Aaron Judge Jun 11, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) hits a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
MLBBy Arthur Weinstein on

Aaron Judge is now truly in rare company.

The New York Yankees‘ slugger belted his 60th home run of the season Tuesday night in the ninth inning of an improbable 9-8 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium.

Judge’s home run kick-started a five-run ninth-inning rally, capped by Giancarlo Stanton’s walk-off grand slam.

Judge’s home run ties him with Babe Ruth for second all-time on the American League list, one behind former New York Yankees slugger Roger Maris. Barry Bonds holds the MLB record with 73.

“Slide over Babe, you’ve got some company!” Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay said on the YES Network call.

Judge’s blast, a 430-foot bomb to left field off reliever Will Crowe, brought a wave of congratulations and other reactions from the MLB world.

Judge now has 15 games remaining to catch and pass Maris, and chase other names on the all-time single-season home run list, namely Mark McGwire, who had seasons of 70 and 65 home runs, and Sammy Sosa, who posted seasons with 66, 64 and 63 home runs. Many fans, however, consider those figures, as well as Bonds’ record of 73 home runs in 2001, tainted by scandal.

After the game, Judge said he’s still stunned to be mentioned in comparison with the all-time greats.

“When you talk about Ruth and Maris and (Mickey) Mantle and all these Yankees greats … you never imagine as a kid getting mentioned with them,” Judge said. “It’s an incredible honor and something I don’t take lightly at all.”

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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