Judge on Ohtani possibly breaking his AL home run mark: ‘Records are meant to be broken’
ANAHEIM, Calif. — It took 61 years for Roger Maris’ American League season house run file to be damaged. Aaron Judge‘s maintain on the mark might be ended by Shohei Ohtani after one yr.
“Records are meant to be broken, It would be exciting for the game if he we went out there and got 63-plus. So, we’ll see what happens,” Judge mentioned on Wednesday earlier than the Yankees confronted the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani went into Wednesday with 35 homers in 93 video games, on tempo to hit 60. Judge hit 62 final yr, yet one more than Maris in 1961.
Ohtani set an Angels file with 15 house runs in June and went deep thrice in his first 5 video games following the All-Star break. Judge mentioned the largest hurdle is extra psychological than bodily.
“Physically even like Shohei he can hit 100 home runs, 80 home runs. He’s got that type of talent just like so many other guys in this league, But it’s moments like that, it’s about just mentally being able to block out the noise or lack of noise in those moments,” Judge mentioned.
When it got here to evaluating swings, Judge mentioned the largest distinction is that he does a leg raise.
“Both of our feet are touching the ground after I do my leg lift and he does a toe tap. We kind of get in similar positions, but he does a good job really coiling around his back hip and just getting a strong position to hit from, just like I try to do on a daily basis,” Judge mentioned. “I think if you look around the league and all the good hitters, you know, some toe tap, some leg lifts, some don’t stride at all, but I think you can kind of cut each swing at a specific moment, we all kind of get in the same position. That’s why I like getting the chance to watch him.”
Judge and Ohtani confirmed their energy throughout a three-game collection final yr in Anaheim when each had two house runs. Judge has been sidelined since June 3, when he tore a ligament in his proper huge toe.
In 49 video games this season, Judge is batting .291 with 19 homers and 40 RBIs. He ran the bases on Wednesday earlier than speaking to Japanese and LA-based reporters. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned Judge continues to make regular progress, however there nonetheless isn’t a timetable on his return.
“The fact that he’s able to run the bases and do these different things is important. As long as he can continue to progress like he has with a low pain sensitivity to it, he should be in a good spot,” Boone mentioned.
