David Cone wants Yankees fans to give struggling Anthony Volpe a standing ovation
The Yankees color commentator said before Wednesday's game that Yankees fans should give the struggling shortstop a standing ovation.
'I keep thinking about the Philadelphia Phillies fans [two years ago], who gave a struggling Trea Turner a standing ovation. It was spurred on by a superfan for the Phillies,' Cone said on the pregame show. 'You know what? I'll make that suggestion too. Maybe the Yankee fans should give Volpe a standing ovation.'
Usually, standing ovations are reserved for players who are playing well. But Phillies fans changed that trend in 2023 when Turner, who was in the first season of an 11-year, $300 million contract, was struggling.
3 Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe commits a throwing error against the Rays on July 30, 2025.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
His slash line before the ovation was .235/.290/.368, and he only had 10 home runs and 34 RBIs. Then, superfan Jon McCann came up with the idea to voice support for Turner instead of booing him.
So on Aug. 4 that year, Turner received a standing ovation — and it did wonders for the shortstop.
After the ovation, Turner slashed .364/.398/.754 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs.
3 Trea Turner receiving a standing ovation from Phillies fans.
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
While it is a fun idea to imagine the same happening for Volpe, there is a significant difference in his struggles at this point.
Since the All-Star break, Volpe's bat has been less of an issue than his defense.
Volpe has six home runs and nine RBIs with a .933 OPS while hitting .236 in 12 games since the All-Star break.
3 Former Yankee pitcher and now commentator David Cone.
Stephen Yang
But Volpe has 16 errors so far this season, which leads the entire major league. He has three errors over his last two games and five errors in his last nine, and in recent games, he has struggled to throw to first base.
While the standing ovation that the Phillies employed helped with hitting, would it help with defense?
The only way to find out is if the Yankee faithful decide to try it out.
'He's your shortstop,' Cone said, 'and as you said, Michael [Kay], there is nobody else there right now.'
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