A fan tried (and failed) to catch Aaron Judge’s record-setting home run

Aaron Judge is the new home run leader in the American League.

On Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas, the Yankees slugger hit his 62nd home run of the season, shattering a record held by Roger Maris since 1961.

—MLB (@MLB)

5 October 2022

Jesus Tinoco of the Texas Rangers threw the decisive pitch in the top of the first inning of a 3-2 Rangers victory, ensuring that he will be a trivia question for decades to come.

—Cut4 (@Cut4)

5 October 2022

As replays of Judge’s home run began to circulate, one fan in the stands captured the internet’s collective attention.

Just before the ball leaves the yard, a fan on the left side of the screen appears to jump over the railing into the space between the outfield wall and the outfield bleachers, presumably in an attempt to catch the home run ball if it escaped the swarming crowd.

—Marky Mark (@markkberger)

5 October 2022

—Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia)

5 October 2022

It was a valiant effort, but ultimately ineffective, as another supporter who remained seated with glove in hand caught the ball cleanly.

—Bally Southwest (@BallySportsSW) on Twitter

5 October 2022

While it is never suggested to jump from the stands onto a live athletic field, when a historic baseball game is at stake, people make reckless judgments.

When asked what he meant to do with the ball, the fan who caught it was indecisive. Judge confirmed in his post-game press conference that he had no control over the outcome of the ball.

—Yankees Videos (@snyyankees)

5 October 2022

No of where the ball lands, let’s hope that the fan who jumped from the stands returned home with only a damaged ego.