Aaron Judge Blasts Record-Chasing Homer: Full Highlights, Reactions & What It Means for the Yankees

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge added another bullet point to an already Hall-of-Fame résumé on Saturday night, belting the 350th home run of his career in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs. The blast made the New York Yankees captain the fastest player in Major League history to reach the mark, doing so in just 1,098 games—192 games quicker than previous record-holder Mark McGwire. Judge’s milestone shot, a 110-mph rocket to right-center off reliever Brad Keller, was also his 35th homer of 2025, putting the 32-year-old firmly on pace for his second 60-plus-homer season and another serious run at AL MVP. “You enjoy it for a moment,” Judge said post-game, “but we’re here to win ballgames. The record is special; the loss stings more.” The Yankees ultimately fell, 5-2, yet the crowd of 45,317 at Yankee Stadium gave Judge a prolonged standing ovation as he rounded the bases. HIS GLOVE IS TALKING, TOO Judge’s historic swing came less than 24 hours after a three-play defensive masterclass in an 11-0 Bronx blowout of Chicago. On Friday, the 6-foot-7 right fielder robbed rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong of a home run with a leaping grab at the wall, then added two full-extension dives that stole hits from Dansby Swanson and Kyle Tucker. “That’s why he’s the face of the sport,” starter Carlos Rodón said. “He changes the game with one swing or one jump.” FASTEST TO EVERY MILESTONE • 100 HR: Judge — 371 games (fastest in AL history) • 200 HR: Judge — 671 games (MLB record) • 300 HR: Judge — 944 games (MLB record) • 350 HR: Judge — 1,098 games (MLB record) With the All-Star break looming and Judge already set to start in right field for the American League in Atlanta, teammate Juan Soto believes the best is yet to come. “He’s locked in earlier than last year,” Soto noted. “Pitchers can’t hide.” PENNANT IMPLICATIONS New York (58-34) clings to a 1.5-game lead over Baltimore in the AL East, but the lineup has sputtered without injured DH Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring). Judge’s power surge—nine homers in his last 14 games—has masked the dip, and his newfound outfield range is lowering the Yankees’ staff ERA by nearly half a run when he patrols right field. WHAT’S NEXT Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Judge will get Sunday off before the series finale. The Yankees open a crucial four-game set with the Phillies on Monday, and Judge needs just 15 more homers to become the third player ever with multiple 50-plus-homer seasons before age 33. KEYWORDS: Aaron Judge, 350th home run, fastest to 350, New York Yankees, MLB record, Cubs vs. Yankees, defensive gems, AL MVP race, Yankee Stadium, All-Star Game