The New York Yankees breathed a sigh of relief this winter as MVP Aaron Judge opted to re-sign, but they may have his team-mate Anthony Rizzo - and, in parcitular, his dog - to thank.
Judge broke the American league home-run record last season, hitting 62 over the campaign and scooping up the MVP award in the process. However, Judge initially declined the Yankees offer of an extension, and quickly became the most wanted man in the league. He is believed to have been close to signing for the San Francisco Giants before making a late U-turn and opting to stay put at Yankee Stadium.
Judge finally penned a stunning nine-year $360million (£292.5m) contract to remain at Yankee Stadium, meaning it's very likely he will finish his career as a one-club man. Judge has claimed that both he and his wife couldn't imagine not being a Yankee, but the baseball star acknowledged his team-mate for convincing him to stay.
