In a thrilling series finale against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday evening, Aaron Judge etched his name deeper into New York Yankees lore with a jaw-dropping moment that left fans buzzing. The towering outfielder launched a solo home run in the top of the first inning, a 426-foot missile to center field that not only gave the Yankees an early lead but also tied him with legend Yogi Berra for fifth place on the franchise’s all-time home run list with 358.
Judge’s historic blast was more than just a statistic—it was a nod to the storied legacy of the Yankees. Reflecting on the milestone after the game, Judge shared a heartfelt sentiment that revealed the depth of his respect for Berra, one of the greatest to ever don the pinstripes. “When you get a chance to tie one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Yankees in homers, it’s pretty special,” Judge told reporter Chris Kirschner. “The way Yogi played the game, what he meant to the pinstripes, you know how much it meant being a New York Yankee to him. I feel the same way. I’m honored to wear this jersey. It’s pretty cool to be on that list with him.”
Despite Judge’s monumental achievement, the Yankees couldn’t secure the victory, falling 3-2 to the White Sox in a tightly contested matchup. New York claimed three out of four games in the series, but Sunday’s loss stung. The Yankees started strong, holding a 2-1 lead through five innings, powered by Judge’s early homer. However, Chicago battled back with home runs in the sixth and eighth innings, flipping the score and holding on for the win.
The Yankees’ bullpen fought valiantly to keep the game within reach as the offense sputtered. New York’s pitchers allowed just five hits across 29 at-bats, but the two home runs they surrendered proved costly. Starter Luis Gil delivered a solid performance, pitching 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts while giving up four hits and two runs. Reliever Tim Hill, however, took the loss, dropping his record to 4-4.
The loss brought the Yankees’ record to 76-61, keeping them in second place in the AL East, three games behind the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the setback, New York remains a formidable force as they head into their next challenge—a road series against the Houston Astros. Game 1 is set for September 2 at 8:10 p.m. ET, promising another electrifying showdown.
Aaron Judge’s ascent to tie Yogi Berra’s home run mark is a testament to his dominance and his reverence for the Yankees’ storied past. His admission of feeling “honored” to share the spotlight with Berra underscores the humility and pride he brings to the game. As Judge continues to climb the franchise’s record books, fans can’t help but wonder how many more legends he’ll join—or surpass—in the years to come.