Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees’ Anthony Volpe Achieves History in World Series Game 4

Yankees' Anthony Volpe joined three Hall of Famers in MLB’s history books following his performance in Game 4 of the World Series.
John Sparaco|
Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) reacts after scoring a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning during game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) reacts after scoring a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning during game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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New York YankeesLos Angeles DodgersPhiladelphia PhilliesOakland Athletics

Facing elimination, the New York Yankees’ offense finally came to life during Tuesday’s Game 4 of the 2024 World Series.

Leading the charge was 23-year-old shortstop Anthony Volpe, who played a pivotal role in the Yankees’ 11-run outburst.

The hometown kid, who grew up idolizing Derek Jeter and attended the Yankees’ last World Series parade at just eight years old, rebounded from a second-inning baserunning gaffe to deliver the defining hit of his young career in the third inning.

Volpe launched a 107.6 mph missile over the left-field wall at Yankee Stadium for a go-ahead grand slam off Dodgers reliever Daniel Hudson, giving his team their first lead since Game 1—a lead they would not surrender this time.

Volpe finished the night 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBIs, and two stolen bases, helping New York become the first team to avoid a World Series sweep after trailing 3-0 since 1970. His performance was especially notable, as highlighted by three stats from MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

In World Series history, only two Yankees have recorded multiple extra-base hits and four or more RBIs when facing elimination: Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, who achieved this in New York’s Game 7 win over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, and now Volpe in Game 4 against the same franchise.

Additionally, Volpe is the first Yankee to finish any game—regular season or postseason—with a grand slam and multiple stolen bases since Hall of Fame outfielder Mickey Mantle did so on Aug. 19, 1962. Only one other player has accomplished this feat in a postseason game: Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino in Game 2 of the 2008 NLDS.

If that is not impressive enough, Volpe’s Game 4 performance marked the first time in 114 years that a player recorded multiple extra-base hits and stolen bases in a World Series game. Hall of Fame second baseman Eddie Collins accomplished this twice with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1910.

As the Yankees head into Wednesday’s Game 5 at home, Volpe and his teammates have the opportunity to further rewrite the history books. No team has ever come back to win a World Series after losing the first three games, nor has any team forced a Game 6 in such a scenario—but New York could change that narrative with another victory. 

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will duel Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty for the second time this series, with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET on FOX.

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John Sparaco
JOHN SPARACO

John Sparaco is a contributing writer for the Yankees and Mets websites On SI. He has previously written for Cold Front Report, Times Union and JKR Baseball, where he profiled some of the top recruits, college players and draft prospects in baseball. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @JohnSparaco

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