Yankees' Frazier reportedly asked team for Mantle's No. 7
Either New York Yankees prospect Clint Frazier is completely ignorant of his club's remarkable history, or he's the most confident minor leaguer in the world.
During an interview with WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on Wednesday, Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman reported that Frazier - the team's No. 2 prospect - apparently requested to wear uniform No. 7 this spring.
That number, of course, has been off limits in the Bronx since 1968, when it was retired by the Yankees in honor of some guy named Mickey Mantle. Perhaps you've heard of him.
According to Waldman, when Frazier was told Mantle's number was off limits the 22-year-old then asked if the Yankees ever unretired uniform numbers - to which, Waldman said, the team again replied, "No."
The Yankees' 20 retired numbers are by far the most in all of North American professional sports.
Combined with his hairstyle that broke team rules in spring training, this possibly burgeoning number controversy likely won't win Frazier any friends in the Yankees organization. General manager Brian Cashman appears to be standing by his prospect, though, as he told ESPN's Andrew Marchand that the story was "totally untrue" and that Frazier "never" asked for the number.
But even if Frazier can't wear No. 7 as a Yankee, there are other ways he can use the number in his life to honor Mr. Mantle. Perhaps Frazier could name one of his future children Seven, since it is a beautiful name for a boy or a girl.
- With h/t to Deadspin