New York — New York Yankees’ outfielder Aaron Judge is once again in the spotlight as he approaches a milestone that could see him surpass the home run record he set last season. Two years after chasing the long-standing American League home run record of 61, set by Roger Maris in 1961, Judge is now potentially on track to outdo his own 2022 record of 62 homers.
Through 89 games this season, Judge has already hit 32 home runs, putting him slightly ahead of his pace from last year. Despite a sluggish start where he only tallied four homers in the first 27 games, his recent performance suggests that he could end the season with an impressive total of 59 home runs.
Judge’s pursuit of the record is not just about personal glory. “It’s a big deal chasing that number because of the history of all the guys before me that had it,” Judge explained. However, he also emphasized that setting records is not his only focus. “I’ve got a lot of other things I want to check off my list before I think about breaking another record. If it happens, it happens, great,” he added.
In the realm of home run records, Barry Bonds’ controversial 73-home run season in 2001 also lurks in the background. Judge has expressed admiration for Bonds, citing him as the “true” home run king despite the performance-enhancing drug allegations that have clouded Bonds’ accomplishment.
With his current trajectory, Judge is drawing parallels to Bonds, not just in the number of homers but also in how opponents handle him. Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that Judge could soon see a “Bonds treatment” — an approach where pitches are notably cautious, limiting his opportunities to hit home runs.
Indeed, in the latter part of the 2022 season, Judge experienced an uptick in intentional walks, a testament to the increasing wariness of pitchers. He was walked intentionally 11 times over his final 36 games, although still well short of Bonds’ staggering 120 intentional walks in 2004.
Despite these challenges, Judge remains pragmatic about his chances of reaching or surpassing Bonds’ record. “I don’t think anybody’s gonna break that. That’s a tough one,” Judge remarked, acknowledging the strategic pitching that comes into play as home run totals climb.
While Judge continues to deliver impressive performances, the Yankees have struggled as a team recently. They have dropped 13 of their last 17 games, with their dip in form seeing them fall from the top spot in both the majors and the AL East. This contrast has prompted criticism from outside the player roster, with Judge’s personal hitting coach, Richard Schenck, taking to social media to voice his frustration about the team’s overall offensive development.
Judge’s exceptional individual achievements amid team inconsistencies highlight the complex dynamics of baseball, where individual brilliance doesn’t always translate to team success. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Judge, not only to see if he can set a new personal best but also to observe how his journey impacts the broader aspirations of the Yankees.