By: Brendan Moore

Sports Editor

On Tuesday Oct. 4, in the second game of a doubleheader between the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, Yankees’ outfielder Aaron Judge made history by shattering Roger Maris’ American League home run record.

Judge, a 30-year-old center fielder entering his seventh season in the MLB, broke Maris’s record on the third pitch of the game off Ranger’s right-hand pitcher Jesus Tinoco. Maris’s and the MLB’s previous AL home run record, set in 1961, was 61 home runs in a single season. Judge launched his record-breaking ball 391 feet into the left field stands.

Previously, on Wednesday Oct. 5, Judge drew even with Maris after slugging a 394 foot 2-run home run that landed in the bullpen of the Toronto Blue Jays. After making history in Texas, Judge reflected on his historic home run saying it felt “pretty surreal.” He later went on to say, “Just like in Toronto, it was pretty awesome, having their support. I think, in Texas, they were a little more excited. They could finally exhale.” The irony of this historic event is that Judge broke Maris’ record three days after the 61st anniversary of Maris breaking Babe Ruth’s previous American League record of 60 home runs in the 1927 season.

The ball, now a valuable keepsake, landed in the glove of Rangers fan Cory Youmans. Youmans became quite the celebrity Tuesday night as he was questioned about what he would do with the ball: “Good question. I haven’t thought about it.” When asked if he wants his ball back, Judge said, “It would be nice to get it.” According to multiple auctioneers, the price of the baseball is worth at least $2 million. This raises the question of what the other 38,381 fans at Globe Life Field would do with Judge’s prized ball.

Roger Maris Jr. reflected upon Judge’s incredible accolade stating, “I think it gives people the chance to look at somebody who should be revered for hitting 62 home runs, and not just a guy who hit it in the American League, but for being the actual single-season home run champion. That’s who he is. It’s 62, and I think that’s what needs to happen.” Judge’s new accolade compares him to other legends such as Barry Bonds who holds the single season home run record with 73 home runs, but Bonds accomplished this in the steroid era, giving him an advantage in performance. 

Judge’s legendary performance this season has propelled the Yankees into first place in the American League East Division and second in the American League with a record of 99-63. Judge will look to lead the Yankees in the postseason to a remarkable 28th franchise World Series Championship.

(Sources: CNN, ESPN, NBC News, Sports Illustrated)