New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is on the brink of history.
After hitting home run number 60 on Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, his next one will help him tie Roger Maris‘ 61, achieved in 1961.
That is currently the franchise record for most homers in a single season, and also the American League’s highest mark.
Everybody is, at this point, paying attention to Judge’s at-bats as he looks to become the record-holder.
That’s why ESPN will take some time off their scheduled programming to have every Judge at-bat live tonight.
“ESPN will cut in live for each of Aaron Judge’s at-bats tonight as he tries to tie, and surpass, Roger Maris’ #Yankee and American League home run record. Several members of the Maris family will be on hand,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
ESPN will cut in live for each of Aaron Judge's at-bats tonight as he tries to tie, and surpass, Roger Maris' #Yankee and American League home run record. Several members of the Maris family will be on hand.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 21, 2022
On The Brink Of History
It’s also cool to learn that Maris’ family will be in attendance at Yankee Stadium.
Having Judge hitting home runs number 61 and 62 at Yankee Stadium, his home, with a raucous crowd roaring and chanting “M-V-P, M-V-P” would be glorious not just for Yankees fans, but for baseball.
Judge, theoretically, still has a shot at becoming the third hitter in history, after Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, to hit at least 70 homers, as he is currently on a 66-homer pace.
For now, however, let’s focus on Maris and work from there.
The Yankees star is having a dream season that also has him as a prime candidate to win the American League’s hitting Triple Crown.
The AL MVP award should be his at this point, record or not.
Of course, baseball fans are rooting for him to take the new mark.
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