This pol’s flip flop comes from the heart.
NYC Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola’s nephew Joe was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Major League Baseball Draft last week — and the longtime Mets fan is already switching her allegiances.
“I’m changing my hat,” the Queens GOPer and new Diamondbacks fan declared to The Post. “I’m sorry. Blood is thicker.”
Joe Ariola, a 6-2 190-pound lefty hurler, played three seasons at Wake Forest University and was tapped in the seventh round by the Diamondbacks with the 213th pick – guaranteeing him a $274,100 signing bonus.
That’s nearly double his aunt’s $148,500 take as a council member.
“He’s very special to me because he’s my godson, and because it was hard work and determination that got him there,” she said. “He has achieved the dream of every Little Leaguer.”
The pol also offered a glowing scouting report of her new favorite player: “He’s a lefty pitcher that could throw between 93 to 97 miles per hour, and he’s got a curveball that is next to unhittable.”
The younger Ariola, who was born in Queens and raised in Malverne on Long Island, has faced his share of obstacles throughout his young career.
He had a spectacular freshman year at Chaminade High School, giving up only a single earned run while striking out 80 batters in just 34 2/3 innings.
“Our eyes popped out when we first saw him pitch. It was like finding a winning lottery ticket you didn’t know was there,” recalled the high school’s baseball coach Joseph Caso.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled Ariola’s sophomore season and then he underwent Tommy John surgery, wiping out his last two seasons in high school.
But he had already shown more than enough ability to score a scholarship to play for baseball powerhouse Wake Forest.
During the MLB Draft broadcast, announcer Jim Callis referred to Ariola as an “upside play” who issued too many walks at Wake Forest but “who’s stuff is really interesting.”
The younger Ariola said he agreed with Callis’ assessment and is excited to be in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system, where he plans to work on improving his control.
Although he wasn’t drafted by the team he grew up rooting for – the Yankees – Ariola said “it was special” to pitch for their former minor-league affiliate Trenton Thunder in last month’s MLB Draft League — especially on the same field where past and present Bronx Bombers like Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter once played.
“I had three starts and did well,” he said. “Great coaches over there. It was so super comfortable and they just welcomed me with open arms.”
But he also said his days of rooting for the Yankees are over.
“It was definitely a thrill to get drafted by the Diamondbacks,” he said.
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