#Listen to Episode 10 of ‘Pinstripe Pod’: LeMahieu’s Back, No Fans feat. Michael Kay

Monday’s episode of the “Pinstripe Pod” with Chris Shearn and Jeff Nelson had some buzz around it after Charlie Hayes made comments about (jokingly) thinking their teammate Brian Boehringer was a “serial killer.”

The guys opened Thursday’s podcast talking about those comments and Boehringer texting Nellie about it. There will be a follow up from Boehringer himself coming on Monday’s podcast. Shearnie and Nellie then get into some positive Yankees news as DJ LeMahieu is expected to rejoin the team this week and should be ready for Opening Day next Thursday down in Washington, D.C. They discuss LeMahieu’s impact, Aaron Judge’s return and instrasquad home run, Giancarlo Stanton homering and James Paxton’s importance as the No. 2 starter in the rotation.

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YES Network Yankees play-by-play announcer and ESPN Radio New York host Michael Kay then joins the show. Kay talks about his voice, the 60-game season, how different it will be calling road games from the studio and not the stadium and calling games at Yankee Stadium without fans. He also gets into the new extra-inning rules, key pieces for the Yankees this season, why them and the Dodgers are title favorites and their strong covering of spring training 2.0 on YES Network. Kay also discusses the ratings battles with Mike Francesa, whether he misses that and Craig Carton and a potential WFAN return in his same time slot.

Kay on ratings battles with Mike Francesa, if he misses it:

“I mean, it certainly did raise your game. I’m sure Jeff can speak to this, when you play a really good team, you probably up your game a little bit because you’re motivated. The pressure of trying to beat him all the time, I don’t particularly miss that. It was nice, the last time he was on the radio we ended up beating him and beating him soundly. So that was a really good feeling. I have total respect for the career that he’s had, he’s an iconic radio broadcaster and I’ve said this before, the lack of respect that he had toward us and the pot shots he took at us…everybody says about the Diet Coke thing…we only did that because of things he was saying about us. I never throw the first punch, I always counterpunch. I miss the competition, but I don’t miss the competition, if that makes sense.”

Kay on if Craig Carton went to WFAN during his time slot: 

“It’ll be interesting. Before Craig went to jail, we had a long lunch and I think we’re in a really good spot. Craig is very competitive. It would be an interesting competition. It would be a very difficult competition, because I think he’s an unbelievable radio broadcaster. We’ll see if we have to battle that. I have total respect for Joe and Evan. They do a good show as well, but so far we have done well against them. I don’t want to see anybody lose their jobs. If Craig is in that spot, what happens to Joe and Evan, who have been there a long time. I’m sure they would shake shift them a little bit. It’s certainly nothing we’re worried about at this point. If that move is made by WFAN (to put Carton into afternoon drive) it would be a healthy competition because Carton is really good at what he does. Would what he does play in afternoon the way it plays in morning? I don’t know. I’ve been told by radio people afternoon is completely different than morning. There’s things you can do in morning that you can’t do in afternoon. Again, Carton is so good at this that I’m sure he would adapt. I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of options. In terms of what this business is about, he’s about as good as you can get. I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of offers for sure. I think he should have a second chance. He served his time. He did what he had to do. Going to jail certainly can’t be easy and the bottom line is he did and he served his time and I believe that he has an opportunity and should have an opportunity to get a second chance.”

Kay on calling games without fans: 

“I’m a little bit apprehensive to tell you the truth. I talked to Gary Thorne (Orioles TV broadcaster) and the Orioles, a couple years ago due to unrest in Baltimore, had one game without fans in the stands at Camden Yards. Gary told me a story when Adam Jones (former Orioles OF) hit a double. He called the double and Adam Jones is standing at second base, and he yells up to the press box, “Gary, shut up, we can all hear you.” So, that’s going to be a weird vibe. I think it’s going to be odd, it’s going to be odd for the players. I’m a little less apprehensive because I do assume they’re going to pump in crowd noise so our voices won’t be the only things there. It’s just the way it’s going to be and everyone has to deal with it.”

Catch up on all episodes of “Pinstripe Pod,” a New York Yankees podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode of the podcast drops Monday.