Sep 18, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) gestures after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
New York Yankees star slugger Aaron Judge has been waiting patiently for the right pitch to launch over the outfield wall, securing the single-season record for home runs among ‘clean’ players.
With just two games remaining after Judge failed to hit a home run in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Tuesday, he smacked a solo shot in the first inning over the left-field wall in Game 2, cementing himself in history.
Judge went four games without hitting a long ball after tying Roger Marris with his 61st home run against the Toronto Blue Jays last Wednesday. However, it was worth the wait, and now he will forever be in the history books along with Texas Rangers pitcher, Jesus Tinoco.
Judge hasn’t only broken that record, but he’s having one of the best seasons in MLB history in a contract year. The Yankees offered him a seven-year deal worth $31.5 million per season, but that won’t even open negotiations once the 2022 campaign comes to an end.
This year, Judge is hitting .311 with a 42.5% on-base rate, 62 homers, and 131 RBIs. He features a 208 wRC+ and 11.4 WAR, the best in all of baseball.
Judge will undoubtedly enjoy a day off in the Yankees’ regular-season finale against Texas on Wednesday as they look forward to the postseason. Luckily, they have the AL East locked up and will skip over the Wild Card, likely facing off against the Cleveland Guardians or the Seattle Mariners.
Nonetheless, this is a prime opportunity to take a deep breath and enjoy one of the best seasons ever from a professional baseball player. You’ve just witnessed history.
This post was published on 2022-10-04 20:38
