Julia StumbaughJuly 13, 2024

Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Aaron Judge hit his 34th home run of the season Saturday to become the first player in New York Yankees history to reach the milestone before the All-Star break.

The homer helped lift the New York Yankees to a 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportAaron Judge sets Yankees FRANCHISE RECORD with 34TH homer before the All-Star Break 🔥

(via @Yankees)
pic.twitter.com/FLscScfbHV

Judge’s 34 homers surpassed the previous Yankees standard of 33 home runs, set by Roger Maris in 1961 and matched by Judge himself in 2022, for the most before the break in franchise history.

The total also ranked Judge among some of MLB’s all-time greats:

Chris Kirschner @ChrisKirschnerMost HRs before the All-Star break in MLB history:

Barry Bonds, 39 (2001)
Chris Davis, 37 (2013)
Reggie Jackson, 37 (1969)
Mark McGwire, 37 (1998)
Luis Gonzalez, 35 (2001)
Ken Griffey Jr., 35 (1998)
Aaron Judge, 34 (2024)
Frank Howard, 34 (1969)

He is now on pace to hit 56 home runs by the end of the season, and some fans believe the final number could be even higher.

StatMuse MLB @statmusemlbAaron Judge is on pace to finish the season with

56 HR
142 RBI
174 H
120 R
117 BB

MVP numbers. pic.twitter.com/QSPy78TF1v

Hoodie Volpe @hoodie_volpeJudge might go for 70 😭😭😭

Lan Forever 🌐 @Lanforever_Aaron Judge is on pace for 70 home runs this year. Holy mackerel😂😂

NickLoffer @NickLoffer170 is in play for Judge!

This is good for baseball. pic.twitter.com/WGbT6Id0ni

Judge was named American League MVP in 2022 after breaking the all-time AL home run record with 62. His performance in 2024 so far has him well on his way to adding a second trophy to his mantle.

John Alfieri @alfierijohnAaron Judge is the MVP, and it’s not particularly close

Beth @DanUgglaInUggsAaron Judge is MVP, he’s the best player in baseball

Joseph Calabrese🛡⬆️ @JCalabrese1The New York Yankees have been around for thousands of years and now Aaron Judge has the most home runs in franchise history before the All-Star break and a legitimate Triple Crown candidate. He is definitively the best player in baseball

Owen @Alakazam_428Aaron Judge has 34 home runs.

To break his mark he had two years ago of 62 long balls, he would need to hit 29 in 65 games.

That is more than doable. AL MVP and it’s not close.

Judge and Juan Soto, who also hit a home run in the fifth inning of Saturday’s win, have combined for 57 home runs this season.

MLB @MLBAaron Judge and Juan Soto have combined for 57 home runs and 151 RBI this season. pic.twitter.com/vi4Vy3Kyae

I’mNotAHRHitter @ImNotAHRHitterNice to see Judge and Soto hitting back to back dingers

Rambo 🏹 @chesportsguyGil is shoving, Soto and Judge back to back bombs, Yankees fans took over Camden. The vibes couldn’t be higher right now

Judge is batting .308 with 85 RBI and an OPS of 1.114 through 95 games. His offense will remain a key part of the Yankees’ push to the postseason as the team looks to continue recovering from a midseason slump after the break.

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