Aaron Judge hits 62nd home run to stand alone as the American League’s single-season home run king.
After reporting on No.61 just last week, we're back once again, as Judge hits the record-breaking homer in the first inning against the Texas Rangers' Jesus Tinoco.
The entire Yankees' dugout emptied and headed over to home plate as Judge rounded the bases. His coaches and teammates waited for him and congratulated the new record-holder with a brief on-field celebration before play resumed.
SIXTY-TWO! BASEBALL HISTORY! @TheJudge44 is the American League home run King! pic.twitter.com/QKrcuOvZMU
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022
I tried to enjoy every single moment. I didn’t think about, ‘Hey, they’re all on their feet to see you hit a home run.’ I tried to think about, ‘Hey, they’re here to see an exciting ballgame and see something special.’ Having that mindset helped me stay pretty calm, but there was definitely a little pressure in there.
Judge
The usually level-headed hitter had started showing signs of frustration as he struggled to break the record for several games. He was seen slamming his helmet in anger during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader where he went 1-5 at the plate.
Judge had been on pace to shatter the record earlier in the season, but stalled at 60, then again at 61. Relief from all the build up of pressure finally came on Tuesday at Globe Life Field, as he launched a 1-1 slider well into the stands to open the second game of the doubleheader.
If you were a fan of the strange coincidences that came with home-run 61, check this out... The night that No.99 hit home-run No.62, joined a Yankees 3-2 loss which puts their season record at - wait for it - 99 and 62.
Judge didn't have long left as only 3 regular season games remained after Tuesday's matchup, though Yankees Manager, Aaron Boone was confident that he would get it done.
Just an all-time great season. He’s been the leader of this team, for a division-winning team, one for which he’s gotten big hit after big hit. I think it’s a historically great season, and one we’ll talk about when we’re long gone.
Aaron Boone (Yankees Manager)
One lucky fan was on the receiving end of the 88.4 mph, 391-foot drive toward the left-field seats - Cory Youmans managed to haul in the home-run ball while others were seen jumping down to the field to search for it. Youmans is now being flooded with interview requests and news articles, as he bagged himself a priceless souvenir from the historical moment.
The executive chairman and founder of Goldin Auctions, Ken Goldin, has predicted that Judge's 62nd home-run ball could be worth an astonishing $750,000 to $1.25 million.
While there is still some dispute among fans, Roger Maris Jr - whose father previously held the AL record at 61 home runs - believes that Judge should be seen as the sole home-run record holder for the MLB as a whole. This comes with some disdain for the records previously achieved by players like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds - whose records are clouded by the era of performance enhancing drugs.
Roger Maris Jr. on Aaron Judge:
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 29, 2022
"He should be revered for being the actual single-season home run champ. That's really who he is if he hits 62."
(via @YESNetwork)pic.twitter.com/ZzbFRi44uw
Regardless of the controversy, Judge now stands atop a list of some of the greatest batsmen in Major League Baseball history, as the sole home-run record-holder in the American League. Here's how that list shapes up:
Aaron Judge, 2022 Yankees: 62 and counting
Roger Maris, 1961 Yankees: 61
Babe Ruth, 1927 Yankees: 60
Babe Ruth, 1921 Yankees: 59
Jimmie Foxx, 1931 Athletics: 58
Hank Greenberg, 1938 Tigers: 58
