Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay voices unease over patriotic displays during 2023 World Baseball Classic
New York Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay expressed discomfort with displays of patriotism during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where Team USA finished as runners-up after a 3-2 loss to Japan in the final at loanDepot park in Miami on March 21.[1][2]
Kay commented on his ESPN New York radio show on March 22, saying such elements made him uneasy. "The thing that makes me a little uneasy … I don’t like wrapping sports in the flag and preaching patriotism and bringing in SEAL Team 6 people. The only uniform that counts to me is the one that’s worn by the men and women of our military," he said.[3]
Kay specifically referenced Team USA manager Mark DeRosa inviting Robert J. O'Neill, a former Navy SEAL credited with killing Osama bin Laden, to speak to the players during the tournament in Phoenix.[3][4]
Co-host Mike Lupica described bringing in a SEAL Team 6 member as "a little dodgy" and noted that introducing politics into sports leads down an unwanted "rabbit hole."[3]
DeRosa explained his decision in an interview, stating it occurred a couple of days earlier in Houston and aimed to remind players of the event's purpose. "There has to be … you never want it to get lost why you’re doing this. Whatever that ‘why’ is," DeRosa said, emphasizing honoring service members who protect freedom.[4]
Kay elaborated that true U.S. representatives are military personnel, not athletes, and that international baseball competition is not a "referendum on my country." He questioned equating a baseball game with military sacrifices amid what he called "jingoistic stuff."[3]
The tournament, sanctioned by Major League Baseball and held from March 8 to 21, featured 20 teams competing for the title, with USA defeating Venezuela 9-7 in the quarterfinals and Cuba 14-2 in the semifinals before the final loss.[1][2]
Sources
- MLB.com
Japan wins World Baseball Classic with 3-2 victory over U.S.
March 22, 2023
https://www.mlb.com/news/japan-wins-world-baseball-classic-with-3-2-victory-over-us - MLB.com
World Baseball Classic 2023 schedule and results
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/2023/schedule - Awful Announcing
Michael Kay doesn’t like ‘wrapping sports in the flag,’ Navy SEALs brought into World Baseball Classic clubhouse
March 22, 2023
https://awfulannouncing.com/radio/michael-kay-world-baseball-classic-patriotism-navy-seal.html - Defector
Mark DeRosa explains Navy SEAL World Baseball Classic visit
March 22, 2023
https://defector.com/mark-derosa-explains-navy-seal-world-baseball-classic
