Aaron Judge, the Northern California native and New York Yankees star, has mixed emotions about the Athletics’ planned move from Oakland to West Sacramento and eventually Las Vegas. Growing up in Linden, just 84 miles from the Coliseum, Judge reflects on the fond memories he has of baseball in the East Bay but remains hopeful for the future.
“It’s exciting and sad at the same time,” Judge said after the Yankees’ win over the A’s. “There are many great memories associated with the Oakland A’s. Legends have played here, and I have enjoyed attending games as a kid. It’s bittersweet, but I believe there are exciting times ahead for them.”
The 2022 American League MVP, who considers himself a NorCal kid, acknowledges the business side of baseball but expresses his disappointment over losing regular matchups with the A’s in Oakland, which felt like a homecoming for him.
“It’s tough, honestly,” Judge admitted. “I love playing on the West Coast. Seeing the A’s leave Oakland is hard. They’ll be in Sacramento next year until their new stadium in Las Vegas is ready, but it’s part of the game.”
The A’s will play their final game in Oakland against the Texas Rangers, marking the end of an era, but Judge holds on to the memories. He recalls attending an A’s-Yankees game in his youth, a significant moment for him, especially because he took his girlfriend, now his wife, to that game.
“I brought my girlfriend at the time, now my wife, to a Yankees-A’s game,” Judge shared. “I had some family friends who helped me get tickets along the third baseline, so I could take her on a date. It’s special to see how things have come full circle.”
Judge and his wife Samantha, who attended high school with him in Linden, have been married since 2021. Their bond, along with the memories of the Coliseum, adds another layer to Judge’s connection to Oakland.
Interestingly, Oakland drafted Judge No. 935 overall in the 2010 MLB Draft, but he chose to attend Fresno State instead. The Yankees later picked him at No. 32 in the 2013 draft. It’s unclear how his presence might have influenced the A’s current relocation plans.
As the A’s prepare to play in Sacramento from 2025 to 2027 before moving to Las Vegas, Judge’s sentiments resonate with many who are invested in the team. Although he never called the Coliseum home, his performances there—hitting .288 with 17 hits, 16 RBIs, seven runs, and five home runs in 16 games—make him feel a connection to the team he will surely miss.
