Michael Kay, the 64-year-old voice of the Yankees on TV, is considering scaling back the number of games he broadcasts each year for the Yes Network. He’s even contemplating stepping away from the media landscape altogether.
“I’m not sure, honestly. But if I were to sign on for 135-140 Yankees games, I could see myself sticking around,” Kay mentioned during his appearance on “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand.” He seemed uncertain about the pace he’s expected to maintain. “But if someone asked, ‘How about 100 games?’ I’d find that much more interesting,” Kay added, though he acknowledged they won’t be revisiting that topic just yet.
He expressed a bit of hesitation on contemplating retirement, admitting, “What would I even do? I read a lot. I don’t particularly play sports like tennis or golf. I guess I’d just be really bored.” It’s a thought that lingers for him.
The upcoming 2025 season marks Kay’s 24th year covering the Yankees, alongside several other roles, including hosting the “Michael Kay Show” on ESPN Radio. The baseball broadcast schedule can be grueling—running from February to November, filled with extensive travel and late nights.
Recently, he made some adjustments to his radio duties, reducing the number of shows he does and shifting to a solo format from 1-3 PM. In a previous conversation, he reflected on how these changes have positively impacted his relationship with his young children, Charles and Caledonia. “The grind of 3-6:30 was taking a toll on me, and I realized I needed a change,” he said. Managing a solo show and working from home most days has allowed him to be more present in their lives.
Although Kay is open to the idea of minimizing his TV appearances, stepping away from the booth entirely isn’t in his immediate plans. He remarked on the longevity associated with prominent roles in major markets, referencing former Yankees radio announcer John Sterling, who continued calling games at 85.
Kay mused about the implications of his age, stating, “At 64, you start to think about such things. I wonder how long I want to keep doing this.” Yet, he also hurled some philosophical thoughts into the mix, saying, “I want to live forever, but I can’t decide if I want to keep going indefinitely.” There seems to be a real tug-of-war in his mind, especially regarding timing—whether he’d prefer to step back once his kids are off to college or perhaps not at all. “But right now, I have to keep the lights on,” he added, grounding his reflections with practicality.
