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Saturday, April 15, 2023

NYC Radio: John Sterling Unveils Volpe Home Run Call


Longtime WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM play-by-play man John Sterling sent Yankees fans to Google Translate following Anthony Volpe’s first career home run in MLB. 

The rookie shortstop led off the game Friday night with his milestone blast in what became a 4-3 loss to the Twins at the Stadium. 

Sterling historically has specific home run calls he uses for each player. 

As a result, any time a player hits his first homer for the Yankees, much of the attention turns to Sterling as he officially unveils the new home run call. 

He gave an ode to Volpe’s Italian heritage. 

“Anthony Volpe! A spettacolo oggi! Oh, the fox socks one to left,” Sterling said. “And the Yankees take an immediate 1-0 lead.” 

“Volpe” means “fox” in Italian, while “A spettacolo oggi” can be translated to “Putting on a show today.” 

Volpe’s great-great grandfather on his father’s side emigrated from Naples, Italy to America, he announced in a speech at the Italian American Baseball Foundation last year.

His mother, Isabelle, was born and raised in the Philippines before emigrating to the United States. 

To start his home run call, Sterling, as always, went to his trademark. 

“Swung on, a high fly to deep left-center,” Sterling began. “It is high. It is far. It is gone. Anthony Volpe’s first home run in the major leagues.” 

Sterling uses the expression “it is high, it is far, it is gone” to describe every home run, regardless if it actually matches that description.

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