Hour 1: Closest To A Championship?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Closest To A Championship?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 1: Closest To A Championship?
• Release Date: July 17, 2025
• Description: The first voice of ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, long-time sportswriter and broadcaster Alan Hahn, and highly opinionated Hip Hop vet and WWE personality Peter Rosenberg discuss New York sports and more.

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1. Introduction to Championship Contenders

The episode kicks off with Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg delving into the current landscape of New York's major sports teams, focusing on their proximity to winning championships.

Don Hahn [02:59]:
"Is there something that could make you rethink their potential to win a championship?"

Peter Rosenberg [03:14]:
"We never used to, it was always Yankees and then everybody else."

2. Spotlight on the Knicks

The New York Knicks take center stage as the hosts analyze their performance in the summer league and their prospects for the upcoming NBA season.

Don Hahn [02:01]:
"The Knicks are almost closed for business now and unless something dramatic happens, which can happen in the NBA..."

Peter Rosenberg [05:11]:
"So this is the Knicks, this is who they are. They have their coach. And now you start to decide whether or not you think this is good enough to get to the finals and win a championship."

Alan Hahn [22:46]:
"They're going to be different."

The discussion highlights the limited roster changes for the Knicks, with speculation about potential veteran additions like Chris Paul, who ultimately remains with the Lakers.

3. Yankees vs. Mets: MLB Championship Race

Transitioning to baseball, the conversation shifts to the New York Yankees and Mets, evaluating their chances in the MLB postseason.

Don Hahn [06:19]:
"And then when you got the Mets and Yankees, they're both second place teams, season ends today. They're both in the postseason..."

Peter Rosenberg [13:53]:
"I always say Yankees first because they're the Yankees."

Don Hahn [07:34]:
"I think the Yankees are probably better than the Knicks."

The hosts debate the Yankees' potential to secure the World Series, considering possible trade moves such as acquiring Suarez and the strategic implications of these transactions.

4. Trade Deadlines and Team Strategies

A significant portion of the episode explores the strategies surrounding MLB's trade deadlines, focusing on how teams like the Yankees and Mets might maneuver to strengthen their rosters.

Peter Rosenberg [09:03]:
"You could say that they made the Rangers aren't in that conversation anymore."

Don Hahn [10:29]:
"The word is they're looking for a high-level prospect because they know they want to see who's desperate enough to do it."

Peter Rosenberg [11:03]:
"That's the word."

The discussion emphasizes the Yankees' potential acquisition of key players and the Mets' need to bolster their pitching staff to enhance their championship bids.

5. Evaluating the Championship Odds

In assessing which team stands closest to winning a championship, the hosts weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the Knicks, Yankees, and Mets.

Don Hahn [13:53]:
"I think you would have to say that a guy that is on his way to hitting 50 home runs right is going to be impactful."

Peter Rosenberg [19:36]:
"I think both are open in the same way. Relative."

Don Hahn [22:17]:
"But the point is, I think the Yankees are going to the World Series and I think the Knicks are going to the NBA Finals. When I give the Knicks the nod, it's marginal. It's marginal."

Hahn posits that while the Yankees have a strong chance to reach the World Series, the Knicks' path to the NBA Finals is less certain but still plausible.

6. MLB Draft Discussion

Transitioning from active season analysis, the hosts briefly touch upon the MLB draft's scheduling and its impact on team strategies.

Don Hahn [33:06]:
"If you listen, you're not going to get much of a bump because there's nothing going on."

Peter Rosenberg [34:23]:
"But the MLB draft is not like the NFL or NBA or NHL. It like we don't know who these people are."

The conversation underscores the limited immediate impact of the MLB draft compared to other major sports drafts, citing future potential rather than current excitement.

7. Listener Engagement: Strategies and Suggestions

Listeners' ideas are discussed, including innovative strategies like changing batting orders during innings to influence game outcomes.

Alan Hahn [35:55]:
"I think instead of having a ghost runner, what they should do is at any time in the game, at the start of an inning, you can change who you want to start your order from."

Don Hahn [36:43]:
"Here's what I would say. Just one inning. I'm going to do it in the ninth inning."

The hosts debate the feasibility and impact of such strategies, comparing baseball's rigidity to the flexibility seen in other sports like hockey and football.

8. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Hahn, Rosenberg, and Hahn briefly revisit the central question of which team is closest to a championship, reiterating their assessments.

Don Hahn [39:12]:
"At least I'm down to run. I got the leadoff batter on, right? All right, so I walk them."

Peter Rosenberg [50:08]:
"But still, fans love their guy and they're always gonna take up for him."

The discussion concludes with a reflection on the dynamic nature of sports and the ever-present possibility of unexpected turns leading teams closer to championship glory.

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Notable Quotes:

• Don Hahn [02:59]:
  "I think the Knicks are going to the NBA Finals. When I give the Knicks the nod, it's marginal."

• Peter Rosenberg [05:11]:
  "So this is the Knicks, this is who they are. They have their coach. And now you start to decide whether or not you think this is good enough to get to the finals and win a championship."

• Don Hahn [13:53]:
  "I think the Yankees are going to the World Series and I think the Knicks are going to the NBA Finals."

• Peter Rosenberg [19:36]:
  "I think both are open in the same way. Relative."

• Don Hahn [22:17]:
  "But the point is, I think the Yankees are going to the World Series and I think the Knicks are going to the NBA Finals. When I give the Knicks the nod, it's marginal. It's marginal."

---

Conclusion:

In this episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of New York's key sports teams, debating their current standings and potential to secure championships. Through strategic discussions on trades, team dynamics, and future prospects, Don Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Alan Hahn offer listeners a comprehensive look into the competitive landscape of sports in New York and beyond.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

With the Venmo debit card, you can Venmo everything. Your favorite band's merch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can Venmo this or their next show.

[Don Hahn]

You can Venmo that. Visit Venmo Me debit to learn more. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp bank and a pursuant to license by Mastercard International Inc. The card may be used everywhere. MasterCard is accepted. Venmo purchase restrictions apply. Todd, I gotta divorce my wife and have my kids bleed out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Because the Giant game's on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Otherwise I'm not a real fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What kind of fan are you?

[Don Hahn]

Not a good one. And Rosenberg, the Peter haters who call stupid. The Peter fans who call very bright. This isn't North Dakota, this is new.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don Han and Rosenberg.

[Alan]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app.

[Don Hahn]

3 o' clock at the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg with you until 7 o'. Clock. The last day before the second half of the baseball season begins. We're two second place teams. Try to get back at the first. Hi Alan, welcome back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm here.

[Don Hahn]

I miss you terrible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There I am. We are back. The last. Like this is like the dead period, right. Where they're really, they're. I mean again, the WNBA even, they're going into their all star break, right? There's no sports, nothing. When do we ever have this? I mean we talk about the sports nirvana that we get in October when you have all four major sports playing sometimes on the same day.

[Don Hahn]

What do they call that? A sports equinox.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Equinox, right. And this might be. Is tonight the first night that nothing.

[Don Hahn]

Well, we do have. Well, I'm going to give you an example. All right. As you know, if you're any kind of a listener to the show, we've got the tullamore. Do game time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. You're going to do game time here?

[Don Hahn]

No, I'm not going to do it here. But I'm going to tell you what we're going to promote in game time. All right. Is the Knicks Pacer summer league game on ESPN2 at 4:30. That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I'm gonna have to watch that back.

[Don Hahn]

We'll have fun with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I watched, I watched on the train the other day, the five when they played, I guess the 530 tip off. That was. I saw the end of the game and it was nice to see them actually get a win because they weren't very good. And so today they finish and they're Done. Done. So the Knicks are. The Knicks summer league's done. And you could argue now there is one roster spot still, still there. But this isn't going to be earth shattering, whatever they do with it. But you could argue that. So the Knicks, now they're almost closed for business now and unless something dramatic happens, which can happen in the NBA where a significant player like last year when Towns suddenly became a player that they could trade for, but it feels like there really isn't any more business to be done and this is it. So, you know, we have now until October when training camp begins to start, wondering if this team is the team in New York that's the closest to winning a championship.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, full disclosure, it seems like every All Star break, when you're looking and trying to be creative with your segments, you'll throw the old which of the New York teams have the best chance to win a championship?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, we always up, we're always updating.

[Don Hahn]

This and it's always updated.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We never used to, it was always Yankees and then everybody else.

[Don Hahn]

But then, but then because the Yankees had taken a little bit of a step back and they weren't winning and they weren't going to the World Series and then looked like it was going to be the Mets and then it looked like it was going to be the Rangers. Right? Rangers are on the cusp of doing something while the jets, they just got Aaron Rodgers. I go back to last year's beach bash where we had that conversation. Remember I was fighting with Bart because Bart said, well it's got to be the jets because they got Aaron Rodgers and like I was fighting with him but it wasn't like it was that ridiculous a take. They went and got a Super bowl champion quarterback. They were a talented team going in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

And it's, it's just a reminder whenever I think about it of how fleeting it is because now the Rangers aren't in that conversation anymore. The jets are not in that conversation anymore. The Knicks are in that conversation and the Mets and Yankees are in that conversation. And that's it. Two football teams, God love them, not in the conversation. I don't think any of the hockey teams are in the conversation. I think the Devils have talent, but you know, they haven't been out of the second round in forever. And yeah, they stay healthy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They have to prove it. But you know, could it happen? This could be a prove it year where you now you start putting.

[Don Hahn]

I think they're the best of the three teams probably from a talent standpoint.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Devils, huh?

[Don Hahn]

Because the Rangers are in transition and so are the Islanders. Right. But that doesn't mean that any of the three could have the best season next year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

I think they're kind of close to each other. Igor kind of balances things out. He can stand on his head for a couple of weeks and win some games. And certainly the Islanders goaltending is terrific with Sorokin and they've got some nice pieces and all that, but none of these teams are close to winning a championship. But the Rangers were close and of course the Nets a few years ago were close when they had the Big Three and they were in the conversation. So it kind of shows you how fleeting it is. But it's interesting that you brought up the Knicks in being kind of a done thing. Right. There's a couple of things that could happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. But nothing. I don't foresee anything dramatic at this point. It's one more roster spot. It's a, it's a veterans minimum. It could be returning Landry Shamma, it could be adding another veteran player that wants to be part of this thing. And you know, I don't know if it's gonna be anything that interesting. I thought they were looking for another ball handler, another point guard, veteran, experienced guy. And I thought Chris Paul be a great fit, but it just. He does not want to leave the West Coast. His family lives in LA, so.

[Don Hahn]

But no needle mover other than LeBron.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think there'll be a needle mover. And unless something happens in Milwaukee and Giannis finally comes to the realization that I want out of here and I want to go there. Right. Like so you always leave that on the table. But that's it. That's it. Between now you talk about the next two, three months. Three months till the season begins. And this is it now. So this is the Knicks, this is who they are. They have their coach. And now you start to decide whether or not you think this is good enough to get to the finals and win a championship.

[Don Hahn]

And then when you got the Mets and Yankees, they're both second place teams, season ends today. They're both in the postseason, so they're certainly in the conversation. And then they trade to the World.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Series last year and yeah, Mets were a Final four team, the Yankees were a finalist. And both teams have a trade deadline coming up. And both teams have the ability to make moves that could reshape and also make you rethink their potential to win a championship. Now we haven't won one here in this city, with our big four being the four major sports, we have not won one since the Giants, right?

[Don Hahn]

Since February of 2012, 2011.

[Peter Rosenberg]

15 years.

[Don Hahn]

So it's been a while. Now you bring up the trade deadline because the Mets and Yankees are both a work in progress. There will be changes, there will be deals made. But you wonder, they could be impactful, right. It could be somebody that you don't think of when it happens and then he ends up being the most important piece. But right now, is there a move that's logically going to be made by either of these two teams that are. It's really going to make you look differently at this team moving forward with.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Yankees getting Suarez at third base.

[Don Hahn]

Do that well, it keeps Jazz at second.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he's got pop.

[Don Hahn]

You got a legitimate player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's one of the, he has hit. I think he's what, fourth among home run. I was saying he's fourth among major league players since 2017 in home run total. Home run. I mean, you know, he's hit a ton of. So it's exactly what the Yankees look for. Right. And it's a walk year, which is a dangerous thing is are you willing to give up a prospect that, that Arizona is going to want, but if he's available and you get a player like that in your lineup, which, like you said, not only does it give you a big bad, a big, you know, the, the, the, the. The. Another big bopper, which is what the Yankees want. They want bombers. Right. But it also, as you just mentioned, Jazz stays at second where he's most comfortable and everything sort of settles in when it comes to the defense, does that. Would you say to yourself, you know what? Might have to look at the Yankees a little different now?

[Don Hahn]

I think you would have to. I think you would absolutely have to say that a guy that is on his way to hitting 50 home runs. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

Isn't going to be impactful. And you look at his career, he did, you know, had 49 home runs on 103 RBIs in 2019. Don, look at his total since 34, 104 and 18.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His total since 2017. I'm telling you, a judge is number one. I think he's fourth. Fourth most home runs hit since 2017.

[Don Hahn]

Well, again, here are the numbers, right? 26 and 17. 34, 49. He had 15 in 2020 when I believe 20 actually led the league. 31, 31, 22. That was the off year in 23, 30 last year, 31 so far this year. So you figure he's going to hit north of 40 for sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pretty good year for Milwaukee, right?

[Don Hahn]

I'm not sure there's anybody that the Mets could get. Doesn't sound like they're in the market for a starting pitcher.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Is there a bat that they can get? They going to tell me that they're going to get Nolan Arenado from St. Louis. That might be a needle mover, right? No more.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want. I don't love that for them. I don't think it fits them well. And if I'm not mistaken, didn't. Aren't the Mets one of the teams that he would say no.

[Don Hahn]

That apparently. But that doesn't mean that it can't change possibly as you got closer to the deadline. Fair, but I'm just throwing people out because, yeah, they can go out and get bullpen help. And again, that bullpen help might be the difference between winning a championship and losing a championship. But in the moment, are you going to see that deal and go, all right, now we're good. But I think the Yankees, but outside of Suarez, which is going to cost.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You a prospect, it's going to cost.

[Don Hahn]

Cashmere something he doesn't want to have to give.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It could cost you Spencer Jones.

[Don Hahn]

And remember, they're just coming off a season in which they gave up young talent in King with San Diego to get Soto for what ended up being a rental. Right. It wasn't a rental in the true sense of trading him at the deadline, but he was here for a year and then gone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

You know, now you're gonna go trade for Suarez and he might walk as a free agent. Remember, he's gonna be 34. So Yankees might even have an appetite to give him a long term contract. He goes someplace else. And now whatever big prospect he gave.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Up and again, they would do 30 base is probably earmarked for George Lombard Jr. Anyway.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly.

[Don Hahn]

So are they gonna be again? I don't think they do it, but are they giving up a Jones for a rental? But that's what I think Arizona is going to look for. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the word. The word is they're looking for a high level prospect because they know they want to see who's desperate enough to do it.

[Don Hahn]

Now that's an easy thing to say before the All Star Game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay?

[Don Hahn]

But as we start to creep up to July 31, Diamondbacks are a couple of games under.500, but they're not out of it. Remember, this is a team that's two years removed from going to the World Series, right? So. But they're also not going to sit there and lose a player that they all in all likelihood are going to lose in free agency during the off season without a chance to get something in return. But at the same time, they might want to see this through. All of a sudden they rattle off five, six wins in a row. They might be like, no, we're going to see. We're going to see if something happens here. But are they going to be. So no, we need a top prospect on July 31st if there are seven games under.500 and this guy's going to walk at the end of the year. It's one thing to say when you're still mathematically alive and it's the middle of July, but if you're pretty much out of it and it's the end of July, they might fall off of that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not paying them either. Like, you know, you don't want to pay them. So you get your value while you can. I feel like another. I already brought up Seth Lugo when it comes to the Yankees, right? And Kansas City sort of in that same. No, no man's land right now too. They're so they're they're in it, but not really. And you know, could that be a. If the Yankees get a piece like that and the other one is classic because we know that Cleveland's done like Cleveland's done, right? So if they got him, then what do you do with him and Devin Williams?

[Don Hahn]

But at least Williams goes back to being your setup. I'll tell you what though, remember he's in a walk year too. So you know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, but how does that. That's pretty good back end, don't you think?

[Don Hahn]

Very good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And if Weaver can get himself right, which you want to believe he can get himself right, there's three arms you throw in there, seven, eight, nine that you got to feel good about or whatever the matchups are going to be. So those are needle moving type of things. And boy, I'll tell you what, Cashman didn't talk like a guy that was ready to be conservative. He seemed to be putting out. I don't have you listening to this stuff that he was saying. He seems to be putting out this indication that they're open for business and that the owner, like when does he ever say that? Oh, Hal told me, you know, don't just say no, come to me. He let everybody know the owner is all in too open for business. This could be a very interesting couple of weeks.

[Don Hahn]

No, it could be for the Yankees. Now the jumping off point. We want to hear from you at 1-800-919-3776, it looks like the Knicks are done. The Yankees, I think can make the biggest needle mover deal at the deadline. But let's say right now, before the deadline, which of the three teams has the best chance to win a championship?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I always say Yankees first because they're the Yankees.

[Don Hahn]

Well, they're the Yankees, but let me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The American League and they went to.

[Don Hahn]

The World Series line like it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How do you, how do you, how do you not say the team that I always say confidence comes from demonstrated performance. And the Yankees have demonstrated time and again that they could get. Look, they got to the World Series last year, but every year they're just.

[Don Hahn]

To do it again. But, but, but here's what I'll push back. I disagree with you, but to play devil's advocate for a second.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

And the reason the Mets are out is because of the league they're in, right? They we don't even know they're going to be able to win their division. They're half game back of Philadelphia. The defending World Series champions are in their league. It's a minefield to be able to get to the World Series. Much harder in the National League than the American League. However, the easier path is still the Knicks in the east because they don't have a Detroit Tigers like as much as I expected.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cleveland Cavaliers or the Detroit Tigers? Because you just said with Detroit. I'll believe it when I see it. They got to prove it.

[Don Hahn]

True.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cleveland got to prove it.

[Don Hahn]

Would you right now if I were to tell you that the Cavs win the east in the regular season, wouldn't you be disappointed? But the Knicks didn't win it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Cavs won 60 games last year.

[Don Hahn]

I understand, but the Knicks are better. Are the Cavs better?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Cavs, they changed their bench a little bit and they didn't make any dramatic moves. I thought they might make a dramatic move or two, but they didn't.

[Don Hahn]

Now, they weren't the best team in the NBA last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

The Detroit Tigers have the best record in baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Like so. Even though neither have done anything in the postseason. I don't know, at least statistically, is it possible that Detroit could be more of an obstacle to the Yankees than the Cavs will be to the Knicks? Yes, both. And the honest. What's interesting is both kind of the local team has the other team's number like the Yankees usually Don't lose to Central Division teams. I know they lost a series to Detroit and they lost a playoff to the Detroit years ago, but right now, I don't think you blink at a Central Division team if you're the Yankees. No. And the Cavs. The Knicks have been able to beat the Cavs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They have. Remember last season, regular season? They got swept by them.

[Don Hahn]

True.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Couldn't come.

[Don Hahn]

They couldn't keep up with Boston either. And they ended up beating Boston. Isn't it possible if they face the Cavs in the playoffs, the Cavs would have felt the same fate the Celtics did?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I don't know. Like that again? Or are we just not giving Indiana enough credit for what they were able to do?

[Don Hahn]

I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, Indiana slayed a lot of dragons on their way. Right. But.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, but is the east more open to the Knicks than the American.

[Peter Rosenberg]

League is to the Yankees?

[Don Hahn]

Because that's, that's the fundamental question.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think both are open in the same way. Relative. I think you have to look at the Yankees differently than you look at the Knicks. Because the Yankees got to the World Series a year ago, right? Like they, they already have. Like they got there. There's something that to me, the Knicks still have a lot to prove because they still have another step they gotta take.

[Don Hahn]

That's interesting because you could also look at it the other way because you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Could say that they lost the stat series to the pace and they shouldn't have. They should not have lost that series. You can't say that about the Yankees. The Yankees were never going to win that series, that World Series against the Dodgers.

[Don Hahn]

You talk to some Yankee fans and they think they would have. I don't believe it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's a funny thing is same thing kind of happened, right? Nestor Cortez comes in, you lose that game. The Knicks blow a game one against the.

[Don Hahn]

It's almost like that was their game. That was their game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. It's the same type of deal where you just say to yourself, if you won that, you had a chance.

[Don Hahn]

So. But I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's very similar though, isn't it? It's really similar.

[Don Hahn]

But it's still like, again, I could fight Yankee fans all day on this at 1-800-919-3776. Like, I think that I believe that the Dodgers were the better team. I agree, but I don't. But I can, I can understand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just don't think they were a better team. Five. Five games.

[Don Hahn]

Four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One. And it is embarrassing.

[Don Hahn]

You Handed it to him in game four. Oh, my God. And you could say you hand it to him in game one. I'm sorry. That was a decision made by your manager. That's part of wins and losses.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, I agree.

[Don Hahn]

Like, so your manager's part of it. The decision who you bring in is a part of it. Well, if you brought somebody else in, you would have won the game. Yeah, but didn't that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game one is probably why Tibbs isn't coach.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, well, it happens. Right, but still, there was some fluke to what happened to the Knicks in game one. Just a bounce of the ball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not just on the halibut shot. Remember, they were up double digits and. And they let n Smith hit. He hit. He got hot.

[Don Hahn]

Understood.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No one recognized all. I turned the water off, but instead he just kept getting open. It was like, is anybody going to guard this dude? I understand, but that's bet. Hey, that. That's. That's a coaching issue. That's also players recognizing something.

[Don Hahn]

But a bull went eight feet in the air. You know, it could have various. That's different. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't know.

[Don Hahn]

The. The Cortez gave up the home run. All right, so you, a very good player, a bomb. And then, you know, you kicked the ball all over in Game 5, which is what you did all year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. So there's two games right there that you should have won in that series, and you should be two, two or two. Three. Two. Right. That. That. That was game five.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, two, two. Because you would have taken two out of that.

[Don Hahn]

No, you. It was it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, well.

[Don Hahn]

But no, you would have if you won game one one. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. Anyway.

[Don Hahn]

Game one. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Again, nobody told me they'd be math. The. The question you're asking. So you've already told me that you disagree that it's the Yankees. So if you disagree, it's the Yankees, and I know you don't agree it's the Knicks, tell me why it's the Mets.

[Don Hahn]

No. But the best chance to win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's not the Mets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You think it's the Knicks.

[Don Hahn]

I think the Knicks have a better chance of going to the NBA Finals than the Yankees do to go to the World Series. But it's very, very close.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like by a. By a hair.

[Don Hahn]

Because of the fact that I think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

More wide open and the Mets think it's too hard.

[Don Hahn]

I can make the case that when the Mets get healthy of the three, I think the Mets are the best team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Best team.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Healthy.

[Don Hahn]

Healthy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When you say healthy.

[Don Hahn]

Mania. Healthy Montas healthy. Senga.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So when I say healthy, I can't include Cole and Schmidt.

[Don Hahn]

Well. Because they're not coming back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I know, but the Mets.

[Don Hahn]

But these guys are coming back. So Cole's not on the team as far as I'm. Because he didn't play all year, he's not going to play the rest of the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I needed to clarify that because. Because when you said. I always think. When you say healthy, what do you mean?

[Don Hahn]

Because he's just not included. I mean the only reason I'm including Montas and Maniah. They're coming. They're back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Okay.

[Don Hahn]

They're pitching on the team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You mean healthy this year. Right. So those guys.

[Don Hahn]

You never had Cole. And you're not going to get. So Canning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not including him. He's not.

[Don Hahn]

But I think you could make the case. We can. We could fight about that. And they played each other six times and they're three and three and they're both in second place. It's not an outrageous statement I'm making. I'm excluding the Mets from the conversation because the National League is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hell, the road. Yeah, the road.

[Don Hahn]

And I do think the Yankees are probably better than the Knicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The biggest roadblock for the Mets would be. Is it Phillies? Who's the biggest roadblock for them?

[Don Hahn]

The biggest roadblock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See, I think they can beat the Dodgers.

[Don Hahn]

Well, they played Phil. They played the Dodgers very well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think they just know him well. They played him well in that series. I'm telling you, the Dodgers will be favored, Dom. But I don't think it would be an overwhelming favorite. This would not be an upset if the Mets beat the Dodgers. But what's the.

[Don Hahn]

To get there, you got to win your division. And you don't know that if you don't beat Philadelphia. So Philadelphia, to me is the biggest obstacle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you'd have to beat Philadelphia one way or another.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We either win the division, but you still got to face.

[Don Hahn]

I don't want to have to go through the damn wild card.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I agree.

[Don Hahn]

I want to win my division. I want some home games. I want to bypass the stupid best of three. And I think I can do that by winning the division and avoiding the wild card. And I don't want to have to go through the same path they did last year, having to win three win games in Milwaukee and not play any games at Citi Field and be at a home. A home field disadvantage at a best of five. They what the Mets had to do there three games in Milwaukee and then you go to Philadelphia for the first two. Like that's a tough road, man. When you division that and then have Philadelphia have to go through that path, it's much better. And then you're in a better shape to have to face the Dodgers, if you do face them in the league championship series. But the Knicks, would you feel the Knicks that would have a chance to go to the NBA Finals if they were a five seed? No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why would I say no?

[Don Hahn]

Well, because if they're a 5 seed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That means something went wrong.

[Don Hahn]

Something. Well, not only did something go wrong, now you've got home court disavow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would think home court nothing. Don't even. I don't count that.

[Don Hahn]

All right. Game 7 on the road is. But listen, it didn't seem to affect.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How to work out right.

[Don Hahn]

But the point is, is that I think the east is open. You're the best team in the Eastern Conference. At least that's the feeling. Maybe if you want to say, hey, Cleveland won 60 games last year. Okay, Cleveland has still got to give it to Cleveland.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's these two teams. They're both right. They're both.

[Don Hahn]

And the Yankees right now have to beat the Blue Jays, which I think they will. But think about that. I'm calculating the fact, Alan, that the Knicks, they play well on the road. I think at worst, they're the second best.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're going to look different this year, too. That's the other thing is you can, you don't know, like talking to Mike Brown, they're going to play different than what you saw. You're not going to see as much Jalen Brunson, ISO and a lot of.

[Don Hahn]

So they're going to be different.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The way they plays me faster, a little more pace, and you're going to see Brunson off the ball a little more. It's going to be a different look offensively. Defensively, though, that's always been the concern is what are they defensively? When you have two guys that are not plus defenders that you know opponents are going to try to pick on, how do you mask that? Because Tom Thibodeau had a hard time doing it, what is Mike Brown going to do?

[Don Hahn]

And right now, as much as I believe the Yankees are the best team in the American League and are going to go to the World Series, when I factor in the odds, right now they're in second place. They haven't won their division yet. And the best team in baseball, at least statistically, is in their league in the American League. So Detroit is still somebody you're going to have to contend with.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

So I. Hey, right now I think the Yankees are going to the World Series and I think the Knicks are going to the NBA Finals. When I give the Knicks the nod, it's marginal. It's marginal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can you repeat that? Because I don't think those are words we've, we've heard.

[Don Hahn]

Am I wrong?

[Peter Rosenberg]

1999, but I.

[Don Hahn]

Wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't say you're wrong.

[Don Hahn]

You got to accept it, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just wild. I was talking, I was talking to a fan coming out of the subway and he was just asking, how do you think the, the off season's going? And so we were just back and forth about a couple of things. And when I said to him, I was like, boy, it's a lot of pressure now, though. You know, you really, really got to get it done. And he's like, yeah. He goes, it's amazing. And I said, just think about it. We should enjoy this because when was the last time we could say that? When was the last time we could say with confidence and not just sounding like we have, you know, the homer view that this team is legitimately a team that could get to the NBA Finals next season. It's been a long time since you could say that with full confidence and not have somebody tell you, no chance. No, they have one of the best chances in the east to do it. And that says a lot.

[Don Hahn]

But, and I mentioned, as Kofi said, to clarify Don's point, the Mets would have to finish as the two seed, the National League to win. So just winning your division doesn't get you the buy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But I still think they can be better. Cubs right now have it. We'll see what happens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Think about it.

[Don Hahn]

But you have your pitching staff got none shot if you don't win the division. Right. But if you can win the division, you still have to. And I mentioned that you still have to get to the two seed, but they are healthy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're pitching their right, their rotations there, right there. You had one, one arm, at least one arm in the bullpen. That's been your biggest struggle. You got to find somebody late innings, right. So if you can get that and your pitching now stays healthy and oh, by the way, can I mention this? You know that guy you signed last, last winter, Juan Soto, who wasn't an all star, Right. What if he has a Juan Soto.

[Don Hahn]

Second half continues to play the way into the second half. It's great. Right now the Phillies would be the three seed so the winner of these, but it's only Philadelphia's got 41 losses and the Cubs have 39 and the Dodgers have 39. So it's close. I mean, the whole second half of the season still to go, but ultimately a three seed still has to go through, but they'll at least have home field. Right now, the Mets aren't even guaranteed if they get the wild card right now. If the season were to end today, the New York Mets would be the second wild card, so they'd have the same path as they did last year of having to play three games on the road in order to make it to the second round. This is an ad by BetterHelp. Workplace stress is now one of the top causes of declining mental health, with 61% of the global workforce experiencing higher than normal levels of stress. To battle stress, most of us can't wave goodbye to work. But we can start small with a focus on wellness. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. And it works with an App store rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1.7 million client reviews. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with a therapist at the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life, plus switch therapists at any time. As largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Unwind from work with Better Help, our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com timeout that's betterhelp.com timeout after Zoomies at the dog park, it's time for Drive up at Target. In goes a big bag of kibble and one squeaky chicken toy for the good boy. Drive up that's ready when you are. Only in the Target app. Just tap Target. Hey guys, it's Ceedee Lamb, wide receiver.

[Peter Rosenberg]

For the Dallas Cowboys. I'm partnering with Abercrombie this season to tell you all about their viral denim. All you need to know is denim.

[Don Hahn]

Should fit like this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

My jeans need to check a lot of boxes.

[Don Hahn]

Fit first, trend second.

[Alan]

They need to go with whatever I'm feeling.

[Don Hahn]

And Abercrombie Denim has it down whether.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm throwing on a tea or putting.

[Don Hahn]

A whole fit together.

[Alan]

Shop Abercrombie Denim in the app, online and in store.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on Demand Whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don Hahn]

Who made who by AC dc? We should play a name that tune with metal. I bet you I'd be able to do that. Let's set. Set that up for now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait a second. Why just metal? See to me for me.

[Don Hahn]

Then you could choose your stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, what genre of music isn't Name that tune something. That is a competition. Whoever can name it. Like, remember that as the show went, they would give you a. They would tell you something about the song and then you'd think of it. I can name that tune in three notes, right? I can name it in two. So they would have you go first. They'd bet two. If you name that, you win and you move on. If not, then I get my chance. And there's so many songs that I feel like I can win Metal, as you know, it's not my strength. I have favorites in metal, but.

[Don Hahn]

All right, how about this? We're gonna play it all day. When we come back from break, Jacob is gonna play a song like the first two seconds. No, one second. He'll. He'll play it. And the winner is the first one that identifies. So he'll just come out of break with a song like we just did there. And I would say who made who by acdc. I win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's pretty good.

[Don Hahn]

Now if we don't. If we both don't know. I heard that sort of the segment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you remember yesterday you were getting on me by my acd.

[Don Hahn]

But you wouldn't have gotten that most likely.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, not right away.

[Don Hahn]

And then Jacob can play any genre of music that he wants and try to make it eclectic throughout the show so it's even. And then we'll. And you keep the tally. All right, so we'll start it coming up at the 340. And then. And then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what I was thinking we could do one day as a show.

[Don Hahn]

Well, hold that thought for a second because I want to get this out of the holding because you know how much I love golf.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh.

[Don Hahn]

It is time now for the leaderboard update, which is brought to you by Schweppes. We've got right now a five way tie for first at the European Championship in the first round. All of them four under. It is in Northern Ireland. Is it Portruss? Northern Ireland. You're popping on peacock at 130 in the morning to watch the Open. Probably a virgin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It actually is on Peacock. Good call by you.

[Don Hahn]

All right, so Olson, Lee, Fitzpatrick, Bizuttinhout, and English, bless you. Are your leaders. Now. Harris English is 4 under with the rest of them, but he's currently on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

15 and he's American.

[Don Hahn]

So he is. He's American. And Scotty Scheffler's lurking. He's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He doesn't care.

[Don Hahn]

He doesn't care that he's three under. Just one stroke off the page. So that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And we're kidding. We're joking, everybody. We're joking.

[Don Hahn]

Boosting out. Find out if I'm saying it correctly. I don't know. Christian Bisuttenhout.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why are you saying it like he's German?

[Don Hahn]

I don't. What, what is that flag? I don't know what that flag is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

South Africa.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know. I don't know what nationality he is. I'm not familiar with the flag.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's from South Africa.

[Don Hahn]

He's from South Africa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nailed it.

[Don Hahn]

Good for you, man. You know the South Africa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know my flags.

[Don Hahn]

All right, well, that is the leaderboard update presented by Schweppes. Schweppes offers a hole in one refreshment experience and is a proud sponsor of PGA of America. Enhance your summer with Schweppes Seltzer or Schweppes Ginger. Alex and I got another leaderboard coming up at 5:30 and obviously, you know, and what my hope is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Will you be able to pronounce the name?

[Don Hahn]

No. What I might. My hope is is that Harris get gets two more strokes, takes the lead and I could just say Harris English is leading at minus five and then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just be done with so much easier.

[Don Hahn]

Instead of having a five way tie with Boosting out or whatever his name is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who's going to have.

[Don Hahn]

I'm going to continue to say it that way too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why not?

[Don Hahn]

Why not? I know he's South African, but I'll. Am I supposed to say trying to have some fun? 1-800- now. 1-93776. So talking some baseball and of the three teams that have the best chance at a championship, who has the best or at least the best to get to their final? Mets, Yankees for the World Series and the Knicks to the NBA final. 1-800-919-3776. Let's talk to Griffin in Connecticut. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Griffin?

[Alan]

Hello?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey guys.

[Alan]

Hey.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, I'm here. Alan.

[Alan]

You know what I was thinking? So the schedule today is absolutely nothing. When we do. Yeah, when we do game time, we're gonna. We're gonna talk about summer league because that's all we can talk about. The MLB draft they did on Sunday. Why didn't they do it today? Do you imagine a platform they would.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Have had if they had it today.

[Alan]

When there's nothing going on, just mlb, nothing. You did it on Sunday when there were other things going on in a little bit in the MLB draft.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the MLB draft is not like the NFL or NBA or NHL. It like we don't know who these people are. There's nobody and you're not going to see them for years.

[Don Hahn]

If you listen, you're not going to get much of a bump because there's nothing going on. And also Griffin, you're asking executives to work during their break. I mean they deserve a break too. So do you think, you know, Brian Cashman, who you know still has obligations and things he has to do during the All Star break, wants to have a couple of days of his All Star break taken away from Sunday? They did it. Why did they do it on Sunday? They want to get it out of the way so then they have the week, the All Star and then these guys can take off. So. Right. I mean Cashman and Stearns want to have their time. Do you think they want to be dealing with a draft? And again if they could put it on ABC tonight, is it going to do anything? Nobody knows who these players are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not moving.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's not like, you know, listen, the NHL draft doesn't do much either. But at least hockey fans kind of know some of these players have heard about. I'm sure there are die hard baseball fans and know some of the guys in the draft and I know MLB does a good job covering it. I suggested years ago that somebody should televise the MLB draft. Like why not? The other drafts are televised and Bob Raisman at the time destroyed me on in the Daily News.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Shocking.

[Don Hahn]

So I was very, very happy and hung on the Ram a little bit. When MLB started broadcasting I'm like, I'll see I was right. But it, it's not going to move the needle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but it's the right thing.

[Don Hahn]

I'm not rushing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The sport should do it. But no, nobody exactly. They're not having watch parties, they're having draft parties because it in the other sports these are players you're going to see sooner rather than later. And for football and basketball you're going to see him right away. Hockey you might have to wait, you know, a year or two.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But for the other sports it's like it's immediate impact. It's a Player who's coming right in, and people get excited for baseball. You might not see these guys for three years, four years now.

[Don Hahn]

I think the better conversation should Major League Baseball do it during the off season?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why do they do it?

[Don Hahn]

I just think they do it because it's just not that big of a deal. They probably do it because then they want to get. Why would you do it right away? Maybe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But winter meetings, like around that time.

[Don Hahn]

All the winter meetings are busy. I mean, these executives got stuff going on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But again, it's like in the NFL where free agency comes first because the draft doesn't matter for baseball, because none of these guys you're drafting are going to impact your current play right away. So it does.

[Don Hahn]

And you know, but honestly, let me ask you this. Let's say they decided, you know what we're going to do? We're going to have the All Star game on a third on a Wednesday. Can't do Thursday because it'll be football season on a Wednesday in November. Do you think the Mets or Yankees would have like a draft party like they do in the other sports? It just. It's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you're not doing it.

[Don Hahn]

It's just. It's just not. It just hits different. MLB puts it on because it's the MLB Network and make it a show, if they make it a show. But you just don't know who like these literal kids are. Let's go to Jerry in Sag Harbor. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Jerry?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, guys.

[Don Hahn]

How's it going?

[Alan]

You know, I had talked about this. I think I called in once before about this, but I'm not sure if it was you or the other station. But I think instead of having a ghost runner, what they should do is at any time in the game, at the start of an inning, you can change who you. Where you want to start your order from. Okay. In other words, want to start with the top of the order. You have to announce it before the inning starts, before you get up. And you can only do it once in the game. And I think that would have make baseball have a whole different dynamic. In other words, you're down three nothing in the eighth inning. Okay, now let's say we're going to have the top of the order up, right? You can only do it once in the game. You can save it for extra innings if you want. You want to do it in the second inning, you can do it in the second inning for whatever reason. But that's the way I think it should be.

[Don Hahn]

Here's. I like your idea. I've heard it before. And I will say about it what I always say. If you want to do it, let's just do it in the ninth. Like, don't even do it any other time. Just a ninth inning. Yankees down a run, going to the ninth inning. You can now sell your sport that you're guaranteed that Aaron Judge is coming up and that could at least spark a little interest. Like, no matter what, even if Judge made the final out of the eighth inning. Right. I mean, that's going to really prognosticate how you believe they're going to come back. Well, it's the bottom of the order. Judges.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Here's my.

[Don Hahn]

Judges out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Completely get it. I've heard this before. And here's the problem. What do you think they do? What do you think the opponent does?

[Don Hahn]

Walk them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, of course.

[Don Hahn]

All right, well, at least I'm down to run. I got the leadoff batter on, right? All right, so I walk them. But at least I'm forcing the issue a little bit. Here's the problem. Baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, but if the rest of your lineup is, you know, like, I'm, I'm beating him up anyway, like, like, where am I in the lineup? Because normally by the time you get to the ninth year, you're pretty close to the top of the order again, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So if I want, like, am I leading him off? Let's say I'm at the bottom of the order for whatever reason. And so you don't want to lead them off because you can walk them, so you try to get somebody on base first. So at worst, you know, like, you, you want him in a critical at bat. Because if you're doing the all or nothing home run thing. No, no, walk them because we'll get these next three, you know, but here's.

[Don Hahn]

Here'S what I would say. Just one inning. I'm going to. I'm going to. I'm going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you mean not ninth. Any, any part of the game?

[Don Hahn]

No ninth inning. But just, but just the ninth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

That I could decide. All right, I'm down to run. Judge Stanton Bellinger, bing, bang, boom, no matter where they were batting in the order. Oh, that one time I could take.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I could take three, my three batters and I could put them wherever I want.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Now if you really wanted to make that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that, that crazy? It's like substitutions in every other sport, isn't it?

[Don Hahn]

Well, but that's the reason I think the caller's bringing it up. Is that the end of a game? Right. You know, in all likelihood, Brunson's taking the last shot. I could set it up for Brunson at least. I want to use him as a decoy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Right.

[Don Hahn]

And in hockey, I can make sure the McDavid's out there, base off. I can get the guys out there. If it's the Rangers, I get Panarin. If the devil's a choose Horvat for the Islanders, whatever. Football, I got my quarterback trying to make the play. I could throw it to whoever I want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

But baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. It's the only sport where you're stuck.

[Don Hahn]

So it would it behoove now and again the other team gets a chance to do it too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you like that better than the ghost runner?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, you know what? That's another good point. So what if you did that in extra innings? No ghost runner. But I can. I can send up any three batters that I want. And like the TJ Oshi in the Olympics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Remember we're in the Olympics. When the United States would they be. It was Russia. Right. But it wasn't a gold medal, but it was. It was a big. It was like a 15 round shootout and like, oh, she took every shot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Because international hockey, you can use the same.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Keep going. Right.

[Don Hahn]

It's just that. You know what? I'm going to have judge bat all three times in the top or bottom of the 10th inning. Your best player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would have to make a rule that that player in extra innings. Like, you couldn't have him bat more than once in the inning. But I could bring him back in the next inning if I want to. How do you feel about that?

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because I. It'd be weird if he fly ball out. All right. He stays. You know he's gonna hit again. Like, that's a little weird. You know what I mean?

[Don Hahn]

It is weird. But again, it's just like any other sport.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Here's something even funnier. What if they walk him? Then what? Oh, I want him to hit again.

[Don Hahn]

You get a pinch rod.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now I know he's not gonna hit again. Like, I'll put him on base so I don't have to see him on stage.

[Don Hahn]

Would you want the NHL to do the international and have the shootout be the same guys?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, there is.

[Don Hahn]

You're trying to promote the stars, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, there is. And it also to me makes the stars do things like be a little more excited. But there is something fun though, is when you get down to like, okay, the rugged defenseman who has like one goal in his career now has to take the shit out. There's something fun about that.

[Don Hahn]

There was something like the Merrick Malik.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

It was, it was, it was the fact that he shot it between his legs, but it was just, it was a defenseman. It was special no matter who had done it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I give him credit for trying something.

[Don Hahn]

But it was because it was. They were like 15 deep then. That's why I think in the NHL.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You should be allowed to circle the net and do I think this idea that you can't go back, you know.

[Don Hahn]

What stupid your ideas and changing sports, we could do that. It's, you know, it's just, it's one of those days, people. On WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. Whether it's a voice call message or sending a password to WhatsApp, it's all just this. So whether you're sharing the streaming password in the family chat or trading those late night voice messages that could basically become a podcast, your personal messages stay between you, your friends and your family. No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately with everyone. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want, like that dream house or ride, is a great feeling. That's why the State Farm Personal Price Plan can help you save when you choose to bundle home and auto bundling. Just another way to save with a personal price plan. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state. The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University helps you go from I know the way to I've arrived with our top 10 ranked online MBA. Gain skills you can learn today and apply tomorrow. Get ready to go from make it happen to made it happen and keep striving. Visit strayer.edu Jack WelchMBA to learn more. Strayer University is certified to operate in Virginia by Chevin as many campuses including at 2121 15th Street north in Arlington, Virginia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

Old man down the Road and it's not ccr.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not ccr.

[Don Hahn]

The lead singer from Credence Now, John Fogerty.

[Peter Rosenberg]

John Fogarty.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, this is the song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hilarious that Jake goes here first. Like I thought for sure he was going like you know, Tribe Called Quest.

[Don Hahn]

This is the song where his record company sued him for songs that it sounded too much like CCR because he sold the rights. So he had to go to court and prove that this song didn't sound like the songs that he wrote with ccr.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you have to play it for them to hear?

[Don Hahn]

He literally played it in court. Like, here's how.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So center field sounds like this too.

[Don Hahn]

Well, there's. Everybody's got a distinct sound, right? But they thought he was ripping himself off because he didn't have the rights to the songs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He crazy. Stuff yourself off in public.

[Don Hahn]

I'm up on nothing. Okay, let's go to Conceded in West Philadelphia. Oh, boy. You're on espn, New York. What's up?

[Alan]

He said, oh, boy. What's going on, fellas? Especially Mr. Lagrega. You know, I got. Congratulations. I gotta congratulate you on. On your OPS gig.

[Don Hahn]

Thank you, man.

[Alan]

Definitely, definitely. Because, you know, I'm a flyer to the death. Listen, don't get it twisted, bro. I go all the way back. I'm talking about way back, bro. I'm talking about NHL 94 with it. You know what I'm saying? I'm talking about Brenda Moore. I mean, Brey. I mean, all.

[Don Hahn]

You don't go Ed Van Imp. You're not going back that far. But you're.

[Alan]

You're. No, I ain't going. I ain't going back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He goes back as far as who? Hextall. How far back do you go?

[Don Hahn]

So you.

[Alan]

Not that. I mean, I know about Hextall, but not that far back. No, like Boucher. That far back. I'm talking about, like. I'm talking about like, what's his name? Damn. Give me. What, premium?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, sure. Yeah.

[Alan]

But before that, though. But before Eric.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Eric. Eric Lindross, right? Like, that's.

[Alan]

Oh, yeah, definitely Lindros. I mean, that's, you know, that's Legion of Doom. Yeah, of course. But.

[Don Hahn]

So Robert Ash is your goalie, right? You remember him?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Robert Ash?

[Alan]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I don't know. Listen, and honestly, look at what's going on with. With Main man that just won the cut, bro. Like, what's going on with Bobby? Like, because when he was here, he was stone cold trash, dog. Like, he was trash, you know. Bobby. Bobby. He just won the cup again, bro.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who? Bobby?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, Bobrovsky. Columbus is wondering the same thing. He's like, wait a minute. Another great goalie that Philadelphia had.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I forgot they had him.

[Don Hahn]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Philadelphia and goalies. It's It's. What a. What a story.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, my God. Since the. You know, you. You Pelly. Limberg. But really from him, it's been as good.

[Alan]

Yeah, I know about him. I know about him. I know about him and Bernie Peron. I mean, I know about all that, but I wasn't. I wasn't around to see it. Like, I didn't see the Broad street bullies and all that. I'm an 83 baby, so I'm a little older, but. But no, I called about something else, but if you want to, like, since. Since we went that route. I don't know if I can ask you this, but, I mean, I don't know if you could be. I don't even know if you know about the situation, but what's up with Carter Hart? Like, is there a chance that he might come back or is it just.

[Don Hahn]

I'll tell you that. I'll tell you this. He might come back. He won't come back with the Flyers. But I think all those kids, even if they're exonerated, and unfortunately, I'm not gonna get too many details, but there was all those kids from the World Juniors back in. What was it, 2018. They got accused of all kinds of terrible stuff. And their, Their trial, even if they're exonerated or found innocent or even if they're able to buy their way out of this, they're not going back to their original teams. I think there's that Scarlet Letter there. And now you're getting to the point where it's been a couple of years since any of those guys have played. They affected a lot of different teams, but pretty really ugly stuff. Unfortunately. Hung up. I guess he was going to get on me about my Hertz thing because he's a Philly guy again, why can't. He's the ninth best quarterback in the NFL. You won the Super Bowl. Well, you got to have everything. I mean, listen, I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We did this a couple of days ago, and it was a really compelling conversation that. By the way, Don, after we were done with that conversation, it felt like it was all over the place. I saw it in so many different other parts of media. So it seems to be a debate that everybody was having about where he belongs in that top 10. And it was nine, quote, unquote disrespectful.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. So is he back? Because I want to be able to. It's not up on my, My board, but conceded. What do you got as far as the hurt stuff?

[Alan]

Oh, that's. Oh, I'm Big on.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Cause I want to hear what you had to say about.

[Alan]

Oh, no, no, no. Listen. No, this is. I was saying. See, See, you don't see hurts like, I see hurts every game. Like, I mean, you're not an Eagles fan, so I kind of understand where you're coming from, but the Herbert thing was crazy, because when you. When you talk about the Chargers, Right. The Chargers had. When he got there, they had Keenan Allen in his prime, Mike Williams in his prom. They had Joe Everett. I mean, they had a nice little team. I understand. I get the Staley thing. Don't. I'm not taking nothing away from that.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Alan]

But when hurt, because me, personally, I really wasn't a hurts fan. But I have to be a hurts fan now because I remember the year.

[Don Hahn]

Perfect for what you have. But don't make it seem like you don't have weapons. You've got weapons, too.

[Alan]

No, I get it.

[Don Hahn]

There is no world as good as he is, and he's a winner, and you're glad to have him. Hurts can't go out there and throw for 5,000 yards. That's just not what he does.

[Alan]

I'm the Heat. But that's. But that's what I'm saying. I can't, because. Art, let me ask you this. Do you think Hurts isn't accurate?

[Don Hahn]

No, he's very accurate. But he also throws 20 passes a game because that's kind of how the offense is built. So it's conducive for him to throw for a high percentage.

[Alan]

But what I'm saying is, if he did do it. So you're saying if he had to throw 30 to 35 times a game, you don't think he could complete 20 to 25 passes?

[Don Hahn]

He might be able to, but I don't think he'd be able to throw, be the downfield threat to accumulate the yards. Listen, Justin, Herbert's got a lot that he's got to accomplish as far as his career is concerned.

[Alan]

I still like Herbert, too. Don't get me wrong. I understand he's the prototype as a quarterback. Like, I get that. But I mean, if you go, like, see, I'm going off of the playoff games, the two playoff games, the Jacksonville game, which was crazy, and the last year game versus Houston was crazy also. So I'm going for that. But I do like Herbert, don't get me wrong. Because people wanted TUA over, and I'm like, wow.

[Don Hahn]

Like, I don't. I never understood that he had an awful playoff game against Houston. There's no question he threw four interceptions, but he threw three interceptions during the regular season. You're throwing for 4,500 yards, 30 touchdowns and three interceptions. That's a really good quarterback that just isn't on that great of a team. Now eventually he's going to have to start to win because he's got Harbaugh as his head coach. So it's not even about that if you want to see who the better winner is. But I didn't think it was outrageous to have Hertz 9. He's in the top 10. And it's not outrageous to think that Herbert's a little bit better as far as quarterback is concerned. But if you're an Eagle fan, you should be very happy with what you have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would you rather have him at 9 in a Super bowl ring or at 5 and nothing?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, exactly. So like I said, you can't have everything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, well, but still, fans love their guy and they're always gonna, they're always gonna take up for em thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't wanna know how the sausage is made, man. I just wanna know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Don Hahn]

You've seen the headlines, heard the debates.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Some say the three point ball has.

[Don Hahn]

Created a monotonous rhythm to the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Has the three pointer ruined basketball?

[Don Hahn]

And how did we get here?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The rise of the three point shot.

[Don Hahn]

Can be partially traced to an eccentric.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Kansas genius named Martin Manley, whose story.

[Don Hahn]

Didn'T turn out quite the way he imagined.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

30 for 30 podcast presents a brand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

New original series Chasing basketball heaven, available July 22. Wherever you get your podcasts.