Michael Kay
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- This is about the sports commentator. For the XML developer see Michael Kay (software engineer).
Michael Kay (born February 2, 1961) is the main play-by-play voice of the New York Yankees on the YES Network and their broadcast television partner WWOR-TV.
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[edit] Background
Kay started his career as a New York sports reporter. A New York Yankees fan growing up, he started reporting at the Bronx High School of Science and then at Fordham University and wrote for both the New York Daily News and the New York Post. His main assignments were the Yankees and the NBA. Kay has been the Yankees' lead television announcer since 2002, after spending a decade partnered with John Sterling as the radio announcers of the team on WABC-AM. Kay also served as the MSG post-game locker room reporter.
When WCBS-AM acquired the radio rights for 2002, the same year the YES Network debuted, Kay moved to the television side while a John Sterling remained on the radio.
Since the late 1990s, Kay and Sterling have co-emceed the Yankees' annual Old-timers day ceremony (following in the tradition of the late Mel Allen and Frank Messer), players' number retirements and the City Hall celebrations after Yankees' World Series victories.
[edit] Broadcasting style
Kay has developed his own style and notable on-air phrases. On radio and TV, Kay has been best known for yelling "See-ya!" during his home run calls (it's also his signature phrase at the end of his broadcasts).
Kay is also known for referring to extra innings as "bonus cantos" and "free baseball." At the end of the top of the seventh inning, Kay traditionally urges the audience to "get up and stretch!" (and for Yankees home games, introduces the playing of God Bless America at Yankee Stadium). However, in 2006 he stopped saying "Get up and Stretch" and now says, "It's time for the seventh inning stretch." he also stopped saying game were unmanageable when they lasted more then 3 hours.
Kay was recently nominated for 6 New York Sports Emmys for his play-by-play coverage with the YES Network of the New York Yankees and for his his highly rated talk show "Centerstage".
[edit] Other work
Kay also has a talk show on 1050 ESPN Radio from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. "The Michael Kay Show" recently surpassed 500,000 listeners in the tough New York sports radio market. The show has won numerous awards, for on air achievement.
Kay is also the host of the YES Network's CenterStage, where he interviews people from all different branches of sports and entertainment and he occasionally appears on ESPN's The Sports Reporters. Kay has been nominated for six Emmys for this past televison season's work with the YES Network. The awards will be given out on April 1, 2007.
[edit] Fan Outreach
On Kay's January 23, 2007 show, he allowed listeners to call in and talk with the recuperating Bobby Murcer. Murcer was interviewed by Kay about the BAT Dinner and then the show was opened up to fans to chat with Murcer and wish him well as he undergoes treatment for a malignant brain tumor in a Houston Hospital.
On December 13, 2006, Kay and the rest of his radio show team hosted "The First Annual Michael Kay Christmas Party," held at Blondie's on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The show that day was broadcast live from the second floor of Blondie's from 4-7, as per usual, and then the party officially began with roughly 100 listeners having been granted access to the "VIP list," as Michael kept calling it. The fans enjoyed it and got the chance to meet the cast and production staff of the show including: Michael, Don LaGreca, sound man and musical talent Joey Salvia, producer Ryan T. Hurley and others and tell them just how much they liked the show and appreciated the effort the whole group puts forth.
Towards the end of the party, Michael, Don and Joey sang some of the songs the show has made famous, including the theme song and "The Don Song."
[edit] Work Ethic
Kay, despite dealing with mother's declining condition and ultimate death from Alzheimer's Disease, maintained a high degree of professionalism in conducting both his afternoon radio broadcast on ESPN Radio and his work covering baseball games and sports interviews for both the YES Network and ESPN.
Throughout the 2006 baseball season Kay exhibited himself as the consummate professional. Kay had sporadic absences from both the YES Network and his ESPN Radio Show while dealing with his ailing mother. On September 11, 2006, it was announced by Ken Singleton during the New York Yankee broadcast that Kay's mother, Rose, had passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Kay did not call another game on YES or WWOR until September 18th, a hiatus of 27 days.
When Kay returned to radio in a heartfelt moment, he thanked the many fans and listeners for their outpouring of sympathy and good wishes.
[edit] The Michael Kay Show 1050AM ESPN Radio NYC
Radio Dial: 1050 ESPN Radio, New York City Broadcasting area, 50,000 watts
Time Frame: Generally 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Eastern Time GMT -5: show start and end can vary.
Internet: www.1050espnradio.com
On Air Talent
Michael Kay, Principle Host
Don LaGreca, Sports Center Anchor
Joey Salvia, Creative Producer
Radio Production Staff
Joey Salvia, Sound Editing and Production
Jon Winthrop, Call Screener and Production
Ryan Hurley, Producer
Aaron Spielberg, Executive Producer
[edit] Trivia
- Like fellow New York area play-by-play announcers Bob Papa and Chris Carrino, he is an alumnus of Fordham University, the school where the legendary Marty Glickman once taught.
- From 1998-2000, Kay provided color commentary for Nintendo 64's All-Star Baseball 1999-2001 with radio personality John Sterling.
