Baseball

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge sets new rookie home run record

By Justin Adams Sep 25, 2017
Aaron Judge hits a home run in a September 2017 game against the Baltimore Orioles. (Photo Courtesy: Keith Allison/CC License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode

All rise! The Judge has passed Big Mac.

New York Yankees rookie outfielder Aaron Judge hit his 49th and 50th home run of the season, surpassing the mark set by slugger Mark McGwire in 1987.

Judge tied the record with his 49th homer off Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jake Junis in the bottom of the third.

But it was a solo shot in the seventh that gave him the record of 50 home runs. He’s now gone deep against every American League team.

Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY: Aaron Judge singles during the first inning of a game vs Tampa in September, 2016 (Photo Credit: Arturo Pardavila III/CC License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode)

Judge has six games remaining against Tampa and Toronto at Yankees Stadium to extend the new rookie home run record.

The 6’7, 282 pounds Yankees slugger has had a unique journey to stardom.

Judge was adopted on the second day of his life by Patty and Wayne Judge on April 27, 1992.

“I feel they kind of picked me,’’ Aaron told The New York Post back in 2015. “I feel that God was the one that matched us together.’’

Patty and Wayne Judge with Yankees prospect Aaron Judge at Fresno State (Photo Credit: Judge family photo)

“We’re more blessed than he is,’’ Mom Patty told the Post. “Both of our children are adopted. Aaron has an older brother, John, 29, who is teaching English in Korea, and we’re real proud of him, too. Really, it was all meant to be.’’

In high school, Judge played wide receiver and defensive end, but chose to play baseball over football in college despite offers from Stanford and Notre Dame.

Judge went to Fresno State and was drafted by the Yankees in 2013.

Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, Ohio: Aaron Judge preparing to take batting practice at the MLB Futures Game in July 2015 (Photo Courtesy: Jason Romano)

With the home run number’s rising, many compare Judge to Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton who leads the majors with 57 bombs.

“People have said, ‘Oh, the next Stanton,’ but I’m just trying to be the best Judge I can be every day,’’ Aaron told NY Post in 2015. “I’ve always been about the team aspect of baseball, pass the baton and keep it rolling.’’

The Yankees have clinched a Wild Card spot in the AL Playoffs, which starts next week.

You can follow Aaron on twitter @TheJudge44 where his bio states, “Christian. Faith, Family, then Baseball. If what you did yesterday still seems big today, then you haven’t done anything today!”

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