Hour 1: Giants & Announcer Beef

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Giants & Announcer Beef (Nov 11, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode kicks off with the trio reflecting on Veterans Day, personal stories, and the immense gratitude for service members. The main sports focus centers on the ongoing New York Giants management turmoil, the challenges of hiring in New York, and the uncertainty surrounding GM Joe Shane’s future. The latter half becomes a lively debate and breakdown of an announcer “beef” between Don LaGreca and Islanders broadcaster Brendan Burke over catchphrase territory in hockey broadcasting, featuring playful banter and participation from Michael Kay and a call-in by Burke himself. The tone throughout is classic New York—humorous, sharp-edged, and always direct.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Honoring Veterans Day (00:54–04:44)

• Don and the crew reflect on the significance of Veterans Day, appreciating those who have served and sharing personal family connections.
  • Alan shares his father’s Navy story, underscoring the different eras of military service.
  • Peter humorously imagines how disastrous it would be if the three hosts had to defend the country themselves.
  • The trio jokes about “cosplaying” as sports fans versus comic fans—“Look at these nerds dressed up as stormtroopers…yet you’ll be basically everything except stirrups to go to a Yankee game” (Alan Hahn, 04:14).
• The deep gratitude is sincere, but the banter remains light and classic to the show’s tone.

Notable Quote:

“We don’t have to do that [serve in the military] because of people like my dad, people like your grandfather, people like all the veterans out there that didn’t have a choice.”
— Alan Hahn (02:07)

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2. Opening Show Banter & Technical Difficulties (06:10–08:12)

• Alan arrives late due to Veterans Day parade traffic and jokes about his tardiness and camera issues (“You know what you look like right now? The one picture of Chernobyl after it melted down.” – Don LaGreca, 07:00).
• Lighthearted compare-and-contrast regarding the in-studio camera versus remote feeds.
• Rosenberg (from studio) jests about not getting proper credit for his commitment from online critics.

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3. Harsh Reality of Coaching in New York (08:17–09:25)

• The hosts discuss the brutal media/fan scrutiny faced by recently fired Giants and Jets coaches, especially the invasive New York Post coverage.
• Peter quips about the “schlubberoo” look of dismissed coaches, captured in sad paparazzi shots.

Notable Quote:

“Does anybody tell you about this attractive moment when you come coach a New York team, the day after you’ve been let go you’re on the front page of the New York Post walking in the snow with a sweatshirt on, looking like a complete schlubberoo?”
— Peter Rosenberg (08:29)

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4. The Giants’ Front Office Uncertainty (09:25–25:24)

Giants GM and Head Coach Controversy (09:25–21:11)

• Don and Alan refer to an article by Ian O’Connor (joining later) questioning GM Joe Shane’s job security, despite public statements about his ongoing role.
• Debate whether the Giants’ instability is worsened by owner John Mara’s illness and the lack of clear leadership.
• Discussion frames the front office as feeling victim to bad coaching (Don: “I’d be annoyed at the coaching because I’d be mad at what should be a better record with the roster management that we have had over the last couple of years.” – 11:41).
• The group critiques the potential dysfunction if the GM is hiring his replacement or a coach who may in turn fire him.

Notable Quote:

“It’s all going to get blown up at the end of the season…Shane is not on stable ground…can make even more rash decisions down the road?”
— Don LaGreca (10:55)

Memorable Exchange—Role Playing “Coach Hiring Call”:

• Alan and Don improvise a classic uncertain front office recruitment call, highlighting the awkwardness of unclear leadership.
  • Alan: “Are you going to be the GM?”
  • Don: “Right now, I’m that guy…but as you know, some things do change.”

Key Point: A head coach candidate will want to know who the GM is, and may be deterred by instability (“You want to know stability.” — Alan, 23:41).

Larger NFL Context (18:33–21:11)

• Giants are one of the first teams to fire their head coach this season, which gives them an advantage in searching for top replacements, but only if they act decisively.

Ian O’Connor’s Insight (19:40–20:06)

• Alan reads Ian O’Connor’s tweet: “I don’t believe Joe Shane is certain to be the Giants general manager next year…Ownership will make the final call on the coach in January, when I’d expect Shane to be reviewed again.”
• The group is unsettled by the implication that Giants’ organizational dysfunction could scare away prime head coach candidates.

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5. Announcer “Beef” – The Broadcast Catchphrase Debate (29:31–44:50)

The Incident: Brendan Burke’s On-Air Line (29:31–32:30)

• Michael Kay brings up that Islanders broadcaster Brendan Burke “took a shot” at Don by using a version of Don’s “put the pitchforks away” Devils broadcast catchphrase after an Islanders win.
• Michael, Don, and Alan debate if it was an homage, a playful jab, or a stomp on brand territory.
• Don is bemused but finds the acknowledgment flattering, while Michael frames it as “turf war.”
• Peter suggests it’s a New York thing: “You want to be confused. Why can’t you just defend yourself?” (33:30)

Notable Quotes:

“Put the pitchforks away. This one belongs to the Islanders. Kick right in the cubes. Wow. I love me some Brendan Burke, but you can’t go against Don.”
— Michael Kay (31:02)

“It’s a moment, preplanned…This is: I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you, hold the catchphrases, my friend.”
— Michael Kay (31:25)

“I was totally honored by what you did. I got the biggest kick out of it.”
— Don LaGreca, addressing Brendan Burke (42:46)

The Debate Gets Meta (33:08–35:05)

• Michael and Alan push the “defend your turf” angle, while Don and Peter argue it’s an acknowledgment and good-natured.
  • Michael: “Don’t pee on my head and tell me it’s raining, okay? Just don’t.”
  • Alan: “The truth is, it was a great acknowledgment, him showing his respect.”

Brendan Burke Joins the Show (41:27–44:50)

• Burke calls in from the airport, defusing the tension and clarifying: “Don has come in, in year one for a franchise that’s been around since 1982 and done something unique and original, and it works and it’s great and it’s caught on…but it was in my head when they lost for the first time at home.” (41:41)
  • He jokes about the backstory and the inside rivalry.
  • Michael playfully says “I think he pumped you. That’s what I think.” (41:13)
  • Brendan: “This was a really long play to get to this one moment.” (44:45)
• The segment ends with everyone agreeing the back-and-forth was fun and a sign of professional respect, but with a classic NY radio edge about competition and territory.

Analogies & Banter on Broadcasting Rivalries

• References to how other NY sports broadcasts would feel if rival announcers “borrowed” signature phrases, e.g., Michael’s hypothetical “Put that in the books” after a Yankees win.
• Emphasis on the competitive but collegial nature of New York sports media.

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6. Behind the Scenes: Show Culture, Callers, and NY Media (44:50–End)

• The episode closes out with some inside baseball on how Alan and Michael, both former newspaper guys, see competition in media—even when you’re friendly with rivals, you still want the story.
• Discussion of frequent caller Danny, who made jokes about Peter’s Halloween costumes across multiple shows, triggering a debate about listener boundaries and “yucks.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You know what you look like right now? The one picture of Chernobyl after it melted down.”
  — Don LaGreca (07:00)

• “It’s all going to get blown up at the end of the season…Shane is not on stable ground…”
  — Don LaGreca (10:55)

• “It’s a moment, preplanned…This is: I've been doing this a lot longer than you, hold the catchphrases, my friend.”
  — Michael Kay (31:25)

• “I was totally honored by what you did. I got the biggest kick out of it.”
  — Don LaGreca, to Brendan Burke (42:46)

• Brendan Burke: “Don has come in, in year one for a franchise that’s been around since 1982 and done something unique and original, and it works and it’s great and it’s caught on.” (41:41)
  Michael Kay: “So, this was done out of jealousy. You ripping them.” (42:07, playfully)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:54–04:44 – Veterans Day reflections & sports fandom cosplay
• 06:10–08:12 – Parade traffic, camera banter, Rosenberg’s studio “effort”
• 08:17–09:25 – Coaching in NY, aftermath of being fired
• 09:25–25:24 – Giants’ head coach search, GM front office dysfunction, O’Connor’s report, role-played GM/head coach call (21:22)
• 29:31–32:30 – Announcer catchphrase “beef” introduction: Burke’s call
• 33:08–35:05 – Defending “broadcast turf” debate
• 41:27–44:50 – Brendan Burke calls in; meta-discussion and respectful resolution
• 44:50–End – NY sports media competition, closing banter

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Tone & Language

• Authentic NY sports radio: irreverent, fast-paced, playful/combative, full of local color and inside jokes.
• Direct, sometimes self-deprecating, with an undercurrent of deep respect for the craft and the city.
• Episodes blend sports analysis with network and media personalities’ inside stories, making for lively listening even when discussing serious sports turmoil.

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Summary for Listeners New to the Show

This episode offers a quintessential slice of New York sports radio life—mixing serious Giants turmoil analysis (with a focus on front-office uncertainty), a hilarious (but pointed) inside battle over broadcast style and catchphrases in hockey, and classic personalities clashing and connecting. Even if you’re not closely following the Giants or the Islanders/Devils media scene, you’ll get a masterclass in New York sports culture, where nothing is ever taken too seriously and everyone is always ready to defend their turf. The guest spot by Brendan Burke, navigating “catchphrase etiquette,” is must-hear radio for fans of broadcasting inside baseball.

Transcript

[Don LaGreca]

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] Todd I gotta divorce my.

[Alan Hahn]

Wife and have my kids bleed out.

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Because the Giant game's on.

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Otherwise I'm not a real fan.

[Don LaGreca]

Han, what kind of fan are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don LaGreca]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Alan Hahn]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Don LaGreca]

ESPN New York and streaming live on.

[Alan Hahn]

YouTube 300 one of the big city. Don, Ha and Rosenberg. We got a full frontal vehicle today till 7 o' clock leading into that rivalry like no other. Knicks. Grizzlies of the Garden as the Knicks continue their dominance at Madison Square Garden. Rangers finally got a win at the Garden last night. So does that mean the Knicks lose tonight? We'll have to pay attention to wait and see. We're a little light to start the show, Peter. Whoopee do first, I want to say, because it relates to why Allen's not here. Happy Veterans Day, everybody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There you go. I knew it.

[Alan Hahn]

Most celebrated yesterday because it's a Monday and if you had a day off, it was probably yesterday. And they celebrated the military over at the Rock yesterday. So that was great. A lot of veterans there. But today technically is Veterans Day. So for all the people that served, we cannot thank you enough for your service to the country and all the things that we have at our disposal that we take for granted every single day because you went out there, whatever war it was. We've only got a handful of people alive from World War II, but whether it's Korea, Vietnam, all of the different wars, the sacrifices that all veterans made, even people that were in the military between wars. Now, we thank you for your service. My dad served in the Navy, so thank you so much for your service. If it had been very surreal situation that we want to acknowledge before that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just want to add to what Don just said, one of the reasons I'm most grateful for veterans. Don, can you imagine if they were relying on us, me and you, if you were counting on us to hold up anything, to physically protect this nation from anything, God knows What language we'd be speaking.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, manufactured. He handed it back over.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Because you know what was great about my dad is that he served. But he didn't sit there and show off about it. He was very proud of it. He would tell a story or two, but that was part of it. The reason my dad was in the Navy was because he was gonna get drafted. And he said rather get drafted in a branch of service he didn't want to necessarily go to. He always wanted to go to the Navy. So he enlisted in the Navy. Rather than be drafted and go to the army or marines, you were gonna get drafted. That was something, it was a fait accompli. So you had to sacrifice something in your life for the greater good. We don't have to do that because of people like my dad, people like your grandfather, people like all the veterans out there that didn't have a choice. A lot of people do have a choice and we were very thankful that you choose that. But there was a time that, hey, you turned 18 years old. Whether you liked it or not, you're going to serve your country.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's, it's.

[Alan Hahn]

We don't have to do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very lucky that as of now, that's.

[Alan Hahn]

Not what's our biggest problem is who to start a quarterback in our fantasy league because our starter got hurt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. Have you ever seen these things move around sometimes in the Internet? It's always based around wrestling. But you could do the same thing around sports. Sure, they'll show like someone will film at a wrestling show. All these people, like my age, like between, you know, 30s and 40s, dressed up like morons, walking around with fake championship belts, you know, T shirts, face paint on. And the caption will say, like people.

[Alan Hahn]

Used to fight in wars. Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's 45 year olds playing cosplay and going to, to Javits center to go meet, you know, Starman.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're lucky. We're very lucky.

[Alan Hahn]

And that always reminds me of the story that people will say, oh, look at these nerds dressed up as stormtroopers to go see the new Star wars movie. Yet you'll be basically everything except stirrups to go to a Yankee game. Right. How is that any different?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a Jersey hat. What a profound point. It's not said enough, honestly.

[Alan Hahn]

And nobody's like, oh, look at that nerd. He's dressed up like he's playing in the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, it's such a great.

[Alan Hahn]

But you're a nerd for dressing up for the movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're gonna go see, there's a big difference. One form of entertainment is cooler. Now.

[Alan Hahn]

Quickly, the surreal moment that we're gonna bring up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. So Don and I are doing the show, minding our own business, and Don's doing his lovely salute to service, his tribute to the troops, if you will, on this Veterans Day. And the door swings open, and a broadcasting legend walked through the door.

[Alan Hahn]

He did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Michael K. The transmitter. The transmitter himself. Michael K. Walks in. I know he walked in because I heard the door slam.

[Alan Hahn]

Because we don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We don't work in a proper radio studio. So the doors, instead of closing slowly so they don't make a loud noise, they slam completely shut like animals.

[Michael Kay]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He lets the door completely slam shut, picks up his cell phone, which he obviously had left in the studio, doesn't look around at either of us. There's not an attempt at eye contact.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Not a wave. Not a little.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not an acknowledgement. Not a sorry, I walked in the room vibe. Not a, oh, hey, should I go sit and maybe join?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then grabs the door, throws it open and slams it a second time.

[Alan Hahn]

That's it. Like, listen, getting my phone is more important than anything you're gonna do for the next four hours.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's unbelievable.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, we opened up, talking about the veterans, and today we had the parade, which affected Alan greatly. But Allen has made it to Madison Square Garden, joined us in the first segment of the show, which I did not have on my betting car. Alan, you okay, buddy?

[Don LaGreca]

I'm just cleaning off my camera to make sure it's nice and clean. You see, I have my cleaner here. This is on me, by the way. Like, how do I not think to myself, it's Veterans Day. Probably should take the train today, idiot, because you can't get across town this afternoon. So getting here was quite an adventure. Took an hour to get across town, and that's just part of being a New Yorker. So that's on me. I apologize for being tardy. And we can. You can hold me in contempt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would not. I. I'm gonna. I'm gonna push back and defend you against yourself. I would have thought, if anything, Veterans Day is a holiday. This shouldn't be too bad driving it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know if I wouldn't have thought about the parade either. And by the way, you can keep wiping that camera as long as you want. You're still gonna look 30 years behind me and Don in the studio.

[Don LaGreca]

It's just that. It's that bad.

[Alan Hahn]

You Know what? You know what you look like right now?

[Don LaGreca]

Damn.

[Alan Hahn]

The one picture of Chernobyl after it melted down. Right. Because the radiation affected the camera. I don't know if you've ever seen that. That's what it looks like.

[Don LaGreca]

Why am I trashed? Why me? I can't believe it's. It's still on my end. I gotta be honest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It looks perfect.

[Don LaGreca]

Crystal clear.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because what happens is you're looking at the local feed.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And your local feed is super clear. But you don't think it happens.

[Don LaGreca]

Five camera. They do the extra wide on the. I have two choices, but if I do the other one, my head's too. It's like gigantic in the screen. It's no good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, listen, I gotta give credit where credit is due. If I'm give this place a hard time, I should give them the credit that being in studio, these cameras look pretty damn good.

[Alan Hahn]

They do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And because it's an adventure actor, and because it feeds directly into what we actually upload to the YouTube. Yeah, it's the. It's the perfect look.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. I apologize.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is anyone. By the way, are any of the Rosenberg haters at some point gonna come out and go, hey, you know, I said a lot of nasty things about Rosenberg, but. But Don and Alan, they're doing the show from God knows where. Rosenberg's in there every day. Is that ever coming?

[Alan Hahn]

You were in here on a Friday?

[Michael Kay]

On a Friday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By myself. When did the email start rolling at all? Peter, thank you for the commitment. Nope, they're still mad at me.

[Don LaGreca]

We appreciate your effort.

[Alan Hahn]

They'll find something else to get mad at you for.

[Don LaGreca]

I think we just have a Don, thanks drop for you. We can do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, you know what? How about this one? Hang on, I'll take it. How about this, by the way? They don't tell you this, guys, when you're trying to. And this will bring us into one of the things we want to discuss today? Of course.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, it's so appealing. What a very attractive job in New York to go coach the Giants. Very attractive. Does anybody tell you about this attractive moment when you come coach a New York team the day after you've been let go and you're on the front page of the New York Post, walking in the snow with a sweatshirt on, looking like a complete schlubberoo? Walking down the street. Look, it's like they caught him. It's like they caught him. Like he's committing a crime. Yeah, no one tells you about that part when it doesn't Work out. He's not the first one we've seen in this moment.

[Don LaGreca]

No. They can't wait to find you.

[Alan Hahn]

It's bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They got solid in the parking lot. Remember when Salah left?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah. And you remember the Joe Judge judge had a party. Joe Judge said all right after he got fired he got a bunch of pizzas and beers for everybody to say goodbye and it was like, you know, pizza boy or something as he was really doing a nice thing for everybody.

[Don LaGreca]

That got let go. We're really good at just kicking you on the way out. Oh yeah, we're so good.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's a good place to start. Ian O' Connor is going to join us coming up at 4 o' clock and he's all over this story and we'll get in more depth with him at 4. But the main topic of conversation from his article today in the Post is the idea that Joe Shane is not safe. Now we had the opinion yesterday, Allen and I think Peter agreed as well that you need stability and the statement from the Giants said, hey, we've got enough talent here to win. So it seemed like that was a vote of confidence for Joe Shane. He did not deserve to lose his job and that Brian Dable did. And the other reason that the other coaches are still around, well, Kafka has to be the interim head coach. Somebody has to coach the team and everybody else stayed in place because you have to function for the next seven weeks. But the idea is it's all going to get blown up at the end of the season that Joe Shane is, is going to make these decisions. But you know, Ian's reporting and again we'll have him on at 4 o' clock that Shane is not on stable ground and that we be, we could be having a conversation very soon on whether he is going to be the general manager of this team moving forward that he may be here to help facilitate the next head coach but still can end up walking out the door. And the two things that pop to mind is, is well, well that's not good that the guy that's going to decide who the next head coach is still might end up losing his job at the end of the day, come the end of the season or after that decision's already made and also it tells me is Jones, Joe Shane sticking around because maybe John Mara doesn't have because of what he's going through with his cancer the ability to make this decision and where are we left Alan if it ends up being the worst case scenario for the Giants Organization that, you know, John Mara is really ill. Where do we stand if, God forbid, he no longer is the owner of the team? Are we to a point now where there's a lot of dysfunction? Not necessarily because they don't know what they're doing, but has John's illness led them to make some very rash decisions here and could make even more rash decisions down the road?

[Don LaGreca]

There's great uncertainty, right, with the future of the Giants on many levels. Number one, it's, you know, now they've got to find a head coach. Number two, is this the front office you're staying with, or is this a short term? You know, I mean, I don't think the front office. Look, as I talked about yesterday, if I was anybody in that front office, I'd be annoyed at the coaching because I'd be mad at what should be a better record with the roster management that we have had over the last couple of years. Right. That's how I would feel in the front office. I'd be a little frustrated. We lost some games. We should have won at worst, 500. At best, 6, 4, and we should have won those games. And then we're talking about a completely different situation. And you have the continuity, I think, which is what John Merritt talked about. The reason why these guys are still here, why Brian Dabel got to coach this season at all, was because Jon just felt a little nostalgia watching a documentary and felt like, you know what? We can't keep turning this thing. We got to give guys time, give it a chance. And he wanted to do that. And the coach failed them. The front office probably doesn't feel like they failed anybody. The front office feels like we are. We're continuing to build here. We need more time to keep this roster going. But this, this year should have been a year where we proved that we could at least contend for a playoff spot. Never got that chance to do it because the coaching was so bad. But I just feel like if you're making a change at coach, some situations lead to. If you bring in a resume guy, that resume guy's like, you know what? I don't want this front office. I'll take the job, but I gotta have my own people here. And then that changes up. But at the very top of the organization, that's also a big concern. Obviously, our first concerns are with the health of John Marrow. That. There's no question about that.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

But when you're looking at it right now, this does feel like, you know, there is a lot of questions about the future of this franchise at. On many levels, not just head coach.

[Alan Hahn]

But is. Is Joe Shane involved in this decision or is he just on standby in case the next head coach wants him to be the general manager? I think because why would you make a decision to pick somebody that's not going to have you be the gm?

[Don LaGreca]

But you're not.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not.

[Don LaGreca]

What you're doing is you're at least beginning a process of identifying candidates. The obvious ones being coordinators that everybody feels should be next head coaches. Those are the ones you easily reach out to. You know how to get in touch with those teams with their. With their front office to find out, to get the approval to meet with these coaches, to interview them. Right. That all. Sometimes it happens during a bye week for some teams, sometimes that happens if you don't make the playoffs, sometimes it happens if there's an off week between playoffs, sometimes it happens after a playoff game. There's opportunities that. You have to start setting it up now because you know we're going to blink. Think about it. We had snow today, boys. I know we did. On Long island, we had snow. It didn't accumulate, but we had it. Which means we know what's coming. Christmas music playing. And that means the holidays are going to come. And in a blink we're going to be. When did it get to? Mid December? When did they get to Late December. So you've got to start preparing where at least you have a list and say, we've got some guys that we know we want to talk to. But those other dudes, like, like a Tomlin, like a Belichick and like a Mike McCarthy, that's different. That's an agent that comes to you. They don't need Joe Shane, they don't need a general manager. Set that up. That's a completely different conversation. That usually goes to the higher levels, which would be ownership.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's going to get late, early is what you're saying.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes. Yeah. And if you remember, everyone said that.

[Alan Hahn]

And if you remember last year, the coach went first with the jets and Salah much earlier in the season, but he went and then Joe Douglas was let go later on. So is that kind of what's happening here?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, we knew. We knew. Right, guys? Didn't we know. Correct me if I'm wrong, didn't Joe kind of know that his days were numbered after Salah was gone? Didn't Joe kind of disconnect? He never spoke to the media. You never saw him. Like he was basically just managing the Roster, but just to finish the season. But it didn't feel like Joe Douglas was going to be part of anything they were doing going forward. I don't know if that's the case here, but I can tell you that it sounds like those in the front office feel like we definitely are here for now and there might be some people in the organization above them that would probably like to clean everybody. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's still nebulous. Shane hasn't spoken. Nobody has spoken.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, that's true.

[Alan Hahn]

The Giants have the statement, and as far, and we'll repeat it from yesterday, how it included Joe Shane. Joe Shane remains in his position as general manager and will lead the search for a new head coach. So if you go by the statement, he is going to lead the search, you're not going to lead a search that's going to take you to a coach that's going to fire you. Right. So I think Kafka is very much in play because of the statement. You know, Carl Banks didn't want to go there talking about the coach because he says there's already somebody in place that's auditioning for that job. Carl is a very smart individual. All right? He wouldn't say that unless he felt like there's a chance that Mike Kafka could actually win this job. Now he's got seven games to kind of get it right. And I would think that if Kafka does win the job, that Joe Shane would stay. But if Mike Tomlin gets the job, would he just want to inherit Joe shane? Would Mike McCarthy want to just inherit Joe Shane? Would Bill Belichick just want to inherit Joe Shane? And if the answer is yes, well, then I think Joe would obviously select them. But is Joe going to lead a search to a guy that's gonna cost him a job? It says lead the search, doesn't say involved in the search, doesn't say he'll be included in the conversations. He said he's gonna lead the search. So the idea that Joe Shane is just holding his place just in case somebody wants to keep him, that.

[Michael Kay]

That. That sound.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That.

[Alan Hahn]

That's not what the statement is saying. He is going to search for the Knicks head coach, and I would think for job preservation, he is going to try to pick somebody that's going to want him to be the general manager. Otherwise, it's. It's career suicide.

[Don LaGreca]

It is interesting. And again, if you don't have someone at the top who's designated as being in charge, the next step is your general manager. Right. Like you ought to think about what's the hierarchy, what's the leadership, who's in charge on the football side? Football operations. Not a business. Not president, not the guy who's running the business side. But you need somebody who's running football operations right now. Well, if the owner is not available to be part of this, then your general manager is the next guy in line. So that's who you have to do. You just, you have to go to that level and then see where it goes from there. I think that's kind of where we're at. Because you can't not start the process. Right, Don. You fire a coach, you've got a month starting the process. You really got to start the process. Now. You want to get ahead of things. Is there anybody else that has a coach? Nobody else is interim.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

Did nobody else fired a coach yet this year?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't believe.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

The Giants are the first. Now, we know there's usually about six a year.

[Alan Hahn]

No, Tennessee did.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, that's right. Yes, of course. So there's two jobs open right now. There's six a year, as Shefty always tells us. So you want to be ahead of the process, especially with some of the assistance with some of the coordinators that, you know are going to get looks that people are talking about as, hey, you really want to get somebody like this in. So. And you got to get in line and make sure you can get the time to interview these guys, whether it's a bye week or whether it's when the season's over. You got to set that stuff up now. So that's why you want. All right, well, Joe, you're the GM right now. You're in charge of this. This is what you've got to do for us right now. But it doesn't mean that he's going to be part of whatever the next group is because you don't know what the next coach wants.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they do it. They do have an advantage. It is an appealing job more. And I'm not just saying that because the generic New York thing, because I think we overrate that all the time. I think what you see in the quarterback and what you have up front on defense makes this appeal. I think Malik Neighbors coming back healthy, sure there's some appealing things there.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, here's exactly what Ian said in a tweet about five hours ago. And again, Ian is going to join us coming up at 4 o'.

[Michael Kay]

Clock.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't believe Joe Shane is certain to be the Giants general manager next Year, they needed someone to get things going on the search, especially with John Mara dealing with his illness. Ownership will make the final call on the coach in January, when I'd expect Shane to be reviewed again.

[Don LaGreca]

So that makes sense now.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, but that's different than the statement from the Giant said he's leading the search right now. Is leading the search just meaning he's collecting the names, he's making the phone calls, and then ultimately they'll make a decision on what they're gonna do with him. But if I'm. If I'm Mike Tomlin, right, And I get out of my contract with Pittsburgh fires me, or Baltimore fires John Harbaugh, or, you know, Mike McCarthy wants to interview for the job, they're all gonna want to know who's my general manager. Now, are you gonna want to interview for a job? If the answer is gonna be, well, we don't know yet. It might be Joe Shane, but we're gonna discuss that after we hire you. No jokes. Like, no. Can you discuss it now? I'd like to know who the general manager of the team that I'm gonna coach is. Don't you understand that dysfunction? Well, so I'd like to believe the statement more than Ian. Now, Ian obviously is in the know, but as a Giant fan, whether you like Shane or not, I need stability. I don't need. Well, guy is gonna be choosing the new head coach, and then after he does that, he's gonna be evaluated on whether he still has a job or not.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, again, but you have to have the front of some stability of someone. Like, who do we reach out to? Who are we talking to? All right, Joe's leading it. Joe's leading. Right?

[Michael Kay]

So.

[Don LaGreca]

So, like, that's kind of where. Isn't that right where we are?

[Alan Hahn]

So, Joe. So you. You. You're. You're Joe Shane. And you call me. I'm Coach X. So you call me and. And say, would you be interested in the Giants job? Go ahead. We'll role play.

[Don LaGreca]

So try that again because my, my, my terrible camera is falling.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no, don't hurt yourself.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. You're Joe Shane.

[Don LaGreca]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, you're making phone calls. You're gonna call me Coach X and ask if I'm interested in the Giants job.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, I gotta get permission to talk to you first. So I get permission, and you got permission. Phone rings and now. And now. All right. But you know that I'm calling.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

It's not cold calling. Right?

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, Joe, what's going on, man? Thanks for the phone call.

[Don LaGreca]

Exactly. So. Okay, well, Donnie, you're somebody on our list of potential candidates that we'd like to talk to. We'd like to set up an interview with. To bring you in here and, you know, talk to you about the Giants head coaching job.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that's awesome. Oh, yeah, I'm going to talk to you.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, there's going to be a couple of us. It's usually a committee that we do here. As you know, that's the process in the NFL. So we'll have a couple people in here to talk to you. But, yeah, I'll be. I'll be leading the meeting.

[Alan Hahn]

That's awesome because it's my dream job to be the head coach of the Giants. But I'm kind of. I'm just. I kind of want to know who my general manager is going to be when I. When I start fresh in 2026. Are you going to be the GM?

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know. Who's somebody Just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry I'm hearing this ridiculous. I'm the general manager. I'm here and I'm the coach and I'm the gm, and I'm very excited to be here, so.

[Alan Hahn]

But I'm drunk.

[Don LaGreca]

You're on the wrong line.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I gotta go.

[Don LaGreca]

I let Freddie go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So.

[Don LaGreca]

No, my response. My response would simply be, right now, I'm that guy. And that's what we're hoping we can go forward with. But as you know, with this process, you know, some things do change. But for now, you know, I expect to be there working with you if you happen to get the job.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you know what? I'm honored that you called, Joe. And please tell John I hope he feels better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And when you guys get your ducks in a row, as far as who's leading this franchise, give me a call back.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay. Well, Don, you said this was your dream job. Just so you know, if we can't get a chance to talk with you first and we have other people in and someone else really, you know, attracts our attention, unfortunately, you probably then put, but I want.

[Alan Hahn]

I want my dream job to work, and I want to know who I'm working for. I want to know who's buying the groceries. Like. But we just had this little role play. But you understand how awkward that is, right? You want to know stability?

[Don LaGreca]

You know what you can't do? What you can't do is Joe in that situation is say, listen, between you and me, like, I want it to be me. And if you happen to get the job, what I want to know is would you want me to be that guy? Because some coaches might might change their mind and want someone else. So that's what we've got to figure out. But right. You know, I'm calling you because you're on my list now.

[Alan Hahn]

Shining woods. There's Kevin says that coach should never dictate who the general managers. He's not dictating. He just wants to know.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, that's no, that's bogus.

[Alan Hahn]

He just wants to know.

[Don LaGreca]

I would want to know. Kevin. Tell Kevin that's not how it works in the NFL and you know it. That's not how it works.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, it depends on who you are. If you're a first time head coach, you might not have that say but if you're Belichick, if you're McCarthy, if you're Harbaugh, if you're Tomlin, damn right you're going to probably have a major say who your general manager is going to be.

[Don LaGreca]

It's very rare that that happens.

[Alan Hahn]

You're going to want to know. It just, it just I felt like Joe Shane coming back. There seemed to be a sense of stability. What do you know? Connor said. Tells me nobody knows what the heck is going on there.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, we need to get to the bottom of it.

[Alan Hahn]

Whether it's ignorance, whether it's John's illness, whatever it is, it sounds like it's an absolute mess.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

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

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know what this is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What record is this again?

[Alan Hahn]

I think there was a mistake made. I played a song by Sneaker to Mike Brownshire. I think Jacob played the wrong one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I like this though.

[Alan Hahn]

You do?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is this? I'll never get over you. Who's this again?

[Alan Hahn]

It says Sneaker.

[Michael Kay]

That's Don's a song he dedicates to me all the time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll never get over you. All right, but you ruined my intro, you know.

[Don LaGreca]

Michael, I'm right here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's a big day at ESPN. Big day at ESPN. I just saw earlier that Pat McAfee had President Trump on the air. And we have a guest equally big. Our president. Yes, the President of the United States of ESPN New York. Michael K. The transmitter.

[Michael Kay]

So good to be here. Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, what the hell is going on that you're stuck at the station all day? I got to know.

[Michael Kay]

Well, I had a doctor's appointment in long island at 8 in the morning, so I've been here since 10:30.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, wait, did you appear on middays as well?

[Michael Kay]

I did. And I also made good friends with Carl and I brought him two slices of pizza. He loves me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, look at you.

[Michael Kay]

And then Jody got invited tonight to the Landman Season 2 premiere. The Billy Bob Thornton vehicle right at Lincoln Center. So that's at 6:30.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you coming over afterwards?

[Michael Kay]

To your house?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't know I was invited.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right down the street.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, the kid's gonna be sleeping by the end of the after the after party.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So when you say it's at Lincoln Center.

[Michael Kay]

Alice Tully Hall.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, wow, look at you. No one invited me.

[Michael Kay]

And I think no one invited me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Either to think I'm right in the neighborhood. You know, I' seen the program.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, it's so good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it really good?

[Michael Kay]

So good. So much nudity. It's. It's terrific.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that what makes it good?

[Michael Kay]

It's one of the things. Let's be honest. We're all honest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who's getting nude in that Billy Bob?

[Michael Kay]

I don't know if. Scantily clad, close to nude. Yeah. Ali Larder is just amazing. Amazing.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, the doctor, was it a Steve?

[Michael Kay]

It was a Steve, Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was one of the Dr. Steve's.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah, he's got many Dr. Steves.

[Michael Kay]

It was. It was, you know, the yearly physical.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you were.

[Michael Kay]

So.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because you're going to the thing today, right, you thought it made sense to not go home, right. And just kill another four hours because.

[Michael Kay]

You know, home from here is an hour and it's tough. 15 0. I don't know if I've 1 5.

[Peter Rosenberg]

150 to get in and out.

[Michael Kay]

To get in is shorter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Michael Kay]

But to get out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, boy.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan, don't be upset.

[Don LaGreca]

Who's upset? I mean, this is. I'm a P1. I'm sitting back, taking this all out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Enjoy yourself.

[Alan Hahn]

But I could see you through the grainy video of YouTube, right?

[Michael Kay]

You're discussing what, a blue vest, a nice puppy blue vest.

[Don LaGreca]

It's. It's a puffy blue vest kind of day. It's chilly out there. This is what I would do. I would sit in traffic. I would just, you know, sit back and relax. While I was bumping a bumper, listen to you guys riff like this. So I'm. See, this is nostalgic delay.

[Alan Hahn]

Before I brought it up, he was leaning back because he. He still thinks that I long for you.

[Michael Kay]

Well, he's right. So do. Can we talk about the elephant in the room?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure, sure.

[Michael Kay]

I mean, I said at the end.

[Don LaGreca]

Of my show, peter's losing weight. Don't do that. He's actually looked a lot better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's really. That's really. That's how you've been in.

[Don LaGreca]

Honestly, I'm not gonna let Michael do that to you. Peter, you look. You look a lot better now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is not right. This is how this is. He's lashing out now.

[Don LaGreca]

He is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry. Go ahead, Michael.

[Michael Kay]

Brendan Burke really took a shot at dawn. I mean, I love Brendan. I knew when he was five years old, he would sit between me and John Sterling. That's why he wanted to become a broadcaster. Don's my guy.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought it was wonderful. Now, in case you don't know, what Michael's bringing up is, is the Devils lost in overtime to the island rare.

[Michael Kay]

For them to lose at home.

[Alan Hahn]

The Devils lost at home, but they were down two to one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I have. I have two here.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, so two calls, 4.7 seconds to go. The Devil's tie it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so here first I have the Don. I have the Don Call of which.

[Alan Hahn]

Goal is this is to tie it?

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, this is two. Two.

[Alan Hahn]

Brad gets it back. It's one timer.

[Michael Kay]

Nemet's on Nemeth the blast from the point and they crack the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And we are tied at 2.

[Michael Kay]

Owns it. Owns.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Look at your guy.

[Don LaGreca]

How about. How about Danico knowing a lay out there. Great job.

[Michael Kay]

He respects it. Some guys know.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, no steppage on Devils.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No steppage.

[Alan Hahn]

Not so far, no.

[Michael Kay]

It's called professionalism now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now let's go to the OT winner.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, I haven't heard.

[Alan Hahn]

I only heard about it.

[Michael Kay]

This is a kick right in the cubes. Ryan Pollock, 12 pass back spot for himself.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Saves the day. Tipped it around Jack Hughes. Now he go to the net.

[Michael Kay]

Here's Barzella. Put the pitchforks away. This one belongs to the Islanders. Put the pitchforks away. Kick right in the cubes. Wow. I love me some Brendan Burke, but you can't go against Don taking Alan. Am I right or what?

[Don LaGreca]

No, no, I love him as well. I think Berkey's great, but this is, this, this is a moment pre planned.

[Michael Kay]

You know what it is, Alan? This is. I've been doing this a lot longer than you hold the catchphrases, my friend. Whoa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought it was cool, right?

[Alan Hahn]

No, honestly, I thought this felt, this.

[Don LaGreca]

Felt like he had it in the holster open.

[Alan Hahn]

No, that's good, you know, because what it tells me is, is that he's acknowledging the thing that I do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah, for sure.

[Michael Kay]

Right, Right. Emmanuel Barberi, who sometimes fills in for Dave Sims, he calls a home run with the See ya. I walk slowly to the radio booth. I kick his skull in. That's what I.

[Alan Hahn]

That's on a Yankee broadcast.

[Michael Kay]

But the Devils were playing on this game. I'd have a talk with Brendan, but.

[Don LaGreca]

Let'S say, what if I think it's like this, Don? What if like Gary in a Yankees Mets game said, see that? Yeah, like something like that.

[Michael Kay]

Here's your CEO.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, why not? You wouldn't be.

[Michael Kay]

See that?

[Don LaGreca]

Let's walk it off.

[Alan Hahn]

Really, Peter? Shouldn't I look at it as like he's acknowledging something that I do? And listen, I. There's two ways, I think, two ways I could go. Honest. I'm being honest. I thought it was really cool to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Play along and try to make this a thing. Or I could tell the truth. The truth is, it was a great acknowledgment, him showing his respect.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, stop it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is what it was.

[Alan Hahn]

That's how I took it.

[Michael Kay]

So the Yankees on a walk off home run, right? They beat the Mets in a subway series game. And I go, that's out of here. Just like the Mets were in the playoffs last year. That's not the same effigy. If I met fans and then Gary would come over and throw a punch, as he should.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's different.

[Michael Kay]

No, it's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don's brand new. Don just started this, so he's acknowledging Don's thing being a thing.

[Michael Kay]

Don't pee on my head and tell me it's raining, okay? Just don't. It is. I want to have it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It feels great.

[Michael Kay]

No, don't.

[Alan Hahn]

But you just acknowledged the fact that Brendan Burke is a really good guy. So why would a good guy do something bad? Why not err on the side if he's doing something really cool?

[Michael Kay]

Sometimes guys have bad day or good guys have bad days.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought, this is a good guy having a good day, acknowledging something that I get.

[Don LaGreca]

I think sometimes you go the wrong way to do the right thing.

[Michael Kay]

Why do you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why do you want to be confused?

[Michael Kay]

Why do you want to be a SAP? Why can't you just defend yourself?

[Alan Hahn]

I. I don't want to go back, Peter. Go back to my timeline.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. I, I said thanks for the acknowledgement when they tweeted it out last night. This is not performative. I really thought it was cool. He's acknowledging something I do now see, has been there forever. Yeah, that would be. So imagine you just started doing Yankees. Okay. And you're 15 games into your career and you've got the Met announcer. Let's say Gary had been doing it five or six years previous.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And that's the timeline for me. Brand new to the Devils. And Brendan's been doing The Islander since 2016, so he's almost been doing it for a decade.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

And Gary acknowledged something you just started doing. Like to see it. Wouldn't you get a kick out of that going, wow, you know, Gary's listening. I'm doing something that actually people are paying attention to.

[Michael Kay]

If I. If the Yankees win a game against the Mets and I go put that in the books, baby. I mean, you don't think how he would get upset.

[Alan Hahn]

But that's not what he said.

[Don LaGreca]

He didn't.

[Alan Hahn]

He didn't stick a pitchfork. I mean, he go stick that. Hey, devils, here's the pitchfork.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Stick a pitchfork.

[Alan Hahn]

How about that? Hey, Lacreca, open your mouth.

[Michael Kay]

He didn't say that, but he might.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what?

[Don LaGreca]

You allowed this. You allowed this. Maybe.

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe now he takes it another step.

[Michael Kay]

So right, Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right.

[Don LaGreca]

If you nip it now, he never does it again.

[Michael Kay]

Thank you, sir. I have another. That's exactly what you do.

[Don LaGreca]

That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

That's not. Why do you do this to me?

[Michael Kay]

I'm just. Because I'm just. I. I look out for you. He. He really. He. No, it was a diss.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it was not.

[Michael Kay]

It was a dis.

[Alan Hahn]

It was. Yeah, it was. I believe it was a sign of respect.

[Michael Kay]

Really. Okay. You see, Then he threw respect glasses. I see.

[Don LaGreca]

Felt like a turf war right there.

[Michael Kay]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

Like we're all in the same market, all on the same network. Listen, buddy, I'm number one around here. Dial it down.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not number. He's doing national games for Christ.

[Michael Kay]

You know what I think it was?

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, I think he was saying.

[Michael Kay]

This is the guy saying, listen, I've been doing this a long time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pipe down.

[Michael Kay]

You're a little. You're in the aphyte. Back off, punk.

[Don LaGreca]

Right.

[Michael Kay]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You and your little pitchfork.

[Don LaGreca]

That's cute. That's cute. You want six in a row?

[Michael Kay]

Take your little shirts that they've made out of this little. Little thing. And here. Here's your shirt. Your little shirt is just beat you. We have an 18 year old that owns you. Okay. Here's your pitchfork.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. That's a strong way of handling things. It's weird.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't take it announcement well.

[Michael Kay]

You know, maybe you should get Brendan Burker on the phone. Maybe he'll admit it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think he would because it's not true.

[Michael Kay]

Well, he happens to be a very nice guy, but this is. It was a misstep.

[Don LaGreca]

I. You know what? I think we got to get him on right now. I'm sending.

[Alan Hahn]

Give him a call.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm sending out the message right now.

[Alan Hahn]

Anthony, call him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We want Bert.

[Alan Hahn]

He was showing me respect in. These animals are now gonna make it.

[Michael Kay]

Me and Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Animals, plural.

[Michael Kay]

You know, because we get it.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't get it.

[Don LaGreca]

We've been here. We've been in the business.

[Alan Hahn]

I got.

[Don LaGreca]

This is not what you do, Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna look at you because you're the only one that makes any sense. I got the Biggest kick out of it.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, you should have.

[Alan Hahn]

I was showing it to my producer after because the islanders put something together with Barzell and the quote, and it's like, I just feel like I was heard.

[Michael Kay]

You know what?

[Alan Hahn]

I've done a lot. I've done a lot in my life that has gone unheard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, exactly.

[Alan Hahn]

It's actually cool that somebody heard what I did.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah. After a few weeks, Peter, when you were single.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I remember it.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure.

[Michael Kay]

All right. And you started dating Natalie. Yeah. And then I see Natalie in a bar one day. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't like where this is going.

[Michael Kay]

And then I end up making out with her.

[Don LaGreca]

Who is this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Danny from Long Island? What the hell's going on?

[Michael Kay]

And so I say to you afterward, wow, Natalie's a really special girl. No offense to you. She had her moment. That's the same thing that happens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You have done a lot of comparisons over the years. None worse than that. I mean, it doesn't even make any sense. By the way, I have to say, dude, did. Has anyone heard from Danny since the Friday situation?

[Michael Kay]

What happened? Danny did something on tour.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I gotta tell you guys, I felt some. I felt some feelings of guilt in the end. On Friday night. That's how big a snowflake I am. Because our listeners were so passionately angry at him that I felt like people went far. So last Thursday, right. Don had headed off to devil duty. Alan and I were doing the program, and Danny called up and referenced the fact. Did you see my Halloween photos of me dressed up as a Dalmatian?

[Michael Kay]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I'll show you the picture.

[Michael Kay]

I'm glad I didn't see it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Natalie's dressed up as Cruella, and the rest of the family are Dalmatians. And we took a photo at the firehouse on the Upper west side.

[Michael Kay]

Beautiful.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Danny called us and made a couple jokes about it. He referenced Natalie's. You know, the cleavage in her outfit.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, there was cleavage.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure there was.

[Michael Kay]

Show me those pictures.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you. And then also. I know. It's just. He's just as bad. Why am I even telling? He's gonna side with Danny.

[Michael Kay]

And then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And made reference to, like, oh, I'm surprised Peter wanted to be there at all these manly men at the firehouse. Alan, you agree? We thought it was funny and light and not a big deal.

[Don LaGreca]

He was just. He was doing it.

[Alan Hahn]

He's being Danny.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then we had the little chat, and we. Now here's where things take a left turn. Michael, I'm curious for your thoughts.

[Michael Kay]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The next morning, he calls the morning show, recounts the entire thing again to Dave and Dan Grassa.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This time with a little more edge about, like, how could I have been there? Didn't I feel emasculated around these men?

[Michael Kay]

He tried out his act at another club.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He tried the act at another club. He came to our club, did it to my face.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

And he didn't get enough yucks. He wanted more yucks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So we took the yuck to another show, and Dave Rothenberg mentioned that he is and Grossigo, there's nothing weird about Peter dressing up as a Dalmatian. And that was it, and we moved on. And when we retold the show, the story on fraud Friday afternoon, some people in our audience were very unhappy. And there were some calls at Danny.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

People were very upset. They thought Danny took liberties by going to another show to try to gain more yucks at my expense.

[Michael Kay]

Danny's been calling on my show lately, too. I had lost him for the time first for the year since I moved.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Michael Kay]

Yeah. So I've gotten two calls from him in the last three weeks. I'm very excited. I'll take. I'll take ownership.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want to have a conversation with him about it, see what he says?

[Michael Kay]

No, no, I just want him to call. That's two minutes. I don't have to talk.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, that's true.

[Alan Hahn]

It's recruitment.

[Don LaGreca]

Listen, all right, so Burke's at the airport. I gave him the number. Let's see if he can call.

[Michael Kay]

You know, it is that. See, that's total disrespect. There's no phones in the airport, obviously.

[Alan Hahn]

1-800-91-9-3377.

[Michael Kay]

I love when you ask people if they could call in and they go, I'm traveling. Well, you have a cell phone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a great.

[Michael Kay]

And you can talk.

[Alan Hahn]

You can call clock integrity. Okay.

[Michael Kay]

Is that what I do now?

[Alan Hahn]

You're loner boy on your show. But I've got to. Now I know all those years that.

[Michael Kay]

What kind of boy am I?

[Alan Hahn]

Loner boy? Because you're by yourself. Meanwhile, I got to corral these two. No clock integrity at all.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, no. Yesterday, by the way. Immaculate clock integrity yesterday.

[Alan Hahn]

Goodbye.

[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

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

[Alan Hahn]

You're going to fix this for Brendan Burke. We're going to blow up the break. Absolutely. And Mike, how about that? I love It. Brendan's in an airport. I believe he's on his way to Tampa to call lightning and the Rangers of a mistake. He's doing the national.

[Michael Kay]

That's why he's awesome. That's why he's making fun of you.

[Don LaGreca]

I know.

[Alan Hahn]

Local Brendan, just to catch you up, is that I was completely honored by what you did yesterday. I got the biggest kick out of it.

[Michael Kay]

It.

[Alan Hahn]

And Michael's starting trouble saying that you're a punk and.

[Michael Kay]

No, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, you did.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't remember the word.

[Michael Kay]

Alan.

[Don LaGreca]

Did I ever say no?

[Michael Kay]

I did not hear that. It was. It was. You know what? He's sticking. He's sticking a steak. I'm the man, not you. Take that little catchphrase and shove it. That's what I said. I said, I love Brendan. I never called him up.

[Alan Hahn]

I know, but you. But what you just said, he. He was doing.

[Michael Kay]

That's your interpretation.

[Don LaGreca]

I think he pumped you. That's what I think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

And Alan Hunt jumps on board with everything Michael does, so I apologize. Brendan, this is probably going to get back to you. As Don Lagra said, I love what you did. I was honored by what you did. But your hero, Michael K. Is a bad guy.

[Brendan Burke]

Listen, I'm just sitting here trying to figure out which storyline is more entertaining to go along with because I can go either way at this point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I had the same thing, Brendan. I was trying to decide where to go. But in the end, I also agree with Don. I thought you paid great tribute to him.

[Michael Kay]

You know what?

[Brendan Burke]

Like, listen, I. I say this with all respect to what Don's doing. I typically hate catchphrases as a broadcaster unless they're good and they work. And Don has come in, in year one for a franchise that's been around since 1982 and done something unique and original, and it works and it's great and it's caught on. And obviously the team wins a lot of games at home, and so it's been a lot of fun. But it was in my head when they lost for the first time at home.

[Michael Kay]

So what if I can, you know, try to extrapolate? So this was done out of jealousy. You ripping them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God.

[Brendan Burke]

You nailed it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn'T take long.

[Brendan Burke]

So now, I guess when. If you tune in tomorrow night on tnt. If the Rangers lose, I'm gonna drop a see ya on them.

[Don LaGreca]

Love it.

[Alan Hahn]

I just feel bad for you, Brendan, because when you got the Islander job, you had such praise for Michael and John Sterling, how he. They allowed you into the Booth.

[Michael Kay]

And all that between us is a little kid.

[Alan Hahn]

And this is how they pay you?

[Michael Kay]

No, no, no. Because I know Brendan better than most, and I know there's a little edge there. I mean, he's one of the nicest guys in the world, but you're encroaching on, like, hockey territory in New York. Let's throw this little catchphrase right back in his butt.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's let him know how we throw down. You're at this level, right? You're at the big. You're at the big table now, Sonny. I felt. Berkey said that he's calling in from.

[Michael Kay]

An airport where he's doing a national guy. Okay? That's what's happening big time.

[Brendan Burke]

Listen, but if we. If we rewind the tape to 2003, you'll find me, as an intern at ESPN Radio, looking up at Don Legrica. So let's not. Let's not go overboard there.

[Michael Kay]

But now you own him. But now you own him. You own this catchphrase. That's what I'm saying.

[Brendan Burke]

And I had to remind him of that last night.

[Michael Kay]

That was all coming together, isn't it, Alan?

[Alan Hahn]

That was an entertaining game last night. I know there wasn't a ton of goals, but Sorokin was terrific. And that was a fun game to call, right? No, it was.

[Brendan Burke]

It was fantastic. And, you know, listen, I love hockey games, so I'm not one of those guys that's gonna be super depressed when this team gives up a goal with five seconds to go.

[Michael Kay]

It's exciting.

[Brendan Burke]

It's great hockey. So I enjoyed it.

[Michael Kay]

And, you know, I didn't take this out of nowhere. Brendan, I just want you to know, for people that know, I'm friends with Brendan's dad, Don, Don called me up and told me exactly what you did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow, this is strong.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah. He said, I just want you to know that's a little shot at Don. However it's spun, I want you to know that's a little shot at Lagra.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Brendan Burke]

He's always watching, that's for sure.

[Michael Kay]

And he's the best. Don's the best.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, all I know is that Brendan's always been very, very nice to me, and I've gotten along with him great. He's been very helpful at me making the transition. So he was just setting me up for last night.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah. That's what the great ones do.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Brandon, you were playing the long game.

[Brendan Burke]

Absolutely.

[Don LaGreca]

That's exactly how it goes down. I just. Like I said, he's letting you know what it's like when you sit at this table, it's a little different now. The air is a little thinner up here.

[Michael Kay]

Right, right.

[Brendan Burke]

Well, yeah, it's been 20 years in the making. We're just. It was a really long play to get to this one. One moment.

[Michael Kay]

Can you imagine if. If Ruko. Right. The Nets won a big game and against the Knicks and he goes, bang. This.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean, exactly.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's just not the same.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not the same.

[Michael Kay]

Is it exactly the same?

[Don LaGreca]

It's literally the same thing. Literally.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, this is bringing back a lot of memories of awkward moments of the 20 years that I worked with Michael. Brendan, be thankful, I guess, that you got a flight to get on.

[Michael Kay]

We love you, Brendan.

[Alan Hahn]

Obviously, the commercial travel's been a disaster, so safe travels to Tampa and have a good game tomorrow.

[Brendan Burke]

All right, thanks, guys.

[Alan Hahn]

Appreciate the.

[Brendan Burke]

Appreciate the laughs today.

[Alan Hahn]

It's Brendan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks, Brendan.

[Alan Hahn]

Brendan. I can't believe.

[Michael Kay]

I just.

[Alan Hahn]

I can't believe Michael.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why? Just. Yeah, you can.

[Michael Kay]

Why can't you believe Alan. Alan did it, too.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, but I think Alan made a choice. I don't think Alan ever. No, no, no.

[Don LaGreca]

Don'T do this. Last night in the group chat, when that was posted, what did I say?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that is true. I'm going to find out.

[Don LaGreca]

That was immediate. Immediate because I. Full disclosure, I was watching your broadcast. Gracie would not let me put on the Islander one. We watched your broadcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, why would you want to put them.

[Michael Kay]

Because it's. Because I wanted to watch it from an Islander fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but more than normally, I want to.

[Don LaGreca]

I want to hear Thomas Hickey. He's brilliant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brilliant.

[Don LaGreca]

He is. He's very good. But he said, no, it's. It's a home game, and you didn't take me to the game. She was supposed to go with me. So I said, all right, we'll watch Donnie. And so I watched that to the end, and so I didn't hear it until I saw that in our group chat. What did I say?

[Michael Kay]

It rankled you. Just.

[Don LaGreca]

Just see what. Check the group chat. What did I say?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, because I sent it all, because this is what they sent Michael. It's a picture of Barzell. Put the pitchforks away. This one belongs to the Islanders. So they. So that's what they do, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They put a little quote.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, so they did. On the social media. Yeah, they hosed you, too. Oh, my.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan text. Oh, blank rumble.

[Don LaGreca]

I wanted him. I wanted Don to go over there. Go right over there and confront him.

[Alan Hahn]

And then I text Back saying, he text me. It was all in fun.

[Don LaGreca]

And what did I say?

[Alan Hahn]

Because when. When Brendan did it, he still reached out to me so that I didn't take it the wrong way.

[Michael Kay]

But I don't buy that. Like what I said about Peter, like, if I ran into Natalie before he was married, we made out, and I go, that was all in fun. I still made out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't. Again, I still don't like the reference.

[Don LaGreca]

Very uncomfortable.

[Alan Hahn]

And then Al Alan responded. Bs.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

You know what? People look at Alan because he's really handsome and he's younger than me, but we're cut from the same cloth. We're both newspaper guys. We know the real story of the paper.

[Don LaGreca]

Competition.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

No, because we compete with you. We? Michael, how many times do we go out? Do you go out to dinner with the other beat writers? You have a great time, but, you know, these people are not your friends. This is competition. I want you to wake up tomorrow mad that we. We had drinks and. And we had dinner. And yet I had a story that I didn't tell you about and blew you out of the water.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, I did that so many times.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, it's the best.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, I will tell you, I've learned one thing from what is working with Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

He.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Him and Michael actually are similar, and they need help.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Remember I told you Alan is vindictive, just like Michael is. Someone crosses him once in one way, dead.

[Michael Kay]

What other way is there to be? You gonna let somebody cross you twice?

[Don LaGreca]

No. Twice? Please, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not even half the time.

[Don LaGreca]

But how can I get help, Peter?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a great point at Amazon, I suppose.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, well, Amazon's very helpful.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Amazon?

[Michael Kay]

You can get everything on Amazon.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, exactly. Well done there, buddy. Hey, guys, let me tell you about Amazon pickup. The ultimate convenience play. All right, we all know Amazon's a part of your everyday life already, but Amazon Pickup takes it to the next level. Now, if you press for time, you're on the go like I am. You can choose to send your order straight to a secure pickup location. That works for you. Super duper easy. So no matter what you're doing in your life, you're running around, you got family, got maybe a little one at home, like, I do multiple jobs. It is tough these days if you're on the move. Amazon Pickup will give you that flexibility to grab what you need between everything else that you're doing and have going on. It's simple. You order online at checkout. Just choose the pickup location that's most convenient. You get an email confirmation when it's ready, with instructions to pick it up. It's quick, it's secure, and it's always at no extra cost. Check it out for yourself. Go to Amazon.compackupmvp to learn more. That's Amazon.com pickup mvp. See what I did there?

[Alan Hahn]

I saw you did there. Great job as usual. Thank you. Kind of spin it back, but that was fun.

[Don LaGreca]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the.

[Don LaGreca]

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 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.