Judge, Ohtani set MLB record in Yankees-Dodgers clash

New York Yankees rightfielder Aaron Judge (99) rounds the bases after a home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani set MLB record in first inning of Yankees-Dodgers clash

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated May 31, 2025 9:51 AM ET

Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani started off Friday’s World Series rematch with some fireworks.

Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers hosted Judge’s New York Yankees for the opener of their three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Judge got the party started with one out and the bases empty in the top of the first inning.

Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin’s 1-1 fastball to the Yankees star caught way too much of the plate. Judge took advantage, launching the ball to dead center for a 446-foot solo home run.

ALL RISE! Aaron Judge kicks off the World Series rematch with a blast!

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/VfRx2v3U0S
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 31, 2025

Ohtani was not to be outdone. The Japanese-born slugger smashed the first pitch he saw from Max Fried to left-center field for a big fly of his own to tie the game at 1-1.

SHOHEI OHTANI ANSWERS RIGHT BACK #FridayNightBaseball pic.twitter.com/PKH1PHWqDF
— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2025

The pair of home runs marked the first time in MLB history that the reigning MVPs from each league homered in the first inning of the same game.

Tonight marks the first time in MLB history both reigning MVPs homered in the first inning of the same game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 31, 2025

Given the nature of interleague play, reigning MVPs don’t face off very often. Teams from opposing leagues did not play each other until 1997. But it’s still surprising that Judge and Ohtani became the first duo to achieve the feat.

Ohtani may have felt a little insecure that his home run was dozens of feet shorter than Judge’s dinger. Shohei hit another leadoff homer in the sixth inning for good measure.