Since its inception in 2017, the Little League Classic has been hailed as one of Major League Baseball’s best ideas, offering a unique opportunity for the sport’s superstars to connect with young fans and rediscover their own inner child. However, this year, what caught the internet’s attention was Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s heartwarming interaction with a Little Leaguer.
Jazz Chisholm’s Inspiration: Cartoons and a grill
New York Yankees third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. found himself in the spotlight not only for his play on the field but also for his unique inspiration—cartoons. During the Yankees’ 2-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers, Chisholm joined ESPN’s broadcast to share the story behind his iconic grill, a piece of jewelry inspired by his love for cartoons.
“I really got a grill because—like I said, I’m big into anime and cartoons,” Jazz Chisholm said Sunday during the Yankees’ 2-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers. “In The Fairly OddParents, there’s a kid with a teenage friend named Chip Skylark. And his song—it’s my favorite on the show—is called ‘(My) Shiny Teeth and Me.'”
The character Chip Skylark, voiced by *NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick, was a parody of the boy bands that were popular during the show’s early-2000s run. Chisholm even gave a brief rendition of the song on air, laughing as he sang, “My shiny teeth and me.”
Since his trade to the Yankees on July 27, Chisholm has been on fire, slashing .316/.361/.702, though it’s safe to say Baseball Reference has no metrics on the brilliance of his teeth.
A new brother in baseball
In a heartwarming moment at the Little League Classic, Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. connected with a young fan, Russell McGee, from Paseo Verde Little League in Henderson, Nev. McGee, who wears the number 2 and a neck chain in honor of Chisholm, met his idol and shared that he was his biggest fan.
Jazz Chisholm, touched by the young shortstop’s admiration, decided to become his “big brother,” a role he once benefited from as a young player with mentors like CC Sabathia, Dominic Smith, and J.P. Crawford.
The two spent time together on a bus ride to the Little League World Series complex, where Jazz Chisholm reflected on the support he received early in his career. By the end of the ride, he vowed to be there for McGee, exchanging phone numbers and following him on social media.
Jazz Chisholm, currently sidelined with a left UCL sprain, made the most of his time in Williamsport by watching several innings with McGee in the bleachers. The experience brought back memories of his own days in Little League and strengthened his bond with the young player.
Jazz Chisholm plans to reunite with McGee at his Baseball Generations camp in Los Angeles this November and send him gear to support Nevada’s team in the Little League World Series.
Despite the Yankees’ loss to the Tigers, Sunday’s game highlighted the importance of moments in baseball that transcend wins and losses.
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