Another October legend has been made. For the first time in 15 years, the New York Yankees look like they’re holding up the legacy and the feeling of awe their name inspires. Since 2009, they’ve won the ALCS and are contenders for the World Series. Now, it might be because they didn’t face the Astros this time but either way, St. Johns’ Rick Pitino is admiring the Yankees’ last offseason trade-in.

Soto did exactly what he was brought in to do in December 2023 and helped the Bronx Bombers live up to their name with a three-run home run in the 10th inning vs the Guardians’ Hunter Gaddis. Yankee fan Rick Pitino was of course tuned in to watch his favorite team in the throes of glory and took to X to praise the outfielder. “Soto’s at bat in the 10th inning was the best I’ve seen in baseball. Focus was amazing and patience waiting for his pitch. Let’s Go Yanks!!”

Soto hit the homer on the seventh pitch with two out and two hits, a risqué position if there was one. Now, while he certainly delivered, Pitino’s claim of best 10th-inning baseball might be questionable. These are exciting times for New Yorkers, especially for one like the St. John’s coach, who has been a die-hard Pinstripe fan since his childhood. And yet, another famous 10th-inning play from Roberto Clemente comes to mind. Given, that it was an All-Star Game and not a tense postseason match-up, it delivered a victory to the Yankees.

For Pitino, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Subway Series last June, nothing is better than New York sports. Forget the fact that up until last year, Juan Soto was a San Diego star; once you come to the East Coast, you stay on the East Coast. The former Knicks coach might even have his wishes come true and get a Subway Series rematch in the World Series if the Mets win vs. the Dodgers.

Last week, he posted on social media about wanting the Mets to get a win also. If they do get to the final showdown, it will only be the second showdown between the two NY baseball teams after their 2000 matchup (which the Yanks won). But this season, when the Bombers were struggling against division rivals from Baltimore, the Hall of Famer coach had a basketball comparison to make.

Rick Pitino wanted the Yankees to be more like the Knicks

While Rick Pitino is currently lending his talents to St. John’s University, the New Yorker also briefly worked in the NBA with the Knicks, all the way back in 1987. Much like their Bronx MLB counterparts, the Knicks have gone through rough years but Pitino chose to look at the good side.

Present at Yankee Stadium after the All-Star break in June this year, the coach took to X to reveal his thoughts after the Yankees lost two games. “We need to catch the (Baltimore) Orioles, it’s time,” Pitino said. “The Knicks really represented this city well. You’ve got all the ingredients the same way the Knicks did. We’ve got to catch the Orioles. We’re going to hang another banner this year. We’re going to be world champions.”

New York sports have not been the same in the last few years, so fans like Rick Pitino probably can’t help but evoke the past for some inspiration. But as MLB advances, the Liberty are also nearing a championship win on the WNBA side if they can clinch one more win over the Lynx. As the playoff season advances, all fingers are crossed in New York!