Hour 1: Baseball is Back

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary

Episode: Hour 1: Baseball is Back
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York and ESPN New Jersey

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1. Season Kickoff and Current Standings

Timestamp: [00:37]

The episode begins with Don LaGreca announcing the extended broadcast hours due to the return of baseball. He highlights the ongoing MLB season featuring pivotal matchups such as the Mets vs. Reds at Citi Field and the Yankees’ trip to Atlanta to face the Braves. Don emphasizes the significance of this period, stating, “From here on in the rest of this calendar year. This is the rest of the sports year right here. There's no more lulls, there's no more breaking the action.”

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2. The New York Sports Drought

Timestamp: [02:04]

Alan Hahn introduces the discussion on New York's prolonged championship drought across major leagues. Don provides a historical perspective, noting that New York hasn't secured a championship since the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2011. He remarks, “When I say market, I include the Devils and Islanders. It's unreal because the Yankees won championships through the '20s and '30s... Now we've hit a lull.”

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3. MLB Standings and Playoff Implications

Timestamp: [03:53]

The conversation shifts to the current MLB standings, with Don expressing optimism if both the Mets and Yankees make the playoffs. Alan contrasts his analytical approach with Don’s more engaged stance: “How much are you scoreboard watching?” Don responds affirmatively, highlighting the importance of every game in the playoff race. He points out, “Every night there’s going to be something. And then the new leagues begin.”

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4. Trade Deadline Strategies

Timestamp: [07:18]

As the trade deadline approaches, Don discusses the strategic evaluations both the Yankees and Mets need to undertake. He mentions the Yankees' bullpen issues and the Mets' potential need for bullpen reinforcements. “If the Mets and the Yankees aren't both in the playoffs. Question is, is it wild card? Is it division?” he questions, underscoring the critical decisions looming on the horizon.

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5. Listener Calls: Fan Perspectives and Concerns

Timestamp: [12:22]

The hosts engage with listeners, starting with Moose from Jamaica, who humorously comments on the return of baseball. Peter Rosenberg humorously deflects personal stories, keeping the focus on baseball discourse.

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6. Yankees' Roster and Pitching Concerns

Timestamp: [13:02]

Alan and Peter delve into the Yankees' pitching roster, debating the necessity of acquiring an ace. Don argues that the Yankees’ current rotation, featuring maddux and Rodon, might suffice but acknowledges potential pitfalls: “They're probably not getting an ace because they've got Freed and Rodon.”

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7. Defensive vs. Offensive Priorities

Timestamp: [17:07]

The discussion shifts to the balance between defense and offense for the Yankees. Don emphasizes the importance of solid defense, even when offensive production is lacking. He asserts, “Defense is important, man. ... What makes the trade deadline from a GM's perspective like this is it.”

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8. Prospects and Future Investments

Timestamp: [21:11]

Listener Tessa from West Caldwell expresses concerns over the Yankees' reliance on aging players and the need to integrate prospects. Don and Alan discuss the potential of prospects like Ben Hess and Bryce Cunningham, debating their readiness and impact: “Your customer files, bank accounts, everything is compromised... And you won’t know until the million dollar ransom demand hits your email.”

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9. Comparing New York and Philadelphia Sports Radio

Timestamp: [31:07]

The hosts engage in a light-hearted debate comparing New York and Philadelphia sports radio. Peter Rosenberg advocates for the Yankees' strategic focus on pitching, while Don emphasizes the genuine passion and anxiety of being a fan: “Once you get there and they kick the ball around way too much for me to start thinking that it's not important for them.”

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10. Final Analysis and Future Outlook

Timestamp: [38:56]

In the concluding segments, Alan and Don reflect on the Yankees' continued emphasis on starting pitching over offensive enhancements. Alan states, “They put a premium on starting pitching and they'll continue to do that.” Don adds, “Nothing's guaranteed. You're nervous, you're rocking back and forth... There's not a perfect team out.”

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Notable Quotes:

• Don LaGreca:
  “From here on in the rest of this calendar year. This is the rest of the sports year right here. There's no more lulls, there's no more breaking the action.” [00:37]

• Alan Hahn:
  “How much are you scoreboard watching?” [03:53]

• Don LaGreca:
  “When I say market, I include the Devils and Islanders. It's unreal because the Yankees won championships through the '20s and '30s... Now we've hit a lull.” [02:04]

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “We do not hit in the playoffs. We need solid ball players. There's a glaring hole at third base and we need both.” [44:30]

• Don LaGreca:
  “Defense is important, man. ... What makes the trade deadline from a GM's perspective like this is it.” [17:07]

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Conclusion

In this episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of the MLB season's pivotal moments, focusing on the New York Yankees and Mets. They explore the strategic implications of the upcoming trade deadline, the historical context of New York's championship drought, and the balance between pitching and offensive strategies. Listener interactions add diverse perspectives, highlighting the community's engagement with the team's performance. The episode underscores the high stakes as the season progresses, with every game now carrying significant weight towards playoff aspirations.

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For those who haven't listened to the episode, this summary encapsulates the core discussions and insights, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of New York baseball and the strategic considerations for the remainder of the season.

Transcript

[Don LaGreca]

After Zoomies at the dog park, it's time for Drive up at Target. In goes a big bag of kibble and one squeaky chicken toy for the good boy. Drive up. That's ready when you are. Only in the Target app, just tap Target.

[Alan Hahn]

Don.

[Don LaGreca]

You know what? Maybe they can go pee on each other. That'd be great.

[Alan Hahn]

Han, there's a lot of women out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There that want you.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan and Rosenberg.

[Don LaGreca]

Give me the porn. For God's sake. This isn't North Dakota, this is New York.

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg threesome I've ever heard on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app.

[Don LaGreca]

3 o' clock at the big city. Don, Han and Rosenberg take up until 6:30. Yes, for the first time this week we take up till 6:30 because baseball's back. Mets and the Reds over at Citi Field. The Yankees drew down in Atlanta to take on the Braves. I feel like I just talked to you, Alan. How are you?

[Alan Hahn]

Good. That was a good warm up though. A little good bullpen sesh, right? That felt good. We had a couple of things out there that we, we threw out there. I, I, I know, I always like to throw curveballs to you and what makes you great is that you're always ready for them because I know we were doing a little Mets, Yankees and all that stuff. And then I just, I said to you about how this is literally from here on in the rest of this calendar year. This is the rest of the sports year right here. There's no more lulls, there's no more breaking the action. There's no more. What are we watching tonight? There's nothing on. Oh no. Every night there's going to be something. And then the new leagues begin. From the NFL to the NHL to the NBA all the way through. And the drought continues in New York. And we continue to wonder who's the team that's going to finally put a stop, put an end to the Big Four drought. No NBA, NHL, NFL or Major League Baseball championship since 2011 when the Giants won the Super Bowl. That's it. Who is going to be the team that finally puts an end to what? I think I haven't done the research, but Don, when you think about, I think this has got to be the longest this market has ever gone without a championship. When I say market, I include the Devils and Islanders.

[Don LaGreca]

It's unreal because the Yankees won championships through the 20s and the 30s. A little bit of a lull in the 40s, but right back at it in the 50s and early 60s, and then the Mets won in 69. And then we saw the Yankees win in 77 and 78. And then in the 80s, the Islanders won four straight. Took us up to the Mets and the Giants and those championships. Giants in the 90s, Yankees in the late 90s. No. So it doesn't take a lot. This is the longest. And we've had more teams than ever before because back then you had the three baseball teams, one football team for a while, right. And you had, you know, the one hockey team and one basketball team. And now we've got nine teams representing all four of the major sports. And we've had. We've hit a lull. And now you look at these baseball teams, and they're up. They're up now because they're both playoff teams. I think I would be completely floored if we don't. If the Mets and the Yankees aren't both in the playoffs. Question is, is it wild card? Is it division? You know, will they have to navigate through the wild card round even if they win the division, which is a possibility for the Mets, even if they do win the east, as it stands right now, the Cubs and the Dodgers have a better record than Philadelphia. So if the season ended today, Philly would have to go through the wild card round. So a lot's going to have to be decided. But now it begins. And every night the games are going to get important. And for a long time we were able to say, well, it's early, it's early, but it's not early anymore. The deadline is less than two weeks away and it's on. You know, maybe not to the point where we're scoreboard watching, but caring about what our team does. And it's for real now. It is for real. We're in the second half of July. Trade deadlines right around the corner. Let's go.

[Alan Hahn]

How much are you scoreboard watching?

[Don LaGreca]

I do.

[Alan Hahn]

You're big on that and I'm not. So how much are you dialed in now, now that we're in late July, now that. Especially once we get to next week past the trade deadline. And you know, okay, these are the pieces that they got. This is the moves they made. Whatever it is, we can assess now what the rosters really look like. And we're going to break all that stuff down. I gave you some homework. I hope you did it, because between the two of us, I think we can set up what we want to see from these two teams. And John Heyman is going to join us at 4 to tell us why we're wrong. But I wonder how much your concern because for you, winning the division is a much bigger deal than I think for me and the Yankees, even though I do think they should win the division. But how much are you going to right out of the gate just keep an eye on what are the Phillies doing and what other teams are doing?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, I mean, don't you have to. Because as much value as you place a win and loss for your team, don't you judge it based on what the other team did? All right, so let's say the Mets win tonight. You feel good. Mets won, Yankees won. But you'll feel even better about it if the Phillies and Blue Jays lost. And, and now you, the Yankees pick up a game on the Blue Jays and the Mets now move back in the first place. Why wouldn't I pay attention to that? And the same for the locals if they lose.

[Alan Hahn]

Just talk to me about the Mets, though. Just, just. I'm going to tell you to leave my team out of it. That's what I'm going to say to you and I'm going to say that with, and I don't mean that disrespectfully because I think the case that you made that stuck with me. The case that you've made about the National League and how much harder it is to the path because you've got a good, really good Cubs team because you've got the Dodgers who are a juggernaut. The Padres are a good team no matter what Phillies are. You know, that thorn in your side kind of team and arrival and you know, you spit on the ground. When you think about it, there's a lot riding on avoiding the wild card, a lot for your team. So that's why I'm asking like I think because you've also convinced me with the American League that it's even, even, even what the Yankees went through in June, the June swoon that we've seen a lot of, that should not affect them. They will make the playoffs. Now it's a matter of did you make it a little bit harder for yourself or not? But you're not afraid of anybody in the American League. A Detroit team, that's good. But for the Mets, you're, you've got me convinced they're two and a half. What are they. I'm sorry, a half game out right now of the, of the, of the lead in the division. You are right there. It's a virtual tie. It's one game in the lost column and you'll play them again. As we know, you got to win this division. Like that has to be the mission. Win the division.

[Don LaGreca]

No question. And I think it's important for everybody and also for the Mets too, isn't maybe enough to win the division. If you want to avoid the wild card, you got to pay attention to what the Cubs and the Dodgers are doing because you want to make sure that you finish in the top two seeds so that you don't have to play that best of three in the wild card the way that third division winner is going to have to do it. And right now with Philadelphia being in first place, they would still have to go through the wild card, although they would be doing it at home. But when you look at a loss, all right, it bothers you. You're not going to win every game. But don't you feel better as a fan if the team you're chasing after also lost? Yeah, you kick yourself that you didn't gain the game. But it's like, all right, we lost, but since so today. So back to square one.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I would. If I lost and a team that I was chasing lost, would I feel better about the loss? I feel worse because then I'd be like, damn it. But that's an opportunity.

[Don LaGreca]

Right? I understand that. No, but yeah, but it's still worse if they win and you lose naturally. Right. So it's all about degrees. Right. It's not enough to just say we won the game. Now you want to look over and say, all right, what if Philadelphia do if you're a Yankee fan, what did the Blue Jays do? And then you kind of evaluate. Yes, it's nice. We won and all. It was awesome. The Blue Jays lost, we gained a game. The, the Phillies lost, we gained a game. Yeah, you kick yourself if they both lose because you missed an opportunity to move up.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no doubt.

[Don LaGreca]

But they're still the different degrees. That's why you always take a look. Especially when you get later in the season and then you got the Yankees are playing the Blue Jays coming up after the series against the Braves and.

[Alan Hahn]

It looks like they're setting up for them.

[Don LaGreca]

We want to straighten all that out too at the end of the case show the Yankees are going with Hamilton an opener tonight. Rodon did pitch an inning 18 pitches on the all star game on Tuesday. Now he would be luck. Now listen, forgot about that. It would probably be his throw day anyway. He could definitely go and even if he pitched a complete game shutout on Tuesday, he'd still be available to pitch On Sunday. Right. So there their problem is there we're going to find out when we talk. Boone speaks about why they're going with the opener instead of going with Free to Rodon. The other speculation would be that they just want to have their rotation set up for the Blue Jay series coming up next week. So having Freed and Rodon. But I also don't love sacrificing games and having, you know, the Braves are under.500 team and they have not been good. But they're still a team that needs to be respected. They do have talent, you know, and you don't want to throw away games. But I, maybe that's probably the logic Allen, after thinking about it that maybe they just want to set up the rotation for the games that are more meaningful because those are, those are two worth two games. Right. When they play, you're chasing after.

[Alan Hahn]

So think about it. Especially that team, you know, they swept you. Yeah, they had a lot to say about it. You know, that's, that, that's, that's more than likely a scenario and it does also show you that it's not too early. And I guess the reason why I'm, I'm, I'm needling you a little bit here is because I had to wait a half a season to finally feel like, can I now go get game to game? Can I go game to game now?

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, like as a fan like you, you know, you do live and die and I, you know, again I follow Yankees Twitter I during games I'll check on how take the temperature of the fan base kind of stuff and the game, the game thing is real with so many of these fans, the frustration and I told you it's not necessarily the loss. It's what it looks like and I've, I maintain that it's what it looks like and if I, if you're losing but it's like, nah, you know, that's just a baseball loss. That's just a loss going to have not oh my God like you know, kicking the ball around again and making mistakes or not getting any bullpen. Like that's the kind of stuff that really drives you crazy and game to game get you frustrated. But now game to game matters. I think it does this, this J Series when they get to it, you don't look ahead but still, you know it's coming. That J Series has got some, it's got some juice in it because you got swept because they overtook you for the division. And here's your opportunity to take it back and make them chase you again. Let them know whatever that was. Enjoy the five days you had in first place because we're taking it back and you're gonna be chasing us again.

[Don LaGreca]

And also, not just that. There's only so many games before you get to July 31st. So this is the evaluation portion of things. And if, if you're losing, if you're not looking good, it might up the ante. Now we got to do something. But maybe if the team catches fire and everything looks good, you're. You're less apt to do it. So there's enough of a sample size here between today, July 18, and July 31 to say, all right, guys, what are we. Are we good enough or not? What kind of deal do we need to make? And I think how these two teams play is going to determine that. And I still think the Mets need bullpen help. And we'll get into that coming up in the next segment. And of course, when we talk to John Hayman at 4:00'. Clock. But I do think both of these teams are going to make deals, Alan. But they're evaluating day to day, not just about the standings, but. All right, what exactly are we going to need? And I think if all of a sudden third base becomes a black hole again over the next couple of weeks and or somebody gets hurt, well, then that's going to change everything for the Mets. If their bullpen continues to struggle, that could change everything. If there's another injury to the starting rotation, if they continue to struggle offensively where it's just about the top four in the order and nobody else hits, that'll all be determined over the next couple of days. So, yeah, it's on, man. It's on from the standings and it's also on from the evaluation of what are these teams going to do at the end of the month.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's go.

[Don LaGreca]

1-800-919-3776. What are you thinking? Let's start it off with Moose in Jamaica. You're on espn, New York. What's up, Moose?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's going on, fellas? How are we?

[Don LaGreca]

Good, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cool. Cool. Finally, baseball's back. We got something other than a CEO cheating on his wife to talk about.

[Alan Hahn]

Honestly, I have.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, I think. Have we. Have we maximized that story yet? Like, are we. Are we through it yet or are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We still personal stories? Not to interrupt. I have personal stories of married women coming on to me, but they're not safe for the radio. I'll leave it at that.

[Alan Hahn]

I saw about that the Best line I saw about that was that Coldplay hasn't put out a hit single in like 20 years and they just put out two singles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lord have mercy. Oh my goodness. Anyway, so yeah, my whole thing, first things first, the ick is really like besides third, I, I, I don't even think third base is that like pressing of an issue compared to another bonafide starter? Because going into a seven game, a five game or a seven game series with two bonafide starters and MAD doesn't mean you're going to win the series. So I think we need another ace. More than a third.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know if you get an ace, Moose. I don't know if you get it, but I mean, I don't know if it's an ace, but I still think, you know, Zach Allen is Seth Lugo, you know, there are some names there that you could look at and say, you know, can, can that, can he provide, you know, that, that, you know, third or fourth role. Like I think Will Warren has done a nice job, but do you trust Will Warren in a playoff game? You're not getting that far anyway, right down the rotation in the playoff series, you're never getting that far. But I think if you're looking for one more, that's kind of what you Let me look Marcus Stroman, I, if, does he finish the season on the roster? You know, like is that where you're going or are you going to try to get somebody else to be a star?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean not on the postseason roster like last year, but.

[Alan Hahn]

I know, I know, I know.

[Don LaGreca]

But Moose, they're not getting an ace because they've got Freed and Rodon. Those are going to be your 2. You're probably not getting a pitcher that's going to be better than those two guys. Game one, game two of a series. Right, but what you want, I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Know, Zach Gallen, Meryl Kelly, that I pitch in the World Series. Phenomenal. I call Arizona about them more than Suarez and swinging.

[Alan Hahn]

You saw Gallon early in the year. He was good.

[Don LaGreca]

No, listen, Gallon's good and we'll see how Rodon pitches between now and, and the deadline. And Moose, thank you for the phone call, but I, the Yankees are not going to be giving up a big time prospect for an ace because I don't think they look at needing an ace. Cashman's going to go a lower rung to get maybe a third or fourth starter so he doesn't have to pitch Stroman in the postseason. Doesn't have to pitch Warren in the postseason if he doesn't have to, because let's face it, you're not going to need four starters until you get to the league Championship Series or the World Series, right? So that, that's what he's going to be looking for. And the same thing with third base. Listen, if he's willing to give up the farm, he'll get Suarez, but I don't think he wants to do that.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, to Jones, that's.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, he's not giving up everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

That's where it starts.

[Don LaGreca]

But I think. But if you want to get Suarez to play third base, that's what it's going to probably cost you, at least right now. So I don't think he's got an appetite to do that. So I think he'd rather keep it the way it is now and not do that than to go out and get Suarez. And he's not going to go out and give a ton for a guy that's going to be a game one, game two starter. He's got that. So he's going to look for a lower rung starter that can pitch in a game three or a game four for them if need be. And that, and that's the way he. And that's the best way to do it. Matt's same thing. So I don't think you're going to see Cindy that kind of a splash. Let's go to Griffin in Connecticut. You're on espn, New York. What's up, Griffin?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, guys. By the way, to that guy, third base is definitely a need. I'm sorry. I'm not going to the postseason with a guy batting 150. I'm. I can't go into postseason getting nothing from third base. Literally nothing offensively from third base. Praza's only batting 150. He can't be my short. He can't be my third baseman in the playoffs. No, it can't happen because if I'm not getting, if I'm not getting production from Volpe, I definitely cannot get production out of third. If I don't get any production out of third and short, what then? Then next, then I'm not going to score. I don't get a Carol how well Max Freed and Rodon pitches. I need offense out of my lineup. I need offense from third base. I can't have a 153rd base hitter.

[Alan Hahn]

And that's why they're going to look for somebody. I don't, I don't, I don't know if Suarez is too expensive. You find someone else. There's other options, of course. You know, you got to look at the team that you know are out. Colorado, you know is out. Right. Ryan McMahon. I mean, there's certain names you can see there. Are they going to really move the needle? They might not, but Cashman's a. We've seen Cashmen do this where there's the big fish. And he'll say, that's too expensive. But I can get someone who's not as good, but good enough on a discount. And that's why, you know, you look at. You look at a name like that.

[Don LaGreca]

And Griffin, I understand you don't want to go in with a guy batting.150, but if he's giving you a plus defense and you get the production you're supposed to out of everybody else, you can survive that. You can now. And Volpe's not a butcher. I mean, the guy can. The guy can hit. He's not hitting the way you want him to, but he's got some pop. You know, Jazz is great at second. Goldschmidt's been good at at first base. You're going to get production out of your outfield. Don't forget about defense. Defense is important, man. Yeah, I don't know. Didn't we.

[Alan Hahn]

Didn't we learn that in the World Series?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, so. And don't you think the Yankees have enough bats that if they had one or two guys that aren't amazing offensively, but they're really good defensively, that you can live with that? The problem, I think, more with Volpe is, is that he does have a tendency to kick the ball around a little bit, which makes it even worse when he doesn't hit. But if Peraza is your one hole in the lineup, but he doesn't make any errors, and he makes every play at third base, you should have enough bats to live with that, Allen.

[Alan Hahn]

But you should. But, you know, that's not their mentality. You know, that's not their mentality. They.

[Don LaGreca]

Maybe it should be.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, look, but what they should do are things that we could fill up four hours with just that alone. But. But we know that they value offense, and they value that over even defense. They value the fact that can a guy hit home runs can. You know, like, they aren't going to look for a plus defender. They're going to look for a plus hitter that can defend, right?

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

They're not going to just say, well, well, this guy's so good with the glove that we'll live with the fact that he's, you know, he's a soft hitter. They don't want that in their lineup.

[Don LaGreca]

But the days of the dynasty, when they won four championships in five years, we had an All Star at every position. They're kind of gone now.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

So.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you're right.

[Don LaGreca]

And.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, no, no, the Dodgers. The Dodgers feel like they have an All Star every position.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, they feel like that. So go. But if you're not will. But they are willing to spend a little bit more than the Yankees, and they seem to be also willing sometimes to give up the bigger prospect to make it happen. I just think you want to value defense, especially after what happened last year. All right. Now, I'm not saying you want an automatic out, you know, but the Mets were able to win a World Series in 86 with Rafael Santana as their shortstop. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, again, I'm telling you, different era, but the.

[Don LaGreca]

But the way the game is. But still making sure you make every play and don't give up runs. We saw that last year, and it's amazing. You focus so much on the hitting and what ends up going away in the postseason anyway.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don LaGreca]

And so it's all about, you know, 2, 132 games, and it's the team that makes all the plays that wins those games. So you can care about launch angle and all the things that lead to being a great offensive team. That's great. Over 162. But I still believe come postseason time, whether it was the turn of the century or the turn of this century, you win games by situationally hitting and playing good defense. That's what's going to win you a championship. Once you get there and they kick the ball around way too much for me to start thinking that it's not important for them. So, yeah, Griff's right. 150. That's not enough. But maybe he hits here in the next couple of weeks and gives you a reason to believe that maybe he can be their third baseman. Let's go to Tessa in West Caldwell. You're on espn, New York. What's up, Tessa?

[D]

Hey, guys. Working crazy. I missed y', all, but, you know, I'll still be listening, but I'm back, but thank you. I'm. But honestly speaking, like, I feel like ever since you and I've been holding my breath watching Yankees, like, I hold my breath until the end of the game because I just never know if we're gonna blow a save, we're gonna lose. So it's just Been kind of torture for me. I feel like we're decimated with injuries. I feel like the pitcher situation is just terrible right now. But I do feel like prospects, because I've just been watching a little bit. I do feel like the prospects, like Ben Hess, Bryce Cunningham, you know, they might be able to fit in, but I don't want to make a big splash. I don't want to just, like, give up the whole bank to go get a picture from another team. But I do feel like it's time to just start, like, kicking the can, start bringing these guys up, getting them some, you know, real life experience inside the major league. So then if we need them, because nobody wants Marcus Stroham in the postseason, we gonna make it there. But it's like, are we gonna have the longevity to make it how we made it last year to the World Series? But right now with our pitching, I don't even know if we can make it out of the first round. Like, I really don't because it's just. It's just unpredictable. It's really unpredictable. Like, I really am scared sometimes when I watch games, like, oh, my God, we're up by four, you know, and it's the eighth inning, and then, you know, you turn around and we lose. Like, I don't know. It's just been a lot. Like, I'm depressed with the Yankees lately. But what do you guys think about those two prospects?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I. I'll say this. I mean, Cam Schlitler definitely earned another star, didn't he?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. Like, that's one that I would say I want to see a little more. Because it's not just, you know, it's. It's what he threw more than it was how he threw it. He had confidence, but he's got stuff that, you know, like. Like, it's electric. You know, it is. So you want to see that again? But I don't. I don't think starting pitching is the Yankees issue. I. I think it's, once again, bullpen. They've got injuries in their bullpen that is hurting them. They've got to make sure that they've got the kind of guys that can come in and put out the fire, so to speak. The old. The old way they used to say.

[D]

It, but what if we can't depend on the starting pitcher sometime? Like Rodan, we just never.

[Alan Hahn]

Been.

[Don LaGreca]

He's been.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, he has moments where he'll give up a home run early. Usually with Rodon, it's. It's the first.

[D]

What about Freed, though. Like, I don't know what I'm gonna do with him right now. Like, he was on freaking fire, and I just don't even know what we gonna get when he on the mound now.

[Don LaGreca]

Tessa, I love you. You know I love you. I defend you with Peter. I side with you instead of Peter. Of course, there's no world in which there isn't going to be some concern. I mean, that's just. That's part of being a sports fan. I mean, you can't have guarantees at every position.

[D]

Every season we go into this, like, every season we have a big blow with pitching in spring camp, and then something happens with a big block. I feel like the past couple of season guys, we've been dealing with that. So I'm used to. Sometimes it does make my stomach ache. Like, I just feel like every season we've been dealing with this.

[Don LaGreca]

Tessa, the Dodgers lost almost their entire rotation last year, and still they found a way to be able to fight through it. I mean, you're going to have injuries, you're going to have guys they're going to underachieve. You're going to be carrying guys that shouldn't be there anymore. Take a look around the league. It's no different. But sometimes I think, Alan, like these Yankee fans, or fans in general just want to guarantee at every position, you're not going to have it. You're gonna have stuff to worry about, stuff to concern yourself with everybody. There's not a perfect team out.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, but you're done. The older fans are used to it. You're just used to that. You're used to the fact that you could look at every position. Look, we always do this.

[Don LaGreca]

It's like, tired of that.

[Alan Hahn]

I know you're tired of it.

[Don LaGreca]

25 years since the Yankees have had a lock at every position.

[Alan Hahn]

That is Right.

[Don LaGreca]

A quarter century.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, let's not make it like it was yesterday.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, no, no, no, no, no. That 09 team was the best team.

[Don LaGreca]

They were a good team.

[Alan Hahn]

They spent a ton of money on it. But you had got you two starters.

[Don LaGreca]

But you had concerns about whether Alex Rodriguez was ever going to hit in the postseason. Like, there's always things to be a little bit concerned about. And even 2009, that's. That's 15 years ago going on 16 years ago.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's kind of where that's the last time you felt like, man, it's.

[Don LaGreca]

A really good parody. There's a reason why we haven't had a Repeat champion in 25 years.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Don, but that's. Being a fan is part of being a fan is the anxiety of it is what are my concerns. I told you, when you watch, I don't like what it looks like. And that's part of my anxiety of watching the Yankees because like, there's things you look and you're like, yeah, that's a really good team. They're just a good team. And there's a lot of times where you look at the Yankees and you say, man, they should be better than this.

[Don LaGreca]

But nothing, no trade, nothing's going to take the anxiety away. That's, that is a fan. Because nothing's guaranteed. You're nervous, you're rocking back and forth, you're at the edge of your seat every postseason.

[Alan Hahn]

Isn't a general manager doing the same thing? How many general managers have you ever like? You know a lot of GMs, right? I know a ton of GMs and different sports and they all, they don't realize it, but when they watch games, they have the same feeling a fan does because they feel it's out of my control now. It's out of my control. They, they have to come through and there's nothing they can do about it. Because a coach, he's in the game, he's coaching, he's making moves like he's not as, as nervous because as a gm, you're helpless. I built this team and I'm hoping it's good enough. These guys have to play up to their potential and if they don't, I look like an idiot. And you, and you're a fan, you kind of feel the same way. So the anxiety is there for everybody. That's why what makes the trade deadline from a GM's perspective like this is it. Like this is cash's last chance for this year's roster to just tweak what he can to finally put an end to the drought.

[Don LaGreca]

1-800-919-3776 more of your calls. We've got fraud alert Friday at 4:30 and at 6. The Mets baseball at 6:30. Don Hannah Rosenberg on ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey everybody. A great defense by the way, as we were just talking about defense. He can win you championships. It's also important for your business. And the truth is, one third of businesses will unwittingly turn over their sensitive company data to thieves this year in an instant. Your customer files, bank accounts, everything is compromised. And you won't know until the million dollar ransom demand hits your email. Preventing data turnovers is why your business needs Thrive, the leading managed security services provider in the US. Now it all starts with a comprehensive Thrive Cyber risk assessment. Thrive security analysts identify security gaps and deliver proactive solutions to help keep your network healthy and protected. Listen, it's not a matter of if, it's when. Are you ready? Get your no obligation security recommendations and consultation. Your business relies on it. Visit thrive next gen.com ESPN that's thrive nextgen.com ESPN this is an ad by BetterHelp.

[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

1-800-Contacts.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Don LaGreca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don LaGreca]

Now, time for the weekend weather brought to you by Wild Fork Foods. Tomorrow, cloudy with a high of 82 and Sunday thunderstorms with a high of 91. That was the weekend weather report brought to you by Wild Fork Foods. Wild Fork Foods is your grill season. Go to. With over 450 meats and seafoods. Blast frozen for peak. Blast frozen for peak flavor. Visit in store or order same day delivery at Wild Fork foods dot com. You know, you're talking one of the.

[Alan Hahn]

Great album covers we've ever seen. I think Janet. That's the Way Love Goes was playing in the background there. That's Janet Jackson. Right? That. You know the album cover I'm talking about, right? I think every. Every male that was alive at the time saw that album cover.

[Don LaGreca]

No, if it's the one I'm thinking of, I guess that's. That's what you're talking about.

[Alan Hahn]

She's topless, but there's hands covered.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And they're not her hands. Right.

[Don LaGreca]

If you wanted to see her topless, you need to watch Super Bowl.

[Alan Hahn]

Not quite.

[Don LaGreca]

But not quite.

[Alan Hahn]

But, you know, but I mean, come on, we've seen great album covers. That's an iconic album cover, yes or no?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, of course.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not going to fight me on that, right?

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. Would you argue with me with that? Oh, come on. Iconic. Top five album covers of all time. That one.

[Don LaGreca]

Iconic, yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Top five. I don't know. What, you got something better?

[Don LaGreca]

Better than that?

[Alan Hahn]

No. Off the top of my head, no. But artistically, ones that stood out to me. Yeah. There's probably other album covers that I like more than that. That you like more than that. I don't know.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay, well, stay tuned. Wednesday, maybe. That'll be our list.

[Alan Hahn]

It should be. There was an Herb Albert album cover that. The only reason why I remember it is because I was a. I was a young kid and my dad. My dad had like a couple of these albums.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. My parents.

[Alan Hahn]

One was a woman who was just basically covered in whipped cream. That's it.

[Don LaGreca]

Everybody, like very, like everybody's parents had that album.

[Alan Hahn]

You think so? Everybody had that album. What was it called?

[Don LaGreca]

If you said it, I would know it. Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I'm trying to find it now because I'd send it to you because I'm telling you that I, I don't know if I was 6, 7 years old, but I saw that album.

[Don LaGreca]

I was like, yo, yeah, that was like from like 64 or 6005, like mid-60s. The latest. Oh, it's going to bother me. The name of the album.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, there it is. Whipped Cream and Other Delights.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, the other delights in the Whipped Cream.

[Alan Hahn]

Sorry to sidetrack.

[Don LaGreca]

No offense to the music, but listen, my. My parents weren't, like, huge music lovers, but they even had that. So there must have been something in that time where that was just the album to get more so than just the album cover, I guess.

[Alan Hahn]

I guess so. That must have been a very popular album cover. But I will share this just so whoever's listening can say, okay, now I know what you're talking about.

[Don LaGreca]

But just imagine, Herb Albert's the open to our show. Right. But that's much later. Herb Albert.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

And. And the other big Herb Albert song. This guy. This Guy's in Love. I love that song. That's not on that album.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, wow.

[Don LaGreca]

So. But it's. Yeah. And they even. There was even. Do you remember the Big Lebowski?

[Alan Hahn]

Of course.

[Don LaGreca]

When. When the dude is flipping through the albums to find Autobond, which was the band that. That the people that fake abducted the girl were. Were originally in with Flea and all that. When he flips through the albums, that album is in there.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, really?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

That's tremendous. So, yeah, it's.

[Don LaGreca]

So It's a. That.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't realize that was as iconic as. Oh, yeah. I just remember. It just hit as a kid. I remember when. When the JANET album came out. Now we're really off track. I'm sorry. That's when the JANET album came out. I got the CD and I looked at the COVID The first thing I thought of was, oh, man, I remember that album that my dad had.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And it's like this. But not. Anyway, down.

[Don LaGreca]

We'll tweet it out for.

[Alan Hahn]

I got it for. I got. I'm trying to like. Yeah, there it is. Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, let's get Back to the phones. 109-19-3776. Dave's in Westchester. You're on ESPN, New York. What's up, Dave?

[Peter Rosenberg]

How both of you guys doing? I'm a big Yankee fan. I'm a little concerned. I talked to you guys before and told you I could put a bet they'd make the World Series, but The Astros are 16 games over.500. That's the only team I do not want to play. I don't care who's in their uniform.

[Alan Hahn]

Say, why you want me to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why did the Met. Why did the Braves always beat the Met? I don't know why. I can't give you an answer.

[Don LaGreca]

Why.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just put the uniform, put an astro uniform on 10 guys from the street. The Yankees lose. But here's my point. This is my point.

[Alan Hahn]

That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Michael K. Talks about George Lombard Jr. This is never gonna happen. I'm just making something up out of the blue. It's not gonna happen. Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, go ahead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you guys, you guys saw the verdict when the guy said this is the case. There are no other cases but this. This is the case. This is the year for the Yank. If George Lombard Jr. And you put a whole bunch of mind leaguers together, give him chisholm. Does Paul Schemes come to us guarantee a World Series?

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nothing in the world is guaranteed. I'm not guaranteed to live. Tomorrow I get hit by a bus. But the Yankees wouldn't even do that. I don't trust Rodan. I don't trust him playing against the Astros game too. Okay, we go school against, against Freed. I think if the Yankees hit, if, if this guy Judge who, who Don McGregor thinks is better than Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter and everybody else in the world comes up and does what he's supposed to do, we beat Detroit. Okay? If he doesn't show up and he's a bum like he always is in the playoffs, we lose. So I'm. I'm considering him. He's going to play well. We'll beat Detroit. I'm afraid of Houston. I would love to see if we could put a package together and get a real, real guy. I put a package together for Paul Schemes. I give George Lombard Jr. Who's only in Double A. He's not Jeter.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. They're not moving Schemes.

[Don LaGreca]

Paul Schemes is not available. He will be at some point.

[Alan Hahn]

At some point. And it'll be in the offseason. It will not be in season.

[Don LaGreca]

Why would they do it now? They don't have to pay him right away. They'll eventually have to part ways with him. That's the problem with baseball is that there'll be a point where Pittsburgh is not going to be able to keep him.

[Alan Hahn]

No. And there'll be a time where he'll want out of there because he'll know I can't win here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's going to want to win.

[Alan Hahn]

These numbers already show you that he can't win in here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If we, if they did that, do the Yankees have a 100,000 times better chance of winning the World Series than they do right now?

[Don LaGreca]

Because I hears and thank you for the phone call here's. The thing. I don't know if Paul Skeens is going to be able to handle the spotlight of New York pitching in a big playoff series. He's been great and he started back to back All Star games. Looks like he's going to be a huge stud pitcher. But I don't know. Again, it's another one of those things where you want guarantees everywhere. Even though he admitted, I understand you can't guarantee, but you can't always upgrade every position just to make yourself feel better. You're gonna feel anxiety no matter what. If they were able to cure Cole Tomorrow, if Mr. Miyagi came in, rubbed his hands together and cured Cole of his Tommy John, you'd be still nervous. Cause you know why I know that? Because when he was healthy, you were nervous. When Cole pitched in the post season, because you're going to be nervous, man. The 86 Mets won 108 games. I was nervous going into the postseason. Rightly so. They almost blew it against the Astros, almost blew it against the Red Sox. Nothing's guaranteed. Weren't the Yankees down to one to Cleveland in 98 when they won 114 games in the regular season?

[Alan Hahn]

That's true.

[Don LaGreca]

They were a bad hop, bad bounce, bad game away from being done.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don LaGreca]

So you're never going to feel it. The friggin Patriots were perfect. Got people the Giants in the Super Bowl. Sorry, man. There's no such thing as a guarantee. You're going to pace back and forth. You're going to worry. Your stomach's going to be in your throat every pitch of the postseason, no matter who you trade for. I'm not going to be trading Lombard, who's the future of your infield. Well, you would if a slight improvement to Rodon because you're nervous pitching game two.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know if it was slight improvement. He said to like sell the farm for Paul Skeens. That's what he said. That's a different story. But now again, it's. There's no way. No, no, that was. That was. That's. That's an afternoon delight that. That's does. That's a post lunch, you know, light one up, take a few puffs, feel good about the rest of your day and let me call into a show and talk about some fantasy baseball. There's not happening. We know it's not happening. All right? But that's what he was saying. That's the stuff that doesn't. I don't even think that cures the anxiety it doesn't, but let me.

[Don LaGreca]

This team is flawed.

[Alan Hahn]

They've just got to get less flawed. But they're going to be flawed. Everybody's flawed, though. What we've learned this season in baseball is every team is flawed. What you have to just become at the trade deadline is less flawless, flawed.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay, but, but, but I'm sorry, I'm not going to be able to take your anxiety away. No, another thing he said that I found interesting is that, like, why, why do they have to win this year? Remember last year's. Well, you got to win this year. You might lose. Soto. Well, they didn't win.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And now you fast forward to next year. They pivoted very well. They're in contention again. The Yankees are always going to find their way to be in contention. You know why? Because they don't make moves like the last caller wants to make. Selling the farm for players. And then you sell the farm. And in two years from now, Skeens has to have Tommy John. You've got nobody to replace him because you traded everybody away and. And you lose 100 games. The Yankees don't play that game. All right? They never. Yeah, I wish sometimes there'd be more of a sense of urgency and the whole I want championships instead of championship thing. But at the same time, you can't overreact and try to be perfect at every position and be all in on one year. And then if you don't win, or even if you do, you stink for the next decade because the cupboards bare. You can't. General managers can't do that. At least the good ones.

[Alan Hahn]

Mm. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.

[Don LaGreca]

With the price of just about everything.

[Alan Hahn]

Going up, we thought we'd bring our prices down. So to help us, we brought in a reverse auctioneer, which is apparently a thing. Mint Mobile Unlimited premium Wireless. I better get 30. 30. Better get 30. Get 20.

[Don LaGreca]

20, 20.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

Better than water so you can lose.

[Alan Hahn]

More sweat and raise your gain. Gatorade, is it you?

[Don LaGreca]

The McDonald's snack wrap is back. You brought it back. Ranch snack wrap. Spicy snack wrap. You broke the Internet for a snack? Snack Wrap is back.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don LaGreca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. It's really good. I did not know.

[Don LaGreca]

You see this? One of the rare songs he. That there's singing.

[Alan Hahn]

Because why did I think this was Burton Bacharach?

[Don LaGreca]

Probably written by Bert.

[Alan Hahn]

You think Bert wrote this?

[Don LaGreca]

I think so.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, now who's singing?

[Don LaGreca]

I think it's her.

[Alan Hahn]

So Bert did. Right. But her herb singing this.

[Don LaGreca]

I loved. I love this song.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you really? You know, I didn't say I didn't. I'm just. I'm. You know what? You guys talk about me and how eclectic I am, and Peter calls me weird for. For. But your range might be wider than mine because you go from death metal.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

To this. That's. Those are extremes, my man.

[Don LaGreca]

I know.

[Alan Hahn]

And I respect. I don't know. I respect the hell out of it, but it's like, that's an incredible contrast. Like, if you did all of the music you love and put it on. On one playlist and ran it on a mix, you could have a Judas Priest song followed by this song.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And you'd be in your glory.

[Don LaGreca]

I love it. I'm very eclectic. Very eclectic now. I don't know. Speaking of being off, you know, in the distance with this, are you familiar with the band Faith no More?

[Alan Hahn]

Of course.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay, well, Mike Patton from Faith no More covers this song.

[Alan Hahn]

Stop it.

[Don LaGreca]

And let's see if Jacob can find it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, there's a challenge.

[Don LaGreca]

Mike Patton, the Faith no More, that song, and it's freaking awesome.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you know the. The COVID Faith no More covered Easy. The Commodores. Yes. Oh, my God. Is that so good?

[Don LaGreca]

I. I think he did. I think he did a whole album of covers where both of those songs are on it.

[Alan Hahn]

And now I got to find that album.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, it's really cool. That's. You never know where this show's gonna.

[Alan Hahn]

Go, but it's a Friday show, everybody. You know what Friday is?

[Don LaGreca]

Summer.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, we're doing God, It's.

[Don LaGreca]

It's. It's nutty. It's like the. It's a. To show you how nutty my analogy is going to be. It's like the Monkeys movie head. You ever see that movie? It's an acid trip. That's kind of like what our show is on Fridays in the summer. It's like you dropped acid. You don't know what's gonna happen, so come drop acid with us. I know for our audience it's mostly weed. You know, maybe just experiment a little bit more on some other things. Let's go to Joey Montclair. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Joey?

[Alan Hahn]

Don Hahn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How are you guys? Thank you for having me. Me on.

[Alan Hahn]

We're good.

[Don LaGreca]

No problem, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not ready to call this. Thank you. I'm not ready to call this necessarily fraud, but I am getting a little irritated with the stupidity. I'm a Yankee fan and I really just can't understand how my other Yankee fans in one hand are calling for Brian Cashman's job. Yankees don't win. They don't do this. But then you want to empty out the farm system for Paul schemes. Now, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's not the pitching that was the Yankees out of the playoffs every year. It's we're not getting timely hits. Aaron Judge becomes anemic, and I am one of those fans old enough to remember the dynasty. I remember Louis soho, Jose Vizcaino.

[E]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We need role players, solid defense, timely hitting. Pitching has not been the problem. We don't lose. We have Garrett Cole. We have the rookie of the year. If pitching was going to win the World Series, we would have five or six wins in the last 10 years. We do not hit in the playoffs. We need solid ball players. There's a glaring hole at third base and we need both. Well, so I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

I would like.

[Don LaGreca]

You're not wrong, Joey, but it's not just the Yankee fans. It's the Yankees. You brought up Cole. They went out and got Cole because they felt like we're not hitting in the postseason. So let's out pitch the other team. Like, they keep making changes. When you look at the Yankees from the 2009 championship to now, think about how much has changed offensively and yet it seems like it's the same problem. So is it a problem or it's like, yeah, it's really tough to hit in the postseason, so let's just pitch better than the other team. That's. That's the philosophy, right, Allen? Look at all the great pitchers they've got. You know, yeah, partially getting freed was because Cole got hurt, but they're probably going to go get freed anyway with the money that they had. Their answer has always been, we can't hit in the postseason. So instead of getting a bat, let's make sure we just Pitch that much better.

[Alan Hahn]

I do think that they focus on again, they're opposite of the Mets. Starting pitching is always for them. It's always been a thing. I'll go back to 09 again. I mentioned it already. CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, like, this is what they. This is what they do when they're trying to win. That's why Roger Clemens, that's why. Why Randy Johnson, that's why Kevin Brown. Right. All. All of these types of moves are made because they do put a premium on starting pitching, which the Mets don't. But that's just always been their thing. And so that's what like the dream was to have Cole Freed, Radon. And when you think about a playoff series, that's all you're using. Those are your three. And Rodan was somebody that originally was supposed to be their number two guy. He would have ended up being their third pitcher in a series, not their second. And when you. When you look at it on face value, although I know, myself included, but a lot of fans don't trust Radon that much. He still overwhelmingly is a good pitcher. He's one of the best in the league, right? He is. He's an all star. So that's what they. They. They put a lot of emphasis on that and a closer. And then in between, they feel like those are the guys that. Interchangeable parts. You're trying to just find somebody that's got it going at that moment. And once they find him, they keep them, you know, Law Isaac. For a minute they thought they'll use him for a bit, but he's kind of lost it. You know, last year was Luke Weaver and Luke Weaver was. Was playing all kinds of roles for them. They're David Robertson, you remember him? Yeah, he was a closer. He was a setup. He was like they, they had him in different roles as well. I just think that they put a premium on starting pitching and they'll continue to do that. I believe in it. Not everybody does. I believe in it.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's go to conceded in West Philadelphia. You're on ESPN New York. West Philly, you're on ESPN New York.

[E]

Man, what's up, man? Mr. McGregor, first of all, I just want to give you your flowers. I really do. Because I don't understand why people don't give you your flowers. But I had to sit through Griffin and then Tessa bro, like, that's crazy. Like, listen, I don't hear the hit. I'm gonna get that. So I could listen live and all that. I mean, but I listen On Spotify, like, at night times, like, every day, though. I listen to your show, like, every day. But when I hear Griffin. Fast forward from the rip. Tessa says she just bothers me for some reason. And I know she bothers you, too, Don. I know you can't say that. And I heard you say, you know I love you. I'm sitting here like, he's lying. Like, him saying, like, it's crazy. And Mr. Hyde. Hold on. Listen, don't cut me off. Please, just let me cook. I'm not gonna be more than, like, a minute or something. I just want to get down his flowers. But Mr. Hunt is not. It's not that I don't like you. I think that's what it is. I think you're cool. I think you're a very nice guy. I'm just not a fan. Like, I'm saying, that's all it is. And nobody compares the dime, bro. And I'm from Philadelphia, so I know about sports radio the same as New York. Don is. I'm trying to tell you. Listen, Don is the best of all time, bro. Like, out of everybody, bro. Like, I'm not even talking about the rants and all that. I'm talking about just period. Nobody.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, listen.

[E]

I'm just saying.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, listen.

[E]

I don't want you to cut this.

[Alan Hahn]

Area, but I have to listen. At the end of the night, we have a guest coming up. At the end of the day.

[Don LaGreca]

We'Ve got John Haymon coming up next. I appreciate the love.

[Alan Hahn]

All I want to say is we all completely agree, but don't ever. Don't ever compare New York sports talk radio to Philadelphia. Don't ever say they're the same. They're not the same. And anything that sounds the same is a big mistake. This is the higher standard here in New York.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't want to critique our call. No, I'm not you. I'm just saying, even conceded you had nice things to say about me, but come on. I. Listen, Tessa, whether it's Spike, whether it's.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but look, that's fine.

[Don LaGreca]

They're all part of our family.

[Alan Hahn]

The only thing that he got me on was, like, you know, Philadelphia, New York radio is the same. Better not be.

[Don LaGreca]

What is. He.

[Alan Hahn]

Better not be.

[Don LaGreca]

He. He's going to defend his time, but I don't want to be beaten up on our family here. Everybody brings something to the table.

[Alan Hahn]

So anyway, that's the part I don't care about. But I don't. Don't. Don't tell me that New York radio is like Philadelphia radio as it shouldn't be. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Don LaGreca]

You've seen the headlines, heard the debates. Some say the three point ball has.

[Alan Hahn]

Created a monotonous rhythm to the game.

[Don LaGreca]

Has the three pointer ruined basketball? And how did we get here?

[Alan Hahn]

The rise of the three point shot.

[Don LaGreca]

Can be partially traced to an eccentric Kansas genius named Martin Manley whose story didn't turn out quite the way he imagined.

[Alan Hahn]

I decided I wanted to have one of the most organized goodbyes in history and I think I will be successful.

[Don LaGreca]

30 for 30 podcast presents a brand new original series Chasing basketball heaven, available July 22. Wherever you get your podcasts.