Karl-Anthony Towns wore an interlocking NY cap during a postgame interview in Boston on Tuesday night, but he was joined by several Knicks who showed support for the Yankees as they prepare for their first World Series trip since 2009. There was only one person.
Towns, a New Jersey native who played internationally for the Dominican Republic, called Yankees star outfielder Juan Soto “a modern-day Ted Williams, in a way.”
“Juan Soto, in my opinion, is one of the greatest Dominicans in baseball that I've ever seen,” Towns said after the Knicks' season-opening loss to the Celtics. “As I watch from afar as a fan, he's one of those players who doesn't have to be a member of the Yankees to see his discipline at the plate, the power he has and the way he commands at the plate.” And cover the plate.
“He's done a lot of things that the greats in MLB have done.”
Josh Hart has a personal connection to the Yankees and was able to visit his late great-uncle Elston Howard's retirement number 32 plaque in Monument Park before throwing out the first pitch in September.
“I hope they win,” Hart said. “Unfortunately, I'm on a road trip, so I don't think I'll be able to go to the game.'' [next week]. …But I'm really excited, I'm excited for them as players, I'm excited for this city, and I'll be watching and rooting for them. ”
The Yankees and Dodgers will play Games 3, 4 and 5, respectively, in the Bronx from Monday through Wednesday.
The Knicks are scheduled to play the Cavaliers at home on Monday, then travel to Tuesday to play Miami the following night.
All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson also threw out the first pitch before a game at the stadium in July, spoke with Aaron Judge and exchanged No. 11 jerseys with Anthony Volpe.
“It's really cool. I'm really excited for them,” Brunson said. “Yeah, I hope they bring it home. I'm a little upset, I don't think I have time to go to any games…but it's okay. I trust them 100 percent.”
