New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) stands in the dugout against the Athletics in the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park on May 11. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Aaron Judge is on Extremely Short List in New York Yankees History After Torrid 40 Games

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated May 12, 2025 9:07 AM ET

The New York Yankees beat the Athletics 12-2 on Sunday afternoon in West Sacramento, winning the series and moving to 23-17 on the year.

Ben Rice provided some theatrics, hitting a grand slam, but Aaron Judge continued to dominate at the plate as well, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs.

With the effort, he raised his average to .409 as he continues his quest to be the first player hit .400 for a season since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941.

While he hasn't quite made that history yet, he is on a very short list in Yankees history through 40 games, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Highest batting average in team’s first 40 games, Yankees history (qualified based on current rules):

1994 Paul O’Neill: .465
1956 Mickey Mantle: .430
2025 Aaron Judge: .409
1927 Lou Gehrig: .397

Highest batting average in team’s first 40 games, Yankees history (qualified based on current rules):

1994 Paul O’Neill: .465
1956 Mickey Mantle: .430
2025 Aaron Judge: .409
1927 Lou Gehrig: .397 https://t.co/gFNWK1d9A4
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 12, 2025

In addition to his average, he also has a .494 on-base percentage. The 33-year-old is the best right-handed hitter in baseball and is vying for his third career American League MVP Award. A 10-year veteran, Judge has spent his entire career in New York.

He's a six-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger. Lifetime, he's a .293 hitter with 329 homers and 755 RBIs.

The Yankees will stay on the West Coast and begin a new series on Monday night when they visit the Seattle Mariners. The M's are in first place (22-17) in the American League West, but they were just swept by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Emerson Hancock will pitch for Seattle against Clarke Schmidt.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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