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Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Aaron Judge home run debate: Roger Maris’ untainted 61 is real record

Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961, which also happens to be 61 years ago. So perhaps it’s fitting another great Yankee right fielder can break Maris’ home run record, which held for 37 years until both McGwire and Sosa combined with their respective drug dealers to captivate a naïve nation and cheat Maris out of his rightful record. Then Bonds, knowing he was better than McGwire and Sosa combined, and also that he had access to Balco and even better chemicals via Victor Conte, stole the record from Thieves One and Two.

That was a long time ago, back in the steroid era, and we’ve learned a lot since then. Bonds, McGwire and Sosa transformed their bodies into home run machines. Their numbers in those years are a mirage. Their game was a scam.

Everyone knows this, including my esteemed colleague Mike Vaccaro, who in Tuesday’s excellent column on Judge separated the “clean” 50-homer hitters from the “dirty” ones. It’s all in the open now, even if baseball’s powers that be don’t want to completely acknowledge it, and correct what’s obvious to all.

The debate about how Bonds turned himself into a better Babe Ruth in his late-30s, about how Sosa went from a skinny, base-stealing prospect traded for an old DH (Harold Baines) to a North Side hero (for a while, anyway) and about how McGwire transformed from aging and injury prone to a monster who made the old Busch Stadium look tiny ended long ago.

The inflated numbers of these three talented scoundrels are about as legit as Bernie Madoff’s accounting records. We’d be fools to continue pretending their dealers don’t deserve half the credit, or more.

A rebuttal from Mike Vaccaro

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 31, 2022 at 12:26 PM | 59 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: aaron judge, barry bonds, roger maris

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1. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: August 31, 2022 at 12:46 PM (#6093875)

clickbait

2. Dolf Lucky Posted: August 31, 2022 at 12:58 PM (#6093877)

What if Judge is juicing?

3. Jaack Posted: August 31, 2022 at 01:25 PM (#6093880)

Personally, I dont count records from juicers, pre-integration, expansion seasons, or the Marlins.

So here's to Judge beating Ryan Howard's hallowed record of 58.

4. Itchy Row Posted: August 31, 2022 at 01:31 PM (#6093881)

Left-handers are, by definition, evil. The real record is 54 by Jose Bautista and Ralph Kiner.

5. The Yankee Clapper Posted: August 31, 2022 at 01:37 PM (#6093883)

Setting an American League home run record would be quite an accomplishment for Judge, and perhaps it will ring more loudly for those still upset by the controversies associated with Bonds, McGwire & Sosa. However, let’s not lose sight of how difficult 60 HRs in a season, or more, is under any circumstances. If Judge does it, we ought to celebrate the achievement, rather than use it as a vehicle to again refight the PED wars here & elsewhere.

6. cardsfanboy

Posted: August 31, 2022 at 01:54 PM (#6093886)

If Judge does it, we ought to celebrate the achievement, rather than use it as a vehicle to again refight the PED wars here & elsewhere.

More truer words never written (okay that is probably an exaggeration... but I whole heartedly agree with this)

7. Lassus Posted: August 31, 2022 at 02:14 PM (#6093890)

clickbait

Trollbait.

8. cHiEf iMpaCt oFfiCEr JE

Posted: August 31, 2022 at 02:32 PM (#6093893)

Personally, I dont count records from juicers, pre-integration, expansion seasons, or the Marlins.

So here's to Judge beating Ryan Howard's hallowed record of 58.

Agree with Clapper, but this made me smile.

9. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: August 31, 2022 at 02:36 PM (#6093894)

Setting an American League home run record would be quite an accomplishment for Judge, and perhaps it will ring more loudly for those still upset by the controversies associated with Bonds, McGwire & Sosa. However, let’s not lose sight of how difficult 60 HRs in a season, or more, is under any circumstances. If Judge does it, we ought to celebrate the achievement, rather than use it as a vehicle to again refight the PED wars here & elsewhere.

For once, I agree with Clapper.

10. Ithaca2323 Posted: August 31, 2022 at 02:59 PM (#6093901)

Seconding #9.

There really isn't any point in rehashing the PED debate for the umpteenth time. Judge is having a fantastic season. And frankly, I love that he decided to bet on himself, and is then might crank 60+ HR.

I actually feel similarly about the AL MVP debate. Judge is having the season he's having, and Ohtani is *gestures at everything*. The debate quickly devolves into arguing over the DH penalty, roster spot games, etc.

Just appreciating these types of seasons should be enough

11. Darren

Posted: August 31, 2022 at 03:34 PM (#6093909)

Great season, no reason for this nonsense. And Judge over Ohtani for MVP is quite reasonable.

12. John Northey Posted: August 31, 2022 at 03:36 PM (#6093911)

Even as a Jays fan I'm enjoying the Judge race to 60. 60 is still a rare number even with PEDS - Ruth, Maris, Sosa, McGwire, Bonds. That's it over the 100+ years it has been possible (pre 1920 it would've been near impossible with a single ball being used often for full games, spit balls, and a strong 'that is not how you play the game' attitude). A few have come very close but that is it, 5 guys.

13. JJ1986 Posted: August 31, 2022 at 05:16 PM (#6093922)

Even using the strictest standards, there is not enough evidence to throw out Sosa's totals.

14. Booey Posted: August 31, 2022 at 06:42 PM (#6093930)

Yes to all. 60+ would be the most homers in 21 years, and the most in the AL in at least 61 years and possibly ever. That's super cool and worth celebrating in and of itself. No need to ruin it with semantic arguments.

15. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: August 31, 2022 at 08:26 PM (#6093945)

For all the talk about the legitimacy of the steroid era records, the irony is that Maris's record itself wasn't viewed as legit by more than a few people at the time.

16. Rally Posted: August 31, 2022 at 09:09 PM (#6093951)

As an Angels fan, I’d vote for Judge.

The pitcher/hitter thing doesn’t mean he wins automatically. He should win if the total of his pitching + hitting is greater than everyone else. And as of today, by bbref WAR he’s #2 after Judge. The fact that Judge’s team is winning the division and the Angels’ record is pathetic means Judge should get benefit of the doubt if they finish very close to each other.

17. Rally Posted: August 31, 2022 at 09:11 PM (#6093952)

Maris hit 61 homers in 1961 and the record stood for 61 years. If that’s the way it ends, its pretty cool.

18. The Yankee Clapper Posted: August 31, 2022 at 10:02 PM (#6093964)

And as of today, by bbref WAR he’s #2 after Judge.

And the WAR gap is larger at FanGraphs.

19. vortex of dissipation Posted: September 01, 2022 at 12:28 AM (#6093987)

Left-handers are, by definition, evil. The real record is 54 by Jose Bautista and Ralph Kiner.

60 by Wladimir Balentien in 2013.

20. The Duke Posted: September 01, 2022 at 08:02 AM (#6093992)

MVP is not best player or best WAR total. It's the most valuable player and that has to be Judge. He's the guy that's going to make them a first round bye. Full stop. Ohtani is wonderful but the Angels are terrible

21. pikepredator Posted: September 01, 2022 at 08:46 AM (#6093994)

For all the talk about the legitimacy of the steroid era records, the irony is that Maris's record itself wasn't viewed as legit by more than a few people at the time.

I wasn't there but the historical record seems to show that Ruth's accomplishments were denigrated at the time, as well. I always enjoy the retrospective articles where people complain about "kids today" throughout the eras, and it sounds *Exactly* the same 150 years ago as it does today.

It's sad that people are choosing to use Judge's accomplishment to grind an axe that has been dull for well over a decade. Some people love to grumble rather than celebrate greatness, for reasons that are lost on me.

Just with Judge and Ohtani alone it's an exciting time to be a baseball fan - even if it's not such a fab time to be a Red Sox fan, specifically. I'm rooting for Judge to keep putting up BIG numbers, no question about it.

22. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: September 01, 2022 at 09:20 AM (#6093997)

For all the talk about the legitimacy of the steroid era records, the irony is that Maris's record itself wasn't viewed as legit by more than a few people at the time.

I wasn't there but the historical record seems to show that Ruth's accomplishments were denigrated at the time, as well.

As much as I've read about Ruth and his 1927 season, I can't remember anyone knocking his record. On the contrary. Prior to that there'd been complaints about his training habits and his envelope pushing at contract time, but by 1927 about the only criticism of Ruth was more of an aesthetic lament over the demise of "scientific baseball" of the deadball era variety.

23. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 01, 2022 at 11:24 AM (#6094001)

As much as I've read about Ruth and his 1927 season, I can't remember anyone knocking his record. On the contrary. Prior to that there'd been complaints about his training habits and his envelope pushing at contract time, but by 1927 about the only criticism of Ruth was more of an aesthetic lament over the demise of "scientific baseball" of the deadball era variety.

The only thing I remember reading was in regards to his 29 or 54 hr season, in which someone said something like "now that he's set an impossible record, he should return to playing baseball" or something like that, indicating that the hr record was thought of as an outlier season and that it wasn't real baseball.

24. The Mighty Quintana Posted: September 01, 2022 at 11:59 AM (#6094005)

When I watch Judge play, I think to myself...how the hell did he last to pick 32? Not like his skills are subtle, or anything.

25. Lassus Posted: September 01, 2022 at 12:40 PM (#6094013)

I always enjoy the retrospective articles where people complain about "kids today" throughout the eras, and it sounds *Exactly* the same 150 years ago as it does today.

More like 3000 years.

26. Booey Posted: September 01, 2022 at 12:43 PM (#6094016)

The way I see it, Judge hitting 60+ homers is comparable to a batter hitting .400 (back when that was remotely possible), a pitcher winning 30 games (ditto), or Miggy Cabrera winning the first Triple Crown in 45 years. They're all incredibly rare and impressive accomplishments that should be celebrated and enjoyed even if none of them are technically records. A season doesn't need to be an undisputed record in order to be exciting and noteworthy.

27. Booey Posted: September 01, 2022 at 01:06 PM (#6094018)

Judge is lapping the 2nd place HR leader in his league (Yordan Alvarez) by 20 dingers (51-31). Stanton did that back in 2017 (beat Bellinger 59-39), but before that it hadn't been done since Mantle in 1956 (beat Vic Wertz 52-32). For the ML lead, Judge is leading Schwarber by 15 (51-36), a gap that hasn't been seen since Jimmie Foxx beat The Babe 58-41 in 1932, a cool 90 years ago.

He's having an amazing season any way you want to slice it.

28. DanG Posted: September 01, 2022 at 01:46 PM (#6094021)

50-homer seasons in the Testing Era (2005+):

59 2017 Giancarlo Stanton
58 2006 Ryan Howard
54 2010 Jose Bautista
54 2007 Alex Rodriguez
54 2006 David Ortiz
53 2019 Pete Alonso
53 2013 Chris Davis
52 2017 Aaron Judge
51 2022 Aaron Judge
51 2005 Andruw Jones
50 2007 Prince Fielder

29. SandyRiver Posted: September 01, 2022 at 01:50 PM (#6094022)

#15: My recollection (I was 15 that season and a huge fan of Mantle) was that 90% of the carping was due to the season increasing from 154 to 162 games (and Maris had 59 thru 154), with the others lamenting that the Babe's record shouldn't be broken by a .270 hitter.

30. The Yankee Clapper Posted: September 01, 2022 at 02:22 PM (#6094028)

Judge is lapping the 2nd place HR leader in his league (Yordan Alvarez) by 20 dingers (51-31).

Not only that, but the overall offensive climate is down a bit, making Judge’s historically great HR season even more of an accomplishment. He’s ‘on-pace’ for 63, according to the Aaron Judge HR Pace Tracker. There’s also a 4-minute video there of all his HRs this season (my arms got tired just watching him swing), and a link to advice on where to sit to catch a potential Judge HR for his remaining games. No idea if they update that for expected wind conditions.

31. Accent Shallow is still reading xi as squiggle Posted: September 01, 2022 at 02:55 PM (#6094029)

When I watch Judge play, I think to myself...how the hell did he last to pick 32? Not like his skills are subtle, or anything.

Here and here are some posts from River Ave Blues, via the Wayback Machine. One from before the 2013 draft, and the other after the Yankees drafted him.

Any conversation about Judge has to start with his size. He’s listed at 6-foot-7 and 255 lbs., meaning he’s taller than every non-Frank Howard outfielder in baseball history

Judge’s offensive calling card is his huge right-handed raw power, the kind of power that allows him to hit the ball out of any part of any park. He does not always tap into during games, however, because he tends to get under the ball and not create as much loft as he should. The coaches at Fresno State worked to get him more upright in his stance, which contributed to his increased power output as a junior. The power is legitimate 30+ homer type of stuff, but there is work to be done before he carries that over into games.

If he had better contact skills and a chance to hit for more average, he’d have been a top ten pick. Judge is what he is offensively, and that’s a guy whose value at the plate will depend on his ability to tap into that power.

The Yankees have to work with him and help him unleash that power in games so he can realize his full potential, and that potential is exciting. Judge could be a true impact player if things work out. High risk, high reward, so on and so on.

Seems like Judge was seen as a bit of a project.

32. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: September 01, 2022 at 03:17 PM (#6094032)

For all the talk about the legitimacy of the steroid era records, the irony is that Maris's record itself wasn't viewed as legit by more than a few people at the time.

#15: My recollection (I was 15 that season and a huge fan of Mantle) was that 90% of the carping was due to the season increasing from 154 to 162 games (and Maris had 59 thru 154), with the others lamenting that the Babe's record shouldn't be broken by a .270 hitter.

Sandy River,

Right on both counts. I always thought (and still think) that the first complaint was legitimate (what if they'd gone to a PCL 192 game season?), but the second one was completely bogus, and was mostly advanced by the sort of writers (and others) who just didn't see Maris as a worthy successor to the Babe. And the irony there is that many of those writers (and fans) were always finding Mantle himself to be an unworthy successor to Dimaggio. People now recall that Maris was booed in Yankee Stadium (he was, but not in 1961), but what they often forget to mention is that Mantle was the target of similar boos on and off all the way up through 1960.

------------------------

The only thing I remember reading was in regards to his 29 or 54 hr season, in which someone said something like "now that he's set an impossible record, he should return to playing baseball" or something like that, indicating that the hr record was thought of as an outlier season and that it wasn't real baseball.

cfb,

That complaint was voiced after Ruth was dumped by Frazee, and was echoed by (among many) the editor of the 1920 Spalding Base Ball Guide. At that point his record was 29, and his critics were fighting a losing battle against the sort of power-based offense that the Babe had introduced. They said that the Red Sox were lucky to be done with him.

But after 1920 and 1921 even those critics pretty much kept quiet, though when Ruth began having problems with (euphemism alert) curfew they went right back on his case again.

33. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: September 01, 2022 at 03:22 PM (#6094034)

Easy trivia question: Judge homered in his first at bat as a Yankee, immediately following another Yankee rookie who'd also homered in his first plate appearance.

Who was the rookie who preceded Judge in his home run debut feat?

34. Booey Posted: September 01, 2022 at 03:30 PM (#6094037)

#30 - Yep, he's also crushing the AL runner-up in SLG (.664-.597), OPS (1.062-.995), runs scored (104-80), and total bases (312-260), and "only" slightly leading the league in OBP, rbi, and walks. He's having a very sillyball season in a non sillyball era.

Hell, with a .296 avg vs a league leader of .318 (albeit with 5 other guys between them), it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that with a hot September - and a continued Arraez slump - Judge could challenge for the Triple Crown (although Goldschmidt has a better chance).

35. Walt Davis Posted: September 01, 2022 at 04:13 PM (#6094048)

advice on where to sit to catch a potential Judge HR for his remaining games

I'd suggest several rows back in LF on Mon Oct 3 through Wed Oct 5 in Texas. Say hi to BDC. (Note includes a double-header so 4 chances.) Granted, if he's on 59, 60 or 61, the other 4,576 people who show up will be sitting there too.

36. Walt Davis Posted: September 01, 2022 at 04:29 PM (#6094051)

Bill Bryson has an enjoyable book on 1927, mainly focused on Babe's chase of 60 and Lindbergh's flight. Certainly in Bryson's telling the nation was fascinated.

Wondering if Judge had any shot at 400 TB (not really) inspired:

AJ 2022 296/399/664, 104 R, 113 RBI, 20 doubles, 0 triples, 51 HR, 312 TB (31 games to go)
SS 2001 328/437/737, 146 R, 160 RBI, 34 doubles, 5 triples, 64 HR, 425 TB

The rate stat gap and maybe at least some of the TB gap are likely era differences (AJ 199 OPS+; SS 203) but that Sosa season gets too easily overlooked due to Bonds' 73 the same year and of course the controversy. They still pitched to Sosa so he beat Bonds by 17 R, 23 RBI and 14 TB.

37. The Yankee Clapper Posted: September 01, 2022 at 04:49 PM (#6094056)

Who was the rookie who preceded Judge in his home run debut feat?

That would be Tyler Austin, who along with Judge foreshadowed the Yankees return to contender status after the quick but harrowing 2016 rebuild. IIRC, that day’s OmniChatter had a fair number of tongue-in-cheek comparisons to Ruth & Gehrig. Half right isn’t bad in such matters.

38. BDC

Posted: September 01, 2022 at 04:59 PM (#6094057)

Mon Oct 3 through Wed Oct 5 in Texas. Say hi to BDC

I have a ticket for the day game on 10/4! But I will be way up the RF line … and in foul territory. I sit there because it's near the best beer stand.

39. The Yankee Clapper Posted: September 01, 2022 at 05:34 PM (#6094065)

But I will be way up the RF line … and in foul territory. I sit there because it's near the best beer stand.

That’s the BBTF spirit, but if you retain sufficient mobility function, moving anywhere in RF for Judge’s PA should put you well within his range. An AL HR record ball presumably would be worth quite a bit - bring your glove if it’s in play.

40. Dog on the sidewalk has an ugly bracelet Posted: September 01, 2022 at 05:53 PM (#6094073)

That would be Tyler Austin, who along with Judge foreshadowed the Yankees return to contender status after the quick but harrowing 2016 rebuild. IIRC, that day’s OmniChatter had a fair number of tongue-in-cheek comparisons to Ruth & Gehrig. Half right isn’t bad in such matters.

Early in the 2017 season, I dissuaded a normie friend of mine from picking up Judge in our fantasy league, because he struck out too much, and the projections weren't buying into his early hot streak. He was never a likely convert, but all hope was lost after that.

41. Sweatpants Posted: September 01, 2022 at 07:39 PM (#6094093)

The rate stat gap and maybe at least some of the TB gap are likely era differences (AJ 199 OPS+; SS 203) but that Sosa season gets too easily overlooked due to Bonds' 73 the same year and of course the controversy. They still pitched to Sosa so he beat Bonds by 17 R, 23 RBI and 14 TB.

Sosa also beat Bonds by 2 IBB. It wasn't until the next year that pitchers began intentionally walking Bonds at never-before-seen rates.

42. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: September 01, 2022 at 07:46 PM (#6094096)

I think at this stage Judge deserves the MVP, however

MVP is not best player or best WAR total. It's the most valuable player and that has to be Judge. He's the guy that's going to make them a first round bye. Full stop. Ohtani is wonderful but the Angels are terrible

You're basically saying Judge should win it because he has better teammates. This is the thing we all rage about and here you are posting this. So if Ohtani was with NY and Judge with the Angels, would you be inclined to give the MVP to Ohtani because He's the guy that's going to make them a first round bye. Full stop even though Judge too is having an historic season and leads in WAR(both flavours)

43. ReggieThomasLives Posted: September 01, 2022 at 08:12 PM (#6094100)

If only Ohtani would quit his lazy approach to pitching and start taking every Angels start only then he would have the work ethic Judge shows every day.

44. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: September 01, 2022 at 09:23 PM (#6094121)

Who was the rookie who preceded Judge in his home run debut feat?

That would be Tyler Austin, who along with Judge foreshadowed the Yankees return to contender status after the quick but harrowing 2016 rebuild. IIRC, that day’s OmniChatter had a fair number of tongue-in-cheek comparisons to Ruth & Gehrig. Half right isn’t bad in such matters.

It seems like 100 years ago that the Big Time rookie callup in 2016 was the stiff to end all stiffs, Gary Sanchez. 20 home runs and 3.0 WAR in 53 games, and then 8.7 WAR total in the 5 years after that.

45. Walt Davis Posted: September 01, 2022 at 11:31 PM (#6094141)

Are we letting SoSH (or is it Jose?) off the hook for Clint (now Jackson) Frazier? :-)

I assume I had my doubts about Judge due to his K-rate too. In my defense, I probably said something like "he'll have to hit a Ruthian 400/800 on contact" so ... not wrong! :-)

46. SoSH U at work Posted: September 02, 2022 at 12:00 AM (#6094142)

Are we letting SoSH (or is it Jose?) off the hook for Clint (now Jackson) Frazier? :-)

Jose is the Primate with the Frazier fetish.

47. Pat Rapper's Delight (as quoted on MLB Network) Posted: September 02, 2022 at 01:47 AM (#6094147)

I sit there because it's near the best beer stand.

This is a fan who has his priorities in the right order.

That’s the BBTF spirit, but if you retain sufficient mobility function, moving anywhere in RF for Judge’s PA should put you well within his range. An AL HR record ball presumably would be worth quite a bit - bring your glove if it’s in play.

I've got $25 to BDC if he spills a significant quantity of beer on Zack Hample in a scrum for a Judge HR ball.

48. The Yankee Clapper Posted: September 02, 2022 at 02:20 PM (#6094208)

So how much more would an Aaron Judge AL record home run ball be worth if BDC catches it in his beer cup? My guess is 20%, not counting the endorsement deal with the beer company.

49. BDC

Posted: September 02, 2022 at 07:30 PM (#6094251)

I will put it on Etsy sealed in the original beer it fell into.

50. Eric J can SABER all he wants to Posted: September 02, 2022 at 09:20 PM (#6094265)

Maris's '61 is obviously memorable for the 61 homers, but the low batting average stands out to me... not because it made him undeserving, or any of that nonsense, but because you'd assume a high-HR, low-BA hitter would strike out a lot. Maris didn't; in 1961 he struck out only 67 times (22 fewer than Ruth did in '27, on his way to hitting .356). So what's up with that?

Roger Maris in 1961 had a BABIP of .209. His career average was quite low (.254, 22 points below league average for the time), but .209 is 27 points worse than his second-lowest figure. Not sure if there's an option out there to find the lowest BABIP figures for full-time players, but I have to think Maris in '61 would rank quite high (or low) on the list.

51. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 02, 2022 at 09:25 PM (#6094266)

Roger Maris in 1961 had a BABIP of .209. His career average was quite low (.254, 22 points below league average for the time), but .209 is 27 points worse than his second-lowest figure. Not sure if there's an option out there to find the lowest BABIP figures for full-time players, but I have to think Maris in '61 would rank quite high (or low) on the list.

babip is a stat that you can sort in stathead, so if you have it, it's easy enough to figure out based upon the criteria (pa) of your choice

52. Eric J can SABER all he wants to Posted: September 02, 2022 at 10:09 PM (#6094268)

I don't have Stathead, but a quick search allowed me to answer my own question anyway: Per this article from Fangraphs, Maris's 1961 had the 10th-lowest BABIP of any qualifying season between 1946 and 2012.

53. depletion Posted: September 03, 2022 at 12:32 PM (#6094290)

Even using the strictest standards, there is not enough evidence to throw out Sosa's totals.

I'm kind of with you on this, jj. Sosa never failed a test and never was caught communicating with a known dealer or "lab". According to Wiki, the NYT reported that unnamed attorneys reported he had failed a test. Pretty weak. I acknowledge it "looks bad" when a player goes from 40 to 66 home runs, but other players from that era have gotten a pass on gaudy numbers that they put up (pick one or more from Piazza, I-Rod, Walker, Thomas, Randy Johnson).

54. Howie Menckel Posted: September 03, 2022 at 02:29 PM (#6094296)

Sosa's use of a corked bat doesn't enhance his case of being a "clean" player.

would be interesting if a player was willing to cheat, but when it comes to PEDs....

to paraphrase Meat Loaf, "I would do anything to cheat, but I WON'T DO THAT!"

55. SoSH U at work Posted: September 03, 2022 at 02:50 PM (#6094300)

would be interesting if a player was willing to cheat, but when it comes to PEDs....

I don't really think it would be that difficult to find someone willing to do one without the other. A guy may be perfectly willing to doctor his equipment but he doesn't want to doctor his body for fear of side effects/legal consequences/etc.

56. Moeball Posted: September 03, 2022 at 08:02 PM (#6094354)

I know it's fashionable to bash the roiders (isn't that a news service?) and pretend we didn't cheer them on BITD, but I'm willing to admit I went to games 2 hours early just to watch McGwire launch balls further into orbit than anyone else I ever saw hit a baseball. Did I suspect he was juiced? Yeah, I was pretty sure he was getting help from his chemistry set. Did I really care all that much? Nope. Damn it was fun watching him pulverize baseballs.

57. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 03, 2022 at 10:04 PM (#6094405)

I know it's fashionable to bash the roiders

Around here, most of us are ambivalent to roiders, if the league didn't care, why should we? (and even the roid bashers around here, outside of a couple, usually have reasonable degree arguments)

But yes, back in the day, the majority of the fans rooted for the power numbers and didn't care how they happened until after the fact. Then they got righteous.

58. The Yankee Clapper Posted: September 04, 2022 at 12:27 AM (#6094431)

After Judge’s HR tonight, he’s on pace for 63 this season:

Judge is on pace for 63 home runs. That would be one homer every 2.6 team games over the Yankees' final 29.
. . .
In 1961, Maris hit 51 home runs in the Yankees' first 133 games, the '22 club's current total. That was a rate of one every 2.6 team games. He hit 10 homers the rest of the way in the team's final 30 games, as they played 163 with an early-season tie. That's a rate of one every three team games.
. . .
Most HR in a season -- with totals through 133 team games:

2001 Barry Bonds: 73 -- 56
1998 Mark McGwire: 70 -- 54
1998 Sammy Sosa: 66 -- 52
1999 Mark McGwire: 65 -- 51
2001 Sammy Sosa: 64 -- 52
2022 Aaron Judge: 63 (current pace) -- 52
1999 Sammy Sosa: 63 -- 57
1961 Roger Maris: 61 -- 51
1927 Babe Ruth: 60 -- 47

That HR was also career HR #210, passing Jason Giambi for 12th place on the Yankees Career HR Leaderboard.

59. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: September 04, 2022 at 10:04 AM (#6094438)

The real record is 49...hit by George Wright for the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, ya young whippersnappers...!

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Aaron Judge home run debate: Roger Maris’ untainted 61 is real record

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