We are fans. Fans of ‘our’ teams. Fans of our favorite players. Fans of history. No matter your sports allegiance, being part of history is attainable for anyone. All those who have tuned in, or gone to a Major League Baseball game this season are part of history — whether they know it or not.
This season, a league-wide record was set. MLB players have combined for the most home runs in a season in MLB history. The running tally is now at 5,953, breaking the previous record of 5,693 (2000). While many players have contributed to this record (517 players hit at least 1 home run), 1 man broke individual records along the way.
“It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Superm…”.
Naaaa, it’s Aaron James Judge.
On Monday afternoon, Aaron Judge sent 2 balls into the stands in Yankee Stadium, bringing his home run total to 50 on the season. These however, weren’t any old, garden variety home runs. Judge’s 50th home run broke Mark McGwire’s 30-year old rookie record for home runs in a season. Yes my math wizards, bring down the 7, and you’ll arrive at 1987.
Ah 1987. “Full House”. “Lethal Weapon”. Black Monday. Good year.
Judge’s accomplishments are nothing short of amazing. Early in the season, he surpassed Joe DiMaggio’s rookie home run record. And now he’ll look to join the likes of Ichiro Suzuki and Fred Lynn. Ichiro and Lynn are the only 2 players in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. Despite being thrust into the spotlight as a rookie, Judge has shown a refreshing sense of humility.
“I’d rather be in a good position in the playoffs and holding up a World Series trophy than an AL MVP trophy,” Judge said.
This speaks volumes to Judge’s character. He’s never looking to self-promote. He’s always about the team. In a generation of mirror huggers, I’d like to say, “Thank you Aaron Judge.”
If only every superstar in New York acted like Aaron Judge.
10, 7, 10, 7, 3, 13. Those would be Judge’s monthly home run totals. Yes, he slumped to an unenviable level in August, but that was the natural regression to be expected from a rookie in New York. If only someone had predicted this….
After a September to remember, Judge has also thrown himself back into the AL MVP race:
Aaron Judge: .283 avg., 50 hr’s, 109 rbi’s, 9 sb’s
Jose Altuve: .348 avg., 24 hr’s, 81 rbi’s, 32 sb’s
Mike Trout: .309, 31 hr’s, 70 rbi’s, 22 sb’s
Jose Altuve will most likely hoist the AL MVP trophy, however, the fact that Mike Trout is still in the conversation is the most amazing thing no one is talking about. Look at Trout’s numbers again. Now, realize he missed 47 GAMES THIS SEASON!!!! That’s 30% of the season!! His current statistics extrapolate to 44 hr’s, 100 rbi’s, and 31 sb’s. Yeah, those sound like MVP numbers to me too.
Despite Trout’s best effort, he and his Angels (78-79) will be watching the postseason from home. Altuve’s Astros (97-60) remain 1 game back of the Cleveland Indians (98-59) for the best record in the American League. Judge’s Yankees have clinched a postseason berth and are 3 games back of the Boston Red Sox with 5 games to play.
Hey, crazier things have happened….
Mets’ fans know what I’m talking about.
Should Aaron Judge win the AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP?? Tell me in the comment section below.
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