Aaron Judge makes more home run history, becomes fastest to 250 – The Denver Post

HOUSTON — Aaron Judge made more home run history on Friday night, becoming the fastest player to reach 250 longballs.

Judge secured the milestone in the 810th game of his career when he crushed a Justin Verlander pitch to the train at Minute Maid Park. The fifth-inning solo shot traveled 426 feet and gave the Yankees extra padding in a 6-2 win over the Astros.

Prior to Judge, Ryan Howard had been the fastest player to reach 250 homers, as he did so in 855 games. After Friday’s game, Judge thought it was cool to topple the Phillies great, although he mostly downplayed his latest feat.

“It’s great,” Judge said. “I really don’t think about it. I don’t think it means too much. Doing it in a win, I think, means more. But when you see the guys that are on the list, especially Ryan Howard, who is one of the greatest power hitters and left-handed hitters in the game, it’s pretty cool to be on that list.”

Then he added, “Just another day.”

While Judge didn’t show too much excitement following a game that was more about the Yankees’ youth, fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton praised his teammate’s accomplishment. Stanton needed 941 games to reach 250 homers, putting him seventh on the list that Judge referenced.

“Not surprised,” said Stanton, who is one home run shy of 400 for his career after launching a two-run moonshot on Friday. “Obviously, from the years that I played with him and watching him his rookie year, it’s just incredible what he’s been able to do. And, you know, he’ll be fastest to 300 and 350 and just continue on.”

Judge is no stranger to resetting home run records. He established new single-season benchmarks for the Yankees and the American League when he clubbed 62 dingers last season. That performance helped him win his first MVP award before signing a nine-year, $360 million contract in free agency.

Judge entered Saturday’s game batting .265/.392/.622 with 30 home runs and 57 RBI this season despite missing nearly two months with a torn ligament in his right big toe, an injury that has not fully healed yet.

()