5 Times Judge Judy Proved She’s The Real MVP Of The Baseball Diamond

The iconic image of Judge Judy Sheindlin being lifted into the air by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal at a professional baseball game remains one of the most surprising and delightful celebrity crossovers in recent memory. While her name is synonymous with the no-nonsense world of small claims court, the famed television personality has a surprising, yet deep, connection to Major League Baseball (MLB), extending beyond a single ceremonial appearance.

As of December 2025, the story of "Judge Judy at the baseball game" continues to circulate, a testament to its viral impact. Her appearances on the diamond—and the sports-related disputes she has presided over on both Judge Judy and her current streaming hit, Judy Justice—cement her status as an unexpected authority in the world of sports, where she brings her signature brand of swift and decisive justice.

Judge Judith Sheindlin: A Brief Judicial and Personal Biography

Before becoming a cultural phenomenon and one of the highest-paid people on television, Judith Sheindlin had a long and distinguished career in the New York judicial system. Her background provides the foundation for the authority she commands, both in her courtroom and on the baseball field.

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• Full Name: Judith Susan Blum (Sheindlin is her married name).
• Born: October 21, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York.
• Education: Attended American University, graduating with a B.A., and later earned her J.D. from New York Law School in 1965.
• Early Career: Worked as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics firm before becoming a prosecutor in the New York family court system.
• Judicial Career: Appointed as a criminal court judge in 1982 by Mayor Ed Koch. In 1986, she was promoted to Supervising Judge in the Manhattan division of the family court.
• Television Debut: Judge Judy premiered in 1996 and ran for 25 seasons, becoming one of the most successful syndicated programs in television history.
• Current Show: Sheindlin returned to the bench with Judy Justice, which debuted on IMDb TV (now Amazon Freevee) in November 2021.
• Husband: She is married to Judge Jerry Sheindlin, a former judge on The People’s Court. They have five children and 13 grandchildren between them.
• Net Worth: Her financial success is legendary, making her one of the wealthiest self-made women in entertainment.

The Unforgettable First Pitch: Judge Judy and Shaquille O’Neal’s Viral Moment

The most iconic moment linking Judge Judy to the baseball diamond occurred on May 11, 2018, at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida.

The event was a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins had invited NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to throw out the pitch. In a surprise twist, Sheindlin was also in attendance, leading to an unplanned, but instantly viral, photo opportunity.

The Moment Shaq Lifted the Judge

As Shaq, known for his towering 7-foot-1 frame, stood on the field, he spotted the much shorter Judge Sheindlin. In a moment of pure spectacle, the former Miami Heat champion gently picked up the judge, holding her securely in his arms for a photograph.

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The photograph, which juxtaposed the diminutive, stern-faced judge with the massive, smiling athlete, became an immediate social media sensation. It perfectly captured the judge's unexpected celebrity status and her willingness to participate in a lighthearted, public spectacle, proving she has a sense of humor beneath the robes. The image is often cited as the definitive "Judge Judy baseball game" photo.

Other Diamond Appearances

While the Marlins event is the most famous, Judge Sheindlin has also been documented throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for other MLB teams. She threw out the first pitch prior to a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Her appearances are a unique spectacle, contrasting the formality of her judicial persona with the casual, celebratory atmosphere of a baseball game. Sheindlin's presence on the mound is a testament to her broad appeal across all demographics, from courtroom viewers to sports fans.

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From the Mound to the Courtroom: Judge Judy’s Baseball Cases

The judge's connection to baseball isn't limited to ceremonial duties; the sport has frequently been the subject of contentious lawsuits in her courtroom, proving that even America's Pastime is not immune to small claims disputes. These cases demonstrate her topical authority over a wide range of issues, including sports ethics and financial scams.

The ‘Baseball Brawl’ on Judy Justice

In one of the most notable sports-related cases on her new series, Judy Justice, Sheindlin presided over a case titled "Baseball Brawl." This case, which kicked off Season 3, Episode 1 of the show, involved a youth baseball umpire who sued for the maximum court amount after allegedly being violently attacked by a coach.

The coach's team had been disqualified for fielding illegal players, leading to the confrontation. The case highlighted the intense, often volatile, emotions that can surface even in amateur sports, and Judge Sheindlin was quick to cut through the noise with her signature direct questioning.

The ‘Baseball Tournament Scam’

On her original show, Judge Judy, she handled multiple cases involving financial disputes related to the sport. One memorable case, "Was Baseball Tournament a Scam?", involved allegations of deception regarding a baseball tournament.

In this case, a plaintiff claimed he was misled by the defendants about the tournament's details. Sheindlin’s ruling often hinged on the clarity of contracts and the basic principles of fair dealing, applying her judicial scrutiny to the often-shady world of amateur sports promotion.

Disputes Over Memorabilia and Equipment

Other cases have involved personal property disputes, such as lawsuits over the sale or damage of valuable baseball cards and equipment, including a case titled "Beers & Baseball Bats Land Two Friends in Court!"

These cases, involving everything from stolen tickets to damaged bats, underscore the fact that for many Americans, baseball is not just a game, but a source of real financial and personal value. Sheindlin's ability to handle these niche disputes with fairness and authority has broadened her appeal and cemented her reputation as a judge who understands the stakes in everyday life.

The Enduring Legacy of the Judge and the Game

The phrase "Judge Judy baseball game" has become a shorthand for an unexpected, yet perfectly matched, celebrity moment. It symbolizes the bridge between high-stakes celebrity and everyday American culture. Whether she is delivering a fastball to a catcher or a final verdict to a litigant, Judge Judith Sheindlin brings the same level of focus and intensity.

Her work on Judy Justice continues to feature a diverse array of small claims, including those rooted in the world of sports, demonstrating that her judicial authority is still very much in play. The viral image with Shaquille O’Neal and her precise rulings on sports-related disputes ensure that her connection to the diamond remains a memorable part of her extraordinary public career.