Derek Rodriguez: Latest News

TORONTO, ON - MAY 4: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees meets with Toronto Blue Jays fan Mike Lanzillotta (L) and Yankee fan Derek Rodriguez, 9, (2nd L) prior to a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 4, 2022 in Toronto TORONTO - The young Yankees fan who became a viral sensation this week shed more tears of joy on Wednesday when he met his hero, New York slugger Aaron Judge.It came hours after cameras captured Derek Rodriguez, 9, tearfully hugging Blue Jays fan Mike Lanzillotta after Lanzillotta snagged Judge's sixth-inning home run ball and handed it to Derek.Rodriguez, his family and Lanzillotta were invited onto the field and into the Yankees dugout before Wednesday's series finale against the Blue Jays.Derek teared up again when Judge stopped by for a quick chat, signed the home run ball and handed over a pair of his batting gloves."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.