New York, New York – Aaron Judge, the powerhouse Yankee player, made history on Sunday by hitting his 50th home run of the season against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of the game. His impressive feat not only helped give the Yankees a 2-1 lead but also tied him with Alex Rodriguez for the major league record of 18 first-inning homers in a single season.
Judge now joins an elite group of players in major league history with three 50-homer seasons, alongside legends like Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Babe Ruth. Rodriguez, known for his time with both the Texas Rangers and the Yankees, had previously achieved two 50-homer seasons and hit 54 homers in 2007.
Sosa and McGwire also left their mark on baseball history with four consecutive 50-homer seasons each in the late 90s and Ruth with multiple 50-homer seasons in the early 1900s. Judge, known for his incredible power at the plate, broke records in the past, including Roger Maris’ single-season American League home run record in 2022, hitting an impressive 62 homers.
In comparison to his previous milestone in 2017 with 52 home runs, Judge’s achievement this season comes at a crucial point in the Yankees’ 131st game against the Rockies. The slugger continues to leave a lasting impact on the sport and his team, solidifying his position as one of the game’s most formidable players.
This latest accomplishment adds to Judge’s already impressive resume, further cementing his status as a leading figure in modern baseball. As he continues to rewrite the record books, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate what more this talented player has in store for the future of the sport.