Aaron Judge traded The Bronx for Queens on his night off.
Instead of bashing homers for the Yankees, the Yankees slugger visited the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center along with wife Samantha Bracksieck, Bombers teammate Anthony Rizzo, and his wife Emily for a night at the U.S. Open on Thursday.
The foursome was spied sipping on honey deuces, the signature cocktail of the tennis tournament — the Grey Goose-based beverage that comes with three melon balls — while Karolina Muchova took down Naomi Osaka at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Yankees Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Judge joke around as Naomi Osaka (JPN) returns a volley against Karolina Muchova (CZE) during their match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Yankees Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Judge with their wives Samantha Bracksieck and Emily Vakos as they enjoy the US Open.
It’s become a tradition for the Yankees captain, having taken in the action along with Bracksieck each of the last two years.
A night off is deserved for Judge, whose season-long tear has ramped up in recent weeks.
In 24 games so far in August, he’s slashing .415/.556/.927 with 12 home runs and 24 RBIs, including 24 walks — nine intentional — and six doubles, with a pair of stolen bases for good measure.
On the season, Judge entered Thursday night leading all of MLB with 51 homers, 123 RBIs, a .467 on-base percentage, .731 slugging percentage and 1.198 OPS.
His .333 batting average is second to only Kansas City’s Bobby Witt .345.
Yankees Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Judge enjoy the US Open signature drink ‘The Honey Deuce.’
Yankees Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Judge with their wives Samantha Bracksieck and Emily Vakos as they enjoy the US Open.
Unsurprisingly, Judge owns an MLB-best 10.1 offensive WAR — and is on track to challenge his own AL record of 62 homers.
He’s seemingly about to get a boost in the lineup from his good pal Rizzo, who is close to a return from a rehab assignment in Double-A Somerset, with a Yankees return imminent after going on the IL with a forearm injury in mid-June.
The first baseman will add to a playoff push that’s expected to be tight in the AL East.
On Friday, they’ll get back to baseball, with the Cardinals in two for a three-game set at Yankee Stadium.
