

“I was in California. Samantha and I were headed to Hawaii to celebrate our anniversary,” Judge said. (15:11) “We were going back and forth with different offers from different teams, what do we want to do and I’m telling her I want to stay in New York.

I don’t want to go anywhere else and conversations in New York weren’t really going anywhere. She was just like call out, just call them up tell them how you are feeling, what you want, what you think.”

Judge acted on Samantha’s suggestion and called the Yankees front office, likely Brian Cashman. The Bronx Bombers agreed to the All-Star’s demand of an extra year to their initial offer.

Judge had turned down the Yankees’ $213.5 million qualifying offer over seven years, inviting interest from several teams. However, Samantha’s words proved to be the deciding factor in Judge’s future as he penned the third-highest contract in MLB history to return to the Yankees.

Aaron Judge addresses the Tampa Bay Rays’ offer in free agency

One of the teams who were reportedly close to striking a deal with Aaron Judge in his free agency was the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays offered $300 million over 10 years in 2022.

Judge addressed the rumors surrounding the offer from two years ago during a regular season series against the Rays in July.

“It was a very respectful (offer), and I appreciated that they reached out and that they thought enough of me to do that,” Judge said. “And I respect their team. I respect what they have built here. They have a good club, and their team is tough.

But it was so hard to think about (playing for them), because I’ve spent my whole career game-planning against them and trying to beat them.”

Judge continues to be one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. With his stellar record over the years, the Yankees captain is expected to go down as one of the greatest sluggers of all time.