Aaron Judge Shatters Record, Becomes Fastest Player to Reach 300 Home Runs
On Wednesday night, Aaron Judge made history by hitting his 300th career home run. In doing so, he became the fastest player in Major League Baseball history to achieve this milestone, reaching it in just his 955th career game. This monumental achievement surpasses the previous record held by Ralph Kiner, who took 1,087 games to reach the same mark.
Judge's path to this remarkable feat is even more impressive considering the setbacks he has faced throughout his career. In 2018, he missed 50 games, followed by 60 games in 2019 due to various injuries. The 2022 season also saw Judge sidelined for 56 games due to a toe injury, an issue he describes as requiring "constant maintenance." Despite these challenges, Judge's performance on the field has been nothing short of spectacular.
Over the past few seasons, Judge has maintained an impressive level of play. In 2021, he participated in 148 games, followed by 157 games in 2022. This season, Judge has already played in 120 of the Yankees' 122 games, further highlighting his resilience and dedication to the sport. His consistent performance has not gone unnoticed, and he is projected to close the current season with 57 home runs, which would bring his career total to 314 heading into the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, Judge's future in MLB continues to look promising. He is expected to average 42 home runs per season over the next four years. If this projection holds true, Judge's career home run total would reach 482 by the end of that period. With his contract with the Yankees running through 2031, there is ample time for him to make significant strides in the record books.
The elite 500-home run club includes the likes of Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714). Other notable members include Alex Rodriguez with 696 home runs, Willie Mays with 660, and Ken Griffey Jr. with 630. If Judge maintains his projected pace, his career total of 589 home runs would place him just beyond Frank Robinson, who finished his career with 586 home runs.
The significance of Judge's projected career total cannot be understated. Joining the upper echelons of MLB home run hitters would solidify his legacy as one of the greatest power hitters in the history of the sport. The list of players with over 500 home runs also includes legends such as Jim Thome (612), Sammy Sosa (609), Mark McGwire (583), Harmon Killebrew (571), and Reggie Jackson (563), highlighting the elite company Judge would be in.
As Judge continues to build on his already impressive resume, the baseball world watches in anticipation of what he will achieve next. His blend of power, consistency, and resilience sets him apart and continues to captivate fans and analysts alike. With several years left on his contract, the sky's the limit for Aaron Judge.