NEW YORK -- The Yankees have long defined themselves by their home run prowess, and for nearly six decades, the top five spots on the all-time franchise list remained untouched.
That changed in the first inning of Tuesday’s 12-2 loss to the Tigers, as Aaron Judge clubbed his 359th career homer, surpassing Yogi Berra (358) for sole possession of fifth place on the club list.
“Passing Yogi, it’s pretty special,” Judge said. “All-time great Yankee, what he meant to this organization. Even when he was done playing, being around, the stories we heard. He’s the definition of a true Yankee. So anytime you’re on a list with a guy like that, it’s pretty remarkable.”
Babe Ruth hit 659 of his 714 home runs in a Yankees uniform, followed by Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493) and Joe DiMaggio (361).
The new name is Judge, who belted a Casey Mize splitter to the back of the right-field bullpen for his 44th home run of the season.
Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Berra had comprised the club’s top five since Aug. 7, 1957, having resided in the same order since July 29, 1966, when Mantle passed Gehrig.
“I actually looked at it on the board, when they slid his name up ahead of Yogi, and Joe DiMaggio is next,” manager Aaron Boone said. “What Aaron’s done in this league and the seasons he’s had, he’s been in some rarified air, obviously.
“There’s been these impressive lists or names that he’s up next to, but when you see a career list like that with this organization and where he is now in the center of it -- it’s pretty awesome.”
It’s fun to imagine how Berra might have reacted. When Johnny Bench passed him for the most homers by a catcher in 1980, Berra sent a telegram that read, in part: “I always thought the record would stand until it was broken.”
Judge understands and appreciates his place in Yankees history.
During his pursuit of Roger Maris’ single-season American League home run record three seasons ago, he spoke frequently about that topic -- a major reason why he re-signed with the club despite larger offers elsewhere.
When he hit his 358th homer in Chicago last week, Judge called Berra “one of the greatest” Yankees ever.
“The way Yogi played the game, what he meant to the pinstripes,” Judge said, “you know how much it meant, being a New York Yankee, to him. I feel the same way. I’m honored to wear this jersey. So it’s pretty cool to be on that list.”
With Judge likely to pass DiMaggio by season’s end, how far can he climb? Mantle’s son, Danny, recently said the family wants Judge to keep belting homers for years to come.
“Judge is my favorite player,” Mantle said. “The guy is incredible, and there’s no telling what he may do on any given night. It’s just a privilege to be able to watch him. I’ve said this several times: I wish my dad was here, because he would love this type of player.”