New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge looking to make history

Five different players have hit at least 60 homers in a season. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is looking to be the sixth.

Judge has already staked a claim to being one of the more impressive power hitters in major league history. A player has hit at least 50 homers in a season just 46 times, with his 52 homers in 2017 one of them. But Judge could shatter his personal record and make history in the process.

Aaron Judge chasing New York Yankees history

Until 1998, only two players had hit at least 60 homers in a season – Babe Ruth with 60 home runs in 1927 and Roger Maris with 61 homers in 1961. However, in a four year span beginning in 1998, there were six different instances of a player hitting at least 60 homers. Sammy Sosa had three of those seasons, while Mark McGwire had two and Barry Bonds had his 73 home run season in 2001.

However, since the end of the Steroid Era, no one else has joined the 60 Home Run Club. Giancarlo Stanton came close in 2017, hitting 59 homers, but fell just short. That was also one of just nine 50+ home run seasons since PED testing began.

Judge, meanwhile, is on pace to hit 62 home runs. He has, however, been in a bit of a slump, with just two hits in his last 25 plate appearances over the past six games entering Friday. However, he is also capable of adding to his total in a hurry and could easily improve his pace.

The Yankees have 43 games left heading into Friday’s contest. While Judge may not have enough time to break Bonds’ record, he is on pace to inch past Maris. Holding the Yankees’ single season record would certainly be an impressive consolation prize. And, if he does get to 60 homers, no one is going to question the validity of his performance.

Aaron Judge is on pace to become the sixth player with a 60+ home run season. He could even set a New York Yankees team record this year.