Hour 1: Don is Red

Summary

---

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 1 – Don is Red
Airdate: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

The first hour of “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” centers on classic New York sports angst—specifically the emotional rollercoaster of the Mets’ playoff chase and the Yankees’ surge. The trio blends humor, therapy, and biting honesty as they examine the pain and hope that comes with fandom in New York. Discussions span everything from traveling woes, balancing family with demanding media careers, why hope can be torturous for Mets fans, rivalry psychology, MVP voting drama (Judge vs. Raleigh), and the joy (or misery) that comes from watching local teams succeed or fail. Frequent analogies, movie references, and banter keep the energy high and relatable for any diehard.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travel, Family, and the “Old Man Wisdom”

• Alan’s quick trip to LA: Opens with Alan recapping a whirlwind work trip, lamenting the difficulty of quick travel especially now that he has a daughter. Balancing family life and professional commitments is a theme.
  • Alan (02:03): “I don't understand people who live like this... it's just a bear on and off the plane over and over.”
  • Peter offers perspective: Appreciates Alan’s understanding spouse and notes marriages work best when partners respect the demands of the other's careers.
  • Reflection: This segues into a broader life observation—cherish time with young kids, as later you’ll miss it.

2. Mets Therapy: Hope and Heartbreak

• Don’s Mets despair: Don uses the group as “reverse therapy,” seeking support as a struggling fan. He details the Mets’ inability to execute, persistent errors, and how they’re only playoff-bound because “the Reds stink and the Diamondbacks stink” (04:26).
• Questioning expanded playoffs: The gang questions the “third wild card,” calling the playoff spot “played-off a-jace.” Peter: “I feel like it's one wild card too many” (05:48).
• Coping with hopeless hope: Don likens his Mets fandom to “Red” from Shawshank Redemption—viewing hope as dangerous and potentially maddening, not redemptive.
  • Don (07:04): “I'm red. I don't want the hope... these walls, man. I'm institutionalized.”
  • Peter (08:27): “The line is, ‘Hope can drive a man insane.’”

Notable Movie & Life Analogies

• Shawshank Redemption: Don vacillates between being Red (“don’t give me hope—it hurts”) and wanting to be Andy Dufresne (optimistic).
• Relationship analogy: Mets as “that girl who flirts but isn’t really interested”—being given false hope, only to be let down.
  • Alan (09:16): “Now she gave you hope... now you're gonna think maybe we kiss this time.”

3. Yankees Positivity & NY Sports Context

• Peter lauds Yankees consistency: The Yankees have made the playoffs 8 of the last 9 years—“the only consistent thing we have in this town” (13:03).
• Comparison with local teams: Knicks, Nets, Islanders, Giants, Jets—no one else comes close in regular playoff presence, highlighting the bleakness of NY football.
  • Peter (13:45): “Our football teams are unreal... I don’t think we can fathom how pathetic football has been in NY.”

Recent Performance Turnarounds

• Yankees resurgence: Since mid-August, the Yankees are 28–12 (best in baseball), contrasted to a dire stretch earlier in the summer.
  • Alan (14:41): “Best in baseball.”
  • Peter (14:45): “August 11th is not like two weeks ago… They have been the best team in baseball for the better part of a month and almost a half.”
• Outlook: Yankees moving from “circling the drain” to division race, while skepticism surrounds the Blue Jays and Astros.

4. Judge vs. Raleigh MVP Debate

• Who deserves MVP? The hosts debate Aaron Judge’s candidacy for MVP versus Cal Raleigh (Mariners).
  • Statistical edge discussed (28:28): Callers note Judge leading in most major categories.
  • Pitching around Judge: Callers and hosts argue Judge gets pitched tougher than others, reflecting the league’s respect.
  • Rosenberg (29:11): “The strike zone [on Judge]—I agree with that 100%.”
• Don dismisses conspiracy theories: Shots down caller theories that MLB pitchers are colluding against Judge.
  • Don (30:21): “What is the Rockies pitcher’s motivation to give Raleigh something to hit?”
  • Resolution: MVP voting will come down to who’s had the more remarkable, meaningful season; both are worthy.

5. NY Rivalries—Hate, Schadenfreude, & Honesty

• Yankee fans relishing Mets misery: Several calls and hosts reflect on the psychological intricacies of rooting against the local rival.
  • Don (24:01): “Relish in it! Because I would, if the Yankees were collapsing and the Mets were red hot… that’s part of the rivalry.”
  • Peter (37:13): “It’s very on brand… It’s hate.”
• Caller perspectives: Some claim it’s “not hate,” just enjoying an implosion, but Don calls out the dishonesty—if you want the collapse, “you hate them!” (36:10).
  • Alan: “Sports hate is good, man.” (36:37)
• “The call quality is rough”: Don and Peter joke about “bad dope day” due to the bizarre or nonsensical nature of several callers (39:28–40:11).
• Analogies/banter about suffering and hope: Enduring with your team through lows makes the highs meaningful (“Sunny days, everybody loves them...”).

6. The Value of MVP Awards vs. Playoff Success

• “Rings matter, not MVPs”: The consensus is that another MVP won’t cement Judge’s legacy—only post-season heroics and a ring will.
  • Sam in Rockland (48:54): “Another MVP is not going to cement Judge’s legacy at this point. Only thing... is the ring.”
  • Alan (50:13): “The only thing he hasn’t done is be a stud in the playoffs and bring that home.”

---

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• The burden of hope (Mets):
  • “I'm red. I don't want the hope... I'm institutionalized.”
    —Don, [07:04]
• On fake optimism:
  • “It's gonna piss you off even more because now it’s elimination games... Why are we even here?”
    —Peter, [05:57]
• Shawshank Redemption analogy:
  • “Hope can drive a man insane.”
    —Peter, [08:27]
• NY football failures:
  • “Jets and Giants have more combined 0–3 starts, three of them, than they do playoff appearances. Our football teams are unreal.”
    —Peter, [13:03]
• Expanded playoffs skepticism:
  • “That third wild card is played off a-jace. It just is.”
    —Don, [05:35]
• Sports fandom as love and pain:
  • “You have to dive in and I'm hitting the rocks, right? That's what's gonna happen. But... you still have to leap, don't you?”
    —Don, [11:22]
• On the Yankees’ consistency:
  • “As much as we kill them, they're the only consistent thing we have in this town.”
    —Peter, [13:03]
• Rivalry honesty:
  • “If you're hoping for them to collapse, what other word would you use but hatred?”
    —Don, [36:10]
• MVP priorities:
  • “You trade 100 MVPs for the World Series. Who gives a rat’s ass?”
    —Alan, [45:11]
• On Mets futility and hope:
  • “They stink. They're not going anywhere. I'm going out of my mind.”
    —Don, [10:32]

---

Important Segments by Timestamp

• Travel, family, and career balance — [01:37–04:04]
• Mets playoff anxiety, hope as pain — [04:11–13:03]
• Yankees’ playoff consistency & NY sports context — [13:03–15:37]
• Judge vs. Raleigh MVP call/argument — [17:10–20:31]; see also [28:28–31:20]
• NY fans, rivalry, joy in others’ misery — [23:04–38:19]; highlighted by calls & hosts discussing hate/Schadenfreude
• Bad calls/bad dope day banter — [39:24–40:28]
• MVP meaning vs. playoff rings — [45:10–50:13]

---

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode captures the heart of New York sports radio—frustration, gallows humor, and fandom as a mix of masochism and hope. Don, Hahn & Rosenberg oscillate between earnest analysis and comedic riffs, all while laying bare the raw emotions of being a Mets or Yankees fan.

If you missed it:
You'll understand why hope hurts so bad for Mets fans, the quiet pride and exasperation of Yankees followers, why local rivalry is a contradictory stew of admiration and spite, and how MVP debates are ultimately less important than playoff glory.

Next Up:
Jeff Passan will join the show at 4:00 PM to discuss MVP races and playoff storylines further.

---

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

Hey, got Willa. He got my daughter.

[Caller]

I need to find her. Willa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

From acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson.

[Don Hahn]

You can save that girl.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On September 26, experience what is being called the best movie of the year. This is the end of the line. Not for you. Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor Chase. Infinity.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go.

[Caller]

Here I am.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One battle after another. Only in theater.

[Don Hahn]

September 26, experience it in IMAX.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rated R. Under 17. Animated without parrot.

[Don Hahn]

Todd, Cross your legs, honey. Let's get out of this. In it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Han, I didn't know you were a screamer.

[Alan Hahn]

And Rosenberg, happy new Jewish New Year. Not Newest Jew Year.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Caller]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, oh, look at that. Changing things up.

[Alan Hahn]

Like you dream about.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a minute. You're used to something and then it changes.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go. We're streaming live on the YouTube chann.

[Don Hahn]

I think if you were a die hard listener to the show, you just might have had an accident. Either. Either. In the car, in your pants. You made.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You made a mess.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, they like used to it.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, and also it was a new intro too.

[Don Hahn]

I loved it. It's all. It's all coming together.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Today's the day now.

[Don Hahn]

It's all coming together.

[Alan Hahn]

Intro rotation. I hate to pat myself on the back, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But go ahead.

[Alan Hahn]

The rotating intros is tremendous. It's a great way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Keeps it fresh.

[Alan Hahn]

It feels fresh every single day. Look at us. We look Beautiful on the YouTube.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think so.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm so happy I'm back with you guys. I jetted out to la, crisscrossing the country. Crisscrossed the country for an amount of money that both Don and Alan determined to be worthwhile.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

They both said, okay, we approve for a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, wait. It was a day. One night.

[Alan Hahn]

It was. I had to. I had to be on set for. I promised them four hours of time, but I was gone. I was fully gone for a little less than 24 hours.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That's good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

100%. You got it. That is. That is good.

[Alan Hahn]

So they approve it. But I got to tell you, I don't understand the people who live life like this. The. The traveling so quickly. Man, it is just a bear on and off the plane over and over again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Imagine them playing a game in between at the highest level.

[Don Hahn]

Oh.

[Alan Hahn]

When you're just. Well, at least they're on a private. But still, it's not easy, dude. And just the family stuff, man. Like, now that I have a baby, I don't. I don't know how people do it. I. I don't. Yeah, I'm gone for 24 hours, and when she sees me, I'm like, oh, my God, I've been gone. I'm sorry. It's just a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What you have is a very understanding spouse, and the marriages that work are the ones that understand. That's your job. This is what you do. And I'll hold it down while you're gone. The ones that fail are the ones that go. You get to travel, and I get stuck home. And when that happens.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but there's also the in between of. I understand, but yet I'm still aggravated.

[Alan Hahn]

They're supporting. You should go. And then when you're gone, hey, I'm having a great time back home.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you get both. What should. What you. Yeah, but what can happen is the minute you walk in the door, it's hand you the baby, I'm out. And then you're like, whoa, I didn't go on vacation.

[Alan Hahn]

All of that's on the table. It's all on the table. I didn't get that, fortunately. But my. My wife would understand. No, she understands. Well, first of all, my wife, you know, her career, she's a freelancer, and she had a period of her career when she was insane, like, everywhere, all over the world. It has been challenging for her to ease into this part of our lives where she's been home a lot, slow it down emotionally, really hard on her. But she also knows that those things change and that I have told her, hey, when the time changes and you got to hit the road again, then we'll get help and you'll hit the road again. Like, we're gonna do it. You understand?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like that. That, like, that's what. And again, this is that whole, you know, the old man talking to the young man thing. But it's. This is the time to cherish while you're like, While you have it home with the baby, watch her grow. Because it's gonna come a point where the kids are old enough to kind of do what they need to do. And you're. Then you're sitting home going like, well, what am I going to do?

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's. That's your time back. Now, you.

[Alan Hahn]

Right, you get your time back when they no longer care about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then you. The time you just had was valuable.

[Don Hahn]

So, yeah, it's going to be starting for me. I'll have a week at the end of October and now they're the age that where they're going to realize that I'm gone and all that. But you know what? For a team like the Mets, they may not have to worry about it after a couple of days. Who told be able to home yesterday?

[Alan Hahn]

There was nothing to get excited about. It was all going right out the window the next night.

[Don Hahn]

Can this be therapy? Like, honestly, I need. I. I know that we're supposed to be therapeutic for the fans, but can there be the reverse? You need therapy because I don't know. I don't know how to deal with this because I'm watching my team and they're not good. I'm sorry. The Mets are not good. They don't have a pitcher that can get through two innings. Tong did get six outs, but that was it. You know, before that Peterson couldn't get out of the second inning. They've committed an error now in six consecutive games. That's something all over the place, right? But yet they're still going to make the playoffs because the Reds stink and the Diamondbacks stink. At least the Diamondbacks have the excuse of having to play the Dodgers. They lost in 11 innings last night. The Reds. All right. Paul Skeens they're facing. But Skeens only went six innings and they were able to tie the game. But they couldn't get the winning run. Eventually lose in extra innings to the Pirates. Back to back losses to the Pirates if they just taking care of business against a team that is literally 20 games under.500 in Pittsburgh and they've got these games in Cincinnati.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, they ship the cards.

[Don Hahn]

The Mets would be facing elimination possibly tonight like that. But the Reds can't do it. You know why? Because the Reds are bad. This is what I've been saying to people. That third wild card is played off a jace. It just is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I feel like it's one wild card too many.

[Don Hahn]

It feels like it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Just one.

[Don Hahn]

No, it feels one too, doesn't it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Am I wrong? Say it feels one too many.

[Alan Hahn]

A little too easy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Don, are you trying to like, are you at a point? Is this what you need help with? It sounds like. Like you'd rather like, not rather. Because you're going to always follow your team. You're going to stay loyal to your team. You're going to watch your team. You're going to root for your team. But there's a part of you that's almost like, can we just put it out of its misery now? I know it's coming. Put it out of its misery. Because you know they're not good enough. You know they're not good enough, but they're gonna. They're gonna prolong this one more week. And you'll have to go through the range of emotions, of optimism, four letter word hope. Then you'll get caught up and watch. And then you'll get frustrated again. But it'll piss you off even more because now it's true. Elimination games. And then you'll finish it saying, why the hell are we even here? We shouldn't have been here to begin with. We don't deserve to be in this spot. So are you going through that right now?

[Don Hahn]

That's what I'm going through, is that whole idea of. It's really sad of the hope, which is supposed to be such a good word, but. Right, right. I'm red in Shawshank Redemption. Right. Because red's looking at hope as a negative. Don't hang on to that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It hurts. You let it go.

[Don Hahn]

Right. Dufresne's saying, oh, hope, I want the Pacific Ocean. I want to redo that boat. I want to open up a little hotel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hope will make you crazy.

[Don Hahn]

Red's like, I don't know if I can look at something that big. I'm red. If you haven't seen the movie bad job out of you, it's one of.

[Alan Hahn]

The greatest ever made. What is on TV every 15.

[Don Hahn]

All right. But I'm red. I'm like, I don't want the hope because Michael brought it up when I was driving in. He's like, you know, it's not that crazy to think, you know, the Dodgers bullpen stinks. Maybe the Mets can bash their way through a best of three and find themselves in the divisional round. And then maybe they get hot and one of the kids figure something out. I don't. I don't want to get caught up in that because it's not sustainable. It's not. It's not what's supposed to be. They're not a good baseball team. And if they make it, it's only because they don't stink as much as the Reds and the Diamondbacks do. Yeah, but I want to hope. I want to be do frame. I want to be Andy. I want to be Andy and be optimistic and think, you never know. Maybe next. Maybe what happened last year can happen again. They're still making the playoffs. That doesn't happen that often with the Mets. It would only be the third time they made the playoffs in back to Back years. So I want to be Andy deframe. I want to have hope. But I'm actually read saying, no, no, no. These walls, man. You're institute. I'm institutionalized. I'm institutionalized. Now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The line is, hope can drive a man insane.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And it's driving. The hope is driving me insane.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. It's like. It's like when she's giving you a chance, just don't. Don't even bother giving a chance. That's worse. If you know there's no chance, don't give me a chance.

[Don Hahn]

But that's what you don't tease.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, like, we didn't. You know, Al won't relate. He's too good looking. But for those of us who are normal.

[Don Hahn]

He teased, right?

[Alan Hahn]

He was teasing. But for those of us who were normal, you'd have that one girl who's a friend who you just. And then, like, she'd have a night where she gets a little tipsy and she's like, why didn't we ever date? Because you weren't interested.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can.

[Alan Hahn]

But you know what I mean.

[Don Hahn]

No, it was one of the most brilliant things you ever said. I don't know if anybody. All that they heard it.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what I'm saying? Like someone says. Someone says, why. Why am I earning anything? Well, because you didn't want it. And that hope that you. That now she gave you hope. Now the next time you're going to. I should go hang out with her because maybe we kiss this time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, that's a whole other. That's a side thing. No, that's one of those where you're like, all right, I know this ain't going anywhere, but I'm getting mine shot. But.

[Don Hahn]

But here's the thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know this is going nowhere, but I'm getting mine.

[Alan Hahn]

Here's.

[Don Hahn]

Here's the problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on now.

[Don Hahn]

As we're. As we're pivoting analogies here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don's trying to bring it back.

[Don Hahn]

No, I like where Peter's head's at. And I like what you just did, because the I'm gonna get mine was last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

Like, she flirted with you. Like, why didn't we ever date? She did that last year and something happened.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

Right. Like I got the third. And so now you fast forward a year and she's playing the game again. But now it feels like, you know what? It's. No, it's not.

[Alan Hahn]

She has a boyfriend now.

[Don Hahn]

It might have to kill you in the next room. Still could happen. But it doesn't feel like it's a long shot. But there's also the other again, it's Animal House. Both shoulders, right? Hey, it happened last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No could happen again.

[Don Hahn]

They stink. They're not going anywhere. I'm going out of my mind. I'm going out of my mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You flip the season. Last year was the bad start, good finish. That felt more like the fun. Yeah. What the hell, let's do it.

[Alan Hahn]

Why not this year?

[Peter Rosenberg]

This year feels completely like the toxic. Oh, no, no. Hell no.

[Alan Hahn]

I've learned my lesson.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, not doing that again.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, if you're a Mets fan, you don't want to hope at all, right? Now listen, is there a world in which. In a three game playoff. How about this, Don? They could do this to you. Here's what I could see the Mets doing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Win one.

[Alan Hahn]

Win game one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, of course.

[Alan Hahn]

No, they win game one big.

[Don Hahn]

It's eight.

[Alan Hahn]

One.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He'll be smashing.

[Alan Hahn]

Everything's happening. We're back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He will be at the door with chocolates and roses.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, he's ready.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bottomless. He's ready.

[Alan Hahn]

Bottomless.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bottomless.

[Don Hahn]

You have to, as a fan, go for it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Raincoat.

[Don Hahn]

The. I'm gonna get mine.

[Alan Hahn]

Just the rain.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Raincoat.

[Don Hahn]

But you just. I just feel like I'm gonna dive in and I'm hitting the rocks, right? That's. That's what's gonna happen. But I. You still have to dive. You still have to take the leap, don't you?

[Alan Hahn]

You take. You gotta shoot your shot. Shoot or shoot it.

[Don Hahn]

But you're in, though. You know it. You know it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes. You know it's coming.

[Alan Hahn]

She's all trouble, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's. It's. Obviously it is the inevitable that you know is. But you still have to endure it because that's what New Edition taught you. Sunny days. Everybody loves them.

[Alan Hahn]

You need. You need to get paid for this. You should get a piece of publishing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what I mean?

[Alan Hahn]

For can't stand the rain.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, but that's. That's, that's. That's the. That's the. That's not a love song. That's a song about being a fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

That's what it is. You gotta go through.

[Alan Hahn]

Get through these moments.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You have to go through these. Because it's easy just to be around when the good stuff happens. So that's what you're dealing with.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but you know what I'm dealing with. Just don't know if it's ever been like that where you know your team stinks. But you still might be able to make a run. Now the Yankees on the other hand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I was going to tell you. You know what I'm going through.

[Don Hahn]

It's all good now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want to hear it? This is what I ended up doing today. This morning, got up early. Callie had a little hockey workout she does every Thursday, so she's up super early. So I'm up now. I gotta keep my brain moving. And so I went back and I'm all right. The Yankees have now made the playoffs in eight of the last nine years. So we go to 2017. Eight of nine years. They're the only cons, as much as we kill them, they're the only consistent thing we have in this town.

[Alan Hahn]

Great point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Other teams, I'll give you like, you know, Nets and an Islanders, like the five play, they've five playoff appearances since 2017. Believe it or not, that's the max of everybody else. Five in nine years. Knicks out for the jets and Giants combined one one. The jets and Giants have more combined zero three starts, three of them than they do playoff appearances. Our football teams are unreal. They're unlike we. I don't think we can fathom how pathetic football has been in New York in the last decade.

[Don Hahn]

Pathetic, Pathetic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it's nothing. Think about it, fan base wise. It's the Yankees and the Giants and the NFL is a behemoth, right? And in this town, the only thing that you can rely on are the New York Yankees. So I took it a step further and I'm like, all right, they clinched. They're now all of a sudden in play to win the division, to make the comeback. And I'm saying to myself, all right, that 7, 5 run was good, but how good have they been? How legitimate is this? Because they and the Mets were circling the drain in August, both of them, from June and through July they were both playing really bad baseball. One of them got out of it. The other one obviously the Mets have not to the Yankees, they went 20 and 31 from June 13 to August 10. 20 and 31. 11 games under awful baseball. Right?

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what they are since then? 28 and 12. You know what that is?

[Alan Hahn]

Best in baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Best in baseball.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, some of that's at the right time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

August 11th is not like two weeks ago. This is a large sample size. They have been the best team in baseball for the better part of a month and almost a half. So you're telling me they're going into the playoffs as literally the hottest team in the sport. How do you not? Like you said, Don, like for you, you think the inevitable. For me, every time I think I'm.

[Don Hahn]

Out now, they put you back in. Now, the only thing I would say is that I think the Guardians have taken the hottest team in baseball away. Just a more recent vintage because.

[Peter Rosenberg]

More recent. But I'm talking about over the.

[Don Hahn]

Absolutely. And, and listen, we're starting to see what we've been saying all along about the Blue Jays. It's like we'll see if they're for real. And it's starting to cave because it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thursday and we got to that guy on the Blue Jays.

[Don Hahn]

We will. But they're. But it's getting real. And now they're feeling the heat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So you say what you want about the Yankees that won a championship in 2009, but of all the teams because of that consistency of always making the playoffs, they've kind of been a team that kind of knows how to do it down the stretch of the regular season. You know, the Blue Jays, Houston. We told you Houston wasn't that good. You. You were afraid of Houston because of the pedigree. The Astros aren't that. You're afraid of the low. The Astros aren't even going to make it. And I think if I'm the Yankees, I'm salivating. Taking on the Guardians. And if they and the Tigers find a way to get in, you'll literally be taking on what's been the worst team in baseball the last couple of weeks of the season. So you almost want them. So now you've reverted back to the beginning of the year where it was like, tell me how the Yankees aren't going to the World Series. Like, who's going to stand in their way now? And you say, oh, what about the Red Sox? They've gotten hot now because they're beating the Blue Jays. They're doing you the favor. But you did take two out of three at Fenway against them, so you feel pretty good about that. And you know, free doing what free does. Judge is making things interesting, man. Because every time you're like, God, Raleigh's, he just hit 59 and 60 last night. Crazy, you know, Judge ends up hitting a couple. But I tell you, do you realize that Seattle not only clinches the division for the first time since 2001, they could still be the 1 seed, by.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The way, since 2001.

[Don Hahn]

That's when they were the best team in the history of baseball, record wise.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but, but, but what I'm saying is that's a Long time ago without winning a division.

[Don Hahn]

But you know we're talking about the Yankees winning the division which is now on the table. They're tied with the Blue Jays.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That happens. Don't like we've Jeff Passon on today and he's got some interesting stuff to say about all this.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but at 4:00'. Clock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jeff Passon. But I feel like the conversation. That's why it's good that the votes aren't due until 24 hours after the last game's played. Because I honestly think you have to see how the dust settles. Because I don't think it's a fait accompli that you hand it to Cal Raleigh just because, well, his team won his division. Well, what if the Yankees come back and win this division? What other, what other case could you make against Judge other than just saying, well, one guy's team won and the other guy's team didn't win the division and actually blew the lead. So that's why you give it to Cal. If that's your tiebreaker. What if that's not there anymore? Then what?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Agree or disagree? He almost would have to get to 63 home runs.

[Don Hahn]

But you might the way it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Which he could.

[Don Hahn]

Four games left.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he might have to do is.

[Alan Hahn]

Crazy that he had a big night last night. Of course Judge hits two. Like whenever you think he's having a moment or go, oh, well, this is now he puts the pressure on Judge.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Judge strikes.

[Don Hahn]

Right. You just, you just feel like that if it went from. Well, if the Mariners make the plays. Well, if the Mariners win the division. Well, if the Mariners end up being the one seed and he's a reason for it. And then on top of that breaks the American League record for home runs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Yankees right now have more wins than the Mariners. Keep that in mind. Right. So that's the other thing you have to consider.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wins.

[Don Hahn]

Yankees have 90 wins.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mariners have 89.

[Don Hahn]

Mariners have 89. Yeah. So they're a game back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

So, so Seattle's finishing up for them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To get the one seed, the Yankees, the Yankees would have to really like do nothing the rest of the way.

[Don Hahn]

So Seattle, they're finishing up with Colorado.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So I, I, yeah, I think they're.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Going to win the ball game.

[Don Hahn]

Listen, Yankees finish up a Baltimore and the White Sox and then Baltimore. So what the Seattle, they have a, they have a four game series or are they off today? Hold on a second.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isn't, isn't there an off day here?

[Don Hahn]

Let me just look at the schedule for. Yeah, they're off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It should be three games this weekend.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, no. They've got. Oh, my God, Seattle. Seattle's got three with, they got three with the Rock. It was a two games here. I guess they got a makeup game with the Rockies because it says here is it double header? Wait a minute, wait a minute. No, they've got the. All right, they got the game with the Rockies today and then they finish up with the Dodgers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, the Mariners finish up with the Dodgers?

[Don Hahn]

The Mariners finish up with the Dodgers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a weird way to end the season.

[Don Hahn]

Not just somebody. You got to have interleague play, right? I mean, somebody's got to be in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The season that way, though.

[Don Hahn]

And when you look at the standings.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's not because the Dodgers, those games matter.

[Don Hahn]

Well, let's see, let's, let's get an update on that, shall we? For, for the, for the west, you've got. The Padres are two and a half back. So there may be meaningless games on Saturday and Sunday for the Dodgers there, but it's crazy. So the Yankees are feeling great, but I'd love to just hear from Met fans and Yankee fans, too. But like 1-800-919-3776 but how do you feel like, I don't, I don't see the benefit of them not making like the whole, you know, I hate this dismiss because I really think Stearns is going to make changes all right, no matter what. Even if they make the playoffs, get swept. I guess the only way he doesn't, if they make a run and go to the World Series and they haven't won since 86, so nobody's throwing that away. So I don't see the benefit in rooting against them missing. But like, how do you feel? Do you feel like last year could happen? Is it fool's gold and our analogy of hope? Are you Red? Are you Andy Dufresne? Or are you Brooks?

[Alan Hahn]

This is an ad by BetterHelp. We all turn to some funny places for support, but not everyone is a therapist. Not everyone is the one. Find your right match with BetterHelp. BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences and their 10 plus years of experience in industry leading match fulfillment rate means they typically get it right the first time. If you aren't happy with your match, switch to a different therapist at any time. From their tailored racks, 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 the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of Expertise. Find the one with BetterHelp our listeners get 10% off their first [e-mail] timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Don Hahn]

I'm Christian McCaffrey, pro running back and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Abercrombie is an official fashion partner of the NFL.

[Don Hahn]

I'm not kidding when I say NFL by Abercrombie broke the Internet last year and I think this season's lineup is even cooler.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And so does my wife who keeps stealing all my hoodies.

[Don Hahn]

Stay fit for the season and Abercrombie's newest arrivals Shop NFL by Abercrombie in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The app, online and in store. When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans, send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom 60th and never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn [e-mail] thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan 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]

Dive right into the phones about the Mets and the Yankees. Big baseball day. Jeff Passing will join us coming up at 4. Let's go to Mike in Georgia gets us started off here on Don Hana Rosenberg is get serenaded by Alan. What's up buddy?

[Caller]

How's it going? Don, I just wanted to let you know you were 100 right back on the Michael K Show when you said Yankees fans 8 met the Mets and I was wrong. I thought we did not hit him until you guys started playing in our pond and getting players that you know we would normally get because we had more money than you and I didn't realize you were right until I started watching you guys collapse and the amount of joy I feel in my heart.

[Don Hahn]

See, I told you so.

[Caller]

Good.

[Don Hahn]

Because, because, because I'll tell you and I listen relish in it because I think they're because I would if the Yankees were collapsing and and the Mets were red hot. It's just. I just kept sensing it Mike, all through the season. Why are you talking so much about the Mets? You're talking about Soto. Like if you don't care about them, if they're, if you don't pay them any mind, then why even having the conversation? And now I can understand you really luxuriating, as Michael would like to say back in the day of the Mets play. I get it.

[Caller]

And let me give you a tip. I'm going to warn you now because you guys got some Yankee players over there that we had to deal with last year. So when you guys inevitably sneak into the playoffs, I'm gonna give you some warnings. You have cardiac Clay on your team, so just get ready for heart attacks and heartbreak because when he gets pressure, he crumbles. And then you have Soto, he's gonna do what Soto does. He's open up great numbers, but it doesn't really equal winning. Look at us in the World Series. So just be prepared for Clay Holmes to crumble because that's what he does.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I don't even think at this point it's going to matter because he's not going to be in any high leverage situations. He's not closing for them, but using.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Them the way they used them yesterday.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, right now, the only time I think Holmes would have an impact is in an extra inning game or once we start getting to a best of five or best of seven if they were to make a run. But in this series, if they do make it against the Dodgers or the Padres, there's not going to be any real high leverage situations for Holmes, I wouldn't think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, that's where he was last year. I mean, he was a closer and he couldn't close. He couldn't handle that kind of, at least it felt like he couldn't handle that kind of pressure. That's what it looked like. But now you have a Devin Williams situation here where he's pitching well and we're going to get to high leverage situations for him as well. And how does he handle it?

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's, you know, there's always something else to worry about. I'm a little surprised though. So he's a Yankees fan and he's reveling in the Mets circling the drain right now. Yeah, I, I, I got bigger things to work, like, you know what I mean?

[Don Hahn]

Like, honestly, you can multitask. I'm gonna be honest, I could in my heyday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't like right now, it doesn't mean anything.

[Don Hahn]

But I'm, I'm older now and a lot of different things are different. Just as a fan, so I'm like you, I'm Focused on my own thing. I can't get. Hate this team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But when I was not in this business growing up, I would. I loved it when the Yankees struggle and the Mets are good. It's just because that's part of the rivalry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When I talked about this early in the season, about how it could be fun with both teams going head to head, you said that stuff doesn't matter.

[Don Hahn]

Well, the head to head stuff in when you're focused on the task at hand where you're battling each other, it's like, listen, I got my own thing to worry about, about winning. But as I'm winning and I'm comfortably making the playoffs and I've just clinched the playoff berth and I'm tied for first place, I can also look at the Mets and saying, now I'm enjoying it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now it's okay to get on the bus and make fun of the Met fans that. Are you telling me.

[Don Hahn]

Well, you were talking about how much fun it's going to be going back and forth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Trash talk all year. That's what it was supposed to be until both teams went into the trash for about a month and a half, and then both teams stink. So who's. Who's really bragging?

[Don Hahn]

But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But now. Now we're going to.

[Don Hahn]

But what I'm saying is Mets struggling in July.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

If I'm a Yankee fan or vice versa, I'm not paying any mind. But right now, late, like, I'd be rooting. If I were a Yankee fan, I'd be rooting for the Mets to miss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The only thing that. That the only motivation is anybody that was loud about it from one side or the other.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's. You'd love to shut them up, but other than that, I'm more concerned with Toronto.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go to Richie in Brooklyn. You're on ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Richie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Richie unmute you.

[Don Hahn]

Maybe I'll give you one more chance.

[Alan Hahn]

Ready? No, don't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

3. Three strikes you're out, Richie.

[Alan Hahn]

How many chances he get?

[Don Hahn]

Anybody know who shot Bobby Lupo? Nothing. All right.

[Caller]

Hello.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, there he is. What happened to you? I need to know what happened. What happened?

[Caller]

I don't know what happened, but anyway, I want to talk about Judge and Raleigh for the mvp.

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Caller]

Now, Michael K. Gave all the stats just before the. You guys got on the top 10 stats. 8 out of the 10. Judge not only leads, but leads by plenty. Okay, okay. Now another thing. Back when Judge got the 6ft 201s, how did they pitch him for like three weeks, very. They walked and they did that Raleigh has been getting basically. Did you see the first home run, the 59 home one he hit yesterday? Yeah, it looked like a batting practice.

[Don Hahn]

Fastball because he's playing a rock down.

[Caller]

In Downing in right where he loves it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, well what about judges home runs last night?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, the White Sox.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was bp.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's, that's the same thing, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Caller]

Okay, but what, but what about game one when they walked them four times?

[Don Hahn]

Yes, they did.

[Caller]

Three times.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right. Well those were intentional. That was a high, that was a high leverage game. It was a close game.

[Caller]

You know, but, but the beginning they walked them. Yeah, the first inning they walked them. Okay, you know what I'm saying? That they pitch Judge differently than they do Raleigh. Even, Even Shohei.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Richie. So Richie, you're trying to say that there's, there's like a league wide bias against Judge versus everybody else.

[Caller]

Yes. And I don't. If you look at the strike zone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On Judge, the strike zone, I agree with that 100%.

[Don Hahn]

And they're going to go to the strikes and we didn't get a chance to talk.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're going to talk about it.

[Don Hahn]

So, but, but you. So you're saying that a rocky pitcher doesn't play in American League is going to, is going to hurt his own earned run average, his own stats by giving a cookie to Raleigh because he doesn't want Judge to win the mvp?

[Caller]

No, it's not a cookie. But you. They pitch him in differently than they do Judge. You know, what is the.

[Don Hahn]

What is the motivation, Judge? What is the motivation? What is the motivation? I'm going to ask again. What is the motivation? Do you understand what motivation means? What is the motivation for a rocky pitcher to give Raleigh something to hit?

[Caller]

There is no motivation.

[Don Hahn]

So there is no conspiracy. So thank you for the call. It was a lot of fun. No, again, I'm seeing it on social media though. They don't want Judge to win. They want. Listen, maybe the voters will vote for Raleigh over Judge because of the New York bias and because they want to see the catcher win. I'm not, I'm not doubting that. But do you think a major league pitcher.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

A rocky pitcher is going to be. I'm going to throw, I'm going to throw it right down the middle for Raleigh because I hate to see Judge with.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I don't want to see it anymore.

[Don Hahn]

Stupid. Really. Now I know why you struggle to get on at first because it was really difficult.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You always get the conspiracy theory guys. They love you.

[Don Hahn]

They love me because I'm a big conspiracy theory guy.

[Alan Hahn]

You enjoy.

[Don Hahn]

But what I needed, see, I. This is. This is the key. I love a good conspiracy theory. I need the motivation, right? I. What is the Rocky pitchers motivation? Now, if there was a Rocky pitcher that what used to be a Red Sox or used to be an astronaut and there was some sort of rivalry with Judge, then I'd say, oh, that's the motivation. I can't imagine any of the Rocky pitchers that gave up the home runs in this series. Give any. Give it. Don't even care who wins the mvp. So there's so no motivation, Peter. No conspiracy theory.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no. That's. That's it. Once you lose, once you don't have the motivation. What kind of conversation we have?

[Don Hahn]

Can't have one. Let's go to a Javi in Queens. What do you got?

[Alan Hahn]

All right, that's safe.

[Don Hahn]

Save me. Hey, guys, thanks a lot for nothing. What? Yeah, eventually. Come on, man, let's go.

[Caller]

Wow. You guys got to me. Super.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's go.

[Caller]

So listen. Thank you. I'm sorry. Shout out to the chat. The chat is incredible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, the chat says I hate baseball, which doesn't make sense.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do I come off like I don't like baseball?

[Don Hahn]

No, you hate baseball.

[Alan Hahn]

No. They're confusing you with me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Think so?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. It's weird.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We look alike.

[Alan Hahn]

Javi, what do you got?

[Caller]

The propping up free speech. But anyways, listen, with. With the Mets and Yankees. I'm a Yankees fan. I have a lot of friends that are Mets fans. I could care less about them collapsing this regular season. I have seen that before. It happened in 06. It was delightful. For me, the creme de la creme of a Mets collapse is them making it to a game seven in the World Series and losing. That's.

[Don Hahn]

That's what I wanted. Like, I just care less.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I disagree with that.

[Don Hahn]

What's the matter with. What's the matter with you? What does it matter?

[Caller]

You. You want the same thing for the Yankees, Don.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, I want the Yankees. No, no. I'm not being a fraud. If I'm. If I'm being anti Yankee like I was growing up, I would root for them to miss the playoffs. Not losing Game 7 of the World Series, that's too. Come on, think about it. Just think about what. No, I'm gonna just. I'm gonna show you. I'm gonna turn it back to you, and you're gonna recognize the stupidity okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Go ahead and help them out.

[Don Hahn]

They might miss the playoffs by them going to game seven of the World Series. They want an epic run. They threw champagne. They what? Yeah, it would be heartbreaking to lose, but I would sign for a Game 7 loss of the World Series right now because they're probably not going to make the playoffs. Possibly.

[Caller]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's ridiculous.

[Don Hahn]

Better.

[Caller]

One last thing. Last year in the World Series, What Are the Mets hanging on the rim for the fifth inning of that Yankee game? If the Yankees had lost in the first round, the Mets wouldn't even be talking about it. They love the fact that the Yankees choked in the World Series.

[Don Hahn]

Honestly, Javi, you sound today like you were hitting the head. Honestly. You know, this is the dumbest you've ever seen. And I love you because they went to the World Series for the first time since 2009. If they got bounced in the first round, then there would be the longest streak in the history of the franchise without going to the World Series. Javi, you're smarter than this. I think he bumped his head. He got some bad weed. Something happened.

[Alan Hahn]

Bad boo bong.

[Don Hahn]

Bad boo bong. That was. That was easily the worst phone call that he's ever made, and it might be one of the worst phone calls we ever had.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait a second. We just had that before.

[Don Hahn]

He was the worst. Yeah, but I just think he was trying too hard, bro, with the conspiracy.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me. Let me break things up a little bit by giving you a leader. A leaderboard update by Schweppes. Now, there is no one on the leaderboard yet because, of course, the Ryder cup at Beth Page Black starts tomorrow. But we'll keep you updated throughout the day. And, you know, maybe if Don, you know, bumps his head and doesn't pay attention, I can even talk about it for a moment. Of course, on the American side, some of your favorites. Scotty scheffler, Xander Schoffle, J.J. spawn, Bryson DeChambeau, Keegan Bradley, Colin Morikawa and more. Up against the best of Europe, Rory McElroy, Robert McIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose. You got Lowry. So many greats. John Rom. All happening right on Long Island. Of course, the morning show. Dpiedro and Rothenberg will be there broadcasting from Bethpage tomorrow. That's your leaderboard update presented by Schweppes. Schweppes offers a hole in one refreshment experience and is proud to sponsor PGA of America. Enhance your summer with Schweppes Seltzer or Schweppes Ginger Ale.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Better calls.

[Don Hahn]

We Got better calls? I don't know. I'm not sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me try to choose one.

[Don Hahn]

Hold on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do we got?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna help you out. I'm gonna help you out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You have a call screen.

[Alan Hahn]

I know, but it's not open. I'm looking at his. Let's. Let's try Anthony and Hopewell.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. Anthony and Hopewell, chosen by Peter. You're on ESPN New York.

[Caller]

Hey, guys. Huge Yankee fan, right? Living here in New York and stuff. You got all the Met fans. They're everywhere. But it's not as much as, like, we hate. You don't hate the Mets. I mean, you. You see Soto, you see all of his comments, right? And when he went, chose the Mets clearly for the money. The Yankees are doing their thing. This is what the Mets always do. They just. They collapse. This is what they do. It's not a hatred. You don't hate them. You just. You enjoy watching them collapse.

[Don Hahn]

Why would you enjoy somebody to collapse if you don't hate them?

[Alan Hahn]

It's okay.

[Don Hahn]

Say you hate them. I'm not gonna look at you wrong. I'm just gonna assume you hate them. If you're hoping for them to collapse, what other word would you use but hatred?

[Caller]

You know what? Hoping. Hoping is wrong. I mean, I guess more of expecting them to collapse. Like, it's kind of.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Caller]

What they're doing.

[Don Hahn]

No, you said you were rooting for them to collapse. You want them to collapse because you ha them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Say it.

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Caller]

No, hate.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, sports hate is good, man.

[Caller]

I misspoke. You're right. It's not. You're not rooting for it, but, like, you just kind of expect it. It's going to happen.

[Don Hahn]

But if it's inevitable, why even pay attention to it? But you're paying attention to it because you want the Met fans to suffer. The Met fans that you say are all over the place. You want Soto to suffer for making what appears to be, at least at first blush, the wrong decision because, say, Whitney, you hate them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or it's just, like, strangely entertaining to see the car crash that everybody knows is coming, that always comes.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but it's a year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's very on brand.

[Alan Hahn]

It's hate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it's disdain.

[Don Hahn]

No, because disdain's bad. Honestly, like watching. Watching the Tigers collapse. I have no feeling either way about the Tigers, but. And I don't have any love of the Guardians, but to see something historic, you want to see. You don't see that every day, that a team completely collapsed like that. So I might be rooting for it, but it does come from a place of hatred. But I hear the words Met fans all over the place, which is. Soto chose the Mets. You know, it's the feeling. He doesn't want to say it because if he says he hates the Mets, then that means he acknowledges the Mets. Because if you don't acknowledge the Mets, which I think some Yankee fans don't, you wouldn't even be paying attention that they're barely holding on. It's a fair argument, but if you're following it and you're paying attention. Why are you paying attention, Peter?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because you care. We got some questions.

[Don Hahn]

I'm gonna go to this just because we're on a nice roll. We're on a nice roll. Nas and Queens and these are regulars, by the way. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Nas?

[Alan Hahn]

Let's get to it.

[Caller]

Hey, Don. Sounds like you're having a bad day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just wanted to ask.

[Don Hahn]

Callers are having a bad day because they're taking bad dope.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's your fault.

[Don Hahn]

What.

[Caller]

What do you have to help?

[Don Hahn]

What do you. What is your pot lace with today? Go ahead.

[Caller]

Should. Should the Yankees consider trading Garrett Cole since the pitching staff has been looking good without him. Players and some bullpen players.

[Don Hahn]

So angel dust. That's what's. That's what's in your dope is angel dust. We're gonna trade. Why? Why would you trade Cole? Why? Because all of a sudden, your rotations all figured out, right? He. Nobody. Nobody's ever gonna get hurt. You're gonna trade one of the best people for what? Your outfield set, right? What are you. What are you looking for? You got a shortstop's got another year on his contract. Decided to pivot from Volpe. Why are you going to trade him for a first baseman? We're going to trade him to the Mets for Alonzo Lonzo, Free agent. Well, dude, I don't know what it is. What's the date with the. April. What? With the. With the. It's the holiday for smoking weed.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, 424 20.

[Don Hahn]

It's not 420, right? No, I don't. I don't.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's quite the contrary.

[Don Hahn]

It's September.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Is it bad dope day?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know what's going on. And it's regular. You're like you said, it's regulars.

[Don Hahn]

People trade coal conspiracy theory by the Rocky pitchers to have Raleigh win the mvp.

[Alan Hahn]

What else could we. What else could happen?

[Don Hahn]

And not admitting that you hate the Mets.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me ask you a question. Right now we're only sitting here at 3:44 as Allen has left the room. He's now hanging with the producers.

[Don Hahn]

I love you. I love what he did.

[Alan Hahn]

Now tell me this right now. It's only 3:44. We got two hours. We had three hours and 15 minutes left. Will we have a worse call than we've had so far?

[Don Hahn]

Yes, we will.

[Alan Hahn]

You think we can do worse?

[Don Hahn]

Yes, because it's bad dope day.

[Alan Hahn]

Bad dope day. If you want to join us in the chat though, I'd love to. We set a record in the in the YouTube today. Go tell share the show on YouTube with a friend. Your dad, your mom, your son, your daughter. Let's set records on the ESPN New York YouTube page today because we are going to hear maybe the worst call in the history of the show.

[Don Hahn]

Looking forward to it. And believe me, if you can beat any of the three we've had to start. Congratulations then. You definitely played yourself. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And when it comes when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on the phone or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There.

[Don Hahn]

It's Pro Savings Days at Lowes. Get up to 35% off select major appliances and save an additional $1,000 when you buy four select LG major appliances. Plus get a free Dewalt 20 volt max 5amp hour battery when you buy a select Dewalt 20 volt max tool. Get the job done for less at Lowes we help you Save valid through 926. Selection varies by location while supplies last. See associate or lowes.com for more details and qualifying items. There's a reason Chevy trucks are known for their dependability because they show up no matter the weather, push forward no matter the terrain, and deliver. That's why Chevrolets earn more dependability awards for for trucks than any other brand in 2025, according to J.D. power, because in every Chevy truck, like every Chevy driver, dependability comes standard. Visit Chevy.com to learn more. Chevrolet received the highest total number of awards among all the trucks in the J.D. power 2025 U.S. vehicle Dependability Study Awards based on 2022 models. Newer models may be shown. Visit J.D. power.com awards for more details. Chevrolet together. Let's drive.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

Itemless 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]

ESPN New York is now streaming on YouTube. Catch all of your favorite shows. Dpa, Tron, Rothenberg, Barton Carlin, the Michael K. Show, Don, Han and Rosenberg with live video every weekday. Watch, chat and join the conversation only on YouTube. Subscribe to ESPN New York on YouTube to today. Never miss a moment. Smash it. Destroy it. Kill it.

[Alan Hahn]

We're not, we're not currently record setting. We have a good, good number. But like I want to.

[Caller]

Before four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean it was.

[Alan Hahn]

I want to smash a number today though. Yeah, I want us to destroy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that a benchmark?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, we.

[Alan Hahn]

I've never seen us get past 1500 concurrent. I want to see us get past 1500 concurrent.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, let's do it.

[Alan Hahn]

That's. That's the goal that I'm having today. And with the way the callers have started out, I could see a world in which Don completely loses mind today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, he's coming. Oh, by the way, there's. But there's buttons to press, Peter, and we should be just. You talk about smashing.

[Alan Hahn]

Just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We should be pressing these buttons because pressing every.

[Alan Hahn]

Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I feel like today could be an eruption from Don. Yeah, like on anniversary.

[Alan Hahn]

Excuse me.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Donnie Puck's eruption.

[Don Hahn]

Let's get. The phones are packed.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's get a good one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we get a good one?

[Don Hahn]

This is a good one one. Because I've been waiting for this. And we're finally going to get it. Dennis in Huntington, you're on. Don Hanna, Rosenberg. What do you got, man? Are we getting trolled?

[Peter Rosenberg]

There it is.

[Don Hahn]

What happened?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's there.

[Don Hahn]

What happened?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, boy. Hit. Hit.

[Don Hahn]

Draw off the. Yeah. Why wouldn't I be talking to you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dennis.

[Don Hahn]

Dennis. You're Dennis.

[Alan Hahn]

Dennis.

[Caller]

Oh, okay. Yeah. I didn't realize you were talking to me.

[Don Hahn]

Of course.

[Caller]

Listen, I don't really care care if he's gonna. If Judge is gonna win the mvp. I just care if he's gonna be good in the playoffs. So I'm not sure why it's such a big deal if he wins or not the mvp. But also I wanted to talk to Alan and Don. You guys have to let Peter talk.

[Don Hahn]

A little bit more.

[Caller]

Whenever he's at a point, you guys should jump in, jump on top of him. You don't let him speak his mind.

[Don Hahn]

Thank you.

[Caller]

And I'm kind of getting sick of It.

[Don Hahn]

Nah. Listen, I, I, I, I'm so. I'm surprised Peter doesn't, you know, take a swing at one of us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dennis. Dennis. Let's meet at Mondays one of these days, and I'll explain. All right. You know where Mondays is?

[Don Hahn]

You could. You know what? Listen, I admire it. We can go back and check. You can. You can hear him drawing off the bong during the call.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's terrific.

[Don Hahn]

I don't partake myself, but I love the fact that people love smoking weed and feel the urge to call our show. But believe me, that guy was rocked and still made the most valid point anybody's made so far, and that is all these Yankee fans. I see him on Twitter. How could anybody consider Kyle Raleigh? He's hitting 70 points less than Judge. Judge leads in 10%. 10 different categories. Why do you care?

[Alan Hahn]

Who gives a rat's ass?

[Don Hahn]

You want to win the big one, the World Series? You trade that 100 MVPs for the world Series. What do you care?

[Alan Hahn]

In fact, the last thing Judge needs, the last thing Judge needs is another MVP year, and they're bounced in the first round. It almost doesn't even help.

[Don Hahn]

And again, it's amazing. The guys and gals that are screaming that he should win the MVP will be the first ones to say, screw that MVP if they get bounced first round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but it's right now. But, no, I don't care. It's still right now, and that's our guy. And so if it's our guy versus another guy, like, it's, It's Cal Riley. No, Aaron Judge. And you want to take up for your guy. We want the best player in the league, so we'll make the case that he deserves to get it. When we get to October, then we'll worry about, okay, now it's time for you to have a good October. But right now, all you got is he should be the best player in the league. And you make your. You fight for your guy. That's what Andrew's about right now. This isn't about. I don't care what happens October. When we get to October, then it'll be okay. Judge, you got another ap. Great. You now need to have an October that we'll all be talking about years from now.

[Don Hahn]

But what I'm saying is, is that you're arguing for him to win something that you will use against Judge if he doesn't play well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Probably.

[Don Hahn]

And I wonder if that's, like, the motivation. Like, I want more ammunition. Like, take that mvp, get rid of it. That's point is is that nobody's arguing who's the better player. Judge the better player. When we talk about MVP and we'll talk about with Jeff passing coming up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who'S had the better season.

[Don Hahn]

Is that a catcher hitting 60 home runs you can't even wrap your mind around and it might end up being a record breaking season, believe it or not. So. And I understand Judge has the better WAR and he's got the better batting average and he's driven, scored more runs and. But for Seattle to be in a position to be just a game away from having the best record in the American League because of him and he's hitting 60 home runs, it's. It's really hard to ignore. Yankee fans should be rooting for Judge, but they should not be red hot if Raleigh gets it. In my opinion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I agree with that.

[Alan Hahn]

You guys know I'm easily distracted by television.

[Don Hahn]

Easily. You. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Sometimes Ryan is just too bald. You ever. You never heard on someone who's too.

[Don Hahn]

Bald because you get that Lex Luthor kind of feel to him right now.

[Alan Hahn]

So he. You might as well shave the eyebrows off like he's. It is when you see him. It's just skin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Why.

[Alan Hahn]

Why what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just why?

[Don Hahn]

It didn't have to be said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But yeah, that's one of those. Just. That's. That's a. You could have kept that one in house.

[Don Hahn]

But you know, he's one of us. He's one of the nicest guys in the world.

[Caller]

I will.

[Alan Hahn]

I feel close with it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not necessary.

[Alan Hahn]

I feel close to him. He's just so bald. Like as a bald guy myself, you know, I keep a little.

[Don Hahn]

The only way.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why I don't like the full. It's so much skin.

[Don Hahn]

The only way that that look makes sense.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Is if you're Lex Luthor from a Superman movie or he's about to dive into the pool at the Olympics.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right. Otherwise he might as well just take the eyebrows and he's got really pronounced like dark eyebrows. Take them off Ryan. And by the way, he looks very thin. He always.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are we good?

[Alan Hahn]

I like his background. He's got a beautiful background.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good on Ryan Ruko.

[Don Hahn]

I know.

[Alan Hahn]

We're good. Listen, first of all, he's. It's him in a split screen with Malika Andrews. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So I want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And your eyes went to Ryan Ruka, which is interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

Which bothers him is just lovely. Everything's well put together and Ryan looks great. But I'm just see the shine coming off the top of the head. Don't. There's too much shine up there. You got to have a little stubble to block the shine. It's. We'll get them on soon enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, maybe today we'll be bringing this up.

[Don Hahn]

Sam and Rockland, you're on ESPN New York. What's up, Sam?

[Caller]

Thanks. Taking my call. Two points. First of all, about the MVP. So you're 100% right. Another MVP is not going to cement Judge's legacy at this point. Only thing is going to cement is the ring.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Agree.

[Caller]

I think he deserves it, but I'm not going to be like, I'm not going to go if he doesn't win it. That's one thing. Now the second thing about the Corvette, about why they pitched Rally, not the Judge. I think this is just a testament the league is telling you they're more afraid of Judge than Kyle Raleigh. I think it was Jeff Pass and said today or yesterday that they asked players around the league who they give it to and all of them said Judge.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I mean, it's not a bad. It's not an awful pick. Like, I don't think it's a slam dunk. I don't think anybody should blink. Like, anybody that's saying, how could Cal Rawling not win the mvp? No, I think that's wrong too. It's really, really close. Obviously here in New York there's gonna be a bias because there's so many Yankee fans, but I'm just saying that it's close. Nobody should be shocked either way.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a good point though, that he just made about not caring. I just had to think for a minute if Jaden Daniels won Rookie of the year last year because I don't care.

[Don Hahn]

It doesn't matter.

[Alan Hahn]

I love it. I named my daughter after him. I still don't care that he won him. All you want is success, right?

[Don Hahn]

If you go 7 and 10, then you root for him. Winning the rookie year, that's fine. What do you do?

[Alan Hahn]

You pump your fist one time, then move on with your life.

[Don Hahn]

You know, hanging with the best team in the league in the second half of a championship game, you know, you got bigger fish to fry here, right?

[Alan Hahn]

So I would judge how much you guys. Exactly. He's got home run records. He has MVPs. The only thing he hasn't done is be a playoff in the a stud in the playoffs and bring that happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Don Hahn]

This isn't just another ESPN Fantasy football season, it's your shot at greatness. With a refreshed design, the ESPN Fantasy App is sharper than ever, so you can draft like a pro and dominate your league. And introducing Gridiron Gauntlet, a new game mode where the best compete to be crowned the number one fantasy football player of 2025. One app, one shot, one champion. Download the ESPN Fantasy App and sign up to play ESPN Fantasy Football today.