Lou Gehrig. Babe Ruth. Thurman Munson. Don Mattingly. Derek Jeter.
Aaron Judge just joined baseball royalty ... becoming the 16th captain in New York Yankees history.
#99 received the honor in his first press conference after signing a massive 9-year, $360 million deal to remain in pinstripes ... with Hal Steinbrenner announcing the decision just minutes ago.
"It is my great pleasure, thankfully, despite a brief absence, technically speaking, to welcome Aaron not only back to the Bronx, but to welcome Aaron back to the Bronx as the 16th captain of this great organization, the New York Yankees," Steinbrenner said Wednesday.