Kyrie Irving grew up a Yankee fan as a native of nearby New Jersey, and now with the Brooklyn Nets, he has been able to get a closer view of Aaron Judge, who swung his way into baseball lore on Wednesday night with his 61st home run of the season.
"Guy's special," Irving said. "It's not too often you get to see it up close. When you do, you want to appreciate it."
Irving knows what it's like to rise to stardom in professional sports, while Judge has risen to legendary levels as he is now one home run away from the American League single-season record in a home run chase that has captivated New York, where Irving is currently preparing for the upcoming Nets season.
"What he's doing, I just want to wish him the best," Irving said. "I don't want to jinx him or anything. I want to send him great energy, make sure he continues it up, and put on for the City."
Irving met Judge briefly while in Miami rehabbing with Giancarlo Stanton and the late Jose Fernandez, and like all of Judge's teammates, had nothing but good things to say about the perennial MVP candidate.
"Good team-spirited guy," Irving said. "And always keeps his priorities first."
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