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During Sunday night’s New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays game, YES Network announcers gave a thoughtful and touching eulogy for longtime New York sports reporter Bob Trainor.
Just one problem. He’s still alive.
“Sad news,” YES Network announcer Michael Kay said during Sunday’s broadcast. “If you’ve ever been around a Major League ballpark in any of the sporting events in New York – football, basketball, hockey – you saw Bob Trainor there, and he passed away today. 40 year fixture in all of the clubhouses, and our condolences go out to Bob’s family and friends.
“He was really part of the fabric of New York Sports, and he was one to collect sound and the voices you would hear on the radio, that could be the sound that Bob Trainor picked up.
“So, he passed away, and again, our condolences go out to his family and friends.”
nice touch by @realmichaelkay (top 2, @yankees at @raysbaseball this afternoon on @yesnetwork) to remember a press box & locker room legend
rip, bob trainor
— Marc Ernay 👋 (@MarcErnay) September 5, 2022
Something about the YES Network tribute to Bob Trainor seemed off to one viewer
When local radio news anchor Mike Mancuso heard the tribute to Bob Trainor he had a funny feeling about it. So he decided to do a little investigating which resulted in him receiving a phone call the next day from … Bob Trainor.
Friends, something didn't feel right about the various reports of Bob's passing, so I reached out and BOB called me this morning. HAPPY to say he's alive and doing well. Bob is thankful for all the kind words. My sincere apologizes for responding to reports without confirmation. https://t.co/DGfECBX0Ep
— Mike Mancuso (@Mikemancuso9) September 5, 2022
Good news for the friends and family of Bob Trainor!
In fairness, YES Network was far from alone in paying tribute to the longtime member of the New York sports media.
On #LaborDay, Thoughts About Bob Trainor, Those In The Scrum, Getting Stuff Done and Countering “Quiet Quitting”#sportsbiz #media …https://t.co/tl5U0lXsfs... pic.twitter.com/qdev3tO5w5
— Joe Favorito (@joefav) September 5, 2022
Wonder how it feels to read your own memorial when you’re still alive?
Passing of Bob Trainor https://t.co/LgR1bF8qyH
— Lichtenstein (@thestarryeye) September 5, 2022
At least everyone had very nice things to say.
RIP Bob Trainor. A good heart and a fixture on the New York radio scene.
— rich ackerman (@richackerman) September 4, 2022
Many others who know Bob Trainor were very relieved to hear that he was, in fact, not dead.
@gordondamer So I did hear Michael Kay eulogize legendary reporter Bob Trainor during the Yankee game and heard you and Larry talking about it filling in for the guys yesterday, but I don’t know if you all have seen that apparently, he is still alive!! 😳
— Steve London 🐢 (@SteveLondon1961) September 6, 2022
Fact-checking things like a person’s dead before talking about it on the air is overrated anyway.
First and foremost, the absolute shock and thrill to find out my longtime friend, press box regular, storyteller who could put Cliff Claven to shame, Bob Trainor is NOT dead.
The guy is very much alive, and the world is better for it.
— Seth Everett (@Seth_Everett) September 6, 2022
At least Nick Castellanos wasn’t batting when they gave the eulogy.
UPDATE: reports of his passing were, apparently, greatly exaggerated @mikemancuso9 reports talking with bob … today!
my apologies for passing along (and fanning the brush fire flames of) fake news
— Marc Ernay 👋 (@MarcErnay) September 5, 2022
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