#ThisDayThatYear: Aaron Judge hits 62nd homer, breaks Roger Maris' record
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge made history on October 4, 2022, when he hit his 62nd home run, breaking Roger Maris's American League single-season record. The milestone was achieved during the first inning of a 3-2 loss against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. The record was set by Yankees' Maris in 1961, finishing his season with 61 homers. Here's more.
Players who have hit 55+ homers in a season (AL)
Judge still holds the AL record for most single-season homers and has hit 58 homers this season. Other players who managed to hit 55+ homers in a season apart from Maris and Judge include, Yankees' legendary slugger Babe Ruth (59 in 1921, 60 in 1927), Jimmie Foxx, 58 in 1932 for the Philadelphia Athletics, Hank Greenberg, 58 in 1938 for the Detroit Tigers.
Rangers spoil Judge's historic moment with 3-2 win over Yankees
In the final game of the regular season, Judge hit his 62nd home run. The Yankees and Rangers each scored in the first inning. Next three innings remained scoreless. In the fifth, Yankees added a run, but Texas secured the win with a homer from Leody Taveras, finishing 3-2. Despite the loss, Judge's milestone and Gerrit Cole's franchise record for strikeouts stole the headlines.
Judge and Yankees' 2022 season
The Yankees concluded the 2022 baseball season with a strong 99-63 record, finishing first in the A.L. East. Despite their regular-season success, the Yankees faced disappointment in the postseason, getting swept by the Houston Astros in the A.L. Championship Series, 4-0. Meanwhile, Judge posted MVP-level numbers, playing 157 games and hitting 62 homers, winning his first MVP award and his third Silver Slugger award.
Judge's career stats (regular and postseason)
In over 993 regular season games, he has posted a .288 batting average with 315 home runs and 716 RBIs. Notably, in 2022, he achieved a remarkable .311 average, hitting 62 homers and driving in 131 runs. Meanwhile, in the postseason, he has played 44 games, totaling 13 home runs and 25 RBIs, including 66 stolen bases.
