Anthony Volpe asked former Yankees fan favorite for right to wear No. 11

Anthony Volpe Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Volpe asked former fan favorite for permission to wear No. 11 with Yankees

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/29/23

If following in the footsteps of his childhood hero Derek Jeter wasn't anxiety-inducing enough, New York Yankees rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe also had to handle his choice of number delicately.

Volpe chose to wear No. 11 with the Bronx Bombers, but only after getting the go-ahead from a former Yankee fanfavorite and the last to don the number, Brett Gardner.

According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, Volpe called the former outfielder to ask for his blessing on the number choice, which Gardner granted graciously.

Before Anthony Volpe agreed to wear #11 with the Yankees, he called Brett Gardner, who last wore 11, and asked for Gardner's blessing. According to Joe Bick, Gardner's agent, Gardner gave Volpe his full approval and wished him all the best with 11. Classy on both ends. #Volpe
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) March 29, 2023

Volpe and Gardner have something else in common, too. When the much-hyped shortstop prospect takes the field against the Giants for Opening Day on Thursday, he will join Gardner and slugger Aaron Judge as the only rookies to start for the Yankees since the 2009 season.

A first-round pick by the Yankees in the 2019 MLB Draft, Baseball America ranked Volpe as the 14th-best prospect in baseball heading into the coming season.

Volpe turned heads -- and ultimately cracked the big league roster -- after a strong spring in which he slashed .302/.413/.623 with three home runs and five RBI while walking nine times across 63 plate appearances.

While he has yet to play a Major League game, Volpe has already received nods of approval from Judge, Gardner and Jeter (the player after which he has modeled his game).

On Wednesday, Jeter Tweeted to congratulate Volpe on making the Yankees in what had to be a surreal experience for the 21-year-old, who will become the youngest Yankees' shortstop to debut since his hero did so in 1996.

Congratulations @Volpe_Anthony. There’s nothing like playing shortstop for the New York Yankees. https://t.co/wP5eeezgbj
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) March 29, 2023

There are high hopes for Volpe, who seems tailor-made for this job. With the excitement of making the team behind him, all that's left for the young shortstop is to play ball.

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