Yankees captain Aaron Judge and College World Series champion head baseball coach Mike Batesole will have their jerseys retired by Fresno State next month.
They will be the 12th and 13th former Bulldogs, respectively, to have their numbers retired in Fresno State baseball history.
Driving the news: Judge and Batesole will be honored at halftime during Fresno State’s football game against New Mexico on Nov. 18.
- On Nov. 19, Fresno State will hold the formal jersey retirement ceremony at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium at 1 p.m. The event will be free for fans to attend.
- Last year Judge hit 62 home runs, setting the American League record and surpassing fellow former Yankees right fielder Roger Maris, who hit 61 in 1961. Judge’s 62 home runs is the most for a player not linked with steroids.
- Judge was on pace to have a shot at breaking his own record this year, but he was injured during a game at Dodger Stadium on June 3 as he caught a ball in right field and broke through the bullpen gate, smashing his foot into an unpadded section of concrete.
- Despite missing close to two months of action, he hit 37 home runs, the 10th highest total in the majors.
- Batesole will be just the third head coach to be honored in this way by the university, following in the footsteps of Pete Beiden and Bob Bennett.
- He coached the Diamond ‘Dogs from 2003-2022, leading them to the 2008 national championship in the College World Series.
What they’re saying: “It is an incredible and humbling honor having my number retired at Fresno State,” Judge said. “I’m excited to come back and enjoy the moment with so many coaches, teammates, and alumni that made this possible.”
- “Aaron Judge epitomizes all that Fresno State Athletics stands for, not only with respect to his remarkably high levels of athletic success, but more importantly in who he is as a person and the impact he makes on his communities,” said Director of Athletics Terry Tumey. “We are blessed to have Aaron Judge representing Fresno State and the Diamond ‘Dogs and we look forward to enshrining his name in its rightful place among the all-time greats to come through our baseball program.”
- Tumey said Batesole made a tremendous impact on Fresno State baseball that will never be forgotten, mentoring coaches and players for 20 years.
- “It’s heartwarming to think of the sacrifices made by so many to get No. 44 honored in this way,” Batesole said. “Family, community, administration, alumni, boosters, coaches and players – a piece of every one of them is going up there.”
