Aaron Judge, the New York Yankee’s right fielder, has been turning heads since the team drafted him in 2013. He’s already achieved tremendous success, turning in multiple All-Star performances and earning the 2017 American League Rookie of the Year. His size and speed have also made him a dynamic hitter.
This season, every fan is asking the same question: Can Aaron Judge break the clean home run record?
Let’s take a deeper dive and answer that question.
What is the Clean Home Run Record?
The clean home run record is considered to be the single-season home run record of the modern era, meaning it has been achieved without the use of performance-enhancing drugs. It was first set in 1961 by Roger Maris, who hit 61 home runs in a single season. That record stood for 37 years, until Mark McGwire broke it in 1998 with 70 runs.
McGwire, however, was later linked with the use of performance-enhancing drugs. As a result, Maris’s record was reinstated as the record for a clean home run.
Why is Aaron Judge’s Record Attempt Important?
Aaron Judge’s attempt to break the record is more than just an attempt at breaking a number. It’s a marker of the continued integrity of the MLB game. A player who breaks the clean record purely with skill, rather than the aid of PEDs, sends a message that the league is cleaning up its act and taking important steps to ensure the fairness and integrity of the game.
What Factors Facilitate a Record Breaking Performance?
For Aaron Judge to break the clean home run record, a number of factors need to come together. Here are some of the key considerations:
• Quality of Pitch: Judge needs to be challenged with great pitches from pitchers on a consistent basis this season.
• Strength and Focus: Judge needs to stay health, continuing to build strength and focus in order to be successful.
• Team Support: Judge needs the continued support of his team, both on and off the field.
• Biomechanical Functioning: Judge needs to continue to hone his swing mechanics to maintain his momentum.
Can Aaron Judge Break the Record?
The answer is yes. Aaron Judge has the potential to break the clean home run record. To give him the best chance at achieving that goal, he needs a dynamic pitching competition, a quality batting support system, and consistent mechanical improvements. Of course, the ever-present threat of injuries persist, but with the right team support, Judge has the potential to break the record and set a new standard for MLB’s clean home run record.
Aaron Judge has the talent, skill, and potential to break the clean home run record in this upcoming MLB season. It won’t be easy, given the threat of injuries and the dynamic pitching competitions he will face. However, with adequate support from his team and a few adjustments to his swing, Judge can make history and set the new standard for an all-time clean home run record.
