Aaron Judge ties Joe DiMaggio in Yankees history with latest Home Run: What to know

Aaron Judge etched his name even deeper into Yankees history Thursday night, blasting two home runs in a 9-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium. With the pair of long balls, Judge reached 361 career home runs, tying Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for fourth place on the Yankees’ all-time list.

Judge’s first homer came in the opening inning, a Statcast-projected 413-foot shot off Tigers starter Tyler Holton. He followed it up in the third inning with a no-doubt blast to left-center off Sawyer Gipson-Long, measured at 434 feet and 114.9 mph off the bat.

Passing Yogi, Now Level With DiMaggio

The milestone came just days after Judge surpassed Yogi Berra (358) for fifth place. Now, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with DiMaggio, a Yankee icon who won nine World Series titles and three MVP awards in his 13 seasons.

“Just two legends, greats of the game, great all-time Yankees,” Judge said after the game. “It’s pretty cool being on a list with them. It’s even cooler getting a win.”

Manager Aaron Boone called the achievement “a privilege to witness,” adding, “Joe DiMaggio transcended baseball. To see Aaron Judge right there alongside him, it’s history in the making.”

READ ALSO

Mark Teixeira: From MLB All-Star to Congressional Candidate – What to know

Davey Johnson dies at 82: What to know about the Baseball legend

Aaron Judge Place Among Yankees Legends

Only three Yankees now stand ahead of Judge: Lou Gehrig (493), Mickey Mantle (536), and Babe Ruth (659 as a Yankee). At 33 years old and in the middle of another MVP-caliber campaign, Judge is firmly on pace to keep climbing the list.

With 46 home runs this season, Judge leads Major League Baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. He has also recorded 45 multi-homer games in his career, trailing only Mantle and Ruth in franchise history.

A Historic Night With Added Meaning

The milestone came on a significant stage. The Yankees held a tribute to honor the victims of the September 11 attacks on its 24th anniversary, with President Donald Trump in attendance. Players wore caps representing New York City’s first responders.

“This was more than just a game,” Judge told teammates afterward. “Getting us all together and showing we’re unified and strong, it’s a privilege to come out here and play.”

What’s Next for Aaron Judge and the Yankees

With the Yankees battling for playoff positioning, Judge’s hot bat arrives at the perfect time. New York (81-65) now heads into a critical series against the rival Red Sox, holding a narrow lead in the AL Wild Card race.

“We haven’t had too much success against them,” Judge said. “But there’s no better time to change that. Near the end of the year, it’s time to really turn it up a notch.”

For now, though, Aaron Judge can savor the moment: a swing that tied him with Joe DiMaggio, a legend of both the Yankees and the game itself.