Yankees’ Aaron Judge leaves no doubt on home run No. 52
Posted September 27, 2025
The New York Yankees took an early 6-3 lead over the Baltimore Orioles through the first four innings of Friday's contest. While the club is in direct competition for the AL East and No. 1 seed in the MLB Playoffs, Aaron Judge continues to do his thing with the bat. Judge managed to record his 52nd home run of the season.
In the bottom of the third with a guy on first, Orioles' starting pitcher Trevor Rodgers threw a pitch pretty much right down the middle to Judge. The 33-year-old slugger got a hold of it and sent the ball flying toward center field. Aaron Judge's 52nd home run had no chance of being caught as it went well over the fence.
Judge's 52nd home run this season marks the fourth time in his career that he has hit at least 52 home runs in a single season. The previous three times, Aaron Judge ended the season as the league leader in home runs. That doesn't appear to be the case in 2025, though, as Cal Raleigh (60), Kyle Schwarber (56), and Shohei Ohtani (54) are all ahead of the Yankees star right now.
Aaron Judge is also involved in MVP talks in the AL, alongside Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. The Yankees' slugger is one of the best hitters in baseball right now, and that trend certainly continued this year. He owns a league-high .330 batting average and .457 OBP while recording 52 home runs, 176 hits, and 111 RBIs, pending the end of the game against Baltimore.
After Friday's contest, New York only has two more games remaining in the regular season. It's officially crunch time, as the Yankees entered the three-game series against the Orioles tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for first place, not only in the AL East, but in the AL in general. Either way, New York has already clinched a spot in the playoffs, regardless of whether they win the division or not.
Cam Newton Picks Baker Mayfield Over Jalen Hurts in Must-Win Game Debate
In a bold statement that’s shaking up the NFL quarterback conversation, former MVP Cam Newton has thrown his support behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield over Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts when it comes to a must-win scenario. The remarks were made during a recent appearance on ESPN’s
First Take, where Newton explained that if he had to pick a quarterback to lead his team in a do-or-die situation, he would choose Mayfield over Hurts.
While Hurts led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance last season and is widely regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the league, Newton’s reasoning centers around Mayfield’s ability to perform in critical, high-pressure moments. Mayfield, who joined the Buccaneers this offseason, has already impressed with his early-season poise and efficiency.
“I’m going with Baker Mayfield if it’s a do-or-die situation,” Newton said. “I respect Jalen Hurts a lot, but when the game’s on the line, Mayfield has shown that he’s able to step up and make plays. He’s not just going through the motions, he’s playing with urgency, and we’ve seen him deliver when it counts.”
Mayfield has demonstrated his clutch ability in the first few weeks of the season, including leading the Buccaneers to multiple game-winning drives, an area where Hurts, while dominant, has yet to show the same level of consistency. With three game-winning drives already this season, Mayfield has proven that he can handle pressure, something Newton places a great deal of value on.
“Baker’s ability to deliver in the clutch is what makes him stand out,” Newton continued. “He’s already had multiple opportunities to seal games, and he’s done it. That’s something Jalen hasn’t had to do as often this season.”
On the other hand, Hurts has been nearly flawless in his play with the Eagles, leading them to a 3-0 record to start the season and racking up impressive stats, including over 1,100 passing yards and nine touchdowns. The Eagles are a more well-rounded team, with a defense that is playing at a high level and an offense that is explosive. Yet Newton argues that it’s not just about putting up great numbers — it’s about showing up when the game is on the line.
“Look, Hurts has been great,” Newton said. “But if I need someone to take the reins in a critical situation, I’m choosing Mayfield right now. He’s showing the ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver when it counts.”
Despite Newton’s confidence in Mayfield, Hurts’ Eagles are still viewed by many as the favorites in the NFC East and a team capable of making another deep playoff run. Hurts, with his leadership and consistent performances, has become one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the league. But Mayfield’s ability to lead the Buccaneers to wins in high-pressure situations has given him newfound respect, and Newton’s endorsement adds fuel to the fire of an already growing narrative around the 28-year-old quarterback.
The debate between Mayfield and Hurts is not just about which quarterback is better overall — it’s about who can perform in the most critical moments. As the season progresses, both quarterbacks will be tested in various high-stakes situations, and this discussion may only intensify as we move toward the playoffs.
As for Mayfield, this bold statement from Newton could serve as a springboard for his career in Tampa Bay. With the Buccaneers looking to make a playoff push, Mayfield’s ability to perform in clutch moments could define his legacy in Tampa Bay, just as it did for him in Cleveland. On the other hand, Hurts, with his proven track record, will have plenty of opportunities to prove why he’s considered one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.
In the end, the matchup between these two quarterbacks may just be the most intriguing storyline of the season, with Mayfield and Hurts each looking to prove they are the ones to lead their team to glory. The football world is watching, and Newton’s pick has only added more fuel to this fascinating debate.
