A Lesson In Respect: Mcpherson, Heyman & The Line You Don't Cross

Keith, you have egg on your face. Own it.

In the world of sports journalism, integrity is not just a buzzword—it’s the foundation upon which reputations are built. When Keith McPherson of WFAN decided to take aim at Jon Heyman, even as a joke as he claims, it was not just a misguided attempt at humor; it was a glaring display of overstepping his bounds. It was public, it was live and Heyman has clout. McPherson does not.

Let’s get one thing straight: Jon Heyman has put in decades of hard work, navigating the challenges of the baseball industry with a dedication that commands respect. The man has been in the trenches for years, breaking countless stories, and while he’s not perfect (who is?), he’s earned his place among baseball’s most respected voices.

Yes, here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we’ve taken our shots at Heyman. We’ve called him out for inaccuracies and held him accountable when he’s been wrong. The infamous “Arson Judge to the Giants” tweet from 2022? That was a misstep—a stain on his career that he fully owns. But even when we critique him, it’s done with the understanding that Heyman’s commitment to the game is unquestionable. We often make fun of Baseball insiders. Why? Because it’s easy. We call it a guess, because when they’re wrong, that’s how it’s perceived. But let me state for the record that we rarely give credit when they it right.  We will make sure we do more, based on this latest McPherson mess up.

But back to McPherson. He is a tiny fish in a very big pond, lacking the clout, experience, and standing to make jokes that question someone’s integrity, especially someone of Heyman’s stature. Even Bleeding Yankee Blue, a blog built on honesty and opinion, is bigger than McPherson. Learn some respect, Keith, because the truth is, the very people you’re joking about are the ones who inspired you to pursue this career in the first place. Remember?

The “Boras Corp” Fiasco

If you live under a rock, it all started during a segment where McPherson and Heyman were discussing Heyman’s story about the Mets signing former Yankees reliever Clay Holmes. McPherson decided to inject humor, making a quip about Heyman being part of Scott Boras’s “camp.”

“When I look at your tweets, and when I look at your history, I always say, ‘Okay, this guy is part of Boras Corp,’” McPherson joked.

He then asked Heyman, “What’s the percentage of the Juan Soto contract you’re going to get when you break the news on where he signs?”

This is where McPherson crossed the line. For a journalist like Heyman, integrity is everything. The insinuation that he might be working on behalf of a player agent like Boras—a clear conflict of interest—wasn’t just a bad joke; it was an attack on the very core of his professional identity.

Heyman’s frustration boiled over, and who could blame him? He snapped back, defending his body of work and expressing disbelief at McPherson’s audacity.

“I don’t need to break this [Soto] story. I’ve broken a lot of stories,” Heyman said. “I can’t believe you even said that. To question my integrity.”

Heyman went further, stating, “I know you’re not a journalist; you don’t know anything about this [reporting business].” He ended the call abruptly, shouting, “I can’t even believe it! I CAN’T EVEN BELIEVE IT!”

Jon Heyman’s spot with Keith McPherson ends abruptly.

“I’m done with you and I’m done with WFAN. Goodbye. I can’t even believe it. I can’t even BELIEVE IT!” pic.twitter.com/vXohLeRo9G

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2024

It was an epic meltdown—and not Heyman’s fault.

Keith McPherson is a rookie in this industry compared to Heyman. He hasn’t put in the years of work, nor does he have the track record to poke fun at someone like Heyman. The “Boras Corp” joke? It’s a cheap shot from someone who doesn’t understand the grind of reporting in the baseball world. Keith will say he does, but he doesn’t.

Being a baseball insider is a relentless, thankless job. It requires building sources, verifying facts, and facing constant scrutiny. Heyman’s career is far from flawless, but his contributions to the game are undeniable. The “Arson Judge” mistake stings, sure, but it’s a footnote in a career defined by breaking major stories and delivering timely, accurate baseball news.

McPherson, on the other hand, has no such legacy. A few years on the air do not entitle him to take potshots at a veteran of Heyman’s caliber. If anything, McPherson should focus on building his credibility rather than tearing down someone who’s spent decades earning theirs. He blew it plain and simple.

If you’ve been reading us since the beginning, September 2010, you know that Bleeding Yankee Blue has always been about integrity in journalism. We’ve been around for 14 years, holding people accountable while respecting the hard work it takes to succeed in this industry. We’ve criticized Heyman when he’s been wrong, but we’ve never questioned his dedication to the game or his love for baseball.

McPherson’s antics were not only unprofessional but also indicative of a larger issue: the lack of respect for those who have paved the way. Joking about someone’s integrity, especially when you’re still climbing the ladder, is not just tone-deaf—it’s career suicide.

WFAN and McPherson should take this incident as a wake-up call. Whether it’s a fine, a reprimand, or outright removal from the airwaves, something needs to happen. Keith McPherson is not too big to fail. He’s a tiny fish in a massive pond, with a long way to go before he can sit at the table with the “big boys.”

Meanwhile, Heyman deserves acknowledgment for standing his ground. Mistakes and all, he’s a giant in the field, and his contributions to baseball journalism far outweigh a single typo. McPherson? Take notes and learn respect—because the guys around you built the path you’re trying to walk.  How quickly you and your big head forgot.  

You should call out sick today. You need to not speak for a bit.  That’s my take.

Source: http://bleedingyankeeblue.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-lesson-in-respect-mcpherson-heyman.html