MLB mysteries: What’s going on with Aaron Judge’s belt?

Mighty Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is the center of attention yet again in 2023. This time, it’s because of his belt.

Buckle in for a deep dive on New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge’s belt.

Now, baseball players are probably the most superstitious of all sports folk, so if someone is doing something even vaguely out of the ordinary, chances are there’s a reason behind it.

The biggest mystery in the MLB right now surrounds Aaron Judge’s belt — more specifically, it’s about the number displayed on the strap: 66.

Why is No. 99 wearing No. 66, also seen as an upside down 99, on his belt? Isn’t that the question everybody would like an answer to.

Like most MLB players, Judge wears a uni-numbered belt. That much is certain.

So far in the 2023 MLB season, however, Judge has sported this “66” belt in every game, according to Paul Lukas at Uni Watch. How strange. Truly confounding. A head-scratcher for sure.

Now, Judge wore a non-numbered belt during spring training this past year, and last season (and the seasons before that) he wore his traditional No. 99 belt.

This would suggest that the upside-down numbered belt is something Judge is just trying out for the 2023 season but…..why?

Yankees’ Aaron Judge is wearing an upside down belt and it’s freaking people out

We’ve compiled a list of theories ranging from most plausible to least:

1. He’s showing the number of homers he’s going to hit this year (66)
2. It’s so that Judge can look down at his belt and see his number correctly
3. He’s showing himself the number of homers he’s going to hit this year (99, never say never)
4. He lost a bet with Kyle Higashioka and they switched belts
5. Execute order 66, he’s a Sith Lord
6. It’s actually “666” but the last “6” is hidden behind the loop, he is the anti-Christ

Six reasons. How wonderfully that worked out.

As much as we hope that Judge is a massive Star Wars fan and has an alter ego who wields a red lightsaber, the only thing he’s been seen wielding at the plate is his trusty bat.

The most likely theory listed at the top is that Judge is showing the world what his home run target is this season. Judge hit a record-breaking 62 last year and also racked up 52 in 2017, and it would appear that 66 homers is well within his reach in 2023.

Until Judge comments on his belt number change, Yankees fans and the rest of the baseball community can only paw at his perplexing motivations.

Behold, Aaron Judge — Yankees captain, world-famous slugger, and a man of mystery.