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- [00:01]
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- [00:28]
Alan Hahn
Time.
- [00:28]
Peter Rosenberg
A lot of virgins working in one room together. A lot can be accomplished.
- [00:31]
Alan Hahn
Han, I just got excited.
- [00:32]
Don La Greca
And Rosenberg, Alan just expressed theoretical arousal about the Dolly Parton puppet.
- [00:38]
Peter Rosenberg
This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.
- [00:41]
Rosenberg
This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.
- [00:44]
Alan Hahn
The best threesome I've ever heard on.
- [00:46]
Rosenberg
8 80, ESPN and the ESPN New York app.
- [00:51]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, happy Friday, everybody. Don Hahn in Rosenberg on what is an absolutely gorgeous day here in New York. Maybe one of the best days that I can remember in a long, long time. Guys, how everybody doing? All right.
- [01:04]
Alan Hahn
Donnie, I gotta. I gotta tell you, you. You are. This is something I always had fun with, with Marv Albert. Marv Albert always introduced the game by saying, you know, like, you know, on a Sunday afternoon in Boston, welcome to the second. Like, he. He always gave you the weather, and sometimes Kenny does it, which I love. I think you've kind of started doing that now when you open the show as you give us a little weather report as we get like, Peter, are you noticing that we're getting a little weather report to start the show?
- [01:36]
Don La Greca
That is kind of true.
- [01:37]
Alan Hahn
I like it. Yeah, I like it.
- [01:39]
Don La Greca
Well, there's two things to point out here. Number one, Don does give you the weather, and number two, Allen is going to hit a name drop today within five seconds of the start of the show. Never seen it before. We've never seen that, have we?
- [01:52]
Alan Hahn
But.
- [01:53]
Don La Greca
Well, you said. You said something. Used to have fun with Marv Albert.
- [01:58]
Peter Rosenberg
But not directly.
- [01:59]
Alan Hahn
I didn't talk to him. I was listening to him call the games and he would bring you in.
- [02:06]
Peter Rosenberg
So.
- [02:06]
Don La Greca
The same way I. The same way we all do.
- [02:08]
Alan Hahn
Marvin night in Minnesota, welcome to, like, he.
- [02:11]
Peter Rosenberg
That's just what, by the way, even.
- [02:13]
Don La Greca
Till the very end on tnt, that was. That was his.
- [02:17]
Alan Hahn
I believe the last game he called, he did give me.
- [02:19]
Don La Greca
Yeah, that was his style, man.
- [02:20]
Alan Hahn
I love it, though. It's just a cool thing. But Donnie's kind of done it. And I think at this time of year, it's always good because you never know the weather changes within the hour or two. And so it's, you know, it's a thing. It's his thing. I like it.
- [02:34]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, it's my thing. And also I believe it's something that kind of tells you the mood, the atmosphere of how people are doing today. If the weather's beautiful, there's a good chance that they're in a good mood, they're feeling good. Obviously, Met fans are trying to grasp at anything right now to feel good about their team, and they can't do that. So you might as well just enjoy a nice day of weather because right now, if you're a Met fan, I think you could be legitimately concerned about where they are right now. And the Yankees kind of got over it with the win yesterday and they're taking on a lousy Oriole team this weekend and if they can take care of business, kind of get back on track. But guys, the Mets got swept by the Atlanta Braves in the defining series. Let's put the Braves to sleep. You know what? They got put to bed. Yep. And all right, Blackburn didn't pitch well going up against Sale. You live with it. But last night you got the right guy on the mound for it, right? I mean, he's been pitching well and then. And then just walking. Bases loaded and bullpen. Brassbahn comes in, first bat. Four pitches, walk. All of a sudden, you know, one, one game becomes a three, one game becomes a blowout. And man, it feels like this pitching is coming back down to earth. They were kind of doing it with mirrors, right? And now it just feels like everybody's kind of coming back down to earth. We're going to get Montas back here in the Brave Series next week and it looks like Maniah's coming back sooner than later. But right now a lot of carriages have turned back into pumpkins when it comes to pitching. And now all of a sudden they're not hitting. And now a six game losing streak and getting swept by a Brave team that came into the series nine games under.500. How about that Is it?
- [04:25]
Don La Greca
And now adds a whole level of pressure. Allen to the, to the next series they'll have coming up after Philly when they'll see the Braves again. This time it's you go from all right, we can make everything better if we, if we bounce back here or we could be in some trouble and have, have woken up a beast that we did not want to be awake in this division.
- [04:45]
Peter Rosenberg
And you think about where you were like a week ago. You know, a nice four and a half game lead. Philadelphia's reeling. They dropped eight of their last Nine Mets are riding a six game winning streak. It feels like, hey, this might be 86 all over again. We put, put distance between ourselves and the Braves. You got a nice cushion against Philadelphia. And now this series becomes absolutely humongous as they are in a flat footed tie with the Phillies for first place. I know it's only June 20, guys, and the Mets did fall out of first place a few weeks ago and were able to get it back because Philadelphia is on a slide, but God, if they're not careful and they got an opener tonight against Wheeler, so there's a distinct possibility they're going to be in second place and a game under with seven straight losses. Guys, what if we reconvene on Monday and we're talking about a team that's three games out and riding a nine game losing streak? I mean, you can't say that's not on the table. I'm not trying to be that met guy waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- [05:41]
Alan Hahn
Swept again. But it's got to stop at some point, right?
- [05:45]
Peter Rosenberg
No.
- [05:45]
Alan Hahn
Well, you think they're not that bad.
- [05:48]
Peter Rosenberg
But Tidwell versus Wheeler.
- [05:51]
Alan Hahn
Okay.
- [05:51]
Peter Rosenberg
All right, now last I checked, this is Jerry Maguire, all right? Cooper Gooding Jr. Playing Tidwell, the wide receiver from the Cardinals. This is somebody starting in a game who's, oh, and one with a 14.73 earner on average against one of the best pitchers in baseball, Wheeler. Then you got Canning, who, who's shown some signs of coming back down to.
- [06:12]
Alan Hahn
Earth, but he has been good.
- [06:14]
Peter Rosenberg
He has been good. And then you got Peterson. So that's the guy you're going to hang your hat on coming up on Sunday. Oh, by the way, espn, Sunday Night Baseball. I'm not saying it's going to happen, Alan, but you worry about, oh, yeah.
- [06:27]
Don La Greca
Turn off your SNY subscription. No need for it this weekend, baby.
- [06:31]
Alan Hahn
Is it apple tonight?
- [06:32]
Don La Greca
Apple tonight.
- [06:33]
Alan Hahn
They start things off tomorrow.
- [06:34]
Don La Greca
That's right.
- [06:35]
Alan Hahn
And then Espen.
- [06:37]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, there you go.
- [06:38]
Alan Hahn
Sunday night baseball, how's that feel? How's that feel, Don? Well, how's that feel? I mean, your team is popular. Yeah, it's, they want, and you know, again, Philadelphia, New York, you got that. Those markets, you got Phillies, Mets. There's a true rivalry there. You're gonna get a lot of juice. So you, you know, you want that. But when you have a good team, this is what you get. You get a lot of national games, A lot. And, and you got to deal with that kind of, you know, the national coverage is good, but it's not obviously the home cooking that you like with, with your announcers, but it's also something where you're feeling like these we said must win yesterday, did we not? Well, I feel like he got a salvage one and, and Holmes was decent but completely his control was terrible. And then Brazabon came in, he was even worse. And I love, like I even had to ask you because I was saying to myself, why are they leaving the Minis? He can't throw a strike. And then when he does, Matt, Matt Olson just creams it. And then you reminded me they have to leave him in.
- [07:33]
Peter Rosenberg
Have to leave three batters. Yeah, yeah.
- [07:36]
Alan Hahn
It just. What could go wrong, went wrong. That continues to be the problem. And it's just like the Yankees. It's the same thing. They're too good to be this bad right now and you're just expecting them to break out and at least it's a Phillies something that could wake them up. You're playing in a house of horrors there in Philadelphia. You know, it's going to be a rocking house. So you know, let's see if the juices get flowing. And by the way, if Juan Soto can give us a moment. Lindor, give us a moment. Pete Alonzo, give us a moment. Somebody's got to give you a moment and spark the room. It's the same thing to me with the Yankees. Somebody's got, somebody had to give him a moment. I was still waiting for to be judge yesterday. He got on, on board late in the game but, you know, knocked a couple of home runs, woke the room up and they ended up having a runaway win because of late inning stuff. So the Mets need the same thing. It's funny, I'm going to contradict myself. It's a long season. They got to snap out of it and the perfect opponent to do it against is the Phillies.
- [08:33]
Peter Rosenberg
In, in a way it's the perfect opponent because that's the team you're chasing after. But your wounds have been exposed. It's like, it's like, you know, they, they pulled your pants down and threw you in the girl's locker room. You're, you're a mess. And now you're going to play on Apple on Fox on espn and you don't want these wounds to be exposed too much. Yes, it's, it's the perfect opportunity. Give me the best. Let me get back on track against the team that's that I'm tied with. But there's also the realistic part of it is that, you know, the Yankees had more of a margin for error. They beat the Angels. They've got the lousy Orioles coming up here like it's a softer landing. They can now get their confidence back. The Mets could play great baseball this weekend. There's no shame in losing two out of three in Philadelphia against a really good team, even when you're playing at your best. Well, now you're not playing at your best. You're in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has now found it after dropping eight of nine. They've now rattled off a nice little toot here. Despite that one loss against the Marlins, they've caught the Mets. And now if this. If they don't snap out of this now, it's going to start to spiral a little bit. And then you go back to playing the Braves again after the Phillies, albeit you're back at home. But now it's a thing and that's how baseball is. So you're right. Start hitting. All right. If the pitching is going to be a bit of a problem up until they get Peterson on Sunday, then you know what? Go out there and hit. You got Soto, you got Alonzo, you got Lindor. Lindor hasn't been hitting the team overall, hasn't really been hitting, especially with runners in scoring position. Let's pick these pitchers up. Let's get back on track. Let's take two out of three, regain first place, and then get back home and get the business. Because that's the other thing, too. Guys. What. What's going to be waiting for them at Citi Field against the Braves if they go sideways this weekend? The crowd, you know, the crowds have been great. They've been averaging over 35,000. Their people are into it now. You're going to make them nervous and do they get booze when they come back in? And so it's. They don't have a ton of experience in these situations, guys. I mean, they went from being a contender to then falling out of it to being a contender again, you know, and now the target's on their back. Let's see how they can handle that. There's a lot of teams excited about them going sideways here and want to try to take advantage of it.
- [10:49]
Alan Hahn
I'm not sure the crowd thing is that it makes the Series feel bigger, but what you do this weekend against the Phillies obviously creates the mood now at home and also creates the idea of, okay, they got us in Atlanta, we got to get them now in our building. I feel like long seasons need stuff like this. Long seasons like this, you need these little. No, I don't mean the losing. I mean these kind of moment of truth kind of when you start playing your division, it starts to feel a little more real because it's division. So that means you got a couple of robbers, you got teams you don't like, you got teams used to seeing. And it does create at least some sort of urgency in a long season. It does. It creates like, okay, here's a mini moment in the. In the season where let's get juiced up. We're on national tv, There's a big crowd in the ballpark. We got like, just some energy, like, because you need that. It's June, and it does feel like men is still three months to go before it really matters. But these kind of series and these kind of moment of truths, especially when you've had a little bit of a slide like they've had, can. Can help you. And I think it also makes. Makes it more exciting if you're a fan. Like, I would have been dialed in if I was a Mets fan with this weekend. Now, of course, it definitely would piss you off. But now even more, I would think you dialed in for the Phillies because what you just said, Don, like, all right, this has got to stop. Who's stepping up? I want to see what my team and how they respond. That's the kind of stuff, I think that makes a long season not feel so long, when you can just cut out a block in the season and focus on it and just get a little fired up about it. But treat it like it's sort of playoff atmosphere.
- [12:31]
Peter Rosenberg
I get it, but why not? Because baseball's just different. Because who's on the mound matters. Of course, right? Like in any other sport, you're able to put your best foot forward. You know, basketball, hockey, football, big game. You got all your ducks in a row. All right? But it feels like this is a big game for the Giants or Jets and they're forced to play their backup quarterback because they're starting quarterbacks hurt. So you want to put your best foot forward. Big game. But you're not. You're not able to do it because you've got an opener tonight. You know, you don't. You don't have Peterson, you don't have Senga going. Like. I understand everything you're saying. If it's like Senga, Montas, Manaya in this series. All right, let's go get them, boy. Basketball. These are our guys, right? This is our five. These are our starting five. This is our team. Hockey, the same thing. This would be the equivalent of all right, it's a big game for the Rangers, but you know, they can't start Igor Shusturkin, so Jonathan Quick at 38 is going to be making the start. So that's what's different about baseball is, is that yeah, you got everything going but in this big game they've got, they've got Wheeler who's a beast, you know, going up against an opener so you don't feel like you're, you're presenting yourself in the best fashion you want to.
- [13:49]
Alan Hahn
But Don, that's why I get a guy like Soto. That's why I load up the top of my lineup so that my offense in situations like this, the Mets don't prioritize starting pitching. Clearly they don't spend on it.
- [13:59]
Peter Rosenberg
Right, right.
- [14:00]
Alan Hahn
So that's why I do what I do. I have guys that should be able to deal with a great pitcher, a top of the line pitcher. I've got guys that should be able to handle that. So I, I don't look at it as the opener has to out duel Zach Wheeler. I look at it as my offense has got to wake the hell up.
- [14:19]
Peter Rosenberg
I know.
- [14:20]
Alan Hahn
And take on the challenge and make Wheeler work because the top of my lineup is so damn strong. Right.
- [14:26]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, of course.
- [14:27]
Alan Hahn
That's how you do it. You, the mentality of the Mets. It has to be because that's how they're building the team.
- [14:31]
Peter Rosenberg
I know. Well, there, I don't think they built a team that they were going to have an opener tonight. Right.
- [14:36]
Alan Hahn
So I'm just saying starting pitching is not a priority.
- [14:40]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, listen, when Canning pitches tomorrow, that's kind of by design. But when you, you lose McGill, you lose Senga. You didn't start the season with Montas or Mania and they've had to give guys innings that they normally wouldn't give under certain circumstances. Even with the Mets not prioritizing pitching, they didn't expect it to be this. All right? And now it is. And nobody's going to feel bad for him. That's what happens. Injuries take place. But you're talking up, you know, put your best foot forward. This is a big series. Okay, but it's still tough to do when you have got an opener and you're going up against one of the best pitchers in baseball. So yeah, Soto, go do the job. Alonzo, do the job. Lindor, do the job. All right. But you know, it's a guy that works to under.300 average. I mean in best of days you're probably scoring three runs. But this is probably a night where you might not, might need five or six runs. Is that, is that a criticism tomorrow if the Mets lose this game, you know, 3:2 and say, oh well, you know, you got to hit more. Well, you're going up against a really good pitcher, going up against a really good team. I hear everything that you're saying, but it's not like they are representing themselves at the utmost a lineup tonight when you've got, you know, Tidwell making the start for them.
- [15:53]
Don La Greca
Don, how much of the last six games do you put on the depleted started pitching, starting pitching of the Mets?
- [16:01]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, no, I can't put any of it on. Last night had nothing to do with it. Maybe Blackburn because he had to make the emergency start because of the injuries. But you know, you're going up against Crusale and they lost that game five nothing. So they, the offense didn't do anything. But you were going up against Sale. So I guess that game today certainly, but they were fine up 4 1. That had nothing to do with the starting pitching. When Alvarez is thrown behind a runner and confusing his, you know, Reed Garrett and that's the bullpen and even the bullpen yesterday. I mean maybe if it stays 2:1 and the bullpen does the job, they might be able to hang around and find a way to win that game. But the bullpen imploded. So maybe one game, Peter, but now moving forward now it rears its ugly head because now you don't have any of those big guns in this series and you've got to start. You're trying to snap a six game losing streak with an opener against one of the best teams in baseball. So you're not exactly putting your best foot forward now.
- [17:04]
Alan Hahn
Now you know, just looking at who you're really worried about. And while the Phillies are right in your, right in your front windshield, right. I keep an eye on the Dodgers if I'm you because that's really the only thing that matters to me. They, I mean they were in, you see that, that series with the Padres. You talk about a brawl. That series was a knockdown dragon. Now you know they're 46 and 30. You're 45 and 30. Like you're right there with the defending champs. You're right there with really, if you ask me, the only team that I'm worried about and you feel like you can beat them. So I like I, I know that it, what the Braves did to you is more of a frustration because of it. It's a thorn in the side kind of thing. I don't think it's the same as the Yankees. To me, the Yankees, it was the eye test of what it looked like, how they played and of course who it was against that would, that's why I didn't like what I saw to the Yankees. And Radon gave up a lot of long. I think he gave up two or three home runs yesterday, but he was still strong. And then the offense woke up late when it needed to wake up. But I'm not like, I don't think they're in the clear whatsoever. So. But it's different for the Yankees perspective for me because of what it looked like. It, it was right what they, what they were last year at their worst that I saw again, I don't want to see that rear its ugly head for the Mets. It was simply what it was. Clay Holmes had no control, couldn't get the strike zone and then the next, next pitcher they brought in also this could not throw a strike and it just led to a disaster. They, they had a couple of games that were off. But I, I don't think you go into this Philly series, you go, oh my God, what if they lose three more and on Monday it's, it's nine in a row. I, I don't have that same feeling about the Mets as I did about the Yankees.
- [18:51]
Peter Rosenberg
No, I understand. But again, you have the luxury as a Yankee fan to kind of have the wide angle lens of your season because you know you're going to the playoffs, you know you're going to win this division, you know you can make up all, well, watch out for the Rays, watch out for the Blue Jays. You know, as a Yankee fan, you're winning this division, you're good enough to go to the World Series, you, you want to clean some things up. The Mets don't have that margin for error. They may not win their division. It's no guarantee they're going to win their division. And when the Giants get things going with Devers and the Padres eventually find their groove because we know how good they are and we get to the deadline and those teams start to get a little bit stronger, a little bit better, then all of a sudden now I'm a wild card team again, might have to play three games on the road in order to advance. You said, I only worry about the Dodgers. Well, I can't. I don't have that luxury. I, I'm done with the Dodgers. My season series is done with the Dodgers. I don't face the Dodgers again until I Get to the playoffs. Right now my concern is making sure A that I can win this division to give myself the best chance to make a run and B, to guarantee I even make the playoffs. Now I know I'm making the playoffs, but at this rate, the way they're playing right now, it's on the table that if they're not careful, that might not be any kind of a guarantee.
- [20:07]
Alan Hahn
Give me the one thing that worries you the most about the Mets. Like if there's something that they end up all of a sudden from 45 and 30 someh some way we get to September and they're out and they can't make the playoffs. What is the one thing that you think takes them down?
- [20:21]
Peter Rosenberg
I am.
- [20:21]
Alan Hahn
What are you, what have you seen so far that says if there's something that's going to take them down, this is it. What is it?
- [20:26]
Peter Rosenberg
I'm less worried about the pitching because they're going to get healthier and I do believe they're equipped to strengthen the bullpen which sometimes can be a little up and down. As good as Garrett's been, you know, he spit the bit against the Dodgers, spit the bit the other day against the Braves. But the biggest concern for me, and it's been a problem all year, is hitting with runners in scoring position because that is ultimately going to be the deterrent from them making some sort of a run. You can't leave the bases loaded. You can't just leave runs out there even when you're leading. You know, when you have a four nothing lead, make it six nothing, make it eight nothing. That's what happened the other day. Four one they came back to bite him because they couldn't add on, they couldn't tack on runs. It's been a problem all year. As good as this offense is, Lindor can be very streaky, right. And, and he's the leadoff guy. He's the catalyst so that there's that issue. But I think he'll be fine. But the runners in scoring position through 70 plus games has been a problem. And just like the Yankees, Allen, it's, it can really cost you in the postseason because that's what it's all about is getting that big two out hit.
- [21:29]
Alan Hahn
Yes.
- [21:30]
Peter Rosenberg
Scoring that run, getting that sacrifice fly, adding to the lead, the not just sitting back and waiting for the three run home run and win a game, 12 nothing. And then the next two games you get shut out because you don't have the home runs, you don't get the big hit. So you know so that's the problem. So I hear all the things that you're saying, Allen, but it's getting late early. They're not playing well. Some things have gotten exposed here that were maybe way better than they should have been in the beginning of the season. And they don't have any kind of margin for error.
- [21:59]
Alan Hahn
They.
- [22:00]
Peter Rosenberg
This league is so tough. So tough. You know, the Padres are only six games above.500. Giants are only, you know, nine games above.500. But the Giants just went out and got one of the best players in baseball, Rafael Devers. San Diego is going to kind of wake up. So these are all things that just that concern me because the Yankees are in good shape. Your problems are way down the line that our problems are, but you have a chance to figure them out. My problems are in real time. I don't have a chance to start thinking about what it's going to look like in October. I've got to worry about A, getting to October and B, getting into giving myself the best position to make a run in October.
- [22:41]
Alan Hahn
Putting more value then into game to game, then way more value into it than from the Yankee perspective. That's what you're saying.
- [22:47]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, you have to.
- [22:48]
Alan Hahn
I get it.
- [22:48]
Don La Greca
No, because we talked about this yesterday. Summit. The Yankee situation, as worrisome and frustrating as it was, feels a little freakish. Whereas the Met problem seems symptomatic. It's, you know, I know, and I know Alan. You could argue that the Yankee thing is symptomatic, too, because we've seen them lose in important games in those in ways that are similar.
- [23:11]
Alan Hahn
That they lose.
- [23:12]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, yeah.
- [23:12]
Don La Greca
But I see what Don saying that this feels like. No, this is just kind of who the team's becoming. And this is what makes the baseball season so insane. It's so long. You could have a long period of time where you're thinking about the World Series, and then over a period of time, you're thinking, oh, we're going to have to fight for this division. What's our path going to be if we meet when we make the playoffs? It's wild.
- [23:32]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, think about what Alan's been saying all week about the Yankees every he never once said, I'm worried this team's not going to win the division. Never once said, I'm worried about this team not making the playoffs. No, his concerns were that if they don't straighten this up, this is a problem that's going to exist once we get to the playoffs and it's going to burn us.
- [23:52]
Alan Hahn
Yes.
- [23:52]
Peter Rosenberg
As a Met Fan. I don't have that luxury. Nothing's a fade accompli for them. They're tied. I'm sorry. The Phillies are way better than any of the teams chasing after the Yankees in the American League East. Can we agree with that? As pesky as the Rays are, Red Sox just traded away one of their best players. I'll believe the Blue Jays when I see it.
- [24:11]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, I got you. Yeah, I'm with you. Yeah.
- [24:13]
Peter Rosenberg
But the Phillies are a perennial winner. They're a perennial playoff team. That's a rival. That's right now, completely up their butt. They are even. They're tied. Four and a half game lead. Bang, gone in the blink of an eye. And now you're. Now you're. Now you're dangling with the wild card, just hoping that maybe if we get lucky, we'll be the first wild card and we'll play in a best of three at Citi Field. Is that what this season was supposed to be about? Or was it supposed to be about let's win this division. Let's not have to go through the trials and tribulations of last year where we had to beat the Braves in the first game of a makeup double header to just get into the postseason. This was supposed to be taking the next step and winning this division. And they still can, and I still believe they will. But I didn't see this coming. Guys see, you know, following up a six game winning streak where everything is kumbaya to now, six game losing streak. Having to stare the Phillies and the Braves down, you know, over the next week. And sorry for me, being concerned that it might go sideways.
- [25:11]
Alan Hahn
First moment of truth of the season, you're facing it right now against a rival, a division opponent and on the road as well.
- [25:20]
Don La Greca
And then, and guess what? Right when you're done, you get your second moment of truth of the season.
- [25:25]
Alan Hahn
On Monday and give me, give me the payback. Give me the payback.
- [25:28]
Don La Greca
That's it. Yeah, but it's such a moment of truth because if you don't do it, if you somehow lose five out of six to Atlanta, that is, that could ruin whatever you do against Philly. You win two or three against Philly, feel great. Don. If you lose two or three against Atlanta, it still doesn't feel great.
- [25:43]
Alan Hahn
Well, it's the Yankees against the Red Sox. That was the same story, but five out of six.
- [25:47]
Peter Rosenberg
But moment of truth, Peter. It's a moment of truth tonight. Go get him, Blade Tidwell.
- [25:53]
Don La Greca
Well, that's.
- [25:55]
Peter Rosenberg
I don't mean to pick on. I'm just, I'm not picking on him. It is what it is, right? He, he's an opener against one of the best pitchers in major league baseball, Zach Wheeler. So that's a tough break, right? And so we'll see if they could go out, you know what, go out there, put up 10 runs and it won't matter. Win the game 10, nine, I don't care. Just find a way to win the game. But why?
- [26:17]
Don La Greca
Why is playing the Phillies like playing a collection, like an all star team of the mid teen Nationals and Mets. That's basically the Phillies are very good team. Trey Turner, Bryce Harper.
- [26:35]
Alan Hahn
It does feel like an all star team of 10 years ago.
- [26:40]
Peter Rosenberg
It's probably kind of like Allen growing up as a Yankee, having to face all the former Yankees that they had that they didn't have anymore. You know, almost every city you went into go to Seattle and have to deal with Jay Buhner.
- [26:53]
Alan Hahn
JB oh God. Yeah, we can only.
- [26:55]
Don La Greca
I can only think of one thing when I hear Jay Buener.
- [26:57]
Peter Rosenberg
That's Seinfeld.
- [26:58]
Don La Greca
That's right.
- [26:59]
Peter Rosenberg
Why'd you trade Jeh?
- [27:03]
Alan Hahn
We do have to go. All right, enough with the food, all right?
- [27:06]
Peter Rosenberg
1-800-919-3776. I love you big show. 4:30. You know what that is? That is fraud alert Friday. I'll get the emails in 6:30 and then in a put up or shut up game for the Mets. And coverage begins at 6:30. Fellas, I got one quickie right here on ESPN New York. You want to get the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda. Lease a new 2025 CX90 preferred plug in hybrid for 299 for 24 months or buy with 1.9% APR financing for 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda dot com. Choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Excludes tax, title, registration zero security deposit VIN S 1194,329 MSRP 51825 and 630 25.
- [27:53]
Don La Greca
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- [28:54]
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- [29:24]
Rosenberg
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [29:27]
Don La Greca
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [29:29]
Rosenberg
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [29:37]
Peter Rosenberg
Game TIME is brought to you by Tel Mordew Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, boys.
- [29:44]
Alan Hahn
Sure like when he holds it.
- [29:54]
Peter Rosenberg
Mets open up their series with the Phillies coverage immediately following us right here on 880 at 8 at 6:35 of the Yankees. Welcome in the Orioles at 7:05 telemore. Do the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore or try the new Tullamore Dew honey during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tu responsibly. We'll have a game seven. What's the matter?
- [30:15]
Alan Hahn
Oh, some numbers for you.
- [30:16]
Peter Rosenberg
Go ahead.
- [30:17]
Alan Hahn
Did you mention the runners in scoring position issues?
- [30:20]
Peter Rosenberg
Yes.
- [30:20]
Alan Hahn
Where do you think the Mets rank right now in Major League Baseball with batting average runners in scoring position 22nd. Second to last because I know it.
- [30:32]
Peter Rosenberg
Was like 20th a while ago.
- [30:34]
Don La Greca
Yeah, that was a long time ago.
- [30:35]
Alan Hahn
That's 2216. It's. It's the lowest in the National League. Only the White Sox are worse. They're batting.211, grounded to double play when they have runners in scoring position 20 times fifth most. And this is one really stands out to me the most because this is the one that a lot of fans always talk about. You got a runner in scoring position. Sometimes you want to Just sacrifice them over.
- [31:01]
Peter Rosenberg
Right, right.
- [31:04]
Alan Hahn
The Yankees, the Mets and the Dodgers are three of five teams that have only had one sacrifice hit with the runners in scoring position this season. It's unreal. There's. There's five teams that only have one hit. The Yankees have had 763 plate appearances with the runner in scoring position this season. One sacrifice. The Mets have had 754, one sacrifice. The Dodgers 763, one sacrifice. Those are the three highest, by the way. And pretty crazy. It's just a different attitude towards the game.
- [31:45]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. And again, the analytic people will tell you those are three first place teams, so what's the big deal?
- [31:49]
Alan Hahn
My point is we, we. But fans always rail about it. It's like, why don't they just put them over? Why don't they just. But the numbers tell you no. But for the Mets, you would argue that maybe they should. Well, because their batting average is so damn poor right now with the runner in scoring position.
- [32:04]
Peter Rosenberg
Just get runs or go. I don't care how you do it, you know, and obviously home runs are nice and extra base hits are nice, but when you're struggling, just kind of. Whatever you can do.
- [32:12]
Alan Hahn
Yeah.
- [32:13]
Peter Rosenberg
To figure out, to just get a run. And you do that in the four, one game lead you had in the eighth inning and make it five, one, maybe you find a way to hold on and win that game and it changes the perspective of everything. Ends the losing streak. You only lost two out of three to Atlanta. Back to back sweeps, man. That's the thing, you know, the Rays are a good team. They lost at home, didn't think it was a big deal and now it becomes a big deal. And that's the thing with baseball, guys. It's a week. It was a week ago today, Right. They had the meltdown in the bullpen against the Rays and lost that game and haven't won a game since. That's how quick it could all of a sudden turn. I'm at Ringo Starr, checking the score on my phone and they're off to a great start. I'm like, ah, good. Seven in a row. Heave ho. Seven in a row. Look out for us, man. And they haven't won a game since 1-800-9193776. Let's go to Dave in Westchester. You get us started off here on Don Rosenberg. What's up, man?
- [33:16]
Caller
Hey, how you guys doing? I just wanted to say I'm a bit. I'm a Yankee fan, but I'm not a Met hater. And Don is completely, absolutely correct. I mean, the Yankees, right now, big picture is just one thing. They beat Detroit during the World Series. I'm not a gambler. I haven't gambled until I was in my 20s. I'm 62. I put a thousand dollars on them, plus 150 just to make the World Series. Yankees. It's a guarantee. It's a guarantee they're not losing to Detroit. That's it, done. The Mets, on the other chance, they have to go through a billion great teams. San Diego could beat them, the Dodgers could beat them, the Phillies could beat them. They have to go through so much more than the Yankees. It's ridiculous. In pitching. He's absolutely right, too, because when they do the odds for baseball games, it's not the team against the team. The 99% of the way they set the odds, just who's pitching against the other pitcher. That's it. Done. That's who. That's who the. That's who the favorite is. So the Mets tonight, they're an underdog because of the pitcher. If you put a different pitcher on the Mets, you put Doc Gooden on the Mets. Right now, back in the day, they're the favorite. So, I mean, the Mets have to really, you know, they. I mean, I love Alonzo, even when Alonzo's up, I'm. I'm a Yankee fan. I want him to hit the ball to Jupiter. When Piazza was on the Mets, I want him hit the ball to Jupiter when. When Strawberry was on the Met. Same thing. I'm not a Met hater. If they're not playing the Yankees, I want the Mets to win. But Don is right. The Mets have a big. They might not even win the division. The Yankees, it's a miracle. If they don't win the division, I can guarantee you a million dollars the Yankees win the division.
- [34:48]
Peter Rosenberg
Well, wait a minute. Keep them on hold because I'll take that bet.
- [34:51]
Alan Hahn
Because I want to ask him. I want to clarify, Dave. You put $1,000 on the Yankees to get back to the World Series Just.
- [35:00]
Caller
To get to the World Series.
- [35:02]
Alan Hahn
That's just to get. So when the alcs.
- [35:05]
Caller
I'm an assistant principal. I don't make millions of dollars like you guys. So it's a lot of money.
- [35:09]
Alan Hahn
Listen, no, a thousand dollars for anybody is a lot to put down on something like this. So you're saying they're going to win the American League pennant and you put a thousand dollars just.
- [35:18]
Caller
Yeah, just for the pet.
- [35:19]
Peter Rosenberg
They get just.
- [35:20]
Caller
I get paid right after I Get to the World Series.
- [35:22]
Alan Hahn
What's.
- [35:22]
Caller
They're going to the World Series.
- [35:24]
Alan Hahn
The Yankees gave. What was the number for them to do it?
- [35:29]
Caller
Plus one, plus 150.
- [35:30]
Alan Hahn
Plus 150.
- [35:31]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I mean that's. Those aren't even terrific odds really. But hey, and if you remember we talked at the beginning of the year, like when they lost 300 for them.
- [35:40]
Caller
To win the World Series.
- [35:41]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, yeah.
- [35:42]
Peter Rosenberg
That's a different story.
- [35:43]
Caller
I didn't do that.
- [35:44]
Peter Rosenberg
But Dave, you're. You're right in the sense that when Cole, when they announced that Cole was out for the year and then he was going to miss half the year, the odds didn't change. I mean, that's how. Yeah, wide. That's how they believe, as wide open as the American League is, is that the Yankees should be able to get back there. Now, I'm not willing to guarantee it because I do respect Detroit and you never know what can happen in a series. But that's the only team I think you concern yourself with. They're going to win this division. Barring injury, they're going to win the division and they're going to put themselves in a situation where they're going to be able to make another run. The Mets can't say that because the National League is a beast. And if you flip flopped on, even with the Mets struggles. Alan and Peter, if the Mets and the Yankees traded divisions, I would feel the same way about the Mets. I think they had an excellent chance to go to the World Series and still win this division. And I think the Yankees would be in a heap of trouble because there would be no guarantee they'd win the division and no guarantee they'd be able to navigate that nationally.
- [36:42]
Alan Hahn
You like the Phillies. Yeah.
- [36:44]
Peter Rosenberg
You know, and then obviously the Dodgers if you, if once you make the playoffs. So it's crazy the difference between these two leagues. Let's go to Moose in Jamaica. You're on espn, New York.
- [36:57]
Caller
Good afternoon, fellas. How are we?
- [36:59]
Peter Rosenberg
Good man.
- [36:59]
Alan Hahn
Moose. Good.
- [37:00]
Don La Greca
Good. Moose.
- [37:01]
Caller
Yes, yes. Chilling. Good to hear. I wanted to comment real quickly about the Hope week broadcast. Those two broadcasters, those high schoolers, phenomenal job, especially the play by play guys. Sounded like he's been doing it for 10 years. Crazy how he does his high school games. But the point I'm trying to make my call with, yeah, he did a good job. The point of my call, there's two points quickly on the Yankees. I don't know if you've noticed this, but ever since like 2013, they've had like a close to 500 to below.500 record in June. And so like I've been expecting this June swoon and, and, and I know people are making a big deal about not them not getting sacrifice bunts down but not to I guess quoting Allen Iverson in a reverse way. But we talk about bunting not swinging the bat, we talking about bunting when and sluggers don't even bunt in the minor leagues. So that being said and you can even go back to in the 90s, I remember Paul O' Neill on the broadcast saying a couple of times in the early parts of the season when he had an 0 for 20, 0 for 30, he would switch his batting gloves and snap out of it. So I'm not concerned about struggles in June when October is more pressing and quickly on the upcoming series with the Orioles. And I'll finish my call with this. The Orioles are not afraid of us. They may, they may take some gain from us this weekend but I'm hoping the Yankees and I expect judge to almost every game like he does against the Orioles. But the Orioles been shooting himself in the foot on defense and stuff. But the Orioles are not afraid of us. So I'm going to tune in and I'm looking towards the broadcast and it's going to be a good game. Thanks for taking my call.
- [38:46]
Alan Hahn
You know, let me follow up on Moose there because I'll reveal that we had him on hold. So I saw what he wanted to talk about. So I just wanted to check. So this is just in Aaron Boone's time as manager, right. Going back to 2018, right. When the Yankees have a great June till 2022 they went 22 and 6, they won 99 games that season. 2019 they went 17 and 9, they won 103 games. 2018 they went 18 and 9, 100 wins in the other Junes. Now this year they're 8, 9 so far. Last year 14 and 13 they got to 94, 23 they were 11 and 12 they only got the 82 wins. 21 they went 12 and 14, 92 wins. There was no June obviously in 2020. So when they have a good June it end it really sends them off to like a hundred win season. When they don't they'll be either low 90s or 80s and that's under under Boone. So with the Yankees that follow numbers the way they do, wouldn't you think that they would have already picked up on the fact that how important June seems to be for their success and so you'd Be almost like uber prepared for exactly what Moose said, which is the June swoon. Because when they play.500 ball in June, they're. They're okay. They've had good, decent seasons. But when they have a great June, they end up having a great season.
- [40:09]
Peter Rosenberg
I just don't know how you just pair them forward.
- [40:12]
Alan Hahn
It's just that's, you know, it's coming and you make sure that your guys are a little more locked in, a little more fresh. Whatever it is that you do, you do something about it. Those numbers tell me that June's important.
- [40:23]
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, no, I know, but I just don't know. I don't know what you do. You know, I don't think anybody wants to go into a slump. I don't think they changed anything. It just might be just one of those things. The one thing that Moose exaggerated, that they always play poorly in June. They don't just a handful of times they have under Boone. And the one thing he was absolutely right about is actually only twice.
- [40:41]
Alan Hahn
You're right.
- [40:42]
Peter Rosenberg
Even when Baltimore's awful, they always find a way to just grab a game here and there from the Yankees that could be very, very frustrating. And now they're underachieving this year. But they're much better than those teams that were like God awful on their way to 100 losses and yet still would find a way to take a couple of games here and there against the Yankees. So they do seem to not be afraid at all of the Yankees. It's now time for the weekend weather which is brought to you by Wild Fork Foods. The heat is here tomorrow, partly cloudy with a high of 89. And then Sunday it's going to be cloudy with a high of 93. That's the weekend weather report and it's brought to you by Wild Fork Foods. Wild Fork Foods is your grill season. Go to with over 450 meats and seafood blast frozen for peak flavor. Visit in store or order same day delivery@wildforkfoods.com.
- [41:40]
Rosenberg
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [41:43]
Don La Greca
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
- [41:45]
Rosenberg
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
- [41:52]
Peter Rosenberg
Familiar with this one, Peter?
- [41:55]
Don La Greca
Keep going.
- [41:57]
Peter Rosenberg
Told you once before. Goodbye.
- [42:01]
Don La Greca
Not immediately, no. Why? Why this one right now? Is there a reason I'm missing?
- [42:13]
Peter Rosenberg
You have to ask Jacob.
- [42:14]
Don La Greca
Jacob?
- [42:16]
Peter Rosenberg
No reason in particular. I just feel like this how the Mets been treating me and you know, with all my other sports teams, it feels like my heart is always broken.
- [42:25]
Alan Hahn
By the way, guys, we have a gigantic fraud to call out, a very famous fraud to call out and fraud alert Friday.
- [42:36]
Caller
Really?
- [42:36]
Alan Hahn
Oh, yes. This is a big one.
- [42:39]
Peter Rosenberg
We're going to save this for 430.
- [42:41]
Alan Hahn
Oh yeah.
- [42:42]
Peter Rosenberg
Okay.
- [42:42]
Alan Hahn
This is a big one. I want to be able to shake New York City.
- [42:45]
Peter Rosenberg
I want to. Oh wow. I want to be able to rule on that. Coming up on fraud alert Friday at 4:30. Back to your calls on the Yanks and Mets. 1-800-919-3776. Always a pleasure. Welcome in Griffin in Connecticut. How are you buddy?
- [43:02]
Caller
Hey guys, how are you? First off, Alan, did you hear on Barton Carlin today that they were talking about your hair?
- [43:11]
Alan Hahn
Yeah. Yes. It was brought to my attention.
- [43:14]
Caller
Yeah, Sports day.
- [43:16]
Yeah, that's, that's basically where sports shows go sometimes. Hair, movies, music, all of it. All, all that you can get on 880 in the ESPN app. If you use the ESPN app and you should download the app.
- [43:32]
Alan Hahn
Well, I will say that, that Carlin was complimentary so I'll take it.
- [43:38]
Caller
Whatever he's going to talk about is this is why people get mad at Major League Baseball. The Metro Mets are playing the Phillies this weekend. Not one game is on Sny. Not one game. The Mets Mets are not having their announcers doing one get. They're not doing one game. And affiliates announcers aren't doing one game. This is why people get mad at Major League Baseball. It's an Apple TV tonight, it's on FOX tomorrow and it's on ESPN on Sunday. It's the same thing that happened when the Yankees played the Dodgers back then. They want to hear their team sometimes and they don't get the right to do that because Major League Baseball just froze it on all these other things. ESPN, Fox, Apple TV, YouTube, TV Room 2. I don't even know what it's called that they have. 11:30am let's go back to our little league days. This is, it's just ridiculous.
- [44:38]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I don't, I don't want to get on the Roku but the Yankees are on Roku.
- [44:42]
Alan Hahn
They got a legacy. 35 star Rupu, I think.
- [44:45]
Don La Greca
Was he talking about Roku?
- [44:47]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, he was but he said, he said Rupu, which was you.
- [44:49]
Don La Greca
How guys, how long will I have to wait for that to hear that again?
- [44:52]
Peter Rosenberg
I would, you know, if you have to wait till I. And then somebody should be let go.
- [44:55]
Don La Greca
It should be, it should be. It should be in less than three minutes. That's so good.
- [44:59]
Alan Hahn
It was so good.
- [45:00]
Don La Greca
I forgot that's Impossible.
- [45:01]
Alan Hahn
The team doesn't have control over it. Like to say that the Mets aren't having their announcers call the game they have no control over. This is Major League Baseball and deals that they've made with their, with their broadcast partners. And they continue to just add broadcast partners. Other leagues are doing it. Football's doing it. Obviously, we're seeing it in the NBA next year. Get ready in the NBA next year. And so it's just, this is the way of the new world and I don't like it. And Don, I know you can agree with me because we both live in this life. The regional sports networks are being pushed out little by little to a point where you wonder if they'll come a time where they don't exist anymore. And I don't think fans want that. No, but it doesn't matter.
- [45:41]
Peter Rosenberg
Listen, there's always been a nationally televised game on Saturday going way back. All right? So let's not get crazy about that. You do have to have a bit of a, of a national presence. Fox, I got news for you. Fox isn't paying for the right to broadcast Major League Baseball for regular season games in June. They are paying for the rights so they can air the playoffs in the World Series. And what comes with that is having to air games in the regular season. That goes back to when NBC had the package and they had the World Series every year. That's just how that works. Apple's a money grab. And again, I can't kill Major League Baseball. They lost a ton of money on Covid. Somebody's willing to give you millions of dollars to broadcast games. You're gonna have to do it. And listen, not because it's us, but ESPN Sunday night. Baseball's been an institution for over 30 years. And relish in it because it's going to go away afterwards.
- [46:31]
Alan Hahn
Yeah, it won't be long.
- [46:32]
Peter Rosenberg
So.
- [46:33]
Alan Hahn
But, but Fox isn't in the business to give you, you know, let's give you the Texas Rangers at the Pirates. They don't want that.
- [46:40]
Peter Rosenberg
I know, but that, but see this, this is what the problem is, all right? When you have football with a national television thing, there's a rotation. There's actually a rule that every team has to play at least one Thursday night game. Basketball, you'll get a bunch of teams. It's not just always the Knicks and the Lakers. You'll get the Celtics.
- [47:02]
Alan Hahn
It's a lot of Knicks.
- [47:04]
Peter Rosenberg
It's a lot. But it doesn't seem baseball's flexing because their ratings are way up. But if you take a look at the nationally televised games, Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Dodgers. Last Sunday it was Giants, Dodgers, and now you're. This Sunday it's Mets, Phillies. You know, you could start flexing when you're throwing, you know, Padres, Diamondbacks up there and pulling a number. The problem is there's only a handful of teams that pull a number. NHL is the same thing. Whenever the NHL nationally tells, it's always Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, you know, it's always the same rotation of four or five teams because the rest of the teams can't do it. The problem I have is, and you heard Manfred talking about everybody wants to be national. There's nothing wrong with being regional. Major League Baseball's made a ton of money being a regional sport. Embrace what you are. You're never going to be football, and you're never going to be basketball. Even basketball is not basketball now. Basketball has become regional now that they're, you know, searching for the next dynasty. But what happens is you're taking your local product and you're blowing it up. Because now every Met fan doesn't get to see Gary, Keith and Ron for the entire weekend in a huge series. They're going to get. And no offense to any of the announcers, they all do great. Ravitch does a great job, and Wayne Randazzo is going to do a good job on Apple, and Fox is going to do its great job. But now you're going to get people that. And they're going to talk down to you and tell you about the Mets as if you haven't watched them all year when all you've done is watch every inning because they're going to cater to the broadcast in Nebraska instead of the two markets that are actually watching it.
- [48:39]
Don La Greca
Can I both agree with everything we're saying 100% and be sick of talking about this because it's been like five. What is it, four years, three years that this has come up four times a year? We should probably just need to accept it like this. They have made their decision. This is. They don't care. And. And what's the next thing we talk about the end of the year? Hey, you know, it'd be really nice if Michael could call playoff games. I think there's a difference between changing it.
- [49:01]
Peter Rosenberg
See, that's not. There will be, but I think there's a difference. Two different conversations. They are.
- [49:07]
Don La Greca
They are different conversations, but they're related in the sense that the league is not listening and they don't care.
- [49:12]
Alan Hahn
But, you know, what that is clear. But that doesn't mean you don't talk about it and you don't continue to keep it in the conversation because once you surrender to it, then you never have a voice. But if you continue to voice the displeasure in it, you still fight for the little guy. Which is the regional sports network and what the local fan.
- [49:29]
Don La Greca
The only way Allen's to not pay for it. They need to show that. They need to see that no one's watching it. If if half the crowd or more caves and they see the streaming numbers. Sorry, not happening.
- [49:40]
Peter Rosenberg
But I'm tired of it getting it through extortion. You know that I have to now make a sacrifice and miss my team in order to make a point. And ultimately I don't think fans should have to do that. Although I do think with the app and with baseball still being quality on radio, that people may be more more than that. True.
- [50:02]
Rosenberg
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
- [50:05]
Alan Hahn
I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good here.
- [50:08]
Rosenberg
More More of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.