XM MLB Chat: Former Yankee pitcher Jeff Nelson filling in for Suzyn Waldman on Yankee radio for Texas Rangers series, final 4 games of season

10/2/22, “Jeff Nelson @NYnellie43, I’ll be filling in for Suzyn and working with John Sterling for the Texas series on WFAN. Hope everyone listens and enjoys.” WFAN twitter…Game one of four, 3-1 Yankees over Rangers. Double header on Tues., 10/4, final game Wed. 10/5.

Above, 10/2/22, WFAN radio twitter

Above, Jeff Nelson image from his twitter page

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Jeff Nelson was a relief pitcher for the NY Yankees from 1996 through 2000 and again in 2003 where he contributed to ALCS game 7 (photos below). He began his career with Seattle Mariners from 1992-1995, returned there in 2001, 2002, and 2005. In 2004, played for Texas Rangers and in 2006 for a short time with Chicago White Sox.

Photo above, Jeff Nelson cheering after 2003 ALCS game 7, Yankees win 6-5 in 11 innings, Nelson’s fellow reliever Mariano Rivera was winning pitcher, Rivera was also ALCS MVP. Jeff Nelson has dark blue sweater/shirt. Mo pitched scoreless 9, 10th, and 11th, 48 pitches, with score tied. As game ended, Rivera ran back out and happily collapsed on the mound. Jeff Nelson, 10 pitches, was among 6 Yankee pitchers that night, Oct. 16, 2003. Entering bottom of the 8th Yankees trailed by 3 runs, Boston 5, Yankees 2.

In the 8th, the Yankees tied the score at 5-5. Aaron Boone was brought in as a pinch runner in the 8th for Ruben Sierra. In the top of the 9th, score tied 5-5, Mariano Rivera was brought in to pitch. Pinch runner Aaron Boone remained in the game, went to 3B. Rivera continued in the 10th and 11th, score still tied. In bottom of the 11th, Aaron Boone (brought in as a pinch runner in the 8th), was the first batter, hit home run off Tim Wakefield, game over, 6-5 Yankees. In photo below, Jeff Nelson is seen on right as team hoisted Rivera. (Mass Live image)

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Added: Jeff Nelson has also recently appeared on YES Network with Michael Kay and in studio with Bob Lorenz:

Above, 9/17/22, Jeff Nelson with Michael Kay

Above, 9/4/22, Jeff Nelson with Bob Lorenz

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My comment: Been waiting ten years, since Tues., Sept. 25, 2012, to hear former Yankee relief pitcher Jeff Nelson back on Yankee radio filling in for Suzyn. He was a natural, very glad he’s back. Good voice which I wish he'd use in lower registers but otherwise he checks off in everything that matters to me for someone in the Yankee radio booth. I usually immediately turn off anyone they put in the Yankee radio booth who's not John or Suzyn. Jeff Nelson is the only exception so far in 26 years of listening. I just want to hear two people talking to me as if in normal conversation. (Sterling's home run calls are the exception and are tremendous). Every guy they bring in to fill in for John or Suzyn has the same problem: They don't belong on radio. They're not natural talkers. They're a stream of affectations, chirping, continually raising and lowering their voices by a few octaves in the belief that people will think they're talented or that the game is exciting, or to sell tickets. You have to be a confident, natural talker, and almost no one is-other than John and Suzyn. The whole time they put Charley Steiner on with John, I couldn't listen, two or 3 years, whatever it was. I can listen to Steiner alone calling the Dodgers, but he was incapable of give and take in a two person radio booth. I've heard Rick Monday in the booth w. Steiner on Dodger radio, and he's the perfect partner for him because he's not a co-play by play guy, and doesn't seem to aspire to be one. Listeners can relax because Steiner can relax. Monday does a great job just adding nuggets of his own. As a bonus, Monday has a great voice for radio. So if Jeff Nelson is there, I'll listen. If anyone else is there, I won't. For example, Sweeny Murti doesn't belong on radio and I'll turn him off the fastest. Horrible voice, boring, no personality.

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Added: Two more photos of Mo that day