Aaron Judge isn’t the only one who mashes in his contract year.

You could do worse for contract years than the one you have. Aaron Judge The key is to have. He was a Triple Crown candidate, had more wins than the next-best player on the team and just so happened to be having. Break Roger Maris’ American League home run record While he was doing it. Judge will be playing wherever he plays next year. get paid.

Judge isn’t the only player who can be as lucky or as successful as all other players. A poor performance in a contract year can be due to nerves, injuries or nerves. Judge’s kind of performance is uncommon, but not unheard of. Sometimes stars align and a player can put together a season that is a record-breaking one and gets a huge contract. Here’s a list of sports legends who did it when the financial stakes had been at their highest.

MLB

Barry Bonds, 1992

Bonds’s life ended in a remarkable way Pittsburgh Pirates career. He was the MVP in 1992 and 1990, and the runner up in 1991. He would achieve much more in the future, and that was only his first season in 1992. What Preview: 34 home runs, and 109 runs. OPS of 1.0880. 9.0 B.Ref WAR. A record six-year, $43.75million contract was signed with the San Francisco GiantsHe had an OPS greater than 1.000 in all 15 seasons with the team. He was 41 in that season, and his OPS was 0.999.

Alex Rodriguez 2000 and 2007.

A-Rod was blessed with a lot of luck during his contract years. His 10-year, $252 Million contract with The Texas Rangers It raised eyebrows when he signed it for the first time, but in his age-24 season with the. Seattle MarinersRodriguez was a complete disaster for the league. Rodriguez hit 41 home runs and scored 132 runs. He also had an OPS (1.026) while playing shortstop exceptionally well. Following his trade to the New York YankeesRodriguez was relentless in his mashing. In 2007, Rodriguez had 54 HR, 56 RBI, 143 runs and a 1.067 OPS. He was awarded MVP, and he received a second 10-year contract for $275million.

CC Sabathia, 2008

Sabathia, one year after winning the 2007 Cy Young Award was over, started 2008 slowly. She went 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA. Cleveland Guardians. They traded him for the Milwaukee Brewers Midway through the season, he carried them on his back to make their first playoff appearance in 1982. He went 11-2 with a 2.65 ERA and seven complete innings. In the offseason Sabathia signed a $161 million seven-year contract with the Yankees, which was the largest contract for a pitcher.

NFL

Deion Sanders, 1994

Although it was not a good idea to throw the ball near Sanders, this was particularly true in his one-season stint with the team. San Francisco 49ers. Sanders had six interceptions and returned half for touchdowns. He also totaled 303 return yards. This earned him a seven year, $35 million contract along with a $12.999 Million signing bonus. Dallas Cowboys.

Randy Moss, 2007.

Moss was covered by three Defenders during his 2007 legendary season. New England Patriots. It didn’t really matter. He had 98 receptions and 1,493 yards of receiving. The NFL record for receiving touchdowns was 23. This is quite impressive for a one year deal. Moss would be returning to the Patriots with a three-year $27 million deal and a $12,000,000 signing bonus.

Drew Brees (2011)

In NFL history, there have been only 12 seasons where a quarterback completed more than 70%. Drew Brees had five of those seasons, including one in 2011, when he set the then-record at 71.2%. Brees was also the Offensive Player and Year winner. He threw 46 touchdowns for a record 5,476 yards passing. The result was a five year $100 million contract that Brees received to return to the NFL. New Orleans Saints 2012

Joe Flacco, 2012

Flacco’s 2012 season was decent — 59.7 percent completion, 3,817 yards of passing, 22 touchdowns, 10 interceptions. This was enough for Flacco’s 2012 regular season. Baltimore Ravens Flacco rose to greatness when he reached the playoffs. In leading the Ravens’ win in Super Bowl, he threw 11 touchdowns and averaged 285 yards per match. He was awarded a six-year contract worth $120.6 million.

Von Miller, 2015

Miller’s 2015 season was a great success, with 11 sacks. This was punctuated by an incredible playoff run: 2.5 sacks, an interception against New England Patriots in AFC Championship Game, then 2.5 sacks with two forced fumbles against the Patriots in Super Bowl MVP-winning Super Bowl performance. Carolina Panthers. The Denver Broncos Miller was given the franchise tag and he was signed to a six-year contract worth $114.5 Million.

NBA

Shaquille O’Neal, 1995-96

Just look at the numbers and you will get an idea of how dominant Shaq was during his last season with the team. Orlando Magic — 26.6 PPG. 11.0 RPG. 2.9 APG. 2.1 BPG. The Los Angeles Lakers The record-breaking seven-year, $120million contract gave him three straight NBA titles.

LeBron James, 2009-10

LeBron shot more than 50% on the field before he moved to South Beach. Cleveland Cavaliers. He was able to score 29.7 PPG, 8.6 APG, as well as 7.3 RPG. He was awarded a second consecutive MVP award, 7.3 RPG, and a $110.1 million contract for six years. Miami Heat.

Kawhi Leonard, 2018-19

It’s always nice to end on a high note. And what better note than the one you bring? Toronto Raptors Their first NBA title? Kawhi Leonard was the one to lead the team to victory in 2018-19 with a 4-2 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Golden State Warriors In the Finals. Leonard was 26.6 PPG for the season, 7.3 RPG, and 3.3APG. After the season, Leonard signed a three-year contract worth $103 million with the Los Angeles Clippers.

WNBA

Candace Parker, 2020

Parker was a defensive force for the Los Angeles Sparks In 2020, Parker won Defensive Player Of The Year. She also nearly averaged a double-double (14.7 PG, 9.7 RPG, and 4.6 APG). Parker signed a $285,000, two-year deal with her hometown Chicago Sky.

NHL

Bobby Hull, 1971-1972

Hull scored 50 goals in 78 games played with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 93 points. The next season, Hull signed a 10-year contract worth $1.5 million with the World Hockey Association. Winnipeg Jets.

Johnny Gaudreau, 2021-22

Gaudreau participated in every game of the Calgary Flames In 2021-22, he scored 40 goals and racked up 75 assists, while leading the league with plus/minus 64. He signed a $68.25m contract for seven years with the team. Columbus Blue Jackets In the offseason.