Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run on the season on Wednesday night, tying the longtime American League record set by Roger Maris in 1961.
The big picture: Judge continues an electric season, batting .314 with 173 hits and 130 RBI to go with his home run total.
- Behind Judge, the Yankees clinched the AL East on Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
By the numbers: Only five other players — Maris, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Babe Ruth — have hit 60 or more home runs in a single season.
- But McGwire has admitted to steroid use while Bonds and Sosa have denied allegations that they used performance-enhancing drugs.
Between the lines: Judge's monster season comes before he enters free agency.
- The four-time All-Star turned down the Yankees' seven-year, $213.5 million extension offer and wouldn't negotiate during the season, preferring to focus on the "job on the field," ESPN reports.
- The Yankees have said they intend to keep Judge in New York.
