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The 57-year-old from Armonk has been given the chance to earn like a major-league player as one of two contestants in the “Daily News Be A Winner Pitch For A Million Sweepstakes.”
The father of two’s moment to shine will take place before the July 8 game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.
For a whopping $1 million, Pinto will have 30 seconds to throw 10 pitches through an 18-inch wide target 60 feet, 6 inches away.
Though the cash prize could mean a big change for the unemployed computer network engineer, he only entered the sweepstakes for fun after seeing an ad in the newspaper. “I figured why not and sent in my entry in the mail,” Pinto said. Pinto, who describes himself as a “huge Yankees fan,” has lived in New York all his life and attends at least five Yankees games a year. While his only experience playing baseball is in the backyard with his kids, he isn’t worried. “It’s going to be difficult no matter what, so there’s no reason to be nervous,” he said. However, he’s also scheduled private pitching classes leading up to the event in order to maximize his chances. “I have nothing to lose.” Pinto has no plans for the money – because he doesn’t expect to see much of it. “They’re going to give me deposits over the next 40 months, after taxes it’s like peanuts. When you read between the lines, it’s a joke. If I get 9 in, I take home $100,000 in cash – so I might just do that,” he said. According to Pinto, his family - including his wife, Elvira - is very excited and supportive of the competition.
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