When Aaron Judge comes to bat, everyone stands, hoping to see history.
Since last Tuesday — when he hit his 60th home run of the season — each time Judge has made contact, the crowd has erupted, only to see the ball fall short.
Judge is chasing the American League single season home run record. Roger Maris, the current record holder, hit 61 home runs in 1961.
If the 30-year-old outfielder catches Maris, it could be lucrative for a lucky fan.
“I think 61 is a seven-figure, about a million, maybe a little bit more,” Chris Caserta, who runs Brigandi Coins and Collectibles in Manhattan, said. “And then 62, record-breaking, I think that gets up a couple million. Maybe even closer to that five range.”
Babe Ruth’s then-record setting 60th home run ball in 1927 sold for $100. People paid at least that to sit in the Yankee Stadium bleachers last week.
“I’ve grown up my entire life knowing and living this story,” Sal Durante said. His father caught Maris’ record-setting 61st home run of the 1961 season.
“With a cigarette rolled up in his sleeve and a cigarette in his mouth, [he] barehanded the ball and pulled it in,” Durante said.
The ball was worth $5,000 at the time, and Durante says that money could have changed his dad’s life.
“He was making $3,000 a year, so this is a year and a half salary and then some,” Durante said.
But he did not want the money. He wanted to give the ball back to Maris.
“My dad wanted to give it to him for free just because he was a fan,” Durante said. “He felt like he was a part of history. It shouldn’t be his.”
When he met Maris, the slugger told the fan to keep the ball.
“He said, ‘No kid. Save this ball and you’re going to make yourself some money,” Durante said.
Durante’s father sold the ball for $5,000, using the money to marry his girlfriend and build the family he loves to this day.
Judge will continue his home run chase — and fans will continue to wait anxiously — when the Yankees conclude a three-game series in Toronto Wednesday night.
Then, Judge and the Pinstripes return home to battle the Orioles Friday, Saturday and Sunday, before concluding the regular season in Texas against the Rangers with a four-game set.
Judge needs to hit one home run to tie Maris’ record and two long balls to break it.