History of Michael Kay (sports broadcaster) in Timeline

Michael Kay is a prominent American sports broadcaster, best known as the television play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees on the YES Network. He also hosts 'CenterStage' on the same network, featuring in-depth interviews with notable figures. Additionally, Kay hosts 'The Michael Kay Show' on ESPN New York, a popular radio program also simulcast on ESPN Xtra via satellite radio. He has also contributed to MLB coverage on ESPN, further solidifying his presence in sports broadcasting. Kay's career encompasses various platforms, making him a recognizable and respected voice in sports media.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 2, 1961: Michael Kay Born

On February 2, 1961, Michael Kay was born. He is now an American sports broadcaster known as the television play-by-play broadcaster of the New York Yankees, host of CenterStage on the YES Network, and host of The Michael Kay Show.

1982: Started at New York Post

In 1982, Michael Kay began his professional career at the New York Post as a general assignment writer.

1987: Covering the Yankees

In 1987, Michael Kay received the writing assignment covering the New York Yankees for the New York Post.

1989: Joins Daily News and MSG Network

In 1989, Michael Kay left the New York Post for the Daily News, continuing to primarily cover the Yankees. That year, he also became the Madison Square Garden Network Yankee reporter.

1992: Hosts show on WABC and spot reporter on ABC Radio

From 1992, Michael Kay hosted his own show on WABC, and served as a spot reporter on ABC Radio.

1992: Partners with John Sterling on WABC

In 1992, Michael Kay began a decade-long partnership with John Sterling as the radio announcers for the New York Yankees on WABC.

1992: Joins WABC and MSG

In 1992, Michael Kay began working as the New York Knicks' locker room reporter for MSG and left the Daily News to host a sports talk show on WABC.

1993: Returns to Daily News

In 1993, Michael Kay briefly returned to the Daily News to write "Kay's Korner" before taking a job doing radio broadcasts of New York Yankees games with John Sterling.

1993: Hosts show on WABC and spot reporter on ABC Radio

In 1993, Michael Kay continued hosting his own show on WABC, and continued as a spot reporter on ABC Radio.

1995: Dick Young Award

In 1995, Michael Kay was awarded the Dick Young Award for Excellence in Sports Media by the New York Pro Baseball Scouts.

1996: Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage

In 1996, Michael Kay was a member of the MSG team that won an Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage—Single Program for Dwight Gooden's no-hitter.

1997: Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage

In 1997, Michael Kay was a member of the MSG team that won an Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage—Single Program for The Battle for New York: Yankees vs. Mets.

1998: Sports Talk with John Sterling and Michael Kay

In 1998, Michael Kay and John Sterling paired together for "Sports Talk with John Sterling and Michael Kay", a nightly radio show that aired on WABC.

1998: Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage

In 1998, Michael Kay was on the MSG team that won an Emmy for Outstanding Live Sports Coverage—Series.

1999: Commentary for All-Star Baseball

From 1999, Michael Kay provided play-by-play commentary for Nintendo 64's All-Star Baseball video games.

2000: Best Sports Reporter Award

In 2000, Michael Kay was awarded the award for Best Sports Reporter at the New York Metro Achievement in Radio Awards.

2001: Joins 1050 ESPN Radio

In 2001, Michael Kay was chosen to host a daily radio show on the newly rechristened "1050 ESPN Radio" when ESPN Radio began leasing WEVD radio.

2001: End of partnership with Sterling on WABC

In 2001, Michael Kay's decade-long partnership with John Sterling as the radio announcers for the New York Yankees on WABC concluded.

2001: Commentary for All-Star Baseball

Until 2001, Michael Kay provided play-by-play commentary for Nintendo 64's All-Star Baseball video games.

2002: Hosts Talk Show and CenterStage

In 2002, Michael Kay began hosting a drive-time talk show on WEPN and the YES Network's CenterStage, a sports and entertainment interview-format show.

2002: Joins YES Network

In 2002, when WCBS acquired the radio rights to the Yankees broadcasts, Michael Kay moved to the debuting YES Network on television as the Yankees' lead television play-by-play announcer, a role he has held ever since.

2003: Added to Bronx Walk of Fame

In 2003, Michael Kay was added to the Bronx Walk of Fame.

2007: Nominated for New York Emmy Awards

In 2007, Michael Kay was nominated for New York Emmy Awards for his work with the YES Network and won one for his work on the New York Yankees Baseball "Manny vs. NY – Yankees/Red Sox- 5/24/06."

September 21, 2008: Calls Seventh Inning at Yankee Stadium

On September 21, 2008, Michael Kay joined Jon Miller and Joe Morgan to call the seventh inning of ESPN's broadcast of the final home game at Yankee Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles.

2008: Calls postseason games on ESPN Radio

In 2008, Michael Kay called play-by-play of the 2008 NLDS between the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers on ESPN Radio.

2009: New York Baseball Tonight

From 2009, the 6:00 hour of Michael Kay's show was co-titled New York Baseball Tonight throughout the baseball season.

February 12, 2011: Marriage to Jodi Applegate

On February 12, 2011, Michael Kay married television journalist Jodi Applegate, with former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani officiating.

2011: New York Baseball Tonight

Until 2011, the 6:00 hour of Michael Kay's show was co-titled New York Baseball Tonight throughout the baseball season.

2013: Birth of Daughter Caledonia

In 2013, Michael Kay and Jodi Applegate had a daughter, Caledonia.

2013: Calls postseason games on ESPN Radio

In 2013, Michael Kay called play-by-play of the 2013 ALDS between the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics on ESPN Radio.

February 3, 2014: First Simulcast on YES Network

On February 3, 2014, Michael Kay opened his first-ever simulcast on the YES Network by dumping a bottle of Diet Coke into the garbage.

2014: Birth of Son Charles

In 2014, Michael Kay and Jodi Applegate had a son, Charles.

2016: Calls postseason games on ESPN Radio

In 2016, Michael Kay called play-by-play of Game 3 of the 2016 ALDS between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays on ESPN Radio.

July 3, 2019: Vocal Cord Surgery Announcement

On July 3, 2019, Michael Kay announced that he would undergo vocal cord surgery, keeping him out of the broadcasting booth from early July until late August.

January 2022: Alternate Sunday Night Baseball Broadcast

In January 2022, ESPN hired Michael Kay and Alex Rodriguez to broadcast an alternate Sunday Night Baseball broadcast on ESPN2.

2022: Calls National League Wild Card Series

In 2022, Michael Kay called the 2022 National League Wild Card Series on ESPN alongside Alex Rodriguez.

December 13, 2024: Final Broadcast of The Michael Kay Show

The final broadcast of The Michael Kay Show was on December 13, 2024.

2024: Handles Yankees Old-Timers' Day Duties Solo

In 2024, following John Sterling’s retirement, Michael Kay handled duties solo for events such as the Yankees' annual Old-Timers' Day ceremony.

2025: Chicken Tender Reviews

In 2025, Michael Kay began posting "chicken tender reviews" on an Instagram page, aiming to sample chicken tenders at every ballpark the Yankees visit.