An intense argument erupts between Michael Kay and Peter Rosenberg while analyzing the underwhelming performance of the Yankees this season. It soon become a verbal showdown on air as both engaged in a heated exchange.
During the joint broadcast of “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN New York and YES Network, Michael Kay claimed that the Yankees’ downturn dated back to last year’s DJ LeMahieu’s injury, followed by a playoff run without LeMahieu, Andrew Benintendi, and an injured Matt Carpenter, which was visible during their performance against the Astros in the ALCS.
The Yankees’ announcer contended that the organization failed to see this and held the belief of being in a more good shape. This misconception, according to Michael Kay, consequently paved the way for an off-season filled with a few acquisitions like Carlos Rodon and keeping Anthony Rizzo, who faced challenges due to a concussion this season. He argued that those steps, unfortunately, fell short of fulfilling the necessary requirements pushing down the Yankees this season.
Michael Kay suggested that there might have been an expectation of significant improvement, but it appears that there is now a realization of the flaw in that assumption. Subsequently, the pace of activities began to increase.
Rosenberg infuriated Michael Kay by needling him
Rosenberg took to the mike at this stage and suggested that the explanation sounded a bit like making excuses.
“I’m just being honest, this does sound sort of like excuse-making,” Rosenberg told to Michael Kay.
This caused Michael Kay’s tone to become louder and he responded sharply, expressing his disregard for how it might be perceived. The Yankees’ voice asserted that he was providing an explanation for the situation, emphasizing that he was sharing the genuine reasons behind it. He expressed indifference to any accusations of making excuses and invited those who believed so to dismiss his perspective.
“I don’t give a crap what it sounds like!” Michael Kay shot back. “I’m telling you the reasons why it happened. If you people want to say that I’m making excuses, I don’t care anymore! I’m telling you the truth here. If you think it’s making excuses, good, go crap in a lake!”
Rosenberg went on to question the value of presenting the truth when the Yankees consistently fail to act effectively based on it. Michael Kay reacted by pointing out that the Yankees had reached the ALCS last year.
Their voices began to overlap as they yell at each other.
Rosenberg emphasized that the Yankees were thoroughly dominated and humiliated by the Astros. With a record of 60-60, the Yankees find themselves in the bottom spot of the AL East standings as they prepare for Wednesday night’s matchup against the Braves.
“They got their ass whooped!” Rosenberg said. “They got embarrassed! They got destroyed! Michael, they got embarrassed by the Astros!”
Michael Kay, while not the one to remain shy away from criticizing the team, made a point to unleash scathing criticism on the front office.
The end was more scathing
Rosenberg continued to pose rhetorical questions, questioning whether Yankees fans should find solace in reaching the ALCS only to be swept, and he raised doubts about the significance of this achievement over the past three years, shedding light on the team’s overall performance.
He also held the view that the Yankees should have taken a page from the Mets’ playbook and made strategic moves at the trade deadline, even suggesting they should have chosen to reset their approach. Instead, the team faced a collapse without any additional prospects to show for their efforts.
The program’s third co-host, Don La Greca, aligned himself with Rosenberg, pointing out that Aaron Judge referred to last season’s Astros defeat as a “failure.”
Michael Kay responded to it by acknowledging his point but emphasized that it was not accurate to label the Yankees as an incompetent organization that consistently fails to make the playoffs.
“I get it. But you can’t say they always get it wrong like they’re a bumbling organization that can’t get out of its own way and can’t make the postseason,” Michael Kay said. “That’s stupid! You sound like a fan!”
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Michael Kay needs to stop making excuses and face facts. This is a flawed Yankees roster. They did not do what the Mets did which was trade two HOF type pitchers, a closer and two outfielders. They got a good haul of prospects. What did the Yankees front office do? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Heads have to roll in the Bronx. It has to start with Hal Steinbrenner growing a pair and gutting the Analytics people. Replacing Boone or Cashman and Jettisoning Randy Levine.
Hal is never going to “grow a pair”. He doesn’t like baseball and sees his inherited MLB team only as a money maker. As long as 40,000+ fans continue to pack the stadium for each game he couldn’t care less if they ever win another world series.
As far as Kay saying, “you sound like a fan”, he should be reminded that NY fans pay HIS salary too. Kay is starting to grind on my last remaining nerve when it comes to the Yankees’ organization (although he’s not technically part of the organization) dismissing the fans’ concerns about the dismal state of the New York Yankees since George Steinbrenner’s death. Just making the playoffs IS NOT good enough, but Hal will never understand that.
When MK speculates it based on information and conversations with experts and organizational insiders. Peter assumes the role of knee jerk fans who are too emotional to dissect the problem. MK is rational where PR is reactive. It reminds me of Abbot and Costello the comedy team of yore.
I believe the team was flawed on fact Cashman made 2 bad trades and failed to resign Bennenditti. Still don’t have a left fielder! When Judge injured his baby toe LA tm was still playing well but once he was out of lineup they began to play like losers. No starting pitching other then Cole and No Closer even thigh our own med league in stats but I think they were flaws along w / overuse analytics. Injuries w
I hope Rizzo sues everyone in the organization for the way his concussion was handled.
The players know it , and don’t think that stench hasn’t permeated that locker room.
Rosenberg is a met fan,and you know how petty,and jealous they are about the Yankees.He took glee on the fact the Astros beat the Yankees,and this was his chance to rub it in.Rosenberg is a wrestling fanatic,and a big endorser of hip hop,so why he is on a sports talk show is a mystery to me.When Kay is off,Rosenberg an d don won’t even talk about the Yankees unless someone calls in.