NFL MVP upset with Yankees' new radio announcer taking series off: 'You just don't do that'
Dave Sims, who recently became the New York Yankees' full-time radio play-by-play announcer, faced criticism for missing a series against the Athletics to visit family in Seattle. His absence was notably criticized by Boomer Esiason, a sports analyst, who highlighted that Sims' predecessor, John Sterling, had a long history of not missing games. Esiason expressed that, given the prestige of the Yankees job, Sims should prioritize it over personal engagements, drawing parallels to his own commitment to broadcasting. Despite this controversy, Sims is set to return for the Yankees' upcoming series against the Mariners. The incident has sparked discussions about the expectations and commitments associated with high-profile broadcasting roles.
Context:
Dave Sims, who recently became the New York Yankees' full-time radio play-by-play announcer, faced criticism for missing a series against the Athletics to visit family in Seattle. His absence was notably criticized by Boomer Esiason, a sports analyst, who highlighted that Sims' predecessor, John Sterling, had a long history of not missing games. Esiason expressed that, given the prestige of the Yankees job, Sims should prioritize it over personal engagements, drawing parallels to his own commitment to broadcasting. Despite this controversy, Sims is set to return for the Yankees' upcoming series against the Mariners. The incident has sparked discussions about the expectations and commitments associated with high-profile broadcasting roles.
Dive Deeper:
Dave Sims, previously a television broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners, was appointed as the New York Yankees' new radio announcer after John Sterling's retirement. Sterling had a record of calling 5,060 consecutive games without missing any until 2019.
Sims faced backlash for missing the Yankees' series against the Athletics to visit family, a decision he announced on social media. His absence was during a significant transition as he was only 40 games into his new role.
Boomer Esiason, a former NFL MVP and current sports analyst, criticized Sims’ decision to take time off, emphasizing the importance of the Yankees' role and the expectations that come with it.
Esiason drew on his own experiences in broadcasting, where he made considerable efforts to fulfill his commitments despite travel demands for NFL games, to underscore the dedication required for such high-profile positions.
The Yankees had a rotation of announcers last year before settling on Sims, which adds pressure on him to establish continuity and reliability in his new role.
Despite the criticism, Sims will be resuming his duties as the Yankees' announcer for their upcoming games against the Mariners, signaling his return to the booth.
The controversy surrounding Sims’ absence highlights the delicate balance between personal commitments and professional responsibilities in the world of sports broadcasting.