The statistical beauty of baseball is pretty much endless.
If you want a stat put in some historical context, it’s almost always possible to do so. Take the walk Aaron Judge took on Saturday night, the 790th of his MLB career.
It’s just one base on balls, a pretty common occurrence for Judge. What’s the big deal?
Well, on the New York Yankees’ franchise record boards, he’s now tied with all-time great Joe DiMaggio for career walks, according to YES Network.
They’re tied for 10th in franchise history for walks.
Babe Ruth is the all-time leader on the list with 1,852.
It’s just one aspect of Judge’s game, but it’s one he’s really, really good at.
In his last three games, for example, Judge has six walks. On the season, he’s up to 97, which leads the American League.
He led the AL in walks last year with 133. He also led the league in walks in 2022 and 2017, his two other seasons with more than 100 walks.
Walks contribute to the fact that Judge had a .458 on-base percentage last year and is at .441 in that this season. For his career, he has an incredible .410 OBP.
Power hitters can often use the intimidation factor of their slugging to get pitches outside of the strike zone and get free passes. Judge combines his great patience with prodigious power as well as anyone in the modern game.
He’ll keep on walking, and keep on homering, and it’ll all be good news for the Yankees.
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