New York Yankees Infielder D. J. LeMahieu has come to New York and become a matinee idol. All the kids love him because he plays with that "little boy enthusiasm."
When you see him walking towards you, you think that he is a little boy until he is standing next to you.
Then, you suddenly find you're actually standing standing right next to a 6-foot-3-inch man.
D. J. has captured the hearts of chilren, adults, and his own teammates — equally.
Gary Sanchez says that D. J. may just be the most unselfish player on the team because he is so giving of himself. Another player who is no longer on the Yankees team, said that D. J. plays the game like baseball is really supposed to be played. I must also add that people sometimes forget that this fellow is a Former National League batting champion.
But D.J. doesn’t care about that.
His main concern is to win as a Yankee.
D.J. says that putting on a Yankee uniform is like living a dream and he wants to enjoy the fantasy as long as he can. He also loves the fact that a lot of love comes from so many Bronx kids and he wants to return the mutual admiration by visiting some of these children at their schools during the upcoming season.
As many of my regular readers know, this has always been the Yankees way and to have D. J. want to be a mentor to some of these kids has to make you feel good.
D. J. said that his personal message to children out there is to reach high and not be afraid to go for your dream.
Ray Negron is a sports executive with over 40 years of experience in baseball. His first job came from a chance encounter with George Steinbrenner as a youth. He has become an American film producer, a best-selling author, and a philanthropist. His memoir is entitled, "Yankee Miracles: Life with the Boss and the Bronx Bombers." For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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