Roger Maris was only 27 when he made home run history in 1961 by breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 60 homers.
While the outfielder went on to have a noteworthy career, Maris never made another run at his own milestone, topping out at 33 home runs in 1962 before injuries took a toll.
Aaron Judge has said he’s got bigger things on his mind than going after what’s now his American League home run record of 62, which he set in 2022 by surpassing Maris’ mark.
But with 34 homers at the All-Star break, eyes will certainly be on Judge again.
Aaron Judge entered the All-Star break with 34 homers for the Yankees
When Judge set the record on Oct. 4, 2022, Roger Maris Jr. was there in Texas, having accompanied the Yankees as Judge approached it.
These days, Maris Jr. is once again aware of Judge’s potential march toward history — even if it’s no longer his father’s record.
“I have been paying attention and he is obviously having another season like he had in 2022,” Maris Jr. said in a text. “This time around, who knows what he is capable of doing?”
It’s easy to forget now that the record is his, but at various points during the ’22 season, it seemed like Judge would blow by Maris’ 61.
He hit No. 60 on Sept. 20, with 15 games to go and then got to 61 with seven games remaining on the Yankees’ schedule.
Judge finally broke the mark in Game 161.
Roger Maris Jr. is pictured at a press conference in 2022 after Aaron Judge tied his father’s record with a 61st homer
There will almost certainly be less pressure on Judge if he gets close later in the season.
And Maris Jr. believes the experience Judge had two years ago will help him.
“He’s been down this path before and I believe we are all in store for a second half finish to a baseball season where you are just shaking your head in amazement and wondering where Aaron’s ceiling really is,” Maris Jr. said. “He is just so talented and I expect him to continue amazing us throughout the second half of the season.”
Among the challenges this season could be a lack of protection behind Judge, as the Yankees have struggled to get much from their cleanup hitters this season with Judge hitting third, behind Juan Soto.
In 2022, Judge often hit leadoff and Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres frequently followed him, although Judge was pitched around a considerable amount of time down the stretch.
Still, if If Judge is able to get near the 60s again, Maris Jr. doesn’t figure to be in the stands — but he will be watching.
“I will definitely be tuned in,” Maris Jr. said.
Right-hander JT Brubaker, acquired from the Pirates in a March trade for minor league infielder Keiner Delgado, had his rehab assignment paused due to his recent oblique injury.
Brubaker is coming back from Tommy John surgery performed April of last year.
The Yankees added plenty more college arms to their minor league system during Day 2 of the amateur draft.
After taking a pair of college pitchers in the first two rounds Sunday, the Yankees drafted five more in Rounds 3-7 Monday before selecting a position player with their eighth-round pick.
