Aaron Judge turned down $213.5m. Now he’s on his way to a home-run record

Aaron Judge started 2022 by turning down a seven-year, $213.5m contract extension from the New York Yankees. That deal would have given the now 30-year-old one of the largest contracts in MLB history. But Judge thought he was worth more, opting to play out this season and see what he could fetch in free-agency. In an era in which the phrase “bet on yourself” has become ubiquitous, perhaps nobody placed a larger bet than Judge. And that bet is paying dividends.

.@TheJudge44 is not slowing down. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/vc4CvLZ6xY

On Monday against the Minnesota Twins, Judge launched his 54th home run of the season, the latest installment in a special campaign from the 6ft 7in, 280lb right fielder. Judge’s effort puts him on track to finish the season with 64 home runs, which would take him past the American League record of 61, set by fellow Yankee Roger Maris in 1961. Beyond that is MLB-record territory, where the murky, steroid-bound legacies of Barry Bonds (73 home runs in 2001), Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa (70 and 66 respectively in 1998) are the subject of endless fan debate.

It isn’t just the use of steroids that has caused controversy when it comes to home run records. Maris was criticized for achieving his record in a longer season than the previous record holder, Babe Ruth, played in. And Ruth’s own mark was achieved in a pre-integration MLB, where the best black players were forced to play in the Negro Leagues.

Judge’s achievements are notable because they’re happening in an otherwise down year for home runs. The next closest player to Judge, Kyle Schwarber, has hit 18 fewer home runs, sitting at an otherwise respectable 36. Nobody can accuse Judge of being lucky either; he is hitting the ball harder than