Congratulations are in order for the big Yankee boy Aaron Judge, whose two home runs this afternoon puts him at 50 for the season, more than any other rookie hitter in the history of baseball.
Judge also joins four other Yankees in the 50-homer club: Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and A-Rod.
But I must ask you: Is this good? It seems good.
Mark McGwire formerly held the rookie record, with 49 in 1987. Mercifully, Judge decided to get the 50th out of the way this afternoon after tying McGwire’s record four innings earlier, sparing us disingenuous suspense about surpassing Big Mac.
It’s also worth noting that Judge was robbed due to fan interference in April, and by a Jackie Bradley Jr. catch in July.
The Yankees, who clinched a playoff spot on Saturday, beat the Royals 11-3 this afternoon and have six games remaining this season. Judge will finish second to Giancarlo Stanton (57 home runs) unless he goes on the wildest tear known to man to head into the postseason.
Not bad work from Joe Girardi’s big, goofy boy. All rise, indeed.