Anthony Volpe will wear No. 11 for the Yankees when he makes his hyped debut on Opening Day, the team announced on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old rookie will be the first Yankee to wear the number since the beloved Brett Gardner did in 2021, when he completed a 14-year career spent entirely in New York.
Given Gardner's place as a homegrown and lifelong Yankee, and as a final link to the franchise's last title before his tenure ended, many wondered if the No. 11 would be put back into circulation by the Yankees any time soon, or if it would be put into numerical purgatory, much like Paul O'Neill's No. 21 after he retired in 2001.
Instead, Volpe will take the number, but not before making sure it was okay with Gardner first. According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Yankees' top prospect called Gardner beforehand to receive his blessing, which he received. Per Curry, Gardner gave Volpe "his full approval and wished him all the best."
Given Gardner's standing among Yankee fans, and fans' adoration for their franchise's traditions and homegrown players, the gesture by Volpe will only make him more beloved before he begins his pinstriped tenure on Thursday afternoon in the Bronx.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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