Baseball World Debates True Home Run King After Judge Hits No. 62

Some observers consider Aaron Judge the clean home run king because Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are associated with performance-enhancing drugs.

One thing is certain after Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run of the season Tuesday—the American League has a new home run king.

The blast lifted Judge past another famous Yankees outfielder, Roger Maris, giving him sole possession of the AL record.

However, that mark was exceeded six times in the National League during the heyday of the steroid era. Barry Bonds set the MLB record of 73 in 2001. Mark McGwire hit 70 in ’98 and 65 in ’99. Sammy Sosa hit 66 in ’98, 64 in ’01 and 63 in ’99.

By being associated with performance-enhancing drugs, the feats of Bonds, McGwire and Sosa are discredited by some fans who view their accomplishments as tainted.

After Judge connected Tuesday night off Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco, some observers debated the identity of the rightful home run king on social media.

Aaron Judge's 62 home runs is a remarkable achievement.

Barry Bonds' 73 home runs is the record.

There is nothing else to discuss.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 5, 2022

Congratulations to Aaron Judge and his family on Aaron’s historic home run number 62! It has definitely been a baseball season to remember. You are all class and someone who should be revered. For the MAJORITY of the fans, we can now celebrate a new CLEAN HOME RUN KING!!

— Roger Maris Jr (@RogerMarisJr) October 5, 2022

the only home run king. pic.twitter.com/VwhgkFRxSD

— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker2) October 5, 2022

"Aaron Judge is the new home run king"

when the queen died, they didn't make Archie Mountbatten-Windsor the new king. there's like six people ahead of him.

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 5, 2022

Congrats to Aaron Judge becoming the American League single season Home Run King. Bonds holds the HR record but passing 61 is still special. What’s most impressive is Judge banking on himself for a career year and making sure the Yankees will need a Brinks truck to keep him.

— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) October 5, 2022

If you call Aaron Judge the home run king and don't raise an army of mercenaries to sail across the Gulf of Bothnia to depose Barry Bonds and install Judge as the rightful ruler, you don't really mean it.

— Michael Baumann (@MichaelBaumann) October 5, 2022

The MLB, CLEAN, Home Run King! Congrats @TheJudge44 you deserve it. @Yankees should pay you whatever you ask. I will not support a Yankee team without you on it. You are the new captain! https://t.co/VLbPM4QOzn

— Carl Marino (@carlmarino1) October 5, 2022

What a cool accomplishment and an incredible season from Aaron Judge, and it's all so much better if you just appreciate that fact while wholly ignoring anyone who wonders aloud whether Judge is Actually The True Home Run King. (He is not.) https://t.co/SC6mQUpTd4

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) October 5, 2022

We could celebrate the "clean home run king", whatever that means, or we could watch this two minute collage of balanced breakfast Barry Bonds nuking balls out of the park and into the bay https://t.co/FhoxKxnayk pic.twitter.com/eLm3lU2WUT

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) October 5, 2022

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