Getty Image / Cole Burston
Undoubtedly, the New York Yankees are the most prestigious team in Major League Baseball history. With 27 World Series wins and all-timers like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Mariano Rivera. But, their most storied record is Roger Maris’s 61 home runs, which still stands alone as the American League record. That is, until now. Yankee Aaron Judge has been phenomenal all year and has now tied Roger Maris’s 1961 record.
Judge did it with a rocket against the Blue Jays
History was made on September 28, 2022 in the top of the 7th inning in a 3-3 game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
61 years since 61.
Aaron Judge has written his name alongside Roger Maris in baseball's record books. pic.twitter.com/1V4Gums34C
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2022
Condolences to the guy who dropped a 7-figure baseball.
The Yankees have 7 games left for Judge to hit a magical 62nd home run, the most in the century-plus history of the American League
The Sports World reacts to the legendary achievement
Billy Crystal is one of the most famous New York Yankee fans and he had to share his well-wishes for the slugger.
61! With my great respect to the Judge and Maris family. pic.twitter.com/NrpjsoTpXI
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) September 29, 2022
Speaking of that poor fan…
Buddy is SICK about dropping Judge’s 61st HR pic.twitter.com/nMruI1UxEK
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 29, 2022
Members of Maris’s family as well as members of Judge’s family was in attendance and looked pleased that the outfielder broke the record.
Live look at Roger Maris Jr looking absolutely ecstatic that Judge tied his father pic.twitter.com/BZflivmpgW
— AT (@YankeeWRLD) September 29, 2022
Of course, some people are saying that it doesn’t really mean anything because so many National League players have hit more
than 61 home runs.
Congratulations to Aaron Judge on tying Roger Maris for the seventh most HR hit in a season.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 29, 2022
Here are the statcast stats for his home run.
Statcast numbers on Aaron Judge’s 61st home run of the season:
394 feet
117.4 mph pic.twitter.com/GKNHNvyWqd— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) September 29, 2022