Judge’s third career leadoff home run, and first since June 11 against the Cubs, gave the Yankees a quick 1-0 lead against Tampa Bay right-hander Shawn Armstrong at Tropicana Field. It was projected at 450 feet with a 115.3 mph exit velocity.
Judge also homered in the ninth inning of New York’s 2-1 loss on Saturday and is on pace to hit 64 homers, which would eclipse Roger Maris’ American League record of 61, set in 1961.
Most HR in a season, MLB history — with totals through 134 team games:
2001 Barry Bonds: 73 — 56
1998 Mark McGwire: 70 — 54
1998 Sammy Sosa: 66 — 52
1999 Mark McGwire: 65 — 52
2022 Aaron Judge: 64 (current pace) — 53
2001 Sammy Sosa: 64 — 52
1999 Sammy Sosa: 63 — 57
1961 Roger Maris: 61 — 51
1927 Babe Ruth: 60 — 47
Fifty-three homers represents a new career high for Judge, who hit 52 homers in 2017, when he was the AL’s unanimous Rookie of the Year and finished second to the Astros’ Jose Altuve in the AL MVP race.
Judge’s 53 homers are by far the most in the Majors; the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber is second with 36.