NEW YORK _ All rise for the honorable Aaron Judge. Actually, you can go ahead and take a seat. We have just the spot.
The Yankees on Monday debuted every Judge fan's perfect viewing spot _ an 18-seat box in Section 104 that has been outfitted with a faux wood paneled to look like a jury box. The seating is emblazoned with "The Judge's Chambers" in the font recognizable to anyone who's ever been in a courthouse.
"I was shocked, you know. I was surprised," Judge said before the game. "I think it's going to be a pretty cool idea that the fans will like. It will be something the fans I really think will enjoy."
As of now, you can't buy seats to the special section. Lucky fans are vetted by Yankees personnel to be part of Judge's personal cheering section. They're outfitted with judicial robes with Judge's No. 99 on it and get to cheer him every time he takes his spot in right field. According to The Associated Press, the chosen few also get Styrofoam gavels emblazoned with the catchphrase that shows up on the scoreboard when Judge comes to the plate: "All Rise!"
The plan is to branch out for community groups, charity organizations, Little Leagues, schools, hospitals and others to occupy the space.
Judge, who is hitting .315 with 30 RBIs and a major league-leading 15 home runs, quickly has become a fan favorite. According to the Yankees' online MLB shop, his jersey is behind only Derek Jeter in sales.
"His balance is better, his swing is better, all these things are better when you put it together," manager Joe Girardi said of his rookie outfielder's whiplash-inducing rise. "You can have a really strong player that has power and it's just not tapped into. I think of Robbie Cano. Robbie Cano, it took him time, and I think that that's what happens. The fact that he can hit the ball out to all fields is really an advantage for him because he doesn't have to cheat. He really doesn't have to do anything special except get the barrel of the bat to the ball."
