Ask and you shall not receive. At least for Yankees prospect Clint Frazier, who tried to get an all-time great’s retired number.
Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman appeared on WFAN on Wednesday, where she revealed to Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts that Frazier reportedly asked the organization if he could wear Micky Mantle’s No. 7.
Waldman: “Did you hear the Clint story, that Clint Frazier actually asked the Yankees if they ever un-retire numbers?”
WFAN: “What number did he want, three?”
Waldman: “No, he wanted number seven.”
WFAN: “Are you kidding me? Oh my god. CLINT! Did he even know who Mickey Mantle was?”
Waldman: “I have no idea. I didn’t ask him. Somebody told me that and I went, ‘ah really?'”
That’s a ballsy ask. In his first training camp, Frazier, acquired from the Cleveland Indians in the Andrew Miller deal, defied the Yankees Way and attempted to wear a number that’s been retired for more than 45 years.
In a way, Frazier is essentially the anti-Yankee. He didn’t cut his long red hair—a Yankees no-no—until mid-March. The top Yankees outfield prospect has a fiery personality, which the Yankees are working on taming.
But asking for Mantle’s number is different than getting forced to cut his locks. Frazier should simply know not to ask for the retired number of one of the greatest Yankees of all-time. The answer is always going to be no. Perhaps, he should read up on the Yankees famed history.
The Yankees have 21 numbers retired. So, Frazier should probably just ask this question and pick one.
*Kramer's moviefone voice* "well why don't you just tell me what number isn't retired"
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) July 8, 2014
UPDATE: The plot thickens.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Clint Frazier never asked the club for Mickey Mantle's retired No. 7.
A report Wednesday said Frazier did.— George A. King III (@GeorgeAKingIII) April 5, 2017
[Deadspin]
