Rob Issa, FISM News
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Aaron Judge blasted his 61st homer Tuesday night, tying Roger Maris’ single-season American League record.
Judge hit a two-run drive in the seventh inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 Wednesday night. Judge had been stuck at 60 for seven games after tying Babe Ruth prior to the blast to left field.
“When I hit it, I thought I got enough but it’s been a couple of games since I did that so you never really know if it was going to get out or (not),” Judge said. “So, I tried to sprint around the bases a little bit then once it got over the fence, just relief that now we’re leading the game. Getting a chance to tie Roger Maris, you dream about that kind of stuff, it’s unreal.”
Judge has seven games remaining to surpass Maris’ mark set in 1961 with the Yankees.
“It’s an incredible honor, getting a chance to be associated with one of the Yankee greats, one of baseball’s greats, words can’t describe it,” Judge said. “That’s one thing so special about the Yankees organization, is all the guys that came before us and kind of paved the way and played the game the right way, did things the right way, did a lot of great things in this game and getting a chance to be mentioned with those guys now is, I can’t even describe it, it’s an incredible honor that’s for sure.”
Judge tied Maris in 10 fewer games. Maris hit No. 61 in his 161st game. Judge tied the record 61 years later.
61 years since 61.
Aaron Judge has written his name alongside Roger Maris in baseball's record books. pic.twitter.com/1V4Gums34C
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2022
“Just what I’ve seen from old videos and videos of games, the guy was a great teammate,” Judge said of Maris. “He never made it about himself. I know exactly the moment you’re talking about, the team pushing him out there for a curtain call. That just shows you what type of leader and what type of player he was.”
The entire Yankees team came onto the field to congratulate Judge and gave him hugs after he crossed the plate.
“That was pretty cool. I wasn’t expecting it,” Judge said.
Judge’s mother Patty and Roger Maris Jr. stood in their front-row seats and hugged each other after the homer. Judge seemed to point toward them after rounding second base.
“I’m nothing without my family,” Judge said. “Getting to share this moment with my mom and also try to give a little nod to Roger Maris Jr., it means a lot that he shows up here.”
A fan in a Blue Jays jersey dropped the record-tying ball, which was estimated to go for upwards of $250 thousand. The ball bounced into the Toronto bullpen, where Blue Jays bullpen coach Matt Buschmann retrieved it and gave it to the Yankees.
Maris Jr. plans to travel back to Yankee Stadium this week as Judge swings for No. 62.
“I don’t think it’s going to take very long,” he said. “I think he’s loose. You can tell that he’s back, and he’s ready to go now.”
Barry Bonds holds the major league record for homers in a season with 73 set in 2001.
Judge is hitting .313 with 130 RBIs, also the top totals in the AL. He is seeking to become the first Triple Crown winner since Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone compared Judge’s season to ones posted by NHL legend Wayne Gretzky.
“The more I look into it and dive into it, it’s got to be an all-time great season,” Boone said. “I think it mirrors other sports we’ve seen. Gretzky, in the days when what’s the difference between 1 and 2? Jim Brown. Babe Ruth. I think it’s that kind of season that we’re looking at.”
The 30-year-old Judge picked a great time for his best season. He heads into this offseason as a free agent with an opportunity to secure a contract for $300 million or more. He turned down the Yankees’ offer of an eight-year contract worth from $230.5 million to $234.5 million on opening day.