The past week was a tough stretch to endure for the New York Yankees as they secured only a single victory throughout the home stand. The 4th of July celebrations were ruined as well as Cincinnati Reds swept the hosts in yet another underwhelming outing.
However, besides the hideous losing streak, the New York Yankees’ weird antics on the field continue to grab the fans and analysts’ attention. On the 4th of July, Yanks relief pitchers were engaged in a national anthem standoff with Reds counterparts, which didn’t sit well with announcer Michael Kay as he urged the team to hold their standards.
Micheal Kay Accuses Yankees Of Stooping New Low With Childish Standoff
In a scathing critique of the New York Yankees’ recent behavior, popular radio host Michael Kay lambasted the team for what he described as a “childish standoff.” The controversy arose during the New York Yankees’ recent game against the Cincinnati Reds, where tensions flared following a national anthem standoff between both sides’ relief pitchers. Ian Hamilton and Cody Poteet were adamant about leaving the ground the last, whereas the Reds’ relievers also held their ground, resulting in a five-minute-long standoff. After the umpires issued a warning to both sides, Yankee manager Aaron Boone recalled his players back into the dugout. However, Yankee ball by ball announcer Michael Kay was pissed with the childish standoff.
He vocalized his disagreement on an ESPN show and said such acts are way below the New York Yankees’ standards. He refused to associate himself with the team after they stooped so low against the Reds. Not only that, Kay went on to add that if late franchise owner George Steinbrenner was alive, he would have tossed all those involved in the standoff effective immediately. “That’s not the New York Yankees. You don’t do that. Let other teams do that. It looks so small,” Kay said with a strong pitch. George Steinbrenner, who owned the Yanks from 1973 until his death in 2010, was known for his strict and often controversial management style. He had a reputation for not hesitating to make drastic decisions to maintain the team’s high standards. Hence, Michael Kay suggested that the Yanks wouldn’t have dared to pull off such antics in George’s reign.
Is Aaron Boone’s Managerial Style Feeding Yanks Losing Streak?
WFAN radio host Evan Roberts didn’t mince his words while holding manager Aaron Boone responsible for New York Yankees questionable stretch. He said Boone has failed to invoke a sense of urgency within his players and takes such serious slumps for granted. “I wonder, is not holding players accountable and not showing that anger is actually leading to these struggles,” Evans questioned.
Notably, the New York Yankees are 5-15 in the last 20 games and haven’t won a series in their last seven attempts. They are even falling out of the postseason race, with the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox catching up. Hence, the fans and analysts’ criticism is understandable. It remains to be seen how the Yanks hold up and weather this rough patch with the championship aspirations at stake.
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