The first half of the Subway Series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees is taking place this week from Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y. In the latest edition of the crosstown rivalry, stars Francisco Lindor, Aaron Judge, Pete Alonso and Juan Soto are facing off in pivotal games for both teams in the standings. Before the Mets took Game 1 of the two-game set with a 9-7 victory on Tuesday night, Yankees television play-by-play announcer Michael Kay took exception to an advertisement that SportsNet New York (SNY), the television home of the Mets, ran on its airwaves.
In promoting its broadcasts of the Subway Series, SNY used the verbiage of “the best booth in baseball” to describe play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen and analysts Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling. The trio recently celebrated 18 years working together, rendering it the longest-tenured television broadcast booth in the history of the organization. While Kay acknowledged that discussing the matter could get him in trouble with his bosses, an advertiser or the listening audience, he issued a rebuttal on Tuesday towards the advertisement that ran on the television simulcast of ESPN New York’s The Michael Kay Show on YES Network.
“You know who the host of the show is – one of the hosts of the show is – and I’m supposed to sit there and take it laying down?,” Kay said. “I’ll take O’Neill and Cone and me over [Gary], Ron and Keith. I would – I mean, they’re great, but so is our booth. So the way you want people to watch is to say, ‘Join the best booth in baseball.’ I’m sorry – I think we’re the best booth in baseball.”
Kay drew reactions from both of his co-hosts regarding his feelings on the matter. Don La Greca was surprised to hear Kay disquieted over what had been said, leading Kay to ask why SNY decided to go in that route. Peter Rosenberg felt the take was bizarre, pointing out how when people promote themselves, they will sometimes use the vernacular of classifying themselves as No. 1. Kay understood everything that was being said, but emphasized that he cannot be expected to take it and acquiesce that it is true.
“I wouldn’t read it if it was our read, but it was a commercial during the stop set,” Kay said. “I get it – I mean, I guess they’re believing their own hype. Good, good, great. Met fans love them – I get it – but I’ll keep our booth ahead of anybody’s.”
Kay said it is important to take the money but was wondering who was “completely clueless” to run the spot on The Michael Kay Show because of his position on Yankees broadcasts. Rosenberg shared that in the past, the advertisement was going to be a read on the show, something he admitted would be going too far. Even though Kay would not mind if LaGreca or Rosenberg read the advertisement, he would offer a subsequent rebuttal in the same manner.
“But the point is they put a commercial together, and in that commercial they’re going to promote their product, and they’re going to be proud of the product that they promote,” La Greca said. “So why shouldn’t they say, ‘Best booth in baseball’? We air it. You don’t have a problem with us airing it because we like their money, and then you get a chance to retort, so what’s the issue?”
Within his response, Kay stated that there was no issue but questioned if it made sense for SNY to discuss their broadcast booth with such parlance on the commercial. Furthermore, he shared that he is a fan of Cohen, Hernandez and Darling, but still was critical of the rationale since he is the Yankees television play-by-play announcer. La Greca asked Kay if he would rather SNY not promote their broadcast on the show, something that he delineated would be indicative of the regional sports network doing itself a disservice.
“No, I don’t care,” Kay replied. “I’m just saying I care that when somebody says that, I don’t believe it.”
I’m sorry but I know Michael Kay has to defend the honor of his “booth” and professional partners. But it’s not even close and I’ll leave it at that.