Aaron Judge records 50 home runs in a season for a fourth time

Aaron Judge (Google Images)

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge of Linden, California made Major League Baseball history on Wednesday. He became the fourth player ever to hit 50 home runs in a season four times in a career according to the Associated Press. Judge accomplished the feat by hitting two home runs in an 8-1 Yankees win over the Chicago White Sox.

Judge hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season in the seven run Yankees rout. Judge’s 50th home run went 392 feet and scored shortstop Anthony Volpe and center fielder Trent Grisham. It came in the bottom of the second inning and put the Yankees up 3-1 at the time.

In the past with the Yankees, Judge had 52 home runs in 2017, 62 home runs in 2022, and 58 home runs in 2024. The first player to hit 50 home runs in a season four times was also with the Yankees.  Babe Ruth of Baltimore, Maryland had 54 home runs in 1920, 59 home runs in 1921, 60 home runs in 1927 and 54 home runs in 1928.

Mark McGwire of Pomona, California hit 50 home runs in a season with two different teams. He hit 52 home runs with the Oakland Athletics in 1996, 58 home runs with the Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals in 1997, 70 home runs with the Cardinals in 1998, and 65 home runs with the Cardinals in 1999.

Sammy Sosa of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic had 50+ home runs four times with the Chicago Cubs. He hit 66 home runs in 1998, 63 home runs in 1999, 50 home runs in 2000 and 64 home runs in 2001.

With the Yankees win on Wednesday, they are now tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East. Toronto has the tie-breaker.