New York City celebrates Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years
After a 53-year wait, the New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship, sparking celebrations throughout New York City. Thousands of fans lined the streets of Manhattan for a historic parade, turning a Thursday weekday into a spontaneous holiday as the city honored its victorious team.
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If you can dream it, you can achieve it — that’s the mindset New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. has heading into the second half of the 2026 MLB season.
In 2024, Chisholm and the Yankees came close to breaking the “Big Four” sports league championship drought in New York. The Los Angeles Dodgers, the team against which the Yankees will begin their second half on Friday night in the Bronx, finished that Fall Classic in five games in their favor.
But Chisholm got to witness what a title parade looks like in New York last month, when the New York Knicks broke a 53-year drought and sent the five boroughs and surrounding tri-state area into a complete frenzy of joy, tears and many other emotions.
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees smiles during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on June 25, 2026. (Natalie Reid/MLB Photos)
The obvious goal for every MLB team is to win the World Series in October, especially for the 27-time pinstriped champions. But Chisholm told Pak Gazette Digital that his conversations with Knicks players during the NBA title celebration only increased his need to hoist a trophy himself.
“Me and a couple of my teammates talked about it, and a couple of [Knicks] He talked about it too. I talked to Jalen about it and saw how he felt. Hearing it in his voice and getting goosebumps again talking about it. It’s just a feeling you want to experience,” said Chisholm, while highlighting his collaboration with Corona as part of his limited-edition Beach Connect Series t-shirts.
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“I talk to my kids about this and we all agree.”
Chisholm, an impending free agent, didn’t even want to talk about the future after the World Series because he wants to stay in the present as the Yankees try to cement their postseason berth.
It was a tough few weeks for New York heading into the All-Star break, but they reeled off four straight wins to regain momentum heading into the restart.
They have also been playing without three-time MVP Aaron Judge, who remains out with a rib injury. Although his recovery took longer than expected (Judge has not been cleared for baseball activities), the Yankees captain remains in good spirits and helps his team in any way he can.
Josh Hart of the New York Knicks and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees talk before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium in New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
“He’s still a big voice in the clubhouse for us. He comes to a lot of road games where he’s not needed,” Chisholm explained. “He could stay home and rest and do his rehab, but he still makes it a point to come and be with the guys and try to help lead us. Even though he can’t help us on the field, he tries to help us when he can off the field. We’re still bonding with him.
“He’s still the most positive guy in the clubhouse every day, so we’re looking forward to getting him back and making things better.”
Judge is crucial to the Yankees’ World Series hopes as they look to hoist their first trophy since the 2009 season. For the Yankees and their fan base, this feels like a century, but Chisholm knows he and his teammates will continue to fight to break that drought.
He wants to be on the parade float just like the Knicks were.
“Sometimes you dream about it,” Chisholm admitted. “You sit there, you go to sleep, and you wake up saying, ‘Damn, that’s what I want.’ I’ve had that dream of partying in the parade after we won the World Series, and New York going as crazy as they did with the Knicks for us. That’s all we’re looking for.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees celebrates his two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Detroit on June 23, 2026. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)
THE “BEACH” MENTALITY COMES TO LIFE
The All-Star break means peak summer, which Corona took advantage of to help fans savor the moment with six Corona Beach Connect Series jerseys, all co-designed by six MLB All-Stars, including Chisholm.
Along with Chisholm, Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs, Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros and Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies each added their style to a jersey inspired by their beach memories.
Corona’s Beach Connect series brings together six MLB stars, including Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees, to help fans savor the summer days where baseball and beach life connect. (Crown)
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For Chisholm, the first Bahamian All-Star in MLB history showcased his fashion chops with vibrant colors, textures and sounds of the island he calls home. There’s turquoise water, pink sand, musicians out front to pay homage to their love of music off the field, and a conch shell patch that’s a meaningful nod to their roots.
“I just feel like he was an inspiration of how I grew up, where I come from, the person I am. I feel like Corona and I have a lot in common, especially with the beach mentality,” Chisholm said. “I feel like the beach mentality is my normal mentality, you know what I mean? It’s about relaxing, the music, the seafood. It’s playing in the sand with the family. Just enjoying the day, kicking back and relaxing. So that’s how I felt, when we came up with the concept.”
