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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Madison Williams

Yankees Fan Who Caught Judge’s 60th Home Run Returns Ball

Yankees star Aaron Judge hit his 60th home run of the 2022 season on Tuesday night, and he is now tied with Babe Ruth for the second-most home runs by a Yankee in a single season.

While Judge still trails Roger Maris for 61 home runs in a season, his 60th homer was historic in its own right.

So, what happened to the baseball that went deep in left field?

Yankees fan Mike Kessler was the lucky person who grabbed the ball in the stands. The 20-year-old spoke with the New York Post following the game to talk about what he planned to do with the historic baseball.

“I gave it back to Aaron,” Kessler said.

Kessler wanted Judge to hold on to his own piece of history, and he wanted to give it back for free. If the fan would’ve decided to keep the baseball, Judge’s 60th home run ball could’ve sold anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000, per The Action Network’s Darren Rovell.

The fan didn’t go home empty handed, though. Judge gave him and his friends signed balls and a group photo. The Yankees star also gave Kessler a signed bat and an individual photo with him.

For more New York Yankees coverage, go to Inside The Pinstripes. 

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