CHARACTER COUNTS

Yankees’ Aaron Judge greets 9-year-old fan after heartwarming interaction

May 8, 2022, 11:30 AM | Updated: 12:04 pm

(Screenshot/Twitter: @BryanHoch)...

(Screenshot/Twitter: @BryanHoch)

(Screenshot/Twitter: @BryanHoch)

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge surprised a young 9-year-old boy the day after a Blue Jays fan gifted him a home run ball.

Judge hit a home run on Tuesday that was caught by a Blue Jays fan Mike Lanzillotta.

Lanzillotta gave the ball to the young Yankees fan, Derek Rodriguez, who instantly started crying after the moment because he said Judge was his favorite Yankee player.

The Yankees outfielder then invited both of the fans to the dugout before Wednesday’s game.

Rodriguez was gifted a pair of batting gloves and got Judge to sign his home run ball.

Lanzillotta received a signed Blue Jays’ Geroge Springer jersey.

Both the Lanzillotta and Rodriguez families were invited back to Yankees Stadium for a game in the future.

Judge continued to show his support of the city by sitting rinkside at the New York Rangers playoff game the following day with teammates Anthony Rizzo and D.J. LeMahieu.

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Yankees’ Aaron Judge greets 9-year-old fan after heartwarming interaction