Hour 1: Excessive Celebration?

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Excessive Celebration?

Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, ESPN New York

---

Episode Overview

The main theme of this hour centers on "excessive celebration" in Major League Baseball—with a specific focus on whether champagne celebrations for clinching a wild card spot or mere playoff birth are justified, or if they’re a pointless tradition. The Yankees and Mets’ playoff statuses fuel a lively debate about sports standards, expectations for elite franchises, and what truly warrants a locker room celebration. The hour is also sprinkled with music nostalgia, listener calls on regional identity and fandom, and trademark banter full of humor and sports candor.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Baseball Playoff Celebrations — Tradition or Travesty?

• Main Take: The hosts are largely disdainful of baseball teams—especially storied, high-payroll ones like the Yankees and Mets — engaging in champagne-soaked celebrations simply for clinching a wild card or playoff spot.

• Historical Context:

  • Peter Rosenberg explains that the tradition made sense when clinching truly meant winning a league pennant but has become diluted with multiple wild cards and expanded playoffs.

  • Don La Greca calls out the Yankees and Dodgers specifically, arguing their expectations and historical standards should make "backing into the postseason" celebrations seem beneath them.

    "You clinch a wild card which if the Yankees settle for will be looked upon as a disappointment and you're pouring champagne over each other and got goggles and acting stupid." (Michael Rosenberg, 06:56)

    "If there's ever going to be a franchise that says we're going to put a stop to this, this is a dumb tradition that should go away, it should be the Yankees...the expectation is to make the playoffs." (Don Hahn, 08:09)

• Redemption for Small Market Teams: Peter concedes that for franchises like the Reds who haven’t seen success in decades, such celebrations make sense.

  "If the Reds get the third wild card, let them set fire to yourself. Have a ball... you've done nothing for like three decades. Go nuts." (Michael Rosenberg, 09:10)

2. Expectations for Elite Franchises

• Yankees’ Mindset:

  • Since 2017, they've only missed the playoffs once; making the postseason is routine rather than a rare achievement.
  • Alan Hahn notes, “You win a title. These conversations kind of don't hit the same way, but because these are the only things you've celebrated, it kind of seems like you're celebrating mediocrity.” (Alan Hahn, 13:12)

• Celebrating Disappointment?

  • The hosts argue that if you're a game away from winning your division and instead settle for a wild card, celebrating feels like marking a letdown, not a crowning achievement.

• Suggestion for Leadership:

  • They toy with the idea of Aaron Judge abstaining from the festivities as a way to set a higher standard, though agree it could be misconstrued in a team dynamic.

    "How money would it have been if everybody's partying but Judge... 'What's the matter Aaron?' He's like, 'No, work to do.'" (Michael Rosenberg, 14:05)

• Champagne Hierarchy:

  • Wild card = boxed wine or sparkling cider, not the real champagne.

    "When you win the wild card, you should celebrate with like boxed wine." (Michael Rosenberg, 19:08)

3. Listener Calls — Fandom, Jersey Geography, and More

• Central Jersey Debate: Listeners call in to settle the mythic “does Central Jersey exist?” debate. Consensus among hosts and callers: it does, with area codes cited as proof.
• Fan Reactions to Celebrations:
  • Long-time Yankee fans express indifference or distaste for wild card celebrations, referencing Derek Jeter’s era for contrast:

    "Jeter said, 'celebrate what? We [haven't done] nothing yet.' And these Yankees, they don't get that. That's a problem." (Caller, 21:21)

4. Expanded MLB Playoffs—Too Easy Now?

• Discussion that it’s now much easier to make the MLB playoffs, so clinching isn’t what it used to be.
• Don: “Baseball tries to hold itself to a stand. It's hard to make the playoffs in baseball. No, it's not anymore. I got the Mets, who were five games above .500, holding on for dear life.” (35:12)

5. Music Nostalgia Interlude (27:36–41:10)

• Celebration of September 24, 1991 — the release date for three iconic albums: A Tribe Called Quest's Low End Theory, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and Nirvana's Nevermind.
• The hosts quiz each other and the producer on tracks from these albums, riffing on generational distance and music relevance.
• Hilarity ensues over “charting” versus “cultural relevance” when debating the most impactful Chili Peppers songs.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the True Standard for Celebrations:

  "If you aren't hanging a banner for what you did...you can't use champagne." (Don Hahn, 23:32)

• On the Annual Nature of Yankees' Playoffs:

  "This is the ninth time in the last 10 years now that they have clinched a playoff spot... this is just what you suppose (to do). Like, this is what they do. Like, this is an expectation. This is not an achievement." (Don Hahn, 47:46)

• On Modern Baseball and Champagne:

  "It's the one sport that does it and it's stupid. It just is." (Michael Rosenberg, 34:11)

• On Peer Pressure for Players:

  "It's the pressure because everybody else is going to do it, so they feel like they've got to do it." (Michael Rosenberg, 14:45)

• Comparing Celebrations to Life Events:

  "Every time I do successfully sit down in the studio, I want you to pour champagne all over me. I did it." (Michael Rosenberg, 24:13, joking about excessive celebration in daily life)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:29] — Show rundown; segment previews; announcement of top five worst New York coaches list for later in the show.
• [04:40] — Yankees' and Mets' playoff prospects analyzed; crux of the “excessive celebration” debate introduced.
• [06:56–16:32] — In-depth argument against wild card champagne celebrations; historical context, standards, listener perspectives.
• [19:39] — Listener calls begin; Central Jersey debate and playoff celebration views.
• [27:36–41:10] — Music detour: September 24, 1991, "iconic album day" for Nirvana, Tribe, Chili Peppers; generational discussion; pop charts vs. "feel" debate.
• [44:07–50:45] — More listener calls; robust debate over whether the Yankees' situation is unique and if fans agree with hosts’ arguments.

---

Tone & Highlights

• Language and Tone:
  • Candid, passionate, occasionally sarcastic. A blend of sports expertise and classic New York sports radio banter.
  • Frequent humor ("champagne for waking up," "wild card = boxed wine") and pop culture references.
• Memorable Exchanges:
  • The suggestion that Aaron Judge abstain from wild card celebrations as a statement.
  • Recounting of Jeter’s legendary “we haven’t done anything yet” attitude.
  • The shift to 90s music nostalgia as both comic relief and generational comment.

---

Bottom Line

Hour 1 of this episode sets off a fiery—and funny—debate about sports traditions and standards, particularly holding storied franchises to higher expectations. The hosts argue that for the Yankees and teams like them, playoff clinching shouldn’t be treated like a championship. Layered in are calls, laughs, music talk, and the unique blend of sports and culture that defines the show.

---

Key Takeaway:
If you're a Yankees or Mets fan, or just passionate about sports traditions, you'll appreciate the hosts’ push for perspective: Save the champagne for the true milestones that matter. Everything else? Maybe it’s just a little… excessive.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

I'm Scott Hanson, host of NFL Red Zone. Lowe's nose Sundays are for football. That's why we're here, to help you get your next DIY project done. Even when the clock isn't on your side. Whether that's a new Filtreat filter or Bosch and Cobalt power tools, Lowe's has everything you need to feel like the MVP of diy. So get it done and earn your Sunday shop now in store and online, Lowe's official partner of the NFL.

[Michael Rosenberg]

A lot of virgins working in one room together. A lot can be accomplished.

[Don Hahn]

Han, I just got excited. And Rosenberg.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan just expressed theoretical arousal about the Dolly Parton puppet.

[Michael Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Michael Rosenberg]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Don Hahn]

880 ESPN and the ESPN New York.

[Michael Rosenberg]

App 300 one of the big city. Don Hahn in Rosenberg. Full frontal today. Take you up until 7 o'. Clock.

[Don Hahn]

You okay?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, I got a call.

[Don Hahn]

No, no. You. Usually you come in with a punch.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I know, but I got a cold.

[Don Hahn]

That was a little.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I didn't want to sound like Peter Brady.

[Don Hahn]

This, this. That felt a little more like Light fm, you know, after hours, really. Am I wrong, Peter?

[Alan Hahn]

It was. It was very low keys.

[Don Hahn]

Protecting the big city.

[Alan Hahn]

I can tell he's protecting the voice. Now, let's. Let's have a talk here. Let's be honest. Is it a little annoying? Are you at all frustrated that here we are getting right into the preseason and now you got a voice thing randomly? That's got to be irritating.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, it was irritating. Just because it got irritated last night calling six Devil goals.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, here we go.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Wait, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That's not propaganda. I'm just saying I had a lot of go. I was not. I was feeling a little under the weather yesterday. Did the show, right, and then scored six goals. Kenny Danico sick to. Everybody's got the cold. You know, get it out of the way.

[Don Hahn]

So Danico breathing all over you. Did not.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah, exactly. Get it out of the way. Because my next game is not going to be until game two of the regular season on October 11th. So. And so I had the game feel much better, but, you know, because I taxed the voice and we had to do our headshots and our virtual videos today over at the Garden, which all the teams are gonna do. You're. You're gonna have to do it at some point. I don't give too much away, but some of the talent on MSG Some of the bumps, ins and outs. There's gonna be some virtual stuff done. And I had to tax my voice again.

[Don Hahn]

Poor guy.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But I'm fine.

[Don Hahn]

We'll get good.

[Alan Hahn]

As long as you're good.

[Michael Rosenberg]

We got 303 in the big city. See? See I. I stretched it out. That wasn't right.

[Don Hahn]

Don't do that again.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, we don't wanna. Don't hurt yourself.

[Don Hahn]

I'll tell you what though, Peter, he again. Another day where he just looks radiant.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Not because I had to wear a suit. I had to be camera ready.

[Don Hahn]

Look at this guy.

[Alan Hahn]

It's the Silver Fox, baby. He's gonna look up, look up your camera.

[Don Hahn]

Don't worry about.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I know, but I'm looking at.

[Don Hahn]

But no, he just.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I got it. Nobody.

[Alan Hahn]

I want to see all of you.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I got a problem. See, me addressing the camera means I'm going to be talking not to one of my hosts.

[Alan Hahn]

That's how it goes.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So it's a little awkward.

[Don Hahn]

You're talking to Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but think about it. When you look at the camera, if you are, I'm looking back right now I'm in Los Angeles and I'm looking right back at you. So you. Right now it looks like we're staring at each other.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Deadly eyes. But it's still awkward to talk to people that you don't see.

[Don Hahn]

That's what we do every day on television. That's right. Get used to radio. Get used to it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I need to get. I need to get used to the camera. But listen, we got a big show today. We got a list.

[Don Hahn]

Peter. Oh boy.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I went there.

[Don Hahn]

This list.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna put a new list.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And you know what?

[Don Hahn]

It's gonna start fighting.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You know what? I don't even have to hide it. I'm gonna tell you what it is because it's by requesting.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Top five worst coaches in New York history. And I'm telling you, and I am telling you, there's. There is literally like 25 to choose from. And you can't be wrong. So what I'm. What we did was put together a list where who you taken out, right? And just say I, as much as I want to put this guy in, I don't know who to take out. So it was a very difficult list to put together. We've got that coming up at 4:30 and it's Wednesday. So at 4:00 Booker McFarlane is going to be joining us. And we've got a, as we speak curated enn coming up at 6 o' clock. So we got lots to discuss. Jackson Dart spoke. Brian Dabel spoke. I will give you a little hint. He said darts the quarterback for the rest of the year.

[Don Hahn]

Breaking news which, which kind of surprised.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Me because we don't know if the coach is going to be here the whole year, but still I guess he's going to walk around as if that's still going to be the case.

[Alan Hahn]

That is something.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So it's not some experiment. It's not. Hey, we're just trying something. No, he is now your starting quarterback for the rest of the season. So we're going to talk about that. But very interesting night of baseball guys in where it was a real positive night for both the Mets and the Yankees. Mets come back from 61 down. They catch the break because again none of these teams chasing after the Mets are any good. So the Reds lose to the Pirates. So now the Mets back in the playoffs. A game leads on the Reds and the Diamondbacks with five to go but some negative. Peterson looks awful, can't get out of the second inning. But the Mets get the big three run home run from Nimmo. Big two run home run from Alvarez. What a great night. Bullpen looks good. Diaz gets a six out save. Mets win. And then you got the Yankees. It's for real people. They're only a game back of the Blue Jays. Now technically it's two because the Blue Jays have the tiebreaker. But there's still five games left and the Yankees played like horse garbage yesterday and still won because the White Sox are one of the worst teams in baseball. So the Yankees got them two more days and then the Orioles to close it out while the Blue Jays have to play two more games against the Red Sox. So it's on man. They can win this division. Which then begs the question with bigger fish to fry. It just looks silly to me. You're a champagne celebration. I'm sorry. And I'm not going to kill the Yankees because I just think it's stupid. In baseball we do this every year. They don't do it in any other sport. And don't give me the garbage wall. It's a long, it's a long season for everybody. Even though it's only a 17 game football season. You don't think those guys work their ass off in practice every day preparing for games, crisscrossing the country, having to nurse injuries to get through the season. 82 games of hockey season. There's no load management there. Beating each other's brains in and then having four Rounds. Not once you go to the Stanley Cup Final, you're lifting the Clarence Campbell bowl or you're listening to the Prince of Wales Trophy. Nobody's dumping champagne on each other. But you clinch a wild card which if the Yankees settle for will be looked upon as a disappointment and you're pouring champagne over each other and got goggles and acting stupid.

[Don Hahn]

I hate it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Again, it's not a referendum on the Yankees, Peter. It's just baseball in general. But. But you're the Yankees. You're game back of winning the division.

[Alan Hahn]

I completely agree with what you're saying. I'll say the only thing that makes it better. Alan. I wonder if you agree. The only thing that makes it better is that at least they're having a celebration when they are clearly on the upswing. Like there's at least something going on. They didn't stumble ass backwards into the playoffs and then break out the goggles. It's part of a moment that they're having. Allen. So I hate it a little bit less than I usually do, but I still think it's amateur out.

[Don Hahn]

Right. A walk off win. Right. That. That clinches it. So there's that unlike la. Was it last year that they had the double header, won the first one.

[Michael Rosenberg]

The clinch and they lost the second.

[Don Hahn]

Lost the second one and then still did the. Did the champagne.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, think about it. If the Met was loser after a loot. Let's say the Mets lose out.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And the Reds and the Diamondbacks lose out.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

When they get word because everybody's going to play at 310 on Sunday.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. You clenched.

[Michael Rosenberg]

When you get word that the Reds and the Diamondbacks also lost. You can pour champagne. After losing five straight games and backing into the postseason. They will. Yeah, of course they will.

[Don Hahn]

They will.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And they look like asses when they do it.

[Don Hahn]

Like I just again, I complained about it last year. I've consistently complained about.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I always do too.

[Don Hahn]

It's never going to change, obviously, but it really just for me it's unbecoming. Does that like. I know that sounds stuffy, but let's be honest. If there's ever going to be a franchise that says we're going to put a stop to this, this is a dumb tradition that would need to go away. It should be the Yankees. Now I know you're going to roll your eyes at me, but there is a different standard. The expectation is to make the playoffs. It is not something that you're like, hey, we made it celebrate. I mean think about it. Since. Since 2017. They've only missed the playoffs once.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Only once, right?

[Don Hahn]

They're one win away from winning 90 games for the seventh time since then, seven times. Like, do you understand? Like, they have reset the standard of excellence as far as regular season success leading to being in the postseason. And I'll remind everybody, clinching the wild card is not the playoffs. It's a play in. The wild card round is a play in.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But even I don't care what anybody says. But you know what reality. If the Reds get the third wild.

[Don Hahn]

Card, let them set fire to yourself.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Let them have a. Have a ball. Because you're the Reds and you've got, like, no payroll. You've done nothing for, like, three decades. Go nuts.

[Don Hahn]

I get it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But bring the horses out to stop the fans from jumping on the field. Go, go, go.

[Don Hahn]

But the Yankees, the Dodgers should not be teams that pop champagne because you clinched a wild card.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But forget. Forget history. The Dodgers shouldn't do it because they're the defending champions. The Yankees shouldn't do it because they went to the World Series. If they have to settle for the wild card after being just a game back of the Blue Jays on What is today, September 24, if they end up settling for the wild card, it'll be a disappointment, of course. So you'd be celebrating a disappointment. And you could say, well, Don, the reason baseball is such a long. The reason it happens in baseball is because of a tradition that nobody bothered ever to change. Back when it was just the American League and the National League. When you won your league, you have the champagne celebration because even if you lost the World Series, you could still proudly say, I won my league pennant. And way back in the early days, you know, it was like, all right, not that the World Series ever an exhibition, but it was like you still took pride in winning the league.

[Don Hahn]

It was the pennant. Literally how the pennant mattered.

[Michael Rosenberg]

The baseball. It's like the race for the pennant. The pennant was always a big deal, and you take that Pennant. So in 69, when they went to divisional play, it really should have gone away. But, hey, you're celebrating winning your division. Okay, so I get that. But then once the wild card and then a second wild card and then a third wild card. Give me a break.

[Don Hahn]

That's where it gets ridiculous.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Give me a break. Do you think of the Islanders who may make the playoffs, may not make the playoffs, you know, clinch the second wild card and essentially the eight seed of the Eastern Conference. Are they going to do a champagne celebration? Are they just going to high Five each other and get ready for the playoff.

[Don Hahn]

That's it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You just get ready, you know, because.

[Don Hahn]

The real winnings ahead of you, it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Just, but it just, it's still, it's corny.

[Don Hahn]

I still think it, it is more to me what you were saying. Like the Reds, it's different, right? Because they haven't been in the play, whatever it is for the Yankees at this point. Because when you say, well, it's, it's the culmination of a long season and this is what you play for. No, this wasn't what you were playing for. You're going to tell me you were playing for a wild card spot? No. You know what you could do? You're a game out. If you happen to catch the Blue Jays and somehow win this division, maybe you can pop the bubbly, then I might then say, okay, I get that because you won your division and that was a fight to the end. That's pretty good. You got something out of it. Wild card to me feels beneath the Yankees.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't think this is the case because I think they're responsible athletes. So I don't think anybody got like hammered or destroyed or whatever.

[Don Hahn]

Well, we'll see tonight.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, right, because if you lose to the lowly White Sox, what's everybody going to say? Right?

[Don Hahn]

Celebrate.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So, so you were out celebrating the stupid wild card and now you lose the game to the White Sox. And if the Blue Jays win now, it's a two game lead, essentially a three game lead, which is four to play. Now you ruin your chance of winning the.

[Don Hahn]

I would love to see the record of a team after they clinch. The day after they clinch, how are you the next game?

[Michael Rosenberg]

That's interesting because there was even when you clinched, Peter, like when you clinched your division or you clinched a playoff berth back in the day and essentially the last few games are meaningless. That doesn't matter. Nobody, nobody ever played the next day after a champagne celebration because the game is meaningless. This game's not meaningless.

[Don Hahn]

It means a lot.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It's a big deal.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So that's why to me it just seems silly. But again, I'm not attacking the Yankees because if the Mets did it, I'd say the same thing to them and I'd say the same thing to anybody. Celebrating when there's still meaningful games to be played and also when you've got like the Dodgers or the Mets or the, the Yankees and you got a 300 plus million dollar payroll and you make a wild card that you're really celebrating or maybe you get your head down saying, we got to do better for our fans here.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. There's more winners.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You'd have them hanging till the last week of the season to clinch a playoff spot.

[Don Hahn]

I agree.

[Alan Hahn]

This is another situation, though, that of many that the Yankees deal with that would be solved if this group won a title. You win a title. These conversations kind of don't hit the same way, but because these are the only things you've celebrated, it kind of seems like you're celebrating mediocrity.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. That's not a bad way to put it. It's not a bad way to put it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

How? Money? Because everybody was celebrating. Right. And Judge, I remember because Samantha Ryan, I was watching the news when I got home for the Devil game, was interviewing Austin Welles, and she didn't even come prepared. She was just drenched. I felt so bad for her. And Judge is throwing champagne on top of Austin Wells. So he's celebrating like everybody else because he's the captain. He's gonna put. How money would it have been if everybody's partying but Judge.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And he's just standing there. Ends up. What's the matter? Aaron is like, no work to do.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Tell me the fans wouldn't flip out and just think that that was so awesome if he had done that today. Yeah. The kids are playing, but, yeah, no, I haven't done anything in the post. I have all my championship done. Let's get to work, boys.

[Don Hahn]

I've done plenty of this.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Let's get to work.

[Don Hahn]

This is seven. This is, you know, like. Like, seriously, how many times is it now? Is it nine times made the playoffs? Wouldn't it be nine since 2017?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Right. So 17.

[Don Hahn]

They only missed one.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah. They only missed, what, 22 years ago, two years ago, 23. Yeah. So that's so.

[Don Hahn]

For him, it's like, this is. I. This. I do this every year. Let them have their fun. Have him there with a bottle of water. Like, yeah, I got bigger things. I got it. I got to do. I'll. I'll wait for the. I'll wait for the. For the bigger bottle.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But it's the pressure because everybody else is going to do it, so they feel like they've got to do it. I. Again, this is more of a referendum on baseball, saying, come on, guys, let's get. Let's get to work.

[Don Hahn]

I don't want to crucify the players at all.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, they're.

[Don Hahn]

I just don't. All I'm saying is I don't like it. And when the Game ended. Because a lot of times when you're a fan of a team, when they win something and you know a celebration's coming, it's fun. Like I've always told Meredith, I told Gillsby that Gillespie this too, because he did it last year with the Mets. I don't know. Now that I'm doing sideline, I want to know what that's like to be in the locker room and all of a sudden you're just getting drenched in champagne. Now, the problem in the NBA is they win a playoff round, doesn't matter.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, they don't do that. They don't win a championship.

[Don Hahn]

You have to get it at the very end. But like, for me, that's something that I watch that stuff and think that's. That's just got to be a cool experience.

[Alan Hahn]

And.

[Don Hahn]

And I want to have that experience. But last night, I love Meredith. Nope, turned it off. Click. I'm gone.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Hey, listen, I don't need to believe it or not, I'm telling you, I've been consistent about this. Anybody else has ever listened to me knows this. But at some point, because I think the Mets are going to make the playoffs because the Reds and Diamondbacks stink a little worse than the Mets do. But when the Mets clinch, I'll be just to discuss it when they do it, really. $350 million payroll went out and got. Juan Soto had a 20, 21 games above 500 and a five and a half game lead over the Phillies on June 12th. And you're gonna celebrate being the third wild card. No, walk off the field. Walk off the field and be disgusted with yourself. Like, I can't believe it took this long.

[Don Hahn]

No, put it down. Get off the field. Put it down.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Put it down.

[Don Hahn]

Get in the clubhouse. You didn't earn this.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And then we got work to do because we've got to make up for what was an absolute embarrassment for more than half the season. Thank God we've got the playoffs to turn this around. Put. Put that champagne down.

[Don Hahn]

Wooden dunks.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Champagne is for closer.

[Don Hahn]

Tom would be such a great owner. What a great owner you'd be. You come out and you start yelling, no, no, put that down.

[Alan Hahn]

He's literally running around the room grabbing glass.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You remember eight. Eight men out, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I'd be Charles Comiskey. They come back to the. To the locker room, they pop the champagne and it was. It's stale, like nothing came out. And then Charlie, Mr. Kaminsky say anything about bonuses for the end? They say, oh, yeah, this is your bonus yeah. Flat champagne.

[Don Hahn]

You remember Copland? Remember De Niro?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Don Hahn]

The case is closed. Go to lunch. And he's like, he's grabbing all the papers. No, go to lunch. And they're trying to bring him now. Go to lunch. Case is closed. Like that's what you'd be doing, just tearing it up. Go, go.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Get out. I think that would be so money. But that won't happen. They'll put the goggles on and they'll spray the champagne.

[Don Hahn]

So great.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Or Gelbs is going to all wet and that and it's gonna be. Yeah. Fun. Yeah. I'm not gonna be having fun till now. Go do it in the playoff.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? G.S. could show me something. If he walks in, he's like, anybody spray me? No, no, I'm not. We already did this. Don't you dare spray me with wild card champagne. Let's just say I want the real stuff.

[Alan Hahn]

That would be. That would be a hilarious.

[Don Hahn]

Get that off me. Get that off.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Let's just say drop. Let's just say if. If I were in that situation, right. And I knew that this was the last year of my contract and they're making a change at the end of the season. Right. And the Mets are throwing champagne all over the place. And here comes Francisco Lindor for the interview. How we go? Hey, Francisco. It's quite the celebration. How big of a celebration would it have been had you won the division?

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly. Imagine that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah. God, this is quite the. How many, how many goggles would you.

[Don Hahn]

Have in your head?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Have you won the World Series?

[Don Hahn]

Like what is. What is a wild card? Champagne.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

It's like the Boone's farm of champagne. Right. Using the expensive stuff.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Like you sniff it and go, is this alcohol or you save the alcohol for when you win the division. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, all it took was mentioning Meredith's before the. The ne' er do. The mer do. Well, the ne' er do wells in the group chat, in the YouTube chat.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Really show the fact that they. Some of these people may not leave their house and watch 162 games a year. Which means they essentially are having a one sided love affair with Meredith.

[Don Hahn]

Well, it happens.

[Alan Hahn]

That does ha. I mean, listen, it happens. It's just all it took was a brief mention of Meredith and the champagne.

[Don Hahn]

And people were losing their. Made it abundantly clear. I love Meredith. I've known her a long time. Love what she does. She's fantastic.

[Michael Rosenberg]

When you win the wild card, you should celebrate with like boxed wine.

[Alan Hahn]

That's fair.

[Don Hahn]

So in stage New Jersey.

[Alan Hahn]

What about Fresca?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Just popping Fresca. That'd be great. Gotta just wish somebody would have the guts to, like, do that.

[Don Hahn]

Sparkling cider.

[Michael Rosenberg]

They clinch a wild card and just walk into line. Don't do anything.

[Don Hahn]

Nothing.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Like the champagne's there.

[Don Hahn]

Water.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But the champagne is there. And they just walk.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No champagne.

[Don Hahn]

We're not ready for this.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Did you see our record?

[Don Hahn]

Put that back.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Five games above.500.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You know, we're not proud of this.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

1-800-919-3776. So baseball on the table. Jackson dart spoke. Dable spoke. We'll get into that as well. Booger McFarlane. 415. All right. I had said four because I made the mistake of looking at my rundown. 415.

[Don Hahn]

What are you looking at for? I mean, come on. He's gonna join obsolete.

[Michael Rosenberg]

E and N at 6. It's all coming together. 1-800-919-3776. Let's start it all off with Frank in Central New Jersey. You're on espn. New York. What's up, Frank?

[Don Hahn]

Central Jersey.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Central Jersey. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

See, there's an argument.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Somerset County, Middlesex, Central.

[Don Hahn]

So, you know, it's funny.

[Caller]

Township.

[Don Hahn]

I heard an argument that you could help. Help me solve. Because it's two people from Jersey and they're both. They're both NBA players. And one claims he's Central Jersey. The other one says there's no such thing as Central Jersey. There's north and South.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Brunson's the one that said there's no Central Jersey. Yeah, because he's from what Towns and.

[Don Hahn]

Towns is saying there is.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Tell him there's a Central Jersey because you live there.

[Caller]

There is a Central New Jersey.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Don Hahn]

So Central Jersey, you're. You. You have the pick of not just the New York teams, but also the Philly teams. Correct.

[Caller]

Screw to Philly.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Frank, what town. What town do you live in?

[Caller]

Monroe Township.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Right. So. But there are Eagle fans in Monroe Township.

[Caller]

I know that, but I changed dentists because he.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, no, because you're. Because you're a grown up.

[Don Hahn]

I love that. But your dentist was an Eagles fan. And you're like, nope, not getting my business again.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Frank, you'll know because it sounds like you're around the same age as me. You can go the whole north and South Jersey. When it was 201 and 609 is the only two area codes. But once they started throwing in 908 and 732. I'm sorry, this is Central Jersey.

[Don Hahn]

Good point.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So what do you got Frank?

[Caller]

About 10 of them.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, I know.

[Caller]

Now listen, I agree with you. I know. I agree with you totally, Don. I mean, Yankee boy Michael, I love him, but he's like, today, oh, hey, you know, it's 162 game season. You got to celebrate. My opinion is they haven't won anything yet. They won a bid into the playoffs. This sectioning into the playoffs isn't even decided yet. They got five games left. That's number one. Number two, if you remember years ago that they did the same thing last year back in the 90s, G was the captain and they got into the playoffs and they go into the dugout and they show them and they have everything up on the lockers and they had a toast. And then Jesus said, take it down the interview. So what are you doing? You got to celebrate. He said, celebrate what? We. Nothing yet. And these Yankees, they don't get that. And that's a problem. That's a last year. What they say, have four celebrations. And I mean, what's the point? Win. Celebrate with champagne when you win again.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't want to get on Yankees.

[Don Hahn]

That was 2009.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That was the last championship run they.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Made when Jeter did and they won the World Series.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. They just high five and that was it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But everybody does it. So I don't want to like, single out the Yankees, so they probably feel the peer pressure of everybody else does it. But I. There's, there's doing it. Like, I didn't hear Michael say this, although I did listen to a lot of his show of. You've got a right to celebrate. It's a long season. All right. High five. You know, fist pump. Yeah. Congratulations. Wear the hat that says post. Whatever, Stu.

[Don Hahn]

But do the water thing. Like when you do a walk off.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Don't, don't, don't get stupid.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I don't mind the post field walk off celebration. Lots of water, maybe even some Gatorade, all that stuff. But the full goggles.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, good, the full goggles. The T shirt. What's the saying? Ready for October stuff.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You can't say wild card champion because they could still win the division. Right, right. Because usually you would get a hat that says, you know, American League champions or American League east champions, something.

[Don Hahn]

Can we. How about we make. If we could make the rule, which nobody will listen to, but let's make it anyway. If you aren't hanging a banner for what you did, right? Not American League east champ, not, not Division Series champ, like any of that stuff. If you're not getting any type of banner or T shirt for what you accomplished. You can't use champagne.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Right. You didn't do it. There's no evidence. They're not going to run up the poll.

[Don Hahn]

Well, they got a T. I know, it's. It said ready for October. They got a T shirt. But that's not. You don't have to change the rule now. Championship T shirt.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You know what I want to do all right. Because my knees are really bad. I've got arthritis in both knees. Well, thanks for the encouragement.

[Don Hahn]

Well, you're the voice.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I'm going through physical therapy, so, you know, it's a little. It's a rough sometimes getting in the studio. So every time I do successfully sit down in the studio, I want you to pour champagne all over me. I did it.

[Alan Hahn]

I like this.

[Don Hahn]

I say get up.

[Michael Rosenberg]

How about every time we wake up now, because you know, tomorrow's promise to no one. So every time you wake up, just have a bottle of champagne by the bed. Just dump champagne before you go in the shower. Celebrate the next day.

[Don Hahn]

Every year some people live. You know what, Every year, isn't that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

More important than even a World Series championship?

[Don Hahn]

Waking up the next day, Champagne, like after your anniversary. Every year on your anniversary, right?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah, just. I don't do that.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

It doesn't just explode.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No. Really not used to. Damn right. Now we're now off the even anniversary. Yeah. Even anniversary and birthday.

[Don Hahn]

That's the one where like the court pops and it's just.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No nice lives.

[Don Hahn]

The whole room is just. No.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Exactly. Thank you, Spike.

[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 and 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 ranks, you can join a session with a therapist. 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 month at betterhelp.com timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Michael Rosenberg]

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 Chevrolet has earned more dependability awards 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 JD powered 2025 US Vehicle Dependability Study awards based on 2022 models. Newer models may be shown. Visit jdpower.com awards for more details. Chevrolet Together, let's drive.

[Don Hahn]

Mint is still $15 a month for premium wireless. And if you haven't made the switch yet, here are 15 reasons why you should 1. It's $15 a month. 2.

[Alan Hahn]

Seriously, it's $15 a month.

[Caller]

3.

[Don Hahn]

No big contracts.

[Michael Rosenberg]

4.

[Don Hahn]

I use it. 5.

[Michael Rosenberg]

My mom uses it. Are you.

[Don Hahn]

Are you playing me off? That's what's happening, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Payment of $45 for three month plan.

[Don Hahn]

$15 per month equivalent of required new.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Customer offer first three months only, then.

[Alan Hahn]

Full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra.

[Don Hahn]

Cmnobile.com thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Michael Rosenberg]

What do you got today? Jacob? Nothing different.

[Alan Hahn]

He just wanted to hear it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, I thought there might be something that he would do because thanks to Sam Diaz, he reminded us that on this date in 1991. Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Three albums were released of significance.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

On this day, A Tribe Called Quest, the Low End Theory.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's, that's the, the true one that set them into the stratosphere.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And then we had the blood sugar sex magic from Red Eyed Chili Peppers.

[Don Hahn]

Very good.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And Never mind. Never mind.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I figured the Nirvana one had to be one of the three, but yeah, and that's the big three iconic tone setters for the decade. Right?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Would you say so on this? Totally. 34 years ago.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, we don't need to hear that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

34. It's another thing. In the 90s, Anthony, three years before Anthony was born. Three albums that 10 years was a day. Yes. Three albums that I would venture to guess. And I don't know, Anthony Pusick's music thing. It's something about producers of this radio show, like not big music guys. I venture to guess that you own at least one of these albums.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I'm going with none.

[Don Hahn]

I'm gonna say zero.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Interesting.

[Don Hahn]

But you know, like, we do this game with.

[Alan Hahn]

But who owns albums anymore?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, you know, I don't know the cd.

[Alan Hahn]

The question is, does he ever listen?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Is it in his house?

[Don Hahn]

Is.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Has he heard of them?

[Don Hahn]

Think about this, though. So 1991 for all of us still feels like it's like. Like a month ago. Right. It doesn't feel long ago until you feel 34 years. Right. So in the context of 2025, in 1991, 1957 was the same distance away.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's. That's. I hate when we do that. But it's so.

[Alan Hahn]

It's brutal.

[Don Hahn]

So that's why these guys roll their eyes at us. Because if you said to yourself in 1991, hey, you remember that album that came out in. In 1957? You're like, give me a break.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, they're free to find Elvis.

[Don Hahn]

Whatever.

[Michael Rosenberg]

They're free to find other work if it bothers them that much. Wow. Don't you enjoy our company? Well, then you're gonna have to take.

[Don Hahn]

The good with the bad. Stop rolling your eyes at 90s.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Have you heard of his albums?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I've heard of them. Spent.

[Alan Hahn]

Never spent time though.

[Don Hahn]

No, I never really listen to albums like that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Really?

[Don Hahn]

Name one song that's a going.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, no, that's just. How about this albums?

[Don Hahn]

One song. Just one.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

And then. And then after that, I would say one song off each. Could be.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I'm just gonna give them one.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Off all three and it's a slam dunk.

[Don Hahn]

Don't you dead. See, Jake, don't you start googling now. I know you know it.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a super slam dunk.

[Don Hahn]

Jacob Perry knows probably a ton of songs of all three albums now I.

[Alan Hahn]

Know he knows the big one. Let's. Let's see if Jacob can name one off of each.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I know two for sure.

[Michael Rosenberg]

For tribe is a low end of a scenario.

[Don Hahn]

And then the last song and we.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Got the jazz is another one.

[Don Hahn]

It's a very good one.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go. That's. That's two good choices. Good job by you. All right.

[Michael Rosenberg]

What about.

[Alan Hahn]

What about the Nirvana?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Nirvana.

[Don Hahn]

Top of my head. No, I was one easy one.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I would have to beach easy. Listen, I suppose like Teen Spirit.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, there you go. I mean, I know the other ones.

[Michael Rosenberg]

On the album, but I guess you didn't.

[Alan Hahn]

You didn't initially realize it's off that album.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, I Didn't. I would have to. Because I didn't. I know there's what, two albums that they dropped? But I do know if I see. If I do. If I do see the album cover, I could probably come as yous Are is another one off the top of my head that I do. There was an album before Nevermind that nobody paid any mind to.

[Don Hahn]

It was. Yes. That's funny. Never mind.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It was. Yeah. And then it was a heart shaped box. It's the baby song.

[Don Hahn]

The baby swimming.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yes. That's junk out.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's it in uterine junk out now.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Red Hot Chili Peppers. That's what I blank out on. I really.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, come on.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, no, that might be. I got. I got to think of. That might pop. That might be no skip album.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's. It's an all time.

[Don Hahn]

I kind of got to look that up now and see if it is no skip.

[Michael Rosenberg]

While you're looking at that, Mike in LaGuardia. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Mike? Afternoon, guys. How are we doing? Good, man.

[Alan Hahn]

You good, buddy?

[Michael Rosenberg]

I'm good, I'm good. Don, just wanted. I know it's late. Want to congratulate you on your new gig. Thank you.

[Don Hahn]

Alan.

[Michael Rosenberg]

On Yankee fan over here, too. And Rosenberg, you actually did my brother's wedding.

[Don Hahn]

You DJed it about eight, nine years ago.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't know if you remember, but.

[Don Hahn]

New Jersey, you did a good job. You killed it.

[Alan Hahn]

Excuse me, New Jersey.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You did it in Jersey.

[Caller]

Yes.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I remember.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks, man.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You did a great job.

[Don Hahn]

Just want to see that, guys.

[Alan Hahn]

An actual DJ review in the flesh from a Rosenberg wedding.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Nice.

[Alan Hahn]

We don't get that every day.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, everybody. Put your hands together for the new Mr. And Mrs. That was Peter. That was Peter doing that. And they're still married, so that's a good thing.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Who knew? Heard you guys talking about the champagne and bottle popping and stuff. I don't know if you guys seen the Jeter documentary. I think it was in 2000. The Yankees just stumbled into the playoffs and they had the champagne on the side and they just walked right by it.

[Don Hahn]

That's. Yeah. The previous callers love that. Did say that. Brought that up a couple of times. I mean, look, they also were in the midst of winning a lot of championships, so I would think at that point you're almost like enough with the champagne, right?

[Michael Rosenberg]

But this, this.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, they just had so much champagne in the late 90s, Don. There was so many champagne I don't like.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't mean this.

[Don Hahn]

I don't. It just did. I mean, don't you think? Didn't it. It almost got boring, didn't it? It was like, man, another celebration.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't, I'm not trying to throw any disrespect at this team. That era is way over. Right. Because you. There isn't anybody really even, I mean, Brian Cashman's associated with it. But, you know, it's. It's different. It's a different era. It's a different time, you know, so that they're, they're going to look at things a lot differently now.

[Don Hahn]

Well, it's Judge, Judge knows he's got to get a ring here.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But when you see this, when judge, Judge knows that. But Judge wants to be part of the team and that he's a leader. See, I don't think Judge would ever do what we suggested in the last segment of Just. All right, have fun, boys. But I got. Because that would, that would single him out from the group.

[Don Hahn]

He didn't like that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

He doesn't want to do that point. And that's not the kind of leader he wants to be. But I still think it would have came across like, all right, guys, we got. Have your fun, but let's get back to work. And I'm sure that that was probably the message after it was over, but I just. It's the one sport that does it and it's stupid. It just is.

[Don Hahn]

I agree.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And like I said, every. Everybody works hard. You don't think hockey, basketball and football players work hard during their season? I know it doesn't feel like the same grind because it's not 162 games, but their practice and their travel and their preparation.

[Don Hahn]

Well, wait, what are the months? How long is the baseball season, month wise?

[Michael Rosenberg]

April, February, you come in for training, for spring training.

[Don Hahn]

I don't count that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

All right, so end of March. End of March. And if you. And if you win the whole thing, end of October.

[Don Hahn]

So six months.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah. Seven months. Say seven months for the champion hockey season. Hockey season.

[Don Hahn]

September.

[Michael Rosenberg]

From. If you do, you go October to. And if you win a championship, June. So that's, that's what, 10 months?

[Don Hahn]

Okay, so technically a longer season.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah. You don't play as many games.

[Don Hahn]

No, but you're still traveling. You don't, you don't travel nearly as much either because with baseball, you're in the same town for three days at a time, four days at a time.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I'm seeing it with the Devils and when I did the Rangers, it's like every day. Always move, practicing. They've got morning skates. Don't give me that.

[Don Hahn]

Stop it.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, it's a tradition that nobody bothered to pull the plug on once they started adding all these playoff teams. Baseball tries to hold itself to a stand. It's hard to make the playoffs in baseball. No, it's not anymore. I got the Mets, who were five games above.500, holding on for dear life.

[Don Hahn]

Were left for dead, and suddenly they're right there in the picture.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So I agree.

[Alan Hahn]

So stop.

[Don Hahn]

Teams that pulled the plug in late July on their own team are still alive.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Don Hahn]

But it's really hard.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Diamondback sold and they're a game out of making the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

But it's really difficult to make guardians.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I mean, what's happening there?

[Don Hahn]

That story is unreal.

[Michael Rosenberg]

That is unreal.

[Don Hahn]

Fry get hit in the fight. That was scary.

[Michael Rosenberg]

And school was completely messed up after that.

[Don Hahn]

Scary.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Couldn't pitch. Speaking of which, Griffin in Connecticut. You're on espn. New York. You got something on this.

[Caller]

Hey, guys, I think you can lose to anybody. I understand. But to me, the team in the American League that I'm more scared of is not the Houston Astros. I know Peter will say their whole. Enough with that. They might not even make the playoffs. So enough with this. What Houston used to be, they might not even make the playoffs. We don't even know if the Tigers are going to make the playoffs. They're falling off a certain cliff right now. The team I'm scared of is the Seattle Mariners. And the reason why they're playing really good baseball right now, they have a really good starting pitching. Their bullpen is pretty good. To me, that the team I'm more scared of, Toronto, their pitching is like in flux. Bassett is on the il. Jose Brios got moved to the bullpen because he's struggling so much. Scherzer has been awful in his last six starts. So that to me, they're a little bit string with pitching and stuff. To me, the team to look out for is the Mariners because they just seem like they're playing really good right now and they got everything that could go for a long run.

[Don Hahn]

You know, Griff, it's a great point. You know what else they have going, which I know Don hates this, but it's a real thing. They seem to have a little magic happen in this season, the season that Cal Raleigh's having. Right. Like a little renaissance there. So I think there is. There could be something to that could they be one of those just teams of destiny this year.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I'll give you. So Power of Equity is a great way to start off the album, right?

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. If you have to ask Breaking the Girl, you're not skipping Funky Monks Suck My Kiss.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[Don Hahn]

Real good one.

[Alan Hahn]

Big one. It's a big one.

[Don Hahn]

Then it kind of like, you know, I could have lied. Fellowship, you know, the righteous, wicked.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It's not.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, Give It Away is good.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Blood sugar good. And then, of course, under the bridge, the ballad. I know.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't don. I felt like Alan's almost like short. Short changed Give It Away a little bit.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, give It Away is a great song. I'm saying this.

[Alan Hahn]

That's. It's a big one.

[Don Hahn]

Maybe. Did I. What did I say? Because I. You give It Away is good and.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Then just moved on. I think he just said, well, we.

[Don Hahn]

Know that we know. Like, I think I was saying it more like. Yeah, we all. Almost like yesterday when we got yelled at for not saying Steve Young. When we said Niners. When we all agree, like, when you say. Yeah, we already know.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You don't have to describe.

[Don Hahn]

You have to say the name.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Might not be the biggest song on the album. Yeah, that might be their biggest hit.

[Alan Hahn]

No, under the bridge.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I don't know.

[Don Hahn]

Under the bridge. Was there big.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, no, no.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not a conversation here.

[Don Hahn]

That's.

[Alan Hahn]

I promise. No, I just. Wait.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I said May. I said May. Okay. All right. So all of us. Nobody would start. Nobody was throwing down any hammers. I was just saying may and you jump me. I know. Music is your terr. I know. No, no, no. I'm not doing it like I infringed. I get it. But if the may suggests that I could be wrong. Anybody to get my face about God. There's a guy I'm gonna look to. God. Now I believe in you, God. Although there are a lot of people around that don't anymore. I still believe. And please, please let Peter be wrong. Please. It would be awesome.

[Don Hahn]

There's no chance I'll have to stand by.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, what are you gonna look for? Built. How long on the charts? You never know. I mean, suppose it's a world where somehow lose confidence.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Don't. Don't be that guy. Lose confidence.

[Alan Hahn]

The answer wouldn't be in the Billboard charts. It's just a cultural relevance.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, oh, see now changing rules. Now he's changing the game.

[Don Hahn]

Went on to achieve international fame, reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock tracks.

[Alan Hahn]

Under the Bridge, I Bet did number.

[Don Hahn]

One over charted in the top 75 US Hot 100.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, and now tell us where what under the Bridge did in the Hot 100. Talk.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Talk about it. I just don't like the fact that he changed the game. You saw that Jacob, right? He lost confidence. Changing. How are we supposed to.

[Don Hahn]

So you won a Grammy.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So what you're deciding to do, let's take. Let's take Billboard out of it. And now let's just feel. Let's just go. I'm saying that because cultural relevance is feeling. If you get a 10. That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

The game has a pulse, dog.

[Don Hahn]

If you want stats, it peaked at number two on the billboard 100.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go. I wonder what was one. I wonder what kept it from one.

[Don Hahn]

Help. That's the only question. Look that up.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a smash.

[Don Hahn]

Help them enter the mainstream.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, sure it did.

[Don Hahn]

They put them in the. Blah, blah, blah. Yeah, so.

[Alan Hahn]

So under the Bridgeway. I was so. I was a jerk, but I was right. That. That's.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You were a jerk because you lost confidence.

[Alan Hahn]

I just was being clear that my thought wasn't based on charts. My thought was based on feel. And yes, it was all feel. Under the Bridge was a huge. I mean, I think I was in seventh grade. That was just like. Anthony Kiedis was a true sex symbol at that time.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Though Flea, of course, was the one who was naked. Anthony Kiedis. Anthony Kiedis went shirtless. Flea said, I see you're shirtless, I raise you bottomless.

[Don Hahn]

I'm looking at Billboard Top 100, May 92nd.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Under the Bridge is number three.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. What's number one?

[Don Hahn]

My lovin. You're never gonna get it. And Vogue was two.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

And number one, which is again, this is why charts are charts. What is it? Can you guess it?

[Alan Hahn]

You said may 92.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Wright said Fred.

[Don Hahn]

No, I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm close.

[Don Hahn]

Not close, but it's like. It's that kind of a song. It's. It's Crisscross jump.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that's cross jump.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Sure. It's a fun song.

[Don Hahn]

Come on.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It's mine.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, listen, we'll hear you better.

[Alan Hahn]

You'll hear it during timeouts at basketball or jump balls. You gotta hear it during the jump ball.

[Don Hahn]

You gotta. You gotta hear it. It's gotta. What else would you play? Van Halen jump. No, we can't play that.

[Alan Hahn]

You need.

[Don Hahn]

That.

[Michael Rosenberg]

There's a lot of jump options. I'm Christian McCaffrey, pro running back, and.

[Don Hahn]

Abercrombie is an official fashion partner of the NFL. I'm not kidding when I say NFL.

[Michael Rosenberg]

By Abercrombie broke the Internet last year.

[Don Hahn]

And I think this season's lineup is even cooler. And so does my wife who keeps stealing all my hoodies. Stay fit for the season and Abercrombie's newest arrivals shop NFL by Abercrombie Crombie in the app, online and in store. When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Secure messaging app that brings the whole group together.

[Don Hahn]

Use polls to settle dinner plans, send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom's 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] this episode is brought to you by State Farm.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And 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 or 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 there.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Michael Rosenberg]

ESPN New York is now streaming on YouTube. Catch all of your favorite shows, DPH, Ron Rotha, Barney Harlan, Michael K Show, and Don Hanna Rosenberg with live videos every weekday. Watch, chat and join the conversation only on YouTube. Subscribe to ESPN New York on YouTube today and never miss a moment. All right, let's dive back into the calls. 1-800-919-3776. Let's go to Rob in Smithtown. You're on ESPN New York.

[Caller]

Boy. Thanks so much for having me. Time. Long time, guys.

[Don Hahn]

I don't make you last time, right? Where you at in Smithtown?

[Caller]

Where am I at in Smithtown?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, whereabout? Give me a. Give me like a landmark right in.

[Caller]

The village of the branch.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, perfect. Okay. All right. I'm trying to think. The restaurant. There's a restaurant over there. There's a great. There's a great wine store over there too.

[Alan Hahn]

Great wine store.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, it's a great spot. Smith. It's the branch in Smithtown that's actually a great little village spot.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It's far.

[Don Hahn]

It is false it is.

[Caller]

And listen, the reason for my call today, guys, I'm a die hard, long time Yankee fan and I can assure you that there isn't a Yankee fan or even a Yankee player that thinks they won anything more than what they did last night. I think you're minimizing not only the fact that they've birthed the playoffs, okay. But they also had a walk off hit. Right. So walk off times getting into the playoffs. Yes, of course. There's so much more to do. But I can tell you this, it's a lot more than Steve Cohen and his $350 million that can do right across the city there. So again, I don't think, I don't think the Yankees think they did anything more. I think that if they weren't to celebrate, everybody would start the narrative that, you know, the Yankees could never be happy.

[Michael Rosenberg]

So no, listen, I'm just getting on all of baseball because I think it'll be a joke when the Mets celebrate when they clinch, if they do, I think that's a joke. You know, why don't they do it in other sports? Why, why just baseball? Why not other sports team? Teams going to the Stanley Cup Final or the NBA Finals or the super bowl don't celebrate like that.

[Caller]

Would you get on the Los Angeles Angels fan base for having celebrated if they were to have celebrated the way the Yankees.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Oh, no. Like I said, if the Reds clinch the third wild card, they should celebrate like there's no tomorrow. Haven't won a championship since 1990. Small market team, almost no payroll, sold off at the deadline. Yeah, they could celebrate. But when you're the Mets, when you're the Dodgers, when you're the Yankees and you've got a monster payroll and you got a wild card, and the other thing, Rob, too. And you got your dig on the Mets and you deserve it because the Mets have been awful. You still have other fish to fry. You know, what's the narrative going to be, Rob? What's the narrative going to be, Rob? And it might be wrong, but what's the narrative going to be if they lose tonight? Well, maybe if you didn't celebrate you would, you wouldn't lose to the White Sox the next day. And if the Blue Jays win tonight, guess what? Now you're two back again and might cost yourself a chance to win the division. When you're one game back of winning the division, which is way bigger than being a wild card team. It just, I just, it just seems silly to me. But everybody, everybody does it, Rob. I Get it. But it just seems silly. Let me just.

[Don Hahn]

Before you let Rob go, because Rob and I are both Yankee fans, so I want to talk to you. That in that vein, Rob, is that it's since 2017 now, you remember there was some dark years there after the Jeter era kind of ended and they were 80 win seasons for like four years in a row. And, you know, it wasn't great. Then 2017, the Baby Bombers, and all of a sudden things turned. Darren Judd shows up and this is the ninth time in the last 10 years now that they have clinched a playoff spot. Right? Like every year you're. You're in the playoffs, like every year. But I'm just so. For me, and I'm. I might be older than you, but for me, like, I look at it like, well, this is just what you suppose. Like, this is what they do. Like, this is an expectation. This is not an achievement. It's just like, this is part of your brand. Like, yeah, you're supposed. It's when you don't make the playoffs that we're all like, whoa, they didn't make the play. Like, that's when it's more stunning. So for me, that's why I look at it last night and say, like, what? Like, what are we doing? Like, come on.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Was that Rob? I'm sorry.

[Caller]

No, listen, I appreciate it, guys, and thanks for the time, but listen, I just think it's such an unfair, seesawed, rubric, right? I mean, we just said that the Angels of Anaheim were to celebrate, but the Yankees did yesterday.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Well, because.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, no. Again, let me, Let me get. Let me do this. Because, Because, Rob, do you consider the Yankees and Angels to be on the same level?

[Caller]

They're both professional baseball.

[Don Hahn]

No, stop. Come on, stop it. The two different brands. Let's be honest.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I mean, I can't.

[Don Hahn]

Like, they are, like I said, the Reds. And you hate when I do this, but this is the time when it really does fit.

[Michael Rosenberg]

But.

[Don Hahn]

But the Yankees are not the same as everyone.

[Michael Rosenberg]

I'm not going there. But they're also not going there because what's the Angels payroll? You know, we sit here and we're 12 of the 30 teams go to the playoffs, right? And money doesn't buy everything. But you know what? When you're the Dodgers, when you're the Mets, you're the Yankees.

[Don Hahn]

No cap sport.

[Michael Rosenberg]

The playoffs, you. You have a advantage over other markets. And I know that, hey, the Angels are in la, but it's. It's right, it's. It's It's a different animal. But that's why I use the Reds as an example.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You know, because it's, it's just a.

[Don Hahn]

Historic franchise, has been there forever and.

[Michael Rosenberg]

You know, what if the Yankees hadn't gone to the play, haven't won a championship in 30 years and never go to the playoffs. Well, they wanted 95, you know, 95.

[Don Hahn]

That was a wild card and that.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Absolutely no real problem with it.

[Don Hahn]

Finally put an end to it like that. Again, it's, it's all relative to where you are right now in the context of where you are right now. And for me, nine, nine playoff berths in a 10 year span with the, with obviously the leader of your team being that guy and the manager being there for the majority of it. To me, that's when it's like, all right, well this is what we do every year.

[Michael Rosenberg]

This is what we do. Rob lost me on the way they won the game. They would have celebrated the exact same way if they won that game. 10 nothing. They didn't celebrate the way they celebrated because it's a walk off against one of the worst teams in football, baseball. And you, you won the game on a wild pitch and the center towering.

[Alan Hahn]

Judge, homer to win and a center.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Fielder to decided to make a business decision and not die for a ball with two outs to try to keep the game tied. Again, I'm not taking anything away from the win, but you give me a break. How they won that game, Peter, had nothing to do with them celebrating. It was that they clinched the playoff berth. And there's a moral imperative, I guess in baseball to act like a jackass when you make the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

Is. Is. Is Rob is. There's a lot of fans like Rob who just like to see their team celebrate, be happy, like all that stuff. And I get it, I completely get it. But you cannot tell me that it's the same thing. They are not on the same level as any other franchise. There, there might be one or two other franchises in the league right now that you could say are on their level as far as a franchise goes. So no, you cannot equate this to the Anaheim Angels or the Reds or anybody.

[Michael Rosenberg]

No, it's not the same thing. I know they're all professional teams, but believe me, baseball, there's haves and there's have nots and certainly the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers have. And some of them, they don't.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Michael Rosenberg]

This isn't just another ESPN fantasy football season, it's your shot at greatness with a refreshed design. The 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.

[Don Hahn]

Download the ESPN Fantasy App and sign.

[Michael Rosenberg]

Up to play ESPN Fantasy Football today.