Aaron Judge hits 50th homer, joins exclusive club with four 50-homer seasons

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hit his 50th home run of the season on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, a three-run shot off Chicago White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon that pushed New York ahead 3-1 in the second inning. The homer marked Judge’s fourth 50-homer season and moved him into an exclusive club, as he became the fourth player in major league history to reach four 50-homer seasons and the second Yankee to do so.

Judge's milestone followed a Tuesday in which he was intentionally walked twice, tying Ted Williams’ 34 intentional walks in 1957 for the most in an American League season since the stat began being tracked. The sequence underscored how opponents have pitched around the Yankees captain at moments this season, even as he approached another milestone.

The blast on Wednesday came on the first pitch of the at-bat—a sinker from Cannon—driving the ball into the home bullpen and giving the Yankees a lead they would not relinquish in the inning. The 50th homer extended Judge’s power output this season while keeping intact his reputation as one of the game’s most consistent sluggers.

Judge’s 50th home run makes him the fourth player to record four 50-homer seasons, joining Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. No player in MLB history has reached five 50-homer seasons. Judge previously hit 52 homers in 2017, 62 in 2022 and 58 in 2024, showing a level of power that has defined his prime.

With four regular-season games remaining, Judge could add to his total as New York navigates the closing stretch of the schedule. His latest milestone comes at a time when the Yankees are counting on leadership and production from their star slugger as they chase postseason opportunities.

As the season continues, Judge’s exploits at the plate remain a centerpiece for the Yankees, who have leaned on his resume of historic seasons to carry momentum into the final weeks of the campaign. The next chapters of his pursuit will unfold over the coming days, with fans watching to see if he can push his total higher and what it might mean for his place in baseball’s all-time 50-homer pantheon.