Who doesn’t love high praise? Especially when it comes from one’s own teammate. That’s what Aaron Judge received from his fellow teammate and New York Yankees pitcher, Gerrit Cole. After the Yankees’ 6-0 win over the Guardians, Cole made a stunning claim that “there’s no one that can compare” to the six-time MLB All-Star Aaron Judge right now, “outside of Bonds.” Cole described it as a “wonderful experience to have him” on his team and to “be around him.” 

This high praise comes for Aaron Judge as he hit his 48th home run. He’s on pace to surpass 60 home runs this year, making it his second year to achieve this milestone. Only two other players have accomplished this in baseball: Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. 

The multifaceted brilliance of Aaron Judge

So what did judge do to deserve such high praise? Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays are a few of the names that immediately come to mind when thinking about baseball excellence. Nonetheless, Aaron Judge is rapidly moving up that list. With his unique combination of stature, strength, and skill, Judge has transformed the Yankees’ lineup. Standing at 6’7″, he is more than just a player—he is a force. But hitting home runs isn’t his only talent; Judge’s intense competitive nature makes him a crucial component in every game.  

Aaron Judge led the New York Yankees to a 6-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday afternoon with his major league-best 48th home run. In the fourth inning, Judge gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead by hitting a 2-1 changeup into the right field bleachers against Guardians starter Gavin Williams (2-6). This was Judge’s third straight game with a home run, his 13th home run in his last 24 games, and his sixth in his last seven games. Judge is now on pace to reach 60 home runs, which would make it the 10th 60-plus homer season in MLB history, including Judge’s own in 2022. 

All these numbers and achievements support the claim made by his fellow teammate and pitcher, Gerrit Cole. However, Cole’s assertion poses an intriguing question: What constitutes greatness? Is it limited to numbers, or is there something more? While the numbers are impressive, Judge’s impact on the game goes beyond that. Every time he steps up to bat, he creates a buzz. Spectators fill the stadium in hopes of witnessing him launch another home run into the bleachers. His unique charisma has led to comparisons with some of the greatest athletes in history. 

Aaron Judge’s comparison with the legends

For many, the most memorable hot streak from their childhood was Sammy Sosa’s run in June 1998. At the height of the steroid era, Sosa and Mark McGwire were both attempting to surpass Roger Maris’ home run record. Both players ultimately hit well above Maris’ 61, with McGwire recording 70 and Sosa slamming 66. The following year, both players again surpassed 61 home runs.

The 32-year-old Judge will likely finish the year with around 315 career home runs, whereas Bonds had already reached 374 and Aaron 442 before they turned 33. Judge reached 300 home runs in fewer games played (955) and at-bats (3,431) than any other player, both by wide margins. However, his relatively late start in the major leagues—he spent three seasons in the minors before attending Fresno State for three years—may hinder him in his quest to catch the all-time greats. The all-time leaders under 33 are Jimmie Foxx (500), Albert Pujols (475), Ken Griffey Jr. (468), and Mickey Mantle (454). Alex Rodriguez made his debut at the age of 18.

One thing is certain as he embarks on the next chapters of his career: nobody is quite like Aaron Judge. He adds new career highlights with every game. Who knows where he might end up in the history books if he keeps going at this rate?