Chambers bring brand new feeling into Stadium ... fun
REMEMBER Mannywood? On April 27, 2009, the Dodgers — the stately Los Angeles Dodgers, sixth all- time in World Series titles and arguably second behind the Yankees in, well, stateliness— announced the formation of Mannywood, a designated area in Dodger Stadium’s left field named in honor of Manny Ramirez, their left fielder who became instantly beloved upon arriving from the Red Sox the prior summer.
On May 8, 2009, Major League Baseball suspended Ramirez for 50 games after finding him guilty of violating the joint drug agreement.
So that didn’t do so great. But who remembers Mannywood as a black mark in the Dodgers’ history? No one, that’s who. It goes down as a fun endeavor that turned forgettable in record time.
Which brings us to The Judge’s Chambers, a three- row, 18- seat section in Yankee Stadium’s right field — replete with faux- wood paneling, plus black robes and gavels for the occupants — that made its debut Monday night. Created and named, naturally, in honor of the Yankees’ dynamic rookie right fielder Aaron Judge.
Maybe Judge, who played in his 68th career major- league game Tuesday when the Yankees fell to the Royals, will prove unworthy of such a tribute. Maybe pitchers will solve him. Maybe he won’t stay healthy. Maybe he’ll find trouble.
None of those worst- case scenarios would make this look like a bad idea. To the contrary, in these times, when baseball desperately seeks stars, The Judge’s Chambers constitutes a necessary idea.
“The fans are into it,” Joe Girardi said Tuesday, before the Yankees lost to the Royals, 6- 2, at the Stadium. “I think it’s kind of taken on a fun time for the fans in right field. We’re just trying to make the experience better.”
“You worry about too much to distract from baseball, but he’s fine with it,” CC Sabathia said. “He’s got a level head. I don’t think it’s good. I think it’s great.”
Sabathia mentioned the defense to the first complaint: Will this swell Judge’s head? Will it add pressure on him? Fromevery way that Judge has revealed himself, you’d guess no to both. As a high Yankees draft pick who plays at 6- foot- 7 and 282 pounds, he has never been able to hide. He already has exhibited a willingness to put himself out there, with a very funny appearance on the otherwise unfunny “The Tonight Show” and a Sports Illustrated cover story, and he looks no worse for the wear. He went 1for- 3 with a walk Tuesday to raise his slash line to .315/. 419/ .685.
“Those are the things that you worry about when so much success comes a player’s way very quickly, and you worry about the demands on his time, people pulling on him,” Girardi said. “He’s a really grounded young man.”
Judge said Tuesday that the Yankees consulted him recently with the idea and he offered neither support nor objection.
“It’s out of my control,” he said, smiling. “What am I going to say? I still have to do my job.”
The other line of criticism is that this isn’t a Yankee-likemove. Well, the Yankees no longer are “Yankee- like.” With just one postseason appearance in the four prior campaigns, their home attendance has decreased five of the last six years, the only exception being Derek Jeter’s retirement tour in 2014, and it’s down again this season, significantly, despite the club’s surprising success.
On Opening Day, the Yankees debuted their first major Stadium renovations since the ballpark’s 2009 launch, and the changes emanate from the acknowledgment that baseball audiences have evolved. They want more than just a good ballgame.
You can’t call this a money grab because the Yankees aren’t selling these spots at a premium. Rather, for now, they’re seeking out enthusiastic- looking fans to place in The Judge’s Chambers. Eventually, the Yankees intend to give away these spots for free to youngsters involved in activities like Harlem RBI.
On Tuesday, nearly two hours before first pitch, I stood by The Judge’s Chambers and watched as fans regularly flowed there, posing for photos. Two young girls wearing baseball gloves. A young adult in a Yankees jersey. You could call it Fan Engagement 101.
The only cause to rip into the Yankees would be if they weren’t marketing their exciting new player.