Sunday wasn’t a banner day for Anthony Volpe, and Yankees fans weren’t shy about letting him know it.
The 24-year-old shortstop had a rough outing in the field, and let’s say, the Bronx faithful didn’t exactly hold back. Two plays, both of them routine on paper, turned into big-time head-scratchers — and in both cases, it looked like Volpe’s lack of urgency cost the Yankees valuable outs. Not what you want in a tight game.
Double Play Disaster Sets the Yankees Tone Early
Second inning and Cubs are up 1-0, one out, Ian Happ on first. Nico Hoerner smacks a grounder to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. — textbook double play opportunity, the kind you drill 10,000 times in spring training. Chisholm flips it to Volpe at second, who grabs the ball and then just floats one to first. The throw? A casual 62 mph. Not a laser at all and Paul Goldschmidt stretches for it, but by the time he catches it, Hoerner is already chilling at the bag—no double play. No urgency. You could almost hear 40,000 New Yorkers groaning in unison.
Eighth-Inning Error Cements the Frustration
Fast-forward to the eighth inning. Cubs still leading, now 4-1. Two outs, Dansby Swanson on first. Matt Shaw sends a slow grounder right to Volpe. Another routine play, right? Except Volpe doesn’t charge it. He waits. Fields it nice and easy. Then he tosses it to Chisholm covering second — and yep, Swanson beats it. Originally called out, but the replay showed he was safe—another missed chance, and another reason for fans to bury their heads in their hands.
Offensive Struggles Add to the Mounting Pressure
It wasn’t just the defensive woes that stung. Volpe’s season at the plate hasn’t precisely silenced the doubters either. Through 95 games, he’s batting .214 with a .287 on-base and a .384 slugging percentage. The power’s there in flashes — 10 homers, 49 RBIs — but 91 strikeouts? That is a tough pill to swallow for anyone, especially with an OPS sitting at .671. For a guy once touted as a cornerstone of the franchise, the shine is starting to wear a bit thin.
