The New York Yankees dropped the two games of their Thursday doubleheader against the Houston Astros.
It was not an ideal way to start the second half, but the team still has the majors’ best record, and two losses won’t change the fact that they are elite.
They are considered elite, among many other things, because they have one of the best players in baseball: Aaron Judge.
With a new home run last night, Judge now has 34 on the season.
Thousands of players have come and gone from MLB without a 30-homer season.
Judge has 34 in just 91 games, setting himself up for a prime chance to eclipse his previous career-high of 52.
He remains on a historic pace.
A legendary season in the making.@TheJudge44 ⚾ #YESIBelieve pic.twitter.com/2AqpsxvQNo
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 22, 2022
Chasing History
There have been two iconic, prolific power hitting seasons in Yankees history: Babe Ruth’s 60 round-trippers in 1927 and Roger Maris’ record-setting 61 blasts in 1961.
Through their first 94 games, Judge is on a better pace than Ruth, 34 to 31, but a bit short of Maris’ (36).
Judge needs to accelerate his pace a bit if he wants to have a shot at Maris’ record, as he is currently projected to knock 59 homers.
Hitting 60 would be a dream outcome for Judge heading to free agency.
The Yankees would love to retain him, but he already rejected a $213 million offer that would pay him a bit north of $30 million per year before the regular season.
Judge is slashing .282/.366/.619 with the 34 dingers, 76 runs, and 73 RBI.
He is having the best season of his career, and is about to become a very, very rich man in a few months.
Imagine how much he will make if he manages to break Maris’ franchise record for home runs.
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