Rangers fans steal Aaron Judge’s 62nd homer plaque in Texas

On October 4, 2022, Aaron Judge made history by hitting his 62nd home run at Globe Life Field, breaking the American League record previously held by Roger Maris since 1961. The home run, which was a first-inning blast off pitcher Jesus Tinoco, landed in a specific location that was later commemorated with a plaque titled 'Judge’s seat.' This plaque was installed to celebrate the significant achievement and was placed in front of where the ball landed in the left-field stands. However, the plaque has been stolen twice since its installation, leading to its removal and leaving an empty space marked only by adhesive. The Texas Rangers, who own the stadium, have decided not to replace the plaque after the second theft, indicating a lack of interest in restoring the memorial. This decision has left fans and observers surprised, as the plaque was meant to honor a historic moment in baseball. The first theft occurred shortly after the plaque was installed, prompting a replacement. The second theft, however, has resulted in a permanent absence of the commemorative marker. The Yankees' announcer Justin Shackil confirmed that the Rangers will not be restoring the plaque, which has now become a topic of conversation among baseball fans. As Judge continues his current season with 51 home runs, he faces the challenge of matching or surpassing his previous record. The recent dry spell in his performance adds to the intrigue surrounding his pursuit of further milestones, while the stolen plaque serves as a reminder of the passionate and sometimes mischievous nature of baseball fandom.