Aaron Judge set to hit major personal milestone but makes Yankees’ win top priority

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As Aaron Judge nears his 952nd career game, he finds himself just one home run shy of reaching the 300 mark—a milestone that would place him among baseball’s elite. This achievement would also put the slugger within reach of breaking the record for the fewest games to hit 300 home runs in AL/NL history, a mark currently held by Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, who accomplished the feat in 1,087 games primarily with the Pirates from 1946-53.

However, personal milestones are meaningful for Aaron Judge only when they contribute to the team’s success. He downplayed the significance of individual statistics, stating that his primary focus is on helping the team win and putting them in a position to succeed. Aaron Judge noted that reaching the 300-home-run milestone would be especially rewarding if it comes in a victory for the Yankees.

“[The numbers] are not what we play for,” the Yankees captain said. “I’m just here to help this team win and put them in a good position. Hopefully, it comes with a win. It would be something special.”

Aaron Judge hits 299th career home run

The superstar slugger continued to etch his name in baseball history on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, belting his 42nd home run of the season. Aaron Judge took Rangers left-hander Andrew Chafin deep in the seventh inning, playing a key role in the Yankees’ tight 8-7 victory over Texas.

After the game, Aaron Judge emphasized the significance of the win, expressing his satisfaction with the team’s series victory and their return to winning ways.

“It was a win. It was another good one. I’m happy to win the series and get back [to] the winning ways,” the Yankees captain said.

Aaron Judge’s homer came on the heels of Juan Soto‘s second blast of the game, his 30th of the season. The back-to-back home runs stretched New York’s lead to 8-3, which proved pivotal as the Rangers rallied late, scoring three runs in the eighth and another in the ninth before Clay Holmes nailed down a four-out save.

Soto marveled at Aaron Judge’s ability to connect on a challenging pitch, describing him as an extraordinary hitter and praising the impressive nature of every one of his home runs.

“Every time Judge hits a home run, it’s incredible. It was a tough pitch outside of the strike zone. The ball went out,” he said. “He is such an incredible hitter.”

Aaron Judge’s current pace puts him on track for 56 homers by season’s end, just shy of the American League record of 62 he set in 2022. If he maintains this trajectory, he could join the elite ranks of players like Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire, who have had multiple 60-plus home run seasons.

Through 119 games, Aaron Judge has launched 42 home runs, slightly trailing his pace of 46 homers at the same point last year. This consistency underscores his enduring power-hitting prowess and his critical role in driving the Yankees’ offense.

An extraordinary show

Yankees manager Aaron Boone reflected on Aaron Judge’s extraordinary talents, admitting that it’s easy to take the outfielder’s greatness for granted. Boone expressed his awe at the slugger’s growth as a player and the consistency of his outstanding performances.

“I try to remind myself every now and then that I take him for granted,” the manager told after the game. “His greatness … I’m getting to watch over there every day what he is able to do and be just the player that he has become. It is remarkable.”

Soto, who has often batted ahead of Aaron Judge this season, provided insights into the advantages of hitting in front of such a powerful presence. Soto explained that pitchers are less inclined to walk him with Judge waiting on deck, leading to more opportunities for him to see good pitches.

“You have to make sure you are swinging because they are not walking you at all,” he said about Aaron Judge’s season this year. “It’s always great to hit in front of him. … They are always trying to attack the strike zone like [the Rangers]. They know he is coming behind me, but they want to make sure they get me out before facing him. They leave the lefty [Chafin for Judge]. At the end of the day, we did our job and helped the team win the ballgame.”

Soto also discussed the strategic approach of opposing teams, who often target the strike zone aggressively when he is at bat, hoping to retire him before facing Aaron Judge. He highlighted the Rangers’ decision to keep a left-handed pitcher in to face Aaron Judge, despite the potential risk. Soto expressed satisfaction that both he and his captain were able to play key roles in securing the Yankees’ victory.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised the offensive might of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, comparing their influence in the lineup to that of “aircraft carriers,” a metaphor emphasizing their immense impact on the team’s batting order.

Aaron Judge braves his annoying targeting by opponents

Intentional walks are a strategic part of baseball but often frustrate top hitters. However, team success remains the priority, as the New York Yankees demonstrated in their tense 8-7 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The game saw the Rangers intentionally walk Aaron Judge for the sixth time in eight games, raising his season total to 13 intentional walks.

Despite this tactic, the Yankees’ offense remained potent. Giancarlo Stanton responded to Judge’s fifth-inning walk with a three-run homer, while Juan Soto added two home runs. Judge also contributed with his league-leading 42nd homer, all of which were key to securing the win.

Stanton acknowledged the reasoning behind intentionally walking Aaron Judge, noting that it reflects his teammate’s exceptional ability at the plate. He stressed the importance of making opponents pay for these strategic moves, as he did with his homer, to discourage teams from continuing the practice. Stanton took the situation in stride, recognizing it as part of the game and even relishing the challenge.

“He’s an all-time talent,” Stanton commented about teams walking Aaron Judge. “So that happens. I got to do what happened today in order for it not to happen. It’s part of the game. You have some fun with it.”

Aaron Judge shared a similar team-first outlook, recalling a recent game against the Toronto Blue Jays where he was intentionally walked three times in a Yankees victory. He expressed satisfaction in getting on base and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, a strategy that proved successful in this game as well.

“I get on base and hopefully the guys behind me do their thing and today it worked out,” the Yankees slugger told following the team’s win.

Their comments highlight a mature approach to the strategies employed by opposing teams, focusing on the broader goal of team success rather than dwelling on individual frustrations or accolades.

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