CNN
—
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge broke Roger Maris’ single-season American League home run record, hitting his 62nd blowout of the year in a game Tuesday against the Texas Rangers.
The judge connected for the home run record against Rangers starting pitcher Jesus Tinoco in the first inning of Game 2 of a double header in Arlington, Texas.
The Yankees leadoff batter threw the third pitch of his first at bat against Tinoco in the left field seats. A fan was seen jumping or falling over the nearby left field wall, disappearing behind the fence.
“I had a good feeling from the start,” Judge told reporters at a post-match press conference. “I just didn’t know where he was going to land or what he was going to hit.”
The judge said it was a great relief to finally hit the record shot.
“It’s been a fun ride so far, you know, to get the chance to do that,” he added. “The team we have, the guys around me and the constant support of my family who have accompanied me throughout this story. It has been a great honor.
He said he never tried to focus on trying to hit a record home run. He just wanted to play his game.
“If I’m good enough and God willing, it will happen,” he said.
A fan who caught the historic ball was escorted out of the seating area by security, according to reporters at the game.
The fan told CNN affiliate WFAA that he hadn’t thought about what he would do with the ball yet.
The judge said he would like to have the ball but he understands if the fan keeps it or sells it. Some observers think the ball is now worth millions of dollars.
“We’ll see what happens with that. It would be great to get him back,” Judge said. “But it’s a souvenir for a fan. They made a great catch there and they got it perfectly right.
Yankees players rushed out of the dugout to enthusiastically salute their teammate when he touched home plate.
Judge, 30, tied Maris last Wednesday with a line homer in the top of the seventh inning against Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tim Mayza.
The judge struck out in the second inning on Tuesday and in the late half of the inning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone pulled him out of the game to loud cheers from the crowd at Globe Life Field.
Maris hit 61 home runs 61 years ago in 1961, breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 60 set in 1927.
The judge thanked the Maris family, some of whom have attended previous matches when the judge was trying to tie the game.
“It’s a difficult situation (for them). Your dad’s legacy, you want to carry on, but to have the chance to meet their family, they are wonderful people,” he said. “And to be lucky enough to have my name next to someone as great as Roger Maris, Babe Ruth and those guys, it’s amazing.”
Barry Bonds set the major league record with 73 home runs in 2001.
The other two players to hit more homers than Judge in a season are Mark McGwire (who did it twice) and Sammy Sosa (three times).
It’s unclear if Judge will play Wednesday in the final game of the regular season, but he has an outside chance to win the American League Triple Crown (leading the home run in batting average, RBIs and home runs).
Judge is first in home runs and RBIs, but trails Minnesota Twins star Luis Arráez in batting average.
He said he wanted to play, but it will be up to Boone to prepare his team for the playoffs.
Home run records are nothing new for Judge. He also holds the American League record for rookies with 52 in 2017. While that was the major league mark at the time, Pete Alonso of the New York Mets hit 53 as a rookie in 2019.
