West Sayville boy to be SNY's 'Kidcaster' for Mets game on June 23
Danny Shea Burke during an SNY telecast where he found out he'd be the network's "Kidcaster" at an upcoming Mets game. Credit: SNY
A 9-year-old from West Sayville got the surprise of his young life when he was interviewed by SNY reporter Steve Gelbs in the stands during Wednesday’s Mets game at Citi Field.
Danny Shea Burke had been told he was going to the game because he was a finalist to be an SNY “Kidcaster” — a contest in which one youngster gets to call an inning of a future game in the booth with Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.
Gelbs informed Burke that he was actually the winner. Burke will make his announcing debut on June 23 when the Mets host the Cubs as the 15th SNY "Kidcaster."
“Actually,” Burke said, “that’s crazy!”
Asked if he was excited, Burke — whose smile could have lit up Citi Field even though his middle name is an homage to the Mets’ former home — said, “Yeah.”
Burke is a Little Leaguer and travel baseball player who is quite the speedster. It’s no wonder he is a fan of Mets rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, who have given the team a jolt during a down season.
Gelbs pointed to the broadcast booth, where the trio affectionally known as GKR was calling what became a 9-2 Mets loss to the Cardinals. Gelbs asked if Burke had anything to say to his future boothmates.
“Can’t wait,” he said.
Said Gelbs: “Simple and to the point.”
Cohen interjected: “It seems as though Danny is going to be a welcome addition to the young Mets: Ewing, Benge and now Burke.”
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
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