Under the lights of Bronx Stadium, where the cheers and thunder of fans often echo, there was a message tonight that didn’t come from a bat or a field — but from the heart. Former New York Yankees star Anthony Rizzo sent a message to Anthony Volpe, who is going through a major career challenge, during a recent meeting.
Rizzo wrote: “Brother, everything we see is just the tip of the iceberg. I wish I could carry some of it for you — to know that you are not alone. I believe in you, I believe in people, I believe in the process. Remember: we are not always strong because we are not afraid. We are strong because we choose not to give up.”
Volpe, 24, once considered the Yankees’ bright future, is now dealing with a difficult season — from a low hitting average (.212AVG, 19HR) to 19 defensive errors and a left shoulder issue that is awaiting surgery.
The latest report says Volpe had shoulder surgery to repair a partially torn labrum and is expected to be sidelined for at least a few months before returning.
Despite his young age, Volpe has a lot of expectations — from the city of New York, his teammates, and himself. Rizzo, who has made similar strides in the established system and experienced the pressures of the MLB spotlight, clearly refuses to see Volpe “swimming” alone in the storm. In a season when Volpe was heavily criticized for poor stats and booed by fans, Rizzo’s words of encouragement were a powerful morale booster.
In a video shared on social media — where images of Rizzo and Volpe wearing Yankees jerseys from years ago flashed by as a testament to their camaraderie — Rizzo looked straight into the camera, his eyes sincere: “I believed in the Bronx dream. Now I’m enduring not just for myself, but for the team, for the moment that I love. Just remember — if you choose to take the next step, no matter how small, you’re winning.”
For Volpe, this was certainly a difficult time: shoulder injury, slump in form, right to start the new season in question.
But more than anything, Rizzo’s message offered a different perspective — not of failure, but of journey. A leader reaching out to help a follower, not just because someone once wore the same jersey, but because someone once understood the price of gain and loss.
Yankees fans—disappointed by last season’s performance—may see Volpe differently. Now, he’s not just a young talent to be produced, but a human being to be picked up and fixed. Rizzo didn’t just offer words of encouragement; he offered faith, understanding, and—most importantly—a message that: “Sometimes you don’t have to shine to win. You just have to keep going.”
And if Volpe can recover, return to the field with a healthy right shoulder and a steady throwing arm, this story won’t just be about a man sidelined by injury. It will be about the process, about staying true to the moment, and about the hand that reached out when needed. AnthonyRizzo sent AnthonyVolpe not just a message, but a signature: “We’re in this together.”
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