Aaron Judge's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Aaron Judge.

Aaron Judge is a celebrated American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees. A seven-time MLB All-Star and two-time AL MVP, he holds the American League record for most home runs in a single season with 62. His towering stature and powerful hitting ability have solidified his position as one of the premier power hitters and right-handed batters in MLB history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1920: Babe Ruth's Yankees Record

In 1920, Babe Ruth was the first Yankee to hit 40 home runs in a season at age 25 or younger, a milestone later achieved by Aaron Judge.

1921: Babe Ruth's Home Run Record

In 1921, Babe Ruth set the single-season record for most home runs hit by a Yankees player at his home ballpark, a record surpassed by Aaron Judge in 2017.

1921: Babe Ruth's 1921 Season

In 1921, Babe Ruth was one of the players who hit at least 55 home runs and stole at least 15 bases in a single MLB season, a feat Aaron Judge later matched.

1927: Lou Gehrig's Yankees Record

In 1927, Lou Gehrig joined Babe Ruth as one of the only Yankees to hit 40 home runs in a season at age 25 or younger, a milestone later achieved by Aaron Judge.

1932: Tying Jimmie Foxx's Record in 1932

In September 2022, Aaron Judge surpassed Jimmie Foxx's 1932 record for the AL single season record for most home runs by a right handed batter.

1937: Joe DiMaggio's Yankees Record

In 1937, Joe DiMaggio joined Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig as one of the only Yankees to hit 40 home runs in a season at age 25 or younger, a milestone later achieved by Aaron Judge.

1938: Tying Hank Greenberg's Record in 1938

In September 2022, Aaron Judge equaled Hank Greenberg's 1938 record of 11 multiple home run games in an MLB season.

1939: Ted Williams' Rookie Walk Record

In 1939, Ted Williams set the record for the most walks by a rookie in a season, a record surpassed by Aaron Judge in 2017.

1950: Al Rosen's Rookie Walk Record

In 1950, Al Rosen set a record as the first AL rookie with 100 walks in a season, a record broken by Aaron Judge in 2017.

1953: Jim Gilliam's MLB Rookie Walk Record

In 1953, Jim Gilliam was the last rookie in MLB to reach 100 walks in a season before Aaron Judge achieved the same feat in 2017.

1956: Mickey Mantle's Yankees Record

In 1956, Mickey Mantle joined Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio as one of the only Yankees to hit 40 home runs in a season at age 25 or younger, a milestone later achieved by Aaron Judge.

1957: Breaking Ted Williams' Intentional Walks Record

In 2025, Aaron Judge's 36 intentional walks broke Ted Williams' 1957 American League single-season record of 34 intentional walks.

1980: Joe Lefebvre's Home Run Record

In 1980, Joe Lefebvre homered in each of his first two MLB games, a feat matched by Aaron Judge in 2016.

1987: McGwire's 40 Home Runs Record

In 1987, Mark McGwire became the first rookie in MLB history to hit 40 home runs in a season, a feat matched by Aaron Judge in 2017.

1997: Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1997-98 Seasons

In 1997 and 1998, Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the players who hit at least 55 home runs and stole at least 15 bases in a single MLB season, a feat Aaron Judge later matched.

1998: Sammy Sosa's 1998 Season

In 1998, Sammy Sosa was one of the players who hit at least 55 home runs and stole at least 15 bases in a single MLB season, a feat Aaron Judge later matched.

2001: Alex Rodriguez's Single-Inning Home Run Record

In 2025, Aaron Judge broke a tie with Alex Rodriguez's 2001 record for the most first-inning home runs by a player in a single season.

2007: Alex Rodriguez's Home Run Streak

In 2007, Alex Rodriguez had the longest home run streak by a Yankees player, hitting home runs in five consecutive games between September 4-9, a streak tied by Aaron Judge in 2020.

2011: Fresno State Success

In 2011, Fresno State shared the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular-season title, won the WAC Tournament, and qualified for the NCAA Division I baseball tournament, with Judge being named a Freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger.

2012: Curtis Granderson's Strikeout Record

In 2012, Curtis Granderson set the Yankees' record for strikeouts, a record broken by Aaron Judge in 2017.

2012: Mike Trout's Rookie of the Month Streak

In 2012, Mike Trout won four consecutive AL Rookie of the Month awards, setting a precedent that Aaron Judge nearly matched in 2017.

2015: Kris Bryant's Rookie Strikeout Record

In 2015, Kris Bryant set the rookie record for strikeouts, a record broken by Aaron Judge in 2017.

November 6, 2017: Cover Athlete for MLB The Show 18

On November 6, 2017, Aaron Judge was announced as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 18.

2017: AL Home Run Leader

In 2017, Aaron Judge finished the regular season leading the AL in home runs and runs scored, while also setting a major-league rookie record for walks.

2017: Motivation from Past Performance

In 2017, Aaron Judge used his 2016 batting average of .179 as motivation, keeping a note of it on his phone and looking at it daily.

2017: Record-Breaking Home Run and Player of the Month Honors

In June 2017, Aaron Judge set a Statcast record with a 121.1 mph home run, hit a 495-foot home run, was named AL Player of the Week, and then AL Player of the Month, also earning his third consecutive AL Rookie of the Month award.

2017: Postseason Performance

In the 2017 postseason, Aaron Judge hit a home run in the Wild Card Game, robbed a home run in the ALDS, and hit three home runs in the ALCS, but the Yankees lost to the Houston Astros in Game 7. He also set a major league record with 27 strikeouts during the postseason.

August 9, 2018: Exit Velocity Record Broken

On August 9, 2018, Giancarlo Stanton broke Aaron Judge's exit velocity record, launching a home run with an exit velocity of 121.7 miles per hour.

2019: Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award

In 2019, Aaron Judge earned the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for his position as a right fielder, leading the league in defensive runs saved despite playing fewer innings than Cody Bellinger.

November 23, 2021: All-MLB Team Selection

On November 23, 2021, Aaron Judge was named to the First Team of the All-MLB Team as an outfielder, recognizing his performance during the 2021 season.

2021: Shohei Ohtani AP Male Athlete of the Year

In 2022, Aaron Judge edged out Shohei Ohtani, who was the 2021 winner of the AP Male Athlete of the Year award.

December 30, 2022: AP Male Athlete of the Year

On December 30, 2022, Aaron Judge was voted The Associated Press (AP) "Male Athlete of the Year", recognized by sports writers and editors for his outstanding performance.

2022: AL MVP and Home Run Record

In 2022, Aaron Judge won his first MVP award and set the AL single-season home run record, breaking Roger Maris's 61-year-old record.

August 2023: Shoe Deal with Jordan Brand

In August 2023, Aaron Judge signed a shoe deal with Nike's Jordan Brand, becoming the fifth active MLB player to do so.

September 2023: AL Player of the Month Award

In September 2023, Aaron Judge claimed his third AL Player of the Month Award, showcasing his strong performance with a .417/.565/.869 batting line for the month.

March 2024: Ralph Lauren Fragrance Deal

In March 2024, Aaron Judge was named the face of Ralph Lauren's new fragrance, "Polo Est. 67 Eau de Toilette," and its "Design Your Dreams" ad campaign.

2024: Second MVP Award

In 2024, Aaron Judge won his second MVP award by unanimous vote, leading MLB in home runs and OPS and becoming the fastest MLB player to reach 300 career home runs. That postseason, the Yankees won their first AL pennant in 15 years but lost in the World Series.

2024: Breaking His Own Single-Inning Home Run Record

In 2025, Aaron Judge broke his own mark from 2024 for the most first-inning home runs by a player in a single season.

2025: Successful 2025 Season

In 2025, Aaron Judge finished the regular season with a .331 batting average, leading the major leagues and winning his first career batting title. He recorded 53 home runs, 179 hits, and 114 RBI, with 36 intentional walks, breaking the American League single-season record. He was named the AL Player of the Month for September and secured AL Player of the Week honors on September 29.