Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. gets into the Little League Classic spirit
Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees takes photos with Little League players during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Bowman Field on August 18, 2024 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images/Joe Sargent
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — On TV and in the stands, one Yankee staged a stirring performance of “All That Jazz” at Sunday night’s Little League Classic.
As the Yankees lost to the Tigers, 3-2, in 10 innings at historic Bowman Field, injured infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. made the rounds in the stands and did an in-game interview on ESPN.
On ESPN, Chisholm told a story of how he met one of the Little Leaguers at Williamsport Regional Airport when the Yankees landed on Sunday afternoon. The player is Russell McGee of Henderson, Nevada.
“He was like, ‘You’re my favorite baseball player,’ ’’ Chis-holm said. “I was like, ‘Your friend told me about you.’ He was like, ‘No. Like, you’re my favorite.’ He just starts going into it and all that stuff.
“We just started getting to know each other and then I was like, ‘You know what, kid? I’m going to be your big brother from here on. You know what? I’m going to make sure you have everything you need: sliding mitts, leg guards, gloves, bats. Don’t worry about it. Just give me a call and I got you.’ I gave him my number.” Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees watches the game against the Detroit Tigers with Little League players at Bowman Field on August 18, 2024 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images/Joe Sargent
As the Yankees mingled with Little Leaguers and fans during the event, Chisholm recorded everything with a camcorder.
Later, he roamed around the stands and sat with many of the Little League teams that — in full uniform — dotted the stands among the crowd of 2,532. McGee’s Nevada team was one of them.
Chisholm also led some fans in a rendition of the Yankee Stadium Bleacher Creatures’ roll call. Shortstop Anthony Volpe noticed and performed Chisholm’s signature stepback jumper, which is Chisholm’s response to the roll call.
Before the game, Chisholm took grounders at third base. He plans to return from the left elbow injury that has him on the 10-day injured list as soon as he is eligible, although he has yet to swing a bat.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
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