PHOTO: Yankees use Aaron Judge & Karl-Anthony Towns' throwback snap to welcome NBA star to Big Apple
With two days to go before the first game of the ALDS on Saturday, Aaron Judge is keeping busy. After a season that saw him clobber more home runs and knock in more runs than anyone else in baseball, the Yankees captain knows that the work is far from done.
Although the upcoming Divisional Series is top of mind for Yankees players,the team posted an old picture of Aaron Judge and NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns at Yankee Stadium. The gesture comes on the heels of a blockbuster deal from the basketball world that will bring Towns to town.
"Welcome to NY, @KarlTowns. #NewYorkForever #RepBX" - New York Yankees
On Wednesday, it was announced that Towns had been traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks. The Charlotte Hornets were also involved in the deal. Towns could be in the Knicks' lineup as early as Sunday, when the NBA team opens their preseason.
Aaron Judge and Karl-Anthony Towns have been friendly for some time. In May 2023, the pair posed for a picture, which made rounds on social media. At 6-foot-7, Judge is the tallest position player in MLB, while Towns' 6-9 frame is above the NBA average. During their May 2023 meeting, Judge gifted a signed bat to Towns.
"Aaron Judge chopping it up with Karl Anthony-Towns" - Talkin' Yanks
Judge and his teammates on the New York Yankees amassed a record of 94-68, the best record in the AL. As such, the team will now await the Kansas City Royals, who will be in the Bronx to kick off the ALDS on Saturday. The Yankees logged five wins in seven meetings with KC during the 2024 season.
Aaron Judge eyes playoff success after narrowly missing historic 2024
Had it not been for a late-season three-week home run drought, Judge might very well have broke his own single season home run record of 62. Instead, Judge finished the year with 58 homers, and told TSN:
“It’s good to dream, good to hope and always good to shoot for those goals, but I think that one’s a little untouchable"
Although Judge will not set history as many expected him to this season, his utility for his team in the postseason has yet to be witnessed. If Judge and company can make a run to the world series, it is likely the fanbase will forget all about Judge's near-miss of making history once again.