Yankees Fan’s Wild Grab of Aaron Judge’s Home Run Ball Ends in Redemption

In a heart-pounding moment at Yankee Stadium, a New York Yankees fan nearly walked away with a prized souvenir: an Aaron Judge home run ball. The solo blast, Judge’s 12th of the season, soared into the stands during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres, narrowing the score to 2-1. The fan caught the ball clean in his glove, sparking wild cheers among his buddies.

But the plot thickened. As the group celebrated, the ball slipped from the glove, rolling along the right-field wall’s concrete edge. A nearby fan, with the reflexes of a shortstop, snatched it up and pocketed it like a seasoned pickpocket. The crowd held its breath—would this be a tale of greed or redemption?

Luckily, the story took a wholesome turn. The ball was returned to its rightful catcher, though whispers of a possible ball swap linger like a good conspiracy theory. Meanwhile, the Yankees exploded for a 10-run seventh inning, their biggest in a decade, capped by an Austin Wells grand slam. Judge, the reigning MVP, continues to dominate, tying for the MLB lead in homers and boasting a jaw-dropping .412 batting average.

The Yanks and Padres face off again Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, with fans no doubt hoping for more Judge heroics—and perhaps another shot at a keepsake.