Only five players had hit 60 home runs in a single season in the history of the major leagues — that is, until New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge joined that exclusive club with a solo homer against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.
Judge turned on a sinker from right-hander Wil Crowe leading off the final frame and drove it 430 feet into the left-field bleachers, sparking a five-run, ninth-inning rally for a 9-8 win.
He took a rare curtain call, forced by his teammates.
“I really didn’t want to do it, especially, we’re losing. It’s a solo shot,” he said.
“He hit 60 tonight, and it’s like nothing happened. He’s got more work to do, and that’s the mindset, and that’s how it will always be. It’s fun to be a part of,” said Giancarlo Stanton, who delivered a game-ending grand slam.
AARON JUDGE HITS HOME RUN NO. 6️⃣0️⃣‼️
Judge joins Babe Ruth and Roger Maris as the only Yankees to hit 60 HR in a season🗽 pic.twitter.com/NxGS3JjeuC
— ESPN (@espn) September 21, 2022
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has hit his 60th home run of the season, matching Babe Ruth’s total from 1927. Judge is now one shy of the American League record of 61 homers, set by Yankees outfielder Roger Maris in 1961. https://t.co/kpWTJqIXha
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 21, 2022