Hour 1: Boone Extended

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Boone Extended

Release Date: February 20, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: 880 ESPN and ESPN New York app

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1. Introduction and Show Kickoff

The episode begins with Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg reuniting to discuss the latest in New York sports and beyond. The hosts set the stage for a lively conversation filled with personal anecdotes and expert insights.

• Alan Hahn welcomes listeners, stating, "Thursday here in New York City, and we got a busy night." [00:53]
• Don La Greca adds, "We finally got some live action again with sports." [00:53]

2. Yankees Manager Aaron Boone's Contract Extension

A significant portion of the episode revolves around the Yankees' decision to extend Aaron Boone's contract by two years, securing him through the 2027 season. The hosts delve into the implications of this extension, analyzing its length, Boone's performance, and its alignment with organizational strategies.

• Don La Greca questions the short duration: "The first reaction you had when you heard that it was a two-year extension was what?" [12:24]
• Peter Rosenberg expresses surprise: "I'm surprised it wasn't three. I knew they were going to extend them two just seemed like an odd number for me." [12:24]
• Alan Hahn speculates on Boone’s compensation: "I think Boone was making a little over three." [17:12]
• Don La Greca comments on the Yankees' commitment: "Aaron Boone has a ton of wins. He has a high win percentage. Seventh, I believe, in Yankee history." [15:11]

Key Insights:

• Boone is praised for his dedication and win record, despite not having secured a World Series title.
• The two-year extension is viewed as a non-committal move, potentially making Boone more expendable.
• Discussion highlights the contrast between Boone's salary and that of NBA coaches, emphasizing a possible undervaluation of managerial roles in MLB.

3. Listener Calls on Boone's Extension

Listeners engage with the hosts, sharing their perspectives on Boone's contract and the Yankees' managerial strategies.

• Hector from Queens remarks, "This is what you've come to expect of the Yankees. There's no accountability." [21:08]
• Alan Hahn echoes the sentiment: "This doesn't feel like a long-term commitment." [18:27]

Key Takeaways:

• Audience skepticism about the Yankees' decision, emphasizing a desire for greater accountability and longer-term planning.
• Concerns about Boone's ability to lead the team to a championship continue to resonate among listeners.

4. Yankees Player Injuries and Season Outlook

The discussion shifts to recent injuries affecting key Yankees players, notably Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso, and their potential impact on the team's performance.

• Don La Greca shares updates: "Aaron Judge is not going to play this weekend. They're going to bring him along slowly." [28:21]
• Peter Rosenberg adds context: "So yeah, I think it was 172 total games, counting regular season and postseason." [29:56]

Key Points:

• Aaron Judge's limited playtime due to previous extensive use is a strategic move to preserve his health.
• Injuries are portrayed as significant yet manageable challenges for the Yankees as they navigate the season.

5. Automated Balls and Strikes in MLB

The hosts engage in a spirited debate over the introduction of automated balls and strikes technology in baseball, weighing its benefits against the traditional human element.

• Peter Rosenberg supports the technology: "I think it's yay. I mean, we're gonna miss the arguing and the complaining, the getting it wrong." [33:19]
• Don La Greca suggests alternatives: "It should not be a challenge if you had the technology to every single pitch and you let the umpire make the call." [34:46]
• Alan Hahn proposes innovative solutions: "How about you don't even tell the umpire. It could get shot directly to the big screen at the stadium." [42:18]

Insights:

• The hosts acknowledge the potential for technology to reduce human error but lament the loss of traditional game dynamics.
• Creative ideas are floated to integrate technology seamlessly without disrupting the game's flow.

6. Upcoming NHL and NBA Games

Brief mentions are made regarding upcoming NHL games with Gary Bettman and the return of the Knicks and Bulls to action, highlighting the interconnectedness of various sports within the New York sports scene.

• Don La Greca mentions: "We've got Gary Bettman who will be watching as well." [07:59]
• Peter Rosenberg notes, "Gary Bettman is the commissioner of the NHL." [07:59]

7. Humorous Banter and Personal Stories

Throughout the episode, the hosts share amusing stories and engage in light-hearted banter, adding personality and depth to the discussion.

• Don La Greca recounts a bizarre injury story: "Dustin May, he tore his esophagus eating a salad." [31:36]
• Alan Hahn jokes about lawsuits: "I'm suing the salad company. You think that's a wild salad?" [31:38]

Highlights:

• These anecdotes provide comic relief and showcase the hosts' chemistry and rapport.
• Personal stories about players and unexpected events keep the conversation engaging and relatable.

8. Closing Remarks and Future Topics

As the episode nears its end, the hosts tease upcoming segments, including an interview with Gary Bettman and further discussions on the Knicks' performance and notable NBA figures like Giannis Antetokounmpo.

• Don La Greca wraps up: "Gary Bettman at five, four nations tonight. Knicks in the NBA back in action and some very interesting stuff coming out of Milwaukee." [25:15]
• Alan Hahn adds anticipation for future discussions: "We'll get back to your calls in a moment here." [25:15]

Conclusion: The episode concludes with a promise of continued in-depth analysis and interactive segments, maintaining listener interest for future episodes.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I gotta divorce my wife and have my kids bleed out because the Giant game's on." – Peter Rosenberg [00:30]
• "Oh, hell yeah." – Don La Greca [02:21]
• "Aaron Boone has a ton of wins. He has a high win percentage." – Don La Greca [15:11]
• "I'm surprised it wasn't three." – Peter Rosenberg [12:24]
• "They know what they think about managers and the level of value that they hold." – Alan Hahn [39:26]
• "Dustin May, he tore his esophagus eating a salad." – Peter Rosenberg [31:36]

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Key Takeaways

• Aaron Boone's Extension: A two-year contract extension for Aaron Boone is viewed with mixed feelings, balancing his impressive win record against the desire for longer-term stability and accountability within the Yankees organization.

• Player Health: Managing player injuries remains a critical aspect of the Yankees' strategy, with key players like Aaron Judge being gradually reintroduced to preserve their longevity.

• Technology vs. Tradition: The introduction of automated balls and strikes in MLB presents a controversial shift, with hosts debating the preservation of the game's human elements versus the benefits of technological accuracy.

• Engaging Audience: Listener calls and shared anecdotes enhance the episode's relatability, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for sports.

• Future Discussions: The episode sets the stage for upcoming topics, including interviews with prominent sports figures and analysis of major sporting events.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, I gotta divorce my wife and have my kids bleed out.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because the Giant game's on.

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Otherwise, I'm not a real fan.

[Don LaGreca]

Han, what kind of fan are you?

[Alan Hahn]

Not a good one. And Rosenberg, the Peter haters who call stupid. The Peter fans who call very bright.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Don LaGreca]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Don LaGreca]

880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app. Oh, yeah, baby. Thursday here in New York City, and we got a busy night. We finally got some live action again with sports. Amanda, we have some headlines for you as well with Don legreca and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. How we doing, boys?

[Alan Hahn]

Han, how's it going down there, my friend?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it cold?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Yeah. Walking in the bill. Well, you know, the ramp. You know, you walk up the ramp, you do that. That. Yeah, you're going that way.

[Alan Hahn]

You go in up the ramp.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that just because you just can't stop but just trying to mold your body into an Adonis every second?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Don't you go in the media entrance the easiest way?

[Don LaGreca]

It's the fastest way in. I was doing that for a while, but where I park, it's just right there and literally walk in. And then there's the courtside studio where I leave most of my stuff.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

As you guys know, like, by six. At six o'clock comes, you know, I'm Carl Lewis, and then I just proceed up here to the perch where I get to do the show. So the ramps, the easy way to go. It is a bit of a workout, but you can also feel that breeze. A nice, cold New York City breeze that blows up that. That whole ramp area. And yeah, I was a little. I was chilly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But your heart was warmed by the fact that your Knicks have returned, that we. Our nation's pride's on the line later on tonight.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, hell yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We got a lot torn.

[Don LaGreca]

Like, this is a home game. So you guys know during the game, I'm on the air, like, I'm. I'm doing sideline. I'm Sitting literally on the court next to the, the visiting bench. And I'm available in the game. And yet, I mean, I, I got a second screen for nations tonight, like us, Canada, for all the marbles. Hey, I'm, I'm gonna be torn if they throw to me. I, I, I might flub, I might, I might mess up tonight because I don't know if my head is, is enough into Bulls now, tomorrow, Nick's Cavs. Yeah, I'm all in. But tonight, I gotta be honest with you, I'm torn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just don't pull a Shombi. Don't, don't pull a Boog.

[Don LaGreca]

What did, what did Boog do?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not quite to the level of Carlin where we can like air it. Oh, no, but he was calling, he was calling a game for ESPN Radio and watching another game on his tablet. It was like late in the season. I think one game had something to do with the other one as far as the standings. And he got so caught up that he accidentally called what he was watching on the tablet instead of what was happening on the field. Let me tell you something.

[Don LaGreca]

That game goes to overtime now. It starts at 8, 8 o'clock, ESPN.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They'll face probably, I don't want to blow up.

[Don LaGreca]

They're going to make your way to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good football watching all these games during the tournament because I've been in from the very begin running. They're, they're, it's, it's, it's going to be probably after 8, 20 is when they'll drop the pocket center ice.

[Don LaGreca]

So I don't have to worry about being like hot mic sitting there and all of a sudden the US Scores like a huge goal and I'm freaking, like I don't have to worry about that.

[Alan Hahn]

No, you should be good.

[Don LaGreca]

That's good. Because we'll be done, like, we're done, we're done by nine. 7:30 start. You know, like nine. A little before 10, I should say. Not nine, right? 9:30, ish.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. You won't have an overtime, but you could have something.

[Don LaGreca]

We could have something. But let's just, let's just say like, you know, if we're, if we're on time, we should be done before 10. And we probably will be in like, what, starting the third period by then?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, probably right around it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, something like that. Yeah, for sure.

[Don LaGreca]

Something like that. So again, everybody, 8:00, ESPN. Now, this is the one for all the marbles. If you heard Rick DiPietro on with K earlier, he can't get in the building up in Boston. I mean this is this a guy that wore the jersey? This is one of USA Hockey's favorite sons. The tickets right now, according to Vivid Seats up in Boston, they're going for $2,300 on average.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Don LaGreca]

Just to get in the building.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I'm looking into this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He doesn't have.

[Alan Hahn]

As Alan Hodd would say, that's cap. Let me look right now.

[Don LaGreca]

You don't think. You don't think. Right. Vivid Seats. That is what. That is what the reports are.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm checking.

[Don LaGreca]

23.50 average price to get in the building.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's got to be. He has to have an in with somebody. He played for Team USA in the Olympics.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but is he really highly regarded?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why would he be highly regarded?

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know. Peter, all joking aside, because, you know, listeners do get lost sometimes in the history. Yes, he's very highly regarded by USA Hockey. By that program.

[Alan Hahn]

Very much more so than the Islanders. Right. Like he was a better Team USA player than NHL player.

[Don LaGreca]

No, but again, he was an all star. Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Two time all star.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, he tried to badmouth someone and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He finished eighth in the Vesna.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm not doing that.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the Waysna in 0806 07.

[Don LaGreca]

All right. Top 10. All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He did finish under 500, but that was more of a team. He still won 130 games in the NHL. I mean, that's not good.

[Don LaGreca]

I think top four and wins in French.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I do think, unfortunately the first pick overall, everything else is good. It's a high bar hill. I mean, right, you're looking for more?

[Don LaGreca]

Is that what you're saying?

[Alan Hahn]

How about this? How about here's one thing we can all say to agree on insulting Rick. I think he could afford the $2,300 tickets if he's really. If he's a true American. Who needs to be there if you.

[Don LaGreca]

Want to go there. I heard him say to K that he looked up the price of tickets and said it's a little. It's a little expensive. And that's when I was just like, are you serious?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. He's a hackadoodle. Do listen, you can.

[Don LaGreca]

What are we doing here? You're never gonna do this again.

[Alan Hahn]

You can get in the building for 800 bucks. That's to be up top. Now Rick DiPiedro can't be seen up top.

[Don LaGreca]

He said average price was 23.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no. So you're right. But to sit in the seats that Rick should be sitting in a former player. He's going to drop for him and whoever he's bringing, he's going to drop five grand. But that's Rick Tpietro, for God's sake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, he said he would have. He would have.

[Don LaGreca]

He should take Milo and get up there. That's right in the building.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He went to USA Sweden because he, he didn't want to buy tickets for the championship game in the US not be in it. And then it just got too late. But you know, he's good. He's going to be comfortable. I got the sense that he would rather, I think watch it on television and maybe be in the building anyway, but I just surprised that there isn't some sort of a connection. Get him a press pass, get him in the room.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, Michael did enough stumping for him on the air, so I don't think we need to. I mean, again, once I heard the cost, I'm like, you can afford that? Well, listen, I'm going to really wanted to go. You would have bought.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm going to be just fine watching it on TV tonight. But I'll tell you what, that is the only respectfully to the NBA being back. If I get away from taking care of an infant today to watch sports, it will be watching USA Canada.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, it's definitely something to watch. Now we're gonna have Gary Bettman who will be watching as well. Gary Bettman is the commissioner of the NHL. For those who don't know. He's joining us at five.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm giving him a standing oh when he comes on the show.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, are you kidding me? He deserves it, you know, for all the crap that Bettman has taken over the years for. Mostly from Canadians, let's be honest. But he has taken some criticism as in his tenure as commissioner, which by the way, have you done. How many years are we on now? Well, his first over 30.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His first cup like presentation, like handing the cup to the other was 93.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh no. 93. Oh, right. Okay. Montreal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

So yeah. All right, so he's over 30 years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Over 30 years. And listen, Canada hates him and rightly so for that time when Winnipeg moved to Arizona and Quebec moved to Colorado and. But you know, but listen that Winnipeg got a team back, all right, and all those teams that could have folded and didn't, you know, you still, it's still kind of crazy when you look at the grand scheme of sports that there is a professional sports franchise in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary. Right. So it's true. Listen, I know I sound like I shill for him, but I do think he gets unfairly abused, considering, you know, some of the work of the other commissioners. And he saved the sport with the lockout and has done a lot of good things. But listen, he's still going to get booed when he presents the cup and people look at him in a different way. But I've always thought he's done a very good job for this sport, and it is where it is, largely because of his ideas and his forward thinking. You want to go back to John Ziegler, have at it.

[Don LaGreca]

Please stop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

John Ziegler, who. In the conference final in 88. All right. With the. Eat another donut, fat boy. The whole thing with the Bruins and the Devils, remember? And Jim Schoenfeld was suspended and the referees wearing Don Karski, right? It was. Yeah, Don Koharski, the commission, he was the president. John Ziegler was like in Switzerland on vacation during the conference finals. So stop yourself. All right, listen, you want Gil Stein back, we can do that for the one year. And then he's trying to get himself in the hall of Fame. Stop it.

[Don LaGreca]

No, he. Bevin's been great. He's been great to us. I've known him a long time. I covered the locker that killed the season. I was there. I was front and center covering that whole thing. So we go back a long ways and he was. He was. Agreed to join us at 5. So I'm looking forward to that because he should take a bow. I mean, this has been brilliant, what they've done. And tonight is kind of the culmination of that. So we've got all that to talk about and the excitement of. Of another big game and what it could mean not just for hockey, but maybe even just a little national pride and everything else. And I'll tell you what, I still think the pressure is all on Canada, boys. I still. I still think they lose this game, it will be a national disaster in Canada. They treat hockey, it is not sport, it's religion. And if they lose twice to the Americans, with all everything else that's going on, I'm telling you, they will be calling for people's heads. They've already torn up hockey. Canada, they're going to tear it up again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Especially after what's happened to world juniors the last couple of years. Believe me, they take. This is their sport. They take a tremendous amount of pride in these moments. And there's an opportunity for the United States to show a lot of pride, no matter where you fall politically I know this has become very politicized because of everything that's going on right now between the United States and Canada. But there's still something to wear in that USA jersey and we'll get into it a little bit more. You know, the Adam Fox comments and stuff, I want to defend that as well, but plenty to talk about for sure.

[Don LaGreca]

There's a lot of back and forth between the players too. And when Rick said something on with K about how there is a true hatred, you know, when it comes to the sport where friends suddenly become foes and for reason, because Canada carries themselves like we're just better than you and it is such a, you know, you just want to stick it to them. So, yes, plenty there. But there's another headline today, guys, that also deserves a lot of attention and I don't know where do you file this under because I'm not surprised that this came down. I, in fact was expecting it. But I am a little surprised by the, the entirety of this deal. It is, of course the news that Aaron Boone and the Yankees agreed on a two year contract extension, so he'll now be manager through the 2027 season. And Don, the first reaction you had when you heard that it was a two year extension was what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm surprised it wasn't three. I knew they were going to extend them two just seemed like an odd number for me now, maybe because it wasn't in the middle of the season. So having three years left, it doesn't coincide with the cba. So it has nothing to do with that. Joe Torre, if you remember when he was given an extension, was given three years. Now he had won a, he had won multiple World Series championships. But I was a little, I was a little surprised it was only two. But I'm not surprised that he came back. I think it's deserved. I mean he's, he's won a ton of games here. Maybe he hasn't won the brass ring, but you're coming off a World Series, you're going to let him go. I know there's, we're going to get a ton of phone calls. He's a terrible manager. They could do better. When you take a look at his resume, he's one of the winningest managers now. He's got a little bit of Brian Schottenheimer in him where he hasn't been able to win the big one. But you know, the players love him. They, they work hard for him. They win every single year in the regular season.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you mean Marty Schottenheimer?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What'd I say? Brian? Yeah, Brian was in the news lately. Marty Schottenheimer. Thank you for correcting me.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't have a reputation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, listen, he's not Brian Schottenheimer, otherwise he would have been fired. That's why I don't know what the Cowboys are doing. But Marty Schottenheimer, you know, Dusty Baker before he won with the Astros that like, listen, he'll get you there, but maybe not win it. But I still think that can you do better? And I think the answer is no. And then what Michael's been preaching for years is that if they replace Boone, they will replace him with somebody like Boone. And you know, the times he's gotten thrown out and you know, a bunch of savages in the box and stuff. I mean, hasn't he shown to be a Yankee? He played for this team. He sweats for this team. He cares about the team. Why doesn't that have any equity? Why does that have zero equity with the Yankee fans that want him gone just because he has not won? And I know that's a big deal, I get it. But this guy has. Wears the Yankees. He bleeds the pinstripes. The way he gets into it with umpire. Like, you know, he wanted this job so desperately when he interviewed for it. And I would think that would carry some weight for Yankee.

[Don LaGreca]

You also don. You also have a manager because like I'm, I'm on board with. I like Aaron Boone. I like him. I like what he's about. You know, he's a baseball lifer from a baseball family. He had a Yankee moment that was one at that time was epic. Like there was a lot of things about him that it's just a guy you like. It's not somebody like, you know, there are certain people that have jobs. You're just like, I just can't wait. I can't stand his face. You know, some people are like that. Boone's not like that for me. But I also think this symbolizes status quo. Now, only two years says something. Because really, if you think about it, it's not three years, it's two. And then we're back to what do they do? Do they extend them again? They. So this doesn't feel like a long term commitment, but it, it does feel like for any Yankee fan out there that has hollered for the last X amount of years about how much this franchise just needs to change, get away from their same old, same old, and you know, that's Cashman obviously, and his Philosophies and mentalities. And then it's Boone and what he brings as a manager. How many times now do we have to say, we got to stop. This is never going to change. The status quo remains with the Yankees, and so don't expect there to be change. This is not, you know the old saying, a new broom sweeps clean doesn't mean the old broom doesn't work. It's just sometimes you do need a change to sort of just freshen up things. The Yankees don't have that. It is the same old, same old. This is what you're going to get. So anybody that is waiting to see if anything's going to be different from the years past, don't expect it. The same people are in charge, and the same people are going to do what has worked for them. Because Aaron Boone, only Dave Roberts has a better winning percentage among active managers than Aaron Boone. Aaron Boone has a ton of wins. He has a high win percentage. Seventh, I believe, in Yankee history. This is a guy who has done nothing but win six of seven years in the playoffs already. He's going to get 10 years at the very least. Now as manager of the Yankees, that's what Joe Girardi got. So, you know, like, nothing's going to change. But you are not. You're not keeping a guy who's been terrible at his job, but isn't there.

[Alan Hahn]

Don, with the, with the shortness of the contract, though, and we don't know the. Obviously we'll find out the numbers, exact numbers at some point.

[Don LaGreca]

He's probably one of the highest paid. Come on, he's got to be one of the highest paid.

[Alan Hahn]

And where would that put him in this era of man, what is like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think Craig Counsel's the highest paid manager with the Cubs, and I think he's making eight a year. I think Boone was making a little over three.

[Alan Hahn]

So maybe he'll end up at five, five and a half, six, something like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. I really don't know.

[Don LaGreca]

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Are you telling me the Yankees manager.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Makes $3 million a year or something in that neighborhood?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, it can't. That can't be true. Yeah, he works twice as much as an NBA. I know NBA coaches make tons more than that.

[Alan Hahn]

Can we, can we be fair?

[Don LaGreca]

Williams is being paid $13 million to not coat.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's. That's okay.

[Don LaGreca]

That's its own.

[Alan Hahn]

That's its own 30 for 30. But, but to your point, Alan, still, guys are making.

[Don LaGreca]

Guys are. Guys are Being paid in this league like eight to eight to $10 million.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, like NBA coaches do so much. I mean respectfully to my guy, Aaron Boone, you know, I love him but the NBA coach is much better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His last contract that he was in paid him $3 million a year.

[Alan Hahn]

So regardless what that number is. Don't say that.

[Don LaGreca]

Pathetic.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's say they double it and it's $6 million a year. Huge money to normal human beings. But for sports, not a crazy amount. Isn't this contract small enough overall that it's still at the end of this year if they decided they were disgusted by what they saw, they could move on?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well that's what, that's the beauty of.

[Alan Hahn]

The short deal anyway.

[Don LaGreca]

Easy money.

[Alan Hahn]

You pay them out and move on.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean Ellsberg did not go away.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But again, let's say they missed the playoffs this year and they decided to eat the final this two year contract extension and fire. It's $6 million.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Yankees eating $6 million.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what I'm saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like me having a Ritz cracker. You're right.

[Alan Hahn]

So that's what perfect about this deal because a boon gets a little bit of security. Fans get the message, we like this guy. This is where we're going. But they're not risking so much that if it somehow falls off a cliff they can't change it completely. They're still completely free to do what they want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But maybe this makes Yankee fans happy because we talk about the lack of accountability.

[Alan Hahn]

But you said Yankee fans happy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But think about it. If it's only a two year deal and we're actually having a conversation, missed the playoffs this year for whatever reason and you relive 2023 again and they finish 82 and 80 with a minuscule amount of money relatively speaking to what the Yankees pay their players and the money that they make that maybe this could be an opportunity for. Hey, it's not a job for life. Hey, maybe somebody could help be held accountable because we didn't give him a five year extension. We didn't give him a three, we gave him a two. And if it ends, I don't know if it'll stay the same money if. I'll tell you what, if it does stay the same money, Alan, it's the same. That also tells you that hey, but even if it ends up being we're going to make him the highest paid manager and give him eight like Craig Counsel make.

[Don LaGreca]

Well that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's still only it's not a. It's not a ton of money that you, you say I have to keep him as my manager if I don't want to.

[Don LaGreca]

And I know the Yankees don't release them. Teams usually don't release numbers, but agents usually do. I got to be honest, man, if it's a raise, I, I think you'd want that known because it does show a commitment. If it's the same amount of money as an agent, I wouldn't want the world knowing that because that does suggest that it's not like it's got to be more and it's got to be significantly more. It has to put him among the highest paid managers in the league. He had, like I just said, the guy he lost to in the World Series is the only other manager in the sport that has a higher winning percentage than he does. There's something to be said for that. So it's, it's, it's interesting. It really is. Like sometimes people like, who cares about the money? The money doesn't matter. It does in these situations because it does tell you how much he's valued. Just giving him an extension isn't just a vote of confidence because by the way, you gave it to him when you gave it to him today. What were you going to do? Not give it to him and have him go through a whole season with that sort of Damocles hanging over his head? No, they weren't going to do that. You knew he was getting an extension. But the fact that it's only two, it, like I said, status quo for sure. As a fan, you have to accept it. Cashman's not going anywhere. Boone's not going anywhere for at least the next two years. But it does doesn't feel like a long term commitment and it does seem to make Boone a lot more expendable. I don't know if I like that.

[Alan Hahn]

It's fair. That's a, it's a fair concern.

[Don LaGreca]

800 now. 193776. Let's go to Hector in Queens to start us off today. Hey, Hector.

[D]

Hey, Alan, how you doing? Long time no talk to you, man. You know, you're the guy I was. I don't, like you said, it's status quo with the Yankees. I'm not going to try to try to try to like be mad or be frustrated over this, over this, this extension because this is what you've come to expect of the Yankees. There's neuro accountability and so what are we supposed to do at Savages? Just hope for the best for the season. Yeah, that's all you gotta do. Brian.

[Don LaGreca]

Kenny.

[D]

Brian Kenny had a top 10 managers list and he's not even on it. I'm not saying Brian Kennedy, but know. Know all the baseball, but you know.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, who are you? I'd be curious to see Don, who would. Who could you. Thank you, Hector. 10. Don who? Yeah, top 10 and Boone's not on. Don. Give me, you know, the sport.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you want to say Roberts, because he's won two championships, but they were.

[Don LaGreca]

Trying to drive him out of LA a couple of years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, for the same reason, because up until this year their one championship, and I know we're talking about the summer league championship was the COVID championship, the 60 game season and it was going to the playoffs every year. Although they did go to the World Series quite a bit where the Yankees didn't until this past year. You want to say Roberts. Yes. Bruce boch. He's got three rings or four rings. Excuse me. And five World Series opinions with three other teams like 70. But he's still. That's what the Yankee fans want. A guy that, that, that manages from his gut has a bunch of rings jingling and jangling. What? The Yankees wouldn't hire him. So I, I'd be open to a conversation. If they were going to hire Bruce Bochy. They're not going to do that. So I would, I would say those are the two that probably would be ahead. Other than that Schnitger in Atlanta. Okay, maybe the Braves have won a championship. He, he's been. But they've, they've had a ton of talent.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to know, do you want to know his whole list?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, I would like to see that. And I will tell you somebody that I will accept. And Alan, you do this too, that we're better than Bo.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, the manager in Arizona, the great Tory Lavullo. Sure. Dave Roberts. Dave Roberts is 9. Dave Martinez in Washington is 8.

[Don LaGreca]

Dave Roberts is 9.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Robbie Thompson in Philly is 7. Dave Robbins. Dave Martinez was 8.

[Don LaGreca]

Allen Martinez, Robbie Thompson.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, Robbie Thompson is at 7.

[Don LaGreca]

Philly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Philly's been good.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they've been good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no, no.

[Don LaGreca]

Hang on, hang on, hang on. Philly's been good. You're right, Don, but do you remember when he took over for. It was Joe Girardi. It was Girardi.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Like he was thought of as a guy that just sort of was. There just existed in a chair. Like no one was like, oh, this guy's a great mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isn't that every manager?

[Don LaGreca]

It's Unbelievable. He kept it simple. Like there was nothing that he did with the Phillies aside from just kind of take the pressure off because Girardi was such a hard driving manager that that's all he did. If you paid attention to that transition and they believe they went to the World Series that year. Right. Like it wasn't like some magical thing where suddenly he was just pushing all the right buttons. It was essentially just took the pressure off. Essentially, he did what Aaron Boone did when Joe Girardi took over. Well, all of a sudden, is this guy better than that?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, He's. He's at 7, Snickers at 6. As you said, Atlanta. Kevin Cash is 5.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, yeah. I guess he. People love him.

[Alan Hahn]

Alex Cora four, Mike Schilt three.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Bochi is two and Hinch is one.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, that's right. Hinch is back in the league. I forgot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And if you want to just say he didn't win Detroit.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's also guys. There's a lot of guys on that list that haven't won. There's a lot of guys on that list haven't gone to a World Series, so.

[Don LaGreca]

And there's a guy in that list that was accused of cheating.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep. For sure.

[Don LaGreca]

Can't argue it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And suspended for his job over it. It's more than an accusation.

[Don LaGreca]

Happen. Yeah, exactly, Cora. You know, like, he's not, he's not been in any.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's one man's opinion. I like, I like Kenny a lot. I mean, Kenny a lot better. But, you know, it's just one guy's opinion. But I wouldn't sit there. That's not my. That's not my drop the mic moment. So this is why they should fire him. Because, you know, Brian, Kenny didn't have him in his top 10.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, well, we want to hear your opinion. 800 now and 9, 3, 7, 7, 6. You get Aaron Boone for at least two more years, if not more. How do we feel about that? Also, by the way, the one thing that we love about him, that Don, you mentioned was, you know, the Savages in the box moment. The. The time when you do get the bad calls, the balls and strikes, that he will stick up for his players at the plate, he will get himself tossed. He is not afraid to go nose to nose with an umpire over that stuff. But as we know, that could go by the wayside as they are moving closer and closer to the automated balls and strikes. How do we feel about that? We're going to see it in spring training, so we'll talk about that certainly with you as well. Gary Bettman at five four nations tonight. Knicks in the NBA back in action and some very interesting stuff coming out of Milwaukee. Everybody about Giannis that you need to hear. So we're just getting started. Your call is a big part of it. And Donnie, can you give me some Mazda please?

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[E]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

Get in the zone AutoZone welcome to the A to Z Savings Event at AutoZone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks.

[Don LaGreca]

I need to change my oil. So how much is an oil filter free when you buy five quarts of oil? Right now we have a special on Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic or high mileage motor oil. The oil filter is free with the Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic or high mileage motor oil. Yep, the free oil filter is part of the A to Z Savings event only at AutoZone. Get in the zone Auto zone restrictions apply.

[E]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Uh, will that be cash or credit? Credit.

[Don LaGreca]

4 Galaxy S25 Ultra the AI companion that does the heavy lifting.

[Alan Hahn]

So you can do you get [e-mail] compatible with select apps.

[Don LaGreca]

Requires Google Gemini account. Results may Vary based on input. Check responses for accuracy. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right. Don Hunter, Rosenberg 880 ESPN of course, the ESPN New York app to be listening 800-919-3776. We'll get back to your calls in a moment here. Some as we're talking about Aaron Boone's extension. Also some some news from the Yankees. Aaron Judge is not going to play this weekend. They're going to bring him along slowly. And the way Boone explained it was that, you know, he played a ton of games last year and they just don't want him going right to 100 miles an hour I guess in spring training.

[Alan Hahn]

It sounds so crazy. It's been a busy year last year.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean am I getting, am I getting the information wrong? Because that's what I know it sounded like to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, you know, he played a lot.

[Don LaGreca]

Last year and we just want to ease him into the season.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, I think that the reality is he's gotten more durable as time has gone on. But every year there is something with him, right? Like last year there was something up early. It took him a while to really find it and he's had his things. I we know like in the words of the great Don the Greco, we know he's a fragile man and you want to be mindful during spring training. But it's February. I totally get it. But please don't reference that last year. Last year was a busy year, you know what I mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

So yeah, I think it was 172 total games, counting regular season and postseason.

[Don LaGreca]

Wait, say that again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it was a grand total of 172 games between the regular season and the post.

[Alan Hahn]

They were baseball games, right? They were a basketball game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Here's the dirty little secret. The Mets proved this last year. All right? You can completely mail in the two first two months of the season and be okay, right? I mean the Mets were two wins away from going to the World Series. They were dead in June.

[Alan Hahn]

Deb, sell them off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And the Washington take a look at what the record for the Washington Nationals was at the All Star Game. When they won the championship they were like under 500. Now I, I don't think it's a good idea to take a knee the first three months of the season and dig yourself a hole. But it is a long ass season. It is going to happen.

[Don LaGreca]

Can we just. Let's just catch everybody up. So Stanton came into spring training with tennis elbows. All right? Plural. Now, judge isn't going to play until after March 1st or so. We have that. Like, this is the sport. It's. It's the most bizarre. Like. Like, did you see the story of. Of the pitcher who had a salad and he had emergency surgery on his throat?

[Alan Hahn]

That was. That was a wild.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to make fun.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't want to make fun of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It, but, like, it's such a baseball.

[Don LaGreca]

That's what I mean. It has the most bizarre. Oh, like, all right. For those who didn't. Didn't hear this story, I'm sharing it again. This is not. I'm not. I'm not mocking. I mean, I'm. I'm not mocking it. I just. I can't believe it. So Dustin May, he tore. He's the Dodgers pitcher. He tore his esophagus eating a salad.

[Alan Hahn]

What the hell kind of salad was this?

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, isn't that amazing? He just said he started feeling discomfort in his throat, and it was bothering. Then it went away. And his wife said, no, you really should go to the hospital. Just get it checked. So he went to the ER and they went immediately surgery because apparently he was having internal bleeding.

[Alan Hahn]

That's insane. I'm suing the salad company. You think that's a wild salad? It is. Just, I've heard of getting throat injuries from doing random tasks, never eating a salad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you hear stories like, Jeremy Afield was on the disabled list because he cut his hand trying to separate frozen hamburger patties. You know, another guy threw on his back lifting his kid.

[Don LaGreca]

The sports wild. Now, again, I want everybody to understand, like, this injury didn't just happen. This was from last season. But it's just him telling the story of why he missed the rest of his season because of salad. Like, he told that story in spring training. It's like, it's the most baseball thing ever. You never hear this stuff in anything else. You never do. So there's that. Did you see the. Pete Alonso got hit in the face today? Yeah, just. He was in the field. Got hit in the face, went down, left the field immediately. He did come back, but, you know, again, another scary situation. So it's like, you know, judge sitting out until after March. And by the way, we're almost that March. I mean, March 1st is next Saturday, not this coming Saturday. So it's not as if they're holding him out for weeks. He's just not Going to play in like the initial games, but, you know, again, all part of the story, but thought I would share that with. With you guys. What do we think of the automated balls and strikes we're going to see in spring training? Are we yay or nay?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it's. It's yay. I mean, we're gonna. I'm gonna miss the, the arguing and the complaining, the getting it wrong. But we have the technology and all I have to do is just pat my helmet or the pitcher say something, and in 30 seconds we should be able to. We shouldn't have to look at it a million different ways. Like we do outer safe or, or, or some of the other. Did his foot come off the bag? It should. All right. Was it in the box or out of the box? They. They do it. I heard them talking about in the morning. Because when you put Dan and Dave together, it's. It's a tennis bacchanal. I mean, those two guys love tennis, but they. Great. They made a great point. Like tennis gets it right with the in, in or out of bounds.

[Don LaGreca]

The cyclops. It's right. You find out the smartest thing they ever did, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But there's no time.

[Alan Hahn]

But this is.

[Don LaGreca]

And they show the crowd. I love the fact that they show the crowd. And it's such a cool thing because it's almost compelling. They show it like, this is the best thing with the US Open. When you watch it and the crowd, they put it up on the screen in the arena. Everybody starts to like, do the whole. And then you see.

[Alan Hahn]

And then you react.

[Don LaGreca]

And then you react.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's a built in part of the game and actually fun. Now remember guys, as they're trying it out right now, and who knows, one day we'll have robots everywhere. The players probably won't even be human, but at this point in time, they won't get hurt. You're talking about it being just for challenges twice a game. So, Alan, there is a way in which they, if they're smart about it, they could make it like the tennis and it could be pretty cool.

[Don LaGreca]

I think they should see. I don't understand the idea of challenges. I think it should just always be there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I do think.

[Don LaGreca]

I just think. I mean, if you can get it right every time and it takes seconds, not even.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're kind of half pregnant. You get an umpire like Angel Hernandez, that's all over the place. And I, and I just wasted two challenges and meanwhile there's 40 other ones. I can very Easily challenge.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a great point. You know, that's a really good point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're half pregnant with that. They're so afraid when they do replay that, it'll. It'll delay the game. If this is done the way they do it with the Cyclops in tennis, we should know whether they got it right or wrong before the catcher throws it back to the pitcher. Like, it shouldn't take any extra time. So just do it right.

[Don LaGreca]

Like what? Like, what would you be afraid of? Like, what's the negative? Well, what is the negative of the idea that. Because, by the way, when we're watching the game on the broadcast, we know, like, we see it. You see the box, you see. And now they. I guess it's not exactly. It's not exactly perfect or whatever it is that you can say it all you want, but if you can put that technology in the game and we see it from home, like, I missed. Well, they missed that call. But you can't just shrug that off like, oh, well, they missed the call. Because we all know that that extra pitch could lead to something disastrous. We all know this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a big deal. It's a big deal. In a big moment, when it's 001 and it's a ball or a strike, there's a big difference between it being 02 in a big spot or now the count's even at one on one, it's a big deal. And for people to like, I like the human element. Stop it. Because the biggest complaint during a game, now that we have the technology where they'll show the box on mlb, not just the box that's on the broadcast, but if you go to the app and somebody will screenshot that it was a foot outside of the box and people complaining about it, like, you have the chance to get that out of there now, do we lose the Savages moment from Aaron Boone where he comes running out of the box and defending his players or whatever. I guess we do lose that. But don't you gain so much more?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, you can't. It should not be a challenge if you had the technology to every single pitch and you let the umpire make the call. But if the umpire hears, like, if. Whatever it is, it a tone in his ear, whatever it is, that the umpire has an earpiece that tells him that he just knows to make the call, and if he gets it wrong, he can right away just go, nope, that's a strike. Actually, just change the call, like, immediately. Just change the call. Like, what are we going to do grade you on it. Like, give me a break. You got it right. It's all we care about. It's. It's the only thing to do. You get it right. 800-919-3776. Let's get back to the calls on the baseball stuff here, boys. Glenn in Connecticut. Hey, Glenn.

[F]

Hey, guys, how you doing? Appreciate you taking the call.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up?

[Don LaGreca]

You got it?

[F]

Yeah. So I just wanted to weigh in on the Yankee situation with the manager. They seem pretty firm on how they want to utilize their manager as like a kind of a. I want to say puppet, but a puppet esque player or a manager type role where they're feeding analytics through him and he's just making the call based on their decision. The only guy I think I would bring in would be A.J.

[Don LaGreca]

Hinch.

[F]

I think he's got a phenomenal track record with the Tigers and the Astros for what he's done. I think that's the only guy you could bring in to really let him use his baseball knowledge to his advantage and managed to see that way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So, hey, we have this conversation all the time about who's to blame for Cortez coming into that World Series game. Is it Aaron Boone or is it the Yankees? If you believe it's Aaron Boone, then we can have a conversation. But we've been told that that's kind of an organizational thing. He doesn't have the ability to do that. Does Bruce Bochy do the Dusty Baker? Maybe. But this organization obviously does not value a manager all that much. For all the money that the Yankees invest in their players to pay your manager $3 million tells you they really don't think it's that much of a heavy lifting job.

[Don LaGreca]

It's a figurehead, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. But then again, Brian Kashman, he makes 5 million. I mean, the architect of the team and the manager of the team are undervalued by the organization based on what they're paid. Right.

[Don LaGreca]

So this is a multi billion dollar organization.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So is it. So, so Allen, is it we're repaying these guys because we don't think they're that good or. This is the going rate, by the way.

[Don LaGreca]

Important can't be the going rate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got to be sport.

[Don LaGreca]

You are building a team for the biggest brand in the sport and that's all you're paying me.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, come on. Doesn't it. Isn't it a little insight into how they see the manager though?

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's be honest. We know what the Yankees, they. I know they like Aaron.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They know.

[Alan Hahn]

They respect him. He's got history here. Blood on the ground, as they like to say. But we know what they think about managers and the level of value that they hold. By the way, for that challenge rule. This is really important, Don, to what you said earlier about if an Angel Hernandez is calling terrible balls and strikes all night in the system as it's currently being used, you get two wrong challenges. If you keep getting them right, you keep them in your pocket.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay?

[Alan Hahn]

So Fernandez is getting it wrong all night. At least you can continue to challenge and get.

[Don LaGreca]

Now, you probably only. You don't have much time. You know what I mean? You, you don't have much time because the next pitch is coming. You can't be like, hey, two pitches ago, that wasn't.

[Alan Hahn]

No, that's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

So you got to be on top of it, and you got to be sure.

[Alan Hahn]

You got to feel really good.

[Don LaGreca]

I could get real clunky. Yeah. I'm watching replay of, of. Yeah, the pitch has been challenged. This is, I guess, a game right now. I guess the spring training games have started.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, apparently so.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay, so, so I'm watching the Cubs right now, and it, It's. That's way too much time. Yes. Cubs, Cubs, Dodgers. Way too much. I, I, we can't have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it, but it is.

[Don LaGreca]

He's got to turn now. He's got to turn around. He got to put his arms up. We gotta hang on. We're gonna check the pit. Come on, man. Like, you know, within a second, if that was right or wrong, baseball just slow it every.

[Alan Hahn]

But this is literally day. This is literally, like, day one. So let's hope that we.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They get to a place you remember any, any war movie, Save a Private Ryan. They stormed the beach, right? And how were they communicating back at the base with, like, some big phone that was hooked up to a bag.

[Don LaGreca]

That's still.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They do replay in baseball. The umpires waddle literally, to the dugout. They bring out this big bag with a big phone, and they call New York, where they look at the replay, they wait, they sway back and forth for, like, 10 minutes, and then they're told what to do.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, it could literally.

[Don LaGreca]

Cell phone.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no. By the way, it could, it could literally be a text. Let me look down. Oh, no, it's good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The allegation.

[Don LaGreca]

It doesn't need to be a text. Like, we all do. We've all done tv. We all know we wear the ifb, right? That's a little thing that if you never. If those are listening, it's just a little squiggly wire that then fits into your ear and you hear the producer and the director talking to you. You also hear the. The show you're on, but you hear them telling you from the control room what's coming up next, what camera to look at all those things like you are. They're communicating in real time. You can't have that. That's a strike.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Unfortunately, the Astros beat them to it. So they. They said it wouldn't. Wouldn't work out. But what. Baseball was actually thinking of doing that. If it's a strike, they'll bang a garbage can to twice.

[Alan Hahn]

I like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If it's a ball, they'll just bang it once.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me throw another idea out here. Last one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Great.

[Alan Hahn]

How about you don't even tell the umpire. It could get shot directly to the big screen at the stadium. You don't even have to go through the umpire.

[Don LaGreca]

You don't even need the umpire.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't. Right above it.

[Alan Hahn]

That's it.

[Don LaGreca]

He's been emasculated. You just. You clipped him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Why does the. Why does the umpire need to say it?

[Don LaGreca]

Say nothing. Give me a wrinkle. Palazzo. Just once you see the screen, say it. Just give me a dance. Like all I'm looking for is the dance. I just want to see how you strike a guy out. Give me the punch out. That's all I care about at this point. That's right. More you calls coming up. We got lots more to get to already fun. Remember gary Bettman at 54 nations tonight? And the Knicks and the Bulls tonight, also right here on 880 ESPN. Donnie, I am interested in Bath Fit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

Now, let's break it down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

I participate in restaurants for a limited time.

[Don LaGreca]

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[E]

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[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Let's give a little shout out to St. John's they got an 8258 win last night in DePaul. And you know what? That locked up for them outright Big east regular season title, their first one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Since 1985 and I guess because they only dropped from 9 to 10 after losing to Villanova. So I guess this secures them a top ten.

[Don LaGreca]

Is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But is that going to be enough to get them a decent enough seed in a bracket in the dance now?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, I think the tournament again, it's, it's, they still in the Big east tournament. They're, they're, you know, you can't lose in the first. Like they'll, I think they're, they're as good as him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh no, I know that they're as good as him. So let's say they win the Big East.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. Well then they'll, they'll probably get, I can't imagine they get anything lower than a three seed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, when we had Fanta on, he, he thought it was gonna be more four or five. But I didn't.

[Don LaGreca]

Even with winning the Big east tournament.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We didn't, we didn't get that detail right. But I would think if they win the Big East, I mean how disrespected with the Big east be if this team was a top 10 team in the country and then they Win their conference, not be a top three seed. And I'm not asking to be a one or two. I think those are pretty much locked up by the teams that are ahead of them. But, you know, because I. I think you. Because you. You make them a five. Allen, those 512 matchups are a beast, man. We see the twelves always advance.

[Don LaGreca]

They can't do that to them. No, you. And I don't think if you're the tournament, like, you also don't want to do that to St. John's you know, you're going to get big market following. Like. Like, you want to be favorable to. To a St. John's program, a Rick Patino. Like, you know that's going to give you sizzle in the first two rounds. Right. You know, you're getting sizzling. Like, they could play Northeast, Southwestern State, and it'll still get you a great rating. Nobody's going to care who the opponent is because, you know that game's getting you a good rating. There's no way you're going to put them in a tough situation right away in the first game. Can't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

UConn has been their, like, New York City team. Like, oh, yeah, right. But, you know, they're fourth in the Big East. Like, the. St. John's is better. I think St. John's would be. Would. Would bring more eyeballs just for that story.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, I agree.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To give them a chance to make a legitimate run, they gotta think it's Pitino.

[Don LaGreca]

He's back in the tournament.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He moves the knee.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, he does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

More so than any player. Right. Like, honestly, like, that's the guys. You look at. You watch Duke, but it was like, you're watching coach.

[Don LaGreca]

The tournament is. It's no longer. It's been a long time. Like, obviously, when Duke had Zion and those guys, like, that was a draw. The Fab Five was a draw. UNLV had, you know, special. Like, there were certain teams that just had that Cooper flag's gonna draw a lot of. He's gonna bring a lot of people. Duke always does. But Mike is. I mean, Tom Izzo, like, those are the guys, you know, Bill Self. Like, they're going to draw, you know, because of the coaches, and Pitino is in that. On that level. You don't want a guy like that in and out. Like. Like, they're gonna. They're never gonna get a one or two seed. That's not gonna happen. But they should be no lower than a three seed if they win this tournament. If they don't and then you'll also get these other, you know, tournament championships. Maybe you get an outlaw, you know, a team that you weren't expecting that wasn't even a top. A ranked team. It's. We see it every year. There's always that one team that wins their conference tournament and they shouldn't have and they get in which is. Pushes everybody down. So remains to be seen. But still shout out to them and the job they did winning the Big east regular season title outright and we're really looking forward to it.

[Alan Hahn]

CBS Sports had them projected this past weekend at. At four. That's about where they're going to end up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can live with five, I think would be disrespectful. Three.

[Don LaGreca]

Five is definitely disrespectful.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you don't. You don't. You don't want 5 because you don't want a 12. The 5 is not a comfortable place to be. So, you know, if you. As long as you get a 4. Not to say that there aren't tough 13s, but you can feel pretty safe that if you're a 4, you're going to be. You will outmatch the 13. You should be able to beat them. The problem with 512 is it generally feels like an 8, 9. So you kind of get nothing when you get to five.

[Don LaGreca]

They're also fourth of the fours, so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They do believe them as the 16th.

[Don LaGreca]

Best team right now if the fourth of the four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's to be higher if they win the conference.

[Alan Hahn]

You would hope so. I would think.

[Don LaGreca]

I agree. I agree. Well, we'll be at. We're going to be at Moynihan hall, right?

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don LaGreca]

Or on the 14th Big east tournament. I'm sure St. John's be playing that night.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it's a guy's night out. Right. For us.

[Don LaGreca]

And we're doing guys night out.

[Alan Hahn]

We are.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. After the show, we're going across the street. We're going to the building where I am right now. We're going to. We're going to what? We're gonna. We're gonna watch.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I'm gonna try.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think we. Mark, you guys want to.

[Don LaGreca]

Do you want to do. Do you want ESPN suite or do you want to suite?

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[Don LaGreca]

What's the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not familiar with Tower Suite's a little different. In what sense?

[Alan Hahn]

That's the one. Is that the big suite?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. That's not like you're not. You're not here to watch the game. You're here to kind of like just chill.

[Alan Hahn]

But is it. Is it like upstairs on the suite?

[Don LaGreca]

Level 10, 10th floor. Yeah. It's nice, though, huh?

[Alan Hahn]

Sounds nice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you know, I'm following you, but I think we should take a bunch of people that are going to game, like, literally march into the Garden.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, you want to do it? Like, how about we go up the ramp?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, see that? I will walk the ramp with you.

[Don LaGreca]

You'll walk the ramp.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, I don't know if everybody else is going to be able to do it, but anybody that gets fully credentialed.

[Don LaGreca]

We'Ll throw a rope and everybody could just hold on to the rope on the way. And it's a very steep ramp.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because here's the thing, Peter, you're at a little bit of a disadvantage advantage not to flex, but I do it on occasion. Alan and I have complete access to the building.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We don't need anything. So you're gonna have to. If you're gonna march with us, you're gonna have to get. You're gonna have to get credential.

[Alan Hahn]

And even then that credential. Even that credential doesn't mean it doesn't.

[Don LaGreca]

Give you carte blanche. It doesn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, I haven't tried it yet, but I think I might have access to Dolan's bunker switch. I haven't checked it out.

[Alan Hahn]

You do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I haven't, but I don't know.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna tell you.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm gonna go with you.

[Alan Hahn]

I will tell you, though, the Garden. The Garden is a very interesting place because if you slow down and give anyone a reason to stop you, they can be really annoying. If you move confidently, you can go anywhere. As long as you have the basic credential and you move confidently, you're good. But if you slow down or show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How you're a good guy and they're good people. I've. I've always said that the security of the Gardens, top notch to me, they always have treated me very well. They're all fans of the show. So if you march with us, you. You're. They won't even glance.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no. With you, I'll be fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They'll be fist bumping you as you go by.

[Alan Hahn]

Not to mention you even hesitate for a second and make me feel, like, remotely bad. I will be on the 2 train at home so fast your head will spin.

[Don LaGreca]

Not happening.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he's. No, he's not looking for another.

[Don LaGreca]

All passed to come out. We have to get him out. So we have to also make sure we talk with her. Negotiate. Right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. It's not a great situation. I'm traveling three weeks in a row leading up to that, and then it'll be my. It'll be my first Friday home, and I'll go, hey, babe, don't worry. Hitting. Hitting MSG for the old tournament now, she. She does. Listen, I can tell you guys the truth, though. After our last event, she encouraged me. She was like, hey, you know, you should go out with the guys. And I chose not to, because I was like, no, I'm leaving town in the morning. I'm not doing that.

[Don LaGreca]

You missed a. You missed a good dinner. That's all I'm gonna say.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sure I did, but. But I think it'll be worth it if I did that to get this one. I think this will be the better play.

[Don LaGreca]

Also, by the way, if we have time to kill, if they play the late game and we have time to kill, I got a spot for us, dinner wise, that you will love, and it's right here.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, if they played the lake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, I have a feeling they're gonna play the late game.

[Alan Hahn]

You do?

[Don LaGreca]

That'd be great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, what matchup, Alan, would be. Because I would think 9:00 is bigger than 7.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, 9 is kind of the better time.

[Don LaGreca]

Is the big one. Yeah, nine is the big one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

St. John's is the one seed.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they might get the 9:00.

[Don LaGreca]

And you got to see who. Who ends up right, because I believe they. They get a bid, they get a buy. So they. We don't know who they'd play yet. So that's. Yeah, let's see how that sets up. Pusick's got it in with Cull, though. The. The ad. He's got an in with him. He's a Ford.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course he does.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, he was at Ford. So we can. We can. We can. We can work on this because there's no courtside seats. There's no celebrity row. It's all media.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don LaGreca]

Celebrity row is media.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like basketball ought to be.

[Alan Hahn]

Like it used to be in the old days.

[Don LaGreca]

In the old days when we had typewriters. But it doesn't mean we can't, you know, cop a few seats. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Why not?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, we're in the midst of a great conversation, and Puzick's. Instead of calling Cole right now and trying to make this happen.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he wants to go to break.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's one rule. We have one rule. Literally one.

[Don LaGreca]

And we're. We're trying to work out like an outing. You even have to come.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

All right. Now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because Peter said that.

[Don LaGreca]

Not coming.

[Alan Hahn]

See, that's all it's like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Here, I got you.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me. Let me take care of this for you. Anthony.

[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good here. More of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Alan Hahn]

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