"He's a true Yankee" - Bronx Bombers fans embrace Jazz Chisholm Jr. as he responds to first role call with a Kobe Bryant tribute

Ever since the arrival of Jazz Chisholm Jr., the versatile infielder has connected seamlessly with the New York Yankees fanbase. The energy and his way of connecting with the crowd have been lauded by fans. On Friday, he mimicked his idol Kobe Bryant's basketball move to get the crowd buzzing.

During the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays, Chisholm acknowledged the support of the Yankees fandom, aka Bleacher Creatures, with the iconic fadeaway jump shot of the late four-time NBA champion Bryant, according to Bryan Hoch.

Fans were supportive in their reactions, lauding Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s allegiance to the Yankees after he gave a tribute to the late NBA Hall of Famer.

"I’m so proud of jazz he’s a true yankee," one fan commented.

"Jazz is bringing it on," another wrote.

"As a Red Sox fan, I can’t lie this is pretty sick. You guys got a good one," another added.

One fan compared his stay with the Marlins in comparison to his new team:

"Miami could never, love that he will be motivated in a place that will love him and cheer him," one fan wrote.

"Anyone who doesnt love JCJ has a screw loose," another added.

"Love this guy already," another quipped.

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Jazz Chisholm Jr. recalled the meeting that never took place with Kobe Bryant

Like many, Jazz Chisholm Jr. mourned the loss of his idol Kobe Bryant, who along with his daughter Gianna and others who died in a horrific helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2000.

The second baseman considered "Black Mamba" his idol and recalled the time when he met the Lakers great for a brief time and was supposed to meet Bryant again on Jan. 27.

“Kobe (Bryant) was my number one idol, Kobe Bryant. I go to LA, I got to the Mamba Academy and this was like two days before he died, I went to the Mamba Academy and I met him right,” Chisholm said on The Pivot Podcast.

“I wanted to ask him some questions, but he said he had to go. The next day I got to the Grammy, The Roc Nation Grammy Brunch thing. That was cool, and I’m so excited because the next day, Sunday, I’m suppose to go talk to Kobe, my dreams about to come true, I’m about to meet my idol, talk to my idol.”

Derek Jeter who is known to have personally recruited Jazz Chisholm Jr. via trade encouraged him to step up following Bryant's death.

“The helicopter crash happens, I call Derek Jeter on the phone crying and was like, bro, I was just supposed to meet Kobe, and he just died,” Chisholm said.

“That’s my idol. You’ve got to step up. Exact words, to Derek Jeter. He told me I was supposed to be his shortstop of the future. My idol died. You’ve got to step up to be my idol, and from that day on, he literally treated me like his son.”

From that day on, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has given his efforts everytime he has graced the diamond. Now that he's part of the Yankees, he can emulate what Jeter did for the organization.