Reporting for duty in The Judge’s Chambers
The verdict is in: the Yankees are officially marketing rightfielder Aaron Judge as the star attraction in the Bronx after the rookie’s hot start to the season. Hall of Famers Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson patrolled right field for the Bombers, and although Mr. October had a candy bar that bore his name, neither the Bambino nor Jackson ever had an entire seating section named after them. On Monday, the Yankees unveiled “The Judge’s Chambers,” a specific cheering section for their towering outfielder in the right field stands directly behind the real estate where Judge plays. The team added fake wood paneling around three rows of seats in section 105 in right field, and “The Judge’s Chambers” is written in capital letters along the back of the paneling.
For a player who just graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, and who Yankee manager Joe Girardi earlier this season likened to retired Bombers captain Derek Jeter in the way Judge handles himself, the Chambers is the latest form of praise heaped on the 25-year-old Judge.
“It’s pretty unreal. I never would have thought so soon, but the fans like it. I’m glad they’re having fun,” said Judge after Monday’s 4-2 win over the Royals. “It’s pretty cool. When you come to a game, it’s supposed to be fun for the players and the fans. (The Yankees) just brought it up to me, and said, ‘This is what we’re going to do. Put out a section and call it “Judge’s Chambers” and get them little judge outfits.’ I think it turned out great.”
According to the Yankees media relations director, Jason Zillo, the idea for the Chambers was hatched during spring training, when Judge was competing for the right field spot with Aaron Hicks. Zillo said the humble Judge was excited about the idea.
“What’s great about it is Judge gets to connect with his fans even more,” said Zillo. “He tosses balls to fans in right field, he’s always interacting with fans, signing autographs.”
Fans were randomly selected to sit in the Chambers before Monday’s game, and that trend will continue throughout the season, said Zillo. Select fans wearing Judge jerseys and gear were chosen Monday, but Zillo said the residents of the Chambers going forward will include Little League teams or kids and adults from local youth and community organizations.
In a practice that will continue at all home games, fans sitting in the Chambers get to don black judge’s robes (sorry, they have to be returned) with Judge’s No. 99 on the back and the Yankee logo on the front. The same fans also receive a foam gavel (available to keep) with the words, “All Rise!” on them.
Judge has hit a major-league leading 15 homers and with a current slash line of .315/.417/.692 in 168 plate appearances after his 0-for-3 (one walk) night in Monday’s game.
“I didn’t see too much of it, but I think it’s great,” said leftfielder Brett Gardner of the denizens in the right field Chambers. “The fans get excited about seeing (Judge) play on both sides of the ball. I might go up there early (Tuesday) when I get to the field and check it out.”
GIRARDI CLEANS UP
Two days after Joe Girardi blew CHRISTIAN RED/DAILY NEWS
BY SETH WALDER AND CHRISTIAN RED
up at umpire Scott Barry and shoved dirt all over home plate, the Yankees manager can laugh about the whole thing. Prior to Monday’s game, Girardi cleaned off the plate for the umpires, earning a thumbs up for his efforts.
Girardi later revealed it was third base umpire Jerry Layne’s idea. “It was kind of funny. Jerry Layne and I go back a long ways, him behind me when I was a catcher and always laughing. As the two wonderful little kids took the lineup card, Jerry called me out and said that I set a bad example for kids and that I should clean the plate,” Girardi said. “I thought it was quite humorous.”
TORRES PROMOTION
In the wake of Gleyber Torres’ promotion to Triple-A Scranton following Sunday’s game, Girardi heaped praise on the infield prospect.
“He knows how to play the game ... bottom line. Whether it’s offensively, defensively, running the bases. He knows how to play the game,” Girardi said.
As Girardi referenced, Torres has been seeing playing time at shortstop, third base and second base. He could wind up playing any of them, and Girardi didn’t want to pin down exactly where Torres could end up . ... It sounds like Greg Bird (ankle) is a couple weeks away from returning. His tenative plan finds him in Tampa Bay this weekend for a few days of batting practice and live at-bats before starting a rehab assignment there and continuing it in Scranton.