BOSTON — Aaron Judge delivered a historic blow Friday night at Fenway Park, sending a 468-foot shot over the Green Monster and onto Lansdowne Street. The home run, his 362nd, pushed him past Joe DiMaggio for fourth on the New York Yankees’ all-time list and added another dramatic chapter to the rivalry with the Boston Red Sox.
DiMaggio’s final homer, his 361st, came on Sept. 28, 1951, also against the Red Sox. Seventy-four years later, Judge’s swing created a nearly identical stage for history to repeat itself.
The first-inning blast off Lucas Giolito set the tone for a 4-1 Yankees win before 36,760 fans. The victory moved New York 1.5 games ahead of Boston in the American League wild card race.
“It’s special, but just like all those guys in front of me on those lists, they weren’t playing for records. They were playing to win,” Judge said. “I’m just trying to follow in their footsteps. I’m here to win.”
Yankees captain reaches milestone faster than Yankee Clipper
Aaron Judge reached the milestone in just 1,130 games. DiMaggio needed 1,736 games to hit 361 home runs before ending his career at Yankee Stadium in 1951.
The symmetry was striking. DiMaggio’s final homer came against Boston, and Judge’s milestone came at Fenway Park, further weaving the rivalry into Yankees history.
Only Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536) and Lou Gehrig (493) remain ahead of Judge on the Yankees’ list. He is now the top right-handed home run hitter in franchise history.
The numbers highlight his dominance. Judge was the fastest player in major league history to reach both 300 and 350 home runs, and his pace keeps him on track to climb higher.
Record-setting first inning continues hot streak
Judge’s homer was his 47th of the season and his 19th in the first inning. That broke the single-season record of 18, which he had shared with Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez reached the mark in 2001 with the Texas Rangers, while Judge matched it in 2024.
“That was a big shot in the arm for us, to get it going,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Aaron hitting one of those — you know, one of those Aaron blows — definitely got the boys going.”
The two-time AL MVP has caught fire at the right time. Since Aug. 27, Judge has homered in four straight games and posted 17 hits in 51 at-bats. He is batting .333 with a 1.265 OPS in his last 15 games.
Fenway Park proves perfect stage for milestone moment
Judge connected on a 92.5 mph fastball from Giolito with an exit velocity of 112.6 mph. It was the longest homer at Fenway this year and the longest since Judge’s 470-foot blast there in July 2024.
“I feel like, at this point, it’s getting normal with him,” teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “He gets us super hyped up. He brings the energy. Everybody thinks he’s really calm, but he’s really crazy — in my eyes, at least.”
Rookie Ben Rice said the homer “electrified us” and gave the Yankees the early momentum they needed in hostile territory.
The swing silenced the crowd instantly, underscoring the stage’s significance.
Elbow watch, bat intact: Health concerns don’t slow Judge
Judge continues to manage a right elbow flexor strain suffered on July 25. Since his return from the injured list on Aug. 5, he has alternated between designated hitter and right field.
General manager Brian Cashman said Judge’s elbow has healed but noted the team is treating his recovery at the big-league level.
“He’s healthy now,” Cashman said. “But then obviously doing it correctly, so like we’d be doing a rehab program in the minor leagues where you’d stagger it. But we’re unfortunately having to do that here in the big leagues.”
Judge has played right field four times recently, though his throws remain below his usual 90 mph average. Boone said he has considered using Judge in left field to shorten the throwing distance.
Statistical dominance continues building legacy
Judge’s pace of 52 homers per 162 games puts him in position to pass Gehrig’s 493 total within 2.5 seasons.
At 33, he recently overtook Bryce Harper for 89th on the MLB career home run list. He did so with nearly 3,000 fewer plate appearances. Freddie Freeman, with 363, is next on the list.
Judge also holds the records as the fastest player to 300 and 350 home runs. Mark McGwire’s mark as the fastest to 400 (1,412 games) could be within Judge’s reach next season.
Championship aspirations drive Judge’s focus
Even as the records pile up, Judge emphasizes winning above all else. DiMaggio won nine championships, while Ruth, Mantle and Gehrig each collected seven. Judge, despite his accolades, is still seeking his first title.
“I’m trying to help put this team in the best position every single night,” Judge said. “That comes with homers, that comes with big moments like that. It’s pretty cool. But I think all those guys in front of me — and especially DiMaggio — all those guys they played to win in New York and win for this team.”
For the Yankees, who are battling for a postseason spot, Judge’s surge may be the key to keeping their October hopes alive.
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