Yankees' Anthony Volpe discusses ‘dream come true’ MLB debut
Anthony Volpe’s tenure with the Yankees officially began on Thursday afternoon, as he made his big league debut in the 5-0 win over the San Francisco Giants. For the New Jersey native, who grew up a fan of the Bombers, the whole day was a “dream come true.”
"Since I could remember, all my grade school what I wanted to be when I grow up was New York Yankees," Volpe said. "It was probably the most fun day of my entire life."
Yankees fans made their new shortstop feel right at home from the start.
Volpe quickly felt the love from the Bronx faithful, as he received a rousing ovation during introductions. Then when the Yanks took the field behind Gerrit Cole, in the top of the first, he returned that love. When it was his turn to be serenaded by the Bleacher Creatures, Volpe gave a wave and kissed the “NY” on his jersey, an idea he got from the Captain, Aaron Judge.
“He was asking me about it yesterday when we were in the clubhouse and I just thought of it on the spot," Volpe said. "I remember he did it last year, so right when I brought it up he gave me the thumbs up, so I knew that’s what I had to do.”
During the game, Volpe showcased that cool and collected demeanor he showed all throughout spring training. In his first big league at-bat, he drew a walk and stole his first career base a few pitches later.
He looked smooth in the field, making all the routine plays and helping start a double play. Skipper Aaron Boone was extremely impressed with the 21-year-old, especially with the plate discipline he showed.
“First AB gets the big walk, steals a base. He handled the routine plays in the field, turned a double-play," Boone said. "And he had the right at-bats, even the punch out. He’s seeing the ball, he’s not anxious. I thought he was terrific.
“That’s who he is. It’s another thing to do it Opening Day with the team you grew up watching and now you’re the shortstop. He was aggressive early but the ability to take pitches is one of the things that’s gonna help him be the kind of player we think he is.”
While he seemed as calm as could be, Volpe admitted that there was a ton of adrenaline running through him all day long.
“The whole pregame festivities, I had goosebumps the whole day," he said. "Just to be out there and feel like I got welcomed by the fans the way I did and then be able to go out and just play, that was probably the best part.”
