Earlier this week, the Yankees announced a new fun little trinket they’re selling at the stadium. We’ve seen Aaron Judge’s two dogs at various points, including him even bringing one out on the field to hang out with him. Well, now if you go to Yankee Stadium, you can get your own plush version of his dogs.
As someone who will be going to Yankee Stadium
for a game fairly soon, I fully admit to being susceptible to this bit of marketing and will almost certainly be purchasing one for my own dog. However, seeing these also got me thinking about other commemorative items the Yankees could sell. Here are some of the ideas I brainstormed. (Before you ask: Aaron Judge gavels already exist. I should known…my dog also has one of those.)
A Phil Rizzuto “Holy Cow”
On the stuffed animal theme, the Yankee could also honor their longtime player and broadcaster Phil Rizzuto with a stuffed cow that has a halo. They could even base it off the “Holy Cow” that was gifted for a Phil Rizzuto Day they held in 1985 (and accidentally knocked the Scooter over). Other things along that line could include an “Iron Horse” for Lou Gehrig.
Reggie bars
The candy bars named after Reggie Jackson were given out one day at Yankee Stadium in 1978, only for them to end up thrown on the field in celebration after Jackson went deep in that day’s game. However, they should bring them back to the Bronx and sell them at today’s games at the food stands. (Some of the more recently-made ones, to be clear, I’m not suggesting they sell 50-year old candy bars to eat.) I’d just suggest that the team should strongly encourage you actually eat them and not throw them on the field.
Yogi Berra Mad Libs Books
Arguably the most beloved Yankee of all time, Berra was known for his slight off quotes and malapropisms including “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over” and “It’s déjà vu all over again.” You should be able to make up your own with a set of Yogi Mad Libs.
Fake Programs for “No, No, Nanette”
The lore around Red Sox sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees is that then Boston owner Harry Frazee used the funds to finance the production of the Broadway play “No, No, Nanette.” The reality is there were also some other financial factors that somewhat forced Frazee’s hand, but frankly the lore around the play is too good to fully get corrected.
56-day “Advent” type calendars
Around Christmas time, there’s a lot of calendars out there that allow, mostly, children to count down the days. Not that Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak is a thing that’s yearly celebrated, but you could make something to count the games of that remarkable streak.
Gatorade coolers made out of a Nerf-like soft material
For all those who want to live out their Paul O’Neill getting frustrated dreams, but don’t want to risk actually doing something that could get them hurt or look dumb.
Dandy-related merchandise
Bring back Dandy!
A selection of musical instruments
Yankee legend Bernie Williams famously plays guitar, has released albums, and famously played the national anthem and other songs at various baseball games, Yankees and other. You could certainly sell play guitars. (Real ones too, but a whole guitar might be a pain to lug around the stadium during a game.) On the current team, we have Jazz Chisholm Jr. A literal Jazz saxophone would be an amusing thing to have. If the team had kept DJ LeMahieu around, they could have done turntable sets. Maybe they could also make harmonicas.
Those are some of my suggestions, but there are probably plenty more out there to be thought of. Let us know your ideas for fun memorabilia the Yankees could put out.
