In a nail-biting Tuesday night matchup, the New York Yankees fell short in their series opener, losing 5-4 to the visiting Cincinnati Reds. The game might have ended in disappointment for Yankees fans, but Aaron Judge ensured everyone got their money’s worth with a stellar performance.
Judge had a near-perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-4 and launching his 32nd home run of the season. Notably, this wasn't the first time Judge has reached this milestone; he hit his 32nd home run last season on July 16. This year, he managed the feat even earlier, on July 2, showcasing his consistent power and ability to lead from the front.
Judge's home run prowess isn't just a flash in the pan. He set the American League record with an astonishing 62 home runs in 2022, marking himself as one of the premier sluggers in the game today. As of Tuesday night, Judge leads the majors in key batting metrics: batting average (.321), home runs (32), and RBIs (83). His outstanding OPS of 1.158 further underscores his dominance at the plate, placing him head and shoulders above the competition, including Shohei Ohtani in the NL, whose OPS is over 100 points lower.
Triple Crown Watch
Judge’s statistical leadership across multiple categories naturally leads to talks about a potential Triple Crown. The Triple Crown, achieved by leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs, hasn’t been won since Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers did so in 2012. Prior to Cabrera, the last player to win the Triple Crown was Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox in 1967. The National League hasn’t seen a Triple Crown winner since Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals achieved the feat back in 1937.
Judge’s current numbers certainly put him in the conversation, and if he maintains this pace, he could be on track to join this elite group of players. It’s important to keep an eye on up-and-coming talent too. Steven Kwan, despite a higher batting average of .362, hasn’t yet achieved qualifying status due to missing more than three weeks with a hamstring strain. Should Kwan return to form, he could provide stiff competition for the batting title.
Historic Context
The possibility of Judge winning the Triple Crown adds a layer of excitement and anticipation to each game. Baseball is a sport deeply rooted in tradition and history, and achievements like the Triple Crown resonate far beyond the stat sheet. It’s an accolade that signifies complete dominance over the offensive side of the game, a rare and cherished accomplishment.
The Yankees, buoyed by Judge’s performance, will be looking to bounce back from this narrow defeat. While their star player’s individual stats are soaring, the ultimate goal remains team success and playoff contention. Judge’s leadership, both through his performance and presence, will be key as the season progresses.
While the Reds walked away victorious, it was Aaron Judge’s night. His performance reminds everyone just why he’s considered one of the best players in baseball today. As the season unfolds, the potential for history-making achievements continues to build, one swing at a time.