Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is delivering one of the most outstanding hitting performances in recent memory, currently batting .395 and just shy of maintaining a .400 average. Through the early part of the season, Judge has sustained an impressive .346 batting average in May, following a blistering start with a .430 average and an OPS of 1.244. This formidable form not only shapes the MVP discussion but also has Judge chasing a century-old total bases record held by Babe Ruth.
Tracking Babe Ruth’s 1921 Total Bases Mark
Babe Ruth’s 1921 record of 457 total bases has stood for over 100 years, but Judge is aiming to surpass it this season. Currently, Judge has amassed 148 total bases, leading his teammates by a wide margin; Paul Goldschmidt trails him with 93 total bases, while combined, Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger have 83 fewer total bases than Judge alone. If Judge continues his current pace, projecting 466 total bases, he would exceed Ruth’s milestone by nine.
Judge’s power is a key factor in this pursuit. His 18 home runs and 13 doubles indicate he is well ahead of the pace needed to challenge Ruth’s mark, and given his history of home run totals—58 last year and 62 in 2022—he is expected to add significantly more before the season’s end.
Historical Comparisons and Career Progression
Though Babe Ruth remains a legendary figure in baseball, some see Judge as emulating a similar level of dominance as he improves yearly. His .322 batting average in 2023 surpassed the .311 he posted during his 2022 record-setting season. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) numbers, 10.6 in 2023 and 10.8 in 2022, highlight his exceptional contributions, resembling video-game statistics more than typical MLB performance.
Judge’s personal best for total bases came last season with 392, and despite hitting slightly fewer home runs than in 2022, his 2024 total bases already surpass that previous high. He has been in close pursuit alongside Shohei Ohtani, who became the first player since 2001 to surpass 400 total bases in a season with 411.
Potential to Surpass Other Notable Milestones
Even if Judge does not eclipse Ruth’s historic record, he is on track to break Sammy Sosa’s 2001 total of 425 total bases. This prospect is all the more remarkable given Judge has registered nearly 500 fewer plate appearances by this point in the season than it took him last year to reach his current total.
While walks contribute to Judge’s on-base value, they do not elevate his total bases count as effectively as achieving more home runs. Judge has been walked 33 times this season, outpacing his nearest Yankee by 11 walks. Despite striking out 50 times, he remains more disciplined than teammate Anthony Volpe, who leads the team with 54 strikeouts at age 24.
Implications for the Yankees’ Season and the AL East Race
The New York Yankees hold a strong 5.5-game lead in the American League East, ahead of the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays, each hovering near the .500 mark. While Judge’s chase for Ruth’s total bases record may not be necessary to secure the division title, his extraordinary performance undeniably enhances the team’s chances to maintain dominance.