Sports | Aaron Judge Makes Historic Second Appearance as MLB The Show 26 Cover Athlete
By Newzvia
Quick Summary
New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge has been named the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26, marking his second appearance on the iconic video game cover. He joins Joe Mauer as the only players to achieve this feat twice. The announcement highlights Judge's dominant 2025 season, where he won his third AL MVP award.
Aaron Judge Returns to MLB The Show Cover for Historic Second Time
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has been revealed as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 26, becoming just the second player in the game's history to appear twice on the flagship edition. The announcement, made on Tuesday, underscores Judge's continued dominance in Major League Baseball following his third American League MVP award in 2025.
Previously featured on MLB The Show 18 after his record-breaking 2017 rookie season, Judge now joins Hall of Famer Joe Mauer—who graced the covers in 2010 and 2011—as the only players with multiple appearances. This year's artwork showcases Judge in his Yankees pinstripes alongside his Team USA jersey, nodding to his upcoming role as captain for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Judges's Stellar Career Achievements
In 2025, the 33-year-old outfielder led the AL with a .331 batting average, 53 home runs, and 114 RBIs, securing his first batting title and third MVP honor. Over his nine-plus MLB seasons, Judge has amassed seven All-Star selections, five Silver Slugger awards, and three home run titles, including the American League record of 62 homers in 2022.
- Three-time AL MVP (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Seven-time All-Star
- Five-time Silver Slugger
- AL single-season home run record holder (62 in 2022)
- 2026 Team USA World Baseball Classic captain
Judge is the first reigning MVP to headline the cover since Shohei Ohtani in 2022, and the only Yankees player to appear on the standard edition since the series rebranded as "The Show" in 2006.
Game Details and Fan Excitement
MLB The Show 26 returns to a single cover athlete format after featuring Paul Skenes, Elly De La Cruz, and Gunnar Henderson together in 2025. The game launches on March 17, with early access starting March 13. New features emphasize player journeys from high school to the majors, mirroring Judge's path from Fresno State to stardom.
Judge expressed his surprise and joy at the news, noting his long-held dream of repeated video game covers inspired by Tiger Woods. He also highlighted the impact on youth through his All Rise Foundation, where the cover recognition helps connect with fans who may not attend live games.
Legacy and Yankees Milestone
As the sole Yankees representative on a standard Show cover in over two decades, Judge cements his place among franchise legends like Derek Jeter, who appeared on a special edition of MLB The Show 23. Fans can look forward to World Baseball Classic integration in Diamond Dynasty mode, featuring Judge's Team USA uniform.