A broader perspective on 2024, another historic season for Yankees captain Aaron Judge
Pete CalderaNEW YORK – Every big swing by Yankees captain Aaron Judge seems to come with its own baseball history lesson.
By extending his MLB lead with Tuesday night’s 32nd home run of the season, Judge became the third player in franchise history to hit at least 26 home runs in a 50-game span.
The other two were Babe Ruth and Roger Maris.
“What he’s doing…I’m going to get a thesaurus because I’ve used all the other adjectives I can think of,’’ said manager Aaron Boone, hours before Judge was named AL Player of the Month for June.
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To recap, Judge batted .409 in 25 June games, with 11 homers, 37 RBI and a 1.378 OPS.
Of course, Judge won the same award in May, becoming the only Yankee to do so since Don Mattingly’s 1985 MVP season.
Tracking toward a second AL MVP season, without the drama of being in a contract year, Judge is also in position to challenge his AL record 62 home runs in 2022.
And that leads to more comparisons between then and now.
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“Is he really that much better? Maybe,’’ said Boone.
“Maybe he’s benefitting from another level of experience and really in tune what he needs to do every day to be really successful,’’ said Boone. I just know it’s a lot of fun to witness.’’
Comparing Aaron Judge's 2022 and 2024 seasons to date
Just going by the numbers…
Judge through his first 85 games in 2022
Batting average: .279
OPS: .959
Doubles: 14
Triples: 0
Home runs: 30
RBI: 65
Walks: 42
Judge through his first 85 games in 2024
Batting average: .321
OPS: 1.158
Doubles: 23
Triples: 1
Home runs: 32
RBI: 83
Walks: 61
To witness this up close, in your first big season, is to gain an even deeper perspective on Judge’s incredible production.
“It’s funny, I watched him on TV forever and to actually be in the same clubhouse as him, and on the field with him is really cool,’’ said rookie Ben Rice.
“To actually see what he’s doing right now, it’s special.’’
“Obviously, you know about the power, but he’s a hitter. He has the hit tool,’’ said Rice. “He knows what he wants to do at the plate, he always has a plan.’’
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Aaron Judge having another season for the history books
Compare Judge to the league averages, during a season whit historically low offensive stats, and his output is even more impressive.
Through Tuesday, AL hitters were hitting an average .242 with a .705 OPS; Judge is batting .321 with a 1.158 OPS, putting him in the Triple Crown conversation.
This, in a year when, according to The Athletic, MLB is on pace to see the fewest hits per game since 1968, known as The Year of the Pitcher.
After that season, the mound was lowered from 15 inches to its present 10 inches to spur more hits and runs (expansion in 1969 also worked to aid that cause).
Naturally, Judge keeps his public comments centered on team goals, and the Yankees - having lost 11 of their last 15 games - were a game behind the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles entering Wednesday.
Judge's personal run started on May 3, a morning when he awoke with a .197 batting average and a .725 OPS.
“It’s great…but nothing I’m really focused on,’’ Judge said recently of his climbing home run totals, and the comparisons to 2022. "We’ve got a season ahead of us, a lot of ballgames ahead of us,’’
So, at a time in baseball when it’s tougher to hit than anytime in the last 56 years, Judge entered Wednesday leading MLB in homers, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging average and go-ahead RBI.
“Seeing his growth and evolution as a professional baseball player…I know he’s always working on being the best,’’ said Boone. “(And) never really being satisfied.’’