This weekend in the Yankee Stadium, the best team from the NL Central is facing off against the second-best of the AL East. And in Game 1, Aaron Judge made sure to give a show! Not with his homers, but rather robbing the homer of another MVP front-runner. Now, fans are wondering, can Judge be a Golden Glove winner, too?
In the top of the fourth inning, the Yankees were already ahead 3-0. Then, the Chicago Cubs’ MVP contender with 5.0WAR hit the ball for his 26th homer of the season. But Aaron Judge had other plans.
The player he robbed of the homer was none other than Pete Crow-Armstrong. On Carlos Rodon’s 95mph fastball, he launched what looked like a homer. But Aaron Judge timed his jump perfectly, stretching his 6’7″ to casually reach over the wall. And just like that, he gave one of the outstanding defensive plays. Soon, cheers from the stands echoed in the comment sections as well when MLB shared the clip on X: “AARON JUDGE TAKES A HOMER AWAY FROM PCA.”
AARON JUDGE TAKES A HOMER AWAY FROM PCA pic.twitter.com/ter0yQ7nOs
— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2025
PCA isn’t any centerfielder. He is leading not only with WAR in the NL. But also leads all MLB outfielders with 15 Defensive Runs Saved, making him one of the top in the MVP race.
Meanwhile, #99 leads MLB with a .356 average, 34 home runs, 79 RBIs, and a 1.187 OPS. And Armstrong was outplayed by this AL MVP contender.
Well, Aaron Judge‘s defensive play not only took the momentum from the Cubs. The Bronx Bombers crushed the South Siders by 11-0. But hold on! It’s not even half the picture. In the eighth inning, Judge made a diving catch on Dansby Swanson’s hit. He collected the ball just before it hit the ground, slipping onto the warning track with his chest first.
The defense stole the spotlight. And it got the whole Bronx talking!
Social media explodes over Aaron Judge’s game‑saving robbery
The defensive gem set off a social media storm right away, with fans having a hard time processing the amazing play. What was the initial topic of discussion among fans? A perfect display of Aaron Judge can have it all.
“How about this. MVP, triple crown and gold glove? He can do it.” He is basically ticking every box, with power, athleticism, and impact—why not recognize it?
New York Yankees Aaron Judge warms up on the field at batting practice one day before the Yankees play the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS at Yankee Stadium on Friday, October 4, 2024 in New York City. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY NYP20241004305 JOHNxANGELILLO
The comparison quickly took over. “But @Benvetlander thinks Raleigh is having better season because of the defense .” In the AL MVP race, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge are going head-to-head. And MLB insider Ben Verlander vouched for Raleigh. But this latest defensive play fitted perfectly with the debate on who’s better.
The Bronx still carries the wound from the World Series 2024. “Where was this Judge in game 5 of the 2024 World Series?” Remember, he made an error in the fifth inning against the Dodgers? Looks like he took his lesson.
Before this game, the Yankees were struggling, which isn’t typical for the Pinstripes. “That’s the Bronx we all know and love.” A nod to the classic Yankee way of making big plays at big times.
Yanks love Aaron Judge, and it was evident. “So now God is playing RF, nice!” The comment shows how excellent Judge’s whole performance was. The Bleacher Creatures didn’t even stop comparing him to God, who simply played as the perfect right fielder.
Clearly, in 2025, Aaron Judge isn’t just hitting home runs; he’s also stealing them, reviving highlight reels, and keeping his MVP momentum going. And now, the MVP race just got more interesting. Do you think a Gold Glove is on its way, too?
The post Aaron Judge Robs MVP Counterpart of Home Run With Unreal Defensive Gem to Leave MLB Fans Stunned appeared first on EssentiallySports.