“He’s en route now.” That’s how the New York Yankees’ Aaron Boone described DJ LeMahieu’s return. But it turns out that DJ wasn’t just on his way back—he was on a mission. A mission to silence all the doubters, and maybe, just maybe, troll the trollers.

After months of being dragged by the Bronx fans, who questioned everything from DJ’s contract to his health to whether he had anything left to offer, he answered them all with just one swing. His solo shot in the third inning against the New York Mets pitcher Griffin Canning on Saturday afternoon didn’t just open the score; it shattered a nearly 10-month home run drought.

It really flipped the script for the Yankees in an instant. And suddenly, the same fans who spent the winter trying to write him off were on their feet, showering him with immense praise.

And it was easy to see how much pressure DJ LeMahieu must have felt and how relieved he was to hit that home run. The usual composure left him, and he let out a rare fist pump rounding the bases. A small but powerful sign of the grind he had been through. Since his signing of a $90 million six-year deal, it’s been a rather frustrating stretch, one that’s been filled with injuries.

From a broken foot to hip trouble to even a calf strain in spring training that cut short another of his comeback attempts. But playing under the bright lights of the Bronx isn’t easy. It’s one of the most competitive areas, and if you can’t perform, it doesn’t take time to get written off. And well, the 36-year-old did get written off.

But this time, the Bronx didn’t just prove hypocrisy, but the depiction was one with second chances, too.

DJ LeMahieu’s return leaves Yankees fans shocked but fired up!

When DJ performed, they didn’t wait around to come to his side—they simply rooted for him loud and clear.

One fan simply gave a shocked “What?” And honestly, it just sums up the excitement many have for DJ’s return. The New York Yankees have been scrambling at second base ever since Jazz Chisholm Jr. went down with an injury. And the guys filling in just have not delivered, hitting a combined .154. Meanwhile, DJ LeMahieu is coming on strong from hitting .444 and a home run. So his return can bring the stability and offensive spark the team needs. That’s one of the major reasons why fans are suddenly so hopeful and energized.

One fan summed it up best like this, capturing the shock and cautious optimism around DJ’s return. Because just a year ago, many were writing DJ LeMahieu off. His -1.6 bWAR in under 70 games and the weight of his contract were major reasons behind such an attitude. But now, after a rehab stint, he has shown plenty of potential. And his home run shifted the conversation quietly. As they say, a bright day at the stadium can change everything. From being called a dead weight to someone who can solve the Yankee woes, he has come a long way in just one game.

One user just declared it out loud: “That’s my DJ.” While it might sound surprising, it doesn’t take long for fans to come to your side when you perform. From a fan’s perspective, DJ LeMahieu hasn’t been the same since leading the league with a .364 average and a 178 OPS+ in 2020. That was the year that earned him the $90 million deal and hero status. But soon, inconsistency and injuries hit, and then last year, his .204 average had people leaving his side. But now that glimpses of 2020 DJ can be seen, a glimpse of that Gold Glove winner… And so, fans are by his side again.

The fans who wrote him off are here, exclaiming he is the bomb. That’s the reaction THAT homer got from Yankee fans, because most are surprised. And who can blame fans—the home run was a shock to many. However, not to DJ LeMahieu himself. In fact, he told Aaron Boone straight that, “I’m ready to help this team… ego’s been checked a while ago.” And even Boone has shown immense trust in DJ. He said, “As long as he’s healthy, I won’t be surprised with anything he brings to the table.” Well, Boone seems to be right all along. DJ crushed it!

One fan reminded everyone of “vintage DJLM.” And it hits deep for Yankee fans because before his quiet bat, he was LeMachine. He was the guy who sent chills down the spines. And who can forget that game-tying Game 6 homer of the 2019 ALCS? He was also a steady presence in 2020, giving fans something to look forward to. And hence his return to the field and being himself was emotional for many. DJ brought in memories, hope, and also a little disbelief.

But the hope now is, what if DJ isn’t just back… but back back? Not just filling the roster spot but being that guy again. For now, fans can dream because when DJ is right, it’s pure magic.