As a younger generation of players have broken into the big leagues, we’ve seen less controversies about baseball’s unwritten rules play out in recent years. Bat flips, celebrations, trash talk — bring it all on.
But for every celebration, timing and context are important — the score often matters. And Rays outfielder Jose Siri had Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay perplexed with post-homer theatrics on Monday.
The Rays went into the fifth inning against the Yankees without recording a hit. That changed with Siri’s at-bat as he hit a home run to right field for Tampa Bay’s first hit (and run) of the ballgame. Normally, it would have been a pretty insignificant home run. But Monday was Siri’s birthday, and he made sure to enjoy all of the moment.
Jose Siri with an opposite field shot to get the Rays on the board this afternoon!
Stream the action https://t.co/NtrsAXZzKg & Bally Sports app#MLB | #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/LsEw4kmWyd
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) July 22, 2024
Siri had a noticeably slow home run trot and drew out the celebration at every opportunity. There’s normally nothing wrong with celebrating a home run, but it looked so silly to do so while losing in the fifth inning. Still, if Siri thought it would fire up his teammates, then go for it. Baseball is supposed to be fun, and he was having fun out there.
Kay, though, wasn’t a fan of the celebration, and he made that clear in the YES Network broadcast.
Michael Kay wasn't a fan of Jose Siri's home run celebration.
"You're losing…I mean, they're acting like it's Mardi Gras in that dugout. You're losing the game!" pic.twitter.com/qKkvkXnwQv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 22, 2024
The Yankees also didn’t appreciate Siri’s slow home run trot. And when D.J. LeMahieu hit a home run — his first of the season! — the following half inning, he practically broke into a sprint for his trot.
IT HAS HAPPENED. DJ LEMAHIEU HAS HIT HIS HOME RUN OF THE SEASON! 5-1 YANKEES! pic.twitter.com/79hdDvdcB2
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) July 22, 2024
Aaron Judge also gave Siri a staredown.
Aaron Judge was staring down Jose Siri after his keep talking celebration pic.twitter.com/B87hkRWCYn
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 22, 2024
Fans also had thoughts on Siri’s celebration and Kay’s commentary.
There's nothing I hate more than announcers who hate fun.
He hit a homer in the big leagues. I don't care if his first or his ten thousandth. It's something literal millions of kids grow up dreaming about. He did it. It's fun. Celebrate it. And if you don't like it… shut up. https://t.co/fEbBedQN4v
— Jamie (@JMEsTweets) July 22, 2024
Let my dude Siri celebrate a HR… another thing it is Siri's birthday.
Let the kids play, but not like that, because he's not on the team that I'm such a homer for. https://t.co/RzhNe1mPtd
— Arimendy (@Dog1Tyson) July 22, 2024
Old head Michael Kay is a clown. It’s his birthday and he’s having fun. Don’t give up the long ball next time. https://t.co/ntIccFIo82
— Jeremy (its over ) (@theteremyjaylor) July 22, 2024
worst guy great point etc etc https://t.co/0VH3xONVMQ
— The Road Guy (@Road_Guy_Colin) July 22, 2024
It’s his birthday, Michael. https://t.co/87hRYNXn2S
— Catherine Tinker (@catherinetinker) July 22, 2024
Can’t celebrate birthday homers anymore? https://t.co/AkwE7kDEOn
— Charlie Parker (@cmparker999) July 22, 2024
What does "acting like it's Mardi Gras" mean? https://t.co/hI0kxLu4RQ
— Taylor J (@TayVictoria8) July 22, 2024
The same Michael Kay who has no problem with Soto celebrating a walk https://t.co/n5e1DPlVcv
— Matt G (@Jayslightning79) July 22, 2024
Down 4-1, being no-hit and you are batting .207. Too funny. https://t.co/mimzKwnO0L
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) July 22, 2024
Yankees fans saying to check the scoreboard is classic https://t.co/ldVQcBRSTO
— kyleigh (@njdkyleigh) July 22, 2024
