Who on the surging Yankees gets the strongest reactions from their fans

In the two biggest games of the Yankees’ season thus far, the “fans” have delivered in a big way.

A game-tying dash around the bases. Two home runs, including a stadium-electrifying eighth-inning tie-breaker. An 81-mile-per-hour sweeper to strand the bases loaded and preserve a one-run lead.

No, these are not the contributions of fans pulled out of the stands for a Fantasy Camp-like experience. These big moments were authored by major leaguers who know what is expected of the Yankees when the pressure is on because they once cheered as their predecessors came through time and again in similar situations.

What was cool about the Yankees winning the first two games of an intense series against the Orioles — to start nipping at Baltimore’s heels for second place in the American League East — was that Anthony Volpe, Harrison Bader and Ron Marinaccio each played significant parts. All three grew up as Yankees fans in the New York/New Jersey area, creating a sort of pay-it-forward benefit for playing 30 years of meaningful games.

It offered a romanticism to offset the sinking feeling that an injured Aaron Judge won’t be back in these big games for a while.

Volpe fueled a three-run comeback with a home run and a run scored on a wild pitch, and set the stage for Bader’s go-ahead three-run home run during Monday’s 6-3 victory. Marinaccio’s turn to shine came Tuesday, when he held the Orioles scoreless in the sixth inning (after they scored three in the fifth) and bought time for another big Bader hit in an 8-4 win.

Oh, and the fan who famously pledged his lifelong allegiance to the Yankees on a sign during the 2001 World Series was selected Sunday as an All-Star. Gerrit Cole has been the team’s best player this season.

To no surprise, it feels as if the players giving off a “one of us” vibe are becoming the most popular among fans. Here is our unofficial popularity poll:

Most popular

1. Aaron Judge: The American League home run king is so much more than the long ball, though that is a big part of an identity in keeping with the Bronx Bombers. He is a .298 hitter over his past 354 games. He is a plus defender. And he is cut from the team-first non-controversial mold of a Yankees captain. The pinstriped No. 99 jersey is one of MLB’s top sellers six years running. The only things holding him back are shortcomings in the postseason (.772 OPS compared to .983 in the regular season) — the Yankees have won just six of 12 playoff series in his career — and frequent trips to the injured list. The latest update Tuesday — possible offseason surgery and pain for years to come — sounded serious alarms.

2. Anthony Volpe: Like Judge, Volpe has the organizational homegrown factor working in his favor because fans anticipated his arrival from the minors long before his debut. The genesis of Volpe busting out of a rookie slump — he corrected a flaw in his batting stance while watching film with a former minor league teammate over chicken parm at his parents’ house — is so authentically New York/New Jersey that it could wind up in the historic franchise’s folklore if he keeps swinging a hot bat. Fans crave another Derek Jeter, who was a young Volpe’s favorite player.

3. Gerrit Cole: Cole wouldn’t have been in the top-three when the season started, but his dominance over 18 starts (8-2, 2.79 ERA) is building a “That’s our ace” mentality. The further removed he is from his days with the hated Astros (2018 and 2019), the easier it is for Yankees fans to adopt the $324 million free-agent signing. Cole is still chasing that signature moment, however, whether a historic game, a Cy Young Award or ending the up-and-down nature of his postseason performances (4-2, 3.49 ERA).

On the verge … Bader is hitting .349 with runners in scoring position since he joined the Yankees in a trade from the Cardinals. That is rising to the occasion in a way many of the 1990s-era Yankees did.

Fading fast … From his signature mustache to his underdog story as a journeyman, Nestor Cortes had all the makings of a cult favorite when he was a first-time All-Star last season. The Yankees even scheduled a “Nasty Nestor” T-shirt giveaway. But a 5.11 ERA in 11 starts this season has dampened his popularity.

Least popular

1. Josh Donaldson: The bad-will baton was passed from Gary Sanchez to Joey Gallo to Aaron Hicks and now it belongs to Donaldson, who has become a target because of underperformance and injury. Yes, his American League MVP season was a long time ago (2015), but he still hit .259 with 37 home runs for the Braves in 2019 and .247 with 26 home runs for the Twins in 2021, so why does the 37-year-old look finished all of a sudden? He is hitting .208 in 158 games as a Yankee, and only three of his 11 hits this season are not for home runs, so he is mirroring the frustrating all-or-nothing aspect of Sanchez and Gallo.

2. Giancarlo Stanton: The only thing saving Stanton from the No. 1 spot on this list is his playoff résumé: eleven home runs in 110 plate appearances over five postseasons, where Yankees fans make their ultimate judgments. But Stanton’s $325 million contract is the albatross that clogs the designated hitter spot and might have prevented the Yankees going all-in for a better player such as Manny Machado, Bryce Harper or Juan Soto. Stanton has missed 266 regular-season games during seven stints on the injured list with the Yankees. His support is spiraling as he fails to pick up the slack in Judge’s absence by hitting .158 with two home runs since June 6.

3. Gleyber Torres: An unusual case, especially compared to the first two. Torres, who paced Tuesday’s win with a first-inning homer, is a pseudo-homegrown player — acquired in a trade as a Single-A prospect — and is rarely injured. But fans have not forgotten his terrible defense as a shortstop in 2020-21 (when he replaced fan favorite Didi Gregorious). Torres also offers frequent reminders that he cannot be trusted to run the bases — a skill that every Joe from The Bronx feels he has because it doesn’t require superior athleticism to understand the game. Hearing Torres’ name constantly involved in trade talks only makes it difficult to embrace him for the long term.

On the verge … The leash will be short with Carlos Rodon, who could make his Yankees debut Friday after collecting the first $11 million on his $162 million contract while on the injured list. He unfairly will inherit the sins of general manager Brian Cashman’s many starting pitcher busts — Javier Vasquez, Carl Pavano, Sonny Gray and Frankie Montas, to name a few — until he proves he is different.

Turned the worm … What a difference expectations make. One year ago, when Isiah Kiner-Falefa was the error-plagued (16) starting shortstop who didn’t hit a home run until his 348th at-bat, he was booed and benched in the playoffs. Recast as a super-utility player who is playing much more frequently than originally anticipated, Kiner-Falefa is an overachiever who has won back those who cheer for the scrappy underdog.

Today’s back page

Read more:

⚾ Francisco Alvarez’s mammoth homer powers Mets past Diamondbacks for third straight win

🏀 Obi Toppin’s exit a reminder of Knicks’ string of NBA draft lottery failures

🏒 Brett Berard has sights on excelling at ‘next chapter’ of career with Rangers

⚾ Shohei Ohtani’s All-Star Game appearance in doubt in latest Angels injury concern

🎙🎙 Join us Thursday, July 6, for a live recording of The Show Podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman previewing the All-Star Game. The guys will be joined by a special guest: former Yankees manager Joe Torre. The show will be at The Ainsworth in Midtown (45 East 33rd St.); the podcast gets started at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5). The first 50 attendees get a free drink. RSVP now for this great event. 

Baby, you’re a firework!

In conjunction with Fourth of July celebrations everywhere, we started thinking about New York sports personalities who could provide fireworks over the rest of 2023.

As 13-time Grammy nominee Katy Perry once sang, you are a firework if you “make ‘em go, ‘ah, ah ah’” or if “you’re gonna leave ‘em all in awe, awe, awe.’”

So, let’s consider “fireworks” in a few different senses of the word.

Spectacular performance

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso: If the Mets are going to get back into the playoff race, Alonso is going to have to carry an otherwise power-deprived lineup. He is on pace for 48 home runs despite a 10-day stint on the injured list, but he could give New York a second straight run at the magical number 60 if he stays healthy.

Liberty center Breanna Stewart: In pursuit of their first WNBA title, the Liberty (11-4) copied the “superteam” model. Stewart (22 points and 9.8 rebounds per game) hasn’t disappointed in her first 15 games with Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot.

Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner: The 22-year-old cornerback won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and created his own dipping sauce at Buffalo Wild Wings. He is on the verge of becoming one of the NFL’s biggest stars and best players.

Say what?

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers: Any fireworks that Rodgers provides on the field — he is a four-time MVP — could be matched by the things that come out of his mouth. He has an ax to grind against the Packers, opinions on all world affairs, a bigger audience than ever before and maybe an invasive platform with HBO’s “Hard Knocks” in training camp.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone: The author of the infamous “savages in the box” rant might need another rallying cry for his team, especially if the Yankees are without Judge down the stretch. He has been ejected five times already this season — and suspended for one game for his conduct toward umpires — and will be feeling the hot-seat pressure if the Yankees are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs in September.

Mets owner Steve Cohen: Whether it is at the trade deadline or after the season, if the Mets continue to underachieve, will Cohen finally give the George Steinbrenner-esque soundbites that everyone is anticipating after he spent on the highest payroll in MLB history?

Possible explosions

Knicks forward Julius Randle: You never know what you are going to get from game to game or year to year with Randle, but it seems the Knicks re-committed to him (after an injury-plagued but disappointing playoff performance) by trading Obi Toppin. Will he be happy playing with the Knicks-a-Nova clique formed by Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo? It always feels as if he could be one step from a bruised ego and requesting a trade.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley: It seems weird to include a notably unselfish star like Barkley here, but his unresolved contract situation includes so much tension and carries such far-reaching locker-room repercussions that it could be a season-long distraction if the two sides don’t have a deal by the July 17 deadline. He then would be forced to choose between playing on a franchise tag or sitting out training camp (and maybe part of the season).

Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere: Half-season rentals Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko are expected free-agent departures. But what if Lafreniere gets a deal he can’t refuse (and the Rangers can’t match) as a restricted free agent? It would be the end of the “Kid Line” and force a revision of the idea that the Rangers simultaneously are building for the future and chasing a Stanley Cup.

Dog days of summer

Two things happened Tuesday that should further the conversation on whether the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest — and competitive eating — should be considered a sport.

First, it was reported to be postponed due to rain but wound up only being delayed by two hours. Sounds eerily similar to a mismanaged MLB rain delay.

Second, it was the setting for one of the great competitive quotes of all time, thanks to Joey Chestnut. Fans who traveled to Coney Island chanted “Joey! Joey! Joey!” as the G.O.A.T. pumped his fist.

“I’m gonna get the rest of the guys out and we’re gonna do this f–ker,” Chestnut told spectators who feared a cancellation, according to self-described “Nathan’s Famous beat reporter” Kenneth Heasley on Twitter.

Move over in history, Michael Strahan’s famous “Believe it and it will happen” message to Giants teammates late in Super Bowl XLII.

Just like Strahan was correct in his prediction about the Giants coming back to beat the then-undefeated Patriots, Chestnut backed up his words by winning a record 16th Hot Dog Eating Contest title with 62 dogs and buns consumed.

That’s 60 more than I ate on the Fourth of July, but, in fairness, I also had a burger, potatoes and corn on my plate.

Other quick thoughts

• NIL money has made strange transfer decisions in college sports seem routine, but former Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy announced Tuesday that he will play for Washington. So, the Bayonne native is moving across the country to join a rebuilding program after going to two NCAA Tournaments (and being on the cusp of two others) in four years playing at home.

• The news that Mike Trout is headed to the injured list (broken wrist) for the fifth time since 2017 calls to mind the second half of Ken Griffey Jr.’s Hall of Fame career. Both center fielders were regarded as the best player in MLB for a long time. Both were robbed by a multitude of injuries of what could’ve been even more greatness.

• Wimbledon is underway without the retired Roger Federer and the injured Rafael Nadal. They are two of only four men to win the Grand Slam event since 2003. The others, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, still could meet in the final, however. That lack of parity is not good for any sport.