“I’m looking forward to it.”
Aaron Judge (31, New York Yankees) recognises Shohei Ohtani (29, Los Angeles Angels) for setting the American League single-season home run record in 2022 and becoming the all-time major league home run leader. With 62 home runs in 2022, Jersey became the Yankees’ and American League’s single-season home run leader, surpassing Roger Maris’ 61 in 1961. As a result, he signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees ahead of this season.
What took Jersey 61 years to break, Ohtani could do in a year. In 95 games this season, Ohtani is batting .306 with 111 hits in 363 at-bats, 35 home runs, 76 RBIs, 71 runs scored, a .678 slugging percentage, a .397 OPS and a 1.075 OPS. He was either feared or feared, as he drew four walks against the New York Yankees on 20 July.
Ohtani has hit one home run per 10.37 at-bats this season. Assuming he plays in all 65 of the Angels’ remaining games at that pace, he’ll hit one home run every four at-bats, which is 25.1 home runs per 60 at-bats. If he picks up the pace a bit more, he could surpass Jersey’s 62 homers.
Even Jersey looks at Ohtani with interest. “Records are there to be broken. It’s just a record. If he hits 63 homers, it’s going to be exciting in the major leagues. We’ll see what happens.”
Jersey continued, “It’s fun to watch Ohtani. I don’t want to see him when he’s playing against us, but it’s fun to turn on the TV and see him go eight innings, strike out 10, and hit two home runs. When we get out of here, you wonder what’s going to happen to him.”카지노사이트
Judge isn’t really conscious of his 62 home runs being broken by Ohtani. “If he breaks that record, it will give me an opportunity to go out there and try to do something special. I always want him to be the best, and I’m excited to see him achieve. I’m not too worried about the record right now,” he said.
He also spoke favourably of Ohtani’s unique toe tap. While Jersey typically kicks with his legs, Ohtani uses a toe tap to minimise lower body movement and maximise hip turn. “I tried to move my toes a little bit like he does, but I haven’t mastered it yet. It’s a few years away.”
He even sympathises with the pitchers. “Ohtani does a good job. He has power in all areas of the game. When he’s up to bat, you just don’t want to pitch to him right now,” he said.