Jacob deGrom hands ball to young New York Mets fan who surprises everyone by passing it to another man showing heartwarming gesture

Jacob deGrom’s long-awaited return to Citi Field brought astounding emotions among fans, but it was a young fan’s unexpected act of generosity that stole the spotlight. During Friday night’s game, the Texas Rangers ace tossed a ball into the crowd, only to watch it change hands in a way that quickly went viral.

It was a gift from a pitcher to a supporter that turned into one of the night’s most heartwarming moments.

Jacob deGrom’s gesture sparks emotion as a young fan steals the spotlight

After receiving the ball from Jacob deGrom, the young New York Mets fan hesitated briefly before handing it to another man nearby. Broadcasters couldn’t help but notice, with one saying, “Young man got two balls, his [brother behind him] took the other one, they got three total.” Another voice added, “Who’s this one going to? Aww, look at that.

That is nice.”

The wholesome moment happened against the backdrop of deGrom’s first appearance at Citi Field since leaving for the Rangers in free agency before the 2023 season. Once the face of the Mets’ rotation, deGrom received a loud ovation and a tribute video from the 41,040 fans in attendance. He tipped his cap to acknowledge the crowd before heading to the mound for Texas.The Rangers quickly backed their ace, scoring six runs in the opening frame against rookie Jonah Tong.

With the support he rarely enjoyed during his Mets tenure, deGrom settled in after a shaky third inning and retired 15 consecutive batters to seal an 8-3 win.

Jacob deGrom reflects on Citi Field return

For deGrom, the night was about more than just another solid performance. It was an emotional homecoming after nine seasons in New York, where he won two Cy Young Awards and posted the best ERA in franchise history. Speaking after the game, the 37-year-old admitted the warm reception resonated deeply.“It means a lot,” deGrom said. “The fans were great to me tonight. They were great to me when I was here. I always enjoyed taking the mound in front of this crowd, so tonight was just as special.”Also Read: President Donald Trump attends Yankees game on 24th anniversary of 9/11 and joins patriotic chants