A new American League and Yankees’ home run record? Roger that.
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, the most likely pinstriped slugger to hit a record number of home runs atv 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, surpassed Roger Maris, probably the most unlikely one, with his 62nd home run of the season on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Here’s everything you need to know about Judge and the new American League single-season home run king.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run of the season. Why is that a big deal?
With the home run, Judge has broken the American League record for home runs in a season, set by Yankees outfielder Roger Maris, who hit 61 homers in 1961. The single-season record is 73 home runs, set by Giants outfielder Barry Bonds in 2001, but Bonds has been haunted by suspicions of steroid use, so many baseball purists reject that record while baseball writers have blocked Bonds from the Hall of Fame. There hasn’t been a whiff of suspicion around Judge.
Were his parents in the ballpark to see history?
Judge’s mother and father and his wife were in the stands to see Judge set the record by ending a five-game homerless streak, which included Game 1 of the doubleheader when he was 1-for-5 with a single. When Judge hit his historic home run, his mother didn’t appear to realize the ball had cleared the fence until another fan told her. As Judge rounded the bases, his parents hugged and his mother blew kisses to him.
Was Roger Maris Jr. in the ballpark?
No, Maris was present for No. 61, then returned home. But he tweeted, “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!!”
Who else sent congratulations?
“History made, more history to make,” President Joe Biden posted on Twitter.
Former Yankees star Derek Jeter: tweeted “Congrats @TheJudge44 on 62! Postseason next!!!”
Former President Bill Clinton also tweeted congratulations, along with former MLB players like Yankees analyst Paul O’Neill, former Yankees and Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, Yankees Hall of Famer Dave Winfield and former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.
What did Judge say about setting the record?
“In my book, it’s just another day,” Judge said.
Judge said he felt “quite a few emotions” after connecting, thinking about his family and fans and supporters. He said it would probably be after the season until he’d truly soak in and appreciate the significance of his achievement.
What can you tell me about home run No. 62?
Judge drove a 1-1 slider from right-hander Jesús Tinoco into the first row of seats in left field when leading off the second game of a day-night doubleheader. The ball traveled 391 feet and its exit velocity was 102 mph. The only other player to hit a leadoff home run for their 50th or later homer of a season was Brady Anderson, who led off with his 50th in 1996.
Who caught the ball?
Judge’s milestone ball was caught by Corey Youmans of Dallas, who was sitting in Section 31. When asked what he was going to do with the ball while being taken away with security to have the ball authenticated, Youmans responded, “Good question. I haven’t thought about it.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, “The man who caught the historic Aaron Judge baseball, Corey Youmans, doesn’t exactly need the money. He is a vice president at Fisher Investments, which manages $197 billion worldwide. It may be the price of Judge’s next contract.”
Asked after the 3-2 loss if he’d gotten the ball, Judge said, “not yet.” He added: “I don’t know where it’s at. It’d be great to get it back,” he said. Judge praised the fan for making a “great catch” and said the fan had every right to keep the prized souvenir.
What is the breakdown of Judge’s home runs this season?
Judge has hit 22 home runs on four-seam fastballs, 17 on sliders, 11 on sinkers, six on curve balls, five on changeups and one on a cutter. He has hit 48 against right-handed pitchers and 14 against lefties. According to ESPN, Judge had never hit more than six home runs off sliders in a single season before 2022.
Who has hit the most home runs in a season for the Yankees?
With No 62, Judge has broken the record. Next are Roger Maris 61 (1961), Babe Ruth 60 (1927) and Ruth 59 (1921).
Is the Judge home run ball valuable?
The ball could be worth $2 million. That’s the offer Memory Lane President JP Cohen has floated for Judge’s 62nd home run ball, but most sports memorabilia and collectible experts estimate its value from $200,000 to $500,000. The price obviously depends on how much someone is willing to pay and what the fan who caught the ball wants to do with it.
Youmans can keep it; return it to Judge for nothing; negotiate with the slugger and the Yankees for tickets, autographs, gear and other considerations; or cash in by selling it to a collector or auction house.
SCP Auctions reports that Barry Bonds’ record 756th home run ball to pass Hank Aaron for first on the all-time home run list went for $752,467 in 2007, while No. 762 (Bonds’ final homer) brought $362,000. Last year, SCP sold Bonds’ 500th home run ball for $303,277. It sold Alex Rodriguez’s 600th home run ball for $97,710.
How do we know the ball is the actual home run ball?
When Judge drew near the record, Major League Baseball started using specially marked baseballs for his at-bats. Authenticating the ball is easy. The Yankees and Major League Baseball, after examining the ball, will provide a certificate of authenticity to the fan who caught it. As soon as the fan caught Judge’s 62 homer, security took him to authenticate the ball.
Aside from Bonds’ record, are there any other goals for Judge to aim for?
Yes, a Triple Crown, which is achieved when a batter leads a league in home runs, runs batted in and batting average. Judge currently leads the American League in home runs and RBIs and is only a couple of points off the batting lead with one game remaining.
Major League Baseball recognizes 27 Triple Crown winners, including Yankees’ Mickey Mantle (1953) and Lou Gehrig (1934). The last Triple Crown winner was Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers in 2012. In 1878, Paul Hines of the Providence Grays won the first Triple Crown with four home runs.
Judge with 220 career home runs, could aim for Bonds’ career record of 762, but he would have to average more than 50 home runs over the next 10 seasons. Not likely. Five hundred career homers, which is all but guaranteed to put him into the Hall of Fame, is a more realistic target.
Will Judge get a raise for his historic season?
Yes, his historical season will be rewarded with a historical salary — the highest in baseball history — because Judge’s breakout season couldn’t have come at a better time. He will be a free agent at the end of the postseason, allowing any team to bid for his services. At 30 years old, he’s likely looking at contract that ranges from seven to 10 years and averages roughly $40 million a year.
Of course, he could sign a shorter-term deal and re-enter the free-agent market one more time before he retires, but that’s a big gamble on staying healthy, putting up more big numbers and betting that the market will remain strong and owners will continue to pay exorbitant salaries.
What are the chances Judge remains with the Yankees?
They have as good a shot as any team, maybe slightly better because the Yankees own their own TV network, which generates millions of dollars in revenue each season. That’s important not just because it can help pay Judge’s salary but also because the Yankees need a superstar and a face of the franchise for viewers to tune in.
That said, Judge is originally from the San Francisco area and might want to return home. In addition, Steve Cohen, owner of the Mets, has more money than God and, if he doesn’t sign Judge, could drive up the price if he wanted to stick it to the Yankees.
It’s a long shot the Red Sox would make a play, but imagine Judge taking aim at the Green Monster in Fenway Park for 81 games a year.
Has Judge given any indication he wants to stay with the Yankees?
There have tea leaves that would indicate yes and no. During a recent ceremony to induct ex-Yankees outfielder Paul O’Neill into Monument Park and Derek Jeter Day, Judge viewed it all from the top step of the dugout. Is this an indication he wants to stay a Yankees and enjoy all of the benefits that come from that — entering the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, being honored in Monument Park, returning for Old Timers’ Days and being held in reverence by the most storied franchise in sports?
Last October, Judge said he wanted “to be a Yankee for life.”
But was he sending a different message when he reminded fans that they booed him at the beginning of his career when he struck out a lot, and when he joked recently that he’s had only one curtain call — after hitting home run No. 60?
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