NEW YORK — The YES Network has been overhauling its Yankees broadcast team for the 2026 MLB season. After parting ways with three longtime analysts in October, the network needed fresh voices. Now, they have found one with impeccable credentials.
The changes at YES began making headlines late last year. John Flaherty, a fixture in the booth for two decades, announced his departure. Part-time analysts Jeff Nelson and Dave Valle were also shown the door. The network made it clear they wanted to streamline operations around their core trio of David Cone, Paul O’Neill and Joe Girardi.
But a new face will join that championship rotation. And he brings more hardware than almost anyone in franchise history.
A Brooklyn native returns to the Bronx
Willie Randolph has been a familiar presence on YES programming for years. He appeared on Yankees Hot Stove in December 2024 to discuss Rickey Henderson’s passing. He was at spring training in March 2025, sharing stories with younger players. He contributed regularly without holding a full-time position.
That changes now. The YES Network announced Monday that the six-time World Series champion will join their broadcast team in an expanded role for 2026. The network shared the news on social media with a simple message.
“Welcome to the YES family, Willie,” the post read.
Six championships across two roles
Randolph’s connection to Yankees success runs deep. He won back-to-back World Series titles as a player in 1977 and 1978. He captured four more rings as the team’s third base coach from 1996 to 2000. That’s six championships total. Few people in MLB history can match that resume.
The Brooklyn native spent 13 of his 18 MLB seasons with the Yankees. He was a six-time All-Star during his playing days. He finished his career ranked fifth in major league history in games played at second base with 2,152. He also ranked third in double plays turned at the position with 1,547.
Randolph served as co-captain of the Yankees alongside Ron Guidry from 1986 to 1988. His teammate Tommy John once called him the “stabilizing influence” and “the club’s quiet leader.”
“You couldn’t believe how good Willie was until you were on the same team and saw him play every day,” John said.
YES seeks championship voices
The network’s strategy is clear. They want analysts who won titles in pinstripes. Cone won the 1999 World Series with the Yankees. O’Neill earned four rings during the dynasty years. Girardi was the catcher for three of those championship teams before managing the club to another title in 2009.
Randolph fits that mold perfectly. He experienced winning from both the dugout and the field. He knows what it takes to compete at the highest level in October baseball.
After retiring as a player in 1992, Randolph returned to the organization as a base and bench coach. He spent 11 seasons learning from managers like Buck Showalter and Joe Torre. He interviewed for managerial positions with other teams before the New York Mets hired him in 2004.
Broadcast experience already in place
Randolph has been comfortable in front of cameras for years. He joined ESPN as a postseason baseball analyst in September 2013. He appeared on Baseball Tonight and provided updates during Monday and Wednesday night network telecasts. The transition to regular studio work should be seamless.
The 2026 season marks a milestone for YES. It will be the network’s 25th anniversary broadcasting Yankees games. Michael Kay will call approximately 135 games as the lead play-by-play voice. Ryan Ruocco will handle around 15 games between his ESPN and WNBA commitments.
That leaves plenty of broadcasts requiring analyst depth. With Cone splitting time between YES and ESPN’s baseball coverage, the network needed reinforcements. Randolph provides exactly that.
Competing with crosstown rivals
YES has faced criticism for its rotating cast of analysts over the years. The crosstown Mets enjoy remarkable stability with their trio of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez. That group has worked together since 2005. They are often considered the best local booth in baseball.
By streamlining their talent and adding proven voices like Randolph, YES hopes to build similar chemistry. The network experimented with Carlos Beltran and Cameron Maybin in 2022 but quickly moved on. This time, they are betting on championship pedigree and institutional knowledge.
Randolph managed the Mets from 2005 to June 2008. He led them to a league-best 97-65 record in 2006 and came within one game of reaching the World Series. He understands both sides of the rivalry and both New York markets.
Spring training begins next month in Tampa. When Yankees fans tune in to watch their team prepare for another pennant chase, they will hear a familiar voice with six championship rings on his fingers. Willie Randolph is officially part of the YES family.
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