Aaron Judge slammed his 61st home run of the season, tying the American League record and Roger Maris's franchise record. Maris Jr. says if Judge hits 62, it should be considered the "true" record over Bonds' illegitimate one.
Aaron Judge ties Roger Maris and AL record with home run No. 61
On Tuesday, in a 2-2 game in the 10th inning with runners on first and second, the Toronto Blue Jays intentionally walked Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge to load the bases with two outs, denying him a chance to chase the home run record.
Judge's mom, Patty, was in the crowd and was seen shaking her head in disappointment, the New York Post reported. It marked the sixth game 30-year-old Judge had failed to hit a home run since hitting his 60th of the season. After a 7-game drought for Judge, drawing 12 walks, everything changed the next day.
Judge hits 61st home run and makes AL history
On Wednesday, in the top of the seventh inning, with a 3-3 tie against the Blue Jays, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge belted a 94 mph sinker from Toronto pitcher Tim Mayza. The two-run blast beyond the left field wall put New York up 5-3, and they eventually won 8-3. Judge's home run ball was picked up by Blue Jays bullpen coach Matt Buschmann, who gave it to the Yankees, NBC reported.
The Yankees posted the video of the historic home run here.
With that homer, Judge tied both the New York Yankees' franchise and the American League single-season home run record of 61 set by Roger Maris in 1961.
"It’s an incredible honor, that's for sure," Judge said to reporters after the game in Toronto. "Definitely some relief."
Roger Maris Jr. says if Judge hits 62 homers, it's "true" record
If Aaron Judge hits one more home run this season, he will be the new single-season record holder for the American League.
The Major League Baseball single-season home run record is held by Barry Bonds with 73, followed by Mark McGwire with 70 and Sammy Sosa with 66. However, all are controversial as the three sluggers have all been linked by the MLB to performance-enhancing drugs.
The HR list from there goes McGwire 65, Sosa 64, Sosa 63, and Judge & Maris with 61.
On the night that Judge tied Roger Maris' American League home run record, his son made a controversial statement, Sports Illustrated reported.
"He's clean, he’s a Yankee, he plays the game the right way," Maris Jr. said. "I think it gives people a chance to look and somebody who should be revered for hitting 62 home runs."
"He [Judge] should be revered for being the actual single-season home run champ," Maris Jr. continued. "That’s really who he is, if he hits 62."
"I think that’s what needs to happen," Maris Jr. added. "I think baseball needs to look at the records, and I think baseball should do something."