Yankees numbers game: Clint Frazier switches to No. 77

MINNEAPOLIS – Meet the new No. 77 on the Yankees, Clint Frazier.

And no, the rookie outfielder said his choice had nothing to do with his affinity for Mickey Mantle, the legendary No. 7.

“I never asked for that number,’’ Frazier said of No. 7, which became a slight hullabaloo when he was said to have inquired about the status of retired Yankee numbers. “This is just a number that I’ve been thinking no one else wore and I wanted to wear it.’’

No. 77 has only been worn once before by a Yankee, reliever Humberto Sanchez in 2008.

The number switch began with Tuesday night’s huge trade, sending Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to the Yankees from the White Sox.

Clint Frazier switched from No. 30, which was given back to Robertson, who wore it as a Yankee from 2008-2014.

Todd Frazier, who wore No. 21 with the Red and White Sox, was issued No. 29 as a Yankee. However, Frazier is hoping to snag Paul O'Neill's number for himself.

Growing up in Toms River, Todd Frazier was a big O'Neill fan and that's the reason he wore No. 21. 

"Hopefully, I can talk to him and maybe I'll be able to get that number before I get back home,'' Todd Frazier said.

Only one Yankee, reliever LaTroy Hawkins, has worn No. 21 (in 2008) since O’Neill retired. Hawkins received such backlash that the number was never reissued, though it is not retired.

Kahnle will wear No. 48.

Oddly enough, Hawkins and Kahnle have a strange connection. As Rockies teammates in 2014, the veteran Hawkins and Kahnle got into an altercation. On a Twins broadcast earlier this year, Hawkins called Kahnle, "by far'' one "of the worst teammates I've ever had in my life.''

Kahnle let that comment slide when asked about it in May by Chicago reporters.

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As for Clint Frazier’s number preference, he said there was no real significance to his choice of 77.

“[Aaron] Judge wears 99. I hope someone picks up 88 now,’’ said Clint Frazier, who said he’d “never worn a single digit 7’’ before.

“I’ve worn 17, which is a number that I liked in the past,’’ Clint Frazier said. “I wore No. 75 in spring training, [Dustin] Fowler wore 77 and I liked how his number looked and I wanted to wear it.’’

And now that there are two Fraziers in pinstripes, Clint Frazier said he’s “wondering if [John] Sterling’s going to have a new home run call for me or if he’ll have a new one for Todd,’’ referencing the Yankees radio broadcaster’s signature home run calls. “I’m looking forward to it.’’