So if you’ve been living under a rock for the past week you
probably missed the blockbuster trade between the New York Yankees and the
Chicago White Sox earlier in the week. Actually, I take that back. WIFI reaches
about everywhere these days, even under rocks, so you have no excuse. Shame on
you. Anyway, I digress. As I tuned into the game on Wednesday, a day game
between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins, I heard that Todd Frazier was wanting
to wear the #21 as he made his Yankee Stadium debut. My initial thought was
that of shock because that’s Paul O’Neill’s number so I immediately went to
Twitter to see if our followers shared the same sentiments and it seemed like
they were just as shocked as I was. Now with a day or two to digest the fact
that the #21 may be back back in circulation here are my thoughts on Frazier
potentially wearing O’Neill’s old number.
Personally I think the whole retiring numbers thing is
getting a bit watered down. I know that’s not a popular opinion amongst Yankees
fans but it’s mine. Sure, you retire the numbers of Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio
and Mickey Mantle and the other Yankees legends but there are a few numbers I
simply have a problem with. I won’t name Reggie Jackson’s name but there are a
few names you could really make an argument against, and for probably as well.
Roy White I’m looking at you and the need for a Roy White Day here at Yankee
Stadium. The fact that O’Neill’s number hasn’t been retired by now though and
the fact that the team held a Paul O’Neill Day at Yankee Stadium suggests that
it’s time for the number to be put back into circulation.
O’Neill walked off the Yankee Stadium field during the 2001
World Series never to be seen again in New York as a player, it’s been 16 years
folks. O’Neill finished the World Series in Arizona during that season and
retired. The Yankees haven’t retired the number and they have given him his
plaque in Monument Park. O’Neill was tremendous for the Yankees and was a huge
part of the dynasty that brought New York four World Series championships in
five years and nothing can take away from that but I reiterate… it’s been 16
years and the number hasn’t been retired. Give it to someone.
So that’s what the Yankees did. If Todd Frazier wears the
#21 for the remainder of the 2017 season I’m okay with that. I’m borderline
indifferent to be completely honest. It doesn’t bother me to see anyone wear
Tino Martinez’s #24 uniform and he was my favorite player growing up so it
shouldn’t and won’t bother me to see anyone wear O’Neill’s #21. I’m sorry but
it doesn’t. I know, again, that’s not the popular opinion around these parts
but, again, that’s mine and only my opinion. ---
Frankly I’m happy to see the number potentially back in
circulation as I have quite a few #21 jersey’s hanging in my closet somewhere
that can now be put to good use again. So Todd, talk to O’Neill before heading
back to Yankee Stadium like you intend to and enjoy the number if you get his
okay. Either way you’ll make us proud.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)