According to a report in Newsday, SI.com writer Jon Heyman has replaced another SI.com writer Tom Verducci on the YES Network program “Yankees Hot Stove”:
Why? His recent, scathing column on SI.com regarding Joe Torre’s departure might have had something to do with it. Actually . . . it had pretty much everything to do with it.
YES spokesman Eric Handler said Verducci’s “recent remarks pertaining to the Yankees’ ownership were extremely personal and cutting, and we decided it would not be in our interests to have him on the show going forward.
“Also, Tom is collaborating with Joe Torre on a second book. It’s unfortunate, but we figured it was an action that had to be taken. We appreciate the work he’s done for us in the past.”
What does his book deal with Torre have to do with it?
“The recent disclosure of Tom’s collaboration with Torre on yet another book highlights a conflict in his ability to write a balanced column about Torre’s departure from the Yankees,” Handler said.
Another Newsday baseball writer turned SI writer, Jon Heyman, was on the show when it debuted Thursday night.
Heyman will also be appearing twice a week on WFAN’s “Mike and the Mad Dog” program. I heard Heyman’s segment today and I think he’ll be a great addition.
Now if YES could just get rid of Bob Lorenz.