Yankees' Aaron Judge Deflects Derek Jeter Comparison from Damian Lillard

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge hopes to be regarded in the same way as other franchise icons, including Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. 

Speaking to Damian Lillard on Instagram Live (h/t NJ.com's Brendan Kuty), Judge shied away when the Portland Trail Blazers guard noted some people view him as the new Jeter:

"He paved the way for sure. That's the thing that I've been fortunate to be with the Yankees, the legends we have coming in and out of the building during spring training, during the season, just checking in. The Jeters, the Mariano Riveras, Andy Pettitte, Ron Guidry, all those guys. Reggie Jackson. It's no joke, man. You feel that presence.

"As a player I want to be that same presence. I want to set that path for the guys coming up behind me that are in rookie ball, that are in Low-A. 'Hey, this is how we do things here. If you want to win, you want to be champions, you have to put the team first, you play hard every day and you do it for the team.'"

Judge, who turns 28 on April 26, has become the face of Yankees baseball over the past three seasons. He has inspired an entire section of the stands at Yankee Stadium, known as the Judge's Chambers to dress up like judges complete with foam gavels. 

Last September, Russell Dorsey of MLB.com noted Judge, who wears No. 99, led all MLB players in jersey sales for the third straight season. 

After an August call-up in 2016, Judge's career exploded the following year. The Fresno State alum set a then-MLB rookie record with 52 home runs (Pete Alonso of the Mets broke the record last year with 53) to win AL Rookie of the Year and finish second in AL MVP voting. 

The missing piece to Judge's resume thus far has been a World Series title. The right fielder has led the Yankees to the American League Championship Series in 2017 and 2019 but has yet to play in a Fall Classic.