NFL
By Billy Lewis
Aaron Judge has been the talk of the baseball world the last couple of weeks. He bet on himself, declining a contract extension before the season began, and in turn, is putting together one of the greatest offensive seasons we’ve ever seen. September 20, Judge hit his 60th home run of the season, the catalyst to a ninth-inning rally.
Since that moment, fans who have the YES app on their phones would receive notifications before every Judge at-bat. ESPN would cut in for Judge at-bats so fans across the country could see him hit his 61st home run. He hit number 60 on the first game of a six-game homestand. Unfortunately, for Yankee fans, that would be his last home run at Yankee Stadium during the regular season.
Pitchers started working around Judge. He would see maybe one hittable pitch per at-bat before drawing walks. In a season where it felt like Judge was hitting a home run every night, number 61 took its time. Finally, eight games later in Toronto, Judge tied Roger Maris hitting his 61st home run in the seventh inning.
The Yankees left Toronto for a quick three-game home series against the Orioles. It would be another homerless series for Judge. He left the Bronx with 61 home runs en route to Texas for the final four games of the Regular Season. The Yankees and Rangers were scheduled to play a game Monday, a doubleheader Tuesday, and the season finale Wednesday.
Aaron Judge Hits 62 in Historical Night
Throughout September the question wasn’t if Judge would set the AL record, but by how much would he break it. When he hit 60 on September 20th it felt like he might get to 65 maybe even threaten 70. However, pitchers started pitching him differently, and maybe with some added pressure, the home runs slowed.
As the Yankees got to Texas, it still felt as though Judge would break the record, but time was running out. Monday’s game passed without a homer, as did Tuesday’s first game of the doubleheader. To start the nightcap Judge was in a familiar leadoff spot.
Leading off against Rangers Opener, Jesus Tinoco, Judge launched the third pitch he saw into the left field seats rounding the bases for the 62nd time this season. The roar of the crowd at Globe Life Field, made it sound like a road ballpark filled with Yankee fans. Judge is an easy player to root for, and I’m sure he had plenty of applause from Ranger fans as well.
SIXTY-TWO! BASEBALL HISTORY! @TheJudge44 is the American League home run King! pic.twitter.com/QKrcuOvZMU
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 5, 2022
Judge always seems stoic and doesn’t appear to be bothered by much. While rounding the bases, the jubilation was easy to see on his face. Perhaps even more excited than Judge, were his teammates. Josh Donaldson Jumped out of the dugout and all his teammates met him at home plate to congratulate his 62nd round-tripper.
