CHICAGO — Aaron Judge continues rewriting Yankees history books with each swing of his bat and patient approach at the plate. The two-time American League MVP equaled Yogi Berra for the fifth most home runs in the pinstripes.
On Saturday, he matched legendary Joe DiMaggio while positioning himself for achievements not accomplished in more than a decade.
Judge tied DiMaggio with 790 career walks, placing both Yankees icons 10th in franchise history. The milestone came during the Yankees’ recent series against the Chicago White Sox, where the current Yankees captain demonstrated the elite plate discipline that has become his trademark.
It represents Judge’s exceptional plate discipline. Only nine Yankees have drawn more walks in team history. Babe Ruth leads with 1,852 career walks.
Aaron Judge is completing just his 10th major league season. His rapid climb up the franchise leaderboards is remarkable. He already leads the American League with 97 walks this year. He also topped the AL in walks during 2017, 2022 and 2023.
His .441 on-base percentage this season is outstanding. Judge’s career OBP sits at .410. Few players combine power and patience this effectively.
Home run chase intensifies
Judge’s power remains his signature trait.and it made even bigger headlines on Sunday. He launched his 43rd homer Sunday in Chicago. The 426-foot blast tied him with Yogi Berra. Both players now have 358 career home runs.
That puts Judge in fifth place on the Yankees all-time list. He recently passed Alex Rodriguez (351) and Yogi Berra (358). DiMaggio’s 361 homers are within reach. With approximately 30 games remaining in the regular season, Judge appears certain to surpass DiMaggio before October arrives.
Only three Yankees legends remain ahead of Judge. Lou Gehrig hit 493 career homers. Mickey Mantle finished with 536. Babe Ruth’s 659 home runs top the franchise list.
No Yankees player has entered this exclusive group in nearly 70 years. Judge has accomplished this feat in fewer games than his predecessors. Modern pitching presents greater challenges than previous generations faced.
Triple Crown implications and MVP race
Judge’s 2025 campaign has been exceptional. He leads Major League Baseball with a 1.117 OPS. Shohei Ohtani ranks second at .986.
A right elbow flexor strain has limited Judge since mid-July. The injury restricts him to designated hitter duties. Despite this setback, his offensive production remains elite.
He is hitting .324 with a .443 OBP and .674 slugging percentage. His 43 home runs put him on track for a rare achievement. While he trails Seattle’s Cal Raleigh in home runs (Raleigh leads with 50), Judge’s superior performance across all offensive categories makes him the frontrunner for his third AL MVP award.
He could become the first player since Miguel Cabrera in 2013 to win a batting title with 40-plus homers.
The Yankees slugger’s 97 walks this season lead the American League, continuing his pattern of elite plate discipline. Judge has led the AL in walks multiple times throughout his career, including 133 walks during his record-breaking 2022 campaign.
“He’s just an unbelievable player and a guy that I really haven’t felt has been hot at any point in the season, like he has in some years,” Boone noted. “That’s what’s remarkable. The year he’s putting up, I feel like he’s grinding through it.”
Yankees playoff positioning depends on Judge’s surge
New York enters September holding the first American League wild card spot with a 76-61 record. The Yankees trail the Toronto Blue Jays by just three games in the AL East division race, setting up a crucial final month.
Judge’s recent performance surge couldn’t come at a better time. He homered in back-to-back games against Chicago, including a near-miss double that nearly cleared the outfield wall for his 44th home run of the season.
The Yankees begin a demanding 12-game stretch Tuesday night in Houston, facing contending clubs including the Astros, Blue Jays, Tigers, and Red Sox. Judge’s production during this gauntlet could determine whether New York captures the division title or settles for a wild card berth.
Rare company and historical perspective
Judge’s pursuit of DiMaggio in the home run rankings carries special significance given their shared position as Yankees right fielders.
The 33-year-old has accomplished his franchise climb in just 10 seasons, compared to Berra’s nearly 20-year Yankees career. This efficiency highlights his unprecedented power production and durability when healthy.
If Judge reaches 50 home runs while maintaining his .321 average, he would join exclusive company. Only Mickey Mantle has achieved a .350 average with 50 home runs since baseball’s integration in 1947, accomplishing the feat in 1956 with a .353 average and 52 home runs.
September surge ahead
Yankees fans hope Judge’s recent power display signals the start of one of his signature hot streaks. The captain narrowly missed the cycle against Chicago, finishing with a home run, double, and single while missing only a triple.
Several Yankees players donned cowboy boots and Stetsons for their flight to Houston, hoping the themed trip sets the tone for a crucial series. Getting Judge back to peak MVP form remains essential for New York’s championship aspirations.
Judge’s remarkable 2025 campaign continues building his Hall of Fame resume while entertaining discussions about his place among Yankees legends. With approximately 30 games remaining, the stage is set for more historical achievements from baseball’s premier slugger.
The combination of power, patience, and production Judge displays represents the complete offensive package. As September unfolds, Yankees fans will witness whether their captain can add more chapters to his already legendary career while leading New York toward October baseball.
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