The New York Yankees are going to start a home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night, and it’s a perfect opportunity for Aaron Judge to get closer to Roger Maris’ franchise record for most home runs over a single season.
The late Maris hit 61 round-trippers in the 1961 campaign, a record that stood tall for 37 years, when Mark McGwire hit 70. The St. Louis Cardinals slugger paid tribute to Maris’ family back then.
As Judge inches closer to breaking the franchise (and the American League) record, Maris’ family will also be in attendance at Yankee Stadium.
Newsday’s Anthony Rieber reports (per NJ Advance Media): “Roger Maris’ sons, Roger Jr. and Kevin, will be at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night as Aaron Judge closes in on 61. Other family members will arrive starting Wednesday, Roger Jr. told me.”
The Yankees’ star has 16 regular season games left to make history
Judge, of course, is at 59 home runs as of Tuesday morning. The Pirates series could be pivotal in his quest for home run number 62, but he has 16 regular-season games to go in the calendar. He has some time.
Judge could potentially become the sixth player to hit at least 60 home runs in a single season. The others are Babe Ruth, Maris, McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds.
The Yankees’ All-Star outfielder is projected to hit 65 home runs when all is said and done, so he could have an outside chance to become the third man in MLB, after McGwire and Bonds, to hit 70 round-trippers.
He is also fighting for the American League Triple Crown, with a .316 average and 127 RBI. His home runs and RBI tally lead MLB, and he is awfully close to Minnesota Twins’ infielder Luis Arraez, who currently leads the young circuit at .317.
What a phenomenal season Judge is having.