Empire State Review Contributor 
In a resounding display of power, New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge launched his 351st career home run during Sunday’s 14-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves, tying the legendary Alex Rodriguez for sixth place on the franchise’s all-time home run leaderboard. The milestone came courtesy of a stunning opposite-field blast off Braves pitcher Grant Holmes in the first inning—a majestic 409-foot shot that sent the crowd roaring.
Judge, who has been nothing short of spectacular this season, added this milestone while carrying impressive numbers: it was his 36th homer of 2025, trailing only the Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 38. Reflecting on the achievement, Judge called the milestone “an incredible honor,” paying tribute to Alex Rodriguez as a true Yankees icon and saying, “It’s pretty cool, but there’s more to come”.
This home run marks another significant step in what has been a historic career trajectory for Judge. Earlier this month, he became the fastest player in Major League history to reach 350 home runs, doing so in just 1,088 games—nearly 200 fewer games than the previous record-holder, Mark McGwire, who reached the mark in 1,280 games . The feat drew widespread attention, with Sports Illustrated calling it a “record-breaking milestone” and Fox Sports noting that Judge is now the fastest player to ever reach 350 home runs.
Judge’s ascendancy comes in a truly remarkable season. The 33-year-old leads the league in several advanced metrics: he holds the highest offensive Wins Above Replacement (oWAR) of any player in their first ten MLB seasons, topping out at 53.4. He’s also drawing parallels to franchise greats like Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra—his consistency and power evoke comparisons to the Yankees’ most revered sluggers.
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Judge’s composure and leadership on the field, calling him “a special one” and suggesting that he will continue climbing the franchise home run list. Teammates echoed such sentiments—Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole have expressed that Judge’s presence in the lineup offers both stability and fearsome power.
On Sunday, New York earned their first series win against Atlanta since 2021 and their first road series victory since June. Marcus Stroman delivered a strong start with six innings, one earned run, five hits, and four strikeouts, earning the win, while Devin Williams notched his 14th save. Despite solo home runs by the Braves’ Matt Olson and Ronald Acuña Jr., the Yankees remained in control.
Judge’s milestone places him in storied company on the Yankees all-time list. With 351 home runs, he joins Alex Rodriguez, trailing Yogi Berra (358) and Joe DiMaggio (361). Ahead of him in the ranking are Mickey Mantle (536) and Lou Gehrig (493), with Babe Ruth (659) still holding the undisputed top spot. Should Judge remain healthy, surpassing Berra and DiMaggio looms as a realistic possibility before the end of the season.
Off the field, Judge remains characteristically humble. When asked whether he’d rather lead in batting average or home runs, he acknowledged the importance of impact at the plate but emphasized consistency across all offensive aspects. That blend of humility, professionalism, and talent has endeared him not only to fans in the Bronx, but to a broader baseball audience.
Sunday’s blast was a statement—not just of power, but of ongoing dominance. With his eyes set on surpassing franchise icons, Judge is rewriting the narrative of Yankees history in real-time. He remains a central figure in New York’s playoff ambitions and a beacon for the next generation of sluggers.
As the Yankees prepare for their upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada, Judge continues to be the player to watch. His chase of Berra and DiMaggio is as much a celebration of personal excellence as it is a link to the legacy of baseball’s greatest.
