NEW YORK — Aaron Judge inched closer to Yankees immortality Thursday night, belting two home runs in a 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium. The blasts were his 360th and 361st career homers, moving him into a tie with Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time list.
The achievement came just two nights after Judge moved past Yogi Berra’s 358 career home runs for sole possession of fifth place. His relentless rise up the Yankees’ most hallowed leaderboard has shown no signs of slowing.
“Just two legends, greats of the game, great all-time Yankees,” Judge said. “It’s pretty cool being on a list with them, but I think it’s even cooler getting a win.”
Multi-homer mastery puts Judge in Mantle’s shadow
Judge’s two homers also gave him his sixth multi-homer game of 2025 and the 45th of his career. That total pushed him past Lou Gehrig’s 43, leaving him only one shy of Mickey Mantle’s 46 for second place in franchise history. Babe Ruth remains the standard with 72 multi-homer games.
The performance added to Judge’s dominant 2025 campaign. His 46 home runs rank second in the American League, and he leads the majors in batting average (.322), on-base percentage (.444), slugging percentage (.671) and OPS (1.115).
“Joe DiMaggio — that feels like that’s been there forever, right?” manager Aaron Boone said. “Joe DiMaggio, in a lot of ways, transcended baseball. To be next to him on the list, he’s going to be waving as he goes by. It’s been a privilege having a front-row seat to that.”
Power display showcases Judge’s refined approach
Judge’s first homer came in the opening inning against Tigers opener Tyler Holton. After working a full count, he crushed a cutter 413 feet into the bullpen. The ball left his bat at 110.1 mph, another reminder of his elite power.
Two innings later, Judge connected again. Facing right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long, he hammered a 434-foot blast that reached the back of the Detroit bullpen at 114.9 mph. The homer gave him his 100th RBI of the season, marking the fourth time in his career he has reached that milestone.
Judge finished the night 3-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch. The two-time AL MVP has turned up his production as the Yankees chase a postseason berth.
Franchise royalty within reach as records fall
Judge’s pursuit now focuses on the three names ahead of him on the Yankees’ all-time home run list. Ruth leads with 659, followed by Mantle’s 536 and Gehrig’s 493. Like Judge, DiMaggio, Mantle, Gehrig and Ruth all spent their entire careers in pinstripes.
At his current pace, Judge could realistically challenge Gehrig’s total by season’s end. The 32-year-old has averaged more than 40 home runs per 162 games throughout his career when healthy.
His rise from rookie slugger to franchise cornerstone has been steady since his record-setting 62-homer season in 2022. That performance cemented his status as one of the most feared hitters in the game and placed him firmly among Yankees legends.
Statistical dominance extends beyond home runs
Though Aaron Judge’s march toward team history makes headlines, his overall offensive profile may be even more impressive. His blend of raw power, strike-zone discipline and batting average sets him apart in the modern era, where such complete hitters are rare.
He continues to lead the American League in nearly every major offensive category, placing him firmly in the MVP conversation. If he wins, it would mark his third MVP award in four seasons.
Judge’s influence extends beyond his numbers. Opposing pitchers often alter their approach when he steps to the plate, reshaping how entire innings unfold. His presence creates opportunities for teammates and forces defenses into mistakes.
Chasing immortality with every swing
Judge’s march up the Yankees’ record book has become a nightly event. His consistency at the plate makes the chase feel inevitable.
Gehrig’s 493 career homers appear well within reach if Judge maintains his current pace. Mantle’s 536 could be his next target, a number that would place him shoulder-to-shoulder with one of the most beloved Yankees of all time.
Ruth’s 659 remains the ultimate goal. Reaching it would require several more productive seasons, but at 32 years old, Judge still has time. Durability and continued production will be the keys.
Each step brings Judge deeper into the Yankees’ inner circle of legends. With his name now alongside DiMaggio and Berra, and Gehrig and Mantle within sight, his legacy grows stronger with every swing.
Thursday’s performance confirmed Judge’s status as the face of the franchise, a captain whose bat and leadership continue to define the Yankees’ pursuit of October glory. His milestone night reminded fans why he stands as both a modern superstar and a rightful heir to the Yankees’ long tradition of power hitters.
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