Rizzo and his doggy texts convinced Judge to re-sign
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge is a Yankee for all times, and Anthony Rizzo’s aggressive text-messaging marketing campaign might have been the membership’s secret weapon.
In an look on NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” on Monday, Judge detailed how Rizzo tugged on his heartstrings by sending day by day textual content messages through the slugger’s free-agency interval, together with snapshots of their Dachshunds roaming the Yankee Stadium outfield collectively.
“He was a big part,” Judge mentioned of Rizzo. “He was a free agent, too; he opted out, however he acquired his contract out of the best way [in November] and he mentioned, ‘Now we’ve acquired to get you locked in.’ He was calling me day by day. He was sending me texts day by day. He was working onerous.
“He went for my heart. My little Penny and his dog, Kevin, are the best of friends. Every day, I was getting photos.”
Judge, who agreed to a nine-year, $360 million contract in December, mentioned that he had set a lunch date with former Yankees captain Derek Jeter to debate the free-agency course of.
“He said, ‘You know what, I’ll take you out to lunch, we’ll kind of talk about things,’” Judge mentioned. “But then after I signed my deal, he said, ‘Now you’re going to take me out for breakfast, lunch and dinner.’”
Judge first appeared on “The Tonight Show” in May 2017 for a pre-recorded bit during which the then-rookie outfielder wore a pair of Clark Kent glasses to quiz unsuspecting followers in New York’s Bryant Park.
He additionally appeared in a taped bit this previous November on the MLB Store, the place Fallon and Judge photobombed followers whereas dressed as a Yankees catcher and umpire, respectively.
There was some revelry early in Monday’s look, as Judge participated in a “Blow Your Mind” recreation present phase. Following a business break, Judge made his first look on the interview sofa. With 9 extra years in New York, it doubtless won’t be his final.
“It’s about time,” Judge mentioned. “I’ve been waiting.”
