'CLEAN HOME RUN KING': Roger Maris Jr. Congratulates Aaron Judge on 62nd Home Run

Maris Jr. tweeted that Judge is the new home run king, doubling down on his previous comments about steroids impacting the record books.

Max Goodman | Oct 4, 2022

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New York Yankees

When Aaron Judge whacked his 61st home run of the year in Toronto last week, tying Roger Maris for the most homers in a single season in American League history, Maris' son triggered a debate on social media with his comments about steroids and baseball's record books.

Maris Jr. said Judge should be revered and celebrated as the single-season home run champ that night, adding that sluggers Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa—who were all connected to performance enhancing drugs—are illegitimate.

After Judge broke his tie with Maris, belting his 62nd home run at Globe Life Field in Texas on Tuesday night, Maris Jr. doubled down, tweeting the following:

"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!!"

Maris Jr. had previously posted on Twitter that "baseball should consider making two separate home run records. PED home runs and home runs."

That's the beauty of the debate. Some fans may consider Judge's 62nd home run the record. Others may side with the PED era, giving Bonds credit for the home run record.

Regardless of what Bonds, McGwire and Sosa did behind the scenes, and all opinions on the steroid era, Judge's season will go down as one of the best in baseball history. Further, Judge now holds the franchise record, hitting more home runs in a single season than any other player in the history of this illustrious franchise. Those two facts are indisputable.

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Published Oct 4, 2022

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.