Hour 1: Knicks & Subway Series

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Knicks & Subway Series

Release Date: May 16, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York

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Introduction to the Episode

In this inaugural episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," the trio delves into two major New York sports storylines: the New York Knicks' pivotal playoff moment and the highly anticipated Subway Series between the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. The hosts navigate through team performances, player dynamics, and the overarching pressure surrounding both franchises.

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1. The New York Knicks' Playoff Aspirations

Key Discussion Points:

• Historic Opportunity: The Knicks have a rare chance to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2000 by clinching a series at home against the Boston Celtics. This marks a significant milestone for the franchise and its fans.

• Pressure on the Team: Alan Hahn acknowledges the immense pressure the Knicks are facing, particularly emphasizing that unlike defending champions who may not feel the same intensity, the Knicks are shouldering considerable expectations.

Notable Quotes:

• Don La Greca [04:35]:
  "Well, because you've got a chance tonight to slay two huge dragons... defeating the Celtics, going to the conference final for the first time since 2000."

• Alan Hahn [01:16]:
  "This is a night of a lot of anxiety, a lot of nervous energy. And may I just say to you, I was wrong yesterday. I was tripping."

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2. The Subway Series: Yankees vs. Mets

Key Discussion Points:

• Juan Soto's Transition: Juan Soto's move from the Yankees to the Mets has ignited debates about his impact and loyalty. Don expresses skepticism about Soto's immediate influence, questioning whether he has truly embraced his new role with the Mets.

• Judge vs. Soto Narrative: A recurring theme is the comparison between Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, with discussions on their performances and what their duel means for both teams and the broader fanbase.

• Interleague Rivalry Enhancement: The Subway Series is highlighted as a significant event, with both teams holding first-place standings, adding layers of intrigue beyond just the player matchups.

Notable Quotes:

• Don La Greca [09:21]:
  "I don't think Juan Soto's a Met yet... I'm still kind of waiting for his moment."

• Peter Rosenberg [10:16]:
  "But maybe this weekend is the perfect time for that moment."

• Alan Hahn [14:34]:
  "Both could be true of it, but today is a chapter in that argument. This is a big part of it."

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3. Managing Pressure and Expectations

Key Discussion Points:

• Alan Hahn's Realization: Alan openly admits to misjudging the level of pressure on the Knicks, emphasizing personal accountability and the collective stress within the organization striving for success.

• Don's Perspective on Winning: Don underscores the fundamental desire to win over fan-driven narratives, asserting that personal and team success are paramount regardless of external debates or manufactured rivalries.

Notable Quotes:

• Alan Hahn [02:21]:
  "It's more about me and understanding that... I was completely tripping and... I got to do that on the train... hold me accountable, please."

• Don La Greca [13:05]:
  "I want to start winning games here and I want to widen the lead."

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4. Audience Interaction and Caller Opinions

Key Discussion Points:

• Caller Perspectives: The episode features interactions with listeners who bring varied viewpoints, especially from Mets fans who express frustration with Juan Soto's performance and his transition to the Mets.

• Debate on Manufactured Rivalries: Alan and Don engage in a light-hearted debate about whether the Judge vs. Soto narrative is genuinely impactful or artificially constructed to boost interest among casual fans.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller, Danny Long [30:02]:
  "I don't see Juan Soto, I see check swings, the first baseman, I see loss."

• Don La Greca [33:59]:
  "I'm not going to like text Allen if Soto goes four for four and the Mets lose and... I don't have any consolation prize."

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5. Concluding Insights and Future Implications

Key Discussion Points:

• Significance of Current Games: The hosts emphasize that while the Subway Series and Knicks' playoff games are crucial, they are early in the season and set the tone for the months to come.

• Long-Term Rivalries and Success: There's a consensus that the outcomes of these games could influence the trajectories of both the Knicks and the Mets, potentially leading to more profound rivalries and achievements.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [41:11]:
  "I'm somewhere between you guys on this. I do think it's a really big deal this year, more than any other year."

• Alan Hahn [40:02]:
  "This is the most important Subway Series that has ever existed since the World Series. This is the most important."

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Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with the hosts teasing future discussions and encouraging listeners to stay tuned for ongoing coverage of both the Knicks' playoff journey and the unfolding Subway Series. They highlight the unique position of New York sports, where multiple high-stakes events converge, providing endless material for spirited debates and passionate fandom.

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Episode Highlights:

• Knicks’ Potential Breakthrough: Discussing the historical significance and the pressure associated with advancing to the conference finals.
• Subway Series Dynamics: Exploring Juan Soto's impact on the Mets, and the Judge vs. Soto narrative fueling fan engagement.
• Pressure Management: Hosts reflect on personal and team pressures, with Alan Hahn admitting past misjudgments.
• Caller Engagement: Featuring diverse fan opinions, particularly focusing on Mets supporters’ views on Soto’s performance.
• Future Implications: Anticipating how current games could shape the future of New York's sports landscape.

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Notable Time-Stamped Quotes:

• Don La Greca [04:35]:
  "Defeating the Celtics, going to the conference final for the first time since 2000."

• Alan Hahn [01:16]:
  "I was wrong yesterday. I was tripping."

• Don La Greca [09:21]:
  "I don't think Juan Soto's a Met yet."

• Peter Rosenberg [10:16]:
  "Maybe this weekend is the perfect time for that moment."

• Alan Hahn [14:34]:
  "This is a big part of it."

• Don La Greca [33:59]:
  "I don't have any consolation prize."

• Peter Rosenberg [41:11]:
  "I'm somewhere between you guys on this."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the dynamic discussions and key insights from "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg’s" first episode, providing listeners with an in-depth overview of New York's current sports narratives.

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

The new McCrispy strip is here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dip approved by ketchup, tangy barbecue, Honey.

[Don La Greca]

Mustard, honey mustard, Sprite, McFlurry, Big Mac sauce, double dipped in buffalo and ranch, more ranch and creamy chili. McCrispy strip dip now at McDonald's. Todd, give me a piece of wood, I'll eat it.

[Alan Hahn]

Han, Peter, the most used sweat is at a buffet. And Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll be honest, the one thing I miss about having an office is the taste of Steve Hart's nuts.

[Don La Greca]

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

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Ro Rosenberg. The best threesome I've ever heard on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York.

[Don La Greca]

App 301 in the big city down on in Rosenberg on a humongous sports day here in New York. It's what you live for, guys, when you do this for a living. To have two major stories I think of equal significance today for a lot of people. I mean if you're a basketball fan. Knicks have a chance to do something they haven't done in 25 years. Clinch a series at home. The improbable coming true. Beating the Celtics, going to the conference final for the first time since 2000. And then Juan Soto returning to the Bronx Mets, Yankees, the opening of the subway series. Two first place teams. How you living, boys?

[Alan Hahn]

This is a night I wanted to be home watching baseball on the couch. This is the night you just wanted to have a chance to just kick back, relax, watch the again May baseball. First significant game, first significant series. What's that first at bat going to be like? The Knicks took that away from me and now instead it's a night of a lot of anxiety, a lot of, a lot of just nervous energy. And that's what I'm feeling today, boys, nervous energy. And may I just right here at the very top. Can I just say to you, I was wrong yesterday. I was tripping.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Listen to this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter, thank you. Oh really? You had a realization?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, again. And I'm not using that as excuse.

[Don La Greca]

The music.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hit the music. It takes not a lot of this.

[Alan Hahn]

Not a lot of sleep in the last couple of days for all the stuff that I'm doing. A little hamster wheel going on. But we love this. But when you, when you get like that sometimes there's like, there's discussions we have and rather than look at it with you know, like, like a logical point of view and, and feel like, you know what, my guys know what they're talking about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Alan Hahn]

You know, like, like, you know, a caller will Call in with it with a question. And you know what? It's a good. It's an interesting question. I should consider it instead. I get a little bitchy. We all get like that sometimes, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, it happened to me yesterday, multiple times on the show.

[Alan Hahn]

I just want to tell you guys, first of all, as we are now five months into our. Our new show here, that was fast, that I'm sorry and I'm wrong. And what you said about the pressure being solely on the Knicks, and I tried so hard to push back and say, no, it's equal, and all that stuff. Yeah, I'm absolutely wrong. Defending champions never feel pressure. They've already won. They've got the championship. The Knicks have all the pressure. It starts tonight, too. This is not all the pressure goes on in a game, in a game seven. No, they took the pressure back when they lost that game five in the manner that they played it. And everyone in that organization today is feeling it, all of them. This is a must win game tonight. And so I'm sorry, guys, for trying to push back and trying to say that no, it's equal and just trying to reason it in my own mind, I guess, because I didn't want to believe it, but when I woke up this morning, oh, I felt it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You felt it in your gut?

[Alan Hahn]

I felt it. I felt it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. This means a lot, Don. Yeah, I respect this as a man, that he. Because I really did think at the time I went, oh, man, he's being that guy. This is crazy. How could he not see this? And now to hear you admit, Allen, you weren't seeing it. And that no matter how we slice it, if this series goes beyond tonight, there is significantly more pressure on this Knicks basketball team. And that's such an important thing to recognize as we head into this game tonight. Because by the way, guys, all that feeling is going to start getting compounded and become real if the Knicks find a big deficit in the second half or if the game gets really tight there at the end. You will feel it in MSG tonight.

[Don La Greca]

Well, because you've got a chance tonight to slay two huge dragons, one, you know, clinching a series on home court, which they haven't done since the last time they went to the conference final, which was 2000, which they're also trying to accomplish with the win tonight. And you know, Peter, you brought it up after the Knicks went up two games to none that, hey, you know, Thibodeau's safe. You know, it kind of felt like a lot of those demons were Extinguished, they all creep back up. If they were to find a way to lose the series, they all come back. Matter of fact, I think they come back tenfold. If they blow a three one series lead, they're right back to square one. There'll be questions about the coach, there'll be questions about the trade with Minnesota. There'll be questions whether this team is moving in the right direction. It'll all go back to zero, maybe sub zero. So that's what's on the line here tonight, guys, and maybe possibly Sunday. The chance to take the gargantuan step forward, to finally let the world know we're not the same old Knicks, that this is a destination that we can win, that we can be a place that can prosper, or going right back to what you've been for the last 25 years. And that's an also ran a team that can't win, a team that can't figure it out. So it's all at stake. And that's why Peter and I said that the pressure is going to be immense if there is a Game 7 on Sunday, because I'm sure that's what this whole organization is going to be feeling. Yeah, Boston, they'll be disappointed. They want to be repeat champions. But it can't be anywhere near the pressure the Knicks are going to feel. So win tonight, put it in your rearview mirror, slay those dragons and march on. If not, it is going to be a tension convention on Sunday in Boston.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Monday in Boston and. Excuse me. Yeah. And for me, it doesn't change my, my point of view. I have seen this team every single time. It feels like, you know, they've had a bad game. It feels like they've always responded. And that is so. I always just have noticed that about them in the, in these three years that this, at least with Jalen Brunson and some of the core, obviously this is a different team than last year's team, but for the most part, the core of this team, that has been what they've been about. So I do still feel optimistic that tonight they'll get it done. It's something that they also have to get over, which is, you know, that the issue of playing at home and playing tight, especially early in games, that's something they've got to get over. But I just was, you know, this was not about me and losing faith in the Knicks. This was more about me and understanding that. What I was saying yesterday was I was completely tripping and I, you know, we all have these days we have these bad days, and it's just that was one of them where, you know, you get to a point where you're so saturated with all this stuff that you just, just want to, like, just everybody just shut the hell up for five minutes, right? And I got to do that on the train. On the ride home, I did listen to a little, but I always just review the show a little bit, just check a few of the set. And that was the one I went back to. And I was like, oh, God, I sounded like that guy. I never want to be that guy. Hold me accountable, please.

[Don La Greca]

Well, you recovered nicely. And this is one of those rare days where I do think there is something of significance also to discuss. And that is game one of the subway series. I know it's only May 16th and we're very early in the season, but I think people are really hyped for this, too. So we're going to be with you until 6:25 when we hand it off to our Mets coverage here on 880 ESPN New York. But I want that duality. I want both to live and breathe during these three and a half hours. So at 1-800-919-3776, I think both topics are deserving of being on the table because it's going to be crazy. Yeah, that's. That's what's great about New York. You've got a big Game 6 significant game at Madison Square Garden, and yet 50,000 people are going to be at Yankee Stadium watching the Mets and the Yankees and Juan Soto playing in his old stomping grounds for the first time. And Alan, Alan likes to tweak me. And it's going to be a fun summer, guys, because I think Allen and I are going to have a lot of fun going at each other if the Mets and Yankees are going to stay in first place and be relevant the entire 25 season. And I think they will be is the whole Soto versus Judge stuff. And I really put a lot of thought into it, guys, and I just wanted to get your opinion on this, too, is that maybe the reason I'm not feeling that. And you know, Alan, I'm not feeling the Judge Soto thing is because, and this is going to sound crazy, but follow me. I don't think Juan Soto's a Met yet. I know technically he is, and he wears the uniform of my favorite team and he's going to be in the lineup.

[Alan Hahn]

I see what you're doing, but he.

[Don La Greca]

Hasn'T had his Met moment yet. I mean, I'll go to war with Whitland Door because of what he accomplished last year and what he's accomplished as a man. I'll go to war with Pete Alonso, who had one of the top five home runs in the history of the organization last year in Milwaukee, you know, But Juan Soto hasn't had that moment yet. I mean, so the Yankee fans can rally around Judge. He's all about the Yankees. But am I wrong to say, yeah, Juan Soto is here, but not yet. Not technically he's here, but spiritually, I'm still kind of waiting for his moment. Maybe it'll happen this weekend, but right now it's easy for me to get on board of my favorite team and certain players on this team. Juan Soto hasn't had that moment yet. And maybe that's why I'm not, like, feeling that rivalry that you've been building up Allen so much, is because I'm still waiting for Soto to join the team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But maybe this weekend is the perfect time for that moment.

[Don La Greca]

Maybe, Yes. I think that's on the table for sure because.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because, like, a couple of great games this weekend can equal that moment. You know, if they, if they were able to win, if they're able to take the series against the Yankees and Soto is like, you know, two for four one day with a home run, three for five the next, that could be that first moment. So I totally see what you're saying, Don, but maybe it makes this weekend that much more exciting to see if. If he gets his first met moment.

[Alan Hahn]

Don, I don't think you buy into the fan stuff, like, I guess I do and a lot of other people do. You, you, you fan a different way. Like, you almost are apathetic when it comes to other teams. You don't care what they think, and you don't care unless some fans are saying stupid things and you want to get engaged in it. But for the most part, you don't care how a Yankee fan feels. You don't care about the back and forth kind of stuff that I call. It's the school bus thing. I was talking about this yesterday after the show. It is just something that I remember as a kid. There was nothing more fun than the next day if you knew your team won and their team lost, but you hated going to school if your team lost and their team won. It was Islanders, Rangers, it was, you know, there wasn't as much Yankees, Mets, because during the season, you know, it's the summer, you're not really in school, but you still see friends. And it's just that everyday kind of grind that, you know, even though it's the. It's 162games, it's season and you got to get still get to October and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But as a kid, you don't think that it's always about, did I win the day? And so this weekend feels like the first chance for a Yankee fan. And this is Soto, to his credit, is at least talking about it like he's looking forward to it. The 50,000 people booing him, he said at the crowd, this is what he's looking forward to the most. It's all that stuff that just puts energy into it. And then from there it gets compelling of what does he do? Does he give us a show? Does he. Is there the first moment, like you said? Is there his first Met moment where he does something like a walk off or whatever it is with his fist in the air as he's rounding bases and out of the 50,000, if there's 10,000 Met fans, they're going crazy because in Yankee Stadium, he comes back to haunt them. It's the drama that we love it in May. We don't get this in baseball. We are this weekend. That's what I'm looking for. That's why I'm so fired up for this.

[Don La Greca]

Well, that's why it's about wins and losses. Because you always bring up the argument about, you know, Willie, Mickey and the Duke.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

And even though the Giants and Dodgers played each other, you know, the Yankees, that you didn't play them unless you played them in the World Series.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's not about head to head. You know what it is? It was more about just popularity, fame, success, all that stuff that fans like. That's my guy.

[Don La Greca]

True. But I that stuff again. I don't care about winning the town. I just want to win the game.

[Alan Hahn]

I know I want.

[Don La Greca]

Chip. I was 18 years old, graduating high school and entering college the last time the Mets won a World Series. So I want to win because you know what? The Mets took two out of three from Pittsburgh, but they didn't score a lot of runs. The bullpen's been a little shaky, and the Philadelphia Phillies are crawling up their back. I want to start winning games here and I want to widen the lead.

[Alan Hahn]

Peter, this almost feel like playing the playoff music right now. Doesn't this bore you? Sound like like all, like all that, like he's talking like a coach, like he's a manager right now all that matters is the next game. Like, give Me a break.

[Don La Greca]

All that matters is that I can.

[Alan Hahn]

Talk trash right now.

[Don La Greca]

No, because it's a rich.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You feel very distanced. He just feels very distanced from people who are into it in that way.

[Don La Greca]

But, but, but again it's, but you want to win game. Will beating the Yankees feel like special? Of course it will. Okay, but, but it's got to be about winning games. You could say it's boring. But again, I've had this conversation and you guys have jumped me on it. I mean, what you're discussing, it's kind of, it's a fixed debate, you know, because judge is better than Soto. You know, maybe if the Mets win a championship before judge and Soto wins another ring before judge, we can have a conversation of, well, you know, Soto's a winner and judges and all that. But the better players judge, you know, and the Yankees have a better chance of going to the World Series right now. The American League is the junior circuit.

[Alan Hahn]

But the winner thing does matter in this whole debate. It's a big part of, is a big part.

[Don La Greca]

That's what I'm saying. Winning is important.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, so like that's, that's both could be true of it, but today is a chapter in that argument. Today is, is probably exhibit A of this debate that's going to carry on for the next, what, five to eight years, all depending on what happens from, from now until, you know, what, 20, 33, like all that stuff is still going to matter. And it all has to come together and these are the moments, especially the head to heads that do matter. They're never going to face each other, they're never going to be together on the field. They're never going like. It's not like other sports where in hockey they can meet on the ice. One could put a hit on somebody, you could check them or whatever it is, you could beat the goal. Like football. It's kind of the same thing if one guy's, if it's two quarterbacks, obviously they don't face each other either, but they'll never see each other on the field. But doesn't matter. It's still going to be about you. Did you have it better here versus there? And you know, one thing I will say, I'll say this, this rarely happens. But right now, now that everything could change. But right now, Soto going to the Mets was the best thing for the Mets. Soto leaving the Yankees right now might have been the best thing for the Yankees. Their offense is still the best in the league. They got freed, which they desperately needed him. And you don't know. They would have Goldschmidt. Like, do they got pieces that they probably wouldn't have gotten if they had kept Soto? So if you really think about it in an odd way, both teams in first place in a better place as a result of this.

[Don La Greca]

No. And ultimately we're gonna see because it's gonna be about that championship. And that's. And that's what's going to be fun to watch here as we get closer and closer to it. But no championship is going to be determined in May. But, you know, the whole Judge Soto thing. Listen, Soto can go over four with four strikeouts. I'm not going to care as long as the Mets win the game. You know, there's not going to be any consolation prize for me if Soto goes up there and hits three home runs and the Mets lose six. Five.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

You know, and I would think the same for the Yankees, too. As much as you want to show off and you want Soto to look bad and strike out four times on three pitches each, you know, on 12 pitches, have an immaculate strikeout four times, but want to make sure that comes in a victory, not a loss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's no consolation prizes here, but, Alan, I'm starting to see what you're saying. Don is taking, like, every bit of fun that could exist away from it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, there is punch now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How about this, Don? How about this? How about this? The Mets smack the Yankees in both games, and Soto goes off the. That doesn't feel especially good. Oh, yeah, you're not going. Yes, we got you. We. Not only do we beat you twice, but we got the guy and his ball in. I mean, I.

[Alan Hahn]

We took from. You just pounded the hell out of your.

[Don La Greca]

I could be fun, but I'll be. It'll be fun, but I'll be more happy that now he's finally got his Met moment. You know, like. Like, to me, like, I never understood the Met fans, and I'm not one of these. That all we're going to own the town. You know, we're the team. No, I don't. That. That doesn't. That to me, doesn't matter. I want Juan Soto to help my team win. So ultimately, that's what it's about for me is seeing my team have a better chance to win because they got one of the best players in baseball on their team. I never looked at it as a victory over the Yankees. That never. Now, there probably met fans that felt that way, but to me, no, that. Am I wrong to not feel that way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's. It's all.

[Don La Greca]

We took something from the Yankees. Yeah, well, I'm just.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't you think.

[Don La Greca]

It's not a matter of the same.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Feeling, but real quick, it's not a matter of wrong or right, but I don't think you can remove. Alan, tell me if you agree with me here. It's not a. It's not a matter of wrong or right. You cannot remove that. A player electing to leave the Yankees to go to the Mets. That is rarefied air. That is turning over a new leaf. That is a new chapter for the organization.

[Don La Greca]

But, dude, that was about money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I get it.

[Don La Greca]

I like the Mets. We got a better chance to win. Bull. The Yankees. The American League stinks. The Yankees have a better chance to go to the World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Mets having the money is a.

[Don La Greca]

Big part of it, too. But that's not, you know, that's like me saying, like, what am I showing off? That I got a bigger house than my neighbor because I make more money than them? Doesn't make me a better person. Doesn't make my franchise better. I never bought into. I'm just saying I'm speaking for me. I'm not speaking for all Met fans, but it kind of bothered me. You didn't steal Juan Soto. You bought him. It was an auction, and you won the auction because you had more money. That's all. And I'm not. I don't think the Mets have to apologize for that because for years the Yankees were able to do that. But this narrative that Juan Soto chose the Mets because of his relationship with Steve Cohen and because they got a better chance to win, it's all garbage. He went to the highest bidder. We all knew that. So I didn't look at it as a victory, really. It was just because the Mets had more money. We knew that when they got Steve Cohen, and good for them. But I just want to see my team be better, and I want to see the team. I guess it really just comes down to, are you a casual or are you a die hard? Like a casual fan gets caught up in all the pomp and circumstance of this garbage. For me, I just want to see my team win. That's what I'm in it for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I do think you're leaving. I think you're also sort of given a little bit of short shrift, if you will, to the Mets not only having the money, but being a place that Soto would elect to go to because the actual dollars and cents, while I know they're significant to those of us who don't have millions and millions of dollars, but in the grand scheme of 760 versus 765 million plus maybe a suite, it really isn't a lot. So there's There Allen. I believe in past times, players would have chosen. I'm going to take 5 million less and stay in pinstripes rather than go to that joke of a franchise in Queens. Yeah, I do think there's something significant there.

[Alan Hahn]

I agree. I do. I do believe it did signify a dramatic change which Mets fans have been begging for, for years. And there is something to celebrate if you're a Mets fan. But, you know, I just want to flip it because I think what you. The scenario you created about, you know, Soto just going off and the Mets sweeping the series and would met fans, you know, have their chest out, you know they will. But I think it also works on the other side. I think. I think Yankee fans would be furious to see that. It would be like, come on. And again, it's May. You don't get that kind of emotion in May about a series. You just don't. Because of everything Don saying. Because it's about the long season and it's all about staying healthy and playing for a championship and all this stuff that Don said. He's right. But Don's talking like he's the assistant principal. The rules are the rules, and we gotta follow him. But that's fine. But there is still. There is juice to this that you can't deny. There's juice to it. And you don't normally get that kind of juice in May in a baseball series. And you don't get it in this town when the Knicks are playing for a chance to get to the conference finals on the exact same night. And I gotta be honest with you, I am absolute like I am. I am caught in such a dilemma. I am so conflicted, boys, because the trend has been, mets win, Knicks win, Mets lose, Knicks loose. And so what am I supposed to want tonight? I know I want Monday off. I want Monday off. Boy, I did not get my Friday off. I sure as hell better get Monday off.

[Don La Greca]

And so what do I do?

[Alan Hahn]

What do I do?

[Don La Greca]

But to me, juice comes from anger more than happiness. Like, I'm happy I have Juan Soto. I'm happy my team's better because I have Juan Soto. The juice comes from how mad the Yankees are at Soto for choosing the Mets.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, the juice doesn't come from being mad. The juice comes from interest. It comes from intrigue. It Comes from the fact that this has got some sizzle. Mets Yankees always has interest, but sizzle's different.

[Don La Greca]

But it has sizzle. How will the Yankee fans react to Soto? Yeah, you know one of them.

[Alan Hahn]

How Soto going to perform? How's Soto gonna perform? That's sizzle too. What's he gonna do?

[Don La Greca]

I hate the guy. I don't hate Aaron Judge. Like you're trying to create something. Judge versus Soto. But a Met fan is not a real way.

[Alan Hahn]

It has been created. It is not on me.

[Don La Greca]

You're trying. And I'm not saying it isn't working with certain people, but for me, I mean, I, I, I, I'm, I'm happy to have Juan Soto. I'm, I'm anxious to see how he's going to do against his old team. I understand the interest. I get it. But the real juice you're talking about is how are the Yankee fans going to treat Soto? How are the Yankees going to stick it to Soto? Because that's where no, the juice, Yankee fans are angry. They hate Juan Soto for doing what he did.

[Alan Hahn]

I, I don't understand how you don't see this. How Soto performs in the, at Yankee Stadium for his first visit, how he performed, how the fans react is part of the deal. It's part of the atmosphere. What he does, I mean, that's, you just said he'd have a moment. What he does is intriguing as hell. Every, I bet. I'm curious.

[Don La Greca]

I'm not denying how intriguing it is. But I just, but I, I, how.

[Alan Hahn]

The Mets do head to head with the Yankees. What does it look like? Like there's a lot of that that's going on here.

[Don La Greca]

But I, but here's the thing. And I just, I would feel that if there was no Juan Soto, because it's two first place teams, man, you know, many times we had subway series where one team's great and the other stinks or both teams stink or both teams are.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, so you agree with me.

[Don La Greca]

They're both first place teams.

[Alan Hahn]

So you agree with me. That's also part of the sizzle.

[Don La Greca]

I'm talking about. That, to me is the main part. So we're just arguing about the semantics.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don La Greca]

You're going to rank everything to me, to me, Soto, judge or react. That that's all, that's secondary to the fact that I just, I love the fact that it's two first place teams in New York, after watching the pap that we watched in the NFL with two teams who couldn't even friggin function.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you.

[Don La Greca]

You know, a hockey season where, you know, all the expectations with the Rangers and nothing and the Islanders collapse at the end of the season and Devils get bounced in the first round with almost out a whimper, you know, the Knicks have given us something and that's why we're talking about both here today. But you know, but to have two teams in this market in first place like that, that, that to me is the main story. Everything else is an appetizer. The main course is two first place teams battling out in front of 50,000 people. 1-800-919-3776. We got a big, big show. It's fraud alert Friday coming up at 4:30, Big Enn coming up at 6. And we're leading you into of course, the Mets and the Yankees right here on 880 ESPN. But also don't forget on 1050 with coverage beginning at 7, the Knicks and the Celtics, game 6 for the right for the Knicks with a win to advance to the conference final for the first time in 2000. What a day of sports. Don Hanna Rosenberg on 880 ESPN New York and ESPN New York app. Peter, I need therapy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, I'd like to talk to you then, Anthony.

[Don La Greca]

Thank you. There was a lot that happened there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure. And it's a message brought to you by our friends at Better Help because May is mental health awareness month and I want to encourage everyone to take care of their mentals. You know what I mean? Give yourself a break and break the stigma because the world is better when people are healthy and happy. Mental health awareness is growing, but there's still progress to be made. 26% of Americans who participate in a recent survey said that they've avoided seeking mental health support because of fear of judgment. Alright, that's a very real thing and it's, it's silly, but it's real. And BetterHelp has over 10 years of experience matching people with the right therapist from their diverse network of more than 30,000 licensed therapists with a wide range of specialties. BetterHelp is fully online, making therapy affordable and convenient, serving over 5 million people worldwide. Easily switch therapists anytime at no cost. We're all better with help. Visit betterhelp.com timeout to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

It's not just for celebrities, so do like I did and have one of.

[Don La Greca]

Your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

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See full [e-mail].

[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han 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.

[Don La Greca]

This Yankee starting lineup is brought to you by Certipro Painters. So Grishams, who's had an amazing season. 12 home runs leading off playing center field. Judge leads baseball with 15 home runs. He's batting second and right, Bellinger batting third. He will be in left field batting cleanup as Goldschmidt and he'll be at first base. The Martian Dominguez is your DH batting fifth, the Volpes at shortstop batting sixth. Austin Wells is behind the plate batting seventh. Parraza is batting eighth at third base and Vivas is at second base and batting ninth with Rodin on the bump for the Yankees. Let's throw the Mets lineup in there as well. Lindor leading off at shortstop. Soto is in right field batting second, Alonso batting third playing first base. Vientos is cleaning up and will play third. Nimmo batting fifth in left field. Marte is your DH Alvarez behind the plate. Acuna is batting eighth and playing second base. And Taylor is in center field batting ninth with McGill, the starting pitcher for the New York Mets. That's the Yankee starting lineup brought to you by certapro Painters. When choosing a painting professional for your home or business, the choice is simple. Choose happy. Choose Certapro Painters. Let's get to the busy phones. 1-800-919-3776. We know how busy a day it is with the Yankees and the Mets playing. And also we've got game six of the second round between the Celtics and the Knicks. So let's get to the calls at 1-800-919-3776. And for some reason I lost my call screener, but I do remember Danny Long. Oh, no, you're on ESPN New York. How are you, Danny, leading it off today.

[D]

I got to take the first pitch. Okay, there it goes. Now, now I'm in the game. Obviously we all should make sure we have fresh batteries in remote control. But I'm a big time Met fan, a much less of a Knicks fan. I'm watching the Knicks tonight. I want to talk about two things. One, because this, this game with the Knicks, if you win this game, you can win the championship. This is just one of 162 games for the Mets that happens to be against the Yankees. And yes, I like to beat the Yankees, but if the Mets go on and lose in the divisional round of the playoffs, I'm not going to look back at 20, 25. It's a year that came 37 against the Yankees. That was really a great win. No, this game has ramifications of championship and we could be Talking about this 20 years from now if I'm still alive. So I'll be checking on the Mets, probably locked in on the Nick game. As far as the Mets are concerned, you know, I don't even watch. I don't even look at standings for the first month. I like to let the season breathe. The season is no longer young, whereas we're a quarter of the way in. Memorial Day will be here in two weeks and that's the third of the season. And one of those great baseball, you know, milestones. I've watched a lot of the games. I don't, I don't claim to watch every single bat. I have a life. I look at Soto and I think it's, I think I do get all say he's not played well. He's been a little less than we thought he's going to be. Then I go on Baseball reference and I see that Mr. Soto is exactly on par for his.162 game average, which is 100 RBI and 31 or 32 home runs. And I thought that's his, that's his 162 game average. Because last year when he had, you know, Rushmore guy batting behind him, he had 40 home runs in a 309 foot right field pole. And he was unbelievable. So if we're only going to get 30 and 101, I mean, that's, that's a great hall of Fame career if you play for 20 years. But is that it? Is that Juan Soto? I don't think that that was worth the hoopla of. I mean, obviously we're glad we have him and he certainly helped us, but when I watch him hit, I don't see the same player that I saw this year. I remember last year, it was so aggravating. He would stare down the picture and say, okay, I know what you're doing. He'd bob his head. He was full of pitch and vinegar. I don't see that. I see check swings, the first baseman, I see loss. I can't tell you how many times he's down O2 in the count. He looks like a different player to me so far. So I really would like the Mets to win, but I'd really like to see Mr. Soto start to look like the player that we paid for. Because right now it's fairly, it's above pedestrian. But it's not Mount Rushmore and his salary. It certainly is Mount Rushmore.

[Don La Greca]

See, this is where there's a lot of confusion, Danny, and thank you for the phone call because you're not alone in, in that assessment of him statistically. Like, people go, why do they call him Ted Williams? I don't see going into last year, he never had more than 35 home runs. He never had more than 110 RBIs. Like, why are they talking about him like he's some kind of baseball God? What you got to look at are the other stats that they salivate with analytics. All right? The fact is, is that this is a guy that would have for his career an on base percentage of.419. It's 380 right now. This is a guy that had a slugging percentage, career.529. It's 465 right now. So he is completely off his normal totals. But guys, I remember getting phone calls from Yankee fans during the K show last year. Remember, Peter? Like, I don't know why we're making a big deal about this guy, I looked at his stats and, you know, they don't blow my mind. He doesn't have Aaron Judge stats, he doesn't have Barry Bonds. But there's little things that he does that makes him an amazing ball player offensively. And some of those things we haven't quite seen yet. Yeah, he's walking, but he's striking out. I think a lot more than we're used to seeing, not working the counts, not getting on base as much as we've seen. So I do think what Danny is looking at, the numbers that I think a lot of even Yankee fans said, why are we making a big deal about this guy? And then you watch him play and then you realize why you make such a big deal about it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's. And so I guess you're both right, because Danny is right. He has not been that guy quite yet. But I would also say, Danny, relax and give it time. And I, and I do understand that his numbers. Listen, is he worthy of the greatest salary in the history of professional sports? No. But no one ever is. The people who get the biggest salary, it's never Michael Jordan, who got the biggest salary in the history of basketball. That's just not how things work. But is he in a really, really obscenely high category? He is. Give him time. And also we talked about the Judge comparisons, guys. For the record, he's still 26 years old. He hasn't even necessarily reached the peak yet.

[Don La Greca]

That's the thing that got him the big contract, the timing, and also his age. Can you imagine what Judge would have gotten if he were 25 years old when he became a free agent and not, you know, approaching 30? Here's the other stat that they. You got to look into Ops, you know, first career is 948. It's 845. It's 100 points off the pace. So there's a lot of things that don't necessarily pop. I'm an old school guy. Batting average, home runs, RBIs. Those are the three stats that I care about. But it goes a little bit deeper than that with Soto and I think, you know, and we still waiting for that one big moment. Remember opening night, opening day against Houston? He struck out. And a chance to get a base hit to, to win the game. Little things have just not started the way I think a lot of Met fans had hoped. Dov in Huntington. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Dove?

[E]

Well, good afternoon, gentlemen. How are you?

[Don La Greca]

Good.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, Dove.

[E]

Hello. Hello. Listen, last time I called, In I Clubber Langda Allen because of your little Yankee boy take about Juan Soto. And you're making me do it again. Oh, my God. So, all right, round two. You keep trying to manufacture this debate between Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. It reeks to me of a big brother whose little brother has started to get bigger and stronger and grow up and you're starting to get worried. So the only thing that you know you can do better at this point is throw a ball farther. So you say, let's have a contest. Let's see who can throw a ball farther because you want to make yourself feel good. It's a self fulfilling prophecy. And if you want to know, know that the Yankees are losing control of this town. It's that they're fixating so much on little wins against the Mets. Oh, can we have him play bad against us tonight? That'll make us feel like we're going to win a World Series. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, wow. Dope. I love when you call it because you, you are. You always come prepared, which is great. You're a Huntington. You're a Huntington guy. You know, bottles and cases.

[E]

I love bottles. And Katie, did their buy one, get one for a dollar sale actually the other week.

[Alan Hahn]

So I'll tell you what, I'm going to buy one and the one I get for a dollar I'm going to give to you. You tell me what your favorite is of anything they have. But this is the deal. If no one writes about Soto versus Judge this whole weekend in all the tabloids, if not a single story is about the two of them, that's not fair. What do you mean? He told me I'm manufacturing it.

[Don La Greca]

Well, you. But no, no, I think he's manufactured people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's saying people and you. People like you and of your illness.

[Alan Hahn]

Can we play it back? We can play it back. I believe that I'm trying to manufacture.

[E]

Well, it is. It's both, Alan. It is you personally and it's also the proverbial you. Yes, it's Yankee fans who are trying to manufacture again.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not. If, if, if every single tabloid doesn't write a single thing about Judge and Soto this weekend, all it is about wins and losses and how do I.

[E]

Do inside track on the writer somewhere?

[Alan Hahn]

What do you mean inside track? I'm not in that business anymore. I'm not a journalist anymore. I'm a radio guy.

[Don La Greca]

I'm a radio guy making up the narratives.

[Alan Hahn]

Making up narratives. What do you mean?

[Don La Greca]

Dove can speak for Himself just fine. But, but, but don't go by what the tabloids do, because they're aiming for the Casuals. The Casuals are all going to watch this. That's why the ratings are going to be very comparable to the Knicks tonight, believe it or not, Even though the Knicks game is way more important, is because this is where all of they come out of the woodwork now. And that's what keeps people interested, because not everybody's a baseball fan. Not everybody is going to be that intrigued by a May 16 baseball game. But the whole idea of interleague play was to conjure these things up. It's a way to make uninteresting regular season baseball interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why they have it.

[Don La Greca]

We have it to begin with. And it's to bring out the Casuals, who don't care about the win and loss as much as, oh, let's see, this Judge vs. Soto thing where the people that are in the know, the fans know that it's not as big a deal because Judge is the better player. Like so. So it really, it's. It's a rigged debate. Like I said, all the matter. Listen, I'll lose all six games this year to the Yankees if it means this. My Mets are going to win a championship. And any Met fan, logically, is going to think that. But the Casuals come out of the Woodworker and get intrigued by all the other ancillary stuff because the game doesn't interest them. So they need something to get through.

[Alan Hahn]

Hmm. So Joel Sherman.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I do. I do agree.

[Alan Hahn]

Feeds the Casuals. Joel Sherman does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Joel Sherman's not a good example. Joel Sherman's not writing the back page of the post.

[Alan Hahn]

He's not. Because his story in today's Post is about considering ownership circumstances. Soto ended up in the right place for both New York teams, which is just what I said a few minutes ago. I just looked this up. So he did a whole story about this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, there's. No, no, there's certainly a story to be written about Juan Soto's. Well, no, hold on.

[Alan Hahn]

I was told I was manufacturing this whole thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's two. There's two. These can both be true. Don, I think you would agree there can be a reasonable article written this week on Soto's first game back in the Bronx that is a reasonable thing to write about without also saying, let's act like it's the be all, end all and it's all.

[Don La Greca]

Any.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Any. It's the only thing fans are thinking about. Again, Don, you hear What I'm saying.

[Alan Hahn]

I have to remind you said this is the first chapter. This is the start of it. This is the beginning. This is what makes it fun. This is the first reference you're gonna have the first meeting. That's what gives it juice. That's all I'm saying, guys. Like, I honestly, I really feel like this. There's juice in this. Not just because it's met Yankees. It goes beyond that. They're both first place teams. Very good. Both of them could argue one way or another. Like just said, Joe Sherman said that, you know, the Yankees might have been better off that they didn't sign Soto. The Mets are way better off that they have Soto because of the significance of. Of taking a player of his caliber and saying, we got the wherewithal, we could swing it and sign a guy like that. Like, I'm telling you, like, I feel like there's a lot of juice just because of that. And then the Soto Judge thing, this is kind of the first chapter. But the chapter, the conclusion won't be written until whoever wins the first championship and then it's right. It can Judge overcome what people say about him, which he's a great regular season guy who can't win. And Soto, who's already won a championship if he wins before judge. Oh, my God. You think that won't get louder? Of course it will.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm somewhere between you guys.

[Alan Hahn]

First chapter. This is at the be all, end all. It's just the beginning. And I'm all for somewhere between you guys this. In this town.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm somewhere between you guys on this. I do think it's a really big deal this year, more than any other year. I've said it many times. This is the most important Subway Series that has ever existed since the World Series. This is this. All the other ones, they've been cute. This one I think will really matter. Almost a bit of a shame it's running up against the Knicks in the playoffs, to be honest. But it goes beyond the Soto piece is one. One piece of it. But to me, the bigger story, and Soto is a part of that, is that the Mets have become a force to be reckoned with because of ownership and because of the way they operate. Soto's in that story. It's not the entire story, in my opinion.

[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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.

[Don La Greca]

But Addicts Fan Fest is making its return to New York City this summer at the Javits center from Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 22, a three day celebration where sports culture and collecting converge, bringing fans closer to their favorite athletes and sports leagues than ever before with appearances from your favorite athletes, celebrities and entertainers, live podcasts and a full schedule of panels featuring the most recognized names in sports. You can enter to win a four pack of tickets on the ESPN New York app, Find the contest tile and submit your entry. Adults and kid tickets are available now@fanatics fest.com Knicks and Mets, Yankees all on the table at 1-800-919-3776. Let's go back to the phones. OT on Long Island. You're on ESPN New York. Hey Scarlett, how you doing? Good.

[Alan Hahn]

What's up?

[E]

Nothing much man. Allen, I just to let you know man, I got your back, man. I don't feel like these Mets fans are being genuine when they say that they're not concerned about how Soto's going to produce tonight against the Yankees. All the Met fans that I know are very loud and proud about Soto and that's all they can wait for is to see what he's going to do and hopefully bash the Yankees.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah it's all part of the fun. I want to win the game otherwise the season's boring. It goes on forever. If you don't have these individual moments where you have that chance to stick each other out and just have some fun because we all know that October is when it matters most. But can I have a moment in May I can I have that moment in May where I could you know we could have dueling chance but I.

[Don La Greca]

Still have back in the game.

[Alan Hahn]

Why not?

[Don La Greca]

But, but, but. Oh T you'd still agree that you still have to win the game?

[E]

Oh absolutely. 100%. The win is important but I think that you guys are being dismissive of the that that storyline to say that there is no storyline about but what.

[Don La Greca]

I'm saying OT for me I can't speak for Met fans. Soto goes 0 for 4 with four strikeouts and that's when the game I'm good.

[E]

I think that that is the few.

[Don La Greca]

And far between but why would anything else matter again? Maybe it's because I'm still waiting for Juan Soto to be a Met. I want Juan Soto to help the Mets win games. They're in first place and he really hasn't done a lot. I want him to do well because I think ultimately for the Mets to have success he's going to have to start to hit OT but him sticking it to the Yankees. Get me the dub man. That's what I'm in for.

[E]

I I would agree 100% because I.

[Don La Greca]

Feel the same way.

[E]

If Judge strikes out every at bat tonight but the Yankees win that's what's.

[D]

Going to matter for me.

[Alan Hahn]

But I mean yeah but if you had but OT you know how this goes. Judge strikes out, Yankees still win. But there are Mets fans. You know that at least tweak you like you know you need to say.

[D]

Though but you will heal the Mets.

[E]

In you will hear the Mets fan barking and beating their chest like civil back gorillas about how Judge struck out.

[Don La Greca]

But you know what? Not me. You're trying to make me into something I'm not man. I I can't anybody that knows me that's just the consistency. I'm not going to fake anything on the air. Peter will tell you I've worked with him for 10 years Alan. You'd know me for 20. I'm not going to create some false narrative. I'm just about to w I want to see my team win. Okay. They haven't wanted going on 39 years so I Want to see the win. So I'm not going to. You think I'm going to like text Allen if Soto goes four for four and, and, and Judge goes over four and the Mets lose and I'm going to, I'm going to like text him, Judge, you would, you would have the right to slap me on Monday.

[Alan Hahn]

You saw me if I did like that. You're not built like that. This isn't for us. This is like I'm telling. This is the school bus, man. Because you need something. I got to say something. So while. Okay, so yeah, it might seem lost, but your star sucks. Like, like you need something then.

[Don La Greca]

No, that's more on vill to me. I mean like, like if that, if you, if you're, if you're a Met fan, like any Met fan who cares about taking over the town, moron. If you're some Met fan that is going to take some pride in Soto beating out Judge in a loss, moron. Like, what are you in this for, man? You gotta clap back if your team's better not trying to find. Well, at least Soto did this. Who cares? Because the answer to a Yankee fans would be, listen, you lost the game. Who cares? Like who cares about owning the town? I don't care about owning the town. They're probably not ever going to do that again. They did that back in the 80s because the Yankees were down and the Mets all of a sudden started winning a bunch of. Won a championship, won a bunch of games and it was temporary. Got taken back again. It's been 30 years, man. I don't think it's going to happen again. But does it matter?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm having this fun debate right now with fans on Twitter that I put out during one of the breaks. I retweeted the Major League Baseball actually put this out the graphic we just talked to. The Mets have been in perfect sync with the Knicks throughout the Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston. And so, and it actually says, so Celtics fans, are you rooting for the Yankees tonight? And all I said was I'm so conflicted. And the amount of Yankee fans that are saying like, like Mikey said, the Mets, the Mets can win the next hundred games versus the Yankees if I get tonight. Others are saying, is it that wrong if the Mets win tonight if it means the Knicks get to go to the Eastern Conference finals. Like there's this, it's amazing. So I'm curious to see how many. And this is a combo Yankee Nick fans, are you willing to sacrifice tonight just for that? Like if it, if it does mean that everything holds as we've seen the trend hold. Would you. Are you sacrificing today? The obvious answer is yes, of course, because it's a regular season game. But it is the Mets. Like, it's. You know, like, it's. I don't know. I just. It's fun because I'm laughing like I'm a huge Yankee fan. If it means them losing a meaningless regular season game and the Knicks winning, then I'm all for it.

[Don La Greca]

Like, gotta be. I mean, just do the math.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that even close? If you're actually a Knicks fan, object.

[Alan Hahn]

But I was. Again. You never know how people feel. You could feel one way, but you don't know. Everybody else agrees.

[Don La Greca]

The great thing about this town is there are a lot of people that are way bigger Met or Yankee fans than they are Nick fans. So it's easy to just say, yeah. But if you're a big Knick fan, that can't possibly be on the table.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don, Alan and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.