Yankees' Anthony Volpe details speaking with Brett Gardner about wearing No. 11

New York Yankees rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe has provided more information about the chat he had with former outfielder Brett Gardner about wearing Gardner's old No. 11 jersey. 

"It was a really good conversation," Volpe told reporters on Thursday, per Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I really appreciate him taking the time. Most of the conversation wasn’t even about a No. 11. It was just talking with him and his experiences." 

Volpe rocked No. 77 throughout spring training until he learned he made the big league roster ahead of Thursday's Opening Day home game against the San Francisco Giants, which the Yankees won 5-0. 

The 21-year-old from New Jersey grew up a diehard fan of a Yankees team that employed Gardner for 14 MLB seasons through the 2021 campaign. 

The Bronx Bombers hadn't given Gardner's No. 11 to anybody else since he reportedly rejected signing with the Toronto Blue Jays last spring, in part because he didn't want to play for any other organization. 

In total, Gardner appeared in 1,756 games (including the playoffs) for the Yankees during his career. 

"His impact on the clubhouse to this day is ginormous," Volpe added about Gardner. "Obviously we have leaders in the clubhouse, but I think he played a huge role in making those players leaders and taking them under their wing, the same way those guys are now taking me under their wing. So I couldn’t thank him enough for the stuff he did and the impact he still has." 

It didn't take long for Volpe to go viral on "Yankees Twitter," as he kissed the "NY" crest on his jersey upon hearing his name during the season's first roll call delivered by the Bleacher Creatures: