For young New York Yankees fans who dream about a career in baseball, fantasizing about having his number retired is exciting.
The list of players who have had their number retired by the organization is thoroughly impressive.
Anthony Volpe, a top prospect who made the team due to his stellar spring training play, had been wearing 77 to honor both his grandfather and Yankees legend Mickey Mantle.
Mantle was his grandfather’s favorite player.
Volpe, however, is shooting to make some history of his own.
“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,” YES Network’s Jack Curry tweeted.
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
There you have it: Volpe will use number 11.
Why 11?
We don’t know, but we can figure it out.
From 1 to 10, all those numbers are retired by the Yankees.
Billy Martin (1), Derek Jeter (2), Babe Ruth (3), Lou Gehrig (4), Joe DiMaggio (5), Joe Torre (6), Mantle (7), Yogi Berra (8), Bill Dickey ( 8), Roger Maris (9) and Phil Rizzuto (10) all have a place in Yankees history and in fans’ hearts.
Volpe probably wanted the lowest possible number to keep himself close to his heroes, and to make a run at history himself.
If that’s indeed the reason, we admire the hunger and determination.
He has all the tools to dream about being in Monument Park one day, together with those stars.
Volpe has power, speed to burn, good defense, instincts, and impeccable makeup.
He could be a key contributor as a rookie in 2023.
NEXT:
Anthony Volpe Is Following In Legendary Footsteps
