Justin Morgan and his father arrived early at Rogers Centre on Monday to stake out a spot in the 200-level outfield standing-room section, hoping to catch a piece of baseball history.

Sporting a white Blue Jays jersey and with leather glove at the ready, all Morgan needed was Yankees slugger Aaron Judge to co-operate and hit his 61st home run of the season.

B次元官网网址淲e were watching all weekend hoping maybe heB次元官网网址檇 hit one more so we could have the record-breaker here,B次元官网网址� Morgan said. B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 just as good to have the one that could tie Roger Maris.B次元官网网址�

Good thing Morgan planned to return on Tuesday night. Judge was held to a single in three at-bats as the Yankees dropped a 3-2 decision to Toronto in the opener of the three-game series.

Judge has been on the cusp of tying the American League single-season home run record for a week. HeB次元官网网址檚 aiming to pull even with Maris, who hit 61 homers in 1961.

B次元官网网址淎ny time the Jays are in the race through September, itB次元官网网址檚 a great atmosphere to be in,B次元官网网址� said Pete Devcich, a longtime Yankees fan from Toronto. B次元官网网址淲hen you add the Aaron Judge 61-62 chase, it just adds that extra bit of flair. ItB次元官网网址檚 a treat to be here.B次元官网网址�

Judge lashed a single to right field to open the game and came around to score on a sacrifice fly. He drew a walk in the third inning and struck out in the sixth and again in the eighth.

With two runners on in the 10th inning, Tim Mayza intentionally walked Judge to a chorus of boos from fans eager to see Judge take a few more cuts at the plate.

A hot topic of discussion among fans who took in batting practice was what theyB次元官网网址檇 do if they caught the historic home run ball. Trading it with the team/player in exchange for memorabilia is a common practice but with some collectors willing to pay big bucks, it may be tempting to sell it.

Joseph Moltschanow of Mississauga, Ont., said if he were to catch it, a signed baseball and a meet-and-greet session with the baseball star would be enough.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not for me to keep,B次元官网网址� he said from the sixth row of the 200 level. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something he deserves. HeB次元官网网址檚 worked hard for it.B次元官网网址�

Morgan, from Burlington, Ont., would take some time before making a decision.

B次元官网网址淲e would hold off 24 hours and let the dust settle,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭ake the best offer that came and then my Dad and I would split it 50-50.B次元官网网址�

Specially marked baseballs were used when Judge was at the plate on Monday night. The balls were identifiable and could be easily authenticated.

If the ball is caught by a spectator, Yankees security officials would contact stadium security for discussions on the possibility and interest in having the fan return it, a team spokesman said.

Judge is also in the running for the Triple Crown, a rare feat where a player leads the league in homers, RBIs and batting average.

B次元官网网址淭he baseball fan in me respects the hell out of Aaron Judge and the year that heB次元官网网址檚 put together and how he is as a person too,B次元官网网址� Blue Jays manager John Schneider said before the game. B次元官网网址淚t would be nice to keep him on ice for a couple days. I hope weB次元官网网址檙e winning by 12 if he hits a home run.B次元官网网址�

Some sports networks have done cut-ins to their programming in recent days whenever Judge has gone to bat. In addition to coverage on Sportsnet and the YES Network, the game was available on the MLB Network and for free on MLB.TV.

Announced attendance was 34,307 for the series opener, well short of a sellout. However, the press box and photographer bays were packed with many American media members coming north for the series.

B次元官网网址淚 think heB次元官网网址檚 a great face of the game, a representative of the game, he does so many things that you wish your best players would do,B次元官网网址� Yankees manager Aaron Boone. B次元官网网址淪o I think itB次元官网网址檚 great. I think itB次元官网网址檚 more attention on our sport, more eyeballs on our sport and itB次元官网网址檚 documenting something that almost never happens.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 important for me as I say this right now, to try to appreciate that. Really appreciate what a magical season he has put forth to this point.B次元官网网址�

Barry Bonds set the all-time single-season record with 73 home runs in 2001.

B次元官网网址擥regory Strong, The Canadian Press