It is difficult to rewrite the record book of the New York Yankees because the past of this team is so rich. However, Aaron Judge managed to equal the mark of Roger Maris by achieving his 61e home run of the season, Wednesday, against the Toronto Blue Jays. He even equals an American record.
Updated yesterday at 9:58 p.m.
Judge’s stick is on fire this season. Not only did he equal a 61-year-old team mark, but he did it at a crucial moment in the game. In the top of the seventh inning, with the division rivals tied 3-3, the 30-year-old outfielder sent Tim Mayza’s pitch into left field at Rogers Center.
This circuit was long in coming. Truth be told, Judge hadn’t hit the long ball in seven games. Lately, due to his efficiency, several pitchers have gone for the intentional walk when Judge came up to the plate.
The Californian still found a way to get closer to the team record.
He will even have the chance to break the record and thus score a big blow at Yankee Stadium, since the team will begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.
Going into the game, Judge had a .314 batting average and had 128 RBIs.
While this feat will go down in New York franchise history, Judge is still a long way from Barry Bonds’ all-time record, albeit disputed due to the MLB steroid scandal. The latter had hit 73 homers during the 2001 season with the San Francisco Giants.
If he beats Maris, his next goal will be to join Sammy Sosa, who had 63 and 64 homer seasons in 1999 and 2001, good for sixth and fifth in history. The Yankees have seven games left in the season.