Aaron Judge Continues to Crush Homers, On Pace to Break AL Record

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
26/08/2024 19h50

In yesterday's game, New York Yankees' slugger Aaron Judge showcased his incredible power, hitting two home runs and bringing his total for the season to 51. With this outstanding performance, Judge is on track to break his own American League record of 62 home runs set in 2022.

Judge wasted no time in the game, launching his 50th home run in the first inning off Colorado Rockies' pitcher Austin Gomber. Not satisfied with that, he went on to hit his 51st homer six innings later. This back-to-back display of power with Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton culminated in a resounding 10-3 victory for the Yankees.

Brendan Kuty of The Athletic notes that Judge achieved his 51st home run on August 25, a full five days earlier than he did in 2022. With 31 games remaining in the season, Judge has a significant opportunity to add to his impressive tally.

This latest feat places Judge in illustrious company, joining the ranks of Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodriguez as one of only five players in MLB history to hit at least 50 home runs in three different seasons. Additionally, Judge is vying to become the third player with multiple seasons of at least 60 home runs, alongside Sosa and McGwire. What sets Judge apart is that he would be the only player achieving this without being associated with performance-enhancing drugs.

Despite turning 33 next April, Judge's dominance has led to speculation on whether he could one day challenge Barry Bonds' record of 73 home runs. When asked about the possibility, Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded that while it is a massive number, records are meant to be broken. Judge's teammate Giancarlo Stanton simply replied, "Yeah."

In the MVP race, Judge is the clear frontrunner, leading not only in home runs but also in RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, and several flavors of WAR. However, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggests that Bobby Witt Jr., the shortstop for the Kansas City Royals, should not be overlooked. Witt has been enjoying an exceptional season, leading the majors in batting average and hits while displaying outstanding defensive skills. Additionally, Witt has been instrumental in propelling the Royals towards their first postseason appearance since 2015.

The White Sox, unfortunately, suffered another defeat, bringing their season record to a dismal 31-100. This makes them the second-fastest team in modern baseball history to reach 100 losses, trailing only the 1916 Philadelphia A's. The White Sox face the challenge of avoiding tying the record for most losses in the modern era, currently held by the 1962 Mets.

On a different note, the Mexican Baseball League has seen an influx of former MLB players seeking a chance to continue their careers. With a record number of foreign players allowed on the roster this year, more and more players, including Robinson Canó, Jonathan Villar, and Matt Adams, have opted to play in Mexico. The league's changing dynamics and the players' stories are explored in a detailed article by The Athletic's Sam Blum.

Finally, a heartwarming story involving Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez emerged over the weekend. On his day off, Perez spontaneously joined a neighborhood backyard baseball game hosted by Cameron Lard, a 9-year-old fan. The news quickly spread, and Perez's gesture of joining the kids' game garnered attention and praise. The next day, Perez sent a signed bat to Cameron as a token of appreciation.

As the 2024 MLB season progresses, Aaron Judge's record-setting pace, Bobby Witt Jr.'s impressive performance, and the struggles of the White Sox continue to shape the narrative of this year's baseball season.

Disclaimer: This article is generated by an AI assistant based on the information provided and may not reflect the latest updates or developments in the mentioned news.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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