Aaron Judge passes DiMaggio with historic home run for Yankees

On September 12, 2025, in Boston, the New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge made headlines by hitting his 362nd career home run, thus surpassing Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio. The historic moment took place during a competitive game against the Boston Red Sox, as both teams jockeyed for playoff positioning in the American League East. This home run was not just significant for Judge personally but also had implications for the Yankees, who were trying to maintain their lead in the division against the Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. Judge's 468-foot shot traveled over Fenway Park’s iconic Green Monster, marking it as the longest home run at the stadium this season. The milestone homer took place just one day after Judge had homered twice to tie DiMaggio in a previous game. The Yankees were aware of the historical significance of the matchup and showcased the rivalry between the two teams, adding extra stakes to the encounter. Judge's achievement boosted his reputation as one of the greatest sluggers in baseball history, further reinforcing his standing in the ongoing American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) race. As of this date, Judge led the major leagues with his remarkable .324 batting average and had already achieved 47 home runs in the seasonal tally. Despite performing exceptionally well, there is a noteworthy competition for the MVP award this season. Judge faces a formidable challenger in Cal Raleigh, who is also having a remarkable season with impressive home run numbers—pushing the boundaries of why and how catchers traditionally perform offensively. As the season approaches its final weeks, the American League MVP race is heating up, presenting Judge with the opportunity to clinch the MVP award for the third time, equaling the accolades of baseball legends like Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle. However, concerns about fatigue from previous wins could impact Judge's chances. In addition, some observers argue that Raleigh's unprecedented performance at the catcher position could steal the spotlight, as he shatters existing home run records for catchers. Judge's ability to maintain his strong hitting amidst these circumstances—and the likelihood that he may not reach the home run totals of his outstanding prior seasons—produces an intriguing narrative as the final stretch of the season unfolds. With just 15 games left for the Yankees, and Judge nursing an elbow injury sustained earlier, the anticipation builds as fans eagerly wait to see how the MVP contention will resolve.