Yankees Aaron Judge hits 62nd home run, breaking Roger Maris' American League record for most HRs in a single season, while Cardinals Albert Pujols hits 703rd career home run and surpasses Babe Ruth on the all-time RBI list.
Yankees Aaron Judge hits 62nd home run, sets new AL record
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge made baseball history on Tuesday night by hitting his 62nd homer of the season, setting an American League record for the most home runs in a single season.
Judge surpassed the long-held record of 61 home runs set by former New York Yankee Roger Maris in 1961, which has stood for 61 years. There's something about the number sixty-one for the Yankees, as Maris hit his 61st homer in 1961 in his 161st game, and Judge broke the record 61 years later in the Yankees' 161st game of the season, Fox reported.
Judge connected off of Texas Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco to drive a solo homer in the first inning and the second game of a doubleheader.
After Judge rounded the bases, the Yankees gathered and met him at home plate. He took off his helmet and walked back to the dugout to acknowledge the fans, ESPN reported.
"Pretty surreal," Judge said of the welcome he received at the plate. "Just like in Toronto, it was pretty awesome, having their support."
"Roger Maris Jr., him and his family, supporting and being along for the ride too, a lot of thanks and congratulations to them too," Judge said. "It's a tough situation, your dad's legacy and you want to uphold that. But getting a chance to meet that family, they are wonderful people."
"Getting a chance to have my name next to someone as great as Roger Maris, Babe Ruth, those guys, is incredible," Judge added.
Cardinals Albert Pujols hits 703rd career, surpassing Babe Ruth for RBIs
St. Louis Cardinals infielder/designated hitter Albert Pujols might want to consider playing for one more season in the MLB, as the future baseball Hall of Famer has been red-hot.
Pujols is set to retire when the season wraps up, but he has 24 home runs this year, the most he has hit since he slammed 31 in 2016 when he played for the Los Angeles Angels.
On Monday night, 42-year-old Pujols drove a two-run shot into the left-field off Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller for his 703rd career home run. The hit also marked his 35th career home run at PNC Park, his most at any visiting ballpark, ESPN reported.
The homer gave Pujols 2,216 RBIs, surpassing Babe Ruth on the all-time list and moving him into second behind Hank Aaron's 2,297.
Earlier this season, Pujols became only the fourth player in Major League Baseball history to join the "700 club" for 700 home runs. The list includes Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714).