Judge Joins Very Exclusive Club
As the Yankees rookie aims for Mark McGwire’s rookie HR record, he’s approached a remarkable milestone.
Going into the all-star break, it seemed as if Aaron Judge was going to shatter McGwire’s 1987 rookie record of 49 home runs. Given Judge’s slow start since the Mid-Summer’s Classic, it may be more of a challenge for the New York Yankees’ rising star. Even if he does not surpass Big Mac’s record, the mere stat of hitting 35 home runs in a season puts Judge on a limited list of exceptional rookies.
After lining a three-run homer in yesterday’s win over the Indians, Judge has 35 home runs, with nearly two months to go in the regular season. The other rookies who have slugged 35 homers in their rookie season is a varied mix of flash in the pan sluggers to Hall of Fame players.
Ron Kittle — 35, 1983
As a member of the “Winning Ugly” Chicago White Sox, Kittle was instrumental in the team taking the Western Division title with a 99–63 record. For Kittle, who was a 25-year-old rookie, it seemed unlikely for him to show this kind of production. Formerly in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, he broke his neck in the minor leagues, forcing him to undergo spinal fusion surgery. Working as a construction worker, he caught on with the White Sox organization.
White Sox fans fell in love with the Gary, Indiana native. His moon shot home runs gave Chicago a quartet of power of Kittle, Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk, and Greg Luzinski. He took that season’s Rookie of the Year Award. Though back injuries limited his longevity in the league, for a brief moment, Kittle was a star slugger.
Rudy York — 35, 1937
Detroit Tigers manager Mickey Cochrane had a dilemma with Rudy York. Cochrane had a hard time finding a position for his talented young hitter. York was a poor defender on a team that already had Hank Greenberg at first base. Cochrane tried York at every other position imaginable. Regardless of what defensive position he played, Cochrane desperately wanted York’s bat in the lineup.
Once York became an everyday player in June of 1937, his hitting made up for his defensive deficiencies. His 18 home runs in August tried to push the Tigers closer to the eventual World Series Champion Yankees. York would be named to seven all-star teams and be one of the league’s best home run hitters well into the 1940s.
Hal Trosky — 35, 1934
This Cleveland Indians slugger had the potential to be a superstar but instead quickly faded out of the game. Trosky was a model of consistency in 1934, posting no more than seven home runs a month, but finished fourth in the American League for slugging behind Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Hank Greenberg.
Trosky boasted great numbers for his career despite suffering from blinding migraine headaches. After nearly being hit by pitch, a distraught Trosky, unable to see the ball clearly, turned to his manager and said, “a fellow can’t go on like this forever.” Shortly afterward Trosky retired at age 28. After two later attempts to return to baseball, first in 1944 and then in 1946, Trosky ended his playing career by the age of 33.
Mike Piazza — 35, 1993
With the wealth of prospects the Dodgers had in the 90s, Mike Piazza was by far their greatest success. A 62nd round pick up, done only as a favor to Tommy Lasorda, Piazza was a long shot to ever play in a major league game. The fact he exploded on the scene in 1993, winning the Rookie of the Year Award and the Silver Slugger, is even more remarkable.
Piazza established himself as a one the game’s greatest hitting catchers. He was a terror to opposing pitchers, but more so against lefties. In 1993, his 1.032 OPS and 13 HR against southpaws in 159 plate appearances proved that he was the real deal. In the final series of the regular season, Piazza, in the above clip, dashed the San Francisco Giants hopes of an NL West title.
Jose Abreu — 36, 2014
The Cuban slugger is the oldest rookie on this list. Even older than Kittle, Abreu was 27 when he debuted with the Chicago White Sox. His dynamic debut culminated in him leading the league in slugging, a unanimous Rookie of the Year vote, and a Silver Slugger.
Abreu immediately proved he could handle major league pitching by slugging 10 home runs during the months of March/April of 2014, tying the rookie record. Since then he’s been an invaluable power piece for the currently rebuilding White Sox.
Al Rosen — 37, 1950
Al Rosen’s rise to prominence in 1950 was delayed due to a few circumstances. Another older rookie, age 26, in his first full season, Rosen’s playing career was initially halted due to World War II. After leaving the Navy, it was the Cleveland Indians established all-star third baseman Ken Kelter blocking Rosen. The Indians gave Rosen limited playing time from 1947 to 1949. As Kelter started to decline, Rosen pounced on the chance, leading the league in home runs and a solid .948 OPS.
The 1953 American League MVP was a key player for the early 50's Indians team constantly battling the Yankees for the pennant. Injuries stunted Rosen’s playing career, as he called it quits following the 1956 campaign. Done with playing at age 32, Rosen eventually found his way back into baseball as an executive with the Yankees, Astros, and Giants. He became the first person to win an MVP award and the National League Executive of the Year.
Albert Pujols — 37, 2001
For future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, his 37 bombs in 2001 seem so secondary to the insane stats he posted in his Rookie of the Year campaign. With 194 hits, 112 runs, 130 RBI, Pujols’s numbers are obscene. If Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa were not posting their outrageous numbers that season, Pujols would have had an even better argument for the MVP.
Wally Berger — 38, 1930
As one of the National League’s best sluggers during the 1930's, Berger set the rookie home run mark that stood for 57 years. Berger also set the mark for the fastest rookie to hit 20 home runs, which he did in 51 games.
During the 1936 season, it seemed as Berger was destined to be a legendary home run hitter. A shoulder injury led to a trade to the New York Giants and inconsistent appearances in the lineup. When Berger was installed in the lineup he felt out of rhythm. He eventually retired in 1940 when the Philadelphia Phillies released him and his only option was in the Pacific Coast League. Berger lost the love of the game after going down to the minor leagues.
Frank Robinson — 38, 1956
Bursting on the scene as a 20-year-old rookie, Cincinnati’s Frank Robinson started his Hall of Fame career by tying Berger’s rookie home run mark in route to a Rookie of the Year winning season. By mid-season Robinson looked like an established veteran as he slugged 11 home runs in August.
It still ridiculous the Reds front office traded Robinson to Baltimore in 1965. Despite the Reds need for pitching, it’s hard to imagine Milt Pappas (during his best seasons) being adequate value for a superstar player like Frank Robinson.
Mark McGwire — 49, 1987
Regardless of anyone’s stance on McGwire’s steroid use, he will always be synonymous with this record and his career at-bat to home run ratio of 10.61, to this writer. Big Mac defined the home run during his playing days. He more than deserved the Rookie of the Year Award with how he was crushing American League pitching.
McGwire was consistent with his power, slugging nine or more homers in four of the six months in 1987. His best month being May where he cranked out 15 homers in 91 at-bats.
It will be interesting to see how this season will play out for Judge. If he puts out home run numbers like how McGwire did in ’87, he will more than likely eclipse the rookie record. I wonder how often we will see more rookies reach this mark with the higher emphasis on launch angles? Only time will tell.
