The Ghost of Jeter: Anthony Volpe and the Weight of Pinstripes
Published on: September 13, 2025
Anthony Volpe. The name crackled with electricity in spring training. The kid from Jersey, the homegrown talent, the heir apparent to the shortstop throne vacated by a legend. He was supposed to be the spark, the igniter for a Yankees team hungry for another championship. But as the leaves begin to turn and the crisp autumn air signals the approaching playoffs, Volpe’s season has taken on a different hue, one tinged with the muted tones of disappointment. The crackle has become a whimper, the electricity a faint flicker. His .206 batting average and sub-.200 OBP against righties over his last 200 plate appearances are stark numbers, etched in the harsh light of a Bronx spotlight that magnifies every flaw.
The kid is slumping. Badly.
And now, as the Yankees limp towards October, the question hangs heavy in the air: What’s wrong with Anthony Volpe?
Hall of Famer John Smoltz, a man who knows a thing or two about pressure cookers, having pitched in Atlanta and Boston, offered his perspective on the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Smoltz, with his characteristic blend of insight and empathy, didn't mince words. He pointed to the unique, almost suffocating pressure that comes with wearing the pinstripes, especially for a young shortstop following in the footsteps of Derek Jeter.
"You never know how people are handling New York," Smoltz observed, his voice tinged with understanding. “The attention is so spotlight on.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “I’m not suggesting this is what needs to happen, but sometimes, if he was at a different organization, this wouldn't be the rhetoric.”
The rhetoric. That’s the key word. The constant chatter, the relentless comparisons, the weight of expectation that crushes some and elevates others. Volpe, it seems, is buckling under the burden of being "the next Jeter."
Smoltz continued, his words painting a vivid picture of the young shortstop’s predicament. "He may not have the greatest year [elsewhere], but it wouldn't be because he’s replacing Derek Jeter. He’d just be an up-and-coming guy that needs to keep making adjustments."
Therein lies the crux of the issue. Volpe isn’t just another young player finding his way in the big leagues. He's playing shortstop for the New York Yankees, a position synonymous with Jeter for two decades. He's carrying the hopes and dreams of a fan base starved for a return to the dynasty years. Every ground ball he bobbles, every strike he takes, every runner he leaves stranded is dissected and analyzed with a fervor bordering on the obsessive.
This is not to excuse Volpe’s struggles. He has undoubtedly underperformed, and his offensive numbers are undeniably concerning. But it’s important to consider the context, the environment, the almost mythical aura that surrounds the Yankees shortstop position.
Smoltz believes the key to Volpe’s resurgence lies in introspection and offseason adjustments. “He needs to find a way to crack the code on some things that creep in,” Smoltz explained. “That’s the only way hitters can shut doors on how pitchers are getting them out.” He stressed the difficulty of making significant changes mid-season, especially when the pressure is at its peak. “You can’t just get into the season with a month to go and go, ‘I’m going to make this change, and maybe it’ll work for October.’ You kind of are what you are.”
This observation rings true. Tinkering with mechanics during a pennant race is a risky proposition, often leading to more confusion and frustration than improvement. The mental game, already strained by the New York pressure cooker, becomes even more fragile when compounded by mechanical uncertainty.
Smoltz offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that sometimes, a player just needs a week where “it clicks.” A week where the pressure lifts, the swing feels right, and the hits start falling. A week where Anthony Volpe can escape the shadow of Jeter and simply be himself.
But with the season winding down and the Yankees clinging to a playoff spot, time is running out. Manager Aaron Boone has already indicated that Volpe is unlikely to start in the upcoming series against the Red Sox, a clear sign that the organization is concerned. The benching, while potentially beneficial in the long run, adds another layer of complexity to Volpe's already challenging rookie campaign. It’s a tough love approach, designed to give the young shortstop some breathing room, some space to clear his head and rediscover his game away from the glare of the spotlight.
The coming offseason will be crucial for Volpe. He needs to dedicate himself to refining his mechanics, strengthening his mental approach, and, perhaps most importantly, finding a way to separate himself from the Jeter comparisons. He needs to forge his own identity, to become Anthony Volpe, the Yankees shortstop, not Anthony Volpe, the guy who replaced Derek Jeter.
The talent is there. The potential is undeniable. But in the crucible of New York, talent alone is not enough. It takes mental fortitude, resilience, and an unwavering belief in oneself to thrive under the intense scrutiny that comes with wearing the pinstripes.
The story of Anthony Volpe’s rookie season is far from over. The final chapters are yet to be written. Whether he finishes strong or fades quietly into the offseason, one thing is certain: the journey has been a baptism by fire, a trial by pinstripes. And the lessons learned, however painful, will ultimately shape the trajectory of his career. The ghost of Jeter will always loom large in the Bronx, but it's up to Anthony Volpe to carve his own path, to create his own legacy, and to finally step out of the shadows and into the light.
The kid is slumping. Badly.
And now, as the Yankees limp towards October, the question hangs heavy in the air: What’s wrong with Anthony Volpe?
Hall of Famer John Smoltz, a man who knows a thing or two about pressure cookers, having pitched in Atlanta and Boston, offered his perspective on the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Smoltz, with his characteristic blend of insight and empathy, didn't mince words. He pointed to the unique, almost suffocating pressure that comes with wearing the pinstripes, especially for a young shortstop following in the footsteps of Derek Jeter.
"You never know how people are handling New York," Smoltz observed, his voice tinged with understanding. “The attention is so spotlight on.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “I’m not suggesting this is what needs to happen, but sometimes, if he was at a different organization, this wouldn't be the rhetoric.”
The rhetoric. That’s the key word. The constant chatter, the relentless comparisons, the weight of expectation that crushes some and elevates others. Volpe, it seems, is buckling under the burden of being "the next Jeter."
Smoltz continued, his words painting a vivid picture of the young shortstop’s predicament. "He may not have the greatest year [elsewhere], but it wouldn't be because he’s replacing Derek Jeter. He’d just be an up-and-coming guy that needs to keep making adjustments."
Therein lies the crux of the issue. Volpe isn’t just another young player finding his way in the big leagues. He's playing shortstop for the New York Yankees, a position synonymous with Jeter for two decades. He's carrying the hopes and dreams of a fan base starved for a return to the dynasty years. Every ground ball he bobbles, every strike he takes, every runner he leaves stranded is dissected and analyzed with a fervor bordering on the obsessive.
This is not to excuse Volpe’s struggles. He has undoubtedly underperformed, and his offensive numbers are undeniably concerning. But it’s important to consider the context, the environment, the almost mythical aura that surrounds the Yankees shortstop position.
Smoltz believes the key to Volpe’s resurgence lies in introspection and offseason adjustments. “He needs to find a way to crack the code on some things that creep in,” Smoltz explained. “That’s the only way hitters can shut doors on how pitchers are getting them out.” He stressed the difficulty of making significant changes mid-season, especially when the pressure is at its peak. “You can’t just get into the season with a month to go and go, ‘I’m going to make this change, and maybe it’ll work for October.’ You kind of are what you are.”
This observation rings true. Tinkering with mechanics during a pennant race is a risky proposition, often leading to more confusion and frustration than improvement. The mental game, already strained by the New York pressure cooker, becomes even more fragile when compounded by mechanical uncertainty.
Smoltz offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that sometimes, a player just needs a week where “it clicks.” A week where the pressure lifts, the swing feels right, and the hits start falling. A week where Anthony Volpe can escape the shadow of Jeter and simply be himself.
But with the season winding down and the Yankees clinging to a playoff spot, time is running out. Manager Aaron Boone has already indicated that Volpe is unlikely to start in the upcoming series against the Red Sox, a clear sign that the organization is concerned. The benching, while potentially beneficial in the long run, adds another layer of complexity to Volpe's already challenging rookie campaign. It’s a tough love approach, designed to give the young shortstop some breathing room, some space to clear his head and rediscover his game away from the glare of the spotlight.
The coming offseason will be crucial for Volpe. He needs to dedicate himself to refining his mechanics, strengthening his mental approach, and, perhaps most importantly, finding a way to separate himself from the Jeter comparisons. He needs to forge his own identity, to become Anthony Volpe, the Yankees shortstop, not Anthony Volpe, the guy who replaced Derek Jeter.
The talent is there. The potential is undeniable. But in the crucible of New York, talent alone is not enough. It takes mental fortitude, resilience, and an unwavering belief in oneself to thrive under the intense scrutiny that comes with wearing the pinstripes.
The story of Anthony Volpe’s rookie season is far from over. The final chapters are yet to be written. Whether he finishes strong or fades quietly into the offseason, one thing is certain: the journey has been a baptism by fire, a trial by pinstripes. And the lessons learned, however painful, will ultimately shape the trajectory of his career. The ghost of Jeter will always loom large in the Bronx, but it's up to Anthony Volpe to carve his own path, to create his own legacy, and to finally step out of the shadows and into the light.
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