New York Yankees play-by-play broadcaster Michael Kay said he felt uneasy about displays of patriotism during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, including Team USA manager Mark DeRosa inviting former Navy SEAL Robert J. O'Neill to address players.[1][2]
Kay made the remarks on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, during his ESPN New York radio show, "The Michael Kay Show." He stated, "The thing that makes me a little uneasy … I don’t like wrapping sports in the flag and preaching patriotism and bringing in SEAL Team 6 people. The only uniform that counts to me is the one that’s worn by the men and women of our military."[1]
Kay added that military personnel "decide wins and losses" and represent the United States, not athletes wearing "USA on the chest." He described international sports competition as non-referential to national greatness, calling some attitudes "jingoistic."[1]
Co-host and sports columnist Mike Lupica agreed that inviting a SEAL Team 6 member felt "a little dodgy" and cautioned against mixing politics with sports.[1]
The 2023 World Baseball Classic took place from March 8 to 21 across several host cities, with later rounds at loanDepot park in Miami. Team USA, managed by former MLB infielder Mark DeRosa, advanced to the final after defeating Venezuela 9-7 in the quarterfinals on March 19 and Cuba 14-2 in the semifinals on March 21 before losing 3-2 to Japan in the championship game later that day.[3]
DeRosa defended his decision to bring in O'Neill, who is credited with delivering the fatal shots to Osama bin Laden during the 2011 raid. In an interview, DeRosa said the visit occurred a couple of days earlier in Houston and was intended to remind players of the event's purpose: honoring those who protect freedom, as echoed by players who joined to represent service members.[2]
Sources
- Awful Announcing
Article: "Michael Kay calls out Team USA’s ‘jingoistic’ patriotism during World Baseball Classic"
Publication date: March 22, 2023
https://awfulannouncing.com/radio/michael-kay-team-usa-patriotism-world-baseball-classic.html - Defector
Article: "Mark DeRosa Defends Inviting A Navy SEAL Into The Team USA Locker Room"
Publication date: March 22, 2023
https://defector.com/mark-derosa-defends-inviting-a-navy-seal-into-the-team-usa-locker-room - MLB.com
Page: "2023 World Baseball Classic Bracket, Results, Schedule"
Accessed date: October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/worldbaseballclassic/2023/schedule
