YES Network’s Michael Kay rejects calling Red Sox-Yankees Aaron Judge game on Apple

Michael Kay

Yankees YES Network broadcaster Michael Kay participates in a discussion panel during the Breakfast of Champions event in New York on July 15, 2013.AP

New York Yankees will host the Boston Red Sox Friday in what could be a historical game. And it won’t be on cable.

However, Apple TV+ has the rights to show the game, and it will be streamed on the platform.

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The stakes are high Friday, and big things could happen. Aaron Judge is one home run shy of tying Roger MarisYankees and American League single-season record of 61 home runs.

And in case Friday is the night that Judge gets it done, an offer was extended to Michael Kay to make him a part of the broadcast. Kay turned down the opportunity.

Per Front Office Sports:

Michael Kay put an end to conversations about appearing on Apple TV+ for a possible history-making stream tonight. While MLB gave its blessing, the Yankees YES Network play-by-play announcer tells @MMcCarthyREV that he turned it down out of respect to Apple’s broadcast crew.

Kay was commended for this move by SNY’s Andy Martino:

You have no idea how much ego and Bigfooting there is in this business. Good on Michael Kay for refusing to do that to the Apple booth. That sort of behavior is not as common as it should be

There is some uproar over the fact that this potentially momentous game is only being aired on Apple.

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Here is what New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement:

“History is in the making as Aaron Judge electrifies Yankees fans, and everyone who loves baseball. To deny millions of New Yorkers, and fans around the nation, the opportunity to watch as Aaron Judge steps up to the plate, is wrong and unfair. New Yorkers paid their cable bills expecting to see live sports programming. Now they are being asked to pay extra if they want to watch this exciting home run chase, and potentially historic game. That is why I am calling on Apple and the MLB to reach a fair accommodation with the YES Network so that fans can watch what we all hope will be history made this evening,”

MORE MLB:

- Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds to join KayRod Cast as Yankees’ Aaron Judge chases home run record

- Yankees’ Nestor Cortes doesn’t like the silence before Aaron Judge’s at-bats

- Ex-Yankees star Alex Rodriguez reflects on Aaron Judge’s historic season

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.

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