Hour 1: Mets Collapse

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Mets Collapse (Hour 1, 9/29/2025)

Main Theme

The hosts dissect the catastrophic late-season collapse of the New York Mets, exploring how one of MLB's highest payrolls and biggest free-agent splashes (Juan Soto) ended in historic failure. The conversation balances detailed autopsy with characteristic New York wit, delving into fan psychology, front office missteps, and the ever-present Yankees-Mets narrative.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reaction to the Mets’ Collapse

• Severity of Collapse: The hosts position this as "one of the worst things that has happened to the Mets ever," comparing it to similar historic collapses (05:59–06:07).
• Embarrassment Factor: Don insists this is even worse than the infamous 2007 Mets collapse: “The Mets chased the Reds down. Reds stink.” (05:41–05:57).
• No Excuses: Don is livid that the Mets lost out to “an under.500 team” (the Marlins), not a powerhouse, emphasizing the humiliation (34:00–34:45).

2. Fan Base Drama: Yankees vs. Mets, Social Media Narratives

• “Owning the Town” Argument: Heated debate over whether Mets fans ever genuinely believed they’d “taken over New York” after signing Juan Soto, or if this is a narrative inflated by a loud minority and social media (06:06–09:55).
  • Don: “Any Met fan who thought they own the town before they even played a game that they got Juan Soto is a moron” (13:33–13:55).
• Small vs. Large Fanbase Behavior: Michael and Peter stress that a few brash Mets fans shape perception: “Because they're the loud minority…that represents you because of how loud they are” (14:08–14:18).
• Yankees Fans Relishing Mets’ Failure: Michael claims Yankees fans “are euphoric” because of overconfident Mets boasting after the Soto signing (12:50–13:00).

3. Juan Soto Signing & Its Real Impact

• Was It Worth It? The panel debate if signing Soto was “worth it” after the failed season. Don argues the story can’t be written after just one year of a 15-year deal (24:39–25:34):
  • Don: “Come on man. No, seriously, come on, man. Was it worth it? He's got 14 years left on his deal, Alan.”
  • Michael: “I would sign him a thousand times out of a thousand times. If I'm the Mets...he's a great player” (25:34–25:46).
• Press Conference Spin: Michael and Don laughingly dismiss Soto’s claim that he chose the Mets because they were closer to a title than the Yankees—they agree, "It's always about the money." (11:52–12:50).

4. Front Office Scrutiny: Stearns and Mendoza

• Stearns Takes Heat: Don: “I think Stearns has to take a hit. Yeah, I guess...he built a good team, but was there chemistry?” noting that deadline acquisitions and bullpen moves all failed (15:13–16:10).
• Manager on Hot Seat: Mendoza is not in immediate risk per Stearns, but Don concedes, “It's closer to a conversation with Mendoza than it is for Stearns...” (28:10–28:16).
• High Payroll, Low Return: Don calls out the “criminal” failure to make playoffs with a $300 million+ payroll (23:43–24:05).

5. Clubhouse Chemistry, Heart, and Leadership

• No Heart: Fault isn’t just in numbers—Don says, “He built a great fantasy team and he built a great analytics team. But this team had no heart. This team had no gumption when it mattered.” (19:17–19:53).
• Clubhouse “Odd Couple”: Michael suggests a clash between Lindor’s carefree attitude and Soto’s businesslike approach, hinting at possible clubhouse disconnect (18:50–19:16).
• Seeking Change: Discussion over whether drastic moves, like trading Pete Alonso, are justified or if that would be "change for change's sake" (20:24–21:13).

6. Statistical Autopsy

• Exposing Flaws: Peter and Don break down the numbers:
  • “34 and 47 on the road...23 and 26 in one run games...That tells you there's something missing" (37:06–38:04).
  • The Mets "averaged 82 wins a year" over the last three years despite huge payroll (28:53–28:58).

7. Comparing to Other NY Sports Disappointments

• Mets Collapse Ranks Worst: Asked whether the Mets' collapse compares to other recent local letdowns (Jets, Knicks, Rangers), Don is definitive: “I don't even think it's a conversation. This is way worse than anything that's happened recently.” (45:03–45:11).
• Historical Precedent: Only twice before in baseball history has a team been 21 games over .500 and missed the playoffs: the 1977 Cubs and 1905 Indians (45:57–46:00).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Nature of the Collapse

• “This is an absolute, unmitigated, embarrassed. The worst kind of...one of the worst things that has happened to the Mets ever.”
  — Don Hahn (06:00–06:07)

• “We’re a worthless piece of garbage organization right now. Hopefully we’ll get up from it.”
  — Don Hahn (35:32–35:37)

Fanbase Feuds & Perception

• “The Yankees have owned the town for 30 years. You think it's all of a sudden going to change overnight? Stupid.”
  — Don Hahn (07:41–07:47)

• “You love that. He loves his favorite kind of pool. It is. Because I just don't think. Because I think you're feeding into them.”
  — Don Hahn (09:45–09:55)

Soto Signing & Expectations

• “Was it worth it? He's got 14 years left on his deal, Alan.”
  — Don Hahn (25:09–25:11)

• “I would sign him a thousand times out of a thousand times. …he's a great player”
  — Michael Kay (25:34–25:46)

Criticism of Mets’ Organization and Culture

• "He built a great fantasy team ... But this team had no heart."
  — Don Hahn (19:17–19:53)

• "Stop worrying about the Yankees and worry about yourself. Own the town, my ass. How about owning above .500 record..."
  — Don Hahn (35:32–36:00)

Historical Perspective

• "You're the third team in the history of baseball to do it—with your division and three wild cards."
  — Don Hahn (46:13–46:24)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mets’ Embarrassment: 05:41–06:07
• “Owning the Town” Debate: 06:06–09:55, 13:33–13:55
• Juan Soto “Worth It?” 24:39–25:46
• Front Office Critique: 15:13–16:10, 27:55–29:00
• Chemistry/Clubhouse Issues: 18:50–19:53, 19:17–19:53
• Statistical Breakdown: 37:06–38:32
• Historical Precedent of Collapse: 45:30–46:24

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Tone & Style

• Candid and Blunt: The hosts don’t sugarcoat; they’re direct, sometimes cutting, often sardonic—especially Don, who channels the long-suffering Mets fan’s rage.
• Witty Banter: Regular jabs, sarcasm, and sidewise humor, even in the midst of serious critique. (E.g., “You love that. He loves his favorite kind of pool.”)
• Passionate Engagement: Both analytical and emotional, inviting listener catharsis as well as strategic ideas.

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Conclusion

The show paints a nuanced yet scathing portrait of the Mets’ season—from the highest offseason hopes (landing superstar Juan Soto) to a dismal, historic collapse. Fan dynamics and narrative spin are dissected, but the sentiment is clear: action is required beyond scapegoating and surface fixes. As Don sums up: “I don’t want to own the town. I just want to own the trophy they give out at the end of every year. That’s what I want to own.” (17:47–17:56)

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For more catharsis, analysis, and NY sports therapy, tune in to the next hour or join the YouTube couch cast during Jets-Dolphins tonight.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

And Rosenberg, happy New Jewish New Year. Not Newish Jew Year. This is in North Dakota. This is New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Don Hahn]

The best threesome I've ever heard on ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube. 3 o' clock in the big city. Don Hahn in Rosenberg with you until seven. And then if you're watching on YouTube like you should, like you dream about, then you just pivot right to the couch. Cast tonight, where everybody is going to be involved as we watch the jets and the Dolphins as the jets try to get their first win of the season the way the Giants did. And Michael is going to be a part of it. And he's nice enough to join us here to start the show. Hi, Michael.

[Michael Kay]

Hi, Don.

[Don Hahn]

Get your Marty McFly vest on. Appreciate that. Oh, we're off and running. Shots being fired early. Wow.

[Michael Kay]

He's got something to say to me. That's the only reason he's having me hang around.

[Don Hahn]

I heard. I got a little preview. He didn't seem happy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was the line from Back to the Future when they. When he had the vest on, what.

[Don Hahn]

Did the guy say?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You come. You just get off a boat or something like that, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's about. Yeah, it's the vest and the. And the pants. Yeah. So you look good.

[Michael Kay]

Thanks.

[Don Hahn]

I appreciate you giving us a couple of minutes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A man who is finally done traveling and game after game after game, you get your nights back. Pretty soon.

[Don Hahn]

School'S out for something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Look at the smile on this man's face.

[Michael Kay]

I mean, this could go on till November 1.

[Don Hahn]

That is true every night. I'm still working, hopefully, but not in the same capacity.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not traveling.

[Michael Kay]

You're not traveling home at 1 in the morning.

[Don Hahn]

I know, but you're not traveling.

[Michael Kay]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. That's part of it.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And we'll see. We'll see how far this Yankee run goes.

[Michael Kay]

Congratulations. As I said.

[Don Hahn]

Well, no, this is. This is. This is very.

[Michael Kay]

This is tough, which I find interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don told me. I'm not worried about The Blue Jays.

[Don Hahn]

I said, that's what he told. I told him. He said, believe this. I still believe it's a much tougher path than last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Michael Kay]

Because you have no respect for Central Division.

[Don Hahn]

No. And nor should I.

[Michael Kay]

And you don't even like their families.

[Don Hahn]

No, I. Listen, I don't know. Hates the families, but I'm sure they're very vanilla like the rest of the division is. Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Michael Kay]

Wow is.

[Don Hahn]

I said. I said it last week and I'll double down. Even though the Blue Jays give them credit, they did what they had to do. They swept the Rays and they held on to. The vision is that if the Yankees get by the Red Sox, they're going to the World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He did say that.

[Michael Kay]

Meanwhile, I think this will be tough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Toronto's record against playoff teams, 38 and 28. Run differential plus 31.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Best in the American League.

[Don Hahn]

And what has it been down the stretch when they could have finished off the Yankees much sooner than the last playoff game the season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just telling you, they play well against the good team.

[Don Hahn]

They had a chance to finish the Yankees off a couple of weeks ago during the gauntlet, as Michael called it, and they lost two out of three.

[Michael Kay]

And they also lost two important pitchers.

[Don Hahn]

All right, I'm standing about what I said. Can I ask Michael one more thing, though, before you get to it?

[Michael Kay]

You're.

[Don Hahn]

Because you're about something that's kind of slightly different than just the Yankees. Do you feel, Michael, there's a chance that an incredibly competitive three game, three games between the Red Sox and Yankees could reignite this thing to getting to where it, like, used to be? Because the Red Sox and Yankees has not had the same judge in recent years.

[Michael Kay]

Well, I think. I think it will tomorrow. It'll start. You know, it hasn't had the judge because the Red Sox have fallen into the habit of finishing in the last place.

[Don Hahn]

Right. Or winning the World Series?

[Michael Kay]

Well, they haven't won it since 2018, and they've won three since the Yankees won their last one. But they've had, you know, fourth last place finishes during that time, too.

[Don Hahn]

So. But. So that. But do you think.

[Michael Kay]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

This series could do a lot.

[Michael Kay]

It's gonna be red hot.

[Don Hahn]

That'd be awesome. I really. I hope you're right. No, it should be. And obviously the narrative changes completely if the Yankees were to lose.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You know, that the hatred for the Red Sox would probably build and build and build.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I had to move this out of the way so I can get full.

[Don Hahn]

I Thought you were showing me something on the computer. I needed full front.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay. Peter's looking over like he's Mr. Wilson over the fence, like you gotta move.

[Don Hahn]

It out of the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You gotta agree, it's a great point.

[Don Hahn]

By you, but obviously. Let's go. And we're live on YouTube. We're gonna set records for this. Everything I listened to the start of your show, I had to listen to.

[Michael Kay]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

I always make sure, just listen, that whatever happens, I'm listening at one o'.

[Michael Kay]

Clock. And we shouted all the YouTube records, by the way.

[Don Hahn]

I had to listen. You did?

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Of course you did. Hold on, hold on. How high to get?

[Michael Kay]

I think 25 over 2100.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Excellent.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, of course.

[Don Hahn]

Strong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that surprising?

[Don Hahn]

What if it was?

[Michael Kay]

Don, Please, Don, go.

[Don Hahn]

Well, because I got to flip to the app. I wasn't on YouTube because I was driving. I wanted to be responsible. But you flip to the app when you. I'm in the Holland Tunnel because I didn't want to miss a word. Which is interesting because then when I get on the app, I'm behind and then I'm caught up by the time I get out. But whatever. First you got to talk about the app. I was all it is. I think this is worse than 2007, because 2007, you lost to a really good team that was hot. The Mets got cold. Phillies got hot. They blew a seven game lead with 17 left to play. They. They chased down the Reds. The Reds didn't chase the Mets down. The Mets chased the Reds down. Reds stink.

[Michael Kay]

All right with you.

[Don Hahn]

This thing that's going around in Cincinnati, like where they got like Dan Grass and Sal talking about, I don't fear the Reds. Oh, I fear the Mets. The Mets lost it. I don't want to. I don't want to throw any shade to the Reds. Good for them. They got no payroll. Great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They backed in.

[Michael Kay]

But what did I say wrong?

[Don Hahn]

The Mets stalked them down. All right, so you're right. This is an absolute, unmitigated, embarrassed. The worst kind of. One of the worst things that has happened to the Mets ever. And Yankee fans should relish in it because we've had those conversations. Don't be a fraud. You root for both teams. I want the New York teams to do well. Garbage. You should love it if you're a Yankee fan, just like any Met fan would love it if the reverse had taken place. But what I had taken exception to you is that forget social media, it's a cesspool. I don't know if there's been no Met fans on this station. Me, Dave, Rick. All right. Anybody behind the scenes. Any Met fan that I know ever uttered in any kind of seriousness. Oh, now we've taken over the town because we got Soto. What kind of good. Nobody who would think that. Forget about the social media garbage.

[Michael Kay]

You take phone calls. That's all that we're saying.

[Don Hahn]

But they might have been going to take over what town?

[Michael Kay]

You didn't hear that phrase?

[Don Hahn]

I saw it on. I saw it on social media. What logical Met fan would call up and say, we now own the town because we took Juan.

[Michael Kay]

So aren't those mutually exclusive words? What do you mean, logical Met fan?

[Don Hahn]

Well, see, this is what I was going to get into. When you're calling Met fans, creeps on the air.

[Michael Kay]

The certain subset that all. But every time I would get a tweet.

[Don Hahn]

But why is it. Why is it, though, Peter, Go ahead. I'm listening. That the very vocal minority of people, the Yo, Yo. Because any idiot. And I will call them idiots. All right? That would think because the Mets got Juan Soto before they even played a game that they're going to own the town. Give me a break. The Yankees have owned the town for 30 years. You think it's all of a sudden going to change overnight? Stupid.

[Michael Kay]

You said. No, you said. I know. You didn't say. That was right. A lot of Met fans.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think it was a lot of Met fans. I don't think it's a lot of Met fans.

[Michael Kay]

They won the World Series and they took the secret.

[Don Hahn]

No, this is the problem that I have. Here we go. Is that because I think a lot of Yankee fans, because we took phone calls on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Who are like, yeah, the Met fans stuck out their chest because they got Juan Soto. I wasn't allowed to stick out my chest. I wasn't proud of my organization to finally reach out and get one of the biggest free agents in the history of the sport.

[Michael Kay]

Absolutely.

[Don Hahn]

Like, it feels like Yankee fans were like, well, what are you talking for? So you got Juan Soto. We couldn't be proud and happy that we got Juan Soto.

[Michael Kay]

But again, maybe you're. You're saying that, you know, social media is a cesspool, but it is our connection as well.

[Don Hahn]

Because they went after you because of the stupid comments that. Not. Not that your comments were stupid, but the way they were taken about that. He's.

[Michael Kay]

He was glum.

[Don Hahn]

He was glum being a man, Peter. Glum boy.

[Michael Kay]

I remember that now. Just. I want you to know, Peter, I Want you to be proud of me. I always look for your pride in me.

[Don Hahn]

Thank you.

[Michael Kay]

How I've grown.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

Because there was a part of me. Because there was a lot of pictures of Juan Soto in the dugout yesterday looking very, very Gl.

[Don Hahn]

And you didn't post.

[Michael Kay]

And I was going to post one and go, guess I was right. But no, I've.

[Don Hahn]

You're better than let's. So I don't. I don't get why it's. You should be upset if you're a Met fan, obviously. And Yankee fans should be very happy about it.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But you know it's not over. Right. I mean, because what if. Probably won't happen because it's the Mets, but if they. If they turn around and win the championship next year. So he's not glum anymore. Like, it's still fluid. He's got 14 years left on his contract.

[Michael Kay]

But you do know that I said he was glum entering. I didn't say he was going to be glum for the rest of his life.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Michael Kay]

But that subset of Met.

[Don Hahn]

Busy. Right.

[Michael Kay]

But I harped on it.

[Don Hahn]

I don't understand why you give fuel to those people.

[Michael Kay]

Because they give me fuel.

[Don Hahn]

But it's successful.

[Michael Kay]

But I thrive in a cesspool.

[Don Hahn]

You love that. He loves his favorite kind of pool. It is. Because I just don't think. Because I think you're feeding into them. Any Met fan who think, oh, we're going to own the town because I want. So we didn't even play the game yet.

[Michael Kay]

Allen, did you hear that from Matt? Fans now Big brother.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I wanted to check to see just to get the timing right. Soto signed on the 11th of December.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You guys still had three days of show left together. 13th was. Was a Christmas show.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was the last one. Okay. So you had three days. We don't have the archive since we moved, but yet three days of calls. Now I was.

[Don Hahn]

People being happy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was with Bart that week. We were in the midday. And I absolutely remember those calls.

[Don Hahn]

Absolutely.

[Michael Kay]

A lot of hanging on the rim, Don. I'm not making a lot of headache.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A lot of. Look at you switching the story. You don't. You didn't get them. Now you're making it out like it could be. How could you say it could be better for the Yankees? Those weren't coming from Yankees fans, Don.

[Don Hahn]

But why couldn't a Met fan be happy that they got Juan Soto?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They should be joyous.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Happy. And then they're spitting in your face.

[Michael Kay]

They spit in the Face happy. They really do.

[Don Hahn]

Listen, I don't. I. I wasn't one of those people. I don't think the majority are just happy. But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you just say karma, karma, good karma, great karma.

[Don Hahn]

And what if the Yankees lose to the Red Sox? Then you took a step back without Juan. So. Still got to the point, don't you think? Yankee fans are hanging on the rim a little more? 94 games lose the next two games against the Red Sox and Michael had a better season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How many wins did the Yankees have last year with Soto?

[Michael Kay]

Same amount as this year.

[Don Hahn]

94. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How many wins this year? 94. How's it a step back? Same amount of wins.

[Michael Kay]

Well, if they don't go to the World Series.

[Don Hahn]

Right. They don't go to the World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a lot harder of a road, as you said. Yeah, but we've acknowledged that that's still.

[Don Hahn]

A better season than the Mets. But I just said it's still a work in Progress here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's -11 with the Mets and wins. -11.

[Michael Kay]

And also, forget about the Met fans, all right? Because you're dismissing the people in the cesspool. Okay, how about Soto at the press conference said, I chose the Mets because they have a better chance to go to the World Series than the Yankees. How's that looking right now? How's that? You know what? I had an offer I couldn't refuse.

[Don Hahn]

No. Because nobody ever does that. Right? Didn't. What? When Giambi signed here is all my father's favorite player was. Of course. Because nobody ever says what. It's always about the money. We said it from the very second. I never hung on the rim about getting Soto. That the Mets were better than the Yankees. Because I said it with you. And it is archived. It is on record. We both said it. He's going to go to the highest bidder, period.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Has nothing to do with who's got the better future or anything else. It was all about money or luxury. Because he says it. They all say it. Jack Morris is. I'm so glad to be back in Minnesota. Signed a one year contract and then the year after they won the championship, all of a sudden he didn't love Minnesota anymore. Went go sign someplace else for more money. They all say it's all about the money. They won't say it because that doesn't look good in the press conference. But he was no different than any other free agent that signed someplace else. I signed here because of the schools. That's what Hampton said. He came to the Mets because of the school. Went to Colorado for the schools. Give me a break. He went to Colorado because they paid him more money.

[Michael Kay]

But don't you think. I don't think Yankee fans are euphoric because the Mets didn't make the playoffs. I think they're euphoric because of what the Met fans said when they got Soto.

[Don Hahn]

That's why. And I believe. And I could be wrong, but I believe that we were just happy to get Juan Soto to finally get a win against the Yankees. To be. There were somebody you wanted. Somebody we wanted. And we actually got him. And we were happy about it. And I think that bothered a lot of Yankee fans that we were happy about it because we took the calls on Friday. And again, the quote was, sticking your chest out. I can't stick my chest out. That the Mets finally went out and got the most coveted free agent in the last 25 years.

[Michael Kay]

And you bring up a great point, too. If Thursday we're doing a postmortem and the Yankees lose the two games to the Reds, Met fans. They'll be.

[Don Hahn]

But because there's some idiots that went after you on social media. It was endless. It's always endless. But any you. I'm sorry. Any Met fan who thought they own the town before they even played a game that they got once. Yo. Yo A. Is a moron. But I don't want that. I don't. But let's see. That I disagree with. It's the prevailing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're mad at the wrong person, Don. You're mad at the wrong person.

[Don Hahn]

Because I don't understand why he's giving them fuel. Well, because that becomes the Met fan when he says you guys are creeps.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There you go. But that's the problem. They're representing it.

[Don Hahn]

Why?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because they're the loud minority. That's why they're loud about it. And other Met fans say nothing. But that represents you because of how loud they are.

[Michael Kay]

Maybe you got caught in a bad.

[Don Hahn]

No, I heard.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't say all Met fans are creeps. I said that subsection that was coming after me right about the glum want.

[Don Hahn]

And I just don't think that that is the majority of Met fans.

[Michael Kay]

But here's the problem. I think majority of New Yorkers are lowlifes like the people that are Beth Page black. But we're painted all his low lives because that's what was presented. Those are the loudest people.

[Don Hahn]

And that bothers you as a New Yorker. When they're in Nebraska and California and in Canada, they're saying, boy, those New Yorkers are real scum. Look how they treated everybody. Don't have the whole fan base be judged by a few, you know, Twitter dwellers. That's why that went after you for.

[Michael Kay]

What you said after that subset. I didn't. I even said, I have a. Mike Breen's one of my closest friends in the world. I know he's crushed by the Mets. And I feel sorry for those fans. They're great fans. You know, Steve Cohen laid down the gauntlet to them. I want you guys to show up. They showed up. They had crowds of 40,000. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That's what makes this even worse all the time. That's what makes this worse, because we bought into it and we all went. Highest ever at Citi Field, fourth highest in franchise history. And this is what you give them back. And the other thing, I disagree with you. I think Stearns has to take a hit. Yeah, I guess on the back of your baseball card, he built a good team, but was there chemistry with this team? Did any of the acquisitions at the deadline, any of them pay off whatsoever? That bullpen stunk from high heaven and got worse after the deadline.

[Michael Kay]

Even the offseason, his acquisitions didn't work. The two biggest acquisitions were all Cohen. They don't. They don't get Soto if it's up to Stearns, and they don't get Alonso. He didn't want Alonso. And I think Alonso's gone now, by the way, because you got to change something about the team.

[Don Hahn]

Well, but, see, but I don't. That's change for change sake. How are you going to get rid of a guy that, you know, drove in 127 runs, don?

[Michael Kay]

They've got to get better defensively. They're an awful defensive team.

[Don Hahn]

I just look at that team and I think that's. That's. He's the least of your problem. Is switching at first base going to be the thing that solves the defensive. You know what they'll do?

[Michael Kay]

We'll go through the whole thing again, and they'll sign Cody Bellinger. Everybody be hanging on the rim again. And they'll play Cody Bellinger at first, who's a great.

[Don Hahn]

That's what I'm talking about. He won't stop. He can't stop. I guess the problem I have, because I know Michael. He's a bad guy. I know Michael. I've known him for 25 years. Oh, yeah. If it's been a day, he's gonna say something to me that's not true. He believes it is the majority of Matt fans.

[Michael Kay]

No, I don't. You know why?

[Don Hahn]

The yo yos.

[Michael Kay]

It's much less than a silent, a loud minari. I think there's a lot of Met. Met fans are really a. They're a different. They're a different degree.

[Don Hahn]

We obviously have the. Probably the same complex the people in Boston, Philadelphia have. It's the little brother syndrome. But I got news for all the Met fans. We're always going to be the little brother because we came last. That's just the way it works. You're never. You can't get older than the other franchise. All right? There will be blips. Listen, the Devils won three straight Stanley Cups. Four straight for the Islanders ain't touching the Rangers, who haven't won one championship in 85 years. But they matter.

[Michael Kay]

But you'd have to say the Mets were the big brothers during the 80s. They were out drawing the Yankees.

[Don Hahn]

I will say this. The Mets are closer to the Yankees than any of the other little brothers are close to big brother. Nets aren't even on the. On the radar. All right? Islanders and Devils can't touch the race.

[Michael Kay]

But you know why you are? Because you took Dodger fans and Giants confused them.

[Don Hahn]

I said that on Friday.

[Michael Kay]

Nets came from nowhere. The Giants came from nowhere. The devil sent. They didn't fuse fan base.

[Don Hahn]

And the jets are not going to touch the Giants. It's just the way that it works. But that's not what I'm striving to be. I'm striving to try to get a team to win the World Series. Next year is going to be the 40th anniversary. The last time this team won a World Series.

[Michael Kay]

A long time, right?

[Don Hahn]

40 years, 46.

[Michael Kay]

You and me, how long?

[Don Hahn]

1986. We're going back to. So that's the thing that stinks. So I don't want to get caught up in, oh, who said what to Yankee fans or Met fans. And who owns the. I don't want to own the town. I just want to own the trophy they give out at the end of every year. That's what I want to own. Yeah, that piece of tin, right, that our commissioner says that's what I'd like to have. That's all that should matter to anybody. That's all should matter to the Yankees right Now, hang on the rim. Because some of the Met fans spoke up. But the one thing I'm not going to do is apologize for being happy they signed Juan Soto. And the other thing, I'm not going to Do Michael, as disgusted as I am with this team is, feel that it's over.

[Michael Kay]

He's got 14 years left on his contract till 2039. I probably will not be alive at that point.

[Don Hahn]

And you know what? And Juan Soto sometimes looks lazy, and Juan Soto sometimes looks glum and disinterested. He's not the reason why they didn't win this division, and he's not the reason why they didn't make the playoffs. Because when he was awful, when he was struggling and he was glum, the Mets couldn't help just rattle it off with, you're right.

[Michael Kay]

But when you read the Athletic today, because you're going to see a lot of these stories coming out. Juan Soto is very businesslike. He preaches each game as if that's a business proposition. Francisco Lindor is very happy. Happy, go lucky. No, no laser focus like that kind of hinting at there's a little clubhouse problem. Well, Francisco Lindor stays till 2031. They're not going anywhere. Soto till 2039. They've got to make that work.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the odd couple, and I think.

[Don Hahn]

They'Ll make it work. And the other thing, as much as I love Lindor and I think he's a leader, he's way too streaky. And like, these numbers will all say, look, Alonzo Gray Lindor, great. Soto, great. Doesn't tell you the whole story. They did not tell you the whole story. And that's where I get Stearns is because he built a great fantasy team and he built a great analytics team. But this team had no heart. This team had no gumption when it mattered. You're going into Florida, a team that, yes, they're playing better, but it's under.500. Controlling your own destiny. And you let them beat you again, two out of three. And then the Reds lose yesterday shut.

[Michael Kay]

Out the worst scenario. If the Reds had won yesterday, you don't even go off.

[Don Hahn]

So where's the analytics for that? It was the worst case. All right.

[Michael Kay]

There's no analytics for that now.

[Don Hahn]

Again, Pete, he's going to be the victim because. Oh, well, we got to make some sort of a change. Whatever. Yeah. The hardest hit ball that any Met had all year would have been a gapper, would have cleared the paces. Instead, it's an out. So there were some breaks that didn't go their way either, but I'm going to let Alonzo go just as I got to shake something up. The one player that I do think brings it every single night, but the.

[Michael Kay]

Guy didn't want to sign him as a 30 year old. He turns 31 in December.

[Don Hahn]

You got to give him 47 because you got to change something. That's the one guy I don't want change.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you got to change something. You have to.

[Don Hahn]

Well, why don't you make a team better not change something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All you guys ever tell me is how it's such a long season so you can't overreact. Right. But what you can do though is look at it from a macro view. Take the last two seasons. The last two seasons they have had half of a good year and half of a really bad year in both seasons.

[Don Hahn]

Right? Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's. That is exactly what inconsistence all about. You can't say like what we hear from the Yankees all the time. The best baseball is in front of them. No, they are literally that team. They are really good and really bad, but they're never just good.

[Don Hahn]

Right? No, I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that means there's something internally wrong.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, there's a lot of internal wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And by the way, they didn't lose the playoff spot yesterday. They lost it in September with eight straight losses in September. When you knew the season was happening. When you are a team that understands where they are and I don't want to make the comparison but it is fair to say the Yankees went through a lull as well. But when it became winning time in September, what'd they do? Started winning 20 games over 532 and 12 like they just started. They got over it. They placed a faced a gauntlet of opponents and instead of the feeling sorry for themselves or oh, bad luck, no, they just got it done. But right good team figures out a way to get it done. They are missing something inside. And because OMG Iglesias. That was a rally cry that got him through it.

[Don Hahn]

That's a problem. Those that's not something you can build a franchise. Those are the band days.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So there's a lot that needs to be fixed.

[Don Hahn]

But I fell in love with a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Guy and I want to keep paying him money.

[Don Hahn]

I understand. They don't hit with new players position. Their biggest problem is they can't pitch. Period. You cannot win if you can't pitch. If you don't have anybody getting through five innings, even a good bullpen is going to be destroyed by having to get 1512 outs every single night. They did not have any pitchers until the kids got called up. And you want kids to try to save your season? That's so unfair.

[Michael Kay]

Do you buy into the narrative that Chris Carlin is trying to sell that. Everything went haywire when I went to the Rick and Dave.

[Don Hahn]

If you want to play those Silver Reindeer games, honestly, if you want to play those games.

[Michael Kay]

I don't want to play.

[Don Hahn]

No, no. I'm just saying because this is the thing that just sickens me. You want to say something that sickens me about Met fans is the hock to A and the grimace.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There you go.

[Don Hahn]

And all of the OMG and all the magic. Oh, Michael K came to Citi Field and we started to lose. Build a quality team. When I say quality team, I mean a team. Not a collection of stars that are going to hit for a certain average and a certain amount of home runs, but a team that's going to come together when it matters. Stop playing playing fantasy land of streaks and magic and voodoo. Positive or negative, how about building a team? Twice in the history of this franchise they've gone to the playoffs back to back years. Don't you think so there's never any consistency.

[Michael Kay]

When this team was put together, you didn't think they're not making the playoffs?

[Don Hahn]

Of course not, no.

[Michael Kay]

Right. So I mean look at something deeper that we're not seeing.

[Don Hahn]

The dirty little secret about Major League Baseball. When you take a look at the payrolls, if you got a payroll north of 300, it is. It's criminal not to make the playoffs.

[Michael Kay]

That's almost impossible.

[Don Hahn]

Do you realize that the Mets, if things had broken the right way and won the tie break, they'd be an 83 win team. We're honoring average. There's nothing about being the third wild card team to get excited about. There are four. Even if they made the playoffs, they're still not a good team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There are four franchises that spent over $300 million. Three of them made the playoffs.

[Michael Kay]

Do you also. You want this one, Alan? There were four franchises that went hot and heavy after Juan Soto. Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Mets. The Mets got them. They didn't make the playoffs. Go, go explain baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That doesn't make you right about that.

[Don Hahn]

Because baseball is not basketball. If I've got a Juan Soto in basketball, I'm going to the playoffs. So can't. Can't help but go, right. Baseball's not that way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, but that's. But that brings back the point. And forget the hanging on the rim thing. It's a real conversation to have. Was it worth it?

[Don Hahn]

Well, can we see? It's one year. See, this is the stuff that bothers me, Alan. Was it worth. No. So the other 14 years, forget it. Throw them away. Because we had to win this year. You don't know you had to win this year. Can we answer that question? Five, six, seven years down the stretch, Michael will be gone. Come on man. No, seriously, come on, man. Was it worth it? He's got 14 years left on his deal, Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And how many of them is he in his prime?

[Don Hahn]

Oh my God.

[Peter Rosenberg]

14 years, a long time.

[Don Hahn]

I just can't, I can't do this today. So one year, okay? One year determined. Oh, that's what we're saying. That's what's all over social media. That's what everybody's saying. Yankees made the playoffs, Mets didn't. The worthless deal. A 15 year deal. It was all about the one year. So if the Mets can win the next seven straight World Series, which they're not going to do, don't worry. But if they did, didn't matter because the first year they didn't win. That is so unfair.

[Michael Kay]

Can I give you my take? I would sign him a thousand times out of a thousand times. If I'm the Mets and if I was the Yankees and I had an opportunity to undo everything, I'd sign him rather than go to plan B, which.

[Don Hahn]

Works just fine because he's a great player.

[Michael Kay]

He's a great player, but you got.

[Don Hahn]

To make other things around him. Again, it's not basketball. And even when they put the super team in Miami together, they went to the final, they didn't win their first year. Sometimes it takes a little while for it to go. They've got other issues. You want to have a conversation about Sterns not wanting to pay pitchers, we can have that conversation because certainly came to bite him this year. Didn't bite him last year. The acquisitions at the deadline, you know, going out to get a center fielder that literally can't hit, was that was that smart? But we're going to make it all about Juan Soto. And now you have to say was it worth really honestly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just ask your question.

[Don Hahn]

It really is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I asked you a question. It was a very simple thing. You answered it.

[Don Hahn]

But the fact that you asked that question, how are we so focused on when you sign a 15 year now granted, because of where it was just like Freed didn't age well right now. Freed was magical. Yankees do not make the playoffs without Max Freeman. But that's still an awful contract. An eight year contract to give a 31 year old. I think Michael would even admit that. But if they get there the first year, they win the championship. But what if they Don't. What if they lose to Boston? Is it. Was it worth it? And then he can go out and win the Cy Young with Cole next year. So it gets reevaluated in 26 and then gets reevaluated in 27.

[Michael Kay]

Well, that. That's my biggest problem with Stern. He doesn't pay big money for pitchers. That's what Andrew Friedman, who runs the Dodgers, once said. If you're going to be rational free agent, you're going to finish third.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So that's. You're dealing with.

[Michael Kay]

The Yankees want to give Max Free eight years? No, they probably want to give him six, like they gave Rodin. You think they wanted to give Cole nine years? No, but that's the price.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You had to do it because you know that the immediate is more important than the long term. And you deal with the long term.

[Michael Kay]

You deal with the Tommy John surgery, you miss him for a year and then you get him back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, Exactly. And Don, sometimes you have to ask a question like that to get the answer you gave. Because there are people that wonder that.

[Don Hahn]

Well, because. Because again, I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Somebody needs to give that answer.

[Don Hahn]

Be run by morons.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly. So you answered it perfectly. But that's why the question has to be asked, because it wasn't asked. It's just being assumed. But there are actually people out there that are saying, everybody, why did the Mets do this? They should have put more into pitching. And all because you can second guess. It's so easy to second guess. What you're not doing is that. And that's what the other thing, if you think about it, Stearns is going to take heat. Should he be fired?

[Don Hahn]

No, no, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But there are probably people that think he should.

[Michael Kay]

Well, there's some people that think that Mendoza should be fired, which is also ridiculous. Ridiculous.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That means two years ago or doesn't count.

[Michael Kay]

Well, you know what? Buffalo's 101 didn't count.

[Don Hahn]

I don't fire either of them. But I think it's closer to a conversation with Mendoza than it is for Stearns.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it? What do you have to work with?

[Don Hahn]

Well, when you have that talent, you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brought in a closer who does it, who didn't know how to play a role of a setup guy and he couldn't handle it and it messed with him. That was such a valuable piece, Hainsey, and he didn't know what to do. You moved him.

[Don Hahn]

And I'm not saying he should have turned him into a setup guy. It's more logical because when you have that kind of a colossal collapse, it sometimes comes at the expense of the manager. And it's not like he's got a pedigree. He's not. He hasn't managed forever. It's only a second year. So. Right now you just said it. First year. Awful.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Everybody hit. Right.

[Don Hahn]

Basically, when you look at the two years of Carlos Mendoza, they've been a very average baseball. Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

You know, the last three years of baseball, the Mets have, you know, one of the highest pay. And they've averaged 82 wins a year.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, they've been a very average team.

[Michael Kay]

Let me ask you a question. Did you watch them on the big screen? I know you've got a lot of devices.

[Don Hahn]

There's a lot of things going on big screen.

[Michael Kay]

Giants or the Mets met, season on the line. Jackson Dart. Maybe your future. What were you locked in on the big screen?

[Don Hahn]

Great question. Finally. I was.

[Michael Kay]

You had paw patrol on, didn't you?

[Don Hahn]

No. Bluey vehicle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Big bluey.

[Don Hahn]

It was a very divided bluey report. It was just. It was a tough day.

[Michael Kay]

See, this is a good question.

[Don Hahn]

My Uncle Ed died. My father's best friend, that was his best man at their wedding.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

You know, and there was a. There was a can of Budweiser in the casket because.

[Michael Kay]

By accident, or they put it.

[Don Hahn]

Because that was the thing with my dad. We'd always have cold Budweiser in the refrigerator just in case Uncle Eddie came by because that was his best friend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think the mortician just left it there. Just forgot.

[Don Hahn]

So I could never. Rob the Bergen said, you know, you're dead. Anyway. I'm gonna watch the games. I went and I paid my condolences.

[Michael Kay]

To honor your dad.

[Don Hahn]

Right. But I had.

[Michael Kay]

Was there a liver problem? With Uncle Ed? With all the drinking? Is that why he went?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's.

[Don Hahn]

It's too soon. It's. He.

[Michael Kay]

You just said he drank a lot.

[Don Hahn]

If it was a week. I say he drank a lot. Or did I say he liked?

[Michael Kay]

But you had beer in the fridge all the time.

[Don Hahn]

No. We'll see you later. Get out. Seriously. Seven o'.

[Michael Kay]

Clock.

[Don Hahn]

Hell out of this. We'll see you at the couch cast. I just. I can't believe. No, he's. He. You can't do it. Are you really surprised? Are you really? Have you ever heard us talk about anything important? I don't want to look at him. Don't look at him. But we set a new record for viewers on the YouTube, though, so that's good news. But you don't look at him. Why don't you go to break. I can't even. You know what? We'll be right back.

[Michael Kay]

He's really mad at me.

[Don Hahn]

He can't even look at you. This is an ad by BetterHelp. We all turn to some funny places for support, but not everyone is a therapist. Not everyone is the one. Find your right match with BetterHelp BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences and their 10 plus years of experience and industry leading match fulfillment rate means they typically get it right the first time. If you aren't happy with your match, switch to a different therapist at any time from their tailored race. You can join a session with a therapist at the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. Plus switch therapists at any time. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of Expertise. Find the one with BetterHelp our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout I'm Christian McCaffrey, pro.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Running back and Abercrombie is an official fashion partner of the NFL.

[Don Hahn]

I'm not kidding when I say NFL by Abercrombie broke the Internet last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think this season's lineup is even cooler. And so does my wife who keeps stealing all my hoodies.

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the.

[Don Hahn]

Secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans, send.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

A meme or milestone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[Don Hahn]

Learn [e-mail].

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Good job kicking him out, by the way.

[Don Hahn]

Game Time brought to you by T Whiskey because when it's game time, it's T time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like when he holds it.

[Don Hahn]

Jets face the Dolphins on Monday night football on ESPN at 7:15. And you've got, of course, the ESPN New York couch cast live on our YouTube channel immediately following this show. So definitely check it out. Rangers Islander is preseason action at 7 as well. Very excited. We can get at least one TV with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We got to get that game on. Yeah, I'm with you.

[Don Hahn]

I'm very excited for the couch. Why are you standing? Is there something wrong? My knee. Well, YouTube wants to see you. They don't want a five talking to them. Are you gonna be that way? I'm gonn good to know. Well, we're sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm all about standing.

[Don Hahn]

Listen, you're a TV producer now, Anthony. That's right. No, you didn't know your job changed and louvped. Be nice to him. My name is the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris Whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Due responsible. We figured we'd have some fun with Michael. Listen, forget the whole Met Yankee stuff, all right? It's an embarrassment of colossal proportions. It's worse than 07. I hear people saying 07 was worse, Don, because they were going to win the division and it was harder to make the plays. But you got beat by a Philadelphia team that was good. And that a Philadelphia team that, by the way, would go to the World Series back to back years after that. These are the Cincinnati Reds. And I mean no disrespect to them. Good for them. They made the playoffs. The Mets chased them down, not the other way around. And for the Mets to be able to go to all places Miami and have that team eliminate them. They didn't get eliminated by the Brewers. They didn't get eliminated by the Dodgers or the Padres. They got eliminated by an under.500 team. And the other thing that bothers me is Met fans and Gary, Keith and Ron too could be included in this criticizing the Marlins for celebrating the win. And they were taking pictures in front of the dugout. Dude. That was their World Series. Because they have the lowest payroll in baseball. You don't think that's a chance for a team like the Marlins to flex? They are worthless. The players know it. They've got no chance to win. They've got literally the lowest payroll in baseball. They've been handed a gift of relevancy on the final weekend. You don't think they're going to relish the chance to beat the team that's got the second highest payroll in baseball? Give me a break. You don't have a chance to complain when you blow it the way they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did, you take it. You take it.

[Don Hahn]

You get smacked in the face and you take it. You don't defend yourself. This team is not worth defending. We're a worthless piece of garbage organization right now. Hopefully we'll get up from it. Hopefully they'll make the right decisions. But stop complaining about the Marlins. Stop complaining about the Reds. Stop thinking you're better than you actually are. Stop worrying about the Yankees and worry about yourself. Own the town, my ass. How about owning above.500 record and making the playoffs with the second highest payroll in baseball? Look in the mirror. The words Yankees or Marlins or baseball or Manfred or anything coming out of your mouth other than we suck. I don't want to hear it, so shut your mouth. That's what ticks me off. Those are the creeps.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, well.

[Don Hahn]

How come the tiebreaker is head to head? We should be playing. Stop. We deserve it. You didn't deserve to make the playoffs because you couldn't beat the Marlins. One more time and you're looking at that out of town score. Staring it all day. Four, two. Everybody and their mother knew that there was no shot the brewers gonna lose that game. They were not blowing that lead, Allen. They were not going to lose that game. The brewers were winning that game 4 to 2. The only question would the brewers score more runs? And you sat there and got shut out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Shut out. How about the Alvarez at bat too on the swings he took at those pitches. Looked like he had no plan.

[Don Hahn]

And then the two times he struck out looking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I mean, I'm talking about that at bat was the critical at bat of the. That inning. Finally felt like something was going to turn. And the pitcher, by the way, I forget who wasn't throwing strikes. Man, he was not throwing strikes. And he chased and he chased. And then he snaps the bat over his knee in frustration. That's the epitome of the season right there. As if you were not. Look, you want to find all different things that are wrong with the team. We all know the deal about 21 games over.500. Never mind that. Like this tells you what they are 34 and 47 on the road. They were a good home team. Terrible on the road. What does that tell you? Bad road team. That's a problem. I mean, a really bad Road team. 34 and 47 down on the road. That's literally like your whole season gets ruined because you can't win on the road. Why can't you win on the road? What does that tell you about your team 23 and 26 in one run games. What does that tell you about your team?

[Don Hahn]

They stink, right? Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, how many games did they blow? How many games did they have a lead and give it away? How like the majority of the season.

[Don Hahn]

They played under.500 baseball and not one.38.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And 55 to finish the season.38 and 55.38 and 55. You can put. I credit the Marlins for treating it the way they should have. They respected the game by playing it the right way because the playoff spot was on the line, not for them.

[Don Hahn]

But for other teams.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So the right thing to do is not sit my best players and I'm just going to tank this thing away. No, we're going to do the right thing by baseball. Play our best guys and give it our best shot. And they won two out of three.

[Don Hahn]

Two out of three.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Which shouldn't have happened.

[Don Hahn]

And the one time they did win Saturday, you know, Clay Holmes had an outing for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He played out of his mind pitch well.

[Don Hahn]

And Alonzo had a great game. But after the game, one thing if the Reds had won and it wouldn't have mattered anyway. But it's right there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Just win the damn game. Took two out of three from the Cubs. Can't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they. And that's why Don. No. You're fighting the idea of Pete Alonso and how like, why are you making that. I just think you're saying change for change's sake. I would say that change for change's sake might be important right now because of what you're dealing with.

[Don Hahn]

Go out and get me a better first baseman. If you want to tell me you're getting Bellinger to play first base or whoever and he's better, I got no problem with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You need to get more guys who are about more stuff about them or something. Because again, bad road record, bad in one run games. Think about it. That tells you there's something missing that goes beyond baseball talent. And I know Sean Mania took yesterday put a lot on himself. He said it. I was bad. He blamed himself. I was bad. Sanga said, I've lost control of my body. Right. Those two guys took the hit and they should because two guys are supposed to be. Your aces this year were garbage. They were not good. So the guy. The right guys are saying it's on me. It's on me. But you do have to look at the entirety of the team. And while there might be talented players, maybe they're just not the right collection of players. The right combination of players. I think Something is missing in that clubhouse that goes beyond baseball. Because if a song and a McDonald's character and some social media chick is the reason why suddenly you have a team feels good about itself and that's what they're grasping onto instead of, you know what, we're just good. We don't need novelties to suddenly get.

[Don Hahn]

Us on a roll because it's all just streakiness. But that's the point of the right time. So what are you missing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's beyond baseball.

[Don Hahn]

You're not as good as you think you are missing. But I just don't know if you can convince me, I'll change my mind, that there's a way that they could be better without Pete Alonso at first base. Find me a better first baseman, I'm all for it. But if you're saying we just have to change something up and that's the guy that's got to go, well, you can't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Certain contracts you can't change, right? There's certain ones you can't move, so you're stuck doing that. You have to find. That's the hard part for David Stearns. You have to find pieces that fit better players that won't let you lose. How many games that under 500 on the road? 13. Yeah, 13 under, under on the road.

[Don Hahn]

And find some pitching. Maybe he's got to regret.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you might have some pitching.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, right. 1-800-919-3776. Let's get to your phone calls. We've got an NFL binge at 4:30. We've got ENN at 6. And of course, if you're watching on YouTube at 7:00, clock, the couch cast, jets and the Dolphins and it's all happening right here on ESPN New York. And not only that, we're going to watch, we're going to enjoy. And if you have the FanDuel sportsbook app, oh, it's your home for all your favorite NFL bets. All right, from yards to touchdowns to who will win with FanDuel, any play can be the play of the game. Now listen, Jets, Dolphins, all right. And Bangu's Broncos, also in action. FanDuel is giving all customers a 50% profit boost token or two 30% profit boost tokens. That's right. You can get it on the action with a 50% profit boost token or two 30% profit boost tokens tonight. So make FanDuel your go to app for any snap. All right? You visit FanDuel.com Peter to bet jets versus Dolphins and the Bengals versus the Broncos with a 50% profit boost token or like I said, 230%. All right, play your game with FanDuel, an official sports betting partner of the NFL. 21 over physically present New York optimal required bonus issues non withdrawable profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including any token expiration and max wager amount. See [e-mail] for the gambling problem, call 877-8-HOPE and why or text OPENY 467-369 this episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's just right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on the phone or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Lowe's knows how to help make your.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

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Okay, give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 per three month plan $15 per month equivalent required. New customer offer first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com thanks for listening to the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don Han and Roast Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

All right, you heard from us. Let's hear from you. 1-800-919-3776. Lamont Fresh Meadows gets us started off here on Don Hunter Rosenberg. Hi. Hi guys. How you doing? Good. First of all, Don, congratulations on the Devil's gig. Thank you. I'm actually a Rangers fan, so it's gonna be weird hearing your voice on the other side. Well, you know what I'm saying. Anyway, I have a question. I'm a Jets, Mets, Knicks and Rangers fan, and I like to wonder how does the recent Mets collapse compared to the recent disappointments? Last year's Rangers, Aaron Rodgers, one year at MetLife or Game 1 against the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers? Thanks, I'll hang up. Well, I appreciate the call, but I honestly, I don't even think it's a conversation. This is way worse than anything that's happened recently.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that game one loss for the Knicks was. You were already in the Eastern Conference finals. Like you.

[Don Hahn]

That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's deep. You made a run. This is. You didn't even get in. This is like losing game 82.

[Don Hahn]

No, this. This is one of the worst in the history of sports. It really is in the history of New York sports. All of sports. Well, definitely New York sports. I mean, I don't know the statistics of. Do you know. Been teams that. But when you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not going to tell you. Do you know the last time a team blew a 21, they were 21 games over.500 and failed to make the playoffs. Do you know when that was?

[Don Hahn]

I mean, I'm sure baseball. It probably happened.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's two times it happened before the wild card.

[Don Hahn]

So it probably happened either during divisional play. Probably pre 69.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, one time was post 69. The other one was pre.

[Don Hahn]

I hate the time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

1977 Cubs, last time at 21, you were 21 over.500 and ended up losing.

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then the other One was the 1905 Indians.

[Don Hahn]

So the 1905 Indians had the win. The American League. All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's harder.

[Don Hahn]

That was it. One way to get into the World Series. That was it. No divisions, no wild card. That was it. But 77 Cubs was at least in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The division and at least.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but we are. We are. You're doing this. You're the third team in the history of baseball to do it with your division and three wild cards.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a great point.

[Don Hahn]

So think about it. You've got four cracks at it, all right? Can't win the division. All right? We got three cracks at a wild card and they missed out. And the team that's going had the same record as them, but they couldn't win the season series against them. They're gone. And I'll tell you this. If they did have the ability to have a play in today, they'd probably lose the game. Who would be pitching for. Right. I mean, so I Don't even want to hear that now. This is. This is bad. Nick. Sorry. End up. You know what? You know what the. Nick. You know what the pain of the Nick loss was that I think we underestimated the Pacers. That they were better than we thought.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They also. No, it was. We were winning this game easy and let our foot off the gas and this dude got hot, hit a bunch of threes and now he let it down to a game. Yeah, but you're right, it's one game. But the history. You're just saying one of the worst collapses in the history of sports.

[Don Hahn]

Well, think about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a strong statement.

[Don Hahn]

It's iconic. But you're also, you know, an uncapped sport. So you're talking about the second highest payroll in baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

All right. A team that went to the league championship series last year, added the best free agent in the sport during the off season and couldn't make the third wild card and blew a five and a half game lead in the division. And with 21 games under.500 and finished four games over.500. I mean, tell me a worse one. All right. The Rangers fell apart. All right. You kind of saw it happening and they weren't that good. It turned out all right. The Mets, I understand the Rangers went to the conference final the year before, but it wasn't as bad as this. This was really bad. I can't think of anything even close to it other than The Mets themselves in 07 blowing a seven game lead with 17 left to play. You just can't make it up. And it wouldn't have been now, Don, could you have handled it better if they weren't so good the first couple months of the season? It would have felt. It would have been a little easier to process. Well, but it's the collapse part. It's. Yeah, I'm not making it. Maybe it just isn't your year. They really didn't even suffer that many injuries. I mean, guys got hurt. Alvarez was out for a little while, sure. But it wasn't like they were devastated by injuries. Yankees had way more injuries than the Mets did. Yeah, they didn't have Cole all year long. They didn't have heel for half the season. They lost the best player in the sport for. For. What was it? 10 Day Il? Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

This is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is like the only thing you think of is like individual, like Greg Norman, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Just meltdowns.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like meltdown.

[Don Hahn]

A tennis meltdown, a golf meltdown, Tin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cup, like stuff like that. Like team meltdowns. Like this just don't happen again. 77 cups.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, 77 cubs. And that was just. They didn't win the division.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But take a look at it and see if they would have made one of the three wild cards that existed back then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you don't believe anybody should be fired. Right? Like that's, that's the thing is normally something like this, this epic tells you there's something really bad happening within the organization and things changes need to be made. But you don't believe that.

[Don Hahn]

Well, we do have Sterns. We're gonna, we're gonna throw some Stearns in during the course of the day at 3:30. He did speak to the media. But since you brought up Mendoza's future, here's David Stern's on Mendoza. I believe Carlos has all the same traits and assets that I believed in when we hired him two years ago. And I think over the course of his tenure here he has demonstrated that. We had a tough year this year. There's no question we are all disappointed. We are all frustrated. Mendy as much or more than anyone else. But I still believe he's a very good manager and I think he's going to demonstrate that. All right. Now the only thing that can change is during the exit meetings if all of a sudden some players are like I'm not in love with the Carlos Mendoza, then that might change. But other than that it doesn't like, like Stearns has any appetite to let him go. But let's wait until the exit interviews because if you get a few important.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Players say hey, learn that already.

[Don Hahn]

Start with the Knicks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go to Bob in East Norwich. You're on ESPN New York. Hi Bob. How you doing guys? I love the show. Thanks buddy. Man, what do you got? This was such a disappointing season. I think a big problem was the Mets played over their head in the beginning of the year and it made it difficult to identify what they needed at the deadline. I think their main problem I want to see them address in the off season is pitching.

[Michael Kay]

What do you guys think?

[Don Hahn]

Well, there's no question it's pitching, but it's interesting what you said that they didn't identify what they needed. They knew they needed bullpen and they went out and got bullpen help and none of them worked.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean it's amazing.

[Don Hahn]

Obviously some of them worse than others, but. And a starting pitcher. The thing is what starting pitcher could they have gotten that they didn't get? Right. Alcantara never got traded. I'd have to look back at the deadline, was there a starting pitcher that made an impact? Did Beaver make an impact? I don't. I don't know. I think they knew what was wrong with the team. It just. None of. None of the pivots worked. None of the deals worked. Mullins, I was all for. I thought that was a good pickup, center field, a little pop. He did nothing. Nothing. It was really. It was troubling how bad the deadline ended up being for Stearns. We didn't think it at the time. We thought the moves were good, but they didn't work out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On paper, they looked fantastic, but just. It did not work out. And they had to go bullpen because they taxed it so much in the first half because none of the starters could get out of the fourth, fifth inning.

[Don Hahn]

Rico in Buffalo. You're on ESPN New York. Don, you broke my heart today, buddy. Yeah. I've been listening to you and Michael together for. I'm 70 years old. So. How many years were you and Michael together on the radio? 22 years, 30. Whatever. Okay. And Michael has always supported you back to you and stood by your side his entire career. And I listened to all of your shows. And then for you to rant on them and disrespect him. I'll do whatever I want. Getting tired of Rico on the air. Please, please screen it. Well, why? That's. That's. This is compelling to me. Don't you think it's compelling? Because I gotta. I gotta talk to the yo yo. You get to sit there and laugh behind the scenes. Meanwhile, first of all, was gonna. Completely performative, get a sense of humor. And the other thing he suggested. My dead uncle's a lush. He's lucky he didn't get punched in the face back on whatever station we're on. Who cares?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter.

[Don Hahn]

Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

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