One of the big stories to emerge on Wednesday was a report saying New York Yankees prospect Clint Frazier asked the team about wearing Mickey Mantle’s retired No. 7 jersey. That report appears to have been debunked, complete with an apology.
Frazier tweeted hours after the story began circulating to say that he received an apology from Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman, who started the rumor by sharing it during a radio appearance Wednesday (full story here).
Frazier said in his tweets that he “would never ask for” a legend’s number.
i appreciate Suzyn reaching out and I accept her apology. i would never ask for a legends number.
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) April 5, 2017
Ready to play some baseball. i care more about the front of the jersey than the back.
— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) April 5, 2017
Not only does Frazier say it never happened, but Yankees GM Brian Cashman also says it didn’t happen.
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
"When I heard it I called (equipment manager) Rob Cucuzza and he said it never happened. I called Gary Denbo on the minor league side
— George A. King III (@GeorgeAKingIII) April 5, 2017
And he said no. (PR VP) Jason Zillo called Frazier and he said it never happened."
— George A. King III (@GeorgeAKingIII) April 5, 2017
That’s an unfortunate situation. Even though Frazier and others say it never happened, there will still be many people influenced by the original rumor who think it did.
No matter how you slice it, Frazier has a lot to live up to in New York — thanks in greater part to this story.
