Anthony Volpe grew up in New Jersey as a Yankees fan and dreamed of wearing the team’s famed pinstripes on Opening Day ever since he was a kid. New York manager Aaron Boone made that dream a reality when he called the 21-year-old shortstop prospect into his office at the end of spring training—but not before making him squirm a bit.
The Yankees posted a video of Volpe coming into the office, and Boone appeared as grim as ever.
“Difficult conversation to have to have,” Boone said.
Volpe’s face was stone cold and surely his throat was in his stomach at this point.
“There’s always room for development, but at the end, I think that development should happen in the big leagues,” Boone said. “Welcome to New York.”
A relieved Volpe smiled ear to ear and hugged Boone. Just like that, he was a Yankee. It was later announced that he’ll be the team’s starting shortstop for Opening Day, and Volpe just can’t believe any of it.
“My heart was beating pretty hard,” he told reporters. “I don’t really have too many words right now. Just feels amazing.”
Volpe, a first-round pick in the 2019 MLB draft, will make his big league debut Thursday against the Giants at Yankee Stadium at 1:05 p.m. ET.
