Yankees Anthony Volpe driven by his obsession for game

TAMPA Beyond whatever he does on the field and Anthony Volpe became the only Yankees rookie to evr go 20-20 (20 homers, 20 steals) and joined Derek Jeter as the only Yankees shortstops to do it he brings unchecked joy into a clubhouse that probably needs it after what Yankees general manager Brian Cashman appropriately called a disaster of a season.

Volpe wears a wide smile daily into the room. He loves what hes doing at a time its fashionable to be blas. He would never say that baseball is just his job.

Volpe family friend Al Leiter, the former Mets great and Yankees pitcher, whose son, Jack, is also a former Delbarton School teammate and first-round pick, isnt sure hes met many happier in their occupation.

If Anthony could hit in the cages for 24 hours, Leiter says, hed happily do that.

Volpe didnt disagree when that comment was relayed to him. In fact, he wore a look that suggested he was pondering if thats actually possible. While he does seem slightly sheepish about his rep as an especially single-minded individual, he cant deny it.

Ultimately, he admitted, I wouldnt rather be doing anything else.

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe #11, running the bases after hitting a triple in the 6th inning against the Rays. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe rumor that he actually doesnt do anything else, however, that one he flat denies. He says he plays golf, but not very often, and follows golf and soccer results (Manchester City and Tiger Woods are favorites).

But mostly, hes a ballplayer, and a driven one. He said he looks at last year as a frustrating one for him, and for the team. Maybe so, but at just 22, hes established himself as the starting Yankees shortstop, which no surprise has been his dream since age 5.

Thats when he first met Jack Leiter by happenstance in an Upper East Side Park. Jack was looking to have a catch (thats the way we say it in New York, sorry if youre reading this elsewhere), and the baseball prodigies were on their way. They took divergent paths, with Jack going first to baseball powerhouse Vanderbilt. Young Leiter later became the No. 2 overall selection of the Rangers and spent last year in the high minors for them.

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Volpe sent word to teams he was headed to Vandy, too, and would only consider changing his mind if selected by the team of his dreams and his grandfathers dreams. Yes, of course, the Yankees. For which the Yankees are grateful. After his quick trip through the minors, he is the beloved little brother in a clubhouse filled with established, high-priced stars.

Hes a great teammate, a great individual, he has great parents who raised him, Aaron Judge says. Hes someone who, day in and day out, you want to have in your corner. Hes dedicated to his craft, and dedicated to whoever walks in this building. Were lucky to have him.

The Volpe family lived and breathed Yankees baseball, and Volpe wore No. 7 all through his youth as its the number of his grandpas favorite Yankee. So when the Yankees selected him No. 30 overall, there wasnt much doubt what hed do.

If he felt his rookie season was dissatisfying, theyre thrilled with the speed-power combo only 16 big leaguers ever posted a 20-20 season as rookies and the extraordinary defense that earned him a surprise Gold Glove. Detractors suggested he might not have enouh arm for shortstop but he has plenty, especially when you consider other attributes quickness, instinct and, of course, his willingness to work around the clock.

Hes as dedicated as anybody Ive ever known, played with or heard of, Al Leiter says.

Yankees players marvel at his singular focus and talk about him like hes almost a perfect young person. Fun fact: To a man, they claim hes never had a drink. (For the record, Volpe confirmed hes never been drunk but unconvincingly claims to have had a celebratory sip on New Years Eve.)

Jose Trevino, who calls Volpe a great, great kid, is one of many who believes Volpe has never even sipped (actually they all do), but concludes, Hopefully at the end of the year we can fix that.

Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe #11, swinging a bat waiting to hit in the 1st inning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostHis teammates really dont care to keep score there, they just know hes going to do whatever he can to better himself as a ballplayer. They dont have to give that a thought.

He wont get into the hitting weeds with a non-ballplayer (me), but he certainly wasnt on board with my hypothesis that someone in the organization made him do an uppercut swing last year to try for homers or at least try to get the ball in the air.

Someone at camp says hes pleased to see Volpes swing is flatter this year because they believe he has a lot more in there than the .209 batting average he posted. Volpe himself only says he just wants to be on path with the ball which is simple enough for me to understand.

Speaking about last year generally, Volpe says, In the moment, it obviously was frustrating. But I wouldnt trade those feelings or the fire it lit under me for anything.

The guess here is that fire of his didnt really need to be lit.