Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have dominated headlines for years, but their latest recognition extends beyond the diamond. And yet again as rivals. People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025 list. A list to specifically honor new dads in sports. And their presence on the list shows that fans see these phenoms beyond the stadium lights.
The Judge-Ohtani rivalry is widely discussed, drawing comparisons to legendary NBA duos. Alex Rodriguez, reflecting on their impact, mentioned, “I grew up in an era where I fell in love with basketball with Magic versus Bird, and this is the best version of it, you know, 40 years later, whatever it is. These are the two best players. One is probably the biggest global star in the world, or definitely the top 3 of any sport, and Shohei Ohtani, what he’s done to the Dodger business model has just been incredibly hard to even articulate.”
Now, that spotlight turns to their roles as fathers.
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Aaron Judge and his wife, Samantha Bracksieck, welcomed their first child, daughter Nora Rose Judge, on January 27. Judge shared the news on Instagram on Feb. 5, alongside a black-and-white photo of their baby’s feet, writing, “1/27/25 Nora Rose Judge 🌸. What an incredible week it’s been, can’t wait for the memories the three of us make.”
Meanwhile, Ohtani announced the arrival of his daughter on April 20 with a heartwarming note on his Instagram handle. “Welcome to the Ohtani Family! I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter. To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents. I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates, and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals and everyone who dedicated their support to us, up until this wonderful day.”
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And now, fans would decide if the Dodgers’ star can truly beat the Yankees’ favorite in this game. This nod in People’s Sexiest Man Alive list recognizes their personal milestones alongside their professional achievements. Both Judge and Ohtani have proven their ability to shape narratives on and off the field. Meanwhile, their presence in this category is already reminding them to manage stardom with fatherhood.
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How Judge and Ohtani are really ruling a different world beyond MLB
Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani had already secured their places in baseball history. That’s known to all. But another kind of recognition has just arrived. Their names have just been placed in the pages of People Magazine’s annual listings of admired figures. Judge appeared in the 2022 “Sexiest Man Alive” issue, positioned at No. 4. The preview declared him “one of the sexiest men alive. Sexier, in fact, than The Rock, but just a touch less smoldering than noted heartthrob George Clooney.” Yes, he was placed just behind Chris Evans, George Clooney, and Kendrick Lamar, the highest ranks of that year’s selection.
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Ohtani, too, followed suit. Just a year later, but in a category tailored to sport.
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In 2023, People Magazine introduced him among the “Sexiest Men in Sports,” where he was placed at No. 15. The magazine described him as “a certified babe.” They also noted his appearance in a GQ feature in 2022. That image caught him in a “cutoff sweater-vest” on the cover. Other images also filled the pages, where he could be seen doing weight training exercises.
Ohtani, although placed at 15, was still listed just ahead of two other baseball stars. Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger ranked at 16 and 17, respectively.
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But this time, for Judge and Ohtani, the recognition underscored the breadth of their appeal beyond the ballpark. Now, it appears fans have truly made sure that their favourite MLB stars get the chance to show their aura in the glam zone as well.