New York Yankees broadcaster and radio host Michael Kay stirred debate recently by challenging Luke Weaver, the New York Mets’ new offseason acquisition, over his use of a Yankees equipment bag upon joining the Mets. On Monday, during his show, Kay questioned Weaver’s decision to carry his gear in an old Yankees bag rather than a Mets one at the Mets’ Port St. Lucie, Florida, training facility, citing respect for the new team as a key factor.
Kay underscored his point by stating,
“Show a little respect. I mean, the Mets deserve better than that,”
and continued,
“They paid you a lot of money. All you had to do was call up the Mets at some point during the offseason and say, ‘Listen, can you send me an equipment bag so that when I come to Port St. Lucie, I’m carrying a Met equipment bag with blue and orange rather than the Yankees midnight blue and white.”
Backlash Emerges as Michael Kay Responds to Criticism
Following Kay’s comments, a wave of criticism flooded social media, with some fans accusing him of unfairly targeting a new player. On Tuesday’s broadcast, Kay addressed these accusations, acknowledging that his opinions would not please everyone but reaffirming his defense of the Mets organization.
He stated,
“I’m defending the New York Mets, saying that Luke Weaver should respect them and have called for a Met bag or any other bag rather than the Yankee equipment bag,”
and added,
“And I like Luke Weaver. And Met fans come out: ‘Hey, mind your business. Who cares? We don’t care. He’s going to have his Met bag in two minutes once he walks into the…’ I can’t win with you lunatics.”
Kay expressed frustration over being condemned regardless of his stance, explaining,
“Sometimes I hold myself back because I don’t want to be that guy who’s always anti-Met or whatever the case. I’m defending the Mets yesterday and there’s a subsegment of you people that jump me for that. I can’t even talk about the Mets without being criticized. Can’t even say a word. So even if I defend you, you don’t want to hear it. My advice to every single one of you: don’t listen to the show.”
Luke Weaver Dismisses Bag Controversy as Overblown
Addressing the situation on Tuesday during an appearance on The Show with New York Post insiders Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Luke Weaver described the discussion surrounding his use of the Yankees bag as “a bit silly.” Weaver conveyed an understanding of why the topic attracted attention but emphasized that the practice is standard in professional baseball.
He explained,
“I thought it was a bit silly, personally. I understand why people are — I wouldn’t say an uproar, but why they’re talking about it. I get it. To your point, it’s very common to bring your old bag to your new team. They don’t first-class airmail a new bag, so I didn’t get a new bag from the Mets, like a duffle bag.”
Weaver clarified his limited options for carrying his belongings and noted the irony of using a Yankees bag despite no longer being part of that team, saying,
“I just personally didn’t have like, besides grocery bags or something, I just didn’t really have anything to put my stuff in. Part of me is like, yeah, I don’t necessarily want to take the Yankees bag because I’m not a Yankee, but I know this is just a normal process.”
Transitioning to Mets: Weaver’s New Role and Team Dynamics
Luke Weaver, who made 129 appearances over two and a half seasons with the Yankees’ cross-town rivals, is preparing to join the Mets in Queens. Known for his role as a primary setup man in the bullpen, Weaver aims to support closer Devin Williams, who also recently moved to the Mets after a stint with the Yankees in 2025. This transition signifies a notable shift within New York’s MLB landscape as key pitchers switch city allegiances.
The Mets’ investment in Weaver and Williams highlights their effort to strengthen their bullpen depth as they prepare for the upcoming season, closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Implications of the Controversy and What Fans Should Expect
The dispute between Michael Kay and the public reaction to the Luke Weaver Mets bag incident underscores the passionate and sometimes divided nature of New York baseball fandom. Kay’s insistence on showing respect to the new team reflects a broader expectation for players to symbolically embrace their organizations. Conversely, Weaver’s explanation sheds light on practical realities behind such decisions, emphasizing routine over symbolism.
As the Mets gear up for the season, Weaver’s on-field performance and integration into the team may soon overshadow equipment bag concerns. However, the episode highlights tensions that can arise as players move between rival teams in a city as baseball-obsessed as New York, creating ongoing narratives for fans and commentators to discuss.
ICYMI: @RealMichaelKay explains his comments from yesterday about Luke Weaver showing up to Mets camp with Yankees gear.
Tune into The Michael Kay Show weekdays from 1P-3P on the @espnnewyork App & YouTube 📲
WATCH THE FULL SHOW HERE: https://t.co/ylvdmCGdz5 pic.twitter.com/KTTCjKbqFH
— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) February 10, 2026
Luke Weaver hits on dumb bag controversy here. He bleeds orange/blue, so no worries! Luke, a bff of The Show, talks free agency, more in full pod. Joel/I answer viewer questions
YouTube: https://t.co/9oO2VY5X5r
Apple: https://t.co/mdvlMAfGCt
Spotify: https://t.co/BmD0ogp7mz pic.twitter.com/r4Npr66gTf— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 11, 2026
