New York – As the announcement for the Most Valuable Player Award nears, all eyes turn once again to Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ outfielder, whose history-making season could see him clinch the American League MVP for the second time. Judge’s phenomenal performance throughout the season, capped by 58 home runs, solidifies his reputation not just among Yankees legends but also in the annals of baseball history.
Judge, who first rose to significant prominence in his 2017 rookie year with 52 home runs, continued to defy expectations by matching and often surpassing the benchmarks set by some of baseball’s greatest. His achievements this season include a .322 batting average, a .458 on-base percentage, and a .701 slugging percentage.
Critically, Judge wasn’t merely hitting home runs; he was crafting a season that historians and statisticians will cite for years to come. The analytical breakdown of his performance shows record-high adjusted OPS (on-base plus slugging) metrics for any right-handed batter and center fielder, and his adjusted runs created secures his place alongside legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, and Barry Bonds.
Notably, this year marked Judge’s third season with at least 50 home runs, making him one of only five players in MLB history to reach that mark three times. His consistency and resilience, particularly in an era defined by advanced pitching techniques like high-velocity fastballs and an increasing variety of breaking balls, magnify his achievements.
The broader statistics also help frame Judge’s claim to being one of the greatest home run hitters of all time. Per season, Judge averages 51 home runs per 162 games, a stark comparison to historical figures such as Bonds at 41 and Babe Ruth at 46. These figures are even more impressive considering the evolution of the game with more frequent pitching changes which deny batters the chance to familiarize themselves with pitchers within a single game.
Moreover, the context of Judge’s performance is shaped by the modern game dynamics, where hitters rarely face the same pitcher multiple times in a game—a stark contrast to earlier eras. For instance, Babe Ruth in 1927 faced a starting pitcher a third or fourth time in a game in 260 plate appearances, while Aaron Judge in 2024 faced the same situation only 119 times.
It is significant to note that while Judge’s historical comparison places him among the game’s elite, the method of measurement varies. For instance, Mark McGwire holds the best ratio of at-bats per home run, a metric where Judge also excels but does not lead. However, since 2022, Judge has averaged a home run every 9.53 at-bats, underscoring a remarkable period of proficiency.
Despite the inevitable comparisons and debates around the “greatest” monikers, Aaron Judge’s statistical standing and his unforgettable 2024 season remain a tribute to his prowess and skill as a hitter.
As the baseball community and fans worldwide await the MVP announcement, discussions and praises for Judge’s stellar season are testament to his indelible mark on the sport. Whether he is crowned with another MVP title or not, Judge’s 2024 campaign will be remembered as one of the most exceptional in baseball history.
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