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62: Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees, and the Pursuit of Greatness
“The definitive story” (Tyler Kepner, The New York Times baseball columnist) of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s incredible, unparalleled run to break Roger Maris’s home run record and the franchise both men called home.
Aaron Judge, the hulking superman who carried an easy aw-shucks demeanor from small-town California to stardom in the Big Apple, had long established his place as one of baseball’s most intimidating power hitters. Baseballs frequently rocketed off his bat like cannon fire, dispatching heat-seeking missiles toward the “Judge’s Chambers” seating area in right field, sending delirious fans scattering for souvenirs.
But even in a high-tech universe where computers measure each swing to the nth degree, Roger Maris’s American League mark of sixty-one home runs seemed largely out of reach. It had been more than a decade since baseball wiped clean the stains of its performance-enhanced era, in which cartoonish sluggers Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds made a mockery of the record book.
Given a more level playing field against pitchers sporting hellacious arsenals unlike anything Babe Ruth or Maris could have imagined, only an exceptional talent could even consider making a run at sixty-one homers. Judge, who placed the bet of his life by turning down a $213.5 million extension on the eve of the regular season, promised to rise to the challenge.
“In the most thorough telling yet of an all-time-great Yankees performance” (Jeff Passan, New York Times bestselling author), veteran Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch unravels the remarkable journey of Judge’s run to shatter Maris’s beloved sixty-one-year-old record. In-depth, inspiring, and with an expert’s insight, 62 also investigates the more significant questions raised in a season unlike any other, including how—and where—Judge will deliver his encore.
Aaron Judge, the hulking superman who carried an easy aw-shucks demeanor from small-town California to stardom in the Big Apple, had long established his place as one of baseball’s most intimidating power hitters. Baseballs frequently rocketed off his bat like cannon fire, dispatching heat-seeking missiles toward the “Judge’s Chambers” seating area in right field, sending delirious fans scattering for souvenirs.
But even in a high-tech universe where computers measure each swing to the nth degree, Roger Maris’s American League mark of sixty-one home runs seemed largely out of reach. It had been more than a decade since baseball wiped clean the stains of its performance-enhanced era, in which cartoonish sluggers Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds made a mockery of the record book.
Given a more level playing field against pitchers sporting hellacious arsenals unlike anything Babe Ruth or Maris could have imagined, only an exceptional talent could even consider making a run at sixty-one homers. Judge, who placed the bet of his life by turning down a $213.5 million extension on the eve of the regular season, promised to rise to the challenge.
“In the most thorough telling yet of an all-time-great Yankees performance” (Jeff Passan, New York Times bestselling author), veteran Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch unravels the remarkable journey of Judge’s run to shatter Maris’s beloved sixty-one-year-old record. In-depth, inspiring, and with an expert’s insight, 62 also investigates the more significant questions raised in a season unlike any other, including how—and where—Judge will deliver his encore.
368 pages, Paperback
Published March 19, 2024
About the author
Bryan Hoch
6 books46 followersBryan Hoch has covered New York baseball for the past two decades, working the New York Yankees clubhouse as a MLB.com beat reporter since 2007. Bryan is the author of “The Baby Bombers: The Inside Story of the Next Yankees Dynasty,” which was published in 2018 (revised for paperback 2019), and a co-author of "Mission 27: A New Boss, A New Ballpark and One Last Ring for the Yankees' Core Four," to be published in 2019.
Regularly seen on MLB Network and heard on many radio stations throughout the United States, Hoch’s work has also been featured in Yankees Magazine, New York Mets Inside Pitch, and on FOXSports.com.
Raised in Sloatsburg, N.Y., Hoch began his journalism career during his freshman year at Suffern High School, launching a popular "Mets Online" web site that would eventually open doors to big league press boxes. Since joining the Yankees beat, he counts witnessing the closing of old Yankee Stadium, the World Series celebration of 2009 and the final days of the "Core Four" among his most memorable experiences on the job.
Hoch is a two-time New York City Marathon finisher (2010, 2011) who still fondly recalls getting a Fantasy Camp hit off a Jeff Nelson slider. He loves "Back to the Future," vintage Topps cards, Ron Burgundy quotes, good bourbon and compelling games. Hoch lives with his wife, Connie, and their daughters, Penny and Maddie.
Regularly seen on MLB Network and heard on many radio stations throughout the United States, Hoch’s work has also been featured in Yankees Magazine, New York Mets Inside Pitch, and on FOXSports.com.
Raised in Sloatsburg, N.Y., Hoch began his journalism career during his freshman year at Suffern High School, launching a popular "Mets Online" web site that would eventually open doors to big league press boxes. Since joining the Yankees beat, he counts witnessing the closing of old Yankee Stadium, the World Series celebration of 2009 and the final days of the "Core Four" among his most memorable experiences on the job.
Hoch is a two-time New York City Marathon finisher (2010, 2011) who still fondly recalls getting a Fantasy Camp hit off a Jeff Nelson slider. He loves "Back to the Future," vintage Topps cards, Ron Burgundy quotes, good bourbon and compelling games. Hoch lives with his wife, Connie, and their daughters, Penny and Maddie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 14, 2023
62 is Hoch's forthcoming book (2023) celebrating Aaron Judge's 2022 season where he not only flirted with hitting 62 home runs, eclipsing the longstanding American League records of Ruth and Maris, but did it. Hoch uses these three names to draw historical parallels, considering all were Yankee outfielders and did it in different eras. There are brief asides throughout the discussion of the 2022 season with glimpses of Maris' 1961 season, giving proper historical perspective. The 2022 season ended up being a disappointment to Yankee fans, with the team jetting ahead to an incredible start in the first half and hitting a wall at the all-star break with nothing working out from the trade for Montas to the slump across the lineup, that is, the slump that did not include Judge.
The story (and at first it is hard to imagine that Judge is worthy of a story yet as his career is still in its prime and we don't know where he ends up on the all-time lists) offers insight into who Judge is and how he handled his historic season as well as the turmoil of the contract negotiations up until he finally agreed to return to his only major league team.
The story (and at first it is hard to imagine that Judge is worthy of a story yet as his career is still in its prime and we don't know where he ends up on the all-time lists) offers insight into who Judge is and how he handled his historic season as well as the turmoil of the contract negotiations up until he finally agreed to return to his only major league team.
July 15, 2023
Bryan Hoch is a fantastic writer and reporter, and every single one of his books has been great. And I’m so glad he chose to write about one of the best individual seasons baseball has ever seen, and easily one of my favorite seasons of baseball I’ve seen in my 28 years.
Aaron Judge is basically a god in the NY area, especially after the 2022 season. The way that he carries himself with humility and grace while also being arguably the best hitter in the game right now is amazing, and one of the reasons he’s my favorite athlete of all time. I appreciated how the book wasn’t just a rehash of all of Judge’s home runs, but also included stories about other things happening around the team like Judge’s contract negotiations and their historic start to the season.
I also appreciated Hoch’s interweaving of stories and thoughts from other members of the team and organization about the chase for 62. It was an entertaining read for Yankees fans especially, but baseball fans in general will love it.
Aaron Judge is basically a god in the NY area, especially after the 2022 season. The way that he carries himself with humility and grace while also being arguably the best hitter in the game right now is amazing, and one of the reasons he’s my favorite athlete of all time. I appreciated how the book wasn’t just a rehash of all of Judge’s home runs, but also included stories about other things happening around the team like Judge’s contract negotiations and their historic start to the season.
I also appreciated Hoch’s interweaving of stories and thoughts from other members of the team and organization about the chase for 62. It was an entertaining read for Yankees fans especially, but baseball fans in general will love it.
June 2, 2023
2022 saw one of the best individual seasons in recent baseball history as Aaron Judge set a new American League record with 62 home runs in the penultimate game of the season. How Judge and his team, the New York Yankees, fared in that season both on and off the field is captured in this book written by veteran Yankee beat writer Bryan Hoch.
Hoch’s knowledge of the Yankees, both the players and the front office, is very clear in the writing as he provides details that only a Yankee insider would know. This is especially true when he writes about Judge’s negotiations for a new contract both before the 2022 season and then afterward when he was a free agent but ended up re-signing with the Yankees. His coverage of both the team’s performance on the field and Judge’s individual pursuit of the home run record are also very good.
At times, though, it did appear that objectivity was not a strong suit of this book. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a “Yankee hater” and I don’t get upset when the team does well, but at times it feels like Hoch writes like a public relations employee for the team instead of a reporter. One item that made me think like this was when he was giving a brief history of both the team and the previous record-setting seasons by Babe Ruth and Roger Maris. This item talked about the institutional racism by the Boston Red Sox and their dubious distinction of being the last baseball team to integrate. While everything Hoch wrote was true, it was never mentioned that the Yankees’ history in racial matters is not much better as they too were very slow to integrate. A complete picture on items like this was my one issue with the book.
That doesn’t overshadow the many positives – the portrayal of Judge, the inserts of what Maris was going through in his record season of 1961, some great stories about the other 2022 Yankees like Josh Donaldson and Gerrit Cole. Plus, of course, a description of each of the 62 home runs hit by Judge and some of the memorable calls by TV broadcaster Michael Kay and radio play-by-play man John Sterling. This book should be part of every Yankee fan’s bookshelf.
I wish to thank Atria Books for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Hoch’s knowledge of the Yankees, both the players and the front office, is very clear in the writing as he provides details that only a Yankee insider would know. This is especially true when he writes about Judge’s negotiations for a new contract both before the 2022 season and then afterward when he was a free agent but ended up re-signing with the Yankees. His coverage of both the team’s performance on the field and Judge’s individual pursuit of the home run record are also very good.
At times, though, it did appear that objectivity was not a strong suit of this book. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a “Yankee hater” and I don’t get upset when the team does well, but at times it feels like Hoch writes like a public relations employee for the team instead of a reporter. One item that made me think like this was when he was giving a brief history of both the team and the previous record-setting seasons by Babe Ruth and Roger Maris. This item talked about the institutional racism by the Boston Red Sox and their dubious distinction of being the last baseball team to integrate. While everything Hoch wrote was true, it was never mentioned that the Yankees’ history in racial matters is not much better as they too were very slow to integrate. A complete picture on items like this was my one issue with the book.
That doesn’t overshadow the many positives – the portrayal of Judge, the inserts of what Maris was going through in his record season of 1961, some great stories about the other 2022 Yankees like Josh Donaldson and Gerrit Cole. Plus, of course, a description of each of the 62 home runs hit by Judge and some of the memorable calls by TV broadcaster Michael Kay and radio play-by-play man John Sterling. This book should be part of every Yankee fan’s bookshelf.
I wish to thank Atria Books for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
April 12, 2024
Hoch is a fantastic reporter. It was a joy reading and getting to know about the first Yankee captain since Jeter-Aaron Judge.
Hoch was able to put you in the locker room and does a great job giving detail and context around Judge’s historic season.
Nice read for Yankees fans.
Hoch was able to put you in the locker room and does a great job giving detail and context around Judge’s historic season.
Nice read for Yankees fans.
July 15, 2023
Upon finishing 62 I found it difficult to think of a writer better suited to put this great sports story and tale of personal achievement together than New York Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch. Hoch is also well known for those like me that avidly follow baseball via the MLB Network and online reporting. When he informed New York Yankees Right-Fielder and subject of this book, Aaron Judge, that he was planning to write the story of Judge’s 2022 season and setting of a new, true Home Run record Judge was thrilled.
The other thing that Bryan Hoch promised Judge was that 62 would not just be about Judge but a season-long saga of the New York Yankees organization and all his teammates that helped make his super-human achievement possible. If there is one thing every reader of 62 should take away with them it is the fact that Aaron Judge is all about team first, personal statistics second. That is what makes reading this book such a delight because Judge is almost too good to be true in an age where selfishness seems to rule the sports world. He is a true role model and someone you cannot help but like and root for, even if you are not a fan of the Yankees.
The Foreword of 62 is written by Roger Maris Jr. In the 1961 MLB season, his father Roger Maris broke a record many thought to be unreachable. He surpassed the single-season home run record of fellow Yankee and beloved Hall Of Fame icon, Babe Ruth. Throughout 62 we are taken back in time to that 1961 season with an opportunity to relive what a difficult time Maris had chasing down a baseball legend when so many people wanted him to fail. The most important part of the Foreword is when Maris Jr. claims that when Aaron Judge hit home run number 62 during the 2022 season, with him in attendance, he personally recognizes that as the true single-season home run record. Baseball and sports fans understand that Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa all surpassed this number but also did so under the cloud of PEDs or performance enhancing drugs. Judge’s clean achievement is indeed a spectacle to be in awe of and ironic that all three who cleanly set this record happen to be New York Yankees.
What Hoch has put together is a game by game recounting of the New York Yankees 2022 season with specific reference to the games where Aaron Judge hit a home run. It also shows how the support of his entire team helped him shoulder some of the weight involved in chasing and setting such a record all amidst the team vying for a 28th World Series Title. We also have the opportunity to see Judge through the eyes of his family and prior coaches and teammates as he was groomed for sports success early one being a three-sport athlete in high school out in the tiny town of Linden, California.
While Linden was tiny, Aaron Judge was far from it. Not just a big person inside, he carries a six-foot-seven-inch frame and nearly 285 pounds with him into every game and yet moves with the grace of someone a fraction of that size. However, his power with the bat makes good use of every pound of muscle he puts behind each swing. As you read 62 you will also be aware that looming over Judge and the Yankees the entire season was the fact that he had rejected their salary proposal prior to the season with Judge insisting he would not negotiate during the course of the regular season. Many people respected the fact that he bet on himself to have a great year to get what he knew he was truly worth.
One of the touching inside stories within this season was with the 3rd home run of the season in Toronto against the Blue Jays. It was that home run which was eventually snagged by a Blue Jays fan but given to a little boy wearing a Judge jersey. Judge heard about this and had both of them meet with him in the Clubhouse after the game where they became a media story of fair play, sports heroism, and showing again what a good person Aaron Judge is. It made him recall his own baseball hero growing up, Rich Aurilia who had played shortstop for the San Francisco Giants and graced young Aaron’s bedroom in a poster on the wall.
There were plenty of tough times during the 2022 season such as injuries to key players and some controversy surrounding third baseman Josh Donaldson making a racial comment to Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox. These issues were all dealt with as a team and nothing had an adverse impact on the historical feat Judge was heading towards. What also made his home run feat that much more ‘Ruthian’ was the fact that the second highest home run totals were less than twenty that he ended up with. These are the type of numbers we have only seen in modern sports in super-human seasons had by Wayne Gretzky in the NHL or Michael Jordan in the NBA.
Even though most baseball fans expected Judge to break the record, it became an intense race to the finish. One regret is that he was not able to set the record in front of his home crowd at Yankees Stadium and had to do it on the road in Texas against the Rangers. Home run #62 came on October 4th against Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco and Judge’s mom as well as Roger Maris Jr. were there in attendance to witness it. Now, with the record being eclipsed, Judge could focus on doing what he could to help his team on their mutual goal of winning the World Series.
Aaron Judge and the Yankees may not have made the World Series but he nearly hit for the Triple Crown, coming in 2nd place in batting average and way ahead of everyone else in home runs and runs batted in. Judge went into the offseason as a free agent and, thankfully, resigned with the Yankees at a rate well deserved for a player of his caliber. He was also honored with being named the next Captain of the team, an honor only a handful of players have ever had. As a lifelong baseball and Yankees fan I could talk about Judge and his great season forever but believe readers and sports fans will find it so much more convenient to just pick up this engaging book from Bryan Hoch that does not leave you wanting anything and provides a front-row seat to one of the greatest single-season achievements and years in the history of major league baseball.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
The other thing that Bryan Hoch promised Judge was that 62 would not just be about Judge but a season-long saga of the New York Yankees organization and all his teammates that helped make his super-human achievement possible. If there is one thing every reader of 62 should take away with them it is the fact that Aaron Judge is all about team first, personal statistics second. That is what makes reading this book such a delight because Judge is almost too good to be true in an age where selfishness seems to rule the sports world. He is a true role model and someone you cannot help but like and root for, even if you are not a fan of the Yankees.
The Foreword of 62 is written by Roger Maris Jr. In the 1961 MLB season, his father Roger Maris broke a record many thought to be unreachable. He surpassed the single-season home run record of fellow Yankee and beloved Hall Of Fame icon, Babe Ruth. Throughout 62 we are taken back in time to that 1961 season with an opportunity to relive what a difficult time Maris had chasing down a baseball legend when so many people wanted him to fail. The most important part of the Foreword is when Maris Jr. claims that when Aaron Judge hit home run number 62 during the 2022 season, with him in attendance, he personally recognizes that as the true single-season home run record. Baseball and sports fans understand that Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa all surpassed this number but also did so under the cloud of PEDs or performance enhancing drugs. Judge’s clean achievement is indeed a spectacle to be in awe of and ironic that all three who cleanly set this record happen to be New York Yankees.
What Hoch has put together is a game by game recounting of the New York Yankees 2022 season with specific reference to the games where Aaron Judge hit a home run. It also shows how the support of his entire team helped him shoulder some of the weight involved in chasing and setting such a record all amidst the team vying for a 28th World Series Title. We also have the opportunity to see Judge through the eyes of his family and prior coaches and teammates as he was groomed for sports success early one being a three-sport athlete in high school out in the tiny town of Linden, California.
While Linden was tiny, Aaron Judge was far from it. Not just a big person inside, he carries a six-foot-seven-inch frame and nearly 285 pounds with him into every game and yet moves with the grace of someone a fraction of that size. However, his power with the bat makes good use of every pound of muscle he puts behind each swing. As you read 62 you will also be aware that looming over Judge and the Yankees the entire season was the fact that he had rejected their salary proposal prior to the season with Judge insisting he would not negotiate during the course of the regular season. Many people respected the fact that he bet on himself to have a great year to get what he knew he was truly worth.
One of the touching inside stories within this season was with the 3rd home run of the season in Toronto against the Blue Jays. It was that home run which was eventually snagged by a Blue Jays fan but given to a little boy wearing a Judge jersey. Judge heard about this and had both of them meet with him in the Clubhouse after the game where they became a media story of fair play, sports heroism, and showing again what a good person Aaron Judge is. It made him recall his own baseball hero growing up, Rich Aurilia who had played shortstop for the San Francisco Giants and graced young Aaron’s bedroom in a poster on the wall.
There were plenty of tough times during the 2022 season such as injuries to key players and some controversy surrounding third baseman Josh Donaldson making a racial comment to Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox. These issues were all dealt with as a team and nothing had an adverse impact on the historical feat Judge was heading towards. What also made his home run feat that much more ‘Ruthian’ was the fact that the second highest home run totals were less than twenty that he ended up with. These are the type of numbers we have only seen in modern sports in super-human seasons had by Wayne Gretzky in the NHL or Michael Jordan in the NBA.
Even though most baseball fans expected Judge to break the record, it became an intense race to the finish. One regret is that he was not able to set the record in front of his home crowd at Yankees Stadium and had to do it on the road in Texas against the Rangers. Home run #62 came on October 4th against Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco and Judge’s mom as well as Roger Maris Jr. were there in attendance to witness it. Now, with the record being eclipsed, Judge could focus on doing what he could to help his team on their mutual goal of winning the World Series.
Aaron Judge and the Yankees may not have made the World Series but he nearly hit for the Triple Crown, coming in 2nd place in batting average and way ahead of everyone else in home runs and runs batted in. Judge went into the offseason as a free agent and, thankfully, resigned with the Yankees at a rate well deserved for a player of his caliber. He was also honored with being named the next Captain of the team, an honor only a handful of players have ever had. As a lifelong baseball and Yankees fan I could talk about Judge and his great season forever but believe readers and sports fans will find it so much more convenient to just pick up this engaging book from Bryan Hoch that does not leave you wanting anything and provides a front-row seat to one of the greatest single-season achievements and years in the history of major league baseball.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
March 19, 2024
A birthday gift from my son. “62” tells the story of Aaron Judge and his pursuit and attainment of the season home run record (“clean” not steroid era) held previously by Roger Maris. I was interested to learn more about Judge’s entry into the league and a bit about how he conducts himself as a player and teammate. There was some drama in the recounting of the final days in the season when it looked like he would not break Maris’s record. The book did get a bit redundant as author Bryan Hoch detailed each of Judge’s 62 home runs that season. The story of his free agency period was also interesting to read about. Overall, a good book for a NYY fan.
October 24, 2023
I’ve been privileged to have met Aaron Judge before his rookie season and he couldn’t have been more nice and humble. So when I saw Bryan Hoch was writing this book I had to get. It was a great book and I really enjoyed it but I do think it would be better to read the book down the road. His 62 season was so historic but it is still fresh in my mind so I didn’t feel like I learned new information. This book will do better one day as a history of Aarons 62 season. I’m sure thats what the writer intended. Aaron Judge is a phenomenal ballplayer and human, I’m glad my sons will have him to look up to as an athlete and person who does things the right way and humbly!
July 12, 2023
Out at about 50% as I can’t see spending another six hours on this. I didn’t watch this season but my sister made me buy this book so I thought I would give it a shot. After numerous references to pandemic propaganda it got very tiresome. After a lecture on vaccinations I had to call it quits. I just want a book about baseball, not another source of lies and big pharma shilling.
December 31, 2023
I am slightly bias b/c I love 99 and have met Bryan Hoch but amazing book about Judge and his chase to break Maris record. I don’t enjoy reading sports books even though I love sports, but this along with 1998 Yankees by Jack Curry are exceptions
July 16, 2023
I cannot think of a writer who is better suited to chronicle one of the biggest sports stories in recent memory than longtime MLB.com beat reporter Bryan Hoch.
Hoch promised New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge that 62 would not be just about his pursuit of 62 home runs, but a season-long saga of the Yankees organization and the teammates who helped make this incredible achievement possible. Judge is all about team first and personal statistics second, which makes reading this book such a delight. Judge is almost too good to be true in an age when selfishness seems to rule the sports world. He is a true role model who you cannot help but like and root for, even if you are not a Yankees fan.
The foreword is written by Roger Maris Jr. In 1961, his father surpassed the single-season home run record of fellow Yankee and beloved Hall of Famer Babe Ruth. Throughout 62, we are taken back to that magical season and the difficult time that Maris had chasing down a baseball legend when so many people wanted him to fail. It is worth noting that Maris Jr. recognizes Judge’s 62 as the true record. Baseball fans understand that Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa all surpassed this number, but did so under the cloud of performance-enhancing drugs. Judge’s clean pursuit is indeed a spectacle to be in awe of and appreciate.
Hoch has put together a game-by-game recounting of the Yankees 2022 season with specific reference to the games in which Judge hit a home run. He clearly shows how the support of the entire team helped Judge shoulder some of the weight involved in breaking the record as they were trying to put themselves in the best position possible for a deep playoff run. We also see Judge through the eyes of his family and prior coaches and teammates as he was groomed for athletic success early on.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Judge had turned down a $213.5 million extension just prior to the start of the regular season and insisted that he would not be involved in any salary negotiations until the season ended. Many people respected the fact that he bet on himself to have an outstanding year and get what he knew he was truly worth.
Even though most baseball fans expected Judge to break the record, it became an intense race to the finish. He only regretted not being able to do it in front of his home crowd. Home run #62 came on October 4th in Texas against Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco. Now, with all this drama behind him, Judge could focus on doing all he could to help his team win a championship.
Although the Yankees did not get to the World Series, Judge nearly won the Triple Crown, coming in second in batting average and first in home runs and RBIs. He went into the offseason as a free agent and re-signed with the Yankees at a well-deserved rate for a player of his caliber. He also was named the team’s 16th captain.
As a lifelong Yankees fan, I could talk about Judge and his home run record forever. But I believe that readers would benefit more by picking up this engaging book. It does not leave you wanting anything, providing a front-row seat to one of the greatest single-season achievements and years in the history of Major League Baseball.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Hoch promised New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge that 62 would not be just about his pursuit of 62 home runs, but a season-long saga of the Yankees organization and the teammates who helped make this incredible achievement possible. Judge is all about team first and personal statistics second, which makes reading this book such a delight. Judge is almost too good to be true in an age when selfishness seems to rule the sports world. He is a true role model who you cannot help but like and root for, even if you are not a Yankees fan.
The foreword is written by Roger Maris Jr. In 1961, his father surpassed the single-season home run record of fellow Yankee and beloved Hall of Famer Babe Ruth. Throughout 62, we are taken back to that magical season and the difficult time that Maris had chasing down a baseball legend when so many people wanted him to fail. It is worth noting that Maris Jr. recognizes Judge’s 62 as the true record. Baseball fans understand that Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa all surpassed this number, but did so under the cloud of performance-enhancing drugs. Judge’s clean pursuit is indeed a spectacle to be in awe of and appreciate.
Hoch has put together a game-by-game recounting of the Yankees 2022 season with specific reference to the games in which Judge hit a home run. He clearly shows how the support of the entire team helped Judge shoulder some of the weight involved in breaking the record as they were trying to put themselves in the best position possible for a deep playoff run. We also see Judge through the eyes of his family and prior coaches and teammates as he was groomed for athletic success early on.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Judge had turned down a $213.5 million extension just prior to the start of the regular season and insisted that he would not be involved in any salary negotiations until the season ended. Many people respected the fact that he bet on himself to have an outstanding year and get what he knew he was truly worth.
Even though most baseball fans expected Judge to break the record, it became an intense race to the finish. He only regretted not being able to do it in front of his home crowd. Home run #62 came on October 4th in Texas against Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco. Now, with all this drama behind him, Judge could focus on doing all he could to help his team win a championship.
Although the Yankees did not get to the World Series, Judge nearly won the Triple Crown, coming in second in batting average and first in home runs and RBIs. He went into the offseason as a free agent and re-signed with the Yankees at a well-deserved rate for a player of his caliber. He also was named the team’s 16th captain.
As a lifelong Yankees fan, I could talk about Judge and his home run record forever. But I believe that readers would benefit more by picking up this engaging book. It does not leave you wanting anything, providing a front-row seat to one of the greatest single-season achievements and years in the history of Major League Baseball.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
July 11, 2023
Are you a NY Yankees fan? Do you still get chills from Aaron Judge's magical 2022 season? Well then come along for the journey in 62 by author Bryan Hoch!
In 62, author Bryan Hoch takes the reader back to Aaron Judge's magical 2022 season where he broke the AL single-season Home Run record with 62 home runs that was previously held by Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs that stood for 61 years!
Follow along as author and Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch takes you behind the scenes of Aaron Judge's magical 2022 season as he took his place in the record books alongside legendary Yankee Right Fielders Babe Ruth (60 home runs) and Roger Maris (61 home runs) with his journey to hit 62 home runs, and break the AL single-season home run record. Packed with interviews about the season from Aaron and players on the Yankees team, coaches, and executives, Bryan provides a fascinating insight, and statistics that lays out Aaron's historic journey of home run dominance in the 2022 season.
As a NY Yankees fan from childhood, I loved reading 62! Author Bryan Hoch delves into baseball history of the AL single-season home run record that was held by Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and now Aaron Judge. I really enjoyed reading about the history of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris' 1961 chase to break Babe Ruth's record of 60 (1927) home runs that stood for 34 years. Their story was the backdrop for Aaron Judge's chase to break Maris' record 61 years later. I loved that the author provided the reader with a biography of Aaron Judge's life and baseball career, and Aaron's commentaries that was provided in the book throughout his journey in the 2022 season. I loved reading all the stories from the players and coaches interviews, and the amazing statistics that were included in the book. You can't help but get caught up in the excitement as Aaron's 2022 historical season unfolded. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the author takes the reader along for the ride for the Yankees 2022 season, which included their journey to seek a 28th championship (oh so close), along with the drama of Aaron's free agency status at the end of the season, which ultimately led thankfully to his resigning and becoming the 16th Yankee Captain. So Yankees fans, read 62, you won't be disappointed!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of the book via NetGalley from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
In 62, author Bryan Hoch takes the reader back to Aaron Judge's magical 2022 season where he broke the AL single-season Home Run record with 62 home runs that was previously held by Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs that stood for 61 years!
Follow along as author and Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch takes you behind the scenes of Aaron Judge's magical 2022 season as he took his place in the record books alongside legendary Yankee Right Fielders Babe Ruth (60 home runs) and Roger Maris (61 home runs) with his journey to hit 62 home runs, and break the AL single-season home run record. Packed with interviews about the season from Aaron and players on the Yankees team, coaches, and executives, Bryan provides a fascinating insight, and statistics that lays out Aaron's historic journey of home run dominance in the 2022 season.
As a NY Yankees fan from childhood, I loved reading 62! Author Bryan Hoch delves into baseball history of the AL single-season home run record that was held by Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and now Aaron Judge. I really enjoyed reading about the history of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris' 1961 chase to break Babe Ruth's record of 60 (1927) home runs that stood for 34 years. Their story was the backdrop for Aaron Judge's chase to break Maris' record 61 years later. I loved that the author provided the reader with a biography of Aaron Judge's life and baseball career, and Aaron's commentaries that was provided in the book throughout his journey in the 2022 season. I loved reading all the stories from the players and coaches interviews, and the amazing statistics that were included in the book. You can't help but get caught up in the excitement as Aaron's 2022 historical season unfolded. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the author takes the reader along for the ride for the Yankees 2022 season, which included their journey to seek a 28th championship (oh so close), along with the drama of Aaron's free agency status at the end of the season, which ultimately led thankfully to his resigning and becoming the 16th Yankee Captain. So Yankees fans, read 62, you won't be disappointed!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of the book via NetGalley from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
July 14, 2023
It was maybe slightly different than I was expecting.
I thought this was going to be something of an Aaron Judge biography that dovetailed into his chase for the American League home run crown. In reality, it's something closer to a day-by-day review of the 2022 New York Yankees (a team that aside from Judge was fairly forgettable and unremarkable) with special guest star Aaron Judge.
Now, it's a very good version of that. Hoch clearly had access to just about everyone involved and the behind the scenes details, particularly with regard to Judge's preseason and postseason contract talks, are far and away the best part of the book. Judge's feelings on Cashman's opening day press conference were always rumored and hinted at, but they're basically confirmed in this book. The flashbacks to the 1961 season are also very well done. Its nothing terribly new if the reader is a baseball history and/or Yankee history buff, but even if you've heard it dozens of times everything about Mantle and Maris chasing Babe is great drama.
Judge himself also comes off fantastically well in this book, something I can't always say of even authorized biographies or autobiographies. (I'm looking at you, Joey Kramer.) If modern Major League Baseball was any good at all at marketing its own stars Judge would be one of the biggest stars in the country.
On the downside, the book really does kind of get bogged down in the daily minutiae of a Yankee season that again, is not exactly going to be fondly remembered by most of the people reading this book. It reads like the tale of one of baseball's great teams until the Yankees inevitably get swept out of the ALCS at the end. I wouldn't be shocked if a casual reader just assumed that the Yankees won the World Series based on the first four-fifths or so of the book until they find out that they didn't. If the book is about AaronJudge, everything between home run number 62 and the MVP announcement (which gets little more than an "as expected" aside) could have been condensed into maybe three paragraphs.. If its actually a book about the 2022 New York Yankees,....why would you write such a thing?
The good way, way outweighs the bad here, which is largely kind of nitpicky. Strong recommendation.
I'd lke to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC copy.
I thought this was going to be something of an Aaron Judge biography that dovetailed into his chase for the American League home run crown. In reality, it's something closer to a day-by-day review of the 2022 New York Yankees (a team that aside from Judge was fairly forgettable and unremarkable) with special guest star Aaron Judge.
Now, it's a very good version of that. Hoch clearly had access to just about everyone involved and the behind the scenes details, particularly with regard to Judge's preseason and postseason contract talks, are far and away the best part of the book. Judge's feelings on Cashman's opening day press conference were always rumored and hinted at, but they're basically confirmed in this book. The flashbacks to the 1961 season are also very well done. Its nothing terribly new if the reader is a baseball history and/or Yankee history buff, but even if you've heard it dozens of times everything about Mantle and Maris chasing Babe is great drama.
Judge himself also comes off fantastically well in this book, something I can't always say of even authorized biographies or autobiographies. (I'm looking at you, Joey Kramer.) If modern Major League Baseball was any good at all at marketing its own stars Judge would be one of the biggest stars in the country.
On the downside, the book really does kind of get bogged down in the daily minutiae of a Yankee season that again, is not exactly going to be fondly remembered by most of the people reading this book. It reads like the tale of one of baseball's great teams until the Yankees inevitably get swept out of the ALCS at the end. I wouldn't be shocked if a casual reader just assumed that the Yankees won the World Series based on the first four-fifths or so of the book until they find out that they didn't. If the book is about AaronJudge, everything between home run number 62 and the MVP announcement (which gets little more than an "as expected" aside) could have been condensed into maybe three paragraphs.. If its actually a book about the 2022 New York Yankees,....why would you write such a thing?
The good way, way outweighs the bad here, which is largely kind of nitpicky. Strong recommendation.
I'd lke to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC copy.
July 25, 2023
Having read all three of Bryan Hoch's previous books, I took a look at his account of Aaron Judge's record breaking 2022 season. I think this book is most valuable when giving readers a sense of Judge's personality. When growing up in small-town Linden, California, his parents Wayne and Patty Judge quickly taught him a strong moral compass. The two of them, both teachers, stressed the need to be humble and complete his educational responsibilities even in the midst of his exploits in baseball, football, and basketball. He then went to Fresno State University, where coach Mike Batesole fined players a dollar each time they used the words "I," "me," "my," or "myself" during an interview. Hoch's account of Judge's upbringing thus illustrates how he became the humble athlete that he still is today. One other moment that stood out to me in that regard was an account of Judge's visiting a Yankees museum, where he stood in reverence of the great players of the past and did not try to make the moment about himself. Hoch shares these and many more insights that he has gained as a Yankees beat reporter, while also describing all 62 home runs Judge hit on his way toward passing Roger Maris for the most single season home runs in American League history. The reader gains the impression that he went about his achievement the right way, through a gritty work ethic and a determination to come through for his team as well as himself. I would not describe the book as super groundbreaking for all Yankees fans who are in the habit of following every game, like myself, but some of the stories were new to me and I think Hoch succeeded in capturing the essence of Judge's personality.
August 18, 2023
I bought this book for my mother, who’s a devoted super fan of the Yankees, and I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. I’m not as big a fan of baseball as I am of football and basketball. However, I gained a unique appreciation of the game in general and Aaron Judge as a player and for his accomplishment of breaking Roger Maris’ home runs in a season record. McGuire, Bonds and Sosa hit more homers in late 90’s-early 2000’s 70, 66, and 73 respectively. However, those records are tainted by steroid use. As Roger Maris Jr correctly stated, Judge holds the “clean record “ eclipsing his father’s record. The author, Hoch, meticulously details all 62 home runs Judge hit in 2022 season plus recollections and anecdotes from his teammates, manager and GM. It’s actually suspenseful reading the mathematical calculations of speed, height and length each home run traveled in addition to descriptions of the actual hit and opposing pitcher’s’ reaction as well as teammate’s’ celebrations. Judge is so refreshing because he is such a hard worker, true team player, selfless, gracious and conducts himself with humility and class on and off the field. He richly deserves the accolades he received. A true baseball historian will appreciate this book even if they aren’t a Yankee fan.
July 18, 2023
“62” by Bryan Hoch is a book any baseball fan will love. There is one “catch” however, this is not a baseball book. It is so much more. True, “62” details the historic athletic achievement of Aaron judge’s 2022 campaign with New York’s beloved Yankees, and it does so from a front row vantage point of the Yankee organization, teammates, adoring fans, Roger Maris Jr, Aaron’s close-knit family, and even Aaron himself. If that were all, it would be a great baseball book.
In 62, we are treated to an expertly crafted work of non-fiction which transcends the world of baseball and gives us an inside look at how adoring, adoptive parents nurtured a boy with physical talent to be a thoughtful and principled world-class human being who is not only a baseball hero, but a hero for all humankind. Bravo Aaron Judge, Bravo Patty and Wayne Judge, and finally bravo to Bryan Hoch for shining a light on this family’s depth of character.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at
www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
In 62, we are treated to an expertly crafted work of non-fiction which transcends the world of baseball and gives us an inside look at how adoring, adoptive parents nurtured a boy with physical talent to be a thoughtful and principled world-class human being who is not only a baseball hero, but a hero for all humankind. Bravo Aaron Judge, Bravo Patty and Wayne Judge, and finally bravo to Bryan Hoch for shining a light on this family’s depth of character.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at
www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
July 10, 2023
If you have followed MLB Baseball at least the last couple of years you will know what this book is about. If not this is the story of Aaron Judge a MLB player for the New York Yankees and his chase to break the longstanding American League homerun record for one season set by Roger Maris. Actually Mr. Maris had set the Homerun record of 61 in 1961 breaking Babe Ruth's record for all of MLB but there have been three players since that have broke this record but many argue they were aided by steroids to get there. The story follows Aaron chase through the 2022 season to break the homerun record, the Yankees to make the playoffs and attempt to win the world series and who Aaron was going to play for in the future as he had turned down the Yankees long term offer and was betting on himself. This also gives you the backstory of the Yankee teammates he played with and analyses each homerun he its with the homerun #, the team they played, the pitcher who threw it and a few other statistics with it. Even knowing how all this turns out it is a good read with a little bit of heartbreak if you are Yankees fan. It was amazing to read the amount of stress these players faced and dealt with.
May 25, 2024
I finally got a chance to read this book and while it took me two months that had nothing to do with how absolutely phenomenal this book is. Bryan Hoch was able to get me to stop every couple pages and remember the days that Judge hit the home runs, when Arson Judge signed with the Giants, and everything in between. I am ever grateful that Aaron Judge is a Yankee for life because I don’t know what I would have done if he went somewhere else. Reading this two years later was an amazing experience, especially because Cole dominated last year, and the Yankees are currently the best team in the AL. Reading about Juan Soto and now being able to WATCH Juan Soto is unbelievable. If you like sports, if you like New York, or if you are just looking to read an amazing story about an amazing person, this is a story to read.
August 3, 2023
Bryan Hoch does it again. If you have yet to read his previous novels researching the New York Yankees, I would highly recommend checking it out.
"62" is many things beyond just Aaron Judge's historic season. It gives us perspectives into the 1961 season, Judge's contract negotiations, and how the Yankees as a team came together as a team to finish out a historic, if not tumultuous, season. Hoch is a king of research and does a great job pulling it all together for a book that is informative and entertaining. I discovered so many more facts about Aaron Judge and the Yankees as a whole from this book, not to mention feeling like I was actually around during the historic 1961 home run chase.
Hoch's latest is a strong addition to his previous books and well researched.
"62" is many things beyond just Aaron Judge's historic season. It gives us perspectives into the 1961 season, Judge's contract negotiations, and how the Yankees as a team came together as a team to finish out a historic, if not tumultuous, season. Hoch is a king of research and does a great job pulling it all together for a book that is informative and entertaining. I discovered so many more facts about Aaron Judge and the Yankees as a whole from this book, not to mention feeling like I was actually around during the historic 1961 home run chase.
Hoch's latest is a strong addition to his previous books and well researched.
September 18, 2023
Read this book thanks to Netgalley. I was really excited for it and was not the least bit disappointed. It follows Aaron Judge's 62 homerun season, outlining each run and letting fans either experience it for the first time, or re-experience it in a new way. I loved the examination of the home run record from a historic and modern perspective. I really enjoyed the way it also incorporated information about other players on the team and the season they had. It is a great view of the New York Yankee team during the 2022 season. This is a must for Yankees fans and I recommend it to baseball fans in general.
November 4, 2023
A Homer by Homer walk through the amazing 2022 season by Aaron Judge, the NEW American League single season Homerun Record holder! The insights and inside look at how it all transpired gives the fans a nice look into the inner workings of the N.Y. Yankees and Aaron Judge himself. Already a humble star, the book covers his personal life with wife Samantha as well as the playoff run, his flirtations of signing with the San Francisco Giants before signing the largest contract in Yankee History. Of course, the offseason would not be complete without acknowledging his becoming the captain of the Yankees, and how he will be the centerpiece for the next decade. Yankee fans, REJOICE!!
September 13, 2023
This was a really nice read into a historic season for Aaron Judge. There were hints of the season not measuring up to Babe Ruth or Roger Maris's record-setting seasons, but I hope history is kind to Judge. The game is different; it's harder than ever before to win the World Series. Not getting #28 shouldn't diminish Judge's amazing accomplishments. He led the LEAGUE, not just the AL, in almost every major offensive category. He remained a true ambassador for the game and the Yankees, in spit of his impending free agency. This is a great book to remember an incredible journey.
October 13, 2023
This book was a great reminder of the special moments that make being a sports fan worth it. In a year where it was frustrating to root for any of my teams I needed the refreshing take on what Judge’s 2022 season meant. Bryan Hoch has been my favorite Yankee’s beat reporter since I can remember and was the perfect person to write this account of the season. It was a little hard to read the chapter on how it all ended but the final chapters on Judge’s return to NY and appointment as captain closed it out in a special way. This gets a low 4 stars, super solid sports memoir.
July 17, 2023
"62" is an expertly-written story with the feel of a behind-the-scenes expose, sharing the "inside baseball" (pun intended) about Aaron Judge's most recent slugging feats. Having been written by Bryan Hoch, Yankees beat reporter, this book sources its material from the first-hand account of the year, and transports you inside the beat with the author. This is a must-read story for any baseball fan, Yankee fan or not!
July 27, 2024
Incredible, adj: the favored adjective of modern athletes.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the word incredible is quoted so many times. Amazing was a close second.
Judge is my favorite current player. This book portrays him exactly as he portrays himself- a mild mannered, hard working individual who puts team success above every individual accomplishment. The consummate teammate. I might like him even more.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the word incredible is quoted so many times. Amazing was a close second.
Judge is my favorite current player. This book portrays him exactly as he portrays himself- a mild mannered, hard working individual who puts team success above every individual accomplishment. The consummate teammate. I might like him even more.
July 21, 2023
The perfect beach read. Hoch writes about baseball as a game not of numbers, but of people, passion, and incredible coincidences. If anyone was the right man to capture this incredible, complicated year of Yankees baseball, it’s Bryan, the true archivist of this era of the Bronx Bombers. I can’t wait for Mission 28 - I know it’ll be here eventually.
October 10, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is a must for any Yankee fan or any baseball fan! Bryan really captured the great Judge and his achievements as a New York Yankee. I really think this book was amazing and a must read. It makes us understand how amazing Aaron Judge is and why we must all rise for the Judge.
February 19, 2024
I enjoyed reliving this historic run of Judge’s from 2 years ago. Loved going back to when he got the home run against the Royals in the BX on July 30th, 2022; which was also Old Timer’s Day for the 2022 season, glad that I got witness Yankees history in person that day. I’ll never forget that ever.
June 29, 2023
A fascinating look at Aaron Judds amazing year chasing the home run record Getting to read about Aaron Judds personal year on to his breaking the record and then on to his contract fight.A perfect read for baseball fans.#netgalley #atriabooks
December 17, 2023
5 stars for how much detail went into each homerun and for the inside look into the team, the season, and Major League Baseball. Really gives you a feel for the time period and pressures Judge may have been facing, making it all the more a phenomenal feat.
April 5, 2024
I am slightly bias b/c I love 99 and have met Bryan Hoch but amazing book about Judge and his chase to break Maris record. I don’t enjoy reading sports books even though I love sports, but this along with 1998 Yankees by Jack Curry are exceptions
Thank you Goodreads for the giveway
Thank you Goodreads for the giveway
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews