Aaron Boone’s Outrageous Anthony Volpe-Derek Jeter Comparison Sparks Yankees Fan Fury

The Yankees nation had envisioned Anthony Volpe as the next Derek Jeter when Volpe took over as the starting shortstop in 2023. However, as of late, Volpe has struggled mightily on defense, stacking up a league-high 16 errors this season. Plus, he has posted a fielding percentage of .959 with 125 putouts and 224 assists in 364 overall chances. But you could say there’s still the remainder of the season left for Volpe to turn his defensive slump around.

Now, as the season is progressing, the shortstop has shown no signs of playing any better. Wednesday’s error was his third in 2 nights, making a routine play look like a struggle. Even though his 16th homer the same day helped the Yankees tie their score against the Rays in the 9th inning, finally making it 5-4, his errors have contributed significantly to the Yankees’ losses.

The plate is the only place Volpe has shown signs of improvement. Since the All-Star break, he has hit six home runs. It was worth mentioning, but not enough to overshadow his defensive miscues.

So, when manager Aaron Boone defended Volpe in his recent media appearance, it sparked outrage all over social media. “Look, I bet you every guy on this shirt’s been booed here,” he pointed to his shirt in front of the camera with a prominent Derek Jeter pic on it. “You know, at one point or another… I mean, you play this game and you play it well enough and long enough, you’re going to have your moments.”

Boone continued and gave another example. “You know, in 2003, when I got traded here at the deadline, my first home series, Mariano Rivera was getting booed after he blew a couple saves. And I, you know, I was taken aback by it as a new player here. But it’s like, you know, it’s part of it.”

In response to fans booing Volpe in their 7-5 win game against the Rays, Boone compared him to the former MLB legend Derek Jeter. Yes, comparing the Hall of Famer who captained the Yankees to five World Series titles to Volpe with glaring defensive miscues.

Boone emphasized that all legends like Jeter and Mariano Rivera dealt with criticisms during the early years of their journey. And when he used these examples to contextualize Volpe’s defensive miscues, Yankees’ fans were quick to lash out.

Boone’s Volpe-Jeter comparison didn’t sit well with fans

Jeter, a five-time World Series champion who holds a place in the 3,000 hits club, is hailed by the Yankees’ nation even after being retired. So, when Boone dared to compare him with Volpe, it ignited immediate backlash.

Summing up the mood across social media, a fan noted, “Comparing him to Jeter???” Jeter had won five Gold Glove titles for his exceptional skills at shortstop. Meanwhile, Volpe’s underwhelming numbers have now become a pressing issue.

Another fan reiterated, “Jeter had fewer errors his entire career than Volpe does this season.” Across Jeter’s 20-year-long career, he committed 254 errors. On the other hand, Volpe has recorded a league-high 16 errors in just one season. At this pace, he might make an undesirable record soon.

Then some called for accountability. “Comparing Volpe to Jeter should be fireable.” Many fans believe there is no basis for comparison here in the first place. Jeter has endless titles to his name. From five World Series championships and five Gold Glove Awards to 14 All-Star selections and five Silver Slugger Awards. But even though Volpe contributes offensively, he’s been struggling massively on the defensive side.

When Boone mentioned Mariano Rivera’s example, it stirred even more fury. “Boone needs to stop using Volpe’s name in the same sentence as Jeter and Mariano. That’s insulting to those guys and shows how delusional Boone is.” It felt insulting to many. After all, the Hall of Famer Rivera holds the MLB record for career saves (652). Moreover, he’s a 13-time All-Star with numerous accolades. The mere mention of the legend with the 24-year-old’s struggles sparked instant fury among fans.

Another fan echoed similar emotions, “I mean, come on, Boone. Those players have established themselves. Volpe has not and he leads the American league I believe, in the most errors.”  Yes, Volpe’s 16 league-high errors put him ahead of all the shortstops in the league. While he makes an undesirable record, legends like Jeter and Rivera built their legacies without racking up costly miscues.

Boone might have intended to defend Volpe, but his choice of words could’ve been different. If anything, his comparisons only fueled the situation.