Judge, Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Aaron Judge (Photo courtesy of New York Yankees - Used with permission. 2020)

The chase for 62 is closed as Judge blasts No. 62

Globe Life Field has never endured such a stillness like the one that has taken place at every Aaron Judge at-bat over the last few days. Tuesday night, the stillness erupted.

After a 5-game drought that included a 3-game series in the Bronx, New York Yankees outfielder, Aaron Judge blasted his 62nd home run deep to left in the first inning, setting a new American League single-season record, one that sat untouched for 61 years, and was previously held by Yankees’ former outfielder, the late Roger Maris (1961-1966).

Texas Rangers RHP, Jesus Tinoco, dealt his first pitch of the night, a high ball, then his second pitch, a strike right down the middle, and then came the third pitch of the night — this was the one. With a gasp in the air, Aaron Judge made history when he smashed a custom-made-Aaron Judge-authenticated baseball over the left field wall. The stadium went nuts, the Yankees dugout cleared to form a receiving line around home plate, and fans around the world awoke neighbors.

When I asked Elizabeth Rodriguez - a diehard Yankees fan who traveled to witness history - what it was like to be there, she remarked, “You knew it was gone and in that second, you felt every single emotion of this entire journey hitting you at once. The joy, the relief, the happiness, the tears, the pride, and the admiration for a man with whom you have walked this journey and witnessed his dreams coming to fruition. It’s something I’m going to remember forever. This is why I love baseball and this is why I love the Yankees and Aaron Judge.”

Family Witnessed Judge Break Record

While four out of the six Maris children followed much of Judge’s big quest, they did not make the trip to Arlington. Both of Judge’s parents, however, Wayne and Patty Judge and his wife, Samantha Bracksieck witnessed the historic event in-person.

Judge sits atop the American League stats with 62 home runs, 131 RBI, and he carries the second best batting average at .311. Should the Yankees choose to start Judge Wednesday, he may still have a chance at securing the Triple Crown if he can have a great night at the plate. The last New York Yankees player to accomplish this feat was Mickey Mantle, in 1956 - over six decades ago.

Has Judge rested his case or is there more history to be made this season? The Yankees may choose to rest him with the American League Division Series opening next Tuesday or they could start him for a chance to make more history as just the third man in pinstripes to earn the Triple Crown.

The Yankees face the Rangers at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday, with RHP Domingo German on the mound.

Although the Yankees fell to the Rangers 3-2, Texas displayed superior class when they sent the Yankees out on Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York. We tip our hats to you, Tex.

Jonna M. Perlinger