Pitino tosses first pitch to Cavs’ Mitchell in N
Jun 13, 2023, 09:30 PM ET NEW YORK– Leading off at the Train Series, brand-new St. John’s males’s basketball coach Rick Pitino.Just before the New york city Yankees faced the Mets on Tuesday night at Citi Field, the Hall of Popularity basketball coach threw away a ceremonial first pitch to Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell– who played for Pitino at Louisville.Mitchell’s father, also called Donovan, works for the Mets as Senior Director,
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “I’m friends with Donovan Mitchell Sr. as well, and when I learnt that young Donovan was capturing me, I believed it was amazing. Because I enjoy him, I love whatever about their household. I simply hope I don’t toss it too hard for him and hurt him,”the 70-year-old Pitino stated with a laugh as he spoke near the Mets’dugout while the Yankees completed batting practice.To prepare for his big moment on the mound, Pitino practiced a bit earlier
in the day.” I tossed it for the very first time today in 35 years, “he stated
.” It injured.” Just before the Yankees dealt with the Mets at Citi Field, brand-new St. John’s guys’s basketball coach Rick Pitino tossed out the ceremonial very first pitch to Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell– who bet Pitino at Louisville. Elsa/Getty Images
Using a No. 7 St. John’s baseball jersey, Pitino received a nice ovation when he was presented to the Queens crowd. He entered into his windup from the pitching rubber and short-hopped Mitchell a little large of the plate.Mitchell was using
a No. 1 Mookie Wilson Mets jersey.Pitino was hired by St. John’s, situated about 5 miles from Citi Field, in March after an effective stint at nearby Iona, a small school situated in New Rochelle, simply north of New york city City. He was born in the Big Apple and grew up a baseball fan on Long Island following New york city stars such as Mickey Mantle of the Yankees and Tom Seaver of the Mets.”I truly rooted for both teams,” Pitino said.”But I have actually felt such a warm welcome, it’s been a lot of fun. “And now, he’s certainly in a New York state of mind.
“I’m ecstatic, because this is New York.
Everything about New york city is remarkable,”Pitino stated. “And to me, not needing to move, be back in the Big East, can’t get any better.”