Aaron Judge obliterates Joe DiMaggio’s Yankees rookie home run record
Aaron Judge obliterates Joe DiMaggio’s Yankees rookie home run record
Aaron Judge smashed his 30th home run of the year Friday night to break Joe DiMaggio’s record for most home runs in a season by a Yankees rookie.
It took Judge just 82 games to break DiMaggio’s record. DiMaggio hit his 29 homers over 138 games in 1936.
“That’s a pretty special name he passed,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after his team’s 9-4 loss to the Brewers. “That’s really incredible what he’s done in the first half of this season.”
Aaron Judge hits a home run and breaks the Yankees rookie home run record with 30, passing Joe DiMaggio!!! #BronxBombersAreBack #AllRise pic.twitter.com/9XbQNqLExr
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) July 8, 2017
Judge also became just the third Yankees player to hit at least 30 home runs prior to the All-Star break, the New York Post noted. Roger Maris hit 33 in 1961, and Alex Rodriguez hit 30 in 2007.
Judge also joined Mark McGwire as the only rookies to amass 30 home runs ahead of the break. McGwire holds MLB’s rookie home run record with 49 for the Athletics in 1987.
Judge’s record-setting solo shot came off Milwaukee pitcher Josh Harder in the fifth inning Friday night at Yankee Stadium and gave the Yanks a 4-2 lead. At 432 feet, it was his 12th home run this season to travel at least 430 feet, per The Post. No other MLB player has more than eight homers that have gone that far.
Aaron Judge is the second rookie to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star Break; he joins Mark McGwire, who had 33 in 1987. pic.twitter.com/Ue5vxjV9q4
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 8, 2017
Judge not only appears to be the shoo-in AL Rookie of the Year, he’s also a massive favorite to win the AL MVP award, listed a 1-to-2 odds at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.