St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Head Coach Rick Pitino Throws First Pitch at Citi Field
6/13/2023 7:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Hall of Famer tosses ceremonial first pitch before Subway Series game between Mets-Yankees on Tuesday
QUEENS, N.Y. – Hall of Famer and current Red Storm Head Coach Rick Pitino threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday's Subway Series game between the Mets and Yankees at Citi Field.
Pitino, who is the second winningest active coach in Division I, met with the New York media and several notable personalities prior to his first pitch delivery.
"I'm excited because this is New York," Pitino said. "Everything about New York is awesome. For me, not having to move and to be back to the BIG EAST, it can't get any better."
With a career that spans six decades, Pitino boasts an 834-293 collegiate coaching record to go with 23 NCAA Tournament appearances across five different schools while advancing to the Final Four seven times, a total reached by only six coaches all-time.
Entering his first season in Queens, the legendary head coach has assembled nearly an entire roster that features a blend of talent and experience and will be led by senior captain Joel Soriano. The Johnnies made several key offseason additions, including Ivy League Player of the Year Jordan Dingle.
On Tuesday at Citi Field prior to Mets-Yankees, Pitino toed the rubber and looked towards four-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell for a sign before delivering a sinker down-and-away that would have forced a batter to swing and miss.
"I'm friends with Donovan Mitchell Sr., so when I found out young Donovan was catching me, I thought it was awesome," Pitino said before the ceremonial first pitch. "I love him and everything about their family. I just hope I don't throw it too hard at him."
Pitino, who is the second winningest active coach in Division I, met with the New York media and several notable personalities prior to his first pitch delivery.
"I'm excited because this is New York," Pitino said. "Everything about New York is awesome. For me, not having to move and to be back to the BIG EAST, it can't get any better."
With a career that spans six decades, Pitino boasts an 834-293 collegiate coaching record to go with 23 NCAA Tournament appearances across five different schools while advancing to the Final Four seven times, a total reached by only six coaches all-time.
Entering his first season in Queens, the legendary head coach has assembled nearly an entire roster that features a blend of talent and experience and will be led by senior captain Joel Soriano. The Johnnies made several key offseason additions, including Ivy League Player of the Year Jordan Dingle.
On Tuesday at Citi Field prior to Mets-Yankees, Pitino toed the rubber and looked towards four-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell for a sign before delivering a sinker down-and-away that would have forced a batter to swing and miss.
"I'm friends with Donovan Mitchell Sr., so when I found out young Donovan was catching me, I thought it was awesome," Pitino said before the ceremonial first pitch. "I love him and everything about their family. I just hope I don't throw it too hard at him."
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