Hour 1: Grading the Mets Offseason

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Episode: Grading the Mets Offseason (Hour 1)
Date: January 22, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Network: ESPN New York

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Overview

This episode centers around grading and analyzing the New York Mets' bold and active 2026 offseason moves. The hosts break down notable trades and signings—including the Boba Shet deal and Freddie Peralta trade—while weighing the emotional impact of losing fan favorites against the need for roster improvement. The conversation also veers into the psychology of New York sports fans, culinary adventures with Don in Vancouver, and the generational weight of championship droughts in New York. Callers join to share memories and evaluate recent transactions.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Mets-Nets/Knicks Recap & New York Fan Mentality

• Opening banter about Knicks’ blowout win (54-point margin) over the Nets, highlighting highs and lows of sports fandom and how quick New Yorkers are to critique celebrations over regular-season milestones.
• Alan teases Don about being "too happy" after a Knicks win:

  “I think the way that Alan's acting is actually even more of a bad sign for the Knicks than the Nets. You see what I'm saying?”
  — Peter Rosenberg, [01:36]

2. Don’s Vancouver Sushi Adventure

• Don debates trying sushi in Vancouver, with Rosenberg dismissing starting with California rolls ("sushi gateway") and urging Don to go for authentic options with the help of Rachel Herzog.
• Don’s vulnerability and group encouragement serve as comic relief and camaraderie.

  “My fear is I don’t like anything. Then why do I... Do I exit? Is there something I can order?”
  — Don La Greca, [06:44]

3. Grading the Mets Offseason

• Shift to detailed Mets discussion, recapping how the offseason suddenly moved "from 0 to 100":

  • Bo Bichette signing: Seen as aggressive but risky due to his contract flexibility.
  • Freddie Peralta trade: Praised as a front-line move, showcasing a willingness “to spend and do things that are smart.”
  • Losses of fan-loved players (Nimmo, McNeil, Alonzo) countered by the acquisitions of established talent like Luis Robert and Devin Williams.

• Don emphasizes the importance of patience and not holding on to past favorites at the expense of team improvement:

  “I want to get there. This year is going to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the last time the Mets won a championship... the guys that are always going to be special to me are the guys that got me the ring. And I'm not going to let my love for those players stand in the way of improving this team.”
  — Don La Greca, [18:11]

• Alan compares the fan experience to Knicks’ nostalgia:

  “There’s no connection between Ewing's Knicks in the 90s and the Mets at all. Because that team, 15 straight years made the playoffs... but these guys were around for five minutes.”
  — Alan Hahn, [19:46]

4. Evaluating the New Mets Roster

• Discussion of whether the Mets are, on paper, improved:
  • Pitching depth: Nolan McClain, Peralta, Senga, and options in the bullpen.
  • Lineup: Lindor, Soto, Bichette leading the way, with Polanco, Alvarez, Beatty, Robert, and debating the bottom of the order.
  • Defense: Noted upgrades at center, second, and possibly first base.
• Concern about Luis Robert’s durability and whether the gamble will pay off.

5. The “Championship Parade” Critique

• Don responds to “incarcerated Bob” on Twitter poking fun at annual Mets optimism:

  “Why every time a fan base celebrates their team improving, it's all, well, they think they're gonna win the championship?... Just being happy does not mean you're making any kind of bold prediction.”
  — Don La Greca, [33:00]

• Acknowledgement of New York's built-in rivalry culture:

  “We have two of everything. So there's always half that's going to be mad at you for being happy.”
  — Alan Hahn, [32:39]

6. Mets Press Conference: The Bo Bichette "Opt-Out" Moment

• Discusses Bo Bichette’s tepid press conference, where he deferred a hard question about his contract’s opt-out to his agent, raising mild concern:

  “He looked like—whoa, whoa, whoa. Like, he looked a little overwhelmed.”
  — Alan Hahn, [39:21]

• The hosts criticize the Mets PR and agent for not preparing him for this inevitable question. But, Don empathizes:

  “Nobody wants to hear the new, shiny new toy on the team saying he might only be here for a year. We know that... That's a bad job.”
  — Don La Greca, [39:17]

7. Baseball’s Structural Flaws & League Inequality

• The hosts lament small-market realities after Milwaukee, despite being a contender, deals Peralta for prospects because they can't afford to extend him:

  “The Milwaukee Brewers, a contender, just traded away their best pitcher because they don't believe they can afford to pay him... So that's the sad aspect of it too. Right. Listen, the Mets benefit from that, but…”
  — Don La Greca, [35:47]

8. Calls, Generational Sports Memories & Fan Emotions

• Fans call in recalling first iconic sports moments, from the 1986 Mets to the 1958 Yankees, highlighting the generational gap and the enduring hunger for a Mets title.
• Discussion on how different generations of New Yorkers see their peak sports experiences in “grainy video.”
• Peter Rosenberg’s B+ press conference grade for John Harbaugh sparks a passionate call, leading to a witty defense:

  “Maybe it's different for me because I was kind of a B plus. Kind of student.”
  — Peter Rosenberg, [53:39]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Patience with Mets Moves:

  "This is why we need to be patient. All the Met fans wanted to fire Stearns. What a joke the organization is... But at the end of the day, we start to see the vision."
  — Don LaGreca, [09:54]

• Sports Fan Emotion:

  “I'm tired of hanging on to favorites that almost got there. I want to get there.”
  — Don LaGreca, [18:11]

• Offseason Optimism & Rival Trolling:

  “Anytime you have something nice in the off season, there's always gonna be people that are gonna want to smash the cake.”
  — Alan Hahn, [32:34]

• Preparation Blunders at Pressers:

  “How this was not approached him before the press conference... That's a bad job by the Mets. Bad job by his agent.”
  — Don LaGreca, [39:17]

• New York Fan Dynamics:

  “Why is there a leap always made to being happy that your team had a good off season... to those people taking the leap that we're guaranteeing anything?”
  — Don LaGreca, [32:44]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Knicks/Nets Talk: [00:38]–[03:36]
• Don’s Sushi Nerves & Group Banter: [04:31]–[08:07]
• Transition to Mets Offseason Moves: [08:07]
• Don’s Offseason Grading Philosophy: [09:54]
• Roster Construction & Defensive Analysis: [12:13]–[16:36]
• Fan Favorites vs. Championship Mentality: [18:02]
• Championship “Grainy Video” & Generational Gaps: [21:59]–[24:08]
• Mets Press Conference & Bichette’s Agent: [25:08]–[39:26]
• Mets, Brewers, and Baseball Economics: [35:47]
• Caller Generational Sports Moments: [47:46]–[50:33]
• Fan vs. Host Sparring (Harbaugh, Press Conf. Grades): [51:15]–[53:57]

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Summary & Takeaways

• The Mets’ new, bolder offseason has both excited and divided fans as the team decisively moves on from popular faces—betting on big names and higher risk, higher reward players.
• The hosts emphasize that loyalty to nostalgia should not hinder building a contender, especially as New York's ever-critical climate demands results, not just sentimental favorites.
• Press conference optics matter: Preparation is key when introducing franchise players, as even small communication missteps can stir unease.
• Caller contributions underscore how the longing for another championship defines fandom across generations, particularly in a city accustomed to both glory and droughts.
• Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg blend sharp analysis with city-wise wit and relatable humor, making the episode a quintessential New York sports talk experience.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content banter, focusing on substantive discussions, fan interactions, and memorable host exchanges.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[Don LaGreca]

Don, she fell in love with the sex.

[Alan Hahn]

Han Sauce was everywhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Rosenberg, if you want to stay up, he's got the energy that matters. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Caller 1]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Alan Hahn]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube. 301 in the big city with Don Lagreca and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. 89193776 is the number. My, my seat right here, boys. I have a direct view of Joe Leo. I could see. God bless the door window. I think he's. He's munching down on something.

[Don LaGreca]

Excuse me.

[Alan Hahn]

And, well, he looks like he's eating food.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, a snack.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Got it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, sure. And he will not make eye contact.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he's scared.

[Alan Hahn]

That. What? You know. You know that scene from my cousin Vinnie?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

How could you use a good ass kick?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you really doing this?

[Alan Hahn]

That was Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is this.

[Alan Hahn]

That was. That was. That second half was hard to watch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, this should almost.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, my God.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think the way that Allen's acting is actually even more of a bad sign for the Knicks than the Nets. You see what I'm saying?

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like he's. Allen's a little too happy about beating up on the Nets.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not the happy. It's Joe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He wanted Leo.

[Alan Hahn]

He wanted it so bad yesterday. And I, I, you know, I told him I felt his pain. Remember how I was? Jets, dolphins at MetLife late in the season? I said, this is the last time I'm going to care. Just give me. Well, I'll give you the. Did we get the halftime. No, that game was over in the first quarter. So I know that feeling. So I'm not allowed to kind of just kind of share a little giggle like.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, allowed to do everything you want. I mean, basically, it's. You're allowed to be a bad guy.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sometimes the answer is just bad guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Joe, as he's now in the control room. Did you turn. What? At what point did you turn off the game. Because you had to have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I find the one.

[Alan Hahn]

That's that Jet game. I turned that Jet game off immediately. Here go the Dolphins just smoking us at home. And I couldn't watch any more. You had to be a point where you were like, I'm done. About 10 minutes to go in the third quarter. I just. I checked out. Oh, that. So two minutes into the second half. Yeah. You were done. Yep. That was. That was pathetic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Very unfortunate.

[Alan Hahn]

And again, it doesn't change anything. Look, they. The Knicks desperately had to get a win, one to feel good about, and that was the old Michael Irvin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bta.

[Alan Hahn]

Bta.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And they needed that. Now, again, let's see where this goes. But that's a franchise record in wind differential.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that true?

[Alan Hahn]

50. Yeah. 54 points.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, my God.

[Alan Hahn]

One point shy of the season high of any like. Of this season. Somebody actually. The Hornets beat the Jazz by 55 earlier this season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Insane.

[Alan Hahn]

Which is a. Again, it shows you, though, sometimes that the NBA can be cruel. But it was, you know, that that game got away. But the first quarter is the only thing that mattered. They off to a good start. They did what they had to do. They won the game. Blah, blah, blah. Now, let's see what goes on. You have two days at Philly. Saturday afternoon will tell us more than anything else if last night was more about the Nets or did the Knicks finally kind of, you know, strap them up and. And get back to it, so we'll find out. But anyway, that's what happened last night at the Garden. And we can certainly talk about next. 809-3000, 776, if anyone wants. But the first thing I need to know, Donnie, is are we doing sushi tonight or no? Because I know last night you took in some hockey, but tonight. Tonight feels like, all right. This is the real night off on the road with the crew. You're in Vancouver. There's only one thing to do. Surf and turf.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, this is where you should have sushi, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

You don't want Winnipeg sushi?

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

You don't want St. Paul sushi?

[Alan Hahn]

Probably not.

[Don LaGreca]

You don't want Carolina sushi. You want Vancouver sushi.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, you do.

[Don LaGreca]

It's up there. So this would be the place in the. In the continental United States and Canada to have sushi. So we'll see. Hopefully, that's the plan tonight. Last night, I went to Canucks and Capitals by myself, like a loner, because that's what I do.

[Alan Hahn]

You sat alone in the crowd. You bought a ticket or you Use your credential.

[Don LaGreca]

No, no. Bought a ticket. He's credential like a, like a gentleman.

[Alan Hahn]

So press box. Gentleman, press box. So free popcorn, free drink, little free popcorn.

[Don LaGreca]

Poured myself a nice coffee and enjoyed and prepped for the game on Friday. Tonight, I think, is going to be the night. Tonight. Tonight, I think is going to be the night to give it a try. I'm legitimately nervous.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're legitimately nervous about like tasting.

[Alan Hahn]

But what she started sushi. Should he just. I mean, the most benign thing is a California roll, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he's not starting. We're not, we're skipping that.

[Alan Hahn]

Why?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because I have respect.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he needs a. He needs the gateway. He needs a gateway sushi.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He doesn't.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the gateway sushi.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, I.

[Alan Hahn]

He eases you in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See, Don again. We keep learning about how Alan feels about us. I respect you more and you're better. Listen, California roll. My wife, who loves sushi, loves California roll. When we order sushi, she still orders California roll. She enjoys it. The thing is, Don, it's imitation crab. So it's like the, it's people's attempt at doing sushi without doing it correct. You, I'm sure the group you're with, respectfully, I don't think you're going to be with any daredevils. Okay. I think you're easing to be with a straight ahead group. They're going to get yellowtail, they're going to get salmon, they're going to get spicy tuna.

[Don LaGreca]

I think Rachel's having eel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dragon eel is the only thing I have. I'm staying away from the eel and the fish eggs. I am good.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want them. Yeah, I'm all set. Yeah, I'm good there.

[Don LaGreca]

But, but Donna, Rachel Herzog is a big sushi love sushi. She actually, she partook in Winnipeg sushi. She did have Winnipeg sushi.

[Alan Hahn]

Ooh. So Peter, no. No row for you. On top of the, on top of the rolls. No, nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm fine with that. What's that again?

[Alan Hahn]

The row. The fish eggs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, I hate it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you're not doing that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Disgusted.

[Alan Hahn]

No, the ones that are.

[Don LaGreca]

Here's my fear.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh.

[Don LaGreca]

My fear is I don't like anything. Then why do I. Do I exit? Is there something I can order?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, steak.

[Don LaGreca]

Sushi place has steak.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It depends on.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you're going to. They should have some teriyaki of some.

[State Farm Announcer]

Go to.

[Alan Hahn]

If you go to a Japanese kind of steakhouse like you'll get, you can do the sushi. As, like the appetizers, like the pre meal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it just, it just depends, like, which you know what the place is.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you, you'll, you're. You're going to have, you're going to be fine. Sometimes they'll have rock shrimp as an appetizer.

[Alan Hahn]

Easy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, you can get tempura items.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, delicious. Gyoza.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gyoza. You know, gyoza, essentially.

[Alan Hahn]

Dumplings.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dumplings.

[Alan Hahn]

Edamame, certainly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Edamame. Is any of this stuff ringing a bell to you, Don, or is it all just sort of like none of it.

[Don LaGreca]

Another language you stop speaking English?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, well, quite literally.

[Alan Hahn]

And then, by the way, little Kirin beer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, sure. Sapporo, whatever. Whatever you're. Whatever you're feeling. But Don, a little Kiranichi going. Go with the flow. Let Rachel guide you into manhood and you hold her hand.

[Alan Hahn]

Let Rachel lead the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She'll lead the way. You just hold on, teach you the ways. And she's going to make a man of you tonight. And it's going to be a moment in time.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm looking forward to moment in time.

[Alan Hahn]

I am looking forward to this story tomorrow. One story that we kind of didn't get to yesterday, but now all of a sudden that story has a new chapter that adds to it is the Mets. And suddenly they're off season going from 0 to 100. The Boba Shet signing was a big one. Of course, the press conference yesterday had a couple of lines in it that made me go, huh?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not like Terry Pugula bad.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no. It was more of just a, you know, are you, are you Mr. Right Now? Not Mr. Right, but Mr. Right now, like, we'll find out. But getting Freddie Peralta, that's a, that's an aggressive move. And it also is a move that also signals that they have had a plan, they are willing to spend and they are also willing to do things that are smart. So how do we feel about an off season, Don, where you have, you know, gone, of course, or Nimmo and McNeil and Alonzo, guys that, you know, people loved those players. Diaz, of course, another one. And in replacement, it's Luis Robert. That's not nothing. I mean, it's a bit of a risk and a bit of a gamble because of his injury history. But when he's. What is that line that Amani Toomer said his dad used to say all the time he's hell when he's well, but he's sick all the time. That's kind of what? What he is. Right. So you have Devin Williams, which, you know, jury's out, probably there. Bichette, Polanco, like, how do you feel about this lineup now with still obviously the key guys in Soto and Lindor as the major pieces? Do you think the Mets roster is better than it was when it ended the season? Because that's what the team promised he'd do.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, three things jumped to mind with this trade, and it looks like their off season is now complete. And we said yesterday they needed a frontline starter and they'd be done. Well, that's exactly what they went out and did. The first thing that jumps to mind is, this is why we need to be patient. All the Met fans wanted to fire Stearns. What a joke the organization is. And we said from the very beginning, can we at least see what the plan is? He made us nervous. But at the end of the day, we start to see the vision, and it looks pretty good now. We'll see how it plays out on paper, but right now it looks pretty good. To answer your question with number two is they did what a lot of teams in New York are too gutless to do, and that is to acknowledge it's a roster issue and fix it. Rangers refused to do it, fire coach after coach after coach refused to acknowledge the fact that the core is broken and didn't fix it and did ancillary things like coaches and general managers and all that stuff, and it never worked. The Mets saw, hey, we were pretty good. We actually made a run one year, but we're not where we need to be. And they blew it up and it ticked off the fans. But the fans will get over it if. If the team starts to win. And the third thing that jumped to mind is there are people being very critical of this trade with Milwaukee because Peralt's a good walk at the end of the year.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Don LaGreca]

But this is the beauty of the money of Cohen, is that you shouldn't have to worry about trading for potential free agents, because if you want him, you should be able to keep him. Right now, I don't know what the cap is going to look like. I get that could be an issue, but that's supposed to be the beauty of Cohen, that he should not be scared off by free agents because the Peralta likes it here. The Mets should be able to have the wherewithal to compete with other teams that might want his services. So that should not scare you off for trading prospects for a potential free agent. So I love it. I Love that they change the core. We'll see how it all works out. But at least on paper it looks like a team that should be able to compete. And to answer your question, I think will overall be better than what we've seen.

[Alan Hahn]

And when you think about the pitching rotation, I don't know if you have an ace, right? You probably don't because, you know Maniah you thought was two years ago might have been that, but last year he showed you he's not. Is Nolan McClain. Could he be that? Because he sure looked like one late in the year, didn't he? Like he really started to give those, those ace vibes. And then of course you, Peralta, like you don't see him as a one, right? Isn't he a two? Peralta like, he's really good, durable, available, good.

[Don LaGreca]

But he won 17 games. Why couldn't he be. Now McClain I think is the hot guy, right? That's the prospect. And how did, how well he did that might make him, I mean, the consensus favorite to be the opening day starter. But Peralta comes in with 17 wins, which I believe led the league last year. So he could definitely be your ace. Sanga I've kind of given up on, but he's still there. If he could be healthy, he could certainly be someone that has the potential to be. Totally forgot a really, really good pitcher. I love the options they have, guys. I love the fact that we're having a conversation and who could be their ace not by default, but could rise up and really be a tremendous pitching staff. They also added to a bullpen that needed work and this trade, they were able to do that. They went out and got a big time bat. They improved their defense. Yeah, there's. Will Robert be able to stay healthy? You know, that's always going to be a question. Will he be able to get back to what he was in 23 when he hit 38 home runs? But at least on paper, you like it's a pretty good idea. I think you feel really good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, like if you're, if you're one of the Mets fans who was, you know, bummed about McNeil or Alonzo or Nimmo, all guys who, you know, particularly I think with Nimmo and Alonzo fans had a real fondness for. But McNeil too, if those are emotional things. But Don, you look up now and you go, they went and addressed actual concerns here. I would argue if you're a Mets fan and you were unhappy with last season versus a Yankee fan who was unhappy with last season. I think the Mets fan has more of a win to celebrate. This is Allen. All Allen can really hang his hat on is the health of Garrett Cole.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And the development of Cam Schlitler.

[Alan Hahn]

If that's pretty much it, if you're.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Mets, you can go. Well, hey, no, we lost some things, but we. We are trying something different. They retooled this team.

[Alan Hahn]

They look different, right? They look different. Now, look, here's.

[Don LaGreca]

Thank you.

[Alan Hahn]

Here's the lineup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're welcome.

[Alan Hahn]

Enjoy. Don. Well, here's the top of your lineup right now. Lindor, Soto, Bichette. All three guys that do what, get on base. Dude. Good at bat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That should be, by all accounts. If I was telling you about any other team. If I told you guys those were the first three batters, Shohei Otani doesn't exist. If I told you guys those were the first three batters on the Dodgers, you'd go, that sounds like a Dodger, like, start to a lineup.

[Alan Hahn]

Three brand names, big brand names. Big brand names, Right. Polanco, Alvarez, you know, Beatty, right now, I guess, is your left fielder because you don't really like who's playing. You got to figure that out, right?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Then Robert is your center fielder. You got Viento still. If he's not playing third, he's probably going to dh. And then Semian is your second baseman, Right.

[Don LaGreca]

So, yep.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, that's kind of. That's your lineup now, again, as we get down to six, seven, eight. Like, it's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not as sexy as it up front.

[Alan Hahn]

Robert, a couple of years ago, though, looked like somebody that could put. He had some numbers, but he doesn't seem to stay healthy. Hamstring, hip, adductor, all that kind of stuff with him. So it's certainly something that is a gamble. It certainly is. But top of that lineup is pretty damn tough. And then I. Like I said, and then the starting pitching is the one area that you. You're curious to see what comes of it. Are they a better defensive team? I can't. You think so? What makes you say yes so definitively?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, because I think they'll be better at center, they'll be better at second, and I think that goes a long way. They'll eventually, I think, be better at first because I think Pete, he is what he is. He. I think he improved defensively, but I think even though Polanco is a newbie to first base, I believe that Stearns thinks that defensively it'll end up being better so if I'm better in center, I'm better at second, I'm better at first, I'm just a better. I think Lindor will be better than he was last year at short. He really struggled defensively. But his the back of his baseball card tells you he is an A plus defender at shortstop, right? So I do think they've improved defensively. But you know, the reason, Peter, I said thank you is because no offense, Alan. I don't want to be the Knicks where I'm celebrating the guys that almost won, where I'm treating the 94, 99 Knicks as my gold standard. They didn't win, but they came close to winning. I want Doc and Daryl, I want Keith and Gary because they were good. But you know why? Because they were part of that 86 team. You know, Taylor and Sims and Carson were part of the 86 team and then and some of them part of the 90 team, you know, Nedemyer, Danico Stevens and Brodeur.

[Alan Hahn]

Why?

[Don LaGreca]

Because they were part of the teams that won three Stanley Cups. I don't want to be the Knicks to celebrate Patrick Ewing and Oakley because they almost won.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Don LaGreca]

I want to celebrate the guys that won. And this Met team had a bunch of guys that were likable, they were fun, they were my players. But they didn't win. And so I'm supposed to hold on to them guys now because I enjoyed them. And listen, I'm sad Pete Alonzo's gone, but you know what? If the bets go out there and win a championship, I'll get over it, all right? I would rather bring guys in that are going to, you know, get, get me a ring or get me closer to a ring. They tried with these guys. I'm going to miss Pete Alonso, don't get me wrong. But if he was standing in the way of a championship, then he's got to go. Nimmo loved him. The hustle, running down the first baseline after a walk. If you're going to stand in the way of a championship, he's. You got to go. So let's ultimately see if this is going to work out, guys. But I'm tired of hanging on to favorites that almost got there. I want to get there. This year is going to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the last time the Mets won a championship. And to all those Edgardo Alfonso's and to all the the guys that were part of the core that almost won back in 2000, the John Franco's. We loved all those guys. Love them all. John Olarud great. Beltron great. We celebrate them, we love them. But the guys that are always going to be special to me are the guys that got me the ring. And I'm not going to let my love for those players stand in the way of improving this team. We'll see if it improves and maybe we'll look back and go, boy, it wasn't worth getting rid of those guys, but I have a feeling it will be.

[Alan Hahn]

I get the parallel that you're making there, but there's no connection between Ewing's knicks in the 90s and the Mets at all. Because that team, 15 straight years made the playoffs and every year we're out of the first round contending every single year. Did they get through? No, but you can't compare the same. These guys were around for comparison for five minutes. So it's a totally different story. But, but I get, I get, I get what you mean though.

[Don LaGreca]

It's the same again. It's apples and oranges.

[Alan Hahn]

I get what you mean. It's not like a group that has stayed together for 10 years with the Mets, but it's like it felt like if you, if you did that this wasn't going to go anywhere. And that's, that's where I agree. Now here's David Stearns yesterday when you know, talking to the fans because for the most part this off season it has been, it had been quiet. People were very frustrated. They were mad at him, thinking that he was being too conservative with an owner that was dying to spend. And so here's Stearns's message to Met fans.

[Don LaGreca]

This is an exciting team. This is a very good team as we stand right now. And we're committed to doing everything we can to consistently compete here, put championship caliber teams on the field. And that's what we're trying to do each and every day.

[Alan Hahn]

Exciting team. I think we'll find out. I don't know if I would you, would you call this an exciting team?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, it's got Juan Soto on it. Juan Soto is one of the best players in baseball. Bichette, Rakes.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep. All right.

[Don LaGreca]

I mean Lindor is a, is a special player when he's on. I mean he's freaky, he can be frustrating, but you know, that could be a dynamic player. And you know what? Wins are exciting to me.

[Alan Hahn]

That's all right. Right.

[Don LaGreca]

And I want to see a team that's competing and I understand what you're saying about the Knicks, but overall I don't want to celebrate the also Rams. I, you know, the jets history is about 09 and 2010.

[Alan Hahn]

I know.

[Don LaGreca]

And for a lot of Jet fans, that's the peak. That's the height. 94. Nick team, you know, and the Mets have 86. And that's. But to a lot of young kids, it's 2000. It's. It's 2015 again.

[Alan Hahn]

It's all they got. If you're going with Nick, because 70 and 73 were so long ago and like, you know, Clyde is, you know, 80. So there's not one. There's multiple generations who never. They only know that from, you know. Again, grainy video. Same thing, that 86 World Series, my friend. That's grainy video.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, it's grainy video because it's only 13 years after the last time the Knicks won.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's.

[Don LaGreca]

The Knicks were on a. The Knicks. That was 13 years ago. 1986. The Knicks won in 73.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. All right. Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

So 86. Think about it. Jacob, not here. Anthony Pusick, not here. Peter Rosenberg was seven.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. I remember.

[Don LaGreca]

Greco was 18, a freshman in college. Yeah, I was a freshman at Ramapo College in. In the fall of 1986.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

President Reagan was our president. Yes, President Reagan.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Second term.

[Don LaGreca]

40 years ago. Which means you have to be, what, like 48 years old to have a.

[Alan Hahn]

Recollection, have any clue.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you would.

[Don LaGreca]

Any world.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I remember it.

[Alan Hahn]

You do have some memory of that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, not some. 86. The 86 World Series is the second iconic sports event in my life. So the first is the 85 Super 85 Super Bowl. The Walter Payton Bears over the Patriots. That's my first thing. And then at 7, remember details of the. Of the World Series.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, that makes sense because my first World. The first World Series that I Remember was the 75 Reds and Red Sox. So. Yeah. You know, when you're six or seven, that's when you start to kind of understand.

[Alan Hahn]

It's like the first.

[Don LaGreca]

What's going on.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's like you realize this is.

[Don LaGreca]

A big deal and you start post 45 years old.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. Yeah. No, no, there's. There's not one. There's multiple generations that have never seen it.

[Don LaGreca]

So. So there. So just correct me if I'm wrong. There is not a professional athlete in the four major sports playing right now that was alive the last time the Mets won a World Series. There's nobody playing that's 45 years old. Right?

[Alan Hahn]

No, no. Yeah, that's. And that's why when you recognize that your team is not heading in the direction you think it can win. You make the dramatic changes you make and that's what the Mets did. Now they got to believe in this group. Do you 800 now with 93776. We'll get some thoughts from Mets people and I want to there's one thing, just one about the Boba shed press conference yesterday that caught my attention because look, he's young, he's 27 and he was trying to say all the right things. But when a question was brought up to him, that was a pretty important question. He was like right at his agent and let the agent handle it.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And that answer, if you're a Mets fan, should concern you. So I'll play that for you.

[Don LaGreca]

We got calls coming and we got a lot. We got, we got tons of reasons that you should stay tuned because it's also talk about it. It's also that guy Thursday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That guy Thursday.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Is this Don's moment in time tonight? Oh, his moment of time. You know, there was a suggestion, Donnie, from some of our listeners via social media that you should get Rachel to call into the show and let's discuss how we can make this happen tonight. Maybe she'd even have some suggestions to ease you into this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or what is she planning? And maybe, oh, maybe she, maybe she needs our suggestions because we know them, you know?

[Don LaGreca]

All right, I'll reach out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, she wants to talk to us. That'd be fun.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, I think the Devils are practicing in an hour, so maybe I'LL try to get her to. To call in before then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Look at that. Look what you're doing here.

[Don LaGreca]

Can I get up? Can I go after an amen?

[Alan Hahn]

You can get an amen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure. Amen.

[Don LaGreca]

Amen, brother. Yeah, I want to go after a friend of the show, and that's incarcerated Bob.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no, no.

[Don LaGreca]

But Bob who tweeted out. The annual New York Mets off season championship parade will be January 30, Friday. Plenty of champagne, highlights from the previous offseason championships. 22, 23, 24. And of course, the Soto chip 2025 will be on the big screen, hosted by Jerry Seinfeld and Don Lagrecken. Did I say anything? I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, but he might.

[Don LaGreca]

What is it about?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He may not be referring to. Is he referring to what you. Was it an at to you? Like, was he referring to what you were saying or was it a general criticism of the Mets?

[Don LaGreca]

It was a general criticism, I think, of the Mets fan base. He's got me hosting it with Jerry Seinfeld suggesting that I'm leading the parade of people, you know, saying they're gonna win a champion.

[Alan Hahn]

Notable Met people that could host this event.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, because he doesn't know what Jerry Seinfeld has to say.

[Alan Hahn]

No, Bob loves you. I don't think he's taking a shit. He said Jerry Seinfeld?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, dude, think about it.

[Alan Hahn]

You and Jerry Seinfeld in the same sentence.

[Don LaGreca]

Don McGregor, listen, then that is a major compliment, and I'll take it all back.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don LaGreca]

But instead of me putting me at the level of Jerry Seinfeld, my thinking is it's probably more in the case of he thinks I'm leading this charge. No, I don't know if they're going to win a championship. But all I'm saying is I'm not going to let my love of the previous roster stand in the way of Stern is trying to improve this team because ultimately that's what I want to do and win a championship. I think they're improved guys, but they won 83 games last year. If they win 10 more games, which would be quite the leap, that doesn't necessarily mean they win the division. Never mind, you know, win a championship. I just want to get there. And why? Every time a fan base celebrates their team improving, it's all, well, they think they're gonna win the championship. Well, they shouldn't. Met fans shouldn't have celebrated the acquisition of Soto and that it was a failure because they missed the playoffs. In the first of his 15 years with the team, Don.

[Alan Hahn]

Welcome to my world. The Knicks won a game last night by 54 points. Right. It was a desperately needed win, and they did it in record fashion. And all MSG Network did was just put up a social media post that said the facts that they won by 54 points. Franchise.

[Don LaGreca]

Right, Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Alan Hahn]

You'd think the replies were, like. It was like, you know, doesn't matter. Like, just like, this is what people do, Don. Oh, hang a banner for that one. You know, like, there's some of the.

[Don LaGreca]

But this is incarcerated Bob. This is a friend.

[Alan Hahn]

Bob's a Yankee fan, and he loves to tweak Met fans. You know, that's how it goes. But this is what people do. Anytime you have something nice in the off season, there's always gonna be people that are gonna want to smash the cake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

They don't want you to enjoy it. That's all.

[Don LaGreca]

Nobody. Like, this is New York.

[Alan Hahn]

We have two of everything. So there's always half that's going to be mad at you for being happy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why?

[Don LaGreca]

Why is there a leap always made to being happy that your team had a good off season?

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

To those people taking the leap that we're guaranteeing anything. Met fans are happy. They got Juan Soto. Why wouldn't you be happy getting one of the top three players in Major League Baseball?

[Alan Hahn]

Of course.

[Don LaGreca]

So being happy means I think we're going to win a championship. If you hear me go on, we're winning in 20, 25, baby. Yeah. We're going to own this town. Then you can jump me, because that's taking too big of a leap. Just being happy does not mean you're making any kind of bold prediction. No, they're going. They're going to win.

[Alan Hahn]

So let's.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's. I think he may have responded. Hold on.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, good.

[Don LaGreca]

Not a shot at Donald Greco. I just needed to die hard. Met fans. Such a prestigious yearly event. All the love to my guys. Okay, all that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what? You were sensitive a little bit.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Little Alan Hahn right there.

[Alan Hahn]

But you were in my. You were in my world for a minute thinking that, like.

[Don LaGreca]

Peter, listen, you won, all right? But you couldn't see where. You know, I'm being thrown into the tweet that maybe he's accusing me of being a little too overly excited coming off a segment in which I was excited.

[Alan Hahn]

Don, I'm sorry to interrupt your thought right now. And speaking of lack of excitement, Peter's mike, okay. Is having a really difficult time staying up. It's just, hopefully this Keeps falling down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don. I hear how you could have seen it. But me and Alan, sharp minds that we both are spotted clear thing that gave us the answer which is that it was you and Jerry Seinfeld who we. Who we don't know what his opinions are in the off season. He's just a notable fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

So that's how I Knew that's a 180 it went from. I think he's going after me where he was complimenting me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He would say you're on.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. You're like, we need somebody prestigious like Don legreca to host this thing and let's get some Bob and let's get an entertainer like, you know, Jerry Seinfeld. He's a Mets fan. Let's get him in there. Right, right. That's what that was about. It's not going to work that way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not going to work this way.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I don't want it that other way.

[Alan Hahn]

You need a support. You need something going on there. You need some type of support. This man needs a blue pill quick for his microphone. It needs Viagra. It does. Speaking of which, Jeff Passon has another. The passing massive pitching trade that was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Made mass and passing.

[Alan Hahn]

And if you're a Yankees fan, this one's going to. This one will probably piss you off. Mackenzie Gore, you know the nice lefty from the Nationals. Well, he's going to the Texas Ranger. They are. This is like a five player. A lot of prospects and stuff heading to the Nationals. They got a huge returning this Jeff Passon says. But the Texas Rangers who seem to love arms, don't they always just seem to just go after pitching constantly?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, well, I mean we all love arms.

[Alan Hahn]

They had a lefty, Mackenzie Gore. And so, you know, again, that's why yesterday we were talking about or two days ago, we're talking about the Yankee thing with Bellinger. That's your team. That's your team. The Yankees are what they are. They're going to wait till they get healthy, but that's their team.

[Don LaGreca]

And this is the message I think left for either of these. These teams to do. The other talking point about the Peralta deal is when we talk about baseball being broken. The Milwaukee Brewers, a contender, just traded away their best pitcher because they don't believe they can afford to pay him. Yeah, yeah, it. It is. You know, the Nationals, they're not going to compete. They're not contenders, but the brewers are. At least they thought they were, right? They're a perennial Playoff team. So that's the sad aspect of it too. Right. Listen, the Mets benefit from that, but instead of the brewers trying to add to see if they can't take the next step, they're going to take a step back. They knew that this was going to be their last season with him and they wanted to get something for him.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And that's why the Mets will be willing to take that risk. Now another bit of a risk, of course, is the Bo Bichette contract because there's so many outs that he has. He has opt outs in this thing that he can get out after just this coming season. And so after telling us how much he wanted to play in New York and why the Mets were appealing because he just kept saying I just wanted to be here. Like he really didn't give you a lot of great specifics about playing for the Mets other than they want to win and that's where I want to be. And New York's a pretty cool city and they have, you know, some of the best fans. He did say some of the best fans. But then when he was like. John Heyman asked a very pointed, very direct and very easy question to answer about hey, this could end up being a one year deal for you. Right. Because you do have opt outs in this deal. Here's how it went. In response.

[Don LaGreca]

You have a very favorable opt out option in there and you're obviously got youth on your side as a. I guess you're almost 28. About 20. Going to be 28.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Should a lot of.

[Don LaGreca]

Should anybody look at this as potential 1 year deal? How are you looking at this?

[Alan Hahn]

Beau looks at his agent. John, thanks for your question. Good afternoon everybody. And then his agent decides to answer and essentially just talk about how much he wants to be here. And this is why he answered himself. He just, he, he was almost froz. By the way, can we get. I love John Heyman. I actually was a clerk when he was a Newsday writer. Used to love taking his calls. He needs a throat lodging. Does he not seriously. He needs a Ludens or something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Send the men alluding for that.

[Alan Hahn]

Did you hear his voice? Like he's. It was a bit rough.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, everybody's going through it.

[Alan Hahn]

We're all going through it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean by the way, it's. It's months at a time these days, I guess.

[Alan Hahn]

But anyway, is there like, do you, do you feel sort of way about that the kid just was deer in headlights and then just didn't answer and instead just turn to his agent and Then his agent stepped in and gave sort of an agent answer.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, the only thing I take exception to because I. I don't blame him, the kid, because he's going to answer the question. And now he's afraid if I. How do I answer this? Because the answer is, yeah, I got a chance to opt out. I might only be here for a year.

[Alan Hahn]

If I have a great year, I could really cash in.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, we know that. We know that. But he doesn't want to say that because it's an introductory press conference. It's a dog and pony show. It's supposed to be a pom pom moment. And nobody wants to hear the new. The shiny new toy on the team saying he might only be here for a year. We know that. And he looked at his agent because he knew. I can't say that. What do I say? The issue is how this was not approached him before the press conference. Might get a question. This is how you answer that. So bad job by the Mets. Bad job by his agent. Not telling him. You might get a question. Like, matter of fact, not might. You will get a question about this. Here's how you answer.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, you're in New York. This is coming. So let's just. How we. How do we want to tackle it? All right, this is what you'll say.

[Don LaGreca]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

But he looked like. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Like, he looked a little overwhelmed.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't blame him because we know what the opt out is. We understand that they just did not properly vet him about that. That's a bad job. Mets PR is outstanding, by the way. They should have known. And certainly his agent should have stayed. Hey, you might get asked this question. Rachel's very excited about joining.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I love.

[Don LaGreca]

When do you want to do that?

[Alan Hahn]

How about after that guy? Yay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What. What time?

[Alan Hahn]

What's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What time? Is practice as a skate.

[Alan Hahn]

Can she do. What is your time? 1:45 is your time? Is 4:45.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Can she do 145?

[Don LaGreca]

I'll ask.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Don LaGreca]

It'll sound good. You'll hear the skates in the background, and it'll add to the ambiance.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a great point.

[Alan Hahn]

But it'll be tremendous. We'll get to know her, too.

[Don LaGreca]

So one 145.

[Alan Hahn]

145 your time. You're talking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're talking. Rachel Herzog from MSG.

[Alan Hahn]

From MSG, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Host of the Devil's Broadcast.

[Alan Hahn]

Pre post. All of it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fantastic.

[Alan Hahn]

Carries that broadcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, it's just.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's. Let's be honest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's some, there's some dead weight. You know what I'm saying?

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, they do what they can.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They do. They should do what they can.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's be honest. I'm the dead weight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what I was implying.

[Alan Hahn]

No, we were not.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, you were.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that was the joke I was running with.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I thought you were talking Danico.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who I take a shot.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought you were taking a shot at Janiko.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, I gotta take the shot.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, we also.

[Don LaGreca]

You're not going after, you're not going after a three time Stanley cup champion or a defenseman that was on the the cup final team in 2012.

[Alan Hahn]

It be could it can only be done. There you go.

[Don LaGreca]

We're talking up Rachel, right?

[Alan Hahn]

We are.

[Don LaGreca]

So I'm the odd man out.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. Well, we love you anyway.

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Hey Don, you ready for a game time? Brought to you by Tullamardu Irish Whiskey because when it's game time. Sure is. Although not tonight. No locals in action. That's a rarity. But yeah, nothing. Nobody. Two basketball teams, three hockey teams. Nobody's playing. St. John's isn't even playing. Fordham playing?

[Don LaGreca]

I don't think so.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

What about Marist Mary?

[Alan Hahn]

How about Liu? Let me see if Rod Strickland has the boys out on the game tonight. No, usually it's Friday night. Well, no. No locals. So everybody just kind of sit back, chill, enjoy, you know, maybe go.

[Don LaGreca]

Tomorrow's gonna be busy.

[Alan Hahn]

Get your shovels right. Bags of salt, sand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know. You know, I haven't gotten all year and I really need it.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't wanna.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A damn scraper. I haven't had a good scraper.

[Alan Hahn]

A scraper?

[Don LaGreca]

No. What they call it now?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I don't know what that means. I honestly don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

Don's like I could really go for scraper scraping.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know what that means. I know. I think I know where you. I think I. But. So I need a scraper for the car. What else do you call it?

[Don LaGreca]

No, you said what you need yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You said, you know what I haven't had in a while that I really need. And Don said, I just said, I don't want to know it. Don went straightforward.

[Don LaGreca]

But I said, yeah, you've got a one year old. So what are you doing?

[Alan Hahn]

Right, right. You're not, you're not getting, you're not right.

[Don LaGreca]

The only, the only, the only scraper taken off by somebody else is the diaper of Maya. Right? That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

That's the only clothes, the only clothes you're taking off another person are Myers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is a fact. Yes. Right.

[Don LaGreca]

So very often you need. So you needed a scraper. I'm like, is that what they're calling it now?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And so you're talking about a woman of the night.

[Don LaGreca]

You need a scrape.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, a scraper. But he just, it's just a reach though.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought it was really funny. Jacob, rate it funny.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No one thought it was funnier than Don.

[Alan Hahn]

It's really. It was a good, it was good in the moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm looking up.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's go. Out of 10 they got some scraper.

[Don LaGreca]

I would say probably about a six.

[Alan Hahn]

Six. Anthony, I think we need to get Don back home.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, Don's lose it. It was fine. But like Don's.

[Don LaGreca]

He's losing it.

[Alan Hahn]

He's going stir crazy. It's the Canadian beer. I told you, it's a moonsh.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm more, I'm more laughed at the fact that like Peter didn't get it, which is the whole essence of what's going on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought it was something. No, I, I. Every time I've like waited now half the winter and I've already needed something to clean off my car like two or three times. I'm using my jacket, my arm. It's a disaster.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, look at this one.

[Alan Hahn]

Hang on, let me finish.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Built in glove with the scraper.

[Alan Hahn]

You love those. The problem is when the snow gets in there. We will have coverage though. If you want some sports tonight in your world Mavs warriors like you dream about following us on 880@7tullamore do the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore do or try the new Telemore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Telemore Dew responsible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll tell you why I like the look of the glove with built in scraper. I'm not a big glove guy.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, no, I naturally I never have them. I walk out of the house without Gloves all the time. It's freezing. I put my hands in my pocket.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Just keep a glove in the car. One glove. Michael Jackson.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One glove. One glove. You're lucky just to have just one glove.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's get some calls. 800 now with 93776. Lucky to have those. Matt in Long island will in. Did I just do that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What'd you do?

[Alan Hahn]

I said in.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. You went in Long island because you're.

[Alan Hahn]

So used to saying in like, you know, Griffin in Connecticut. Right. But Matt's on Long Island. Matt.

[Caller 1]

There you go. There you go. I just want to say I'm really excited by his Peralta trade. They gave up absolutely nothing for him. I mean, Tobias Myers, you'd have to be the Mel Kuiper of baseball. So you didn't know who that is. Brandon Sproat, you know, pitchers, year to year, you don't really know what they've gotten. And like Michael K says all the time you don't know what prospects are. And Jet Williams. But they got to be gone anyway.

[Don LaGreca]

In the rule clock draft.

[Alan Hahn]

Matt, they got Tobias Myers.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Along with, I'm sorry, Peralta. So you actually.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's even better.

[Don LaGreca]

You got somebody that I don't even know.

[Alan Hahn]

You got to write getting better the.

[Don LaGreca]

More you talk about.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but it's Sprout and Jet Williams that are the top prospects. But if you think about, you had three pitchers. McLean, you know, you're not going, not going anywhere. Jonah Tong is somebody everybody's very excited about. Sprouts, the one that you, you know, if you can't keep all three the same, Generation K. Right. So you're gonna, you might as well move somebody that has value and that's one of them. So they picked the one. That's the one. It's Jet Williams that people are. We're excited about. But yeah, like, this is a good deal. I don't know how you could see it any other way. This is, this is definitely a good deal. Stephen Queen, Steve, you're up next.

[Caller 1]

Thanks for taking the call. I'm surprised that I got through on this. I realize now I'm too old to watch to watch and listen to the show since I heard Peter said one of his most memorable sports events as an eight year old was the 86 Mets. And I think you said Peter, the 85 Bears Super Bowl.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And Don, I was six and seven for those.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller 1]

Okay. I apologize that you're getting the dates wrong, but don't. Of course the 86 Mets would be Your great moment. And I didn't realize you'd be a teenager then. I'll put it to you this way. I'm so old. My first most memorable sports event was the Yankees and Braves in 1958 when the Yankees came back and I was five years old, they came back from a three to one deficit, and I was watching it with my grandfather on a glorious black and white TV in. And we know how fuzzy. Well, you don't know, but it was pretty fuzzy.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure we do.

[Caller 1]

The next one I remember is the Yankees at Pittsburgh with the Mazerosky home run.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, wow.

[Caller 1]

And this is how spoiled I was a Yankee fan since 1961.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Caller 1]

What's that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nothing.

[Alan Hahn]

These are great memories.

[Don LaGreca]

Bill Daughtry used to say that the Yankees were in the World Series so much when he was a kid. He thought that's just the. The way it was. The Yankee Invitational Series every year.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

So it was like the baseball was, all right, who's going to play the Yankees in the World Series this year? Because it was just so, like bunting on. Just that they put bunting up every October at Yankee Stadium. It was just the fait accompli they were going to go.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

But. All right, so the caller, he doesn't sound that old.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's Steven.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's Stephen. Middle village.

[Alan Hahn]

He had a very young voice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sounds as old as he always sounds, but he is.

[Caller 1]

Yeah, I'm a Yankee fan since 1968.

[Alan Hahn]

One more. This is Deetson. Colorado has a message for Peter.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, interesting.

[Caller 1]

Hey, guys, thanks for having me on. Thank you, Don. Thank you, Han, for everything that you do. But the show should be called Don, Han and Rosenbaum because Rosenberg had no idea what he was talking about. John Harbaugh's press conference, he. He brought it. He brought the energy. This is not wrestling where you got fireworks. When you come on stage and didn't.

[Don LaGreca]

Say, you know all this like he's paying exceptions.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I only. All I said was B plus. What grade did you give it? A thousand. What did you give it?

[Caller 1]

Rosenberg. It's Harbaugh. Giants made a home run higher and pouring cold water on the whole thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why is that cold water? Why is a B plus cold water?

[Caller 1]

It's cold water because the Giants, they. You don't know what this means. The Giants fans, of course, mentioned you wanted firework. How did Dan Quinn do in Washington? They just lost their offensive coordinator because I really think whatever his name was, didn't want to be there. But Dan Quinn, I mean, fireworks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The difference Is. But deets. The difference is you're being a fanboy and you're. You're comparing it to. Hear me out, deets.

[State Farm Announcer]

You're here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're here. You're comparing it to what? The team that I root for. You're. Oh, what about Dan Quinn? I'm not coming after that. I was all for the Harbaugh hire. It's the best hire they could have made. It's fantastic. We were playing a game. It wasn't dead serious. Where I give a grade to the presser. I gave it a B plus. I thought he was somewhat generic, but I thought he was generally great. That's a B plus. So what, you're gonna cry? How does that change anything for you? You have John Harbaugh. He's won Super Bowl. He's won one Super Bowl. He's been a really solid coach. He will bring stability to this franchise. You didn't get Vince Lombardi. You didn't get. You didn't get Kyle Shanahan. You didn't get the brightest mind in football. It's not Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay. It's not. That would be an A plus. You got a guy who's gonna lead you for the next 20 years. You got a good. No, you got a really good guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, we got to go here. You made your point. You made your point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We love you, too, even though you're mean.

[Alan Hahn]

The call.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fans are so sensitive. A B plus is not you guys.

[Alan Hahn]

He just wanted to fight. He just wanted to fight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got a lot of B pluses.

[Alan Hahn]

He just wanted to fight you, Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe it's different for me because I was kind of a B plus. Kind of student.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, B plus is pretty good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love when I get an A minus, but a B plus? Guess what? You go to Maryland. Got into the Scholars Program. Life turned out pretty good with B plus.

[Alan Hahn]

That's not bad. How's it working out for you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's working out pretty good. And if they get a B plus career from Harbaugh, that could be really, really good.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, let's grade all the coaches they've had since Tom Coughlin. Ease collectively.

[Commercial Announcer 1]

Ease.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Be happy with a B plus. Yeah, maybe it's an A. That's great.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers before you go.

[Commercial Announcer 1]

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