Aaron Judge Makes Yankees History During Tigers Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Sep 9, 2025 8:12 PM ET

The New York Yankees took prolific Fresno State outfielder Aaron Judge No. 32 overall in the 2013 MLB Draft, but even they might not have imagined what he'd become.

The California native earned Freshman All-American honors, the 2012 College Home Run Derby, and three all-conference placements with the Bulldogs. He then sat out the 2013 season due to a torn quad muscle, but made the All-Star Futures Game in 2015 and the International League All-Star Team in 2016.

Judge then made his MLB debut in August 2016 after almost three full minor-league campaigns. However, the slugger slashed just .179/.263/.345 with 42 strikeouts in 95 plate appearances before his season ended with an oblique strain in September. At this point, he was a talented but oft-injured prospect who was inconsistent in the big leagues.

Luckily for Judge and New York, he overcame that adversity. The two-time AL MVP had his latest history-making moment during Tuesday's bout with the Detroit Tigers, via The New York Post's Greg Joyce.

Judge smacked his 359th career home run, surpassing Yogi Berra for fifth on the Yankees' all-time list. The 33-year-old now only trails Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493), and Joe DiMaggio (361).

Judge hit the 412-foot solo shot to right center off of Tigers pitcher Casey Mize in the first inning, which gave New York a 1-0 lead.

Yankees all-time HR leaders:

Babe Ruth - 659
Mickey Mantle - 536
Lou Gehrig - 493
Joe DiMaggio - 361
Aaron Judge - 359pic.twitter.com/PermGkZtlG
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) September 9, 2025

Yankees Need Aaron Judge to Heat Up

Judge entered Tuesday leading baseball with a .321 batting average and a 1.099 OPS. The 6-foot-7-inch, 282-pounder was also fifth with 43 homers and ninth with 97 RBI over 133 games.

However, Judge slashed just .241/.417/.506 in August and came into Tuesday slashing .250/.444/.250 in September. The former AL Rookie of the Year has been less effective since returning from an elbow injury on August 5.

New York, which went into Tuesday two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays atop the AL East, needs Judge to be at the peak of his powers as the stretch run plays out. The future Hall of Famer returns to his pre-injury form could be the difference between the Yankees winning the division title and not.

After Tuesday, New York will play Detroit two more times before hitting the road to face the Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles. After that, it will host the Chicago White Sox and the Orioles to end the regular season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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