The Yankees came back from a 2-0 early deficit to register a triumphant turnaround on Tuesday. Anthony Volpe provided the spark and ignited the team to cement the victory. His performance was exemplary and it won’t be wrong to say that the night at Yankees Stadium belonged to the Yankees No. 11.
The 22-year-old rookie shortstop scored twice and spearheaded the Bombers’ offense against the Guardians, leading to a 4-2 victory.
Anthony Volpe blasted a home run and stole two bases in the same game. It becomes a new record making him the youngest player in MLB history to do so. “In his first 31 career games, Anthony Volpe becomes the fifth Yankee to achieve 10 stolen bases, joining the ranks of Yankees legends Bert Daniels (1910), Cozy Dolan (1911), Fritz Maisel (1913), and, of course, Brett Gardner (2008),” according to Chris Kirschner.
Anthony Volpe led the way to victory
The Yankees were already down 2-0 when Anthony Volpe launched his third home run of the season, a 345-foot fly to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning. It seemed the Yankees’ offense was ready to get rolling as he rounded the bases under the spotlights.
“Definitely, definitely an energy boost,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told about Anthony Volpe. “Not that everyone isn’t grinding away and fighting, but obviously it’s been a little bit of a challenge, and for him to step on one the other way like that, and then we string together a couple of good at-bats … just some good at-bats to get us right back in the game.”
Gleyber Torres doubled after Anthony Volpe’s spark, and Anthony Rizzo singled to left, bringing Torres home and tying the game.
Willie Calhoun pushed his club up with his first home run of the year, a line shot to right field.
“I don’t know about pressure,” Anthony Volpe commented after he was asked about his big hit amidst offensive struggles,. “I don’t necessarily know the circumstances really change anything. I try to hold myself to a high standard, and be that leadoff hitter and table setter.”
Anthony Volpe earned his pinstripes well
After a competitive spring training, Anthony Volpe was named the starting shortstop. He has shown his value since then with a .230/.336/.370 slash line in 100 at-bats this year.
Gerrit Cole joked, “[He] tied me in career home runs.”
Though many don’t agree that the rookie’s batting prowess is very impressive, Anthony Volpe has impressed with his skill. It is his defensive prowess and speedy base access that makes him so valuable.
Andres Gimenez, the Guardians’ second baseman, bunted for a force-out in the top of the eighth inning. Anthony Volpe prevented the tying run from scoring by getting Gabriel Arias out at second base.
“Really good play,” Boone said. “Just one of those good, heady plays we’ve seen by Anthony throughout the start of the season.”
Anthony Volpe hit a single to left field, advanced to second and third on steals, and eventually scored the game-winning run on a single by DJ LeMahieu. He has been successful in all 10 of his base-stealing attempts this year.
“He’s a special base runner. … The level of base runner that he is, he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen,” Boone said. “He’s probably a better defender than I would have even thought. He’s so aware out there.”
Only he and Brett Gardner (2008) have had at least 10 steals in the first 31 games for the Yankees in the last 100 years.
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