May 16, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) watches his ball go over the center field wall for a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays
(New York) — History in the making?
Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani came into Wednesday night’s game against the Yankees with a league-leading 35 home runs, on track to finish the season with 60.
The 29-year-old is in the midst of another terrific season, following a dominant month of June in Ohtani posted a .394 batting average with 15 home runs, pitching to a 3.26 ERA.
Last season Aaron Judge set the AL home run record with 62 homers. With the Yankees and Judge in town reporters got his views on the possibility of Ohtani breaking that record.
“Records are meant to be broken. It’s just a record. It would be exciting for the game if he went out there and got 63-plus.” Judge said “So, we’ll see what happens.”
Judge was sitting front row when Ohtani launched his 35th home run of the season on Monday.
“It’s incredible. It’s fun to watch,” Judge explained. “I don’t like watching it in person, when he’s playing against us, doing what he’s doing, but it’s fun when you can turn on the TV and see that he’s throwing eight innings, striking out 10 and hitting two homers in a game.
It’s worth noting that prior to Judge’s injury, the lefty was nearing his 2022 home run record pace he set.
“I’ve still got quite a few years left in this game,” Judge said. “If he breaks it, that’ll give me another opportunity to go out there and try to do something special.
