ALDS Game 3 : Aaron Judge’s game-tying three-run homer off the foul pole in ALDS Game 3 became one of the defining moments of the 2025 MLB postseason, thrilling New York Yankees fans and placing Judge among baseball’s most clutch postseason performers.
High Stakes in the Bronx
The atmosphere inside Yankee Stadium was tense as the Yankees faced elimination in the fourth inning of ALDS Game 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays. With two runners on and the team desperately needing a spark, Aaron Judge stepped up to the plate. Blue Jays reliever Louie Varland delivered a high, 99.7 mph fastball, but Judge wasn’t fazed. He unleashed a powerful swing and launched the ball down the left-field line—until it struck the foul pole, confirming a fair ball and tying the game with a three-run homer.
Judge’s Postseason Heroics
This was Judge’s first home run of the 2025 postseason and the 17th of his stellar playoff career. More importantly, it came with the Yankees’ season on the line. This moment tied Judge with David Ortiz for the most career home runs (six) in elimination games in MLB history—a testament to his ability to deliver under maximum pressure. Ortiz was known for lifting his team in crucial playoff situations, and Judge has now joined that elite company.
Impact on Yankees’ Momentum
- The Yankees’ dugout erupted as the packed stadium roared back to life. Judge’s homer
- didn’t just tie the game—it energized the entire team, creating a wave of momentum that
- could carry them deeper into October. For Yankees fans, it was the clutch performance
- they had awaited—a swing that reignited hope for another World Series run. These
- high-pressure playoff contributions are part of what cements a player’s legacy in New York and across baseball.
Yankee Stadium’s Electrifying Response
Moments after the ball struck the foul pole, the energy in Yankee Stadium was unmatched. Fans celebrated in the stands, waving banners and shouting Judge’s name as he rounded the bases. This was more than a home run; it was a statement that the Yankees would fight until the end. For young fans, it became an instant classic and a story they’ll recount for years.
Historical Context: Matching David Ortiz
By tying Ortiz’s record for elimination-game home runs, Judge emphasized his own greatness in postseason lore. Both sluggers have shown they thrive under playoff pressure, creating moments of drama and excitement that define MLB’s October tradition.
What Judge’s Homer Means Going Forward
- This home run could be a turning point in the 2025 playoffs, providing the Yankees
- with newfound confidence and a fighting spirit. Judge’s ability to change the game with
- one swing makes him a perennial threat, and his leadership is invaluable for a team with
- championship aspirations. As New York continues its playoff journey, all eyes remain
- on Judge and his potential to deliver more historic moments
