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It¡¯s been a long journey from Ruben Rivera to Aaron Judge. The Yankees path to Aaron Judge started in 1990, two years before Judge was even born! Tap through to see how the Yankees eventually landed their 16th captain in team history.
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Few would remember Ruben Rivera¡¯s time with the Yankees after he signed with the team in 1990, but many will recall his ¡°worst baserunning in the history of the game¡± with the San Francisco Giants in 2003.
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Hideki Irabu¡¯s rights from the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball were purchased by the San Diego Padres. The Yankees would later send a package of players including Ruben Rivera in exchange for Irabu.
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Hideki Irabu was traded to the Montreal Expos for Jake Westbrook, a 1996 first round selection by the Colorado Rockies. Ted Lilly was also involved in the deal heading to New York. Westbrook would only make 3 appearances for the Yankees.
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Seeking a big bat, the Yankees traded Jake Westbrook and others to Cleveland for slugger David Justice. Justice would heat up in the 2000 Postseason, including hitting this 3-run home run in Game 6 of the ALCS on his way to earning ALCS MVP for the Yankees.
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During the 2001 offseason, a rare crosstown trade between the New York Yankees and New York Mets was made. The Yankees swapped David Justice for third baseman Robin Ventura.
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After a 2002 All-Star campaign, Robin Ventura was traded during the 2003 season to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Bubba Crosby and Scott Proctor.
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Seeking help on their bench, the Yankees traded Scott Proctor to the Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit. Betemit hit this home run in his first Yankees at-bat.
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Needing a spark, the Yankees dealt Wilson Betemit to the Chicago White Sox in a package for Nick Swisher. Swisher would win the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, hitting this home run in a Game 3 victory.
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After the 2012 season, Nick Swisher declined a one year, $13.3 million qualifying offer. This gave the Yankees a draft compensation pick, the 32nd overall selection in the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
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Aaron Judge made his MLB debut in 2016, homering in his first at-bat. After crushing a record 62 home runs in 2022, Judge earned AL MVP, a new contract and was named the 16th captain in Yankees history.