What a bush-league move by the YES Network to not cover the Red Sox’s pregame ceremonies live Monday from Fenway Park. The insular cable channel ignored viewers who aren’t entirely beholden to the Yankees and appreciate baseball history. Many, we’re sure, would have enjoyed the reactions from both camps in the continuing rivalry.
With the festivities occurring on the field, YES showed Michael Kay and analysts Jim Kaat and Bobby Murcer in the booth with their backs to the distant Green Monster, which was draped in red.
Kaat called the ring ceremony “about as cool as you can get.” Kay noted that “most of the Yankees have all been on the top step and applauding.” But we didn’t get a peek, although YES was filming it all.
Over on New England Sports Network, viewers could see and hear the Fenway crowd lustily booing Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson, and cheering recently vulnerable closer Mariano Rivera, who good-naturedly doffed his cap and smiled. YES viewers got a starting lineup chart.
Later, on YES, we saw a replay of the Rivera gesture and heard Red Sox manager Terry Francona telling Yankees skipper Joe Torre during the team introductions near home plate that the Yankees’ sportsmanship “was the classiest thing I’ve ever seen.” Sadly, YES wasn’t classy enough, or thoughtful enough, to show it live.
