Aaron Judge made MLB history by hitting his 300th career home run

Aaron Judge made MLB history on August 14, 2024, by hitting his 300th career home run., achieving this milestone faster than any player in the league’s history. Judge accomplished this remarkable feat in just 955 games,. surpassing the previous record held by Ralph Kiner, who reached 300 home runs in 1,087 games — 132 games longer than Judge.

In the eighth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox,. with the Yankees leading 6-2,. the White Sox opted to intentionally walk Juan Soto to face Judge. On a 3-0 count, Judge responded emphatically, launching a line drive at 110.1 mph into the left field seats. at Guaranteed Rate Field, extending the Yankees’ lead to 9-2. This home run marked Judge’s 43rd of the season. further solidifying his position as a leading contender for the MVP award.

Judge’s performance this season has been exceptional. He currently leads the majors in several categories,. including home runs (43),. RBIs (110),. on-base percentage (.467)., slugging percentage (.707), walks (102)., and total bases (301). 

His batting average of  333 ranks second in the league,. just behind Bobby Witt Jr’s 349. Notably., Judge’s current numbers exceed those from his record-setting 2022 season, where he hit 62 home runs, and he is on pace to potentially join the elite group of players who have recorded three 50-home run seasons,. alongside legends like Babe Ruth and Sammy Sosa.

The achievement is particularly impressive considering Judge’s struggles earlier in the season. On May 2, he was hitting a mere .197,.  prompting calls from fans for him to be benched. However, since May 3, he has turned his performance around dramatically,. hitting .387 with a staggering OPS of 1.342.

Contract and Future Prospects

Judge is currently in the second year of a nine-year, $360 million contract,. which is the highest average annual value ever given to a position player. Despite concerns about his health after a toe injury limited his play last season. Judge’s resurgence has alleviated any doubts regarding his performance.

Judge’s journey to 300 home runs places him among the greats in baseball history. He ranks seventh in career home runs for the Yankees, having surpassed notable players like Derek Jeter. and Jorge Posada this season. The only players ahead of him in Yankees history are Alex Rodriguez, who hit 351 home runs with the team, and others from the franchise’s storied past.

Looking Ahead

With the Yankees currently holding a half-game lead in the AL East, Judge’s next opportunities to extend his home run total will come during their upcoming home games. As he continues to break records and set new milestones,. fans and analysts alike are eager to see how far he can push the boundaries of his remarkable career.