Aaron Judge on track to break own American League home runs record: what is the MLB record?

Aaron Judge has established himself as the key figure in the New York Yankees’ offense in recent seasons and is one of the main contenders for the American League MVP award, which he previously won in 2022.

Aaron Judge equals Yankees icon Babe Ruth

At the weekend, the Yankees captain hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season in The Bronx Bombers’ 10-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Judge becomes just the second player in the team’s history to register at least 50 home runs in three successive seasons, after the legendary Babe Ruth.

“I got to this point trying to be a good hitter and a good teammate, so that’s what I’m going to try to do. I feel like if I can do that, at the end of the year we can look at the numbers and I think they’ll be where they need to be,” Judge said of his achievement after the game.

Who previously held the American League home run record?

Judge is now projected to finish the year with 63 home runs, which would surpass his own American League record of 62, set in 2022. Roger Maris, also of the Yankees, had previously held the record for 61 years, making 61 in 1961.

Can Judge break the all-time MLB home run record?

As for the overall MLB record, Judge will have to up his rate significantly if he is to get anywhere close. Barry Bonds recorded 73 playing for the San Francisco Giants in the National League in 2001, three more than anyone else has ever achieved (Mark McGwire for the St Louis Cardinals is next on 70, in 1998).

The 32-year-old’s current highest tally of 62 has him seventh on the all-time list, with only Bonds, McGwire (twice) and Sammy Sosa (three times) having outdone him.

In 20 Judge has hit 51 home runs, in addition to boasting an offensive line of .333/.465/.736 with an OPS of 1.201. He also has 30 doubles, 122 RBIs and 330 total bases.