If there were any lingering doubts, Aaron Judge has now cemented his status as a bona fide Yankees legend.

That’s what happens when a player’s name is consistently spoken in the same breath as the immortals of baseball history. After Thursday’s electrifying performance against the Detroit Tigers, Judge has undeniably joined that elite company.

The Yankees‘ star right fielder, Aaron Judge, delivered a powerful statement on Thursday, launching two home runs, one off Tyler Holton in the first inning and another off Sawyer Gipson-Long in the third. Those blasts brought his career total to 361, tying him with the legendary Joe DiMaggio for the fourth-most home runs in Yankees history. The only names ahead of him? Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536), and Lou Gehrig (493). Not bad company to keep.

Judge reached this milestone in just his 10th season and 1,128th game with the Bronx Bombers. For context, DiMaggio needed 13 seasons and 1,736 games to hit the same mark, though it’s worth noting that “The Yankee Clipper” spent three years away from the game while serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II.

This achievement comes mere days after Judge surpassed another Yankee legend, Yogi Berra, who finished his career with 358 home runs. Judge hasn’t hidden how deeply meaningful it is to be mentioned alongside names like Berra and DiMaggio, icons whose legacies helped shape the very fabric of Yankee lore.

“Just two legends, greats in the game, great all-time Yankees, so pretty cool being on a list with them. But I think it’s even cooler getting a win and doing something like that,” Judge said in a post-game interview, posted to X by Yankees Videos (@snyyankees).

Aaron Judge is Already Thinking in What Comes Next

Thursday was memorable for Judge for more than just his historic milestone. He launched his 46th home run of the season, marking his fourth campaign with 45 or more homers. He also reached 100 RBI for the fourth time in his career, and recorded his 45th multi-homer game, placing him third all-time among Yankees, trailing only Ruth (68) and Mantle (46) in that category.

This performance helped his team beat the Tigers 9-3. Entering Friday, the Yankees remained second in the AL East with 81 wins and 65 losses. More importantly, they still led the wild-card standings for playoff qualification.

However, the thrill of victory and the record-breaking performances will quickly fade. Starting Friday, the Yankees face a tough three-game series against their arch-rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

Judge was the first to focus on what’s coming next rather than what’s been achieved.

“Flush the pass, go out there and focus on right now,” he said in a post-game interview, posted to X by Yankees Videos (@snyyankees). We haven’t had too much success against them (the Red Sox), but no better time to change it. Especially right now, getting near the end of the year, it’s time to really turn up a notch.”

Just a winner’s mentality.

More MLB: Yankees Receive Crushing Anthony Volpe Injury Update; What’s Next?