ManningCast has taken Monday Night Football by storm. The pairing of Peyton and Eli Manning, along with various guests, has been a rousing success. As such, it is no surprise that ESPN is looking to bring that format to other areas, including Sunday Night Baseball. That will happen for the 2022 season with a decidedly New York Yankees feel.
In their quest to ruin a good thing, ESPN has decided to have what should be called YankeesCast, with an alternate duo of Michael Kay and Alex Rodriguez.
Just found out the piece of the ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball alternative broadcast, first reported by @AndrewMarchand.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 7, 2022
Booth is A-Rod & MICHAEL KAY.
Allows A-Rod, who turned down deal to be on Sunday Night Baseball, to have presence while doing fewer games, focusing on TWolves.
Sunday Night Baseball to feature New York Yankees more than ever
ManningCast works because of the personalities involved. Peyton has turned his deadpan comedic style into an artful since his early days in the NFL. Who can forget his Priceless Pep Talks or cheering on people in everyday situations? “Cut that meat” will always be a chant in my household thanks to those advertisements. Even Eli has displayed far more of a personality than anyone anticipated.
The same cannot be said of the proposed YankeesCast coming to Sunday Night Baseball. While this is not a slight on Kay, Rodriguez is not exactly beloved as a commentator. If ESPN wanted proof of that, all they need to do is look at social media during one of their broadcasts.
It all comes down to perception. Rodriguez is viewed as robotic and disingenuous at best. At worst, his persona appears as though it has been carefully crafted in an attempt to get people to forget about his PED suspensions, refusal to accept the consequences of his actions, and curry favor with the media in a desperate attempt to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
But really, this should be expected. ESPN cannot be expected to allow a good thing to keep a good thing from being oversaturated. Adding a decidedly Yankees flavor to every broadcast, and having someone with the personality of wet cardboard in the booth, shows their inability to understand their audience.
Sunday Night Baseball is going to have a New York Yankees feel on their alternate broadcast. Get used to YankeesCast for 2022.