Aaron Judge sat out of the final regular season game of the 2024 season and that marked the end of a historic stretch. The series finale against Pittsburgh Pirates was forced into a rain delay and hence Aaron Boone thought it was wise enough to keep Judge out of the formality game.
That being said, Aaron Judge’s 158-game stretch numbers were still significant enough to place him at the top of several offensive metrics. Besides leading the league in home runs and OPS, the Yankees captain also unlocked a historic analytical milestone that places him in an elite category of former legends.
Aaron Judge Finishes Regular Season With Highest wRC+
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has once again etched his name in the history books, delivering a probable MVP-winning season in 2024. His outstanding performance not only helped the Yankees secure the top seed in the American League playoffs with a 94-68 record, but it also solidified his status as one of the greatest power hitters of this generation. Meanwhile, Judge, the clear favorite for the AL MVP, has had a sensational season. He hit .322 while leading the league with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs. His 180 hits and 10 stolen bases rounded out an all-around incredible campaign. He also led the league in walks (133) and on-base percentage (.458), highlighting his profound discipline at the plate.
If Aaron Judge wins the MVP, it will be his second in the last three years, with his first coming in 2022, a season in which he set the all-time high home run record with 62 long hits. Beyond traditional stats, Judge’s 2024 season also stands out in analytical metrics. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Judge posted a wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) of 218, the highest ever by a right-handed hitter with a minimum of 500 plate appearances. This remarkable achievement surpasses legends like Rogers Hornsby (214) and his own 2022 performance (206). In fact, the Yankee captain’s 218 wRC+ ranks among the all-time greats, placing him seventh on the list for players with at least 500 plate appearances. Notable players such as Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams are the only ones ahead of him, which is a prime reflection of the historic nature of his season.
Judge Reveals What Fuelled Yankees’ To Clinch AL-East Division
After missing the playoffs in 2023 due to Aaron Judge’s injury, the New York Yankees came roaring back this season to subsequently clinch the AL-East division and a playoff berth. With a stadium packed with 42,022 Bronx fans cheering, the Yanks achieved their goal and reignited their pursuit of a 28th championship ring.
Meanwhile, Aaron Judge revealed that the 2023 season failure was a key factor fuelling the New York Yankees’ hunger this year. “This team was hungry. It goes back to not making the playoffs last year. That was just enough fuel for this team,” Judge said. With a 94-68 record, the Yanks finish with the best record in AL.
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