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MLB: UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley returning to Yankee Stadium to throw out first pitch

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MLB: UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley returning to Yankee Stadium to throw out first pitch

UConn coach Dan Hurley (15) chats with Yankees manager Aaron Boone before first-pitch ceremonies at Yankee Stadium in July 2023. Hurley, as back to back national champ, will return to Yankee Stadium for another pitch on Saturday. (Dom Amore/Hartford Courant)

UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley will return to Yankee Stadium to throw out the first pitch before the Yankees-Red Sox game on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Hurley, a lefty, delivered the first pitch before a game on July 23, 2023, to celebrate his first men’s basketball title. That day, he was presented with a signed jersey by Royals Hall of Famer George Brett; Hurley became a big fan of Brett after his famous tirade in the “pine tar game” in 1983. The Yankees were playing the Royals on the 40th anniversary of that game.

Dom Amore: When George Brett blew his stack, UConn’s Dan Hurley was watching

Characteristically, Hurley has been comically critical of his performance, though he threw from the top of the mound and didn’t bounce it, and he has been promising to throw a strike with more on it this time, as he celebrates his second consecutive championship.

Statistical quirk? The Huskies appeared at Fenway Park for a Yankees-Red Sox game on June 15. On that day, the Yankees were 50-22 and threatening to run away with the AL East. They have lost 13 of 17 games since Alex Karaban threw the first pitch. The Red Sox, meanwhile, were 35-35 on June 15 and are 12-4 since.

Maybe the Yankees could use a fiery pregame talk from Hurley.

Dom Amore: In a region of champions, Dan Hurley’s Huskies are the dynasty in residence

 

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