The game ball belongs to Judge’s mom
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge made history on Sept. 28 when he hit his 61st home run of the year, tying him with the late Roger Maris for most home runs in a single season. Maris, also with the Yankees, accomplished this feat back in 1961. The icing on the cake for Judge? Giving the game ball to his mom, Patty.
The home run came after both families were in attendance in New York the week prior, hoping he would tie the record at home. After failing to reach the milestone in New York, Judge’s family and Roger Maris Jr. followed him to Toronto to finally realize the dream during his team’s 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
No. 61 belongs to mom. 🥹 https://t.co/5RMYMcwJk6
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2022
After Judge’s home run, his mother and Maris hugged each other. “It’s an incredible honor,” Judge said of the record. “And getting a chance to be associated with one of the Yankee greats, one of baseball’s greats, be enshrined with him forever is … words can’t describe it.”
He also talked about his support system who helped get him there. “Having my mom here, it’s important,” Judge told reporters after the game. “She’s been with me through it all, that’s for sure. From the Little League days, from getting me ready for school, taking me to my first couple of practices and games, being there my first professional game, being there at my debut and now getting the chance to be here for this, this is something special.”
Aaron Judge's mom knew the ball was GONE as soon as he hit it ❤️
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) September 29, 2022
(via @TalkinYanks) pic.twitter.com/SoGiENWcoi
Judge now has just seven games left in the regular season to pass Maris and secure the title of all-time regular season home run champ. It’s worth mentioning that Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa have hit more home runs in a season than Judge, but the allegations of steroid use have many baseball purists discounting their numbers.
Honoring his mom just feels right. And it seems she knew exactly when her son would reach the record. Journalist Meredith Marakovits later posted on Twitter: “Patty Judge told me she called the HR in the 7th before Judge stepped to the plate. Pretty cool.”
