National Football League

Clarkin learns to love Yankees

Published Jun. 7, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Sam Gardner

The New York Yankees selected Ian Clarkin, a left-handed pitcher out of San Diego, with the 33rd overall pick in Thursday’s MLB draft.

Clarkin had a 0.95 ERA and struck out 133 batters in 73-1/3 innings this year — and he is thought to have top-of-the-rotation stuff, particularly a devastating curveball that has drawn comparisons to Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. So it's no surprise the Yankees took the University of San Diego commit so high. The kid’s got first-round talent.

"I was actually in tears, I was so happy," Clarkin told the site when asked of the Yankees' Game 7 loss that year.

These days, however, Clarkin seems to be changing his allegiance, and will definitely have to put his days as a Yankee-hater behind him if he ends up signing with the Bombers instead of playing for his hometown team in college — a proposition that seems likely, if his own comments are any indication.

"Now I do love (the Yankees), and my dad's going to have to learn to love them, too," Clarkin told MLB.com. "They're the most historic organization, and I am looking forward to it. There's proof in the pudding, and I'm excited for it.”