Yankees’ superstar Aaron Judge has etched his name into the MLB history books. And while he’s not done yet, he’s now reached an important milestone.
There’s another slice of history for Aaron Judge’s 2021-22 campaign.
The Yankees outfielder just belted his 61st home run against the Toronto Blue Jays, tying Roger Maris’ 61-year American League record.
Judge recently became just the third player in the last 21 years to hit the 60-mark, for home runs in a season, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The New York sensation currently sits tied sixth for the most runs in a single season, with his sights firmly set on climbing higher; Judge has six regular season games remaining. It’ll be a stretch, though, with Barry Bonds’ 73-run campaign in 2001 at the top of the pile.
Judge’s record-tying home run caught a few by surprise; he was in the midst of a seven-game drought, stretching 34 plate appearances. Teams had started paying Judge the ultimate compliment; he had been walked 12 times between his last two homers.
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This moment is something that will be cherished by Judge, the Yankees’ and baseball fans alike as the game’s storied history books rarely finds itself with new entrants.
Along with his parents, the 30-year-old shared the historic moment with Roger Maris Jr, the son of the fellow American League record holder. Blue Jay fans failed to catch the Judge slug, meaning it fell into the Toronto bullpen and was subsequently returned to the Yankees star; so he gave the record-equalling ball to his mum.
Judge and the Yankees head into the final six games of the season in fine form, losing just one of their last ten. The side now has the added motivation of separating Judge from Maris in the all-time AL standings.
And although it’s party time for the Yankees, this record may put a bigger strain on their salary cap, with Judge becoming a free agent at the end of this season.
New York are favourites to retain their superstar, but after he rejected a massive seven-year $213.5m USD extension, the ball club will have no other choice but to let Judge write his own cheque.
Most home runs in a Major League season
Barry Bonds, San Fransisco Giants – 73 (2001)
Mark McGuire, St. Louis Cardinals – 70 (1998)
Sammy Sosa, Chicago Cubs – 66 (1998)
Mark McGuire – 65 (1999)
Sammy Sosa – 64 (2001)
Sammy Sosa – 63 (1999)
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees – 61* (2022)
Roger Maris, New York Yankees – 61 (1961)
Babe Ruth, New York Yankees – 60 (1927)
Babe Ruth – 59 (1921)
