This Blue Jays fan gave Aaron Judge’s home-run ball to a nearby kid. What happened next was ‘unbelievable’

Editor’s note: Earlier this season a Blue Jays fan gave an Aaron Judge home-run ball to a young New York Yankees fan who was instantly overcome with emotion. In this week’s Proudfoot Corner, on the story behind a Toronto Star story, we look back at the touching moment at Rogers Centre that went viral online.

It was a brief but classic moment of baseball generosity that a young boy will never forget. A TV camera captured the gesture and the video clip went viral, changing a man’s life in ways he could never expect.

When lifelong Blue Jays fan Mike Lanzillotta grabbed a home-run ball off the bat of New York slugger Aaron Judge at the Rogers Centre in May, he handed it over to a young boy in a Yankees jersey nearby.

Lanzillotta didn’t really think much of it. Over the years, his family has been given balls by fans of opposing teams.

“I firmly believe you should always give the ball to a kid,” said Lanzillotta, acknowledging that some exceptions might apply if the ball is of monumental significance, such as when Judge later broke Roger Maris’s American League record for home runs in a season.

His gesture was a simple act of kindness, and exemplified the spirit of giving by charities, such as the Toronto Star Santa Claus fund, which provides gift boxes to 50,000 underprivileged children at Christmas. Proudfoot Corner is the sports department’s contribution to the campaign.

Lanzillotta called the events that followed that fateful night in May “unbelievable.”

The camera caught the young fan, nine-year-old Derek Rodriguez, hugging Lanzillotta and thanking him profusely. That short video has since been viewed and shared millions of times across various platforms.

The immediate media coverage of it, locally and abroad, was overwhelming, as were the outpouring messages of support and appreciation from friends and strangers.

The next day, Lanzillotta and Rodriguez and their families were given VIP seats at the Rogers Centre while getting a chance to meet Judge before the game. The Jays also gave Lanzillotta a signed George Springer jersey.

Three months later, the Yankees flew Lanzillotta, his wife and two children, as well as six of their friends, to New York where they watched a game in the Judge’s Chambers, a section of seats in right field. They were also given a private tour of the stadium.

Lanzillotta and his family also received an all-inclusive trip to Barbados, paid in full by Barbados Tourism Inc. “They just said the people of Barbados were so touched by how kind I was, which to me was just amazing,” he said.

He is also set to receive a Musial Award from the St. Louis Sports Commission, which is given out every year in recognition of the greatest moments of sportsmanship and honouring those in sports who embody class and character. The award is named after Hall of Famer Stan Musial.

“Still unbelievable that all this happened just because of giving that kid a ball,” Lanzillotta said. “It’s all about paying it forward. Now Derek has been taught a life lesson on kindness, and he has a chance to make another kid’s wish come true one day.”

Lanzillotta was in the stands but far away from the action when Judge hit his 61st home run in Toronto in September. He couldn’t believe his eyes when the ball slipped through the outstretched hands of two fans and ended up in the bullpen.

“I would have caught it, for sure,” he said matter-of-factly.

In the Corner

Rick Dominico of Uxbridge gives $105 “in memory of my Dad, Tom” … Nadia Vicente from Mississauga sends $150 in memory of Michael Kleine-Hermelink … Toronto’s Larry Green remembers Jays fans Annie and Wes Green with $40 … Paul Grise of Guelph gives $50 in memory of Ken and Al … Mississauga’s Tony Manastersky gives $1,000 in memory of his father, Tommy Manastersky a pro athlete with the Alouettes and the Canadiens … Grant Campbell of Queensville contributes $105.

Oakville’s Peggy Morrison honours educators everywhere with her donation of $105 … Brampton’s Michael and Catherine Shook return with $400 in honour of grandchildren Riley, Lucas, Theo and Yfke … Mississauga’s Greg and Donna Woodford offer $35 in memory of Sandra Tame … Mississauga’s Paul and Lorraine Poce honour Olympic athletes with their $50 donation … Mario and Marion De Piero of Toronto giveth $105 in memory of Jack and Dorothy Scruton, and Nino and Elda De Piero … Scarborough’s Colin Harker gives $88 in memory of “my dad, Harold Harker, an avid Toronto Star sports page reader” … Colleen Kastrinos sends $105 in memory of Audrey Jean Knowles … Ross Ridout chips in with $50 in honour of FNH Golf Duffers.

Marc-Antoine Comtois of Brampton gives $25 … Whitby’s Ron Fennell returns, remembering Bill Nurse with $105, along with another $210 from Hope and Ron Fennell … Jim Sturino, former chair of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame, makes two donations of $250 each, one in memory of Jack Dominico, the former owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team … The Star’s Jim Rankin remembers his father, Jim Rankin Sr., with $250 … Robert Wetick of Burlington gives $350 in memory of Chris Bartolucci and Bryan Marchment … Additional $350 donations come from the Goodwin family, David Goodaire, Martin Lindegger, and Douglas Hara who gives in memory of Paul and Ruth Henderson … Peter Voight gives $150 in memory of lifelong contributor Edwin Voight … David VanBoxmeer adds $105 … Andrea Mackesy donates $105 in memory of Bruce Alexander and Jason Bionda … Frank Coniglio contributes $125 … James Torpey gives $105 in memory of Larry Torpey … Catherine Swing offers $105 from in honour of Mildred Swing, another Proudfoot supporter.

Susan Knaack of Elgin, Ill., gives $105 in memory of Russell and Marilyn Walker … Brampton’s P. Lynn McFerran gives $250 in honour of “my son, Brent Ferris, and his family in Perth, Ont.” … Stephen Corey of Chatsworth donates $105 in memory of Leslie Harrison … the Wakeling family of Brampton sends $140 … Hendrik, Olan and Oriane Scott from St. Catharines give $105 in honour of Adaman … Mississauga’s Kevin and Karen Campbell contribute $500 … Michael Racioppa of Wasaga Beach chips in $105 … Port Perry’s Nick and Lou Fallon give $200.

John Grieve of Oshawa donates $105 in memory of Mike Bell … Greg and Donna Woodford of Mississauga give $35 in memory of Alan Skura … Barrie’s Rod Urquhart remembers J. and P. Urquhart and R. and E. Masciulli of North Bay with a $105 donation … Rick Ferguson of Uxbridge gives $105 in memory of Brian Search … Whitby’s Ron Lyons offers $35 in memory of his brother Doug Lyons … And Kincardine’s Steve McAllister, The Parleh sports betting newsletter editor-in-chief, adds $105 in memory of the legendary Randy Starkman.

Many thanks to everyone for your generous support!

Gilbert Ngabo is a Toronto-based sports reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @dugilbo