Baseball World Reacts to Roger Maris Jr. Dismissing Barry Bonds Record

He believes that Aaron Judge will have the true home run record if and when he hits No. 62.

On Wednesday, Aaron Judge made history when he hit his 61st home run of the season, tying Roger Maris for the AL record. There has been some debate on whether Maris’s mark is the true single-season home run record because all those who surpassed him have been connected to the MLB’s “Steroid Era.” 

After Judge tied the record, he was greeted by Maris’s son, Roger Maris Jr. Speaking to the media, Maris Jr. shared that he doesn’t believe that Bonds holds the legitimate record and called for baseball to do something while diving into his reasoning. 

“I think it means a lot, not just for me. I think it means a lot for a lot of people,” Maris said. “That he’s clean, he’s a Yankee, he plays the game the right way. I think it gives people a chance to look and somebody who should be revered for hitting 62 home runs … He should be revered for being the actual single-season home run champ. That’s really who he is, if he hits 62. I think that’s what needs to happen, I think baseball needs to look at the records, and I think baseball should do something.”

Roger Maris Jr. on Aaron Judge: "He should be revered for being the actual single-season home run champ. That's really who he is if he hits 62." pic.twitter.com/0uCipHHJkU

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) September 29, 2022

Naturally, his comments caused a spark online since the topic is a controversial one. Here’s some of what the baseball world thought of what he had to say. 

As someone who lived thru Bonds hitting 73 homers, I assure you, it was real. Everyone knew he was on steroids, and no one cared, celebrating him anyway. Just as they did with McGwire, and Sosa. Even Roger Maris Jr. celebrated them at the time.

— Razzball (@Razzball) September 29, 2022

Aaron Judge hitting 61 means something. When he hits 62, that’ll mean something, too. But unless he hits 74, Barry Bonds is still the Home Run King no matter what Roger Maris Jr. says. He don’t get to decide that.

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) September 29, 2022

Someone tell Roger Maris Jr. that real ones know Barry Bonds was a helluva lot better than his daddy ever was

— Ryan Cortes (@Ryan_Cortes) September 29, 2022

Roger Maris Jr. said Judge should be considered HR champion if he hits 62.

Bless his heart, he’s old school & I love him & revere his Dad. But Bonds is the HR champ.

— Gina Muscato (@GinaMuscato) September 29, 2022

More Extra Mustard:

• Blue Jays Fan Upset After Aaron Judge’s 61st HR Hits Glove
• Eli Manning Explains Comment on Russell Wilson’s Contract
• Jays Coach Who Caught Judge’s 61st HR Married to Sara Walsh
• Inside The Pinstripes: Aaron Judge’s 61st Home Run Creates ‘Special Moment of Togetherness’ 

For more New York Yankees coverage, go to Inside The Pinstripes.