NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a home run during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2023, in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)
New York Yankees fans reminded the San Francisco Giants just how close they were to signing “Arson Judge” this offseason.
Aaron Judge won the American League MVP award last season, which was all well and good for New York Yankees fans. But they had to worry about if the Yankees would be able to keep him, as he was set to hit free agency. That very fanbase received a scare when MLB Network insider Jon Heyman tweeted out that “Arson Judge appears headed to Giants.” It was a huge typo, but it ultimately turned out to be a jinx for the Giants, as the Yankees re-signed Judge to a nine-year, $360 million contract.
It was only fitting that the Yankees and Giants faced off on Opening Day for the 2023 season. Let’s just say that some fans in the Bronx were happy to gloat about the fact that Judge didn’t sign with San Francisco. In fact, two fans held up a banner that was Heyman’s infamous “Arson Judge” tweet.
Yankees fans troll Giants with ‘Arson Judge’ banner
The Giants had planned to make a run at Judge and some of the other top free agents this offseason. While it appeared that the Giants were close to signing Judge, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner called Judge from Italy, and got a deal done.
As if things couldn’t get any worse for the Giants, they felt the impact of Judge instantly. On the first pitch Judge saw on the season, he sent the baseball thrown by Logan Webb over the center field wall of Yankee Stadium to give New York an early 1-0 lead.
New York picked up the 5-0 win to start off their season a perfect 1-0. Judge went 2-for-4 at the plate while knocking in two runs and scoring one run.
As for the Giants, they were only to pick up four hits the entire game, and struck out 16 times. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was responsible for 11 of those strikeouts.
The Yankees and Giants next meet on Saturday, Apr. 1 at 4:05 p.m. ET.