Judge Hits Milestone 300th Career Home Run
Aaron Judge continues to rewrite the record books with every swing. Recently, the New York Yankees star outfielder etched his name into baseball lore yet again by hitting his 300th career home run. The milestone blast came at Chicago's Guaranteed Rate Field, where Judge connected off Chicago White Sox right-hander Chad Kuhl.
In doing so, Judge set a new standard for speed of power achievement, reaching 300 home runs faster than anyone in the history of the game. He accomplished this remarkable feat in just 955 games, shattering the previous record held by Ralph Kiner, who needed 1,087 games to reach the same milestone. Additionally, Judge required only 3,431 at-bats to hit 300 home runs, surpassing the legendary Babe Ruth, who did it in 3,830 at-bats.
“If it comes with a win, it'll mean something,” Judge said of his historic home run. “It's not what we play for. I just want to put us in a good position.”
The 2023 season has been another showcase of Judge's prodigious power. With 43 home runs in 122 team games, he continues to drive the Yankees' offense, though he trails slightly behind his own performance from the previous season where he hit 46 home runs in the same number of games. Last year, Judge sent baseballs over the fence 62 times, making him a constant focal point for both fans and opponents alike.
Judge's entry into the 300 home run club makes him the 162nd member of this elite group, a testament to his consistent power-hitting ability since bursting onto the scene. Impressively, Judge and Mark McGwire are the only players to achieve this milestone before accumulating 1,000 hits.
Judge's contributions extend beyond just his home run totals. This season, he leads the league in RBI, extra-base hits, and total bases. His all-around offensive prowess makes him a crucial part of the Yankees lineup as they face the final stretch of the season, with 40 games remaining.
The history-making achievements don't end there for Judge, as he has now become the fourth Yankees player to record three 40-homer seasons. He joins an exclusive fraternity in franchise history that includes iconic names like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle. Notably, Ryan Howard and Juan Gonzalez are among the few who also reached 300 home runs in fewer than 1,100 games, adding further context to Judge's remarkable pace.
Shohei Ohtani, another standout slugger of the current era, has 37 home runs this season, highlighting the impressive competition Judge faces in the race for the home run leader title.
Judge's milestone homer is more than just a personal triumph; it's emblematic of his impact on the team and the sport. "It's not what we play for," Judge emphasized, reflecting his team-first mentality. However, there's no denying that his powerful presence in the lineup bolsters the Yankees' chances as they aim for a successful close to the season.
At 32 years old, Judge continues to be a pivotal figure in baseball, and with his talent, dedication, and the history already in his wake, there’s no telling just how many more records he may break before he hangs up his cleats.