With only five games left in the regular season, Aaron Judge hit two home runs tonight to reach 51, but what really electrifies the Bronx is not only the number, Judge also currently leads the American League in batting average, which positions him to achieve one of the rarest combinations in Major League history. Only two players have accomplished this: Jimmie Foxx in 1938 and Mickey Mantle in 1956, both with more than 50 home runs and the batting title in the same campaign.
The achievement would be even more impressive considering the modern context of the game, where pitchers are increasingly dominant and the pressure to perform is brutal. At 33 years of age, Judge has shown maturity, patience and a reading of the game that sets him apart from the rest. Every at-bat is a latent threat to opponents and a promise of history for the fans who fill Yankee Stadium
How many players have hit more than 50 home runs and won the batting title?
The combination of power and precision at the plate has historically been elusive in MLB. Hitting more than 50 home runs in a season is already a major challenge; to also lead the league in batting average seems almost impossible. That’s why when a player comes close to that level, the immediate comparison is with the giants of the past. Jimmie Foxx did it in 1938 and Mickey Mantle repeated it in 1956, and since then 69 years have passed without anyone even coming close to that double offensive crown.
Aaron Judge could be the first to do it in the modern era. In an era where pitches consistently exceed 95 miles per hour and defensive shifts study every swing, his performance has been dominant and elegant. He has already reached the 50-home run mark and if he maintains his lead in average, he will be enshrined alongside two legends and open a new chapter in his own history as a Yankees icon.
Aaron Judge: a leader who drives the Yankees to October
Beyond his numbers, Judge has established himself as the heart of the Yankees; his leadership has directly influenced the team’s collective performance. His presence in the lineup commands respect and elevates the level of the players around him.
With the playoffs on the horizon, Aaron Judge’s figure is growing because he is not only about to achieve a historic feat, he also carries the hopes of a city that dreams of celebrating a World Series again.
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