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Anthony Volpe's high school coach praises the Yankees' shortstop after the World Series grand slam in Game 4

Anthony Volpe's high school coach praises the Yankees' shortstop after the World Series grand slam in Game 4

2 minutes, 45 seconds Read

THE BRONX, New York (WABC) — Every kid growing up in the Tri-State area dreams of one day hitting a grand slam in the World Series and giving the Yankees a win, but despite the overwhelming odds, Anthony Volpe, the pride of Morristown, was able to come along hit the bat in one shot. New Jersey, on this very Tuesday evening!

The 23-year-old shortstop became just the ninth Yankee to ever hit a grand slam in the World Series.

“This is Derek Jeter 2.0,” said Yankee fan Tyler DeRosa.

Fans have been waiting for someone to fill the shoes of Yankees great Derek Jeter, and after the grand slam in Game 4, they might have him in Anthony Volpe.

“I loved him,” fan Bryant Washburn said. “We’re about the same age, so for him it was like he was now living my dream and doing this for the team and the city.”

He also does it for Morristown, New Jersey, where Volpe coached shortstop at Delbarton School.

“He's one of the hardest working kids I've ever coached and he deserves a night like this and hopefully he can hold his own in Game 5 tonight,” Delbarton School head baseball coach Bruce Shatel said.

Shatel coached Volpe throughout his high school career and he says it's no surprise to see Volpe shine under the bright lights of the Bronx.

“He was at his best when the lights were on. The most important thing was the game when he was at his best,” he said.

About 40 miles from Yankee Stadium, the private New Jersey school has become a powerhouse on the diamond, winning multiple state titles and producing top talent like Volpe and Texas Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter.

But now his jersey hangs next to the likes of Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.

Sal from Ballpark Sports Shop is having trouble restocking his Volpe jerseys after Tuesday night's heroics.

“As soon as I saw the home run, I told them to set it up and take them out,” Sal said. “So we took out everything we had. That’s all we have left.”

From watching Jeter and the Yankees celebrate championship No. 27 at the Canyon of Heroes in 2009 to his current appearance with the captain as the Yankees inch ever closer to No. 28, Shatel believes Game 4 is proof What's important is that the pinstripes are never too heavy for the second-year shortstop.

“I think it’s fair to say that everyone in Delbarton and Morristown is all on Anthony’s side, and let’s bring this back to Los Angeles,” Shatel said.

Game 5 begins at 8:08 p.m. Regardless of the outcome, it will be the last time Volpe and the Yankees play in front of their fans in the Bronx.

They'll be hoping for another great performance from the hometown kid to get into Game 6.

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