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Judge Honors Gardner, Sparks Yankees Win
4 Apr
Summary
- Aaron Judge honored former Yankee Brett Gardner with a signature flex during the home opener.
- Judge hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the first inning, fueling an 8-2 Yankees victory.
- The Yankees captain's tribute came amid news of Gardner's personal tragedy.
During the New York Yankees' home opener on April 4, 2026, captain Aaron Judge paid tribute to former teammate Brett Gardner. Judge initiated the tradition of the Bleacher Creatures' Roll Call by performing Gardner's signature flex, a gesture he made from Gardner's former center field position. This tribute preceded Judge's own impactful performance on the field.
Judge then launched a go-ahead, two-run homer in the first inning against the Miami Marlins, setting the tone for an eventual 8-2 Yankees victory. Teammate Ben Rice also homered and drove in three runs. This display of leadership and connection comes as the team and Judge remain mindful of Gardner's personal struggles, including the recent death of his youngest son in March 2024.
Despite a slow start to his season with a .185 batting average, Judge's performance against Miami showcased his continued influence. He also drove in another run later in the game. Judge experienced a scare in the second inning when he was hit by a fastball near his wrist, but he indicated he was likely okay, drawing on past experience with a similar injury.
