Willie Randolph Returns to the Yankees Fold as YES Network Shakes Up Its Broadcast Team
The YES Network is making some big changes heading into the 2026 season, and while a few familiar voices are stepping away, the Yankees’ broadcast home has landed a key addition that should resonate with fans across generations.
Willie Randolph is back in the Bronx-well, not quite in the dugout, but close enough to feel like home. The former Yankees captain and longtime fan favorite will join YES Network’s studio coverage this season as a studio analyst, stepping into a role previously held by Dave Valle. It’s a move that not only brings baseball smarts to the airwaves but also reconnects the broadcast with a living piece of Yankees history.
Let’s be clear: Randolph is baseball through and through. His return to the Yankees in an official capacity, even if it’s behind a desk and not in uniform, is a win for the organization and its fans. While he hasn’t held a coaching role with the team since 2004, Randolph has remained close to the game and the clubhouse in recent years, mentoring young players like Anthony Volpe and offering guidance in the same way veterans once did for him early in his career.
At an appearance during Bernie Williams’ Carnegie Hall concert in January, Randolph shared that he’s been something of an unofficial advisor to the Yankees’ next generation. It’s a role he embraces, drawing from his own experience as a young player with the Pirates, where Dave Parker helped him adjust to the speed and grind of the big leagues. Randolph knows what it takes to succeed in New York, and now he’ll get to share that insight with a broader audience.
This move comes amid a broader shakeup at YES. The network is aiming for more consistency in the booth, with Michael Kay, David Cone, and Paul O’Neill expected to team up for the majority of broadcasts. That trio has chemistry and credibility, and the idea is to bring a more stable presence to the nightly coverage-something Mets fans know well from the long-running trio of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling.
Still, some losses will be felt. John Flaherty and Jeff Nelson, both known for their honest, measured commentary, won’t be returning. Their departures leave a noticeable gap, especially Flaherty, whose calm, even-keeled approach made him a steadying voice in the booth.
On the bright side, David Cone is doubling down on his YES Network involvement, stepping away from ESPN to focus more on Yankees broadcasts during the week. That’s a big win for YES. Cone’s blend of sharp analysis, deep pitching knowledge, and dry wit has made him one of the most respected voices in the game, and having him more frequently in the booth only strengthens the network’s product.
As for Randolph, his return feels like a natural progression. He’s been inching closer to the organization in recent years, throwing out ceremonial first pitches during the 2024 and 2025 postseasons and reestablishing a visible presence around the team. Now, nearly five decades after first donning the pinstripes, he’s officially back in the mix.
Whether he’s breaking down a bullpen decision or offering insight into a rookie’s development, Randolph brings a perspective that’s both timeless and timely. He knows what it means to wear the uniform, to lead in the Bronx, and to navigate the expectations that come with being a Yankee. And now, he’ll get to share that with fans every night.
It’s not a dugout return-at least not yet-but it’s a meaningful one. And for a franchise that values its legacy as much as its future, having someone like Willie Randolph back in the fold is more than just a broadcast move. It’s a homecoming.