Rick Pitino stood on the field at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, scanning the iconic frieze. The Hall of Fame basketball coach seemed transported across 161st Street and some six decades, recalling time spent at the original House that Ruth Built.
“I was probably 10 or 11, living in the Bronx off the Grand Concourse,” Pitino said. “With my two girl cousins, we would catch about eight day games a year. It was special -- I have so many great memories.”
He rattled off the names of World Series champions: Clete Boyer, Bobby Richardson, Tony Kubek, Hector Lopez, Johnny Blanchard – and, of course, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Currently heading the St. John’s University program, Pitino has seen and coached his share of great athletes. Yet even he marvels at what Aaron Judge is doing.
“I’m not sure that Aaron Judge isn’t going to have the type of legacy that [Babe] Ruth and [Lou] Gehrig have had,” Pitino said. “He’s quite special. I don’t buy into anything about the postseason; he’ll have great postseasons as well. And I hope it’s this year.”
Asked how the 6-foot-7 Judge might have fit into the St. John’s program, Pitino quipped: “He’s not quick enough laterally,” adding quickly, “No, he’d be awesome for us.”
