New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge continues to chase history, as he closes in on Babe Ruth and Roger Maris.
There are serious questions as to if Judge will return after the 2022 season, but for now the New York Yankees star is closing in on the team and American League home run record.
Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in the 1927 season, while Roger Maris hit 61 in the 1967 campaign to one-up the Great Bambino.
Judge turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million deal before the start of the regular season. He reportedly wanted over $300 million, with the organization vehemently turning him down. Now, he’ll make far more than that — especially if he wins AL MVP by season’s end.
“If [the Yankees are] not going to give $100M more than their last offer, [Judge] won’t be here,” Kay said on his radio program.
Aaron Judge home run watch
Judge had 57 home runs entering Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. That all changed with two decisive swings of the bat.
The 30-year-old hit his 58th and 59th home runs against the Brew Crew.
Every home run Judge hits from now until the end of the season will be on highlight reels, but the fact he’s been so consistent throughout the year — so much so that he could win the American League Triple Crown — makes his accomplishment all the more remarkable.
As for Judge himself, he considers the actual home run record Barry Bonds’ to lose. Bonds hit 73 home runs in the 2001 season, but many consider that mark tainted. Judge, however, grew up in the Bay Area, so despite Bonds use of performance-enhancing drugs, he does not consider Maris as the record holder.
“Oh, yeah,” Judge said, h/t NJ.com. “That’s the record. I watched him do it. I stayed up late watching him do it. That’s the record. No one can take that from him.”
While Judge may not reach 73, anyone who’s hit as many bombs as Maris (and done so legally) deserves recognition.