Baseball has always had its protagonists. Players that define the game for a generation. It’s rare that two play at the same time though. With its close to 150-year history, MLB has seen its fair share of historic homerun chases from players, but the 2023 race could just be picking up. Despite the season nearing its end, the race for the title of homerun king could only have just begun.

Despite the New York Yankees not enjoying the best season in 2023, individuals on the team have really responded well. Whether it be the brief appearance of MLB debutante Jasson Dominguez or ace Gerrit Cole, the Pinstripes’ players have continued to churn in performance after performance. Leading it all from the front lines appears to be 2022 Homerun King Aaron Judge, and he’s not giving up come hell or high water.

New York Yankees Star Shows Grit and Determination

New York is not a soft place for players. Least of all Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees fanbase is one that demands excellence no matter what the conditions are around you. The will to win must burn brighter in you than any other player who takes the field. And Aaron Judge seems to be the lightning rod for these emotions.

With the Captain signing on a record $360 Million extension just before the start of the 2023 season, he has been the shining beacon for the Yankees this season stepping onto the plate and giving it his all every time he does it. And even though his individual performance may not be a big part of his consideration, he certainly is delivering the goods every time.

So much so in fact that despite the weather conditions in New York, he has been named in the lineup for the Yankees’ crunch game against AL East Rivals, the Boston Red Sox. Now bringing his tally to 31 home runs in the season, Judge remains in hot pursuit of MLB leader Shohei Ohtani who leads the Homerun crown discussions with 44 to his name so far.

Is Aaron Judge at the Risk of Injury?

Judge missed a large part of the season with a toe injury that he suffered in 2023. Surprisingly, this period almost exactly coincided with when the Yankees record fell off and the team began to slide out of post-season contention. So much so in fact that chances even now are miniscule. They certainly can’t risk that happening again.

Read More: “WOW”: Yankees Captain Aaron Judge Joins Impressed Spectators as Star Prospect Pulls off Another Incredible Feat

Fangraphs has mapped the Yankees’ chances at making the postseason as low as 0.1% at a point in the season but if there’s one thing we can say about the Bronx Bombers, it’s that they don’t give up. And Judge is a marker of that spirit.

Playing despite the potential injury risk such a weather-riddled game can bring, Judge appears to be holding up the Yankees’ hopes. Whether they will be fulfilled, however, remains to be seen.

Watch This Story: From Black Betsy To Wonder Boy: Baseball’s Most Iconic Bats