A member of the NBA championship-winning New York Knicks, naturally, Josh Hart is a Yankees fan. However, his connection to the Bronx Bombers runs much deeper.His great-uncle on his father’s side is the late Elston Howard, who was the first Black player on the Yankees’ roster — eight years after Jackie Robinson broke MLB’s color barrier in 1947. Howard’s No. 32 has been retired since 1984, and Hart has thrown out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on a number of occasions, including most recently alongside Jalen Brunson to celebrate the Knicks’ title.With the NBA offseason in full swing, Hart, like many Yankees fans, is eagerly waiting for the club to make a move or two ahead of the 6 p.m. trade deadline. Already the Yankees have added power hitter Luis García Jr. in a deal with the Washington Nationals, but more is always welcomed, especially in New York, where every season is World Series or bust.
Come on please be a big day for my Yanks
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) August 3, 2026So far, New York has not heeded the call, leaving Hart waiting in anticipation.In the time since he wished for a “big day” for the Yankees, he turned his attention to episode seven of HBO’s House of the Dragon, before circling back to the still-silent Yankees.
