Aaron Judge stands out as the sole player in a pinstripe uniform with the potential to join the legendary ranks of Yankees like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, and Yogi Berra.
With all due respect, Derek Jeter couldn’t quite enter this elite circle, despite being a key figure in five World Series victories over his 19-plus years in the Bronx.
The number of career hits Jeter achieved—3,465, the highest in Yankees history and sixth overall in Major League Baseball—holds little significance without the accompanying accolades.
The opening chapter of Judge’s legacy will highlight his American League record of 62 home runs in 2022, his 58-homer season in 2024, and his impressive regular-season performances that continue to unfold for this exceptional 32-year-old, who appears to improve with each passing year.
However, there are no moments in Judge’s career that compare to Jeter’s iconic leadoff home run in Game 4 of the 2000 Subway Series at Shea Stadium, nor can they rival Jeter’s game-winning home run in the 10th inning of Game 4 of the 2001 World Series against Arizona.
If Judge has had any notable postseason moments, they are scarce—a mere drop in the bucket. He is arguably the most significant natural offensive talent since Mantle’s prime over sixty years ago. This season, Judge’s bWAR of 11.7 has only been surpassed by Ruth five times and Barry Bonds once, despite the controversy surrounding Bonds.
