Game 4 of the MLB World Series was a do-or-die moment for the New York Yankees. With the Los Angeles Dodgers holding a commanding 3-0 series lead, the men in pinstripes faced a must-win situation. Following their Game 3 loss, the crowd’s energy shifted from cheers to an eerie silence, punctuated by high tension and scattered boos. But by the end of Game 4, 49,354 fans were chanting a single name—Anthony Volpe—whose heroics lifted the Yankees to a crucial victory.

New Jersey native and proud Delbarton alum Volpe kept the series alive with a clutch performance. His go-ahead grand slam in the third inning turned the tide for the Yankees, leading to an 11-4 comeback victory over the Dodgers. Volpe finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored, and two stolen bases, showcasing his all-around skill. The 23-year-old shortstop delivered just when the Yankees needed it most, with none other than Derek Jeter, their legendary clutch performer, watching from the stands.

Anthony Volpe pulls a Derek Jeter at Game 4

Volpe, still wearing his dirt-stained pinstripes, twenty minutes after the final out, stood in awe of the moment. For him, this was the coolest moment of his young life. John Sterling, the Yankees announcer, called Volpe’s grand slam historic—Volpe after all had hit the first Yankees World Series grand slam since Tino Martinez. And with it, Volpe gave New York a powerful 5-2 lead.

Anthony Volpe got a fat 89-mph slider, the perfect pitch for him, and he connected and launched the ball over the left-field wall. He later explained his thought process, saying his approach was the same; he was trying to get on time with a heater and be easy. “Just see the ball, be easy, and be on time for the heater.” And given the moment was so intense, he didn’t even realize it had gone out. “I was hustling. I didn’t know I got it. And then I blacked out, right when it went out,” said Anthony Volpe. He just came through as an on-the-clutch player like Derek Jeter.

Anthony Volpe’s slam was only the third World Series grand slam by a Yankee at their home ground. After the game, Volpe even posed for a picture with Derek Jeter, the very shortstop he idolized as a kid.

Boone makes key strategic moves ahead of Game 4 

Aaron Boone is no stranger to criticism. Many times, his risky moves have garnered negative results, but plenty of times—outstanding ones. Let’s just remember, he is a third-generation manager—he knows the game to the T! And after the Game 3 loss, while all hope was lost for many, Boone held on to hope and said, “We’re trying to get a game tomorrow. OK?. That’s where our focus lies. Hopefully, we can go be this amazing story and shock the world.” And they did just that, and Boone had made strategic lineup changes, but not what you think!

So, most wanted Judge’s usual spot to be changed, but Boone decided to keep the captain in his regular position. But he focused more on creating a balance around Judge. So he shifted Giancarlo Stanton from the cleanup spot down to fifth, trading with Jazz Chisolm Jr. And, Austin Wells was added back to the lineup, after sitting out game 3.

This wasn’t just a routine move; it was strategic gameplay by Aaron Boone. With the LA team staring right-hander Casparius, Boone wanted a lineup that kept them from using a single right-hander reliever against multiple batters. “Really just trying to be a little more balanced, with them doing a bullpen day and this being more in line with kind of what I’ve done all year,” said Boone. Well, in the end, they did win!

The New York Yankees pulled a thrilling win. Boone’s adjustments paid off, and the Yankees now live to fight another day. Do you think they can make another fierce win?