Big 5-0


In the midst of an historic rookie season, Aaron Judge re-wrote the history books on Monday... with a flourish. The Yankees rightfielder hammered a pair of home runs, the first to tie, and the second to pass Mark McGwire's old record of 49. One to the right field seats, the other over the left field fence. Now, the player who won the Home Run Derby and was the top All Star Game vote getter is also the fifth Yankee to reach 50 home runs in a season. You recognize the others on that list on a first name basis: The Babe, Mickey, Roger, A-Rod and now... joined by Aaron Judge. Impressive company. Prodigious talent.
Along with the productivity is the humility and the calm. Even during those seven weeks when he looked like he was on his way to becoming the next Kevin Maas, the 25-year old never lost his cool. Despite the strikeouts, he kept getting on base with walks. Mid-July and August seemed like a desert -- or maybe it was a test.
Then, once September arrived, as if some otherworldly force flipped a switch, he was back in pheenom mode. The home runs came back in bunches. Two on Sunday, two more Monday. With five games before we flip the calendar, Aaron Judge has hit more home runs this month (13) than in any previous month. 
Let's not crown him the "Face of Baseball" quite yet. There'll be a lot of young, dynamic talent on display in the post-season. Baseball's TV partners will remind you of that, over and over. None will be bigger than the man wearing #99 from the Bronx.
These images are from the September 18th Yankees/Twins game.

Comments

Big Jay Sorensen said…
I was 15 feet away from where No. 45 landed the day Todd's foul ball hit the little girl. At least there is excitement in Yankeeland. Be BIG.
September 26, 2017 at 10:38 AM
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