KEITH MCPHERSON SHOULD SHUT HIS PIE HOLE ABOUT CARLOS RODON

Athletes are finely tuned machines. We're talking about high-performance Ferraris, not beat-up go-karts with duct-taped bumpers. Their bodies are built, tested, and pushed to the limit, and to perform at the elite level, they have to be on—mentally, physically, emotionally—every damn day. So when a guy like Carlos Rodón, who is built like a bull and pitches like a warrior, says the 100-degree heat cooked him in Cincinnati last week, I believe him.

Let’s start here: Carlos Rodón has been an absolute stud lately. Is he perfect? No. But he’s trending in the right direction. It took a minute, sure—putting on the Yankee pinstripes comes with a different kind of pressure, and some guys need time to settle in. Rodón clearly has. And honestly? I’ve been rooting for him since the moment he stepped into the Bronx. That kind of work ethic, that kind of grit? Respect.

Last week he just spun six scoreless innings against the Reds, for crying out loud. The guy was dealing. But it was overwhelmingly humid-hot. A smoldering 100 degrees in Great American Ball Park, and Rodón had reached his boiling point after 88 pitches. He admitted it: “I was huffing and puffing a little bit... I could tell I was gassed.”   It reminds me of the line from Dude, Where's my Car?... "I know my body, dude."

Fair enough, right? WRONG—if you’re Keith McPherson.

This clown hopped on the airwaves and unloaded the most idiotic take of the week: “You need to be in better shape, buddy. You need to be better conditioned. You make $27 million to be a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees.”

Oh really, Keith? That’s your expert analysis? That’s your high-powered radio insight? What a load of garbage. I get the whole "provocative hot take" schtick. But this wasn’t bold, or honest, or even remotely fair. It was just… fucking stupid.

Here’s what Keith doesn’t get—and probably never will: athletes aren’t superheroes. 

They're not bulletproof. And they sure as hell aren’t robots with rechargeable batteries and A/C units in their backs. Sometimes it's 100 degrees. Sometimes you’re not 100%. Sometimes your body says nope even when your brain is screaming let’s go. That’s just part of the gig.

You don’t know what you’re getting from any pitcher on any given night. Some days it’s dominance. Other days it’s a grind. You think an MLB contract makes you immune to exhaustion or dehydration? Come on. Baseball is chaos in cleats, and if you're gonna run your mouth behind a mic, at least try not to sound like a clueless troll.

I’ve never been a fan of Keith McPherson—he’s an echo chamber of nonsense, constantly talking but rarely saying anything. Rodón, meanwhile, has proven he belongs. He’s one of the best arms in the Yankees' rotation, and he’s earned every bit of the credit he’s getting right now.

So Keith? Sit down. Shut up. And leave the analysis to people who know what the hell they’re talking about.

AARON JUDGE IN HIS OWN WORDS ON THE STATE OF THE YANKEES RIGHT NOW

Jon Heyman is out here absolutely cooking this offseason. If you’re not reading his work in the New York Post, you’re missing out. The man is grinding daily, dropping must-read pieces left and right, and his latest? A fantastic interview with Yankees captain Aaron Judge, who gave a real look into the state of the Bombers as they battle through some brutal injuries.

And look, let’s just acknowledge this: Heyman is a veteran. He’s been around, he knows how to get the scoops, and whether you love his baseball takes or not, you can’t deny his work ethic. Meanwhile, guys like Keith McPherson? Please. Keith couldn’t hold Heyman’s water if he had a bucket with a lid. You remember when McPherson disrespected Heyman on his radio show? Read A LESSON IN RESPECT: MCPHERSON, HEYMAN & THE LINE YOU DON'T CROSS for that. Absolute clown show. That’s the difference between a respected journalist and a newbie who thinks he’s bigger than the game.

But back to business. Jon Heyman got some great quotes here. Here’s what Judge had to say about the Yankees’ injury woes and who he thinks is going to step up this season:

“You miss Gerrit Cole, one of the best pitchers in the game… Luis Gil, who emerged as probably our second-best starter last season… and Big G (Giancarlo Stanton) not being in there…”

Yeah, that’s not ideal. When you lose aces and big bats, it’s a problem. But Judge isn’t panicking:

“You can’t replace a Cole. You can’t replace a Luis Gil. But I think we’ve got some young guys who are going to step up. We’ve still got a good ballclub here.”

That’s the leadership you want to hear. No excuses, just a next-man-up mentality. And speaking of stepping up, Judge dropped some names on who he expects to take that next leap:

“I really think it’s a great opportunity for some of the young guys to step up. You can’t be a young guy forever. When you add guys like Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger to the mix, and you throw in someone like Max Fried, you’re looking at a solid core.”

And then he got into some specific guys who have been turning heads:

“We have Jazz Chisholm, Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells. What Ben Rice is doing, the adjustments he’s making are incredible to watch. And I love seeing Will Warren’s progress. He’s a guy who’s continuing to take that next step.”

That’s a lot of praise for some guys who need to deliver.  I don't know if Volpe and Wells really have what it takes or if they were just brought up real fast so fans would fall in love with them, but I'm not. It's not the same as when Aaron Judge made it to the big team.  Whatever the case listen, the Yankees have the talent, but with these injuries, it’s all about execution now.

Look, I don’t know about you, but I’m both hyped and terrified for Opening Day. On one hand, this team has depth and potential. On the other, injuries have already taken their toll. But one thing’s for sure—Jon Heyman is putting in the work to bring fans the best coverage out there. And if you don’t respect that? Well, maybe take a lesson in respect yourself. Right, Keith?

A LESSON IN RESPECT: MCPHERSON, HEYMAN & THE LINE YOU DON'T CROSS

Keith, you have egg on your face. Own it.

In the world of sports journalism, integrity is not just a buzzword—it’s the foundation upon which reputations are built. When Keith McPherson of WFAN decided to take aim at Jon Heyman, even as a joke as he claims, it was not just a misguided attempt at humor; it was a glaring display of overstepping his bounds. It was public, it was live and Heyman has clout. McPherson does not.

Let’s get one thing straight: Jon Heyman has put in decades of hard work, navigating the challenges of the baseball industry with a dedication that commands respect. The man has been in the trenches for years, breaking countless stories, and while he’s not perfect (who is?), he’s earned his place among baseball’s most respected voices.

Yes, here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we’ve taken our shots at Heyman. We’ve called him out for inaccuracies and held him accountable when he’s been wrong. The infamous “Arson Judge to the Giants” tweet from 2022? That was a misstep—a stain on his career that he fully owns. But even when we critique him, it’s done with the understanding that Heyman’s commitment to the game is unquestionable. We often make fun of Baseball insiders. Why? Because it's easy. We call it a guess, because when they're wrong, that's how it's perceived. But let me state for the record that we rarely give credit when they it right.  We will make sure we do more, based on this latest McPherson mess up.

But back to McPherson. He is a tiny fish in a very big pond, lacking the clout, experience, and standing to make jokes that question someone’s integrity, especially someone of Heyman’s stature. Even Bleeding Yankee Blue, a blog built on honesty and opinion, is bigger than McPherson. Learn some respect, Keith, because the truth is, the very people you’re joking about are the ones who inspired you to pursue this career in the first place. Remember?

The “Boras Corp” Fiasco

If you live under a rock, it all started during a segment where McPherson and Heyman were discussing Heyman’s story about the Mets signing former Yankees reliever Clay Holmes. McPherson decided to inject humor, making a quip about Heyman being part of Scott Boras’s “camp.”

“When I look at your tweets, and when I look at your history, I always say, ‘Okay, this guy is part of Boras Corp,’” McPherson joked.

He then asked Heyman, “What’s the percentage of the Juan Soto contract you’re going to get when you break the news on where he signs?”

This is where McPherson crossed the line. For a journalist like Heyman, integrity is everything. The insinuation that he might be working on behalf of a player agent like Boras—a clear conflict of interest—wasn’t just a bad joke; it was an attack on the very core of his professional identity.

Heyman’s frustration boiled over, and who could blame him? He snapped back, defending his body of work and expressing disbelief at McPherson’s audacity.

“I don’t need to break this [Soto] story. I’ve broken a lot of stories,” Heyman said. “I can’t believe you even said that. To question my integrity.”

Heyman went further, stating, “I know you’re not a journalist; you don’t know anything about this [reporting business].” He ended the call abruptly, shouting, “I can’t even believe it! I CAN’T EVEN BELIEVE IT!”

Jon Heyman's spot with Keith McPherson ends abruptly.

"I'm done with you and I'm done with WFAN. Goodbye. I can't even believe it. I can't even BELIEVE IT!" pic.twitter.com/vXohLeRo9G

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2024

It was an epic meltdown—and not Heyman’s fault.

Keith McPherson is a rookie in this industry compared to Heyman. He hasn’t put in the years of work, nor does he have the track record to poke fun at someone like Heyman. The “Boras Corp” joke? It’s a cheap shot from someone who doesn’t understand the grind of reporting in the baseball world. Keith will say he does, but he doesn't.

Being a baseball insider is a relentless, thankless job. It requires building sources, verifying facts, and facing constant scrutiny. Heyman’s career is far from flawless, but his contributions to the game are undeniable. The “Arson Judge” mistake stings, sure, but it’s a footnote in a career defined by breaking major stories and delivering timely, accurate baseball news.

McPherson, on the other hand, has no such legacy. A few years on the air do not entitle him to take potshots at a veteran of Heyman’s caliber. If anything, McPherson should focus on building his credibility rather than tearing down someone who’s spent decades earning theirs. He blew it plain and simple.

If you've been reading us since the beginning, September 2010, you know that Bleeding Yankee Blue has always been about integrity in journalism. We’ve been around for 14 years, holding people accountable while respecting the hard work it takes to succeed in this industry. We’ve criticized Heyman when he’s been wrong, but we’ve never questioned his dedication to the game or his love for baseball.

McPherson’s antics were not only unprofessional but also indicative of a larger issue: the lack of respect for those who have paved the way. Joking about someone’s integrity, especially when you’re still climbing the ladder, is not just tone-deaf—it’s career suicide.

WFAN and McPherson should take this incident as a wake-up call. Whether it’s a fine, a reprimand, or outright removal from the airwaves, something needs to happen. Keith McPherson is not too big to fail. He’s a tiny fish in a massive pond, with a long way to go before he can sit at the table with the “big boys.”

Meanwhile, Heyman deserves acknowledgment for standing his ground. Mistakes and all, he’s a giant in the field, and his contributions to baseball journalism far outweigh a single typo. McPherson? Take notes and learn respect—because the guys around you built the path you’re trying to walk.  How quickly you and your big head forgot.  

You should call out sick today. You need to not speak for a bit.  That's my take.

VOLPE CATCHING FIRE... WHERE'S THE HATERS NOW?

Of course, now that Anthony Volpe is hitting the crap out of the baseball, people like Keith McPherson are silent about "Volpe not a major leaguer" and "Volpe needing to be sent down."   That's how it works.  These podcasters or radio folks love to start crap but disappear when they're wrong. And trust me, they are wrong nearly all the time.

Volpe is a major leaguer.  Here's the difference; when you have a team surrounding this guy so he can tinker and work on things, you end up allowing guys like Volpe make adjustments and tweak surrounded by a big club that will help him work through it.  That is support. That is confidence building real time. Getting major league experience is sometimes the best experience.  Plus, the Yankees aren't about to suggest that they made a mistake... and so it had to be sink or swim in a very public forum.

Then came the silence and lack of effort by Dillon Lawson and a chicken parm adjustment session with our hero Austin Wells and suddenly the kid's figuring it out.

The New York Post writes:

"The Yankees’ rookie shortstop recorded his fourth and fifth straight multi-hit games during Saturday’s doubleheader split against the Cardinals, continuing to look more comfortable at the plate over the last few weeks.

After recording a pair of singles in Game 1, Volpe added an RBI triple and another single in the nightcap, both going the opposite way."

After 15 games Volpe is batting .373. 

But where's Keith McPherson? Here are his quotes from right around June 10th:

"The kid is overmatched. He’s not ready to be in the lineup every day at the MLB level...he’s a kid.... They did him a disservice. They tried to have him lead off, then they had him at seventh, then ninth. It’s tough to swim in those waters at 22 years old doing it for the first time."

McPherson's hiding. It's what analysts do. Drop a bomb, insult a major leaguer, and drop a mic.  Playing major league ball is a hard job, much harder than acting like you know everything.  So, when analysts are wrong... they don't apologize... they just disappear.

Now you can look at me at BYB and say "You do the same thing. You spew your opinion!" Yes, I do, but I don't disappear... I own it. Whatever it is.  I don't hide, I say my piece and will admit I'm wrong if I am, and continue to bang the drum if I'm right.  Many however do not.

But the bottom line is this... Volpe IS a major leaguer. He's a kid, but the Yankees are doing exactly what they should do for him... allow him to work it out surrounded by a talented major league club.  

Volpe will be fine. I've always said it.  Just let this play out. That's the bottom line.