Aaron Judge has had a busy season so far. First, he was named the captain for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and now he is threatening some historical records as the New York Yankees look for another American League title, and their first World Series win since 2009.
Judge is slashing .423/.510/.777 through 34 games, and the batting average watch could be underway very soon. No player has hit .400 for a season since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1991.
Williams hit 37 home runs during his 1991 season for the Boston Red Sox. Surprisingly, he did not win the American League MVP, losing to Joe DiMaggio. In 1941, Williams was hitting .429 with seven home runs through 34 games. Judge currently has 11 home runs. Judge’s batting average isn’t the only thing that could be put under a microscope as the season continues.
In 2022, Judge broke Roger Maris’ American League home run record, resulting in him winning his first MVP Award. While it was impressive, Judge could have his eyes on Barry Bonds’ home run record.
Judge is arguably the best hitter the sport has seen since Bonds, who hit a staggering 73 home runs in 2001. Judge is not currently on pace for that number, but manager Aaron Boone does not think Judge has even gotten hot yet.
“I say this, and I’m not being cute or funny, but I don’t think he’s been that hot yet, honestly,” Boone said, according to USA Today. “He’s getting his hits, and I think it’s a credit to how great he is.
“When he gets really going and starts hitting balls in the seats, buckle up.”
In 2001, Bonds hit a home run roughly every nine plate appearances. For reference, Judge hit a home run every 11 plate appearances in 2022. This season, he is hitting a home run, roughly, every 14 plate appearances. However, if what his manager says is true, and he hasn’t gotten hot yet, his numbers could start to skyrocket.
Bonds was walked 177 times in the season he set the home run record, 35 of which were intentional walks. That makes his 73 home run mark even more remarkable. Judge breaking the home run record seems unthinkable. However, he could be the closest thing to Bonds that baseball fans have seen.
Bonds was a seven-time MVP, 14-time All-Star, 12-time Silver Slugger, and two-time batting champion in his 22-year career. Judge has two MVP Awards, six All-Star nods, and four Silver Sluggers through his first 10 years. He has a long way to go to catch Bonds’ career numbers. However, if he keeps playing like this, then eventually he will threaten Bonds’ all-time home run record of 762.
There is plenty of debate as to whether Bonds’ numbers are legitimate after the steroid controversy. Judge has not been involved in any such controversy, which makes his numbers that much more impressive.
