Aaron Judge made American League history Wednesday night when he socked his 61st home run of the 2022 season on the road against the Blue Jays (-1.5). Sixty-one years after Roger Maris first notched the AL record for the Yankees, Judge officially ties him in the record books.
But not everyone was so enthused about Judge making American League history. You see, while they’ve played over 120 years of American League baseball, Judge’s home run isn’t the overall MLB record. That still belongs to Barry Bonds, who hit 73 in 2001.
If we’re being extremely technical (and correct!) Judge’s AL record actually isn’t even in the top-five most in a single season in MLB history, either. Bonds and several seasons from Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in the late 1990s and early 2000s still pace ahead of the young Yankee.
So, what’s all the hoopla about a man tying for seventh all-time in a single season in the lengthy history of MLB baseball? That’s exactly what fans wondered about in the aftermath of Judge’s 61st home run.
MLB fans had so many jokes about Judge's "history" after he hit No. 61
finally, Aaron Judge has done it. he’s pulled to within 12 of the single-season home run record
— actioncookbook (@actioncookbook) September 29, 2022
Thirteen more to go.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) September 29, 2022
Congratulations to Aaron Judge on tying Roger Maris for the seventh most HR hit in a season.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 29, 2022
Home run No. 16.
What. A. Moment. pic.twitter.com/km4JdiZc8e
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 29, 2022
I never thought I’d see a record fall that was as amazing as Nick Castallanos hitting the 10th most doubles ever in a season in 2019 but Aaron Gudge hitting the 8th most home runs is up there.
— Andrew Stoeten (@AndrewStoeten) September 29, 2022
BREAKING: Jake Cave with his 450th career hit against the #WhiteSox. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) September 29, 2022
Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in a 154 game season.
Aaron Judge hit his 61st HR in the Yankees’ 155th game.Of course.
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) September 29, 2022
whoa I'm not watching but after a week-long drought it's pretty cool that Aaron Judge hit 13 homers in one game to tie the home run record https://t.co/tZJlc5jADQ
— Matt Carey (@RealMattCarey) September 29, 2022
