Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski is a victim of identity theft and the perpetrator was the one person who wouldn't be tripped up by the spelling of his name - his late son, Michael.
Word from the Sunshine State is that Michael Yastrzemski, who died unexpectedly from complications of hip surgery last September, left a trail of bad debts in Florida - including thousands of dollars on credit cards he obtained by passing himself off as his father.
And now the plastic purveyors are coming after Carl Sr. for the dough. The 65-year-old Sox legend has been hounded by collections agents and dragged into court by creditors - all the while still mourning the loss of his son.
``All I can say is that we are trying to resolve some prior issues involving Carl's son,'' Yastrzemski's attorney, Neil Abbott, told the Track. ``In no way, shape or form are these Carl's debts. He was oblivious to this. He didn't incur them and he didn't authorize anyone to use his information. Unfortunately, he has to deal with it and we're doing the best we can.''
According to a source close to the matter, Michael Yastrzemski - who went by his middle name but had the same name as his father, Carl Michael Yastrzemski - was in dire financial distress when he died at age 44. The younger Yastrzemski had ``some demons,'' the source said.
``He had a hard time finding his way,'' said our spy. ``He had an alcohol problem and went into a downward spiral and that's what this is all about.''
When he was in his 20s, Michael attempted to follow his father's footsteps into the major leagues. Despite Yaz' misgivings, his son made it all the way to Triple A ball, but Michael could never crack the bigs.
``After that, he was kind of lost,'' said the source. ``But just before he died, he seemed to be pulling himself together.''
Michael went into rehab and seemed to be overcoming his drinking problem. But just when things started to turn around, he went into the hospital for hip surgery and, while still recovering, developed a blood clot and died.
Word from the Sunshine State is that Michael Yastrzemski, who died unexpectedly from complications of hip surgery last September, left a trail of bad debts in Florida - including thousands of dollars on credit cards he obtained by passing himself off as his father.
And now the plastic purveyors are coming after Carl Sr. for the dough. The 65-year-old Sox legend has been hounded by collections agents and dragged into court by creditors - all the while still mourning the loss of his son.
``All I can say is that we are trying to resolve some prior issues involving Carl's son,'' Yastrzemski's attorney, Neil Abbott, told the Track. ``In no way, shape or form are these Carl's debts. He was oblivious to this. He didn't incur them and he didn't authorize anyone to use his information. Unfortunately, he has to deal with it and we're doing the best we can.''
According to a source close to the matter, Michael Yastrzemski - who went by his middle name but had the same name as his father, Carl Michael Yastrzemski - was in dire financial distress when he died at age 44. The younger Yastrzemski had ``some demons,'' the source said.
``He had a hard time finding his way,'' said our spy. ``He had an alcohol problem and went into a downward spiral and that's what this is all about.''
When he was in his 20s, Michael attempted to follow his father's footsteps into the major leagues. Despite Yaz' misgivings, his son made it all the way to Triple A ball, but Michael could never crack the bigs.
``After that, he was kind of lost,'' said the source. ``But just before he died, he seemed to be pulling himself together.''
Michael went into rehab and seemed to be overcoming his drinking problem. But just when things started to turn around, he went into the hospital for hip surgery and, while still recovering, developed a blood clot and died.
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