Yankees' Aaron Judge on pace to make even more history

Aaron Judge has already rewritten the history books.

The New York Yankees outfielder set an American League record with 62 home runs in 2022. He has led the league in homers three times, hitting over 50 homers each time. Judge is one of 32 players to hit 50 or more homers in a season, a feat that has been accomplished just 50 times in major league history.

Judge is part of another exclusive club within that group. Only four other players — first baseman Mark McGwire, infielder Alex Rodriguez and outfielders Babe Ruth and Sammy Sosa — have hit 50 or more homers three times in their careers. Ruth is the only player in that group who has not been tainted by PED usage and/or allegations.

The Yankees slugger is on pace to join another exclusive group. He entered Wednesday with 12 homers in 36 games, putting him on pace for 54 home runs this season. If Judge does reach the 50 home run plateau again this season, he will join McGwire, Ruth and Sosa as the only players to hit at least 50 homers in four different seasons.

A six-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP, Judge is not showing any signs of slowing down. He may be in the midst of a career year as he has posted an impressive .412/.503/.772 batting line in his 161 plate appearances, hitting 12 homers and nine doubles. Judge leads the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, hits (56), home runs, RBI (34) and bWAR (3.1). If he stays healthy, he could add another MVP award to his impressive resume.

Another MVP Award may not be all that Aaron Judge has in his future. The New York Yankees slugger may carve his name into another page of the history books.