Anthony Volpe’s ethnicity — What is the shortstop’s heritage?

Anthony Volpe’s dream of emulating his idol Derek Jeter will come true when he lines up as shortstop for the New York Yankees for the first game of the 2023 season. He’ll be the youngest Opening Day starter since Derek Jeter in 1996. Anthony was considered a top prospect coming into spring training, but few expected him to perform well enough to secure a starting birth. 

“My heart was beating pretty hard, but I don’t know, I don’t really have too many words right now,” Anthony said. “It just feels amazing. I’m just so excited. It’s hard for me to put it into words.”

Anthony Volpe’s father is American, and his mother is Filipino

Anthony Volpe was born on 28th April 2001 to Isabella and Michael Volpe in Watchung, New Jersey. Isabella, an anesthetist, is Filipino; Michael, a urologist, is American. 

The New York Yankee shortstop grew up alongside his younger sister, Olivia, who plays soccer. Anthony remembers watching the Yankees’ 2009 victory parade alongside Olivia. He told The New York Times:

“My sister and I, we were tiny, so we weaseled our way in. I was so small that I could honestly hardly even see on top of the float, but it didn’t matter. What I remember about it is, no matter who was there, everyone was just going crazy.”

Growing up alongside his aunts and uncles in Watchung exposed Anthony to his Filipino culture. In an interview with FOX Sports, three Somerset Patriots teammates who lived in the Volpe household praised the homemade Filipino food made by Anthony’s aunt. 

The Volpes are a tight-knit clan. On New Year’s Eve 2019, Michael shared photos of a family vacation on Instagram, writing: “Days come and go. Some we remember, some we don’t. This one I will remember for the rest of my life. What a great, great day!”

Anthony celebrated with his family after learning he would start at shortstop on day one of the 2023 season. In a video posted by the Yankees, Anthony embraced his family in the dugout at Steinbrenner Field. “He did it,” Isabelle tells someone on her phone. “He did it guys!”