Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hit his 61st home run of the season Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, matching Yankees icon Roger Maris for the most home runs by an American League player in a single season.
Judge’s historic home run came in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ road game at Rogers Centre, giving his club a 5-3 lead.
Maris held the AL single-season home run record for 61 years, with 61 home runs in 1961, breaking the mark of another Yankees great, Babe Ruth, who hit 60 home runs in 1927.
No AL player has ever been able to surpass Maris’ single-season MLB mark, which was broken by Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds in 2001 with a still-standing record of 73.
The 30-year-old Judge has been having an outstanding season despite the fact that it is the last year of his deal. He is hoping to cash in with the Yankees or another club in free agency over the summer.
Judge becoming AL MVP?
Aaron is now a possibility to earn his first AL MVP title this season, whereas Maris won the second of his two straight AL MVP trophies in 1961.
This season, the Yankees have faced with a number of serious injuries to their starting lineup and pitching staff, which has caused them to struggle to maintain their AL East lead after beginning the year with a record winning rate.
Judge has been the one constant for the Yankees as several of their key players have been on and off the injury list, playing in his most games since playing 155 in 2017.
Judge smashed 52 home runs in 2017 to win AL Rookie of the Year and place second in the AL MVP voting, but in 2022 he has advanced to a new level and cemented his position as baseball’s face.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding Judge’s contract and the Yankees’ ability to really compete for a World Series this season, Judge’s 2022 campaign is already indelible in baseball history, regardless of what the future may bring.
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