YES Network’s Michael Kay blames Yankees’ Clint Frazier’s concussions for team’s struggles

The Yankees are nine games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox in the American League East. Michael Kay, the Yankees’ play-by-play voice on YES Network, thinks some of the blame should go injured outfielders Clint Frazier and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Following the four-game sweep by the first-place Boston Red Sox over the weekend at Fenway Park, the Yankees are taking hits for their performance on the field.

Turns out some of those problems are spilling over into an off-the-field war of words.

And it’s a case of infighting between one of the team’s injured outfielders and one of the team’s leading broadcasters.

Per the New York Daily News:

(Michael) Kay called into the YES Network Monday to weigh in on the Red Sox sweep of the Yankees, bemoaning the fact that role players like Shane Robinson and Luke Voit had to be in the lineup, and he ended up ripping Frazier for not being on the field.

“Shame on the Yankees for not having depth, but again, shame on guys like Jacoby Ellsbury for not getting healthy,” Kay said. “Shame on Clint Frazier for not getting healthy. You can’t make them get healthy, but if those guys are available, it’s completely different.”

Frazier landed on the disabled list last month with post-concussion symptoms. He initially suffered a concussion during spring training. Perhaps sensing his criticism of an injured player wouldn’t go over well, Kay tried to walk back the comments Monday afternoon:

You know I was being facetious, right? https://t.co/bUZcZwzYXi

— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) August 6, 2018

But that was too late for Frazier, who has been limited to just 34 at-bats in 15 games this season with the Yankees:

.@RealMichaelKay facetious or not, I don’t appreciate what you said today. i’m doing everything I can to get healthy so I can play symptom free … so steer clear of publicly calling me out for not when we haven’t even had one convo about my concussion this year. #ShameOnYouBro

— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) August 7, 2018

Kay tried once again to make the peace Tuesday:

Clint, I would never question someone’s injury. Never. In fact, I have gone out of my way to say how I felt for you this year and how badly I know how you want to play. It is beyond my comprehension that you would think I would minimize what you are going through. https://t.co/g4a0P0UYmh

— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) August 7, 2018

The next time I make light of someone’s injury will be the first time. I should have said how unfortunate you and Ellsbury’s injuries are. It came out in a clumsy way. If you took it the wrong way, I apologize and look forward to speaking with you personally. https://t.co/g4a0P0UYmh

— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) August 7, 2018

Kay, the long-time play-by-play man for Yankees games on YES Network, received a contract extension in June, per the New York Post:

Michael Kay will be the Yankees play-by-player for the next three years and maybe longer, sources have told The Post.

Kay and YES Network are putting the finishing touches on a three-year contract with a network option for two more. The deal calls for a salary of more than a million dollars per season.

Kay is believed to be the highest-paid local baseball announcer in the game. He took that mantle when fellow Fordham alum Vin Scully retired from the Dodgers after the 2016 season.

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With general manager Brian Cashman reluctant to part with Frazier before the trade deadline, it would appear the outfielder is part of the team’s plans moving forward, so Kay would be wise to smooth things over as soon as possible. 

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.