Gleyber’s a hit in debut at Triple-A
Winfield had re-tweeted a video clip of his 547-foot homer in Pittsburgh.
“Judge’s Chambers, huh? It may be risky,” Winfield said. “Making it in New York is a tough proposition, but (Judge) started off well this year. The game is unforgiving. You can do great for a day, a week, a month, a half year. It takes a lot to focus and put it all together. I hope he doesn’t get distracted with all the focus. Figure out the game of baseball first.”
Judge plays the game with passion, whether it’s plunging into the stands to catch a ball at Fenway Park or going full extension to take away a hit at Tropicana Field. And fans have gravitated toward him in the most organic ways, wearing judge’s robes, wigs and bringing “ALL RISE” signs to the ballpark in the Bronx — well before it became a gimmicky section.
Judge is always putting smiles on the faces of kids, whether he’s having a catch with them in the stands, signing an autograph or giving a dab. It’s completely authentic, nothing contrived about it. The Yankees said they wanted to put in “The Judge’s Chambers” as another way to engage their fanbase. And now that they’re young and fun again, why not capitalize?
But wouldn’t it have been wiser to wait a little more than a few weeks? Maybe let Judge hit 30-40 homers and win AL Rookie of the Year first?
It’s fine to want to engage the fans in this new era of outdoor spaces, kid zones and tiki bars, but using a young player who has all of 230 career at-bats under his belt to do so seems to place an unnecessary spotlight, pressure and expectation on him to keep performing to that level. e will give the Yankees this: While they’re currently picking 18 random fans who have already bought tickets to the game to sit in
Wthe section, they did say they may eventually allow kids from youth organizations to come and get to interact with Judge from the stands. And several fans were also taking pictures in the section before Tuesday’s game.
Plus, if one of their other Baby Bombers catches fire for a month in the future, might we suggest some other sections: Bird’s Nest, Gleyber’s Neighbors, Gary’s Gang and Frazier’s Red Army. The point is: Aaron Judge didn’t need this. And don’t just blame the media for overhyping the young slugger. The Yankees are also guilty.
TOP PROSPECT Gleyber Torres made his Triple-A debut Tuesday for Scranton WilkesBarre in Columbus, playing third base and batting third. He went 1-for-3 with a walk and a caught stealing while making a fielding error. Torres, the 20-year-old whom the Yanks acquired from the Cubs last season, struck out looking in the first, flied out to center in the fourth, singled in the sixth followed by the caught stealing and drew a walk in the ninth.
Before the game Joe Girardi said he was looking forward to seeing how Torres would perform at a new level. “I think all of us are,” Girardi said. “As I tell these young kids all the time, I know sometimes it feels like you’re a long ways away, but things can happen really quickly in this game. Guys have went from A-ball in one year to the big leagues. It happens. And we’re paying attention. I’m looking at what everyone’s doing every day. The great thing about the computer systems and the notes we get … I know exactly what they did last night. I can tell you what guys have done. I check it every day. It’s one of the first things I check in the morning because it’s kind of exciting for me.”
If Torres plays well, it may put pressure on Chase Headley, who went 1-for-4 with a double on Tuesday but is in a 6-for-55 rut.
BIRD EYES CAGE MOMENT OF SILENCE
Before first pitch of Tuesday’s game between the Yankees and Royals, there was a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the terror attack in Manchester and “God Save the Queen” was played.
The Stadium video board read: “Our thoughts and prayers to the victims in Manchester.”
Prior to the game, Girardi was asked if security was more on his mind on his way to the ballpark on Tuesday. “I think you always think about it,” Girardi said before the Yankees’ 6-2 loss to the Royals. “I think our people have done a really good job of doing everything they can to protect our fans and protect the players and everyone involved that’s here in this building — you, me. But you’re always worried. That’s the world we live in. So you put your faith in the people that are taking care of us and you trust them.”
First baseman Greg Bird did tee-and-toss, threw, ran and took grounders on Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from a bruised right ankle.
“Everything’s felt good,” Bird said. “It’s responded well. I felt good this morning, which is good because early on in the process, the more we did sometimes I’d wake up sore. I woke up today and I felt good. So now that I think about that, that’s actually a really good thing.”
Bird said he’ll hit in the cage today and take live at-bats at some point next week, the first step heading down to extended spring training.
The 24-year-old had a rough start before the injury, recording just six hits in 60 at-bats.
“I hope that he understands that when he comes back, start over,” Girardi said. “It’s like a reset button, and if you try to make it all up in a week or a month, it’s not always easy to do. Just have a good day, have a good week, have a good couple of weeks, that sort of thing, and we’ll build off of it.”