I've said what I can say about the 2021 Yankees. They're the 2020 Yankees, but with another 102 games to be wildly inconsistent. When they sweep the Red Sox in Boston I'll believe in them. Until then, let's move on to other topics.
Like the broadcast crew.
Die-hard fans such as myself have been watching games on the YES Network for 20 years now, and while there's been some additions (and remarkably little diversity) in the booth since then, we've gotten to know the large cast of on-screen announcers, color commentators and field correspondents awfully well. So it's time to assess (with an obvious lean toward my own opinions because what else do I have to work with?) the effect each one has on the fan watching night after night. After night.
Michael Kay. I might be in the minority, but I find it hard to listen to this guy. He has his little set pieces that he does every night ("[name of the batter] is ready. [name of the pitcher] is ready. Let's do it") and the sheer repetition grates on the nerves. He has opinions which come out every once in a while and even when I agree with him I want him to shut up. I look forward to times when Ryan Ruocco takes over for Kay as the play-by-play man.
Paul O'Neill. I enjoyed watching few players more than O'Neill when he was a Yankee. He was passionate, he had talent and it was clear he understood the game well. As an announcer, he's very good when analyzing hitters and strategy, less so when he thinks he's being jovial. I'm glad you're having a good time, Paul, but it's not spilling out of the screen.
David Cone. An excellent assessor of pitchers and often hitters as well. Enthusiastic and thoughtful. A little too heavy on the saber metrics but that's how it goes. I'd like to hear more from him.
John Flaherty. We get it, "Flash." You didn't hit for a high average or for much power. That was a while ago. He always seems grumpy, which isn't a deal killer for me, but pugnacious as well. There are times I think he wants to beat up Michael Kay. Again, not really a problem from my end.
Bob Lorenz. I started out not liking Lorenz because I thought he was artificial and corporate. I still think he's corporate, but he's genuinely so and he does ask the right questions. My mind has changed on Bob Lorenz.
Meredith Marakovitz. Not the "token woman," and that's great. She reports on the multiple injuries that seem to happen every night, gets her facts right and puts them in perspective. The interviews after the game aren't great but that's more the players than the reporter. They're just going to answer in pre-programmed sound bites that don't say anything. For the master of all things in that area, see Derek Jeter.
Ken Singleton. The best. Tells the truth, doesn't sugarcoat it, and always has deeper perspective than anybody else, even when not mentioning Eddie Murray. I wish he could have his own Studio 29 and broadcast from his home. I'd like to see him do as many games as possible.
Ryan Ruocco. Again, preferable to Michael Kay by a mile. Even though his voice sounds like David Cross, he has an enthusiasm and honesty that is sometimes lacking in Yankeeland. Like to see him do more play-by-play.
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