Aaron Judge continues to etch his name into the annals of Major League Baseball (MLB) history. On Wednesday night, Judge achieved a remarkable milestone by hitting his 300th career home run. What makes this feat extraordinary is that Judge is the fastest player in MLB history to reach this benchmark, doing so in just his 955th career game. For context, the previous record-holder, Ralph Kiner, took 1,087 games to achieve the same.
This achievement underscores the prodigious power that Judge has brought to the plate since his debut. The Yankees slugger has been a consistent force in the lineup despite facing multiple injuries throughout his career. Judge missed significant playtime in 2018 (50 games), 2019 (60 games), and 2022 (56 games) due to a toe injury, which he describes as requiring "constant maintenance." Yet, his resilience and dedication have clearly paid off.
Judge's performance in recent seasons has been nothing short of stellar. He played 148 games in 2021 and 157 in 2022. He has already participated in 120 of the Yankees' 122 games this season, underscoring his importance to the team and his ability to bounce back from physical setbacks. The numbers speak for themselves: this year, Judge is projected to end the season with 57 home runs, which will push his career total to 314 heading into 2025.
Looking ahead, Judge is expected to average 42 home runs per season over the next four years. Should he maintain this pace, his projected home run total would soar to an impressive 482 by the end of that period. With his contract running through 2031, the idea of Judge joining the elite 500-home run club seems not only plausible but highly likely.
The 500-home run club is an exclusive fraternity comprising some of the greatest hitters to ever play the game. Legends like Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), and Alex Rodriguez (696) are prominent members. Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome, Sammy Sosa, Frank Robinson, Mark McGwire, Harmon Killebrew, Rafael Palmeiro, Reggie Jackson, and Manny Ramirez also hold esteemed spots on this list. The projected career total of 589 home runs would place Judge just above Frank Robinson, who accumulated 586 home runs during his illustrious career.
Judge's potential ascent to such rarified air is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. Achieving such milestones places immense pressure on any player, but Judge appears to shoulder this with remarkable composure and dedication.
As Judge continues his journey, the baseball world watches with bated breath. Each at-bat brings him closer to the historic benchmarks set by the titans of baseball history. Yankees fans and baseball enthusiasts alike have every reason to be excited for what lies ahead in Judge's already storied career.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Judge, not just for his power at the plate but for his relentless spirit and unwavering determination to overcome the physical hurdles that come his way. With his contractual commitment to the Yankees extending into the next decade, there's ample opportunity for Judge to not only leave an indelible mark on the franchise but also to further cement his legacy in the chronicles of MLB history.
At just 31 years old, Aaron Judge has time on his side as he aims for the echelons of power-hitting greatness. Should he maintain his current trajectory, there's little doubt he will join the ranks of baseball's most revered sluggers. The journey to 500 home runs is one fraught with challenges, but if anyone has proven capable of surmounting them, it's Aaron Judge.