Will Aaron Judge Hit 60 Home Runs This Season?

Aaron Judge bet on himself, and it appears he is ready to cash in — if he can stay healthy.

After going deep twice in a loss on Monday to Baltimore, Judge, 30, the Yankees’ right fielder, had a major-league-leading 17 home runs. That was five more than any other player this season through Monday, but things get truly impressive when you compare his season so far to great seasons of the past.

He had more home runs than Babe Ruth had through 40 games in 1927 (13). He had more than Roger Maris had through 40 in 1961 (11). He outdid Sammy Sosa’s 40-game totals in 1998 (7), 1999 (13) and 2001 (14). He had the same number as Mark McGwire had in 1998, and more than McGwire had in 1999 (12). He was only five short of how many Barry Bonds had in 2001.

Those years should sound familiar: They are the eight seasons in which a player has hit 60 or more home runs.

“It’s really special,” Yankees Manager Aaron Boone said Monday. “I sometimes take it for granted, but not right now. He’s a really special player and obviously really carrying us offensively.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/24/sports/baseball/aaron-judge-home-runs.html