Here Comes The Judge To Put MLB On Notice, Chasing Down Yankees Greats

The New York Yankees are the hottest team in the MLB, and a key reason to their success has been the hitting of three-time All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge who now leads the league with 25 home runs. He crushed his 25th homer in the first inning on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Judge surprised many, including the Yankees organization when he turned down the team offer of a seven-year extension deal worth $213.5 million. He truly bet on himself, and the decision has paid off in a major way, as he has been one of the most consistent hitters on the team. Not to mention he’s proven that he’s a threat on both sides of the diamond, while remaining healthy and has been one the most dominant players in the league this year.

 “(We’re) relying on our teammates, relying on our scouting reports. This team is special, we have a lot of guys that continue to feed off each other,” Judge said regarding his consistency on the field.

Best Version Of Aaron Judge 

His ability to play a multitude of positions in the outfield along with being an improved contact hitter has been invaluable to the Yankees thus far. This is the best version of Judge that we’ve witnessed since his rookie season with the Bronx Bombers. The way he continues to connect at the plate and getting on base could lead to a heavy payday for Judge when the season concludes. He’s hammered six home runs in his last 11 games, as he continues to remind everyone that he is that superstar player in the number one sports market in the country.

Among The Pinstripes Legends

Judge became the third player in Yankees history with the most home runs in the team’s first 62 games in a season joining some elite company in Babe Ruth (1930) and Mickey Mantle (1956). He is just the second Yankee in franchise history to record at least 25 home runs in five of his seven career seasons, joining another Yankee great in Joe DiMaggio.

With a .316 batting average, 72 hits, and 49 RBI, Judge is definitely on course to be in the AL MVP conversation.

If healthy, Judge is on pace to hit approximately 65 home runs this season beating Roger Maris’ team record of 61 homers set back in 1961. 

It will be exciting to see if he could get close to breaking the all-time single season home run record Barry Bonds set with 73 back in 2001. However, for a focused superstar like Judge, his ultimate goal is to bring the World Series trophy back to New York City and the Yankees.