NY Yankee MVP Swings By Central Jersey's Famous Pizzeria

RARITAN, NJ — New York Yankee slugger Giancarlo Stanton stopped by Raritan's famous DeLucia's Brick Oven Pizza on Wednesday.

"As a lifelong Yankees fan, it was truly an amazing experience to have the opportunity to meet someone like him. Definitely not an everyday occurrence to have a superstar walk through your door," said Christian DeLucia, fourth-generation owner of the pizzeria at 3 1st Ave. in Raritan.

When Stanton stopped by, DeLucia told Patch he gave him the place to himself so he could enjoy the pizza.

"It made it even more special that he took the time to sit with my sons, and they talked for about 20 minutes. I have twins, they are split between the two NY teams. I have one die-hard Yankee fan and the other loves the Mets," said DeLucia.

Stanton the designated hitter and outfielder for the New York Yankees previously won the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in 2017. The five-time MLB Star has also won the NL Hank Aaron Award and the outfield Silver Slugger Award twice.

Stanton is currently on the IL(Injury List) since March 26 with epicondylitis in both elbows. He has been rehabbing nearby in Bridgewater with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, batting second as the designated hitter.

"He went 2-for-3 with a walk in his first game with the Patriots, driving in three runs on two singles," according to MLB.

"Thanks so much for coming in with @32double_d to try the pizza. Thank you even more for spending some time talking with my boys, a memory they will never forget. Best of luck when you get back with the Yankees," said DeLucia.

This isn't the first celebrity to visit DeLucia's. In March, "The Sopranos" actor Joseph R. Gannascoli, known for his portrayal of Vito Spatafore on the HBO series, stopped by Raritan.

NFL Legend Joe Montana also stopped by in April 2023 and New York Jets players Solomon Thomas and Bill Weber also came by later that month.

DeLucia's pizza rose to fame after the best-tasting slice internet celebrity Dave "El Pres" Portnoy gave them a near-perfect review in January 2022.

Portnoy, a self-proclaimed pizza expert and founder of Barstool Sports, scored the pizza a 9.4 out of 10 and called it "spectacular," making DeLucia's among the top 4 rated in the country by Portnoy. Read More: Raritan Pizza Spot Gets Nearly Perfect Review By Barstool Founder

Since that review, DeLucia's became a viral sensation, selling out of pizza months after the review, with people flying into Somerset County from all over the world just to try a slice. Read More: DeLucia's Is Still Selling Out Of Pizzas After Nearly Perfect Review

Two years since the review, DeLucia's still sells out of pizzas pretty much on a daily basis.

To order a pie from DeLucia's, call 908-725-1322. For more information, visit deluciasbrickovenpizza.com or facebook.com/deluciasbrickovenpizza.

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