New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge didn’t waste any time in making franchise history.
Yankees Aaron Judge ties Hall of Famer Yogi Berra for fifth on franchise home run list
During first inning action of an August 31st loss against the Chicago White Sox, this future Hall of Famer wrote another chapter in his illustrious career when at Guaranteed Rate Field, on an 0-2 count, he mashed his 43rd home run of the season off White Sox starter Martin Perez, which most significantly, was his 358th long ball of his career, that moved him into a tie with Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra for fifth all-time in franchise history.
While this was a thrilling moment for Judge and his teammates, it didn’t come in a win as they lost 3-2, which is obviously pretty costly given that they are 2.5 games behind the AL East Division leading Toronto Blue Jays.
“Not getting (the win) kind of stings,” Judge said, “but you know, get a chance to tie one of the greatest if not the greatest, Yankee in homers is, it’s pretty special. The way Yogi played the game, what he meant to these pinstripes, you knew how much it meant being a New York Yankee to him. I feel the same way.”
Judge, who is batting .324 with as mentioned 43 home runs, along with 97 RBI’s, ended up going 3 for 5 with the home run, double and a single.
Next up for Judge is Hall of Famer Joltin Joe DiMaggio who sits fourth on the list with 361 home runs. Ahead of DiMaggio are Lou Gehrig (493), Mickey Mantle (536) and occupying top spot, Babe Ruth with 659.
When Judge was a minor leaguer, Berra was during spring training helping out at the major league camp where he would tell stories of his playing career.
Unfortunately, Judge never had the real opportunity to know Berra that well given that he died in 2015, which was the year before Judge made his Yankees debut.
“But he was a special individual. A lot of the veteran guys talk highly of him. It was probably some of their favourite memories, you know, coming to spring training was having a chance to talk with him during camp, just hear some of his stories.”
Judge in a neck-and-neck race with Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh for MVP honors
Back in April, the popular consensus was that veteran outfielder/DH Aaron Judge would in fact win this third MVP.
However, as the calendar turned to September, that’s anything but a clear consensus as another strong candidate has emerged in Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.
Raleigh, who last year had a career season with 34 home runs and 100 RBI’s, has enjoyed another season for the ages as he enters September leading the majors with 50 home runs.
Besides the 50 home runs, Raleigh also leads the American League circuit with 107 RBI’s, while playing the hardest position in baseball, catcher.
Meanwhile, Judge, who is a four-time Silver Slugger Award, is also having a solid season, which besides the 43 home runs and 97 RBI’s, has seen him accumulate 149 hits and 110 runs.
What might prove costly and the decisive factor in the AL MVP race is that Judge missed some valuable time after badly injuring his elbow in late July. Upon returning, Judge has been taking up DH duties. Whichever player has the more productive September will likely win MVP. No doubt, it will be an exciting race for fans to follow.
A truly historic season for Judge
Before making recent history by tying Berra for fifth place on the Yankees franchise home run list, this 33-year-old from Sacramento California, also grabbed the headlines back on July 12th in a special moment.
During a 5-2 loss at Yankee Stadium against the Chicago Cubs, Judge created some ninth inning heroics when in the final inning, this future Hall of Famer hit his 350th career home run off of Cubs righthander Brad Keller.
With the blast, Judge becomes the fastest at 1,088 games to reach this milestone. The previous record holder belonged to Mark McGuire at 1,280 games.
Main Image: © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
