The Yankees already have their next franchise icon, according to NBA superstar Damian Lillard.
"I'm feeling like you're the new Derek Jeter, bro," Portland Trailblazers star said to Aaron Judge during an Instagram Live chat on Thursday. "I don't think you're trying to fill his shoes or anything, but I feel like you have that type of presence. Derek Jeter vibes, bro."
Judge took the compliment with his trademark humility and graciousness -- an approach that would make Jeter himself smile.
"He paved the way for sure, that's the thing. I've been fortunate enough to be with the Yankees, man, just the legends we have coming in and out of that building during Spring Training and during the season, just checking in. Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Ron Guidry -- all those guys -- Reggie Jackson."
Judge said it's an honor to fill a leadership role on the Yankees -- and he feels responsible to pay it forward for younger players, just as Jeter did before him.
"It's no joke man. You feel that presence, and as a player, I want to be that same presence. I want to set that path for the guys who are coming up behind me who are in rookie ball, who are in low A, like 'Hey, this is how we do things here man. If you want to win, you want to be a champion, you put the team first, you play hard every day, and you do it for the team.'"
Jeter's winning mentality might not have taken hold with the Miami Marlins since he took over as owner, but clearly his presence is still felt in the Bronx and beyond.
