Michael Kay’s ironman streak could be coming to an end.
For 37 straight years, Kay has worked the Yankees’ game on Opening Day, between being a sportswriter (first at The Post in 1987) and then moving on to radio in 1992 to YES Network in 2002.
However, the Yankees will open their 2025 season against the Brewers exclusively on ESPN.
Last week, Kay discovered this news live on his ESPN New York / YES Network radio show, and to say he wasn’t thrilled about it would be an understatement.
Kay initially saw that ESPN would be airing the games, and said that he would be “red-hot” if this meant the game wouldn’t be available locally on YES Network.
“If it’s exclusive [to ESPN] I’ll weep,” Kay said.
The Yankees’ announcer quickly realized his fears were coming true.
“I’m just told by someone in the know — 100 percent exclusive,” Kay said.
He said that he wants to take his young son Charlie to the game if he wasn’t working.
“Why? Why can’t ESPN do it around the country and let YES have the local [call]?” Kay asked.
Co-host Don La Greca replied, “No offense Mike, but I don’t think ESPN was thinking about you.”
“They never do. They haven’t lately!” Kay said.
Kay floated the idea that maybe ESPN, where he also calls occasional games including during the Wild Card round in the playoffs, could allow him to be a part of the broadcast, whether that be as a sideline reporter or in the radio booth.
Co-host Peter Rosenberg joked that if the top ESPN MLB announce team was on the later game involving the Dodgers then Kay could call the Yankees game with Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick from the “Monday Night Football” B-crew.
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