Hour 1: Circle of Trust

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Circle of Trust

Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Network: ESPN New York

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Overview

This episode centers on the “Circle of Trust” for New York baseball teams as the MLB playoffs approach. Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg debate which Yankees and Mets pitchers—and a few key hitters—truly inspire confidence as the postseason dawns. The conversation interweaves humor, active disagreement, and New York sports anxiety, with a generous side of betting talk and the perils of trusting technology in the studio.

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Key Topics & Insights

1. NFL Thursday Night Betting and Trends

(Starts ~01:07)

• The hosts discuss the upcoming Dolphins-Bills game, betting lines, and their recent track records with Thursday night picks.
• Hahn: “NFL can’t be thrilled that we get a heavy dose of nationally televised Dolphin games, right? Thursday and then next Monday...” (01:32)
• Talk of favorite teams covering spreads, and whether to ride the streak or bet against the trend ([03:23]).
• Rosenberg: “Whenever you don't have a dog in the fight, all they do is score, score, score. I feel like when you pick them, they never cover.” (02:06)

Memorable Moment:

• Don to Peter: “No points through two weeks, man. Don’t you dare make me root for the Dolphins.” (03:39)

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2. Yankees: The "Circle of Trust" for Playoff Pitching

(Begins ~06:12)

The hosts assess which Yankees pitchers are truly reliable for the postseason.

Starters

• Hahn's Circle of Trust: Rodon, Freed, Schlitler, and Heel.
  • Schlitler: Mixed feelings due to inconsistency and inexperience under playoff pressure.
  • Heel: Preferred if it’s a must-win, due to greater experience.
• Hahn: “Those are my three. Even last night, there's something not right with [Schlitler]…but when Boone came out, he didn’t want to come out.” (08:13)
• Don: “So you have Rodon, Freed, Schlitler and Heel. You have four starters, which is all you need in the postseason.” (12:19)

Bullpen

• Trustworthy relievers: Bednar (“he’s your closer”), Williams, Weaver, and possibly Warren as a long man.
  • Rosenberg: “Devin Williams, I honestly always feel like he’s a guy that’s gonna melt in the worst moment, but he’s been good lately...”
• Skepticism towards others—Cruz deemed “too emotional,” Tim Hill “not great lately.”

Stat Check:

• A: "Last six innings, [Cruz] has allowed seven earned runs. He's got five walks—and no, he's out right now." (11:57)

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3. Playoff Pressure, Experience, and Pitcher Psychology

(Featured commentary throughout ~14:23–18:16)

• Anxiety over pitching in New York’s playoff atmosphere, especially for young or untested arms.

  • Don: “There’s just...when those lights are on, when the bump things up at the stadium, as Bill Daughtry used to say... it hits different, doesn't it?” (14:43)
  • Rosenberg: On trusting young relievers: “My amount of trust that I have for anyone is relatively low. But, you’re being positive, you’re coming up with people you can trust.” (13:20)

• Debate if postseason “unknowns” matter more than regular season results—“There's still gonna be the unknown of a kid that's never pitched in the postseason before, and what is he gonna do?” (17:19, Don)

• The “House of Horrors” in Houston—whether the Yankees fear returning there for a playoff series.

  • Rosenberg: “There's no way you don't have nerves about that series...if you underperform against Houston, you're a disgrace.” (21:16)

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4. Mets: Who Makes the Cut for Playoff Trust?

(Begins ~27:35)

• Rotation: McClain and Sproat are almost “must trust” based on their current run, but there’s worry over inexperience.
  • Hahn: “If I am going to give you heat on Schlitler because of no experience, then how can I trust McClain, Tong, and Sproat? ...But how do you not put McClain and Sproat based on what they've done.” (27:37)
• Relievers trusted: Rogers, Thornman, Brooks Raley. Others like Stanek, Soto, or Helsley inspire little confidence.
  • B: “Stanek is the guy you put in when the game's...you don't care. And it's amazing that every time he comes in in mop-up duty, he gives up runs.” (29:27)
• Offense may need to carry the Mets if pitching proves unreliable: “If you are somebody clinging to the fact the Mets can go on a run...they’re gonna have to bash their way there.” (31:00, Hahn)

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5. Offensive Circle of Trust

(~32:05; major stars, trust issues)

• Mets: Soto, Alonzo, maybe Lindor—but Lindor is streaky.
  • A: “Lindor could carry them and be the MVP, and Lindor can go like, oh-for-16 in the two games they lose.” (32:39)
• Yankees: No one truly fits—cannot even comfortably say Judge or Stanton due to postseason history.

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6. Perspectives on Playoff Mentality & Player Legacy

(46:12–47:17)

• If you could pick between a hot Aaron Judge postseason or home field, the hosts unanimously choose Judge playing well.
  • C: “One of the fascinating storylines going into the postseason is that this is an all time great player who has this one thing that everyone holds over his head with good reason...Whether it’s right or not until the guy has a killer playoff.” (47:17)
• Judge’s postseason struggles recited: “His ALDS experience, he's played in six of them in his career. His batting average is .192. 41 strikeouts...” (47:35, C/Hahn)

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7. Behind the Scenes: Studio Trust Issues and Lighter Banter

(41:47–44:49)

• Extended, comic riff on the dangers of logging into personal accounts on work computers, leaving digital “footprints,” and trust among colleagues.
  • B: “I don’t want a paper trail…I don’t know, whatever else here at night didn’t look at my account…” (42:20)
  • A: “He doesn’t want a paper trail. It’s like—” (42:37)
  • C: “With the nails, I threw out who I thought it was…who don’t you trust?” (43:05)

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Notable Quotes

• Rosenberg: “Overall, my amount of trust for anyone [in the Yankees bullpen] is relatively low.” (13:20)
• Hahn: “Freed, Rodon, Schlittler...that’s my three. Hill maybe, but after that it gets dicey, man.” (08:04)
• Don: “It’s New York. It’s the postseason. In baseball, it’s different.” (15:40)
• Rosenberg: “This team hasn’t shown me that they operate that way. They haven’t shown us the big, big brass cajones.” (22:24)
• Hahn: “[Stanek] is the guy you put in when the game's like you don't care. And it's amazing that every time he comes in, in mop-up duty, he gives up runs.” (29:27)
• Rosenberg: “Who do you trust in that locker room?” (43:05)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 01:07 | NFL Thursday Night Football pick talk | | 06:12 | Yankees circle of trust: pitching staff breakdown | | 14:43 | Playoff pressure and home/away splits for pitchers | | 21:16 | Houston: house of horrors for Yankees | | 27:35 | Mets circle of trust: pitching staff breakdown | | 32:05 | Offensive “circle of trust” for Yankees and Mets | | 41:47 | Studio banter: computer paranoia and trust issues | | 46:12 | Judge’s postseason legacy vs. home field debate |

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Tone and Style

True to their show’s reputation, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg keep the conversation fast-paced, passionate, occasionally irreverent, and always steeped in New York fan intensity. They blend real fan worries with sharp analysis and never shy from calling each other out—whether it’s over the rotation, trust in the bullpen, or happenings in the studio.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode is a must for New York baseball fans looking for a candid, sometimes skeptical, and often hilarious assessment of Yankees and Mets playoff readiness. You’ll get thoughtful if nervous evaluations of pitching staffs, honest talk about postseason nerves and mental hurdles, and an entertaining window into the always-charged relationships of three iconic New York sports voices.

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End of Hour 1: “Circle of Trust”

Transcript

[A]

When did making plans get this complicated?

[B]

It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the.

[A]

Secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans.

[B]

Send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets.

[A]

Mom, 60th and never miss a meme or milestone.

[B]

All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[A]

Learn [e-mail] Todd I gotta divorce my wife and have my kids bleed out.

[B]

No.

[A]

Because the giant came's on.

[B]

No.

[C]

Otherwise I'm not a real fan.

[B]

Han, what kind of fan are you?

[A]

Not a good one.

[C]

And Rosenberg, The Peter haters who call stupid. The Peter fans who call very bright.

[A]

This is in North Dakota. This is New York.

[B]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[A]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[B]

880 ESPN and the ESPN New York.

[A]

3 o' clock in the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg on a hot Thursday. Summer's not giving it up, man. It's not giving it up. Keep fighting like mid-80s.

[B]

Don't let go.

[A]

Just another gorgeous day as we get closer and closer to week three. Tonight we got a game. Are we in, guys? Dolphins and Bills, Are we partaking? I. I'm two for two in my three point plays on Thursday. Three.

[B]

Three.

[C]

Three gets tempted when you keep hitting it, right?

[B]

I don't know why.

[A]

Was it 12 and a half? What's the line is ridiculous this game.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

God, the NFL can't be thrilled at the fact that it gets you getting a heavy dose of nationally televised Dolphin games, right? Thursday and then next Monday.

[B]

Oh yeah. Oh yeah.

[A]

It's going to be the couch cast with the jets and the Dolphins. So the Miami Dolphins, not exactly an attractive team.

[B]

11 and a half cover tonight.

[A]

What are you.

[B]

What are you going to sprinkle?

[C]

Hmm, I don't think I'm interested. I gotta look at the rest here.

[B]

We have till the end of the show to decide, right?

[C]

Sure we do. We have extra.

[A]

We got till seven today because the Mets are playing right now.

[C]

I just feel like we. Every time I go hard for like a Buffalo. A Buffalo. Excuse me, a Buffalo kind of team. Like a really solid offense that it seems like whenever you don't have a dog in the fight, all they do is score, score, score. I feel like when you pick them and you're rooting them for to cover a number. I get it, it's brut.

[A]

But listen to my philosophy, okay? Peter, we were on board with this when Aaron Rodgers was In his heyday, right. And he was slinging it for the Packers. Wasn't it fun to bet on him? Isn't it nice to know you need points and Rogers is your quarterback? Or like when you need points and Mahomes is your quarterback? So it's nice to know that, hey, I got Josh Allen.

[C]

I need a touchdown here, but it's a lie. And you. And you just said the magic words as to why it's a lie.

[B]

And that.

[C]

And that word was. That's Patrick Mahomes. No one worse at covering a big number than the Chiefs. A complete nightmare. The amount of times we've all been burned on the Chiefs. Listen, you're right. The Bills, the Bills are the best team when it comes to it. They probably make me feel better than anyone. It's in Buffalo. Eleven and a half in Buffalo. A team like the Dolphins, that's reeling. I mean they're barely alive right now. You know what? Give me the Bills. What am I even talking about?

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

Three point punch. Show me something. Holiday, you're flying out. You got a flight. What better way than the late three before you get on a plane?

[B]

You know he's desperate to.

[A]

You got to get back into this, Peter. Come on. You're. You're.

[B]

This is a desperate play.

[A]

No points through two weeks, man.

[B]

Don't you dare make me root for the Dolphins. Don't you dare have the.

[C]

The favorites have covered the first two Thursdays. Yes, Philadelphia covered week one. Correct.

[B]

That was a cover.

[C]

That was your. That was your cover on Philly. Is that what it was, Don?

[B]

Yeah, that was. Yeah. You went three point play for the season opener, didn't you?

[A]

Yes, yes I did.

[B]

All right, so there's one.

[C]

So this would be three consecutive Thursday favorite covers.

[B]

What would Fortin Bond do now?

[A]

Do you look at it as a trend or do you look that the dog is due? Well, listen, we've got all we got all day. We may get news at like 655. It tells us that, you know, could affect how we play it. But the game is in buffalo. The spreads, 11 and a half. We got that on the table. We got football to discuss as well as we get closer and closer to that Sunday with the jets playing their game against Tampa. And then the Giants have the primetime game on Sunday against Kansas City. And a little bit later on in the show we'll talk about. The Chiefs got Damian Woody at 5:30. So we got all that coming up on the show. Mets are playing right now and the Mets are starting to get a little something going here. After eight straight losses, they win a couple in a row. They lose yesterday. And just when you're ready to bury them as I've again, there was a misconstrued video let him know that said that I had given up on the Mets. I don't think they're winning a title. I'm done with the Mets thinking that they're going to go on another run. But I'm still watching, I'm still rooting. And they're up 51 right now going to the bottom of the sixth inning against the Padres. So a chance to take, take the series after Peterson did not look good last night. And you know, the Mets are looking like they're going to the playoffs. And the Yankees, they took care of business, took care of the Twins, but again, getting no favors from the schedule makers. None, zero, zilch. They had to go play on Sunday night baseball in Boston, a game that, that we here at ESPN took late because we weren't going to take that game. But they had some avails they were able to take advantage of and they jumped on it and they played that game. And then the Yankees had to turn around and play the next night in Minnesota, halfway across the country and didn't show up. Got beaten that game seven nothing. But then pulverized the Twins the next two days. And now Minnesota 20 runs last night. And then where are they? No day off. Right to Baltimore.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's a, it's an Orioles team that, as Alan said so succinctly yesterday, they're on a bit of a two.

[B]

Bit of a toot.

[A]

So you got the Yankees of it all and both these teams are going to the playoffs and it's just a matter of how you feel about them. And it really changes day to day. But we wanted to have this conversation and we'll bring the Mets into the conversation as well. Again, we're going up against the Mets, but again, it's 5:1 and I think people can multitask now. You can be watching us on YouTube. Yeah, I was waiting for that.

[C]

You got to tell the people we're on YouTube. Don't let them.

[A]

Don't forget. Absolutely. As you just destroy the subscribe button and certainly the like button.

[C]

You need to pound and destroy the subscribe and like button right now.

[A]

We need you. So you can watch on YouTube or if you're listening on the app and then have the Met game on. And again they're 5:1, bottom of the sixth inning. So include the Mets in There. Well but we know that they're both going to the playoffs, right? The Yankees have still not completely been ruled out of the possibility of catching the Blue Jays who are losing again today after losing last night. But the Yankees are still in a really tough spot to catch them for the division. But you know, the Red Sox now have jumped back to the number two wild card and Houston with their three game winning streak has now jumped back into first place in the west. So now it's Seattle. So if the season were to end today the Yankees would play the Red Sox and it's still a possibility the Yankees can play Seattle. And yet there's still a possibility the Yankees can play Boston and Seattle and have to travel to those venues. That's how much is up in the air. But the one thing we know is the guardians aren't catching the Yankees, the Rangers are not catching the Yankees. So the Yankees are going to the playoffs. So let's have that conversation, Alan. And we'll start with the Yankees since they're not playing until later. The circle of trust. Do you trust in your rotation and in this bullpen as you get ready for the playoffs? Alan, who is not a circle of trust?

[B]

Well, Freed, Rodon Schlitler.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Is that those your. Those are my three starters.

[B]

Yep. Those are my three. He'll like even last night there's something not right with him. He can look really good and then he loses it and it's bad. Like Schlitler's problem sometimes is he control issues and he'll walk guys right. Like he'll, he'll, he'll get a little out of sorts but he'll like. What I liked is that when Boone came out he'll didn't want to come out of the game. He wouldn't even give him the ball. He made him take it out of his gloves. You see that he had the glove down. So I like that. Which tells you like he knows himself. Like he's probably fighting for the third spot. But I'll those four. But I don't know why I'm leaning Schlitler. And as I said in a wild card round I wouldn't, I probably wouldn't pitch him in a game three if it's one one. But you said circle of trust. So I can't go with four starters.

[A]

Well you could do whatever you want right there. The fact that you have Schlitler as your third starter doesn't necessarily mean he's in the circle of trust. Somebody's got to start game three. So well, him.

[B]

And he'll. Depending on the situation.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So if it's 1 1, I gotta go with heel because he's got more experience. Right. Don't you think? Yeah. They're in my. They're my circle of trust.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

After that, it gets dicey, man.

[A]

All right. But that's it. There can't be anybody. Can't be. No, no.

[C]

How many could you have?

[B]

No, you. You.

[A]

You relievers, too, because now we're ready to move on relievers.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's not against Warren again. It's like, so.

[A]

So you have three starting pitchers in your circle of trust.

[B]

Yeah. And right now it's. It's Schlitler over. Over heel right now. That's what it is. I think Warren could be a good long man out of the bullpen if you need it. You know, that kind of thing.

[A]

All right. In the last. Last three starts, 2 and 1. 2.75 earn on average. He's fine. He's fine. And. And yeah, so he's a guy, as they say. He's a guy.

[B]

That was a Larry Brown thing. You know. He's a guy.

[A]

All right. You're relievers.

[B]

This is where it gets interesting because I don't trust a lot here, and it's amazing because Devin Williams, I. I honestly like that I always feel like he's a guy that's going to melt in the worst moment, but he's been good lately. Bednar, obviously. Even though he's another one that can give up a run every now and then. But I bet, no, I have to go with as a closer. So he's in the circle of trust. Weaver, I think. And I know Weaver didn't look good the last outing. Weaver's a guy that. In a big spot pressure, you know, places like Fenway, Yankee State. There's just something about. He seems to be his best. When it's like when there's a lot on the line, it just seems like he knows he's got that bulldog mentality. So I like weave. I'm okay with him. I'm running out of names. When you say trust. Well, this guy's gonna need to play one more guy.

[A]

There's one more candidate that should be in there for trust. For trust. We can put Williams and Weaver. There's still one more guy, and he's your closer.

[B]

I said, Ben, you did said.

[A]

But okay. You did say bed.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right. So, yeah, those are like that. I can't.

[B]

Is that like. Like the Vol. Like I'm not going.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Lighter Jr. Like, might be just outside the circle, but lighter's another guy. I could, you know, I think Cruz was in.

[A]

I see everybody loves Cruz, but now. But he's too emotional lately.

[B]

I don't trust.

[A]

Last six innings, he's allowed seven earned runs. He's got five walks and. No, he's out. He's out right now. I'm not saying you can't get back in over the next 10 games, but.

[B]

Tim Hill I would have put in there. But again, another guy lately has not been great.

[A]

No.

[B]

But for the longest time, Tim Hill was a guy. Love him in his situation, the right situations. But I don't know. So I don't want to put too many names in there.

[A]

I think so. So you have Rodin, Freed, Schlittler and Heel. You have four starters, which is all you need in the postseason. And you've got. You've got three relief.

[B]

Can I put Warren in with relievers?

[A]

Well, that's where he's going to go if I.

[B]

Because I would trust him as a guy that if. If I like, if he'll give me a bad start. Schlitler gives me a bad start and I got to get out of it. And I still need some innings to get to seventh inning. I could put Warren in there in a playoff game and feel good about it.

[A]

You good with that, Peter, or is there somebody because he's a starter, can.

[B]

I make him a guy I put in the circle of trust in my bullpen?

[A]

Well, it's just a matter of who you trust.

[C]

What else do you have? I mean, you got to do.

[B]

Well, a lot of Yankee fans are to call me out and saying, the Cruz has been great. I just think he gets a little too emotional.

[A]

I guess the question, Peter, would be, is there anybody. I don't think you can add anybody. So the question is, is there anybody that. That Allen trusts that you don't?

[C]

I don't. The only thing I'd say is, overall, my amount of trust that I have for anyone is relatively low.

[B]

Low.

[C]

But no, listen, we're being positive, right. You're coming up with a scenario where there are people you can actually trust. I think this is fine.

[A]

I.

[C]

Why do you have a problem?

[B]

You have a problem with someone you don't trust?

[A]

Well, the only one. And you're not wrong, but the only thing that would scare me about Cam is that I get. It's a kid.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And that. And that's why when we get. We'll get to the Mets, that's going.

[C]

To make The Mets conversation.

[B]

But he doesn't pitch like a kid. Like he.

[A]

I know he doesn't pitch like a kid, but you know what? There's just.

[B]

I hear you.

[A]

And it's. It's funny. I don't know if you heard and I don't know the all coal context of it, but Sims and Susan got into it a little bit last night over. That's been happening over, you know, closing in Pittsburgh as opposed to closing in New York and, And all that. And hey, I'll save as a save. Sim said and Susan's on. No, it's different in New York. And I agree with Susan. It's different in New York.

[B]

I agree.

[A]

You know, and you're already talking about, well, I probably wouldn't want to start Schlitler until we get to the road because I don't want to start him. Maybe I don't want to start him at home. Or is it the reverse? I mean, do you. Do you want to make sure that, you know, you give him the comfort of being able to pitch in his own building? I know when those lights are on, when the, when the bump things up at the stadium, as Bill Daughtry used to say.

[B]

I like that.

[A]

You know, it just. It hits different, doesn't. A little bit different.

[B]

Homer away splits for Schlitler. He's. Wait a minute. They click on the wrong guy. Hang on a second. No, no, that's him. Give me home away.

[A]

His. Yeah, his splits.

[C]

The splits for Schliss.

[A]

Home and away.

[B]

Yeah. What am I missing here? Why is it giving me at bats?

[A]

Well, it should be given yet bats.

[B]

Unless that's his. Okay, you get it? It's dead even.

[A]

Yeah, he's pretty much at home. He's 3 and 2 with a 3.78 earner on average. On the road he's 0 and 1 with a 2.96.

[B]

Yeah, but I mean like strikeout same, right?

[A]

Yeah, it's. Well, he's given up a lot more hits at home, but he's also pitching well. 33 and a third. Actually he's 27 and a third away.

[B]

Yeah, the innings pitch I got to. Innings pitch pretty good on the road.

[A]

It's. But what I'm saying is in the playoffs with, you know, 55,000 screaming fans, it's a different. It's a different. And you don't know, like it's the same thing with the Mets because their buildings will be sold out and there's going to be a lot of attention on the Mets and these three kids tong's pitching great. Eight strikeouts the last I checked. Nice bounce back after getting shelled by Texas and McNeil's been terrific and Sproat's been great, but I don't know how they're going to do in the postseason. It's New York. It's the postseason. In baseball, it's a different. So you can trust him based off of what your eyeballs told you, but you got to be a little worried about what this guy's going to be able to do. Even Bednar, to be honest with you. I mean, does he have the stomach to close a playoff game? I don't know. I mean, I'm going to trust him because he's been so good. He's got multi. He's got. He's pitched in the eighth inning, he's giving you four out saves. There's nothing much else he could do to earn trust other than go out there and actually do it in the postseason.

[B]

Like when's he giving you anything? Has he ever pitched in the playoffs?

[A]

I think I looked it up when they got him.

[B]

I don't, I don't see a playoff tab for him.

[A]

So that's going to be the great.

[B]

He was in Pittsburgh for five years. So, you know, there's playoffs there.

[A]

There's no playoffs.

[B]

Padres in 19 and 20 early in his career. So.

[A]

So you don't know.

[B]

You know, he didn't get a lot of experience there either. So this, this would be his first playoffs as a closer. Listen, you asked me who I trust. That's what I got pitching goes.

[A]

I'm just, I agree with everybody that you said it's just the qualifier for me is there's still going to be the unknown of a kid that's never pitched in the postseason before. And what is he going to do? That's a lot. That's a lot to ask.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. But I know he'll is coming off like he's only.

[A]

But you know, he pitched last year. Right. So there's experience there.

[B]

He's coming off injury and you know, he has not been consistently good. He hasn't found it fully from what he had last year and you'd understand that. You know, I'll tell you what I mean, Rodin's been really good this year. He should have 18 wins. He's pitched really well this last two and he didn't get any decisions.

[A]

You don't trust him.

[B]

But I worry about him in a big spot. The guy sweats like crazy.

[A]

That's it. That's why I can Understand Yankee fans not trusting him. And I worry, but I want to err on the side of trusting him because he's been so good. It's between him and Freed leading the American League and wins so.

[B]

And Freed, I know he's been there.

[A]

But when I take the calls, 1-800-91-9-3776. I know there are going to be people that say I can't trust Rodin as far as I can throw him, but tell me who else you're going to start in a game two. Freed, Game one. And this is if you have the luxury of being able to set your rotation for that wild card series. I think you will. Because let me ask you this. This will come up in conversation a lot before the end of the season, but if you go into the last game of the season needing a win for home field, are you pitching Freed in that game? Are you saving freed for Game 1 of the playoffs and rolling the dice that you don't get home field? Obviously, if it's making the playoffs, you've got no choice. Yeah, that's not going to be the case.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know. Depends on where. Like you. Are you worried about I going to Seattle?

[A]

No.

[B]

No. You worried about going to Houston? No.

[A]

The only building is the House of Horrors.

[B]

But the only place you're not worried.

[C]

About going to Houston.

[B]

No. Because where they are as a team. No, you got to know where they are.

[C]

You know, you're too into sports to feel that way to just.

[B]

No, no, no, no, no. I'm not talking about me. I'm talking about as a team, like, that's not what it was before.

[A]

But.

[B]

And actually, if you think about it, it's a better story to go there and slay a dragon because they're not who they were. But Fenway, then I worry about. You know, Rodin's got rabbit ears. Right. Slitler's young. Those are the things you do worry about.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's what I mean by, like, when you think about having to play on the road. You got to tell me this scenario, Peter, where am I going?

[A]

I don't know. If you're with me, I'm not going to side with you in this argument and decide with Alan that I, I don't mind going to Houston, but I understand your react. Like he shouldn't feel that good about it.

[C]

No, you can't. And the place.

[A]

Because of the history.

[B]

You think, you.

[C]

Think Aaron Judge, after the last, after his entire career.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Sees that they have Houston and goes, oh, no worries.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

I think you are out of your friggin gore.

[B]

You have no. Dude, I don't think he looks it. You got to know him as, as the athlete who's has a chance to win third mvp. Like, I don't think he's shaking his boots wherever he is.

[C]

It doesn't mean he's shaking in the boots at the playoffs, no matter who they. No, I think he's shaking his boots.

[B]

Done.

[C]

I think he's shaking his boots on September 18th.

[A]

Well, yeah, I'm just being honest. Along with the numbers, he comes.

[B]

No, no, the numbers are the numbers and I get it. And it's in the back of his mind, but if you think for a second that he's now all of a sudden scared.

[A]

Honestly, I.

[B]

Scared.

[C]

Scared. Okay.

[B]

I'm not saying he's shaking his boots.

[C]

I think. Fair enough. You're being a little captain literal man. You're not wrong to be. I think if anyone in that team, save maybe Jazz, like, if you have been there for what has happened in Houston, there's no way you don't have nerves about that series. And knowing that particularly this year, particularly this year, if you underperform against Houston, you're a disgrace.

[B]

But I don't think that way. I. Now I'm. Now I'm being dead serious. Okay. Me in that situation, I want to play there because I look at it as the opportunity to put that to bed, go there, kick their ass, and then we have to. I love that idea anymore. That's. That would be my mentality. Now. That also could be a really bad. Like, it could be the worst way to look at it. But I'm, you know, play out really badly. That's what I mean. But sometimes as an athlete, you're better off. Like, the ignorance is bliss. It's better off to. To be that. Like, it's better off to look at it that way than to look at it in the passive way of, yeah, I don't want to play there because, you know, history is bad. No, I want to go there and I want to. I want to slay that dragon. Like it, like, I don't mind.

[C]

Nice thought. I think it's a nice thought.

[B]

That's how you. The only way to think about it.

[C]

But, but Alan, I'm sorry, I have to base this on the history I've seen. This team hasn't shown me that they operate that way.

[B]

They.

[C]

They haven't shown us the big, the big brass. Cajones.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

See, again, you're being an analyst now, which is the right take. I'm saying when you talk about from the player perspective, that's been there.

[A]

Of course.

[B]

Who else has been there other than Judge through all that from 17 on. Right. He's really the only one. Him and Boone.

[C]

I mean Stanton, Stanton's had his. His share of.

[B]

I don't know that he was there at that point though. But no, no, not after he did have the other one. But I just mean the player will not the leaders on that team, especially a guy like Judge. He will not look at it any other way other than oh, good. Now we have a chance to put this to bed. Good. But. But as an analyst, you're right to say you don't want to play there either.

[A]

And there is something. I don't know if they get caught up in the media.

[B]

Cole, I'd feel better.

[A]

But you don't have Cole the team you want. Although it would be sexy. Raleigh versus Judge.

[B]

That would be.

[A]

I. That's who I want to play. I'm a Yankee fan. That's who I want. Seattle, Seattle being the Yankees. I wouldn't think.

[B]

Right. No.

[C]

That's a done deal.

[A]

Houston. There is that history. There'll be that hype. There'll be that conversation and Yankee Red Sox, that, that, that comes with its whole other circus. If you get a rank teams. I don't want to have to play Boston, Houston, Seattle. That's how I'd like. Or if you want to say who do I want to play? Seattle's 1, Houston 2. And the Red Sox.

[B]

Who does Fox and ESPN want?

[A]

My Yankees, Red Sox. They don't want any part of Seattle.

[B]

And it's the shorter. If you're the Yankees. Do you like that's the shorter travel?

[A]

Well, and, but they're, they're. And they're not going to Seattle. I'm really confident to say I believe the Yankees are going to be hosting against Boston, Houston or Seattle. All right. Join the conversation. 1-800-919-3776 I thought so. I wasn't 100% sure the Cowboys covered on that Thursday.

[C]

Oh, so you had the Cowboys and the Cowboys covered. That's what the angle. Got it. Okay.

[B]

Thank you. I just remember five and a half.

[A]

Yeah, right.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

All right. That, that, that pushes me more towards the Bills.

[A]

So now it's a little bit more even. I need to do it a lot less momentum.

[B]

That's my circle now. We don't need a batting. We don't need the. The lineup. Right. For circle of trust.

[A]

No, no, no. I think you trust.

[B]

So it's the pitching circle of trust because for both of these teams, pitching has been the major issue. So what are we going to do your circle of trust with the Mets next?

[A]

Yeah, we'll do. We'll, we'll do that. Coming up this episode is brought to.

[B]

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[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[B]

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

[A]

You know ESPN New York now has our live YouTube page so you get to see us like you never before. We are streaming live on YouTube like right now. Your favorite shows, DP Rothenberg, Barton Carlin, the Michael K Show and of course us now with live video, Interact, react and be part of the conversation live on YouTube. Subscribe now at ESPN New York on YouTube and never miss a moment. People are thrilled about this man. I'm thrilled about it.

[B]

Having great, great feedback already. Yeah from a lot of people that I just ran into from last night to the to earlier today. And by the way subscribers wise, I mean skyrocketing now, almost closing down. Yeah, we're all closing on the first threshold that we set. Not bad. Like in 24 hours. Right.

[C]

So you know why? It's because people were pounding and destroying.

[A]

The that's all we ask and think about it.

[B]

We're not on 880 because the Met game is on. This is the easiest way to consumer yes. To me it's probably I would call it the primary way because you have the app.

[C]

You still got the ESPN New York app. This is a beauty right here.

[B]

It is a beauty.

[A]

Get to see us before we get to your phone calls at 1-800-919-3776. My circle of trust with the Mets.

[B]

Let's see.

[A]

If I am going to give you heat on Schlitler because of no experience, then how can I trust McClain, Tong and Sproat?

[B]

Because you don't have a choice. I have a choice.

[A]

But the thing is tell me you're not going to go in with the apprehension. Hey, they've handled it. Hey, it's still New York, right? I mean you're pitching in New York. You're coming in here on a white horse trying to save a season. And they have for the most part from the rotation standpoint. So yes, I'm apprehensive. But how do you not put McClain and Sproat based on what they've done Tom good tonight? I can't.

[B]

So there's how many pitches? How many starters you gonna give me?

[A]

Three. I. That's all I can give you.

[B]

You got two.

[A]

Well, what else am I gonna give you? Peterson, he's gonna earn run average over 8.

[B]

He's been bad late in the last.

[A]

In the last three games. He's 2 and 1 in those games, but he's gonna earn an average of 8. He was awful last night.

[B]

Two pitchers in the circle of. You're not wrong. What's wrong is not even in the major leagues right now. Manaya is feels like he's gonna be. He's like you're gonna stack him and.

[A]

What'S his face Bomaniah and Holmes Holmes.

[B]

So you're going to have to stack as starters. So. Yeah, I get it. All right, there's two. How about out of your bullpen who you trust for sure. Right? Okay.

[A]

Rogers.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Thornman average is under two in the last last few games. I mean he's given if he's given it up. But I do trust him.

[B]

He's gotten over 20 games.

[A]

All right, I need a I guess Brooks, Rayleigh, those will be up my three. I Helsey, forget about it. Garrett's on the. On Il right. Stanek I don't trust. Soto I don't trust. Who am I supposed to. That's it.

[B]

By the way, Stanek is the guy you put in when the game's like you don't care. And it's amazing that every time he comes in and mop up duty, he gives up runs. And they're wild. Yeah, he's always giving up like that. Like. Yeah. Coming in the ninth, we're down seven runs and somehow he gives up a run. It's crazy.

[A]

And that's what's scary about, you know, the Mets is just not a lot of people you can trust. But the all they are going to honestly.

[B]

Wait a minute. So she. The only if hells are you're out on. And I understand. I get it. So you're out on Helsley.

[A]

Who would you. Who. Who should I trust?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Soto. Last seven games, his own run average is near nine.

[B]

Is that bad?

[A]

Not good.

[B]

Not good.

[A]

Brazabon?

[B]

No. Is he even up?

[A]

He's on the roster.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, I don't know if they'd go to him, but I mean, this is. This is why it's hard to.

[B]

Peter wants you to put Tyler McGill.

[C]

You know how I feel about Tyler.

[B]

Yeah. And Senga. I don't know. At some point they're gonna decide what they're doing there.

[A]

Whatever they decide. You can't tr.

[B]

You're still not going to trust him.

[A]

You know, he's not good coming out of the pen. You're not going to trust if he starts a game.

[B]

So I have. I have eight pitchers in my circle of trust. You have five.

[A]

Five.

[C]

I think it's called realism. Alan, you also said you're not scared of the Astros, so.

[B]

I ain't scared.

[C]

Don's living in reality, baby.

[A]

But the one thing if you are somebody clinging to and I'm not, but if you are somebody clinging to the fact the Mets can go on a.

[B]

Run on a toot, it's.

[A]

They're gonna have to bash their way there.

[B]

Isn't that these days.

[A]

It's tough in the playoffs. It's playoff pitching to go out there. Oh, we're gonna score eight runs and it's not gonna matter. Like the way they won the game one of this series. You know, go out there, score the first seven runs, knock the starter out. Becomes a bullpen game for them. Add on, you win the game eight.

[B]

Three.

[A]

That, that. That doesn't happen a lot. And I know the Padres are A team they could face. But let's not forget the Padres. You know, they're playing here on the East Coast. Those games are going to be in San Diego. They're right now in the midst of an Eastern swing. Are you getting a Padre team? The same Padre team you're going to get in the playoffs? You hope that it's the same as what you get now, because you're going to take two out of three, it looks like, from, but not loving it.

[B]

Who started for the Padres today? Oh, because you knocked King out.

[A]

Knocked King out in. In game one of the series.

[B]

So, you know, whatever it's going to be with the Padres is probably going to be a slug festival, right?

[A]

Oh, yeah, Vasquez. They knocked him out in the third inning.

[B]

So can we now then let's do this. Since we don't want to do a whole lineup, you give me one. One batter, one offensive player that is in your circle of trust. The guy that you're like, I know this dude's showing up.

[A]

Well, it's hard. Well, if it's one one guy, because.

[B]

I can get one guy that you're going to depend on that, you know.

[A]

This guy, considering how he did in the postseason last year, the big home run against the Guardians, you probably figure it'd be Soto.

[B]

Well, I was.

[A]

Alonzo could be there, too, but, you know, we don't have Freaky. He's been Lindor. Lindor could carry them and be the MVP, and Lindor can go like, oh, for 16 in the two games they lose in the wild card.

[B]

Right, right.

[A]

I mean, think about it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Pretty streaky.

[B]

You see Iglesias, he can't let it go. Kenny. He can't let it go.

[A]

Well, did you.

[B]

They're not the same. Not the same as last. I mean, you know, year to year is not the same, but he can't let it go.

[C]

Well, I get it.

[A]

I love you. Okay. God love you. You were a major part.

[B]

Should have brought me back. OMG.

[C]

What do you want him to do?

[A]

He's batting, spending.224.

[B]

That should be his next SMH.

[A]

Here. Here is Ingles.

[C]

Might be SMD.

[A]

All right. He's got one home run, 32 RBIs. He's batting.224. Not even an everyday player with the Padres. And when he plays, he doesn't hit. And you know, what we know is interesting. We didn't get a chance to talk about this yesterday.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

When he was introduced, very lukewarm reception. I was very surprised they even said it. On the broadcast, I was listening. Driving home, Howie and Keith said, wow. I was a little surprised it was that lukewarm. They thought that he'd get a.

[C]

Did they play it?

[A]

What's that?

[C]

Did they play it?

[B]

No, they didn't play the song when he batted?

[A]

No. Why would they play oh, my God, he's a Padre?

[B]

Doesn't matter. Just to show them.

[C]

Like for a little welcome back then.

[A]

No, they introduced. What they did was they. They. It was a great job. I thought by us by 880. Is that they allowed the. You hear the PA announcer, Jose Iglesias. And then it was like. It was very lukewarm. Cheers wasn't really anything. And they said, wow. Really surprised. It was so lukewarm. I mean, he was a major part of last year.

[C]

Well, that's. That's my point. That's why I'll. I understand why he's super emotional on. Oh, completely moved on. Meanwhile, for him, that will end up probably being the biggest thing that ever happens in his career.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And. And then you're ushered out when the season ends. I'm not saying the Mets weren't right for doing it, but you certainly understand why you'd be a little bitter about it.

[B]

Yeah, I get the bitter, but it's.

[A]

Like, oh, but so be better. Don't be like, they're not the same. Yeah, they're not the same, by the way.

[C]

But hold on. They're horrible.

[A]

But. But you're. When you say.

[C]

And the magic right now is gone. So he's like, well, the magic is gone. I took it away.

[A]

He's right. But he didn't take the magical.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

So it was going to continue.

[B]

God did think about magic.

[A]

It doesn't hang around. All right? And then it goes away.

[B]

That's why you hate it.

[A]

Right? It's like gas. You know, you expel it and then the next breeze, it disappears. Some tougher than others. I get it. But eventually it goes, not Magic Johnson.

[C]

Not Magic Johnson. Stayed with. Stays with the Lakers for life. He's Dodgers now, and I hope I have him with the commies for the rest of my life. I love the mountain.

[B]

So on the Yankees. Circle of trust. Offensive player. I can't make a judge. I can't.

[C]

You can't.

[A]

Well, not based on that, because history.

[B]

Tells me that teams just know how to pitch and know what to do, whatever it is. So I. It can't. It needs to be. Because everything changes if Judge. Judge goes on a heater at a time where nobody ever expected. If he has himself a run in October. Everything could change. We don't know. We'll see. But you have to pick a player. Who would you pick? You can't say Stanton. Who would you pick?

[A]

Oh, why can't you say Stanton?

[B]

Because you can't.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

I'm not saying these are your rules. It's too easy.

[A]

All right.

[B]

It's too easy.

[A]

It's too easy. Bellinger.

[B]

That's a good one. It's him or Grisham.

[A]

What are they going to do with him? He's got 33 home. But then we don't see Jones.

[B]

I don't know how much are they in love with Jones?

[A]

Apparently not. He's going to be eventually. It's going to be old timers day, and he's going to trot out there in a Somerset Patriot jersey like, I, I, I don't know. You gotta play at some point.

[B]

No, but, but, but, or they're, they're building up his leg. His legend as a minor league, right? Talent.

[A]

25 years old.

[B]

Dude, like, turn him into Homer Bush. But don't you have Homer Bush? Everybody thought he was gonna be like, yeah, loved him. What'd they get for him?

[A]

I know.

[B]

What'd they get?

[A]

What they said Roger Clemens. Oh, that's right.

[B]

I mean, but no, it's what, that's what you do.

[A]

I know.

[B]

You overvalue somebody that you know. I don't want to show too much.

[A]

That's a good point.

[B]

And we put him in a deal for somebody. It's like, oh, wow, you gave up that prospect, and then what?

[A]

That's a good point.

[B]

So, but, but maybe that's what they're.

[A]

Doing, you know, because he's never done three homework. But sometimes you just got to be like, you know what? It's just one of those things, man. What, are you going to give him a contract? And he goes out and hits 15. I mean, he didn't do this in San Diego.

[B]

How old is he now? 30. We looked at Christian.

[A]

I don't, I don't, I don't think he's that, I think he's late 20s, though.

[B]

Is he? So he's not that old. His mustache makes him look old. He's 28. 28. So it'll be 29 next year. So, like, he's having himself a career year. It's at the right time. But if he's a fit, it's gonna.

[A]

Be tough to give up five.

[B]

Last night was his fifth multi home.

[A]

No, it's crazy. Five. But you are landlocking these prospects. What are you doing?

[B]

Well, again, we'll see what they think of Jones.

[A]

If you believe.

[B]

But you gotta Dominguez, because that's his position.

[A]

Again, we're not giving out watches, Right? When you're not giving out trophies, you got to believe that you found something and he's going to become something great. Or is this just a flash in the pan?

[B]

Or is this a contrary.

[A]

Because I'm not going to make him my center fielder. And then he goes out there and he hits four home runs and we're going to be in deep in May and you're like, boy, we made a mistake.

[B]

He has 10 home runs in the last 22 games.

[A]

Yeah, it's crazy. But listen, if he ends up. If he ends up torching it in the postseason and you win, what about.

[B]

Ben Rice, another guy we got to figure out where.

[A]

Is he, your catcher? Is he eventually going to be your first baseman? They got some decisions to make for sure, but we're getting ahead of ourselves. 1-800-919-3776 let's go to Nick in one of my favorite places right off of kindergemac Road, Emerson, New Jersey. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Nick? Good afternoon, boys. Yeah, yeah, Don. Emerson's a phenomenal place. I'm actually a big fan of your old hometown myself. One of my best friends lives there. I think I've told you in the past. All right, cool. North. North. Shout out to North Jersey. Hell, yeah. Amen. So, Alan, you kind of stole my thunder a little bit about Warren in the pen and, like, trusting him. And it just kind of gave me the idea of somebody that reminds me of. It kind of reminds me of what if, like the. What if he went into, like, the Phil hughes position of seventh and eighth inning before Mariano in 2009.

[B]

Yeah, that's pretty good. Similar. That's pretty good.

[A]

Similar pitching style. That's.

[B]

That's not. That's not terrible. I don't hate that at all. And it's a. That's a really good reference, too, of how you can use somebody. Think about it. He's giving you 30 plus starts as a rookie and you. He wasn't really. Was he even part of the plan to start the season? So you've got to acknowledge the fact that he has given you. He's given you a lot of good innings this season. He's had moments, I think, with him in a playoff spot, that's a pretty good place to put him. That's a good I like that. That's why I like him out of the bullpen. I think he's a good. He's a good guy to bring it out of the bullpen. A little less pressure. Yeah. But you also have to recognize the consistency that he has brought and the durability he's brought to a pitching staff that has had neither one of those all season.

[A]

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[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[B]

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

[A]

Don Hanna Rosenberg with you until seven today. We'll be joined by 880. You can of course consume us live on our YouTube channel and we want you to subscribe and like as much as you can.

[B]

We got a big crowd watching right now. It's good, good shout out to everybody watching. I can't get into the chat so I can't respond to people well.

[C]

Yeah you can.

[B]

Sure you can. No, this computer you got to log in. I don't want.

[A]

I think it's.

[B]

I'm not signing on this work computer.

[A]

Why? Because is your.

[C]

Is your Gmail your main email?

[B]

No.

[C]

So why are you scared to sign in?

[B]

Because then it stays signed in. I don't want to do it.

[C]

Well, you just got to go sign out. I do it every day.

[B]

But then it's. Then it's there. There's a footprint. I don't want any of that.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

I don't like that, Donald.

[C]

Don, what are you. Don, what are you making from this?

[B]

I don't want to do it. I don't. Using work email, work accounts on work computers. That's it. Nothing personal. Because it's. Then there's a footprint. I don't want a footprint. Huh.

[C]

This is very.

[A]

He doesn't want a paper trail. It's like.

[B]

I don't want paper trail.

[C]

Paper trail of what?

[B]

I don't know. Whatever else here at night didn't look my account.

[A]

What do you plan on doing?

[B]

What do you mean? I'm saying who knows who's coming in here after us and what's going on?

[C]

Don, let me.

[B]

Saw fingernails on the floor. Nobody knows who they were. We don't know.

[A]

Well, no, no.

[B]

If you.

[A]

If.

[C]

Listen, if you don't trust yourself to sign out, well, that's.

[B]

Then that.

[C]

That's the answer.

[A]

Okay? That's the answer.

[C]

If you don't be my prison specifically.

[A]

Don't you trust. Because with the nails, I threw out who I thought it was. Yeah, who don't you trust?

[B]

But I'm saying we don't know what's going on in here because all the stuff that happens Jersey got moved.

[A]

Like you don't know. That was John.

[C]

Right, but that's not.

[B]

That's.

[A]

But everybody that comes into this facility has got a pass. So we can narrow it down if anything were to happen.

[B]

I know, but I'm. Doesn't matter.

[C]

Listen, Don, what do you think this is?

[A]

The cleaning woman's going to come in and solve all our crimes.

[B]

Listen, was that wrong?

[C]

That is a. Jon, I have a work computer. I have a work computer that I use. I've been using it actually as my just computer because my old computer broke. So I've been using a work computer. Now, I admit there are certain things that maybe I would have previously watched on my personal computer that I choose not to watch on a work computer. But besides that, what is the worry about? You know what I'm saying? Donald? What is anyone doing?

[A]

No, he's Afraid he's going to sign if I forget.

[B]

It's the same thing as signing into Twitter on here.

[A]

But there is.

[B]

You forget to do it and then somebody else is using. Because I remember opening up Twitter on here and somebody else was signed in. I forget which. Oh, I've seen and I'm like, oh, God, like I'm about to tweet something. You know what I mean? So, no, never do that.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

Call me paranoid.

[A]

I know, but it's only an issue if there's somebody on this floor you don't trust.

[C]

That's. That's sounding like what's going on here.

[B]

The best case to do it is.

[A]

To go incognito mode and.

[B]

Yeah. Cross out. Yeah.

[A]

All right. While we're working through that 1-800-91976. No, everything's a thing on this show. You should learn that by now. We've been doing the show for what, eight months now. Everything's a try and make. You never know.

[B]

Trying not to be that guy.

[A]

Neil in the Bronx. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Neil? Good afternoon, gentlemen. Love the show. I'm watching you guys on YouTube. You guys look awesome.

[B]

Before I get to my Yankee question, Don, are you related to Wolfman Jack? You have a Wolfman Jack type look to yourself.

[A]

I don't. I don't know that I'm gonna take that as a compliment.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But I don't think I'm related to Wolf Man.

[B]

Can you imitate Wolfman Jack? Remember this? Remember he always had like, he had a sound. Oh, yeah.

[A]

But I can't do it. I think I can do it.

[B]

It was great graffiti. Can we find some Wolfman Jack? We gotta find some.

[A]

As far as the Yankee question, I heard you guys arguing about whole field advantage. If you had a choice about Aaron Judge being clutched this postseason, which God.

[B]

Knows he needs it over home field.

[A]

Advantage, which one would you choose?

[B]

Wait, wait, wait. Say it one more time slowly. I'm not very smart.

[A]

I didn't get it either.

[C]

Okay, me neither.

[B]

If you have a choice of Aaron.

[A]

Judge being clutched, just postseason, because God knows he needs that moment.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Over the Yankees had in home field advantage, would you choose?

[B]

I mean, that's a no brainer. I think. You know, that feels like an obvious answer. I struggle, Judge.

[C]

In a heartbeat. There's no question.

[A]

You're not. Listen, it's nice to have home field, but they've been a great team on the road all year long.

[B]

I would judge to have a big time postseason because if he does. It doesn't matter where you're playing, right? You have, you have a exponentially higher chance to win a series if Aaron Judge is ready. Judge.

[C]

And if he doesn't, it doesn't matter where you're playing because we know what.

[B]

The results gonna be.

[C]

Yep, we've seen this before. You might even make it all the way to the World Series. But at some point you're coming up short. So you got to get judged this year. And that's why I really do think it's going to be. One of the fascinating storylines going into the postseason is that this is an all time great player who has this one thing that everyone holds over his head with good reason. And you know, it must bother him. And for him to end up truly in Yankee lore in the realest way, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if Michael K. Talks about how great he is. It doesn't matter if Don Lagreca gets on the radio and says he's an all time Yankee. None of those things truly matter. Whether it's right or not until the guy has a killer playoff. Even if they don't win the World Series, he needs a killer playoff on.

[B]

They could lose in the ds. But if he's just mashing the baseball, it's almost like a, like a sigh of relief. His ALDS experience, he's played in six of them in his career. His batting average is.192.41 strikeouts and he.

[A]

Has, he has homered in the postseason.

[B]

Oh, yeah, he homer. No, no, no.

[C]

Three times.

[B]

Yeah, he's home a couple. But I'm looking at ALDS 6 Series and he has 19 hits and 41 strikeouts with a 192. Even the ALCS, he's been in four of those.

[A]

Yeah, but you know what?

[B]

193.

[A]

You said something just out of where it was kind of just a throwaway. He just has to have a monster series even if they don't win. Well, if he doesn't win, it'll be like, all right, he had that one year. But overall it's been terrible.

[B]

And you know where, if he gets.

[C]

Where oh is the long run, you're right. But if he needs it right now.

[A]

But if he's.

[C]

He needs it now.

[A]

I'll tell you what, if he's average and the Yankees win, he'll get up a little bit. Oh, no, no, that's right.

[B]

You're right.

[A]

If he's average.

[B]

If he's average, you remember his numbers in the DS are terrible. In six series. His team's won four of the six, though. So like you said about Soto, I don't care if he's terrible. Is the team winning? That's all that matters, right?

[A]

But you didn't have no championships, just the one World Series. And it wasn't good.

[B]

No.

[A]

In that World Series. And we'll see what happens this year.

[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[C]

I don't want to know how the.

[B]

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.

[A]

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