Aaron Judge etched his name deeper into baseball lore on Wednesday night, belting his 300th career home run. In doing so, the New York Yankees' slugger has become the fastest player in Major League Baseball history to reach this milestone, achieving it in just his 955th career game. This feat edges out the previous record-holder, Ralph Kiner, who required 1,087 games to touch the same mark.
Judge's remarkable journey to 300 home runs exemplifies his resilience and exceptional talent. Since entering the MLB, he has faced numerous challenges, including substantial periods on the injured list. In 2018, Judge missed 50 games, followed by 60 in 2019, and another 56 in 2022 due to a toe injury—an injury he describes as requiring "constant maintenance." Yet, these setbacks have not dampened his spirits or his performance on the field.
Recently, Judge has shown incredible consistency. He played 148 games in 2021 and an impressive 157 in 2022. This season, he has participated in 120 of the Yankees' 122 games, a testament to his determination to stay fit and his unwavering commitment to his team.
This season, he is projected to finish with 57 home runs, pushing his career tally to 314 heading into 2025. His consistent performance has led many to project that he will average 42 home runs per season over the next four years. Should this prediction hold, Judge's career total would reach a staggering 482 home runs by the end of that period.
Judge's contract with the Yankees runs through 2031, providing ample opportunity for the slugger to further climb the ranks of baseball's most prestigious home run hitters. If he maintains his form, Judge is projected to end his career with around 589 home runs. This projection places him just beyond Frank Robinson, who has 586 home runs to his name.
The 500-home run club includes some of baseball's all-time greats, such as Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714). More recent members include Alex Rodriguez with 696 home runs, Willie Mays with 660, Ken Griffey Jr. at 630, and Jim Thome who hit 612. Judge's anticipated tally of 589 home runs would nestle him right among these legends, earning him a place in baseball immortality.
The path to such grandeur has not been easy. Judge's ability to continually bounce back from injuries and maintain top form is nothing short of remarkable. His toe injury, which sidelined him for significant periods, is a persistent issue. Speaking about it, Judge remarked that it requires "constant maintenance." Yet, despite this ongoing struggle, his performance remains unimpacted, showcasing his exceptional resilience.
As Judge continues to chase history, his journey provides inspiration not only to his teammates and fans but also to aspiring athletes worldwide. His story is one of perseverance, talent, and an unyielding will to succeed. Whether he will join the ranks of Bonds, Aaron, and Ruth remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Aaron Judge is on a trajectory that could very well see him immortalized among the gods of baseball.
With years left in his career and a solid contract through 2031, Judge will have many more opportunities to add to his illustrious home run tally. If he continues on this pace, he will surely be remembered as one of the greatest power hitters the game has ever seen.
In an era where baseball has evolved in numerous ways, Aaron Judge stands as a testament to the timeless power of perseverance and raw talent. As the fastest player to 300 home runs in MLB history, he has once again proved that limits are meant to be pushed. Baseball fans around the globe will certainly be eager to see just how far Aaron Judge can go.