Judge ties Maris with 61st home run in Toronto but fan just misses out on ball

Aaron Judge has finally made history, eclipsing the great Babe Ruth and tying Roger Maris' record for the most home runs ever hit in a single season in American League history.

Judge connected for his 61st home run in the top of the 7th inning in the Rogers Centre in Toronto off Blue Jays relief pitcher Tim Mayza.

Yankees Aaron Judge hits his 61st Home Run of the season, tying Roger Maris for the American League record pic.twitter.com/8wSqK1jknZ

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) September 29, 2022

The lined shot to left field just escaped the reach of fans in the outfield bleachers who had no doubt hoped to snag the home run ball that some say could have been worth millions.

61. To the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/8zQUWsoKE3

— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) September 29, 2022

Instead, the prized ball landed in the Blue Jays bullpen where it will be returned to Judge by the team so he can hold onto the souvenir, or maybe donate it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Perhaps almost as memorable as the home run itself was a moment in the stands that immediately preceded the record-breaking shot.

Watching all games behind home plate at the Rogers Centre has been the son of Roger Maris alongside Aaron Judge's mom.

Judge's mom seemed genuinely elated that her son had finally tied the record and was greeted by a warm hug from Roger Maris Jr.

Mom and Maris Jr. react to 61 💙 pic.twitter.com/3jSfiqF0Tc

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2022

Fans couldn't help but share their thoughts about the moment.

Roger Maris Jr. and Patty Judge hug in the front row. Beautiful scene in Toronto. #61

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 29, 2022

Judge also acknowledged his mom as he rounded the bases which many fans thought was just the best thing ever.

Most the guys in the league would’ve done the DX chop to first base, cart wheels to second base, back flips to third base and the worm to home. Judge smiled and pointed towards his mom. https://t.co/FzjD05Khow

— Allen Andersen (@andersen_allen) September 29, 2022

Now that Aaron Judge has finally tied the record, the wait now begins to see if and when he will eclipse it with home run 62.

The next game he has a chance to do this is when the Yankees face the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night in New York.