Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ best-known slugger, is officially the MLB’s best hitter. It was exact 8.07 pm in New York City when he hit the 62nd home run and set a new single-season record for the American League. The whole country went crazy after seeing this unique accomplishment.
Aaron Judge hit a home run that broke the all-time American League record. He beat the mark Roger Maris set in 1961, but it’s not the MLB record. Judge comes in at number seven on that list, behind Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa.
But their records have been subject to question, as these came amid allegations of taking steroids and they have been turned down for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
So, many people thought that Maris’ record was the best one to beat. Aaron Judge tied Maris’s record last week in Toronto. This week, in Arlington, he hit a 391-foot home run into the stands at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.
Since he tied Maris’s record of 61 home runs, the 30-year-old had been stuck on that number. But he failed to break the record in three consecutive games at Yankee Stadium.
During Monday’s first road game against the Rangers and Tuesday’s first game of a doubleheader, he made two more unsuccessful appearances.
But Judge didn’t make a mistake when he hit first in the Tuesday night game. He crushed the third pitch he saw from Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco.
As the commentator yelled, “Sailing into history, he’s done it, he’s done it!” the crowd went crazy.
As soon as the 62nd home run ball went into the stands, a fan jumped out of the bleachers to try to catch it in case someone dropped it.
Fans fought over the ball, but Texan investment executive Corey Youmans caught it. Media people and security guards rushed to the man and surrounded him to escort away.
With such a big historical event, it makes sense that a lot of people will want a real piece of Judge memorabilia afterward. At the Yankees-Rangers game at Globe Life Field, one fan may have tried a little too hard to get their hands on history.
USA Today Sports’ Bob Nightengale posted:
“Aaron Judge’s historic HR was hit in Section 31, Row 1, Seat 3. The fan is being taken by security to have the ball authenticated. It’s expected to be worth at least $2 million.”
With all the asterisks used in baseball stats, Roger Maris’s son has also called for Judge to be named the best of all time.
Maris Jr wrote on Twitter:
“Baseball should consider making two separate home run records. Home runs, home runs, PED. In 1961, baseball’s commissioner set up separate records for home runs. Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs, which made him the ‘home run king.’ Roger Maris’s 61 home runs were recorded separately under ‘162 games.'”
The Yankees played 155 games when Babe Ruth set the record.
Maris Jr. said the same thing again after Aaron Judge surpassed with his father.
“He should be respected for being the real leader in home runs in a single season. If he lives to be 62, that’s really who he is. I think that’s what should happen. Baseball should look at the records and do something, in my opinion.”
At that moment, everyone on social media went crazy for the star outfielder for the New York Yankees. Fans, former stars, and even the president sent out tweets of congratulations.
President Biden congratulated Aaron Judge on Tuesday for hitting the most home runs in a season in the American League.
Maris Jr. also 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!!”
Former Yankee great Derek Jeter expected Aaron Judge to hit more in the playoffs.
To celebrate Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run, New York City milestone Empire State Building turned itself into pinstripes for 62 seconds.
How did you celebrate? Leave a comment below for Aaron Judge.
