Anthony Volpe will make his first postseason appearance with the Yankees.
But unlike most young players, the shortstop already knew what to expect in the Bronx long before he was a first-round pick in 2019.
“For me, growing up as a fan, what makes the Yankees the Yankees is winning and winning the World Series,” Volpe said Sunday during practice at the stadium ahead of Game 1 of the ALCS against Cleveland. I told you before.
“That was always … the norm,” Volpe said. “At least looking from the outside, being drafted at 18 years old, growing up through the system, learning from the inside how they treat players. There's a reason why they're top notch, and all of those reasons are It’s about winning.”
This hasn't been done in October since 2009, but Volpe hopes to change that this postseason.
“Obviously, once you get to the big team, we have a really solid core of players from home,” Volpe said. “So we want to win and we want to win here.”
Of course, first they have to get back to the World Series, but the only thing standing between them is a Guardians team that won the AL Central Division but fell short against the Yankees this time of year. There are many. .
And if Volpe plays like he did against the Royals in the ALDS, he could help the Yankees rise again.
Volpe, who had his best at-bat in the series against Kansas City, said Sunday he plans to continue with much the same approach, even if many of his hits don't pay off in the final game.
“I think we're in a really good spot,” said Volpe, who went 3-for-12 with three hits and four walks, although several hard-hit balls got him out. We've been playing the best baseball ever. … I think we’re making progress at the right time. ”
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It was certainly a promising start to the postseason for Volpe after a flat second year in the majors.
“I think that's what we strive for throughout the season,” Volpe said of the playoffs. “But for me, to have an opportunity like this to play on this stage for this team and win a pennant, I think it will be important to me for the rest of my life.”
And he appreciates the journey from within more than he did growing up.
“As a fan, what's so great about this moment is that you might always wait past October to go to a big game or something,” Volpe said. “But I don't think you really appreciate everything it took to get there for the players, the team and everyone involved with the team.”
