“That’s how you grow the game” – Twitterati reacts as young Yankees fan meets idol Aaron Judge after receiving home-run ball by Blue Jays supporter

“That’s how you grow the game” – Twitterati reacts as young Yankees fan meets idol Aaron Judge after receiving home-run ball by Blue Jays supporter

Aaron Judge (Center) with Mike Lanzillotta and Derek Rodriguez

The video of a Blue Jays fan identified as Mike Lanzillotta giving a home run ball to a young Yankees fan Derek Rodriguez is going viral like crazy on the internet on Tuesday.

This heartfelt moment took place when Lanzillotta succeeded in snagging a sixth-inning home run ball in left field from New York’s Aaron Judge for the nine-year-old at Rogers Centre. It led to a beautiful incident where the kid tearfully hugged the Blue Jays fan and the wholesome video gained a massive amount of likes and shares across social media platforms.

Derek (wearing a Judge shirt), who marked his presence with his father, Cesar Rodriguez, purchased tickets for all three games in Toronto between the Blue Jays and Yankees. 

“When it came to me, and I picked it up, and I was just like, ‘Wow, like, I got to give it to this kid,’” Lanzillotta told The Athletic. “It’s his player, his T-shirt.”

The Californian MLB star Judge was told about this moment by reporters following the game, in which his team won 9-1.

“No way,” he said. “That’s what’s special about this game. It doesn’t matter what jersey you wear. Everybody appreciates this game. That’s pretty cool. I’ve got to check out that video.”

Also Read | “Weirdest angle I’ve ever seen” – Twitterati reacts to Madison Bumgarner’s ejection after staredown with umpire Dan Bellino during sticky substance check

“That’s a moment that’s been seen around the world now,” Judge said of the emotional exchange. “It just speaks volumes to the Blue Jays fans they have here. It’s a cool little connection they’ve got.”

Twitter reactions to emotional moment during Blue Jays-Yankees match

Mike Lanzillotta hugged Derek Rodriguez in the stands
Mike Lanzillotta hugged Derek Rodriguez in the stands

Now, let’s look at some of the top tweets from the emotional exchange between Lanzillotta and Rodriguez:

Also Read | “Was an inspiration to watch her grind every day” – Alex Rodriguez bought his mother a house and a car with his first salary

Also Read | WATCH: Diamondbacks’ Madison Bumgarner gets ejected after tempers flare during substance check with the umpire