We have a classic on our hands - MLB

When do you know that a classic World Series is afoot? We certainly know it when it’s over. But at what point as it’s happening can one safely say that, yes, we’re seeing something special? The kind of series that only comes along once or twice a decade? Something memorable?

I’m prepared to say that we have one now. With the Rangers’ 4-0 win over the Cardinals we now have played four games, and nothing has been decided. We’ve had a solid outing from Chris Carpenter in Game 1 paired with a clutch pinch hit. We had a a ninth inning comeback in Game 2. We had one of the best — possibly the best — single offensive performance by a player in a World Series game from Albert Pujols in Game 3. And now, in Game 4, a gem from Derek Holland.

Are you not entertained? What else could you ask for? And we have at least two more games to play.

Holland was masterful tonight, mixing the best velocity he’s shown in three postseason starts with a curve ball that obeyed his every command. Twenty-four hours after the Cardinals bats made mincemeat of everything tossed their way, they had no answers for Holland. He gave up two hits, both to Lance Berkman. There was never a threat until the ninth, and that was aided by Neftali Feliz who came in and walked the first batter he faced after Holland ran out of gas. Just ask Tony La Russa and Ron Washington how dominant Holland was. First La Russa:

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And then Washington:

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But this World Series is about more than Derek Holland. Or Albert Pujols. Or Jason Motte. Or Chris Carpenter. It’s building in much the same way an individual game builds. Each night, we’ve seen something wonderful yet something totally different than we saw the game before. At this rate Game 5 is going to turn on a triple play. Or a steal of home. Or the hidden ball trick.

Or maybe something else entirely. All I know is that neither the Rangers nor the Cardinals seem to have mailing-one-in on their agenda. And each time we think we know what may happen — the bullpens dominating, continued pitchers duels, or offensive outbursts — someone comes along the very next game and flips the script.

Predicting what happens next is a sucker’s game at this point. It’s been some time since we’ve had four straight World Series games this much fun for so many different reasons. We’ve all bought the ticket. Time to just sit back and take the ride.

TAMPA, Fla. — Anthony Volpe grew up watching Derek Jeter star at shortstop for the New York Yankees.

Now, the 21-year-old is getting the chance to be the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop against the San Francisco Giants.

The team announced after a 6-2 win over Toronto in spring training that Volpe had won the spot. New York manager Aaron Boone called the kid into his office to deliver the news.

“My heart was beating pretty hard,” said Volpe, rated one of baseball’s best prospects. “Incredible. I’m just so excited. It’s hard for me to even put into words.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, hitting coach Dillon Lawson and bench coach Carlos Mendoza were also present.

Volpe was able to share the news with his parents and other family members near the Yankees’ dugout and said it is something he will never forget.

“It was pretty emotional,” Volpe said. “It was just an unbelievable moment to share with them.”

Volpe, who grew up a Yankees fan, lived in Manhattan as a child before moving to New Jersey. Jeter was his favorite player.

“It’s very surreal,” Volpe said. “I’ve only ever been to games at Yankee Stadium and for the most part only watched him play there.”

Volpe is hitting .314 with three homers, five RBIs and a .417 on-base percentage in 17 Grapefruit League games. He has just 22 games of experience at Triple-A.

Spring training started with Volpe, Oswald Peraza and holdover Isiah Kiner-Falefa competing for the everyday shortstop job. Kiner-Falefa was shifted into a utility role midway through camp, and Peraza was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“While certainly the performance was there, he killed it between the lines,” Boone said of Volpe. “All the other things that we’ve been hearing about showed up. There’s an energy he plays the game with, and an instinct that he has that is evident. He really checked every box that we could have had for him. Absolutely kicked the door in and earned his opportunity.”

Volpe arrived in Florida in December to work out at the Yankees’ minor league complex.

“He’s earned the right to take that spot, and we’re excited for him and excited for us,” Cashman said. “He just dominated all sides of the ball during February and March, and that bodes well obviously for him as we move forward.”

Volpe was selected out of high school with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 draft from Delbarton School in New Jersey. He passed up a college commitment to Vanderbilt to sign with the Yankees.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get into the organization,” Volpe said. “This day, this feeling, this moment was kind of what I’ve worked my whole life for when I made that big decision.”

“Right now it’s crazy,” he added. “I don’t even know what lies ahead but Thursday I just want to go out and play, and have fun.”