#ThisDayThatYear: Aaron Judge ties a six-decade-old MLB record in 2022
On this day, September 28, 2022, New York Yankees' Aaron Judge made history, tying Roger Maris' American League record of 61 home runs in a single season. Judge launched a two-run homer in the 6th inning, leading the Yankees to an 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, sending shockwaves through the baseball world. We break down the record.
Significance of Maris' record
Maris' 61 home runs in 1961 set the American League single-season record, standing unbroken for over 60 years. Maris's achievement remained untainted despite three NL players surpassing this mark during the steroid era (Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa). Meanwhile, Judge's clean chase of the record reignites its purity and cements its status as one of the most revered accomplishments in MLB history.
The game that made history
Judge's monumental home run came in the 6th inning of a tense game at Rogers Centre. With the score tied 3-3, Judge took Blue Jays pitcher Tim Mayza deep, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead. The Yankees scored in three innings while keeping the Blue Jays scoreless for eight innings. The Yankees won 8-3, with Judge's record-tying blast being the game's decisive moment.
Judge's 2022 season stats
In the 2022 season, Judge posted MVP-level numbers, playing 157 games and hitting 62 home runs. He managed 570 at-bats, scored 133 runs, and notched up 177 hits, drove in 131 RBIs, and stole 16 bases. Additionally, his slash line was an impressive .311/.425/.686, capping off one of the greatest seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) history.
Judge's career stats
Judge has now played 992 games, with 3,559 at-bats. According to Statmuse, he tallied 736 runs, 1,026 hits, 173 doubles, 315 home runs, and 716 RBIs and he also owns 53 stolen bases. Known for his power and patience, Judge had a career slash line of .288/.406/.605, solidifying his legacy as one of the premier sluggers of his era.
