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Aaron Judge, history.
A season unlike any other in the history of our game.
Congratulations on 6⃣2⃣, Aaron! pic.twitter.com/M7RsjcNxbT
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022
Judge set himself atop of history as he launched his 62nd home run to left field to set the American League single-season home run record, surpassing Roger Maris at 61.
He broke the record in his first at bat in game two of the Yankees double header against the Texas Rangers, hitting it off of Jesus Tinoco.
Judge is the only center-fielder in MLB history to reach 60 home runs, though he played right field when he hit 62.
Before 62
Babe Ruth was the first player to reach 60 in 1927 after breaking the American League record then. It took 34 years before Roger Maris broke that record, hitting 61 in 1961.
Judge hit home run No. 60 on September 20 at Yankee Stadium, becoming MLB’s first hitter to reach 60 since Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa in 2001. Eight days later, Judge launched his 61st home run against the Blue Jays.
Judge then went on a 3-16 streak as pitchers pitched around him and handed him a free bag to first, not wanting to be on the opposite side of history.
There was a long anticipated wait for 62 in the sports world. Everything went to pause when Judge went up to bat; it was must watch TV. College football games would split screens with the Yankees broadcast to watch every at bat. NFL RedZone would quadruple box viewers screens in case history happened on a Sunday.
Six days later, hitting in the leadoff spot, Judge found his pitch in the Yankees’ final series of the regular season.
SIXTY-TWO! BASEBALL HISTORY! @TheJudge44 is the American League home run King! pic.twitter.com/QKrcuOvZMU
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022
The Wait Was Over
Judge took it all in as he was rounding the bases with a full expressed grin on his face.
The record he was chasing for months was finally achieved, the stress was over. History was made.
The sellout crowd of 38,832 gave him a standing ovation as Judge completed his trot around the bases and stepped on home plate. Every Yankee teammate was waiting for him at home plate. Choctaw Stadium stood in awe.
Judge Speaks on History
Judge says it’s an incredible feeling getting to see his name alongside players like Roger Maris and Barry Bonds.
Maris tweeted Tuesday night congratulating Judge on making history, saying he is the “new clean home run king”.
Congratulations to Aaron Judge and his family on Aaron’s historic home run number 62! It has definitely been a baseball season to remember. You are all class and someone who should be revered. For the MAJORITY of the fans, we can now celebrate a new CLEAN HOME RUN KING!!
— Roger Maris Jr (@RogerMarisJr) October 5, 2022
Last Hope of Chasing the Triple Crown
Judge still sits atop of the triple crown contenders, but it becomes unlikely with only one game left of the regular season.
Judge is already leading in two of three categories, home runs (62) and RBIs (131). He is in a race for the highest batting average with Luis Arraez of the Minnesota Twins. Judge post a .310 batting average to Arraez’s .315.
If he were to surpass Arraez, he would become just the second player in the last 55 years to win the triple crown.
