Aaron Judge blasts 61st home run, ties AL record

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge celebrates with teammates. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees' Aaron Judge blasts home run No. 61, tying Roger Maris for AL record

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 9/29/22

Sixty-one years later, Roger Maris finally has company.

On Wednesday night, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge finally notched home run No. 61, tying Maris for the American League single-season record.

61 years since 61.

Aaron Judge has written his name alongside Roger Maris in baseball's record books. pic.twitter.com/1V4Gums34C
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2022

Judge launched the historic home run in the seventh inning off Toronto Blue Jays reliever Tim Mayza. With the game tied 3-3, and Judge facing a full count, he laced a two-run shot over the left field wall, putting the Yankees ahead and etching his name in the record books forever.

It took eight games, but it was certainly worth the wait.

Judge hit home run No. 60 over a week ago, on September 20, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Between homer No. 60 and No. 61, Judge walked an astounding 27 times, including seven intentional passes.

The 30-year-old has seven games remaining on the 2022 regular-season schedule to overtake Maris.

Roger Maris Jr. said back in August that while the family didn't want Judge to break their father's record, he couldn't "think of a better guy" to do it.

Maris Jr. and Judge's mother have followed Judge from stadium to stadium during his chase for No. 61. On Wednesday, the two witnessed the feat together, sharing a heartwarming embrace after the homer.