Dress Up, Win the Game: Yankees Captain Judge Leads Team to Victory in Home Opener

“Dress formally tomorrow.” This was the text Aaron Judge sent to his teammates late at night, setting the attire requirement for today’s home opener at Yankee Stadium— crisp shirts, ironed trousers, polished shoes.

It was like Fifth Avenue meeting 161st Street: the Yankees dressed sharp, ready to work. Judge also ensured they got the job done, hitting a home run in the first inning to help the team defeat the Marlins 8-2.

“Once again, the captain led the way, setting the tone,” said Ben Rice, who also homered and contributed three RBIs in the game. “Everyone got excited and was happy to carry that momentum onto the field.”

After conceding a run early, Judge seized a slider from Eury Pérez and drove it into the left-field stands for his third homer of the season. From there, the Yankees took control and never relinquished the lead, continuing one of the best seven-game starts in franchise history.

In Yankees history, only the 1933 team (7-0) had a better start than this one. This squad has been rolling with dominant pitching, timely hitting, and excellent athleticism. The last Yankees team to win six of its first seven games was the 2024 AL championship team.

The Yankees improved to 12-6 in home openers at their current stadium. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and José Caballero each stole two bases, and Judge also stole one. Judge said such a day couldn’t be more perfect.

“There’s nothing better than stepping into this batter’s box and facing these fans,” Judge said. “Whether it’s a game in April or October, there’s no better place.”

Pérez’s control issues fueled the Yankees’ offense; the right-hander walked six batters over four innings. In the second inning, with bases loaded, he also hit Judge’s right forearm with a 98.8 mph fastball.

Judge frowned as he walked to first base, instantly recalling the experience of fracturing his wrist on the same field in July 2018 after being hit by a stray pitch.

“That’s how my wrist fractured back then, so that’s always my biggest concern,” Judge said.

Will Warren preserved the lead, extending his encouraging spring training performance, especially with his four-seam fastball and sinker. Warren pitched 5.2 innings, allowing only two solo homers— by Xavier Edwards in the first and Owen Caissie in the fifth— to earn his first win of the season, striking out six with no walks.

“Solo homers won’t beat us,” Warren said. “If we attack early, the odds are in our favor.”

The Yankees pitching staff allowed only eight runs over the first seven games, tying the MLB historical record for fewest runs allowed, matching the 1993 Braves and 2002 Giants. Their starting pitchers allowed no more than two runs per game.

“It’s early in the season, but you certainly love starting like this,” said manager Aaron Boone. “Wins are precious. The guys have obviously pitched very well, and I think they’ve played great overall.”

The Yankees widened the lead in the later innings, thanks largely to Rice. After striking out in his first three plate appearances, he turned things around, hitting a solo homer into the short right-field stands in the seventh inning with an exit velocity of 110.9 mph, then adding a two-run double that hit the auxiliary scoreboard in right field in the eighth. Rice has recorded hits in all six games this season, with 9 hits in 22 at-bats, batting .409.

“Benny really knows how to hit,” Boone said. “I see him as a middle-of-the-lineup hitter, and for a long time.”

The Yankees believed Rice had unfortunate luck last season and expected his frequent solid contact to soon turn from line-drive outs into long hits.

“I think he had a bit of bad luck last year,” Judge said. “He always makes solid contact, often works ahead in the count, and doesn’t chase bad pitches much. Give him 500 plate appearances, and I’m excited to see his growth and him enjoying the game on the field.”

So far, Rice seems to handle it all smoothly— whether facing fastballs, sliders, or the captain’s impromptu fashion directive that sent him digging through his closet for formal attire.

“I have a few options,” Rice said with a smile. “After the first year, I knew I absolutely couldn’t be without formal clothes, because the captain asks us to dress up from time to time.”