Aaron Judge Is The Yankees’ Home Run King

The number 61 has been more than just that to fans of the New York Yankees. You could see a “61” on your grocery store receipt or by happenstance in your life, and immediately jump to the home run record set by Roger Maris, appropriately, in 1961. Despite a four-year stretch from 1998 to 2001 when the record was broken six times by National League players, it had remained untouched by an American League hitter — until now. An exact 61 years after the Yankees’ franchise and American League records were set, Aaron Judge clubbed his 62nd home run of the 2022 season.

The larger-than-life leader of the modern Yankees set the record in Texas on the penultimate night of the regular season. With his wife and both parents in attendance, Aaron Judge’s entire family could take a collective sigh of relief that the tall task was accomplished. Judge & Co. endured a 14-game waiting period since his 60th round-tripper of the season.

As far as individual accolades are concerned, the single-season home run record for a franchise/league is as great as it gets. But that is not the point of contention surrounding No. 99’s big swing.

Many, including Roger Maris Jr. — who was in attendance for No. 61 with the Judge family — believe that Judge is the rightful owner of Major League Baseball’s home run record. The record books disagree, which is a trend too common in baseball. At the very least, Judge possesses the greatest stainless mark, and that in itself is a remarkable achievement.