Aaron Judge in pursuit of Roger Maris: Everything to know about Yankees slugger's historic 2022 home run chase
On September 20, Aaron Judge launched his 60th home run against the Pirates, creating MLB history and inspiring the Yankees’ ferocious comeback. Judge joined Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Maris, and Babe Ruth as the fifth player to ever have a season with 60 or more home runs in Major League Baseball history.
After the game, which Giancarlo Stanton won 9-8 with a walk-off grand slam, Judge was as modest as always.
He told reporters after the game: “To get an opportunity to play baseball at Yankee Stadium, crowded stadium, first-place team, that’s what you dream of.
But for Judge, 60 has a lot more ramifications. It means that he is officially on track to hit 66 home runs, which would tie him with Sosa for third place overall, and that he is only one home run away from breaking Roger Maris’ 1961 AL record.
Can Aaron Judge win the Triple Crown?
Just to emphasize how incredibly exceptional this year has been for Judge, the victory over the Pirates on Tuesday did more than just put him over the 60-home run threshold. It also gave him a chance to capture the Triple Crown, since he is now batting average, home run, and RBI leader in the American League.
With Judge already leading Xander Bogaerts and Luis Arraez in batting average, this might be one of the greatest hitting seasons in MLB history. Judge is currently batting.316 for the season.
Since Carl Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown in 1967, there hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner; until Miguel Cabrera in 2012, there hadn’t been one either.
With 20 more home runs than Kyle Schwarber, MLB’s second-best home run hitter, Judge presently has the advantage. He has 13 more RBI than Jose Ramirez, so things are looking up. He only poses a danger in terms of batting average, where he outperforms Bogaerts (.315) and Arraez (.314).
Why is Aaron Judge a free agent after this season?
The fact that Judge’s contract expires after this year has been a concern for the Yankees throughout this remarkable season.
His contract discussions were highly public and somewhat heated before the season started, with Brian Cashman disclosing the Yankees’ offer to Judge before the start of the regular season.
Cashman claims that the Yankees extended Judge’s contract for seven additional years at a total cost of $213.5 million, or $30.5 million annually.
“Right now, we’re all upset that we can’t discuss a contract extension today. Not right now, but hopefully soon “During a news conference, Cashman remarked.
In addition, Judge did not dismiss out of hand the prospect of joining the Red Sox while appreciating their supporters.
“It’s the greatest; some of baseball’s best are there. This month, Judge remarked, “They’re going to boo you, they’re going to say some things, and they’re going to make you laugh.
When questioned about playing in Boston, he said, “Ooh,” according to Sports Illustrated. We’ll discuss it at the end of the year, she said.
While all of this is undoubtedly bluster and Judge is trying to avoid shutting any doors, he is aware of how exceptional this contract season has been. He is aware that he is in control. The 30-year-old starlet is currently simply enjoying it.
The onus is all on the Yankees as Judge has already become a member of their royal family this season. If he surpasses Maris, captures the Triple Crown, or manages to accomplish both, this will go down as the greatest contract year in MLB — and perhaps all of sports. Mantle is the only player in MLB history to have hit at least 50 home runs while winning the Triple Crown. As a result, Judge has continued to amass records this season.
