well, we've all seen it and we've been talking about
this touching video here on morning rush for the last
week, A young boy getting emotional after receivi
home run ball hit by his all time favorite Yankees
player, Aaron, just look at that face of course, what
made the moment so special is that a Toronto Blue jays
fan Mike Lands a Lotta initially caught the ball and
then gave it to that nine year old Derek Rodriguez.
Yankees loved the moment to they invited Derek, his
father and Mike to batting practice the next day to
meet Judge himself and we are joined now by everyone
involved in that special moment. Mike Derek and his
father cesar, thank you all for coming on. Um it's good
to meet you all, Derek, we saw your reaction to getting
that ball so emotional, so how cool is it that a blue
jays fan gave you that home run ball hit by your
favorite player, Aaron Judge. I am just so happy that
he would do that for me, I can't believe that key. So
and you got to meet Judge, to write, What was that like
It was really, really like fun judge because he's
really tall and even signed the ball, let's see it. Oh,
that is so cool, that is a keepsake. Hold onto that one.
Yeah, I'm sure you're too young to have seen Sandlot,
but there was an autographed ball in sandlot and that
did not end very well, but Mike, I want to get to you,
you actually met the Rodriguez before the game and said
we are getting a ball and then it actually happened a
you gave it to Derek. So what compelled you to do that
and what are the lotto numbers next time So I can play
those Um you know, every time I go to a game I try to
get balls, whether it's for my family, my kids or
anyone, any kid in that section and uh you know, I,I
remember remember being younger getting balls myself
and how that, how, that feeling, you know, stuck with
me for my whole life. So yeah, I just, that's kind of
what happened. So, we always see those videos of
grownups catching the ball out, jumping the kid
underneath them or reaching across the aisle, was it
ever a question to you, whether you would give Derek
the ball or not No, no, not a question at all. I knew
right beginning me, I promised them one and but a lot
of my buddies are making fun of me, you know, you
shouldn't throw it back or stuff like that, That would
have been awful. Now, Cesar, you tried to get the home
run ball to but Michael beat you to it. What was your
reaction to Mike giving the ball to Derek Yes, I tried,
but Michael is faster than me and I, when when the ball
hate, he stopped and the ball falls for a second and
the floor. I tried to get it on the floor. But Michael
moved faster and I watched the ball in Michael's hand
and I say oh that's okay, nice, I start start poppi
But when I turned and Michael turned to what I tried to
find Derek to give in to him. I I say oh my God this
this clip, it got a lot of attention and it actuall
caught the attention of the Yankees to they found out
about it, they invited you guys to batting practice. We
understand. And of course you got to meet Aaron Judge
the next day. So Derek, you already talked about how
how big and tall um Aaron Judge was, Did you guys get
to talk What did he say E actually I don't remember a
lot but remember that he said um my favorite player was
I had his jersey on and I turned around and then he
asked another sports, I told him a little bit of soccer
but mostly baseball. And then I showed him the baseball
and he said he's at the ball and then he asked me if I
wanted him to sign it and he said yes and right here
what are you gonna do with it You're gonna hold onto it,
you're gonna sell it Smart move. Good answer there. So
the Yankees have invited all three of you to new york
later on this season to sit in the judge's chambers,
mike, are you going to take them up on that, will you
be comfortable in enemy territory from the bleachers
I'm gonna handle it. Um, are you gonna wear the robe
and everything You're gonna be dominated by Yankee fans
there I love it. Well, thank you guys so much. Mike
lands a lot of caesar and Derek Rodriguez for joining
us today. This is such a great friendship that has kin
of come out of baseball. I love, I know humanity has
been restored. Thank you guys, have a good one. Thanks
guys. Thank you.