Anthony Volpe drew plenty of attention this spring with his play on the field, both in an out of New York. Now, as the Yankees prepare to open their season Thursday at home against the San Francisco Giants, it appears Volpe has a new number on his back.
Volpe will reportedly wear number 11.
Hearing Anthony Volpe will wear number 11 with the Yankees. Volpe wore number 77 in spring training, but he changed to the number last worn on the Yankees by Brett Gardner in 2021. So, if you stored your Gardner jersey last season, put it back in the rotation. #volpe #yankees
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) March 29, 2023
What number would adorn the back of his uniform is a question many Yankees fans have wondered since it was reported that the 21-year-old had made the Opening Day roster. The Yankees, of course, have retired 21 different numbers from their storied history so the choices are limited to begin with. For a homegrown prospect with as much hype as Volpe has carried, the decision was sure to draw attention.
Volpe wore number 77 throughout spring training. The decision was, in part, thanks to Volpe’s grandfather being a big Mickey Mantle fan.
Brett Gardner was the last Yankee to wear 11 and he did so notably. Gardner was a real fan favorite who batted .256/.342/.398 during his 14-year career in New York. He was a fierce competitor who last played in 2021.
A first-round pick in 2019, Volpe has impressed at every stop in the minors to date and was a consensus pick across top prospect rankings heading into spring training. After hitting .302/.413/.632 this spring he’ll be stepping onto the biggest stage yet when the Yankees open their season. Volpe grew up attending Yankees games, watching players like Gardner and childhood hero Derek Jeter – who offered up his own encouragement for the new Yankees shortstop – and now he’ll step on the same field.
Congratulations @Volpe_Anthony. There’s nothing like playing shortstop for the New York Yankees. https://t.co/wP5eeezgbj
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) March 29, 2023
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