Sports

Rounding Into All-Star Game, A Look at MLB’s First Half Highlights

S.I. takes a swing at best of baseball's first half including Aaron Judge's record-setting homer.

Rounding Into All-Star Game, A Look at MLB’s First Half Highlights

By Sean Cunningham / July 11, 2017 5:00 am

Remember that San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner homered twice on Opening Day?

It would be easy to forget since the pitcher has contributed little else in an injury-marred season caused by a dirt bike crash.

That’s just one of the memorable moments fans may have forgotten from a very unusual first half to the baseball season. Luckily, Sports Illustrated has gathered a convenient highlight reel of sorts ahead of Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

There was Scooter Gennett’s surprise four-homer day (the first in the league in four years) to Albert Pujols’ milestone 600th home run.

But arguably there’s been no bigger surprise than New York Yankee Aaron Judge already breaking Joe DiMaggio’s season record for home runs by a Yankee rookie. Below, watch one of his blasts that traveled an estimated 495 feet. (And yes, Judge will be competing in the Home Run Derby.)