PITCHING IN
We’ve found the Judges in the Outfield. A group of around a dozen close buddies who grew up together in Point Pleasant, N.J., wore judge costumes to Thursday night’s Yankees game against the Astros at the Stadium, sporting wigs and robes.
Inspired by standout Bombers rookie Aaron Judge, the friends also held up a sign that read, “ALL RISE” − Judge’s slogan. They sat about seven rows back in right field.
Nick Greenwood was the man behind the plan.
“He got married,” one of Greenwood’s fellow judges told the Daily News. “When you get married, you pretty much lose all your time. You just sit in thought, and you come up with really good ideas. That’s how he came up with the idea.”
“That was pretty accurate,” Greenwood responded. “I was watching a game and was like, ‘You know what. Aaron Judge. I don’t see any judges in the stadium. Let’s do it.’ Rally the troops, and they made it happen.’”
The friends have known each other since elementary school. Once Greenwood dropped the idea in the group text, everyone was on board. They purchased the costumes at Party City and on Amazon.
“I text my friends more than my wife,” one of the judges added.
“This is the highlight of our lives,” another chimed in.
All the judges are diehard Yankee fans except one, who supports the Red Sox. But he couldn’t pass up an opportunity to have “good times with friends.”
“He’s a great player,” the Sox fan said. “Got to tip your cap.” Then he corrected himself. “Tip your wig to greatness,” he said.
biRd Still gRounded
The Yankees had said 24-yearold first baseman Greg Bird, who was placed on the disabled list on May 2 with a bruised right ankle, would rest for 7-10 days before they determined how to proceed.
Bird was evaluated by team doctors on Thursday, but had nothing new to report.
“We said 7-10 days and it might be more because bone bruises are tricky, so you don’t ever really know,” Joe Girardi said after the Yankees lost to the Astros, 3-2.
“There’s definite improvement. He’s much better than he was, but our feeling is until he’s pain-free there’s no reason to start (baseball activities).”
Bird suffered the injury in the team’s final Grapefruit League game when he fouled a ball off his ankle. He tried to play through it early in the season, but wasn’t effective, going just 6-for60 at the plate.
“We’ve made good progress, but the plan basically is no baseball until I feel like 100 percent ready to go,” Bird said. “There’s still progress to be made there. But I think some of the swelling has gone down and just as far as the feeling in general it’s felt a lot better — a lot closer than where we were a week ago as far as baseball activities go.”
Bird’s replacement, Chris Carter, is hitting just .200 on the season. He went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts on Thursday.
eYeS on no. 28
The unavoidable question with these surging, surprising, home-run-swatting Yankees is whether their torrid winning pace is sustainable over 162 games. Many across baseball think the answer is no, for a host of reasons.
Joe Girardi and his players pay no mind to those doubters. It’s early, but they are confident DANIEL POPPER a 28th World Series is an attainable, realistic goal. The Yankees manager made that clear Thursday when he was asked how he gets his players to believe they can maintain their level of play for the remainder of 2017.
“Don’t worry. They believe,” Girardi said dryly. “It’s simple. I don’t have to sell them on anything.”
The Yankees called up rookie righthander Giovanny Gallegos from Triple-A to fill the spot vacated by Chad Green, who was optioned after Tuesday’s loss in Cincinnati.
A 25-year-old from Mexico, Gallegos pitched to a 3.86 ERA in 10 appearances this season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Girardi said the Yankees made the move after the bullpen received some needed rest on Wednesday’s off day, thus negating the use for an extra starter.
Gallegos said his mother and sisters flew up from Mexico for Thursday’s game.
“It’s incredible because this is my dream, to play in the big leagues,” Gallegos said.
“I feel so happy. It’s a lot of emotions.”
Gallegos did not pitch on Thursday.