MVP Antentokounmpo gives baseball a shot at Yankee Stadium
In hoops, Giannis Antentokounmpo is court royalty. But in baseball, he's a complete rookie.
In fact, the 24-year-old from Greece said he'd never even touched a baseball before he did so Monday night at Yankee Stadium.
The reigning NBA MVP was shocked.
Milwaukee Bucks forward and 2019 NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, talks to New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia before a baseball game between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, July 15, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)
"It was really heavy," Antentokounmpo told The Associated Press. "I thought it would be lighter."
The Milwaukee Bucks star went on to take a few swings in the batting cage beneath the stands before the Yankees faced the Tampa Bay Rays. The 6-foot-11 Antentokounmpo got some coaching, with limited results — he swung and missed once with the ball on a tee, and made light contact on two other tries.
"I would be a terrible baseball player," he said.
Milwaukee Bucks forward and 2019 NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, center, and his three brothers, left, second from right, and right, pose for a photograph on the field with New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia, second from left, at Yankee Stadium before a baseball game between the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, July 15, 2019, in New York. (AP PhotoKathy Willens)
The "Greek Freak" was in the Bronx with his three brothers to promote his new signature sneaker and signed a pair for a fan — Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia.
Antentokounmpo watched the Yankees take batting practice, which reinforced his notion that he wasn't destined for the diamond.
"I saw Aaron Judge hitting the ball into the stands. That's amazing. You've got to be really strong to do that," he said.
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