Aaron Judge Surpasses Joe DiMaggio on Yankees' All-Time Home Run List
Aaron Judge continues to cement his place in New York Yankees history. On Friday, he hit his 47th home run of the season against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, propelling him past Joe DiMaggio on the Yankees' all-time home run list. This milestone marks a significant achievement in Judge's impressive career.
Judge Climbs the Yankees' Home Run Ladder
With his 362nd career home run, Aaron Judge now sits in fourth place on the Yankees' all-time home run list. He trails only legendary figures like Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536), and Lou Gehrig (493). This accomplishment highlights Judge's consistent power hitting and his importance to the Yankees franchise.
Judge's home run came early in the game, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead. He launched a 93-mph fastball from Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito over the Green Monster. While Judge is chasing league leaders in home runs, he leads MLB in several offensive categories including batting average (.324), on-base percentage (.444), slugging percentage (.676) and OPS (1.120). His performance this season solidifies his candidacy for his third AL MVP award.
Judge's Efficiency and Historical Context
It took Aaron Judge only 1,130 games to reach fourth place on the Yankees' all-time home run list, significantly fewer than Joe DiMaggio's 1,736 games. While DiMaggio only surpassed 40 home runs in one season, Judge has done so in four seasons, surpassing 50 home runs in three of those seasons. He had a career-high 62 in 2022.
DiMaggio's career was also impacted by his service in World War II, during which he missed three seasons. These are key factors in considering their respective legacies and achievements within the Yankees organization.
Tigers' Sweep Bid Thwarted by Aaron Judge's Power Surge
The Detroit Tigers' attempt to sweep the New York Yankees in the Bronx was thwarted by a pair of home runs from Aaron Judge. The Yankees salvaged the final game of the series with a 9-3 victory, despite the Tigers winning the series.
Gipson-Long's Struggles and Hinch's Perspective
Sawyer Gipson-Long struggled on the mound, allowing seven runs in 2.1 innings. Tigers manager AJ Hinch expressed disappointment in the execution, particularly against a strong Yankees lineup. Hinch noted the importance of holding runners, as Gipson-Long's inability to do so contributed to the Yankees' offensive success. "As things started to speed up on (Gipson-Long) because of the lack of execution, everything fell apart," Hinch said.
The game was played in front of an emotionally charged crowd, with former President Donald Trump in attendance for the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Hinch acknowledged the unique environment, emphasizing the importance of the day and the crowd's energy.
Judge's Impact and Key Moments
Aaron Judge homered twice, driving in runs and igniting the Yankees' offense. One of Judge's home runs was annihilated with an exit velocity of 114.9 mph and flew 434 feet. Giancarlo Stanton also contributed with a home run, adding to the Tigers' pitching woes. These homers solidified Judge's position among Yankee legends and solidified his momentum.
While there were few highlights for the Tigers, catcher Dillon Dingler had an RBI single and a solo home run. Keider Montero delivered a strong performance in relief, striking out Aaron Judge with the bases loaded. Riley Greene tied Cecil Fielder's single-season franchise strikeout record.
Looking Ahead for the Tigers
The Tigers' lead in the Central Division was trimmed, but Hinch emphasized the importance of securing the series win. Several pitchers are nearing their return from injury, potentially impacting the playoff roster decisions. Ultimately, the Tigers left Yankee Stadium with a series win and their playoff hopes remaining.
