Mark McGwire, who has the second-highest home runs in MLB, believes that Aaron Judge is capable to go past home-run king Barry Bonds. The outfielder for the New York Yankees is currently in first place in the major leagues with 57 home runs. Bonds, the Giants legend, leads the 60-homer club with 73 home runs in 2001.
Roger Maris owns the club record and the American League record with 61 home runs in the 1961 season. Judge looks set to surpass Maris this season.
McGwire, who played for the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals for 15 seasons, is revered for his wide range of knowledge and experience in baseball. And the former Major League Baseball power hitter believes that Aaron Judge is just getting started and holds more potential than fans can expect.
In 1998, when McGwire eventually hit 70 home runs, he became the first man to surpass Maris’ record of 61 home runs. He led the MLB with 65 runs next year. But two seasons later, Barry Bonds surpassed McGwire’s slugging performance by setting a new record for the most home runs in a single season with 73.
The former Cardinal in a chat with Bob Nightengale of USA Today stated that Aaron Judge will surpass Barry Bonds in the future, though not this year. According to him:
“He’s definitely going to break Maris’ Yankee record. but I truly believe he’ll break Barry’s record, too. I think he’ll finish with at least 65 home runs this year, and then position himself to hit get to 73 to 74 in the next five to eight years. I really believe he’ll have that opportunity. He’s going to get close to it, and say, ‘Where can I bunch in nine more homers?’ God willing that he stays healthy, he’s going to do that, too.”
The judge is in the midst of an incredible walk season. However, he will be a free agent following the conclusion of the current season. Earlier, before the season-opening game, he turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million contract offered by the Yankees.
As fans love to see, Big Mac thinks Judge is set to reap huge rewards in a contract for his historic season in 2022.
“You could pull up 10 Brinks trucks to his house after this season.”
All agree that Judge will become the sixth player in major league history to hit at least 60 home runs in a single season. McGwire is one of them.
Judge and MLB Homer Record
|
Player |
Team |
Year |
Total Home Runs |
|
Barry Bonds |
San Francisco Giants |
2001 |
73 |
|
Mark McGwire |
St. Louis Cardinals |
1998 |
70 |
|
Sammy Sosa |
Chicago Cubs |
1998 |
66 |
|
Mark McGwire |
St. Louis Cardinals |
1999 |
65 |
|
Sammy Sosa |
Chicago Cubs |
2001 |
64 |
|
Sammy Sosa |
Chicago Cubs |
1999 |
63 |
|
Roger Maris |
New York Yankees |
1961 |
61 |
|
Babe Ruth |
New York Yankees |
1927 |
60 |
Most single-season, home runs in Yankees’ history:
|
Player |
Year |
Home Runs |
|
Roger Maris |
1961 |
61 |
|
Babe Ruth |
1927 |
60 |
|
Babe Ruth |
1921 |
59 |
|
Aaron Judge |
2022 |
57 |
|
Babe Ruth |
1920 |
54 |
|
Babe Ruth |
1928 |
54 |
|
Mickey Mantle |
1961 |
54 |
|
Alex Rodriguez |
2007 |
54 |
|
Mickey Mantle |
1956 |
52 |
|
Aaron Judge |
2017 |
52 |
The latest predictions show Judge will hit no. 62 at Toronto.
Do you agree with McGwire? How many home runs Judge will have this season? When he can surpass Barry Bonds?
