During the 2022 season, Aaron Judge created history, breaking the AL single-season home run record with 62 homers. This sparked a debate where fans stated that Judge held the true MLB record as well, snubbing Barry Bonds. Notably, Bonds set the single-season home run record in 2001 but later admitted that he used steroids.

That is why some fans choose to discredit Bonds’ 73 home run season. This would make Judge the true MLB single-season record holder. Most recently, none other than MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred weighed in on the same, saying that the New York Yankees slugger is indeed the true record holder over Barry Bonds.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred backs Aaron Judge as the true home run record holder

Since Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run in 2022, a debate has sparked around the home run record holder. Fans have discredited Barry Bonds’ 73 home runs in 2001 due to his steroid use. And a validation of Judge being the home run king coming from the MLB Commissioner would only make Judge’s case strong for his historic season. For those wondering, Manfred recently weighed in on the debate while speaking to Monmouth University students. 

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According to Detroit Free Press, Manfred said, “Trying to get a coherent, single data set that can be compared across eras is simply impossible. Our view on it, at least now, is fans understand what went on in different eras, how the rules have changed, and they make their own judgments. You saw during (Yankees star) Aaron Judge’s home-run chase that people reacted to that. He was chasing the home-run record. They weren’t talking about 73 (by Barry Bonds); they were talking about 61 (by Roger Maris). Fans can make those judgments.” 

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This was a massive statement from the commissioner and changes the landscape surrounding the home run record. What makes this even more dramatic is the fact that Judge himself is a huge fan of Bonds and considers him an icon even today.

Judge considers Barry Bonds the home run leader

While Aaron Judge was chasing the AL home run record, he stated that the true record belongs to Barry Bonds. The Yankee star was there to watch it happen and genuinely believes that Bonds’ 73 home runs are the real MLB record. 

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Even if Bonds officially holds the MLB record, no one can take away Judge’s AL record and his historic achievement. Do you think that Aaron Judge is the true single-season home run leader? Or is it still Barry Bonds despite his steroid usage? Let us know in the comments below!