Aaron Judge has made baseball history by breaking a record that had stood for over six decades.
The New York Yankees outfielder tied the single-season American League home run record in late September 2022 when he hit his 61st home run against the Toronto Blue Jays.
This record, originally set by Yankees legend Roger Maris in 1961, lasted for 61 years.
Fans eagerly anticipated whether Judge would hit another home run, and on October 4, 2022, he achieved his historic 62nd home run at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field, setting a new record.
One fan who closely followed Judge’s remarkable home run chase was his wife, Samantha Bracksieck.
“My wife has been with me through it all and she’s calm as a cucumber, that’s for sure,” Judge told the New York Post after tying Maris’ long-standing record.
In December 2022, Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees and was named the team’s newest captain.
“Thank you to everybody, my wife, Samantha,” Judge said during a press conference, where he was joined by Bracksieck on stage. “[My wife and I] came to the decision that was in our hearts, which is we belong in New York, we belong in this city.”
Bracksieck played a crucial role in the negotiation of that contract, as Judge mentioned during an August 2024 appearance on the Casa de Klub podcast.
When discussions seemed to stall, it was his wife who encouraged him to reach out to owner Hal Steinbrenner.
The call went smoothly, and Bracksieck listened in as Steinbrenner informed Judge that he would also be appointed captain.
“I was more speechless about that than hearing about a nine-year deal. Sam was hitting me like, ‘You gotta be saying something.’ It was special,” he said.
Next, Judge and the Yankees might be on their way to the 2024 World Series after clinching a victory in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
So, who is the woman supporting the MLB player as he enters the baseball history books? Here’s everything you need to know about Aaron Judge’s wife, Samantha Bracksieck.
She met Judge in high school
Bracksieck and Judge went to Linden High School in Linden, California, where Judge played three sports: football, basketball, and baseball, before graduating in 2010.
After high school, both Bracksieck and Judge continued their education at Fresno State University in California.
While studying at Fresno State, Bracksieck received recognition in 2017 for her exceptional master’s thesis in kinesiology.
Her award-winning project, titled “Posterior Elbow Angle During the Movement Phase of Throwing in Relation to the Susceptibility of UCL Injury in Major League Baseball Players,” focused on elbow ligament injuries in Major League Baseball.
She and Judge have been together since at least 2014
Although Bracksieck and Judge mostly keep their relationship out of the spotlight on social media, Bracksieck made her first appearance on Judge’s Instagram account in November 2014.
The photo collage featured the couple alongside Judge’s parents, participating in a Thanksgiving Day 5K run together.
“Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and always be grateful for what you have! #GodBless #5k,” Judge captioned the post.
Aside from that 2014 post, Bracksieck is nearly absent from Judge’s social media.
The only other time she showed up on his Instagram was in July 2022, when they visited Los Angeles during the MLB’s All-Star Break.
“What a time we had out in LA for the All Star break! Can’t thank Yankee fans and all the fans out there for their support and making this one of the best years yet! Time to get rolling in the 2nd half!,” the baseball player wrote along the series of photos.
She and Judge wed in 2021
Judge and Bracksieck tied the knot in a private ceremony in Maui, Hawaii, on December 13, 2021, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The publication shared photos of the couple exchanging vows beneath a stunning arch of flowers and greenery at the Montage Kapalua Bay Resort.
Bracksieck wore a form-fitting gown featuring an illusion neckline, a detailed back, and a long veil, while Judge opted for a classic black tuxedo.
The couple, who did not formally announce their engagement, exchanged vows in front of a small gathering that included several of Judge’s New York Yankees teammates.
Photos on Twitter captured Yankees players Gary Sanchez, Luis Cessa, and Gleyber Torres attending the wedding in Hawaii.
She and Judge enjoy sports — not just baseball
While Judge and Bracksieck mostly keep their relationship private, they are often seen enjoying sporting events together.
In November 2019, the couple was spotted on the sidelines during a football game at their alma mater, Fresno State.
A few years later, they were seen sitting courtside (next to Trevor Noah) as the Brooklyn Nets took on the Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs.
Judge and Bracksieck are also avid tennis fans, attending the US Open in both 2022 and 2023.
In October 2023, they sat courtside at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks game against the Boston Celtics.
She has run the New York City Marathon multiple times
In November 2022, Bracksieck participated in the New York City Marathon, with Judge there to cheer her on.
The couple was seen embracing after she crossed the finish line. A year later, when Bracksieck returned for another marathon in 2023, Judge was once again at the finish line to congratulate her with a hug and a smile.
Judge’s teammate, Anthony Rizzo, was also present to support his wife, Emily, who shared with the New York Post that she had reached out to Bracksieck for advice before the marathon.
“I have gone to her throughout this entire process and asked her a gazillion questions about what the day [of] looks like, what I should be wearing, what headphones, what her training looks like,” she said in October 2023.
“We’ve run together as well, and she’s really been a support system for me and given me a lot of good experience advice.”
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
When she’s not writing, Olekanma enjoys immersing herself in a good book, exploring new cuisines, and discovering new cultures.