Giancarlo Stanton isn’t just an exciting slugger for the New York Yankees: he’s a role model for players and fans around the world.

As the 34-year-old celebrated with his Yankee teammates on the field at Kauffman Stadium after winning the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, Stanton noticed Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. sitting alone in his home bench . In a beautiful display of sportsmanship, Stanton walked up to Witt and shook his hand to show his respect for the rising superstar. Columnist Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star posted a picture of Witt in the Royals’ dugout, while Yankee fan Mario Gomez posted a picture of the heartwarming interaction.

For his part, the 24-year-old Witt had one of the best seasons of all time as a shortstop; In just his third season, the Royals star won the MLB batting title with a .332 batting average, recorded his second straight 30-30 season with 32 home runs and 31 stolen bases, and was 16 Outs Above Average (OAA) with one Statcast Fielding Run Value (FRV) of 12 at one of the most demanding defensive positions in baseball and was one of only two players this season (Aaron Judge was the other) to record more than 10 wins above replacement, with FanGraphs giving him 10.4 WAR attributes. Admittedly, Witt struggled in the ALDS against the Yankees with just two hits (both singles) in 18 plate appearances, but that doesn’t take away from such an outstanding season.

As for Stanton, he continued his incredible October heroics by hitting .375/.444/.688 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI, leading the Yankees to an ALDS triumph. Although the veteran slugger went 1-for-8 overall in the first two games, he had five hits in the last two, including a game-winning home run in Game 3.

But as much as Stanton contributes to the Yankees on the diamond, he is also a key component to the team’s camaraderie and high morale, serving as a lighthouse in the clubhouse and flawlessly navigating the intense New York media. While Aaron Judge holds the official title of team captain, teammate Juan Soto called Stanton the Yankees’ “second captain,” according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News.

“He knows how everything works,” Soto said. “If you have doubts here and there about what you are doing, you can always turn to him and he will have an answer.”

With Stanton’s vital play on the field and his leadership skills off the field, he deserves more recognition as one of the game of baseball’s greatest ambassadors. There are plenty of players that kids look up to as role models, but perhaps Stanton will serve as a role model more often after his classy exchange with one of MLB’s future stars.