Aaron Judge just keeps hitting home runs, and his latest one put him in very rare company.
The New York Yankees lost 5-4 to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, but Aaron Judge continued to blast the cover off the ball. Judge finished the night 3-4, scoring two runs and blasting his league-leading 32nd home run of the season.
With this game in the books, Judge’s season stats appear to be from a video game (.321 BA, 32 HR, 83 RBI, 1.158 OPS).
And, while New York did not win the game, Judge’s latest home run put him in the company of three Yankees legends: Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle are the only players in the franchise’s historic history to smash at least 32 home runs in their first 87 games.
Via Bob Nightengale:
“Aaron Judge is just the 4th Yankee to hit 32 homers through the Yankees’ first 87 games in a season, joining Babe Ruth (36 HRs in 1921, 1928; 33 HRs in 1930), Roger Maris (35 HRs in 1961) and Mickey Mantle (32 HRs in 1961).”
Aaron Judge is mashing at a historic rate
There’s no sugarcoating it: Judge has once again proven to be the best hitter in the world this season. Following his remarkable 2022 performance (.311 BA, 62 HR, 131 RBI, 1.111 OPS), many believed that was the peak of his abilities. Yet, he’s replicating those incredible numbers this season and, in some aspects, even surpassing them.
If he maintains this momentum, Judge will undoubtedly silence his critics. He set the American League home run record in 2022 and could potentially break his own record if he continues at this rate. To put it in perspective, Judge’s 2022 season was celebrated as one of the most impressive hitting performances in modern MLB history, and now he seems determined to match that achievement.
Judge’s hitting prowess has greatly contributed to the Yankees’ success on the field, with the team holding a 54-33 record. However, they are currently a game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East standings, suggesting a competitive race for the top spot throughout the summer.
If Judge continues this phenomenal production, the Yankees will be well-positioned not only to win the division but also to make a deep playoff run. While the ultimate goal is to win the World Series, Judge’s extraordinary performance at the plate is a major highlight. Should he keep hitting home runs at this pace, he’ll join the ranks of legends like Ruth and Mantle.
Leave a Reply