Baseball player Aaron Judge has hit his 62nd home run of the season in Major League Baseball (MLB), breaking a 61-year-old record.

The New York Yankees pro surpassed club legend Roger Maris, who set the American League record in 1961.

Judge, who drew level with Maris last week, scored the decisive blow on Tuesday (local time) in the first inning of the game at the Texas Rangers (5: 4).

The 30-year-old had previously gone empty-handed in four games for the record champions.

"It's a huge relief," said Judge, who received a standing ovation at the stadium.

After the hit, a supporter caught the ball in the stands, the piece is worth an estimated two million dollars.

Judge considers getting it: "It would have been great to get it back, but it's a souvenir for a fan. Let's see what happens." On his 61st home run, which tied with Maris, he did secure the ball.

He personally made sure that the ball stayed in the family.

In the dressing room after the game, Judge handed him over to his mother, Patty, who had adopted him as a baby.

"She has been with me through everything," he said - from little league as a child to the major league, in which the 30-year-old is now causing a stir.

Judge has been chasing records in the MLB for five years - and not only because of his jersey number 99 does he draw comparisons to ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

Even as a debutant in his first season, he set several records in 2017.

With his 62 home runs, he is not yet at the top of the league.

Three players have hit more home runs in an MLB season: Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa - all have been accused of using steroids.

That's why Roger Maris Jr., son of the previous record holder, celebrated Judge on Twitter as the "clean home run king".

Bonds holds the official MLB record (73).

Whether Judge will remain the face of the New York Yankees remains to be seen: Ahead of the season, he turned down a deal that would have brought him $213.5 million in revenue because next winter he was a uncontracted player is free to choose his employer.

Betting should give him an even bigger payday.