Yankees benefit from ESPN's David Cone decision after scheduling conflicts

David Cone. | Mary DeCicco/GettyImagesIt's common for national TV mega-networks to poach the best on-air talent from regional networks, and such is the case with ESPN and David Cone. The former New York Yankees right-hander and five-time World Series champ has showcased his elite commentating presence with YES Network since its inaugural season in 2002 (with some breaks along the way), but as of four years ago, he's spent plenty of time away from YES while contributing to ESPN's MLB broadcasts.

Yankees fans love Cone because he mixes his natural loyalty to the franchise with a refreshingly objective approach on-air that doesn't allow his affinity for the Yanks get in the way of criticizing…