New York Yankees fans love rookie Anthony Volpe asking recently retired outfielder Brett Gardner’s permission to wear his old number: "Nice gesture"
Rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe is already a beloved New York Yankees player – and he hasn't played a regular-season game yet.
The latest chapter in Gotham City's infatuation with the annointed heir apparent to Derek Jeter came as the Yes Network reported Wednesday that Volpe asked recently-retired Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner for his permission to wear No. 11. Gardner wore the number in a 14-year career with the Bronx Bombers that ended with his retirement in 2021.
Anthony Volpe called Brett Gardner and asked for permission to wear #11, per @JackCurryYES. Gardy approved https://t.co/vGHjMpZ7IL
New York Yankees fans were begging to make Anthony Volpe – the team's No. 1 prospect – the squad's opening day shortstop ever since players began reporting to spring training. Most figured the 21-year-old was still a year away, but Volpe forced his way to Yankee Stadium by hitting .302 with two home runs and five RBIs this spring.
Still a day away from making his major league debut, many fans are already seeing the second-coming of Jeter – eight years after his retirement.
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES He’s already doing things the right way in the big leagues and he hasn’t even played his debut game yet.
I’m really looking forward to the future with Volpe on this team
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES My god, hasn’t even debuted and he’s already showing leader character.
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES The way this kid conducts himself. It reeks @Yankees and what we stand for.
Of course, many New York Yankees fans took the occasion of the report to be snarky about Gardner. A solid player for New York, Gardner did not exactly light up the statsheet. For his career in pinstripes, he hit .256 with 139 home runs and 578 RBIs. He led the league with 49 stolen bases in 2011 and was tops for triples in 2013 with 10.
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES Gardner after he hangs up the phone “who tf is Volpe?”
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES Gardy: “Ok but I plan on re signing still.”
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES This can't be true because Gardy doesn't own a phone
While New York Yankees fans are in agreement that Anthony Volpe's ask of Gardner was polite and decent, many believe it was far from required. While Gardner is well-liked in New York, his greatest claim to fame with the Yankees is being part of the team's last World Series victory, in his rookie year of 2009.
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES Nice gesture, but really not necessary
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES Love gardy, but really? He’s not Jeter or O’Neill. Volpe absolutely did not need to ask permission
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES No need to ask permission. Gardner was a solid player nothing more.
At least one fan is of the consipiracy theory mindset that it was actually Gardner asking Volpe to wear No. 11.
@TalkinYanks @JackCurryYES That's the wrong version, gardner called volpe to beg him to please use #11
Is Anthony Volpe the next Derek Jeter for the New York Yankees?
The future is suddenly now for Volpe and the Yankees. Jeter played shortstop in New York and became "The Captain" over a 20-year Hall of Fame career. He hit .310 with 260 home runs, 1,311 RBIs and 1,923 runs.
In addition to being the 1995 American League Rookie of the Year, Jeter was a part of five World Series-winning teams, earned five Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and was a World Series MVP.
Big shoes to fill.