Inside Aaron Judge’s incredible year from getting married to contract drama and breaking records for Yankees

IT'S safe to say that 2022 has been kind to Aaron Judge.

The New York Yankees right fielder, 30, could be set for one of the most lucrative contracts ever dished out in MLB after a remarkable season.

Judge was always a phenomenal talent, but his exploits this campaign have elevated him to legendary status in the Bronx.

He reportedly agreed a nine-year deal worth $360m to stay with the Yankees having become a free agent.

The 6ft7 slugger is now a globally recognized star after smashing through Roger Maris' American League home run record.

Judge crushed his 62nd home run of the season on October 4, going past the famous record Maris has held since 1961.

And it comes in a year where his life has changed both on and off the field.

Judge - a Californian native - celebrated the end of 2021 in style as he got married to long-time partner Samantha Bracksieck.

Their December wedding in Hawaii was a simple affair, reserved for just close friends and family.

It put to bed months of speculation after Bracksieck was spotted with an engagement ring earlier that summer.

The pair first met when they were teenagers, both attending Linden High School in San Joaquin, California.

They would go on to study at California State University together, with their romance blossoming as Judge's fledgling baseball career took him to the Big Apple.

Judge is intensely private about his personal life, with Bracksieck staying away from social media.

The outfielder returned from Hawaii and back into the rigors of an MLB season in February, knowing that he would be hitting free agency in November.

But he was unable to agree an extension in the Bronx, with the organization failing with their offer of a seven-year, $213.5m contract. 

Eight months later, numerous MLB insiders price up Judge's new price to be around $320m.

Judge helped the Yankees get off to a terrific start in the AL East, with his combination of presence and power at the plate making him a constant threat.

While his teammates have floundered with form, the powerful right fielder has more or less maintained a steady flow of homers through the season.

'IT'S A BIG RELIEF'

That saw the Yanks book a postseason spot having clinched the AL East.

Judge told reporters after smashing his record 62nd homer of the season: "It's a big relief.

"Everybody can finally sit down in their seats and watch the ballgame.

"It's been a fun ride so far, getting a chance to do this. you know, with the team we got the guys surrounding me.

"The constant support from my family who's been with me there through this whole thing is.

"Getting a chance to have my name next to someone as great as Roger Maris and Babe Ruth and those guys is incredible."

His record is in the bag, and his contract looks set to follow.