In a dramatic start to their series against the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Yankees found themselves on the losing end of a nail-biter, falling 5-4 on Tuesday night. Despite the Yankees' loss, Aaron Judge's performance was nothing short of sensational, providing a silver lining for the fans in attendance.
Judge's stellar night at the plate saw him go 3-for-4, highlighted by his 32nd home run of the season. The impressive bomb adds another chapter to what has been a remarkable season for the slugger. Interestingly, Judge's timing in hitting his 32nd home run this season mirrors last year, though it came slightly earlier on the calendar, on July 2, compared to July 16 last season. His power display is reminiscent of his record-setting 2022 campaign, where he set the American League benchmark with an astounding 62 home runs.
The Yankees outfielder is scorching hot at the plate, leading the majors in several key offensive categories. As of Tuesday night, Judge tops the charts in batting average (.321), home runs (32), and RBIs (83). His slugging prowess is not limited to the tallies of traditional stats; with an OPS of 1.158, he is setting a difficult standard for his peers. To put this into perspective, even Shohei Ohtani, one of the most dynamic players in the National League, trails Judge's OPS by over 100 points.
While Judge's exemplary performance is commanding headlines, his chase for the Triple Crown adds another layer of intrigue to the 2023 MLB season. The Triple Crown, an accolade for the player leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs, has not been achieved since Miguel Cabrera managed the feat in 2012. Historically, the achievement is a rarity, with Carl Yastrzemski being the last to secure it in the American League back in 1967, and Joe Medwick being the most recent National League player to do so in 1937.
Yet, amidst Judge's heroic efforts, it's important to keep an eye on the competition. Steven Kwan, for instance, boasts an impressive .362 batting average. However, Kwan has yet to achieve qualifying status due to an unfortunate hamstring strain that sidelined him for over three weeks. Though he is currently not a qualifying contender, his potential return could heat up the batting race.
The Yankees and their fanbase will undoubtedly look to rebound from the tough series opener. As the season progresses, Judge's path will be closely monitored, not only for his contributions to his team but also for the broader historical context of his individual achievements.
Tuesday night's game served as a showcase for Judge's relentless pursuit of excellence, further proving why he remains one of the most captivating figures in baseball today. Baseball enthusiasts and analysts alike watch with bated breath as Judge continues to make his mark, with the possibility of adding yet another accolade to his already decorated career. The stage is set for what promises to be an exciting follow-up to his storied 2022 season.