Derek Jeter was as excited as the rest of the baseball world to watch Aaron Judge launch his historic 61st home run.
“Yes!!! @TheJudge44,” the former Yankees captain tweeted after the outfielder deposited a sinker from Blue Jays pitcher Tim Mayza in the Toronto bullpen in the top of the seventh for the go-ahead two-run homer in the Yankees’ 8-3 win at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night.
The blast tied Judge with Roger Maris for the Yankees and American League single-season home run record. Judge also will look to put his name alone in the history books when the Yankees return to The Bronx on Friday to face the Orioles.
Jeter is no stranger to chasing and passing Yankees legends for franchise records. The five-time World Series champion is the Yankees’ all-time hits leader – a record previously held by Lou Gehrig.
Another former Yankees, Jim Leyritz, also lauded Judge’s moment.
“Congrats Aaron Judge tying Roger Maris,” he tweeted. “Break the record at home is appropriate. Good luck. I will be there friday rooting you on.”
