Full Breakdown
Aaron Judge Ties Yogi Berra on Yankees' All-Time Home Run List
9/1/2025, 9:39:05 PM
Historic Milestone Achieved
On August 31, 2025, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge made history by hitting his 358th career home run, tying him with Hall of Famer Yogi Berra for fifth place on the franchise's all-time home run list. Judge's milestone homer came during the first inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox, where he launched an 0-2 cutter from pitcher Martín Pérez deep into left-center field, traveling 426 feet at an exit velocity of 112.6 mph. This home run marked Judge's 43rd of the season.
Context of the Achievement
Judge's achievement is particularly significant as it represents the first change in the Yankees' top five home run leaders since Mickey Mantle hit his 203rd career homer in 1957. The current top four on the list are Babe Ruth (659 homers), Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493), and Joe DiMaggio (361). Judge, who debuted with the Yankees in 2016, has reached this milestone in just 1,120 games, while Berra accomplished his total over 2,116 games during his 18 seasons with the team.
Official Statements & Responses
After the game, Judge expressed his honor in tying with Berra, stating, “When you get a chance to tie one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Yankees in homers, it’s pretty special.” He emphasized the significance of being a New York Yankee, reflecting on Berra's legacy and the impact he had on the franchise. Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Judge's accomplishment, noting, “He’s certainly earned his way into those rarefied air names with the career he put together so far.”
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the personal milestone, the Yankees suffered a 3-2 loss to the White Sox, which Judge described as disappointing. He remarked, “The most important thing is trying to get a win, so not getting that kind of stings.” This sentiment highlights the ongoing challenges the Yankees face as they compete for a postseason spot, currently holding the first wild card position in the American League.
What's Next for Judge and the Yankees
With 25 games remaining in the season, Judge is poised to surpass DiMaggio's total and move into sole possession of fourth place on the Yankees' home run list. He is only three homers shy of this milestone and has demonstrated a recent surge in performance, having homered in back-to-back games prior to the matchup against the White Sox. The Yankees will face the Houston Astros next, as they continue their pursuit of playoff contention.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m honored to wear this jersey, so it’s pretty cool to be on that list with him.” — Aaron Judge
- “When he came in through the dugout (after the homer), I yelled Yogi out to him. He’s certainly earned his way into those rarefied air names with the career he put together so far.” — Aaron Boone
Judge's journey continues as he aims to further solidify his place in Yankees history while contributing to the team's success in the postseason race.
