A kind gesture from a Toronto Blue Jays fan has gone viral online after he gifted a home-run ball to a nearby Yankees fan during a May 4 game in Toronto.
When the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge struck a home run to left field in the sixth inning, the camera followed the flying baseball into the seats at Rogers Centre, where a Blue Jays fan, Mike Lanzillotta, scooped up the ball, raising his arms in a split second of victory.
But his next gesture came to everyone’s surprise.
Lanzillotta leaned forward and placed the ball in the outstretched hands of a young Yankees fan, Derek Rodriguez, who was standing in the row behind him, wearing a Yankees ball cap and a jersey bearing Judge’s name.
Jaw agape and overwhelmed with emotion, the boy burst into tears and embraced Lanzillotta for several moments before the two settled back into their seats.
A video of their heart-warming interaction went viral on the internet soon after.
Judge, who was told about the exchange, later walked up to meet with both the nine-year-old and Lanzillotta.
“It doesn’t matter what jersey you wear, everybody is a fan, everybody appreciates this game. That’s pretty cool. I’ve got to check out that video. That’s special.”
