Gracie Cashman is an actress, singer, and daughter of the New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. Growing up in the Yankee empire, Gracie was able to form close bonds with the players and their families.
Recently, Gracie Cashman became the host of the YES Network’s new show, The Story of My Number, where she sits down with Yankee legends and delves into the stories of their lives.
In the Q&A below, Gracie Cashman tells Spotlight all about this exciting new project, what it was like growing up in the MLB world, her go-to ballpark snack, and more!
Your father is the General Manager for the New York Yankees. What was it like growing up around this celebrated MLB team?
It all felt normal when I was kid, but looking back it was really special. It feels like you’re a part of this family and you’re going through all the highs and lows together. It’s really a unique experience. It’s difficult to articulate, but so many of my favorite childhood memories involve the New York Yankees and it’s such an honor to be born into the Yankee family.
How has your upbringing influenced your chosen career path? Tell us about this.
I had the incredible privilege of going into the city with my aunt to see a decent amount of live theatre while growing up—that was our thing. I think I was exposed so young and so frequently to that magic that it really became my first love. It’s been incredible of blend my love of sports and my love for performing with this project.
You are now the host of YES Network’s The Story of My Number presented by the New York Lottery. How were you able to land this opportunity?
The stars aligned I guess! From what I’ve been told, the network was originally looking into a number of former players to host, since the interviewees would have some level of familiarity and trust with a fellow former player. That route proved challenging for a number of reasons, and someone close to the network, who I had worked with on a previous project separate from YES, threw my name in the hat as an option. I had recently finished filming for a baseball reality show I was the host of and I guess they liked what they saw enough from those clips to give me a call! The producers and I clicked immediately and it proved to all work out.
As the host of The Story of My Number, you’ll be interviewing Yankee legends including Aaron Boone, Don Mattingly, Andy Pettite, Tino Martinez, and Nick Swisher. Why is this new role so important to you?
I take it very seriously. Growing up around these athletes and with my dad in his career, it’s easy for me to see how their career fits into their lives but is far from the only aspects of their lives that are important to them. Because our interviewees are so high profile and so successful, those personal stories often get lost.
In this show, we’re asking them to feel comfortable sharing often really intimate stories that involve their families, their other passions, and struggles they’ve faced. It’s a big ask for someone to be vulnerable about those things. So, I take it really seriously; it’s really important to me that the stories they share are treated almost sacredly and with as much care as possible.
What is something you’re looking forward to asking these Yankees players that you haven’t been able to do before?
It’s really interesting learning about their personal lives! I think people forget to consider that side of a lot of athletes. For example, Tino Martinez celebrated his birthday, signed with the Yankees, and his wife gave birth to their youngest daughter on the same day. I think Tino’s been asked a lot about signing with the Yankees and what that means to him, but even in the context of that one day there was so much more going on!
Obviously, that is an extreme example, but it’s true for these players every single day. They went home after a big win and celebrated with their kids with silly string, they had to shake off a horrible loss and go to dinner with their future in-laws, they were really tired before that big game because their toddler wouldn’t sleep, etc. It’s the most interesting to me to get those stories that remind you they’re just normal people who perform at a really exceptional level on a baseball diamond.
What is your favorite memory of the New York Yankees? Tell us about it!
The ’09 World Series holds some really special memories—especially when the team was in Philadelphia. Usually, there are maybe a handful of family members traveling to any given away series, but at the World Series, everyone was there and we were all at the same hotel. There was a buffet breakfast in the morning, and then usually during the day, we would go to a museum or something, (or get some homework done, we had all been pulled out of school for the week so sometimes we’d just sit together and catch up on schoolwork) and then a “family bus” would take the relatives to the games every day.
Halloween also fell during that series so we went trick-or-treating; it almost felt like a sleepaway camp for us kids. We were just having the time of our lives running around Philly together and cheering on our dads.
It’s no secret that you’re also a fashionista. What’s your go-to outfit for Yankees games?
Definitely something comfortable! You have to have a full range of motion for all the cheering and YMCA dancing! My go-to is definitely jeans and a Skims bodysuit. I feel like that keeps everything where it should be, is super comfortable, and I don’t have to worry about readjusting. It’s super versatile. Depending on the weather, you can throw on a jacket or sweater, wear booties or sneakers, and add some fun accessories!
What is your go-to ballpark snack?
Cracker Jacks!
You are also an actress and singer. Do you have any exciting projects coming up?
Yes! I host a baseball reality show that hopefully will be released soon, and I also starred as the villain in an upcoming Christmas movie called Christmas Cowboy, so keep your eye out for that this Holiday season!
Where can people watch The Story of My Number?
The YES App (new episodes drop every Thursday).
