New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge finally broke Roger Maris’ American League and franchise records set in 1961 by hitting his 62nd homer on Tuesday. The ball traveled 391 feet and reached 100.2 mph off Judge’s bat from Texas Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco in the first inning of Game 2 of their doubleheader at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
The Yankees rushed out of the dugout as soon as Judge crossed home plate. His home run gave the Yankees an early 1-0 lead. The ball landed in the glove of a lucky fan, Cory Youmans, who was sitting in Section 31.
It was his 55th consecutive game since August 5, Judge’s previous 13-game homer streak ended with No. 61 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He went hitless in the Yankees’ final three-game regular-season home series against the Baltimore Orioles. On Tuesday, he went 1 for 5 with a single and drove in the game-winning run.
“It’s an incredible honor and there’s a lot of emotions,” Judge said after his 61st homer. “It took me a little longer than I wanted to but … it’s something pretty special.”
Patty, Aaron’s mother, has been in the audience since September 18, when the 30-year-old star hit his 59th home run. And she was there too to witness history being made on Tuesday.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022
On social media, Maris’ son, Roger Maris Jr., congratulated the star outfielder, saying, “Congratulations to Aaron Judge and his family on Aaron’s historic home run number 62!.”
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
President Joe Biden cheered Judge on his achievement as well, posting on social media, “History made, more history to make.”
Congrats @TheJudge44 on home run 62. History made, more history to make.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 5, 2022
“We were all a little bit out of sorts,” teammate Gerrit Cole said of Judge’s homer. “What a special opportunity to share a field with this guy. He’s just an unbelievable player, unbelievable talent, unbelievable human. He’s been our rock all year.”
Home runs record history
Judge now has more home runs than any other player in the American League’s 122-year history. Behind Judge, Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies is a close second in baseball with 46 home runs.
Nobody in American League history has hit more home runs in a single season than Aaron Judge. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/m9mhzkAhHA
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022
His feat is only surpassed by Barry Bonds, who set the record of 73 home runs with the San Francisco Giants in 2001; the Chicago Cubs’ Sammy Sosa, who struck a career-high 66 home runs in 1998; and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire, who hit 70 home runs in 1998 as well; all of whom played in the National League.
While many regard Bonds’ record as invalid because of his use of steroids, Judge believes Bonds is the all-time home run leader. Bonds will be remembered as baseball’s greatest single-season and career home run batsman, with 73 home runs in 2001 and a career total of 762 shots.
Tuesday game
It was not only Judge who had a memorable moment for the team. The Yankees’ right-handed pitcher, Gerrit Cole, also established the franchise’s single-season strikeout record, despite the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday night.
The 32-year-old Cole struck out first baseman Nathaniel Lowe in the bottom of the first inning after Judge led off the second game of the doubleheader. He would strike out 8 more batters in 6 innings pitched, bringing his season total to 257.
The most strikeouts in a single season in New York Yankees history.
Congrats, Gerrit! ? pic.twitter.com/CuRYfA8UvK
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022
The veteran hit four batters against Toronto in his previous start on September 28, matching Ron Guidry’s 248 strikeouts in 1978, when he won the AL Cy Young Award after going 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA.
The Yankees will begin the postseason as the American League’s No. 2 seed. They will finish the regular season in Texas on Wednesday.