The Camden High School baseball team has dedicated its season to former player Joshwa Boston, retiring his No. 12 jersey after he was tragically killed in Philadelphia. Boston, a senior on last year’s team, was murdered in the Kensington section on May 4, according to head coach Greg Gasparovic.
The Panthers decided as a team to honor their former teammate by hanging his purple No. 12 jersey in the dugout for every game, while several players wear the number on their wristbands as a constant reminder.
“It was tragic and these kids are dealing with unthinkable adversity,” Gasparovic said. “We met as a team and decided to retire his number. The player who was wearing it understood the situation and gave the number up. We’ve been hanging it in the dugout and thinking about him. It’s brought us good luck lately.”
Despite not playing many innings during his time at Camden, Boston remained a popular figure and stayed in close contact with the program, attending games and offering support. He had spoken with teammates just weeks before his death.
“He was watching us, helping us, talking to us, he was still a part of us,” senior Nedison Delarosa said. “I feel sad because he was a great baseball player and it’s hard when you lose a teammate.”
Gasparovic remembered Boston as a respectful young man with a firm handshake and unwavering loyalty.
“He had the firmest handshake and always looked me in the eye, ‘Coach, how are you?,’ always with respect,” Gasparovic said. “He was tough. He would run through a wall for this team.”
Boston’s mother attended Tuesday’s game against Medford Tech, and the team plans to attend his
