"Aaron Judge did it without steroids" - Fans react as Yankees slugger becomes first since Barry Bonds to finish season with .700+ slugging percentage

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge's stellar regular season concluded after a rain-affected series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Although Judge was scratched from the lineup, the AL MVP frontrunner ended the season with a remarkable record.

Aaron Judge finished the season as the home run leader with 58 dingers this season. However, one of the most remarkable statlines from his regular season was his .701 slugging percentage.

Judge is the first MLB hitter since iconic slugger Barry Bonds to record a .700+ slugging percentage in a season. Bonds, a former seven-time NL MVP, achieved the feat with the San Francisco Giants in 2004.

One fan alluded to Bonds' alleged steroid usage that has seen him being snubbed from the Hall of Fame.

"And Judge did it without steroids."

"Who’s the last one to do it that didn’t cheat?"

"Did it clean too."

(Image source - Instagram)

Meanwhile, others continued to shower praise on the Yankees captain.

"Literally the greatest hitter of all time."

"Ohtani glazers are a different kind of special to say he's better."

"Now give Aaron Judge MVP trophy!"

Aaron Judge misses historic feat as Yankees finish on a high

The former AL MVP, vying for his second title this year, had a dissipating plate appearance in Saturday's game after being rested for Friday's series opener against the Pirates.

Aaron Judge struck out a career-high five times in Saturday's 9-4 loss at Yankee Stadium. While the Yankees captain would have hoped to redeem himself in the series finale on Sunday, manager Aaron Boone decided against risking him in wet conditions, scratching Judge from the lineup.

“Once I went out there, it was wet and then we went in the delay, ‘I just said, I don’t want you out there,’” manager Aaron Boone said.

While it was unlikely Judge would've matched his AL record tally of 62 home runs in his last two games, he could have become only the third player in MLB history to have multiple 60+ home run seasons. Former MLB sluggers Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire are the only other players to the feat.