New York Talk Show Host Switches MLB Allegiance from Mets to Yankees

Longtime WABC Radio host Sid Rosenberg cites Mets' 'woke' politics as reason for change

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:49pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match between the New York Mets and New York Yankees, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the conceptual tension and division surrounding sports and politics.A cubist interpretation of the growing divide between sports fans and teams over political and social issues.NYC Today

Longtime New York talk show host Sid Rosenberg announced this week that he is switching his MLB allegiance from the New York Mets to the New York Yankees. Rosenberg cited the Mets' perceived 'woke' politics, including their announcer's criticism of the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and the team's parting ways with pro-Trump players, as the reasons behind his change of heart.

Why it matters

Rosenberg's high-profile switch from the Mets to the Yankees highlights the growing political divide among sports fans and teams, with some fans rejecting teams they view as too 'liberal' or 'woke.' This shift in fan loyalty could have implications for team branding, sponsorships, and overall fan engagement.

The details

In a series of social media posts, Rosenberg explained his decision, saying the Yankees' tribute to Kirk and hosting of former President Trump contrasted with the Mets allowing their announcers to 'sh-- on' Kirk and dealing away players who support Trump. Rosenberg also mocked the Mets' perceived left-wing politics, posting a mock lineup featuring Bernie Sanders, Bill de Blasio, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He then posted photos of himself receiving Yankees gear from team president Randy Levine and videos of former Yankees players congratulating him on the switch.

  • On April 18, 2026, Rosenberg announced his switch from the Mets to the Yankees on social media.
  • The Mets have not won a game since Mamdani, a controversial figure, hugged the team's mascots on April 9.

The players

Sid Rosenberg

A longtime New York talk show host on WABC Radio who has switched his MLB allegiance from the New York Mets to the New York Yankees.

Randy Levine

The president of the New York Yankees, who reportedly gifted Rosenberg Yankees gear to celebrate his switch.

Francisco Lindor

A shortstop for the New York Mets whose wife, Katia, was named to the inaugural committee of Mamdani, a controversial figure.

Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo

Former Mets players who the team parted ways with, which Rosenberg cited as a reason for his switch.

Charlie Kirk

A conservative commentator who the Yankees honored with a moment of silence, in contrast to the Mets' announcers criticizing him.

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What they’re saying

“So the Yankees hosted the great [president] and did a beautiful tribute for the late, great [Charlie Kirk]. The Mets allow their announcers to s— on the late great Charlie, dealt away players who support Trump and celebrate a shortstop who's [sic] wife works with the terrorist sympathizer. Seems like a pretty easy choice to me! Let's Go Yankees (sorry Dad)”

— Sid Rosenberg, WABC Radio Talk Show Host

“You can turn on your President. You can turn on your city. You can turn on your country. You can turn on religion. You can turn on your family. But you can NEVER turn on your sports teams! Now do you realize how STUPID so many of you sound?”

— Sid Rosenberg, WABC Radio Talk Show Host

What’s next

Rosenberg's switch to the Yankees will likely be a topic of discussion among New York sports fans and media, with some criticizing his decision as politically motivated and others praising him for standing up for his beliefs.

The takeaway

Rosenberg's high-profile switch from the Mets to the Yankees highlights the growing divide between sports fans and teams over political and social issues. As more fans reject teams they view as too 'woke,' teams may need to carefully navigate these tensions to maintain their fan bases.