Clint Frazier’s advice might sound simple — stay off social media, don’t try to be Jeter, just play your game — but it comes from experience, and it’s laced with authenticity
Volpe doesn’t need to be perfect, nor does he need to chase ghosts of Yankees past. He just needs time, space, and a clear mind.
If Anthony Volpe can emerge from this rough patch stronger, more grounded, and mentally sharper, he could indeed become that “diamond in the rough” Frazier spoke of — and perhaps even the next Yankee icon in his own right.
Clint Frazier never wore Mickey Mantle’s number, nor did he ask to. Yet that fabricated story became a defining controversy during his Yankees tenure.
While some fans may never forget the headlines, Frazier’s recent revelations remind us that perception isn’t always reality.
The story also sheds light on a broader issue—how young players are supported (or not) in high-pressure environments. Frazier’s voice, years later, offers not just a defense of his actions but a call to action for teams to do better by their future stars.
In the end, it’s clear that Clint Frazier was never just fighting for a number—he was fighting to be understood.
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Clint Frazier’s Message to Anthony Volpe: “Get Off Social Media”
In the heart of a tough slump, New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is feeling the heat that often comes with wearing the pinstripes.1
While expectations were sky-high heading into the season, the 23-year-old has struggled at the plate, sparking criticism from fans and speculation from analysts.
But former Yankee Clint Frazier — no stranger to the rollercoaster of life in the Bronx — has some simple, yet profound advice for Volpe: disconnect from the noise and focus on the game.
A Slump in the Spotlight: Volpe’s Recent Struggles
Anthony Volpe began the season with promise, but over the past few weeks, his bat has cooled significantly.
Once seen as a potential breakout star and key cog in the Yankees’ lineup, Volpe has been mired in a prolonged slump that’s dropped his batting average and hurt his confidence.
New York isn’t exactly known for its patience — especially with young talent. Volpe’s struggles have quickly become the subject of debate on sports talk shows, social media, and among fans in the Bronx and beyond.
With such intense scrutiny, it’s easy for a young player to become overwhelmed.
Clint Frazier: Voice of Experience
Clint Frazier knows this experience all too well. Once one of the Yankees’ most highly-touted prospects, Frazier dealt with injuries, inconsistency, and the unrelenting glare of New York media throughout his time with the team.2
He was often criticized for everything from his on-field performance to his appearance.
Frazier joined Foul Territory recently and was asked about what advice he’d give to Volpe. Without hesitation, he said:
“Brother, we got to get off social media.”
Frazier stressed that platforms like Twitter and Instagram, while potentially useful for marketing and connection, can also be detrimental to a player’s mindset, especially in times of adversity.
“Don’t Try to Be Jeter or Didi” — The Weight of Yankee Legacy
One of the biggest challenges for Anthony Volpe has been the unavoidable comparisons to his predecessors at shortstop.
Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame legacy casts a long shadow in the Bronx, and even Didi Gregorius, who replaced Jeter, enjoyed considerable success with the team.
Frazier was quick to point this out:
“I know that Volpe’s in a tough situation because like Didi Gregorius was there. (Derek) Jeter was obviously there. Like there’s a lot of big shoes that he’s having to fill.”
It’s a nearly impossible standard. While Jeter spent 20 seasons in pinstripes and became one of the most beloved players in franchise history, expecting Volpe to replicate that success so early in his career is unfair and unrealistic.
Blocking Out the Noise: Why Social Media Hurts More Than Helps
Social media is a double-edged sword for athletes. On one hand, it allows players to build their brand, interact with fans, and stay engaged with the world. On the other, it exposes them to a flood of negativity that can easily seep into their psyche.
For Volpe, reading thousands of critiques, comparisons, and harsh takes can only worsen the slump. Frazier argued that stepping away from social media would allow Volpe to “play free,” without the added weight of fans’ expectations and the constant media microscope.
“There’s no need for him to add further pressure and instead, just try to play as free as he can,” Frazier said.
The Media Cycle: Searching for a Scapegoat
According to Frazier, Volpe isn’t struggling because he lacks talent or drive — he’s struggling in part because the New York media is always looking for a new target.
When stars aren’t available to criticize or the team is underperforming, young players often become scapegoats.
“I think he’s just one of these guys, bro, that the media is just picking on because they’re running out of people to go after.”
New York sports media thrives on controversy and opinion. When things go wrong, someone gets blamed — and for now, Volpe seems to be caught in the storm.
Clint Frazier: Being the “Diamond in the Rough”
Despite the criticism, Frazier still believes in Volpe’s potential.3
He sees a player with all the tools needed to succeed — if he can tune out the distractions and stay focused on growth.
“Just be the diamond in the rough,” Frazier encouraged.
The idea is to embrace the adversity, use it as fuel, and let time and performance eventually silence the critics. Frazier’s message was clear: Volpe doesn’t need to be perfect — he just needs to be himself.
Let Volpe Be Volpe
Trying to live up to legends like Jeter is a heavy burden for anyone. But Frazier insists that Volpe’s real value lies in who he is — not in being the next someone else.
“The biggest advice to the shortstop would be to just be himself rather than try to fill in shoes of big players.”
Volpe was drafted for his skill, poise, and leadership. Those traits are still there — even if they’re momentarily overshadowed by poor numbers.
It’s common for young stars to hit bumps in the road, especially in their first few seasons. What separates the greats isn’t always immediate success, but rather the ability to adapt, endure, and evolve.
Volpe is being tested, but that test might be exactly what molds him into the player he’s destined to become.
one bad report and the people called me in …
today i go live. journalism just got its closer. check out the people’s champ on @FoulTerritoryTV at 1:45 pm ⚡️— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) June 19, 2025
Lessons From Frazier’s Journey
Frazier’s own Yankees career didn’t go as planned, but his experiences give weight to his words.
He dealt with criticism, struggled with his role, and had public disputes with the team. Eventually, he left New York and bounced between clubs, always facing questions about what could have been.
But now, with hindsight and maturity, Frazier’s reflections are as much a cautionary tale as they are advice. By sharing them with Volpe, he hopes to help the young shortstop avoid the mental traps that derailed his own path.
Yankees Faithful Need Patience
It’s worth noting that Anthony Volpe is still just 23 years old. He’s playing one of the most demanding positions in baseball, in one of the toughest markets in sports. And he’s doing so under intense scrutiny.
The Yankees organization, and its fan base, would be wise to offer patience and perspective. Not every great career starts with fireworks. Sometimes it starts with failure, growth, and resilience.
Volpe has already shown flashes of brilliance — both defensively and at the plate. If he can weather this storm, tune out the critics, and follow advice like Frazier’s, he could yet blossom into a cornerstone player for the franchise.
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Clint Frazier Opens Up About Controversial Yankees Chapter
Clint Frazier’s tenure with the New York Yankees was filled with flashes of promise, frustrating injuries, and a storm of off-field narratives that often overshadowed his on-field contributions.
Among those stories, one of the most controversial was the accusation that Frazier wanted to wear the iconic No. 7 jersey once worn by Mickey Mantle — a number that had long been retired in honor of the Yankees legend.
Now, years later, Frazier is speaking out to set the record straight and call attention to what he saw as a lack of leadership during a difficult time.
A Rookie Caught in a Storm
When Clint Frazier arrived in the Bronx as part of a high-profile trade with the Cleveland Guardians (then Indians), he brought along immense expectations.
A five-tool prospect with blazing bat speed and a confident personality, he was seen as a potential cornerstone of the Yankees’ next generation. However, instead of becoming a fan-favorite, Frazier found himself entangled in controversy.
Early in his Yankees career, speculation emerged that Frazier had asked to wear Mantle’s retired No. 7 jersey. The claim shocked many, considering the sacred legacy Mantle holds in Yankees history.
Media outlets ran with the story, and backlash followed swiftly. Frazier was cast as brash, entitled, and disrespectful by some fans and pundits.
Denying the Mickey Mantle Rumor
In a recent appearance on Foul Territory, Frazier strongly refuted the rumors that he requested to unretire Mickey Mantle’s number. According to the outfielder, the story was entirely fabricated and fueled by the New York media’s desire for sensational headlines.
“I genuinely did not watch baseball growing up as a kid,” Frazier said. “Ryan Howard was the only guy I really focused on.
So when I came in week one, they’re asking me if I asked for Mickey Mantle’s number to be unretired, and I’m sitting there thinking, ‘I don’t even know what number this guy wears.’”
Frazier’s admission about not being familiar with Mantle’s number may come off as shocking to die-hard baseball fans, but it’s also a candid reflection of a new generation of athletes whose idols don’t always align with historical legends.
Clint Frazier: Media Pressure and Feeling Cornered
Frazier also spoke openly about how the New York media’s treatment left him feeling trapped and unsupported.
He said the situation escalated quickly, and instead of being offered guidance or clarity, he was vilified.
“I was backed into a bad corner,” Frazier explained. “I was 22, 23 years old, and the narrative got completely away from me.”
The New York media is notorious for being among the most aggressive in sports. For young players unfamiliar with its intensity, it can be overwhelming.
Frazier became a frequent headline—sometimes for his flashy cleats, sometimes for his social media presence, and other times for supposed clubhouse issues.
Lack of Veteran Leadership
While controversy swirled, Frazier hoped for someone in the Yankees clubhouse to step up and offer mentorship. Instead, he claims he was largely left to navigate the storm on his own.
“Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t, but I can’t remember a specific moment where somebody came up to me and was like, ‘Hey brother, you need to go this direction instead of going that direction,’” Frazier said.
He went on to clarify that some players did speak to him, but no one truly took him under their wing. That absence of a steady veteran voice was something Frazier clearly still feels deeply today.
For a franchise that prides itself on legacy and leadership, his comments raise questions about how the Yankees develop and support their young talent.
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The Yankees Culture: Strict, Stoic, and Traditional
- One aspect of the Yankees that has long been debated is their rigid team culture. Players are expected to conform to a certain image—clean-shaven, uniform, and respectful of tradition.
- While that might work for some, it can stifle others, especially free-spirited personalities like Frazier.
- From his eye-catching red hair to his flashy cleats, Frazier often stood out. And not always in a way the Yankees appreciated.
- Whether it was media-fueled or rooted in internal dynamics, there was often a feeling that Frazier didn’t quite “fit” the Yankees mold.
- This culture of stoicism may explain why Frazier felt so alone during the Mantle controversy. Without emotional support or open dialogue, younger players can feel isolated when their behavior is questioned or misrepresented.
- When asked whether he preferred his time with the Yankees or the Chicago White Sox, Frazier didn’t hesitate.
- He named the White Sox as the more enjoyable chapter in his career, citing the laid-back atmosphere and supportive environment as a refreshing contrast.
- “I had the most fun with the White Sox,” he said.
- While his stint in Chicago wasn’t long or particularly headline-grabbing, it evidently left a more positive impression on Frazier
- The difference in organizational culture between the two teams clearly played a role in how Frazier was able to be himself.
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