Brian Cashman. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees announcer fires back at fan for perceived defense of GM

By Jason Clinkscales | Last updated 5/4/23

New York Yankees play-by-play announcer and ESPN Radio host Michael Kay has no qualms about firing back at fans who criticize him for what he'll say on air.

Last night after the Yankees' 4-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians, he direct messaged (DM'd) Twitter user "Playoff Bader" in response to a claim that he was defending Yankees general manager Brian Cashman against recent critiques of the roster during the telecast.

Not Michael Kay in my dm’s pic.twitter.com/hDI75lflHu
— Playoff Bader (@PlayoffBader) May 4, 2023

Shortly thereafter, Kay quote-tweeted a public response:

And still no answer. That’s all you have. I never DM anyone anything I wouldn’t make public so this is fine but the fact I gave you the consideration of DMing you a response and you made it public tells me all I need to know about you and your opinion. LOL. https://t.co/7qpHIK1Huv
— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) May 4, 2023

It doesn't truly feel like baseball season until someone in New York pushes the panic button before we get to Memorial Day.

At 17-15, the Yanks are in last place in the AL East, perennially the game's most competitive division.

Even after Jose Trevino's walk-off single in front of the home crowd, it's easy to get a sense that Yankee fans haven't enjoyed themselves very much in this still-young season.

With Aaron Judge sidelined and an anemic offense that's unable to support its strong pitching, Cashman once again draws the collective ire of the fan base for the team's woes.

"Playoff Bader" wasn't the only fan to tweet about Kay last night, and the responses come from the belief that he'll always walk the company line and stray from criticizing anyone else under the same employ.

Whether the lead voice of the team's cable network is as upset as the fans are has no impact on the actual on-field product.

If and when the Yankees hit their stride, everyone will file this episode as another entertaining but minor moment of another long season.

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