Aaron Judge Has Strong Message for Former Yankees Teammate Who Stole His Swag

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 12:13 AM ET

Joe Trevino had a surprise for his former teammate Aaron Judge Monday night. The former New York Yankees catcher stepped to the plate Monday night in Cincinnati, “Swag Surfin’” echoed through Great American Ballpark. That's the same anthem Judge uses at Yankee Stadium.

Judge, out in right field, laughed and tipped his cap.

“He was kind of messing with me a little bit,” Judge said, smiling. “I loved it.”

Trevino had tipped off his old teammate during Judge’s second at-bat. “He told me he had a new walk-up song and wanted me to check it out,” Judge told reporters. “So when I heard that, I was kind of laughing a little bit.”

But the reunion wasn’t all jokes.

Behind the scenes, Yankees manager Aaron Boone met Trevino quietly on the field before the game and gave him his 2022 AL championship ring in private, according to Bryan Hoch. Just the two of them.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bryan Hoch (@bryanhoch)

When Austin Wells stepped into the box, he said he told his former mentor that he loved him. Trevino's response?

"He told me he loved me, too," Wells told reporters.

Trevino, dealt to the Reds last winter for reliever Fernando Cruz, has found success in Cincinnati—something Judge wasn’t surprised to see.

“Trevi was one of my favorite teammates over here,” Judge said. “One of the best. Such a hard worker, always with the team. You see the success he's having over there—it’s not by chance.”

The Yankees moved on with Wells as their everyday catcher and J.C. Escarra backing him up on a cheaper deal. But Monday night made one thing clear: Trevino’s impact in the Bronx hasn’t faded.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: