Clint Frazier has always had something to say, whether it was showing confidence he would win an outfield job or showing off his custom design cleats. But last night, Frazier was absolutely speechless following a dreadful showing in the outfield.
Frazier misplayed three balls; one was a run-scoring single, one was a run-scoring triple, and one nicked off his glove after he attempted to dive.
However, it wasn’t Frazier’s misplays that had fans fuming by the end of the night. Following the Yankees 8-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees PR Department announced Frazier declined to speak to the media, leaving Luke Voit, Aaron Hicks, and Aaron Boone to answer for him.
Clint Frazier refused to come out and speak to the media. #Yankees
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) June 3, 2019
While Clint Frazier declined to speak after Sunday’s game, his teammates did. Tone was generally supportive, given his struggles.
Aaron Hicks: “There’s going to be days where things kind of seem like they’re not going your way. Just always seems like the ball is being hit to you
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) June 3, 2019
“… . That’s just a time where you learn over time that you’ve got to slow the game down. Know the situations going into it, what might happen before the play even starts. Just kind of control the moment and do your best to get clean innings after that.”
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) June 3, 2019
Luke Voit: “You just got to stay positive, and know that guys have got his back … We still trust him.”
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) June 3, 2019
During Spring Training, the front office will coach the players on how to address the media on both good and bad days. But the bottom line is, it’s their responsibility to answer for their mistakes. Frazier eventually did address his situation with ESPN writer Cole Harvey–but he addressed them at 2 in the morning, four hours after the game concluded.
Just spoke to Clint Frazier, who wanted to address his play tonight:
“I’ve been working really hard every day with (OF coach) Reggie (Willits) before BP starts and despite what has been happening during the game, I’m still confident in myself to be able to turn this around soon.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) June 3, 2019
“… It’s tough to cost the team runs and a potential win especially when playing at home against Boston. Things keep happening that shouldn’t and I’m acknowledging that with all of the early work I’m doing before games.”
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) June 3, 2019
The Yankees now have a situation on their hands. Should they remove Frazier from the field and have him DH for the time being? How long will it take for them to give him another chance in the outfield should they go the DH route? And how will they handle Frazier irresponsibly leaving his teammates out to dry after his three blunders cost them the game?
One thing is certain, the team will not let this slide; in 2011 Rafael Soriano blew a save and promptly avoided the media, leaving then-manager Joe Girardi and Derek Jeter to answer for him. Soriano eventually apologized for his unprofessional behavior, but not after the front office discussed the importance of handling the media.
If Mariano Rivera can address the media after losing the 2001 World Series, and if Gary Sanchez can address the media after he was benched in 2017, then Frazier can address the media after a bad day defensively. It’s understandable to be upset, but the cardinal rule for playing on a big market team is if you mess up, own to it.
Do not make your teammates clean up your mess.
