It looks like Bill de Blasio will never be struck by Yankee fever.
A day after the blowout at Yankee Stadium celebrating the career of retiring pitcher Mariano Rivera, the Democratic mayoral candidate said Monday he’s rooting for the arch-rival Boston Red Sox to win the World Series.
“Of course. I like to see my team win,” he told host Curtis Sliwa on AM 970 — declining a chance to convert to the hometown teams as Mayor Bloomberg did when he took office.
The Massachusetts-raised de Blasio has made no secret of his Red Sox roots. And now that the team has clinched the American League East, he’s taken to recalling some its greatest moments..
He said he loved the 2004 American League Championship Series that saw the Red Sox become the first team to claw back from a 3-0 hole to win a seven-game series – against the Yankees.
“2004 was a year that not only did I love personally, but every sports fan should appreciate because it proves you can come back no matter how far you’re down,” de Blasio said.
De Blasio, who came back from polling in fourth place in the Democratic primary to win the nomination in convincing fashion, added, “There’s lessons in politics too on that level.”
De Blasio did have some kind words about Rivera, saying he honored the pitching ace and supported the efforts to celebrate his unbelievable career.