NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Harrison Bader #22 of the New York Yankees scores during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros in game four of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Harrison Bader is playing for his hometown New York Yankees and loving the chance to root on the New York Knicks.
Harrison Bader may have played college ball in Florida and begun his MLB career in St. Louis but he was born and raised in New York and his fandoms run deep. Bader was traded from the Cardinals to the Yankees in August and since he arrived he’s apparently been spotted at a lot of Knicks games.
On Wednesday night, Bader was shown on the jumbotron, pounding a beer to loud applause.
He was also courtside for a game against the Raptors on Dec. 22…
And earlier in the month with teammate Nestor Cortes for a game against the Hawks.
Playing center field for the Yankees has a way of making you a celebrity and Bader seems to be embracing the adulation and the opportunity to watch his favorite team up close.
Harrison Bader isn’t the only celebrity appearing regularly at Knicks games
Courtside seats at Knicks games are usually loaded with celebrities, enough that Newsday has cataloged at least some of those that have appeared this season — Fat Joe, Michael J. Fox, Chloe Sevigny, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart and more.
The Knicks are currently 21-18 and in the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference — with a 68 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight. By that point, the Yankees season will have begun and Bader may not have as many chances to see them in person, so he might as well enjoy these courtside appearances now, while he can.
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