Aaron Judge’s Historic Season

Aaron Judge broke a record that has stood for 51 years. 

On Oct. 4, the New York Yankees baseball player hit his 62nd home run and surpassed the American League home run record. The record was previously held by Roger Maris since 1961, and Babe Ruth before that. Judge comes in at seventh most home runs in a single Major League Baseball (MLB) season with 62, while the record is currently held by Barry Bonds.

Judge was born in Linden, California and played college baseball at Fresno State. In the 2013 MLB draft, he was the 32nd pick in the first round by the New York Yankees. Judge turned 30 at the beginning of his sixth season, which turned out to be unforgettable. 

At 6’ 7” and 282 pounds, Judge is one of the most intimidating players in the league. He showed a bright future when he hit 52 home runs in his second season in the MLB. He hit 27 in 2016 and 2017 and 39 in 2021. He signed a new contract with the Yankees on December 20th. 

Judge led the MLB during the 2022 season in home runs, extra base hits, runs scored, total bases, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, times on-base and more. He was also tied for first in runs batted in and fifth in batting average. He had a dominant season that was capped off with breaking the American League home run record in the second to last game of the season. 

He primarily played center field and right field, but he also played designated hitter in some games. His strength not only lies in hitting, but he thrives in fielding as well. He is able to cover lots of ground and catch balls going over the fence because of his height. His all around excellence awarded him the American League MVP award at the end of the season, the seal on an astounding season.

On Sept. 28, Judge tied Maris for the home run record. A week later, on Oct. 4, Judge started off at bat for the Yankees in the second game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers. He took the first pitch for a ball. He took the next pitch for a strike. On the third pitch, he got a 88 mile per hour slider that he hit deep to left. 

Judge’s hit struck the ball and carried it over the left fielder’s head. The ball went over the wall and then over the bullpen. Judge hit a 391 foot home run right into the record books, breaking the American League home run record. As he trotted around the bases, the entire stadium erupted. When he finished his run and stepped on home plate, he was met by his coaches and teammates, who took turns congratulating him on his amazing accomplishment.