With his 61st home run, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge tied Roger Maris’ single-season American League record.
In the seventh inning against the Blue Jays, Judge broke a 3-3 tie with a lined shot to left field. His historic homer landed in Toronto’s bullpen, not in any fan’s hands.
Judge matched the record in the Blue Jays’ Rogers Centre.
Maris’ AL record had stood alone for 61 years. Giants legend Barry Bonds holds the all-time single season record with 73 in 2001.
Judge, a Linden native who went to Fresno State, grew up a Giants fan. He wore No. 35 growing up, in part because that was Rich Aurilia’s number.
Some MLB insiders peg the Giants as a frontrunner to sign Judge this offseason. Bonds himself is rooting for it.
“I hope he signs here,” Bonds told Sportico earlier this month.