Embattled Yankees Infielder Silences Critics With Resurgent Postseason Performance
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Shortstop Anthony Volpe had an impactful series for the Yankees in their win over the Red Sox.
The 2025 season could not have been worse for New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Yet, the embattled shortstop is reminding Yankees fans why manager Aaron Boone and the front office stuck with him and rewarding them for doing so.
Volpe capped a resurgent series, in both the field and at the plate, with a fourth-inning RBI single in New York’s series-clinching 4-0 win over the rival Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series.
Volpe slashed .364/.364/.636 with a home run, two RBIs and had a hit in every game in the series. His single helped give breathing room to Yankees starter Cam Schlittler, who of course threw eight shutout innings while striking out 12 in his first postseason start.
Volpe and the Yankees will take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the best-of-5 AL Division Series, which starts with Game 1 on Saturday at Rogers Centre at 4:08 p.m. ET.
Anthony Volpe Looks Like A Playoff Performer
Boone and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told anyone who would listen all year they believed in Volpe after watching him help the Yankees reach the 2024 World Series.
It was easy to be skeptical, since Volpe hit a .212 with a .663 OPS and was tied with Trevor Story of the Red Sox for most errors of any AL shortstop (19) during the regular season — even after reports came out that Volpe had been nursing a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder for much of the year.
Yet, Volpe was the only Yankees hitter to touch up Garrett Crochet in Game 1 when he launched a solo homer off the Boston ace starter in the second inning of their 3-1 loss.
Then in Game 3 on Thursday, with the bases loaded, and the Yankees clinging to a 1-0 lead, Volpe found a hole past Boston second baseman Romy Gonzalez, driving in Giancarlo Stanton for the second of their four-run fifth inning against Boston starter Connelly Early.
I thought we just pressured him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We didn’t hit a ton of balls on the nose. We had just really good, tough, winning at-bats against a guy that was really mixing it up quite a bit against us.
Volpe’s sudden production at the bottom of New York’s lineup comes on the heels of his exceptional postseason in 2024. He slashed .286/.407/.408 with a memorable grand slam in Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, while scoring 10 runs and playing in all 14 Yankees postseason games.
For his career, Volpe now has an .850 OPS and 11 runs scored and eight RBIs in 17 postseason games.
Anthony Volpe Has Cleaned Up His Defense In The Postseason
It seems as though the 2023 American League Gold Glove winner has been able to play more freely since the news surfaced of his shoulder injury.
Volpe quietly made just one error over his final 21 regular-season games — even while insiders like Joel Sherman of the New York Post called for him to be benched for Jose Caballero.
Yet, he’s saving his best for the playoffs. Volpe has not committed an error in 10 chances and turned a highlight-reel double play in Game 2 on Alex Bregman in the third inning, with the game tied at 2, that Boone called “special.”
The Yankees won 94 games, tied for the most wins of any AL team with the Blue Jays, with Volpe playing replacement-level shortstop. If he can continue postseason magic, it would go a long way toward getting the Yankees back to the World Series.
DJ Reader Gets the Credit He Deserves—And It’s Not Just Stats That Prove It
Lions’ DJ Reader Is Holding Defense Together
In a league where the spotlight often shines on the flashy stars, Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader has quietly emerged as one of the unsung heroes of the team's defensive unit. Despite not wearing a captain's "C" on his chest, Reader’s leadership is undeniable. Now in his 10th NFL season, the veteran lineman has proven invaluable to a young and evolving Lions defense that has relied heavily on his experience and guidance.
Reader’s impact goes beyond what the stat sheet shows. With a run defense grade of 58.0 from Pro Football Focus and a pass-rush grade of 62.6, his role in holding the line against powerful offensive attacks is indispensable. His ability to take on double-teams allows linebackers like Jack Campbell to roam freely and make plays. The true testament to his importance, however, comes from his leadership. Despite not being a vocal presence, when Reader speaks, everyone listens. As defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard puts it, “DJ is the ultimate professional. He doesn’t talk much, but when he does, everyone listens, even me.”
Through his resilience and hard work, Reader has helped mold a defense that, despite its youth, is thriving. Even though his contributions aren’t often seen in the box score, the effectiveness of the Lions’ defense speaks volumes. In Week 4, Reader’s performance against the Browns earned him a game ball, a recognition not for the tackles he made but for the dirty work he does up front, allowing others to shine.
As the Lions look to make a push for the playoffs, they’ll continue to lean on the steady presence of DJ Reader, whose contributions are as vital to the team's success as any standout player.
