PHOTO: Josh Hart receives special No. 32 jersey from Yankees in tribute to his trailblazing uncle, team's first Black player
Josh Hart may have been born and raised in Maryland, but the talented NBA star has plenty of ties to the Big Apple. Hart's great-uncle, Elston Howard, was the first African-American player in New York Yankees history, and the New York Knicks guard received a special gift from the legendary MLB club on Tuesday.
With the Baltimore Orioles in town, Hart visited Yankee Stadium and had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch as part of a night that paid tribute to his great uncle. The Yankees gifted Hart with a No. 32 jersey, the same number Howard wore during his with the Yanks.
Hart also had time to take a tour and snap some pics at the Yankees' famous open-air museum, Monument Park, which is also located in the stadium.
Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier on April 15, 1947, when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, becoming the first Black player in the league's history. Almost exactly eight years later, Elston Howard stepped out for the Yankees on April 14, 1955, to become the organization's first Black player in the major league.
Howard was signed by the Yankees in 1950 but spent his early years in the minor leagues. After working his way up the ladder to the big leagues, Elston Howard thrived under manager Casey Stengel. The gifted catcher would go on to win six World Series with the Bronx Bombers and was named the AL MVP in 1963.
Like his great uncle, Josh Hart has become a fan favorite in the Big Apple, with New Yorkers captivated by his work ethic and the energy with which he plays the game.
Josh Hart has hilarious response after former teammate Isaiah Hartenstein joins OKC Thunder
Josh Hart helped guide the New York Knicks to their best regular season record since the 2012-13 season. Led by strong seasons from Hart, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, the Knicks finished with 50 wins and went all the way to the Eastern Conference semifinals for a second straight season.
One key piece will be missing when the players return next season, with Isaiah Hartenstein opting for a change of scenery. The talented center signed a three-year, $87 million contract with the OKC Thunder this offseason, leading to a comical reaction from Hart on his X account.
"You are dead to me Zay. I never liked you anyways. But congrats on the bag!" Hart joked.
Despite the loss of Hartenstein, the New York Knicks remain one of the most talented rosters in the East. With the core of the team returning for the 2024-25 season, New York will be aiming to break the franchise's 51-year championship drought.