Welcome to the Judge's Chambers

Grateful

Just 48 hours after the loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, I was asked what I was grateful for.  It took me a moment to answer, but after thinking about it, I realized that today I am, as always, grateful for the people in my life: My family and my friends.   Most of you know I was adopted.  My parents chose me, and I am truly blessed for that choice. As I have said before,  I know I would not be a New York Yankee if it wasn’t for my mom.  She taught me the difference from right and wrong, how to treat people and how to go the extra mile and put in extra work. She's molded me into the person that I am today.   That helped me live to a higher standard, to make sure if I make plans I stick to them.  I had to finish my homework before I could play. Work comes first, and that lesson has stayed with me.

Not everyone has someone teaching them those lessons, but those lessons make a huge difference.  When you are watching professional athletes, you are watching people with elite abilities, but you rarely see how hard these athletes work to maintain and hone those abilities. The part you see is only a small part of the work they do for a living.  No matter our circumstances, we have to do something everyday to make ourselves better. That is my approach on and off the field, thanks to my family.

When my career began in baseball, I knew if I was successful I would start a foundation, to help those who didn’t have the teachers I did.  ALL RISE comes from that idea.  Our team wants to provide the resources to help children and youth succeed, whether that is from providing leadership seminars, or funding kids working with 4H, snacks for Boys and Girls trying not to fall behind in school, or learning leadership through First Tee.  

In this season leading up to Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my family, for the opportunities they gave me, and for opportunities this foundation is giving to other kids.  With my mom, Patty Judge as President, guiding the ALL RISE team, I feel certain there are more kids that will have the chance to learn lessons that I did.  We are continuing to grow our initiatives, so, please stay tuned for all that is coming in 2021.  It is going to be a big year.  ALL RISE!