Aaron Judge Channels DiMaggio, Rising to Yankees’ Big Moments

On a day heavy with meaning for New York City, Aaron Judge put on a show that fans won’t soon forget. He dominated at the plate and led with purpose.

The anniversary of September 11 brought extra emotion to Yankee Stadium. The Yankees faced the Detroit Tigers, and the night included a high-profile guest—former President Donald Trump.

It’s rare for a sitting president to visit the Bronx. Only Warren Harding in 1923 and George W. Bush in 2001 had done it before.

Trump met Judge before the game, joking about the slugger’s insane power. Maybe he jinxed it—in a good way—because Judge put on a display later that night.

Judge Delivers on the Big Stage

After the stadium’s moving pregame ceremonies for 9/11, Judge stepped up to the plate. Fans held their breath.

By the end, he’d blasted two home runs and tied Joe DiMaggio with 361 career homers—now fourth on the Yankees’ all-time list. Earlier in the week, Judge had already passed Yogi Berra, so only Lou Gehrig (493), Babe Ruth (659), and Mickey Mantle (536) stand ahead of him.

A Night of Symbolism and Resilience

This game meant more to Judge than just stats. He’s always spoken up about the importance of remembering September 11—not just for its tragedy, but for the unity and grit it inspired in New York and across the country.

Judge made sure his teammates paid attention during the tributes. The stadium honored first responders and paused for moments of silence.

Echoes of Iconic Post-9/11 Moments

Judge’s home runs reminded plenty of fans of Mike Piazza’s emotional homer for the Mets in 2001, just after the attacks. There’s something about those swings—like they carry a bit of hope and healing, not just for the team but for the whole city.

Climbing the Yankees’ Historic Leaderboards

Judge’s night wasn’t just about the moment. Statistically, he made a serious dent in the record books.

It was his 45th career multi-homer game, putting him just one behind Mickey Mantle for second all-time with the Yankees. Babe Ruth is still way up there, but Judge is closing in fast.

• 4th all-time in Yankees home runs with 361, tied with Joe DiMaggio
• Surpassed Yogi Berra earlier in the week
• One multi-homer game shy of Mickey Mantle’s mark
• Still chasing Lou Gehrig’s 493 and Babe Ruth’s 659

Boone’s Praise for the Captain

Manager Aaron Boone didn’t mince words after the game. He said Judge always steps up when it matters most.

Boone called him the Yankees’ captain and the face of New York sports—a title that’s not handed out lightly in this city.

Why This Game Will Be Remembered

The box score shows another Yankees victory and two more home runs for Aaron Judge. But honestly, the night meant so much more than numbers on a page.

It was this rare mix: baseball history, civic pride, and real emotion. A presidential visit, a solemn anniversary, and Judge chasing records all collided in one game—pretty wild when you think about it.

Judge keeps proving he’s one of the era’s most dominant hitters. Yet, what stands out is how he gets the bond between team, city, and history.

On a night when New York looked back, Judge gave everyone a reminder—strength doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes, it’s just the sound of a bat cracking in the Bronx, echoing through memories.

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Here is the source article for this story: As usual, rising to the occasion comes easily to Aaron Judge