Anthony Volpe gifts signed bat to Knicks’ Josh Hart with special message
The gesture highlighted the mutual respect between two rising stars in the New York sports scene. Hart, who joined the Knicks in February 2023 via a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, quickly endeared himself to fans. By August, he’d signed a four-year, $81 million extension, cementing his future in the Big Apple.
Volpe, meanwhile, debuted for the Yankees just weeks after Hart’s trade, stepping onto the field at Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2023, against the San Francisco Giants. Initially doubted for his 5-foot-9 frame, the New Jersey native proved size isn’t everything. In his rookie season, Volpe hit 21 home runs, drove in 60 RBIs, and earned a Gold Glove for his standout defense.
The two stars crossed paths in September when Hart attended a Yankees game. Before the first pitch, Hart joined Volpe, Giancarlo Stanton, and Juan Soto near the batting cage for a casual chat. It seems the idea for the signed bat might have been born during that conversation.
While Volpe’s Yankees came up short in the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers, the season was a major step forward for the young star. Volpe, who led the team with 28 steals, spoke candidly about the experience of playing in the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s my dream, but it was all my friends’ dreams, all my cousins’ dreams, probably my sister’s dream, too,” Volpe told MLB.com. “But winning the World Series was first and foremost, by far. Nothing else compares, so we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”
Volpe’s gift to Hart is another example of his seamless fit in New York’s sports culture. The city’s athletes are often more than competitors—they’re collaborators, part of a tight-knit community that transcends their individual games.
As Volpe’s star continues to rise, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more athletes from the Knicks, Jets, or even Rangers lining up to exchange memorabilia with the Yankees’ shortstop. For now, Volpe is clearly comfortable sharing the spotlight with his peers in the city that never sleeps.
