Now THAT’S Italian!
The Brooklyn Cyclones became the Brooklyn Cyclonis on Monday night, donning Italian soccer-style uniforms for the annual Italian Heritage Night at Keyspan Park.
In addition to the usual ethnic-themed fun — including Italian music from group Trey Bella, a stirring rendition of the Italian national anthem, “II Canto Degli Italiani,” and a first pitch thrown out by local boy made good, boxer Paulie Malignaggi — the Cyclones looked extra sporty in those Azzurri-hued “Cycloni” uniforms, designed by Kevin Jimenez.
“I love the blue from the Italian soccer team,” said Jimenez, who has tweaked the Cyclone uniforms for other special event nights such as Jewish Heritage Night. “I put the uniform number on the top left as opposed to under the team logo because that’s how it is on the Italian soccer uniform.”
Despite the football origins of the design, it was baseball player-approved.
“I love these jerseys and blue is my favorite color,” said manager Pedro Lopez.
First-baseman Sam Honeck said these tops were the tops.
“The best we’ve had so far this year,” he said.
Better still? Unlike Italy’s eye-blink post-war governments, the Cyclones showed true staying power on Italian Heritage Night, beating the Aberdeen Ironbirds in 14 innings.
