Jul 21, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Judge makes Yankees' history with league-leading 37th home run against Orioles

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/25/22

On Sunday, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge finished 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a 6-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Judge's third-inning two-run blast was his league-leading 37th home run of the year, but it also etched his name alongside several Yankee Hall of Famers.

No. 37 for Aaron Judge was CRUSHED.

(MLB x @FTX_Official) pic.twitter.com/wM20mYEGAV
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2022

According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, Judge is just the fourth Yankee to hit 37 or more home runs before August. He joins Yankee greats Babe Ruth, who did it three times (1920, 1921, 1928), and Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, who accomplished the feat in the 1961 season.

Most HR before August in a season, Yankees history:

1928 Babe Ruth: 41
1961 Roger Maris: 40
1961 Mickey Mantle: 39
1921 Babe Ruth: 38
2022 Aaron Judge: 37
1920 Babe Ruth: 37 https://t.co/RZ5Nqiaj13
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 24, 2022

Judge has a mammoth lead in the home run race. His next closest competitor is Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber, who sits with 30 homers on the year.

In just 94 games, Judge has nearly surpassed last year's home run total of 39 and is on pace to finish above the 98 runs he batted in during the 2021 campaign.

So far this season, Judge is batting .279/.384/.568 with 37 round trippers and 81 RBI.

Judge and the Yankees currently own the best record in the MLB at 66-31 and hold a 12.5 game lead in the AL East over the second-place Toronto Blue Jays.

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