While MLB free agency moves at a frustratingly slow pace compared to other leagues, we’ve finally seen some progress with baseball’s biggest free agents. Trea Turner is off to Philadelphia. Jacob deGrom signed with the Rangers. Justin Verlander is joining the Mets.
But really, the baseball world is awaiting Aaron Judge’s decision, and MLB insider Jon Heyman appeared to jump the gun on Tuesday in the most hilarious way.
As rumors started circulating about the San Francisco Giants’ prospects of landing Judge, Heyman — in an effort to get the offseason’s biggest scoop — fired off a tweet that started trending on MLB Twitter for reasons that Heyman didn’t exactly intend.
he deleted it but the internet will not forget arson judge pic.twitter.com/jG96W0CFvk
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) December 6, 2022
Heyman spelled Judge’s first name as “Arson” while also somewhat hedging the report with an “appears.” Typos happen to all of us, but as far as typos go for breaking MLB news, that one will be tough to beat. After all, Arson Judge sounds like a formidable talent.
Heyman would eventually delete the Arson tweet and backtrack on the initial report.
Giants say they have not heard on Aaron Judge, My apologies for jumping the gun.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2022
But that didn’t stop MLB fans from turning the tweet into the offseason’s best meme.
This was how Twitter reacted
Arson Judge 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KMh9Wcf2oS
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) December 6, 2022
The only Arson Judge I recognize pic.twitter.com/q00Q6oi5rN
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) December 6, 2022
Arson Judge pic.twitter.com/OpRFHN92NE
— Mark Gooden (@TooGooden17) December 6, 2022
Arson Judge landing in SF pic.twitter.com/tcrSFC0Xit
— Blake Schuster (@Schustee) December 6, 2022
Arson Judge pic.twitter.com/xwJ6xDeFoF
— Matty (@Allenplswin) December 6, 2022
Jake gets back from lunch and sees “Arson Judge” for the first time https://t.co/r2Mjeh6qD3 pic.twitter.com/OTs7tzKVut
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) December 6, 2022
Arson Judge pic.twitter.com/iQDR6ILzAD
— Christopher SNOWvak ☃️ (@ChrisMNovak) December 6, 2022
Arson Judge looking at all these reports pic.twitter.com/C0TWq4PJ4l
— Jake Montgomery (@JakeMontgomery_) December 6, 2022
Arson Judge so hot right now pic.twitter.com/kxW9bRRmXN
— Jakob Ashlin (@JakobAshlin) December 6, 2022
Just saw arson judge in downtown seattle and snapped a pic pic.twitter.com/hccJv0k16R
— Zach••• (@zachleft) December 6, 2022
Arson Judge pic.twitter.com/hWhzVsvR70
— sam schultz, parody account (@RealSamSchultz) December 6, 2022
arson judge i am hearing pic.twitter.com/sKKCbVsNEl
— xtine (stream nobody by mika zibanejad) (@meowsinternally) December 6, 2022
We will remember those five minutes for a long time.