Aaron Judge etched his name deeper into baseball history on Wednesday night by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 300 home runs. The milestone came during the New York Yankees’ 10-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, adding another accolade to Judge’s already storied career.
Judge’s 300th homer occurred in the eighth inning when he sent a 3-0 pitch from White Sox reliever Chad Kuhl soaring over the left-field wall. The blast brought in three runs, extending the Yankees’ lead and sealing the win. As the ball cleared the fence, Judge’s teammates celebrated with excitement, and after the game, they drenched him in a water-filled tribute, highlighting the significance of the achievement.
Reflecting on his milestone, Judge expressed his satisfaction with hitting the mark in a win. “It’s a great achievement,” Judge said. “I was just excited it was there in a big moment, and it came in a big win for us.”
This achievement places Judge among baseball’s elite sluggers. Reaching 300 home runs in just 955 games, he surpassed the previous record-holder, Ralph Kiner, who achieved the milestone in 1,087 games. Judge also outpaced Babe Ruth, who hit his 300th home run in his 3,831st at-bat. Judge acknowledged the importance of being mentioned alongside such legendary figures, stating, “Those are some guys that have done a lot of great things in this game. To be in that group is special.”
Judge’s power at the plate continues to draw admiration across the league. Fellow player Juan Soto voiced his belief that Judge could potentially challenge Barry Bonds’ all-time home run record of 762. “I think he’s the guy who can literally break the record,” Soto said, expressing hope that Judge remains healthy enough to make the historic chase.
The home run was Judge’s 43rd of the season, further solidifying his status as one of the most formidable hitters in baseball. Despite missing time earlier in the season due to injury, Judge leads the major leagues in home runs and RBIs, and his batting average ranks among the best in the league. His ability to perform at such a high level consistently continues to impress fans and teammates alike.
The White Sox’s decision to intentionally walk Juan Soto to face Judge instead proved to be a costly gamble. Despite Soto’s recent hot streak, which included four home runs in the previous two games, Judge made the most of the opportunity. “If they’re going to do that, you’ve got to come up and drive those runs in,” Judge remarked. “I was lucky I was able to do that there.”
Judge’s achievements are particularly impressive given the challenges he has faced, including injuries that have sidelined him at times throughout his career. Yet, he continues to defy expectations, setting records and achieving milestones at an unprecedented pace.
As Judge continues his climb through the ranks of baseball’s all-time greats, his legacy as a powerhouse hitter is becoming undeniable. With each swing, he not only chases down records but also cements his place in the annals of baseball history, leaving a lasting impact on the game. As he adds to his already impressive list of accomplishments, Aaron Judge’s career remains one of the most exciting stories in the sport.
Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license and was created by Jeffrey Hayes.
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