The New York Yankees lost 5-4 to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, but Aaron Judge continued his impressive performance at the plate. Judge went 3-4, scored two runs, and hit his league-leading 32nd home run of the season.
With this game in the books, Judge’s season stats look like they’re from a video game (.321 BA, 32 HR, 83 RBI, 1.158 OPS). While New York did not win the game, Judge’s latest home run places him among three Yankees legends: Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle, who are the only players in the franchise’s storied history to hit at least 32 home runs in their first 87 games.
Aaron Judge has become only the 4th Yankee to hit 32 home runs in the team’s first 87 games of a season, joining legends Babe Ruth (36 HRs in 1921, 1928; 33 HRs in 1930), Roger Maris (35 HRs in 1961), and Mickey Mantle (32 HRs in 1961).
There’s no denying it: Judge has once again established himself as the best hitter in the game this season. Following his remarkable 2022 season (.311 BA, 62 HR, 131 RBI, 1.111 OPS), many believed that was the peak of his performance. Instead, he’s matching those numbers this season and, in some instances, surpassing them.
If he maintains this level of play, Judge will undoubtedly quiet his critics. He set the American League home run record in 2022 and could potentially break his own record if he continues at this pace. To put this in perspective, Judge’s 2022 season was widely hailed as one of the greatest hitting seasons in modern MLB history, and he seems determined to replicate that success.
Judge’s performance at the plate has translated to success for the Yankees on the field, with a current record of 54-33. However, they are just one game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East standings, suggesting a closely contested race throughout the summer.
If Judge continues to produce at this extraordinary level, the Yankees will be well-positioned not only to win the division but also to make a deep playoff run. While the ultimate goal is to win the World Series, Judge’s feats at the plate provide a captivating storyline, and as he keeps hitting home runs, he will join more exclusive groups alongside legends like Ruth and Mantle.
