Aaron Judge, MLB Pride Night, and the Dangers of Viral Misinformation
In recent days, a viral social media post has made bold claims regarding New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge and his alleged stance against MLB Pride Night. According to a Facebook post by commentator David J. Harris Jr., Judge supposedly announced a boycott of Pride Night events and was quoted saying, “On the field, people should be focusing on baseball, not WOKE.” This claim quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing both support and backlash. However, as of this writing, there is no credible evidence to support that Judge ever made such a statement or took such an action.
Aaron Judge is known not just for his prodigious power at the plate, but also for his professionalism and leadership on and off the field. Since his rise to stardom with the Yankees, Judge has cultivated a reputation for staying focused on the game and steering clear of political controversy. While he has spoken on issues such as team leadership, community service, and sportsmanship, he has not previously made any public comments about Pride events, nor has he suggested a boycott of any league-sanctioned initiatives.
Pride Night is an annual tradition hosted by many Major League Baseball teams during the month of June, coinciding with LGBTQ+ Pride Month. These events aim to celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and welcome LGBTQ+ fans and allies to the ballpark. Teams often wear rainbow-themed apparel during warmups, offer Pride-themed merchandise, and participate in community engagement programs in support of LGBTQ+ causes. While the events are generally well-received, they have occasionally been met with resistance from individual players or fans. In some cases, a handful of players have opted not to wear Pride patches or participate in themed activities, but these choices are usually handled respectfully and with clear communication from teams and league representatives.
The recent claim about Aaron Judge stands out because of the inflammatory language used and the lack of credible sourcing. No mainstream news outlet—such as ESPN, The Athletic, MLB.com, or the Associated Press—has reported that Judge made any comments related to “woke culture” or Pride Night. The quote itself appears to be unsourced, and the phrase “spiritual leader” seems to be an exaggeration rather than a term Judge or the Yankees have used publicly. Without video, audio, or verified transcript, the claim cannot be considered fact.
This situation illustrates the broader problem of viral misinformation in the age of social media. Public figures, especially athletes with large platforms, are frequent targets of false or exaggerated claims that align with particular political narratives. Such stories often go viral precisely because they provoke emotional responses—anger, pride, outrage—before the facts can be checked.
In the case of Aaron Judge, it’s important to separate verified actions and statements from rumor. To date, there is no evidence that he has boycotted MLB Pride Night or made any public commentary disparaging it. Until such statements are confirmed by reputable sources, the story should be viewed as unverified and likely misleading.
