Anthony Volpe was one of the few positive results for the New York Yankees during a “Disastrous” season. There is nothing really to look back at 2023 fondly for the NY side. They finished with an awful 82-80 record. It was a tremendous shame for the franchise. They never had a worse season than that in the last 30 years. Moreover, the Bronx Bombers could not make the postseason for the first time since 2016. They had the second-worst batting average in the league last season. Only the nine-time champions, the Oakland Athletics, had it even worse than the NY side.
Moreover, the Yankees had a pretty long Injured List that did not help their cause at all. Amidst this turmoil, if a few things did make the New York faithful happy, then that would be Gerrit Cole’s Cy Young winning performance and Anthony Volpe’s rookie season. Ahead of the 2024 season, the Yankees announced that Anthony Volpe would be their new shortstop. Moreover, the fans and team are showing a lot of faith and confidence in the last year’s rookie. Now, the question is how driven Volpe really is to become a Yankees icon in the future.
Volpe’s Obsession For The Sport Is What Keeps Him Going
Last year, Anthony Volpe became the first Yankees rookie to have a 20-20 season (20 home runs and 20 steals). Moreover, he became the first Yankees shortstop to do so after Derek Jeter. The former New York Mets great Al Leiter is a family friend of Volpe. Recently, Leiter told Jon Heyman of The New York Post, that he has not met many professionals who are as happy at their job as Volpe is. Moreover, Leiter believes if Anthony Volpe could be hit in the cages for a whole day, he would be very happy to do that. When Heyman asked Volpe if that’s true, he didn’t deny.
Instead, he gave a look that suggested he was wondering if that is actually possible. Finally, the Yankees shortstop mentioned that he prefers not to do anything else. But it is not like Volpe has no other interest. He plays golf, and he’s also a soccer fan. Manchester City and Tiger Woods are his favorites. Anyway, at the end of the day, Anthony Volpe is a pretty driven ballplayer. Leiter told Heyman that Volpe is as dedicated as anybody he has ever known, played with, or even heard of. Moreover, Aaron Judge said the Yankees are lucky to have him. Volpe mentioned that the Yankees have been his and his grandfather’s dream team.
The Yankees Captain Was In All Praise For Anthony Volpe
It did not take the new shortstop a long time to spend in the minor league. After a quick trip there, he came to the clubhouse, where he became the beloved little brother with established high-priced stars around him. As per Jon Heyman, Aaron Judge mentioned that Volpe’s a great individual and teammate. Moreover, the captain of the NY side said Volpe has great parents who raised him.
Adding to that, Judge mentioned Volpe is someone “You would want in your corner day in and day out.” Like Leiter, Judge, too, noticed Volpe’s dedication. The Yankees captain said the shortstop is dedicated to his craft and whoever walks in the building. In the end, Aaron Judge said they were really lucky to have him.
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