Hour 1: Mets Walk Off

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Mets Walk Off

Date: August 27, 2025
Platform: ESPN New York
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg (absent this hour), Don La Greca (“Don”)

---

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the red-hot New York Mets’ dramatic walk-off win over the Philadelphia Phillies and assesses the state of both the Mets and Yankees as the postseason nears. The hosts blend sharp baseball analysis with signature New York banter, discussing bullpen conundrums, team momentum, music generational gripes, and sprinkle in classic “list” segment hijinks. A current of cautious optimism for the Mets’ divisional run permeates the discussion, along with skepticism about their ability to sustain playoff-caliber performance.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mets’ Walk-Off Win and Bullpen Woes

• Hot Start vs. Sustainability

  • The Mets have claimed the first two games of the series against a “reeling” Phillies club, but questions remain about the legitimacy of the winning streak due to bullpen instability.
  • Don notes a pattern: “The Phillies are starting to remind you of the Yankees in some ways. They also play sloppily.” (01:26)

• Unreliable Closers

  • Extended conversation about Ryan Helsley’s struggles as a new Mets reliever; juxtaposed with other closers like Devin Williams.
  • “Game should have been over and somehow, someway gives up a tour...they gotta stop bringing him in to Hell’s Bells.” – Don (01:51)
  • Running joke about how pitchers should have walk-up/entry music reflecting recent performance, rather than career highlights:
    • “If you blow three saves in a row, instead of Hell’s Bells, you’re coming out to the Benny Hill theme.” – Don (03:25)
    • “How you play is what your walk-up song should be.” – Don (03:51)
    • “That would almost inspire me to pitch better.” – Rosenberg (04:54)

• Bullpen Depth and Meritocracy

  • Mets are forced to use deep bullpen arms nightly due to short outings from starters.
  • Commendation for manager Mendoza’s merit-based approach:
    • "Performance matters. We're at a point where we've got to see performance.” – Don quoting Mendoza (08:17)
  • Discussion of rookie auditions (e.g., McLean, Tong, Sproat) and postseason eligibility.
    • “It’s a glorified audition for everybody.” – Rosenberg (11:38)

---

2. Mets’ Surge and Playoff Prospects

• Offensive Awakening

  • The Mets’ bats are finally hot, averaging 7.1 runs/game since August 12, leading MLB (06:12).
  • Resilience showcased by late-inning comebacks, specifically referencing Nimmo’s crucial knock.

• Playoff Stakes and Division Race

  • “If you win tonight, don’t lay an egg against the Marlins the way you did against the Nationals...Take care of business. Build on something here.” – Don (15:20)
  • “There’s really not that much of a difference between the Mets and the Phillies...They are very sloppy, just like the Yankees.” – Rosenberg (15:31)

• Cautious Optimism

  • Many teams are “flawed,” which keeps the divisional and wildcard races open.
  • Multiple mentions of the “confidence” the Mets are building, especially in matchups vs. Philly:
    • “The Mets have to feel like, like the Red Sox do against the Yankees. Like, I’m not scared of this team. I can beat this team and confidence with athletes goes a long way...” – Rosenberg (15:40)

---

3. Philosophy on Building a Winner

• Pitching Philosophy & David Stearns’ Approach
  • Don relays insights from Stearns’ interview:
    • The front office’s reluctance to hand out long-term contracts to pitchers over 30.
    • Commitment to homegrown pitching for "long term sustained success".
  • “No, we’re not going to make a desperate swing at somebody over 30...We know the best way to do it is to develop our own pitching.” – Don (10:41)

---

4. Yankees Update (Interwoven, to be covered post-game)

• Yankees trouncing Washington; Stanton praised for a big game; Volpe’s prolonged slump highlighted multiple times.

---

5. Generational Music Talk & “List” Segment Antics

• Music of the Summer
  • A humorous and nostalgic break launches from a discussion about “walk-up” songs and morphs into lamenting the lack of definitive “songs of the summer” nowadays.
  • Don sheepishly defends using Billboard stats for his “top summer songs” list and gets roasted for the lifeless results.
    • “You let the analytics get in the way.” – Rosenberg (19:10)
    • “No, but that’s not what it’s supposed to be about...” (19:25)
  • K-pop’s encroachment (“Soda Pop”), Kidz Bop, and the changing way people (and kids) consume music supply plenty of punchlines and generation-gap observations.

---

6. Listener Calls: Deli Lunches & Mets Playoff Fever

• Classic New York banter arises in a “list” challenge:

  • “You spent a day in the yard...What are you getting [at the deli]?” (36:19)
    • Rosenberg: roast beef on a buttered hero.
    • Callers: chicken salad or the classic Italian hero.

• Mets optimism:

  • One caller (“Pierre from Putnam”) goes all-in:
    • “This series is going to springboard the New York Mets to where we’ve been wanting to go for over four decades now...The New York Mets are going to win the World Series in 2025. Loop it, save it.” (44:35)
    • This enthusiasm is met with Han and Rosenberg's blend of cautious realism:
      • “I want to build something sustainable to where everybody’s chasing after them and it’s not luck and it’s not hot and it’s not all of a sudden coming together late in the season and having to be a grimace...That, to me, is not sustainable.” – Rosenberg (46:14)

• Mets history as a series of near-misses and miracle runs is examined; 1986 and 1969 compared to modern teams, with longing for a “no doubt” runaway season.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Mets' challenge:
  • “He has been an abject disaster so far in a Met uniform.” – Don (06:51, re: Helsley)
• On bullpen management:
  • “If you’re going to the bullpen in the fifth inning every single night, at some point you can't hide. These pitchers, they gotta go.” – Rosenberg (07:34)
• On modern baseball parity:
  • “It just means you don’t stink as bad as a lot of the other garbage that you’re going to be facing...” – Rosenberg (39:23)
• Music nostalgia:
  • “At least they sang into a microphone! ... It was bad, it was corny, was pap, but it was real.” – Don & Rosenberg (43:31)
• On hope vs. process:
  • “I’m tired of that. Listen, I’ll take it because I don’t have a lot of great Met moments, but can it ever be just, hey, we’re the best team, everybody’s chasing after us instead of some miracle, some fluke, some hot run, some wild card team that catches fire late?” – Rosenberg (46:14)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:55 – Show proper starts; Mets and Phillies streaks, Yankees update.
• 01:45 – Who do you trust more for one out: Devin Williams or Helsley?
• 03:00–05:30 – Comedy segment on “walk-up” songs reflecting current stats.
• 06:12 – Mets’ offensive burst and critical inning review.
• 08:17 – Mets management embraces strictly merit-based decisions.
• 10:15 – Don recaps David Stearns interview on building a pitching staff.
• 11:38 – Roster battles, rookie auditions and playoff eligibility scenarios.
• 14:53 – Mets' recent record; confidence vs. Philly; playoff implications.
• 19:00 – “Song of the Summer” and generational music consumption.
• 34:27 – Listener call: deli sandwich choices & segue to Mets playoff path.
• 44:35 – Pierre from Putnam's Mets “guarantee”; hosts dissect hope vs. process.
• 47:44 – Revisiting heartbreaking Mets playoff history and fan expectations.

---

Tone & Style

Classic New York sports radio with a heavy dose of self-deprecating humor, no-nonsense realism, and a refusal to buy into empty hype. There is always room for a little hope, a little groaning, and lots of food and music debates. The hosts are conversational, sarcastic, and always aiming to keep listeners grounded — no matter how exciting the latest Mets walk-off might be.

---

For New Listeners

This episode is a quintessential example of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: part therapy session for Mets fans, part sports roundtable, part old-school New York banter, with just enough music and lunch talk sprinkled in to feel like a true local hangout.

---

To hear more: weekdays at 3 pm on ESPN New York and wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

Mint is still $15 a month for premium wireless. And if you haven't made the switch yet, here are 15 reasons why you should. One, it's $15 a month. Two, seriously, it's $15 a month. Three, no big contracts. Four, I use it. Five, my mom used to say, are you, are you playing me off? That's what's happening, right? Okay, give it a try.

[Rosenberg]

@Mintmobile.Com 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 mint mobile.com todd give me a.

[Don Hahn]

Peter, the most used sweat is at a buffet. And Rosenberg, I'll be honest, the one.

[Rosenberg]

Thing I miss about having an office is the taste of Steve Hart's nuts. This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Don Hahn]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Pierre]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Don Hahn]

880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app.

[Rosenberg]

That's one of my favorite opens right there. Great job by Jacob, Don Han and Rosenberg with you till 6:30. Then it's Mets baseball. The red hot Mets taking the first two of the series against Philadelphia. Still playing like garbage but finding ways to win against the Philadelphia team. Listen, I'm no Philly fan, but if I were I'd be a little concerned that they just can't beat the Mets on a bet at Citi Field. And their lead has now shrunk to five. Yankees are clubbing the Washington Nationals like a seal. How are you buddy?

[Don Hahn]

Like a seal, he said. Yeah, yeah. The Phillies are starting to remind you of the Yankees in some ways. They also play sloppily. But I'm going to ask you out of the. I'll ask everybody out of the gate. You had one out. Your life depended on it. You going to Devin Williams or you going to Helsley? It's the only two choices you have. They're the only guys left in the world who you, who would you have more faith in? Because that game should have been over and somehow some way gives up a tour. Like it's just they got to stop bringing him into Hell's Bells.

[Rosenberg]

Well, it's stupid playing like the Sesame street song. Like really like you know that, that, that would be really interesting for baseball. Think about it.

[Don Hahn]

What's that?

[Rosenberg]

That your walk up song or your intro as a pitcher song is based on how you've played lately.

[Don Hahn]

Like imagine if you. It's like he's coming in. Everybody chooses right now. Press on Your phone. What song should he come into? And you give him three choices and one is a good one, one's mediocre and like a clown song. Right? Like, and it's.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, right. It's because right now like Volpe is what, one. For his last 35, he's like oh, for four today just.

[Don Hahn]

He just got two outs in the same inning.

[Rosenberg]

He was 0 for 2 in the third. So his next to bat, his walk up song should be like the soft serve ice cream. Like Housley should like come out to whatever the wonderama theme was, right?

[Don Hahn]

Oh no, that would be good.

[Rosenberg]

Like it just lets the world know. Like, I wonder how this. I wonder if this batter is any good. Like, hey Alan, how. How's Volpe been the last month?

[Don Hahn]

Well, let's wait.

[Rosenberg]

Ladies and gentlemen, now batting, Anthony Volpe. Oh, okay. Now I know he's been awful. That's a. That's a really good. I guess like Hell's Bells comes out the only. The only been ringing the bell of the batters.

[Don Hahn]

The Benny Hill theme comes out.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, See, I like that. This. We just came up with a great ide. You know, stop with the. With the yo yo stuff that ideas that you have with like the. The players weekend and the Field of Dreams game between the Phillies and the Twins. Ho. Get your tickets early yet. This is what we need to do. How you play is what your walk up song.

[Don Hahn]

You have to walk up and you walk out and the whole crowd lets you know. Rather than booing, we. We pick like the most obnoxious song possible for you. But anyways, think about it.

[Rosenberg]

All the like, like remember, like it was really cool, I guess a Met fan back in 22 with the whole.

[Don Hahn]

That.

[Rosenberg]

That trumpet. That Timmy trumpet.

[Don Hahn]

Timmy trumpets.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, but. But just with the like the lights go down.

[Don Hahn]

It was like Helsley's first appearance as a Met.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

They shut the lights down and you hear the. And Hell's Bells. As you know. I mean, what a. What an unbelievable beginning.

[Rosenberg]

Black and black.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. So the fact that. And I actually texted a friend of mine because they don't show. They used to show it after the commercial break, but now because he's been so bad, Sny doesn't even bother anymore. So I texted a friend of mine there and I go, is he still coming out to Hell's Bells or did he kill that? He's like, no, he's still doing it.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So if you're him, wouldn't you be.

[Rosenberg]

Like, no, no, but just imagine.

[Don Hahn]

Enough.

[Rosenberg]

I'm not coming out to this during that. Just because, remember with Diaz, right. Oh, like, they dim the lights.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, that's great.

[Rosenberg]

And then you'd hear. And then they show him coming out and then the trumpet. But just imagine, like, you know, Diaz is blowing like, three saves in a row, and the light dims and the door swings open and they show Diaz from behind here. That would almost inspire me to pitch better.

[Pierre]

Or.

[Don Hahn]

Or like a 70s game show theme, Right? Like some crazy. The Newlywed Game.

[Rosenberg]

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. Oh, come on. That was great with that.

[Don Hahn]

But that. So that. That, to me, like, that game had everything that you wanted until that moment. And then luckily they were able to get to Duran and they. They got bases loaded, and then Nimmo comes up with a big hit, and they're able to save and salvage that game. And if it held you, like, thank God.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, because it would have been a disaster.

[Don Hahn]

Just everything was going fine. 5, 2. They answer the bell once again. They knocked the starter, who's been read a Lizardo gets knocked out of the game in the fifth inning. Do you get a start out of Maniah that you wanted? Eh, you didn't get out of the. He. He again. It's. It's. He didn't give you more than you needed. What did he go for? Did he go four innings or did he get to. Did he. Four, two, four and two third. So he didn't get you through five. But the fact that the Met bats are doing what they're doing and how hot they've been and the numbers for them, it's like, this is the thing you've been waiting for for them, because their offense has really been a part of the issue. As you know, Don, you've talked about it. But since August 12, they have 99 runs scored, the 7.1 runs per game, which leads Major League Baseball. So are they starting to figure it out offensively or. You know, this is one of those hot streaks. I mean, Viento's another rbi, but they're answering the bell even when they go down early in the game. And so everything in that game went exactly the way you want. And now you got McLean on the mount tonight, which you're excited about. You can get a sweep here. And then, by the way, you do play them four more times after this, so there's something there. But if. If that. If that Bader home run turns into a loss, that's crushing. But the fact that they were able to answer right away and get out of there. But, man, I thought Helsey was such a great pickup. And he has been an abject disaster so far in a Met uniform.

[Rosenberg]

He has been a problem. And that's what's interesting about these two wins, is that as excited as you are that they got them. That just shows you like concerns. Like, they went out and tried to improve this bullpen.

[Don Hahn]

Well, the bullpen's been. It's hit. He was the only one that really.

[Rosenberg]

Struggled, but he has been a problem. And again, you don't get any length out of your starter, so you keep going to the bullpen. And if you're going to the bullpen in the fifth inning every single night, at some point, can't hide. These pitchers, they gotta go, right? Like, nobody wants to see Stanek, Nobody wants to see Housley. Well, if I'm going to have to go four or five deep in my bullpen every single night, there's no likelihood the guys that you want to try to avoid, you're going to have to pitch. No, no doubt. Now, Diaz was lights out last night, one and two thirds. Soto bounced back after giving up the hit against the Atlanta Braves. And he was good. But, you know, if. If you continue to not get the length you're gonna have, you can't hide these pictures. They're gonna have to be. They're gonna have to go at some point.

[Don Hahn]

And this is why you and I both loved what Mendoza said yesterday. When it comes to why we're gonna see Jonah Tong, why McClain is getting another opportunity, and he's probably gonna continue to. And where they are right now, it's become a meritocracy. And that's what it's supposed to. Isn't that great? Like the quote again, performance matters. We're at a point where we've got to see performance. He's talking about his starting pitching. And so this is telling you that they are letting everybody know that we're gonna set it up and go with the guys who are gonna give us a chance to win. So it's not gonna be, well, we pay this guy X amount of money or this guy, you know, we don't want to hurt his feelings. No, right now it's. We gotta win. And it's the right approach. So you remember when I told you, like, there were a lot of things I would love to ask David Stearns? Well, he was on John Heyman and Joel Sherman's podcast. And the game. The game, the show, something like that. The show. And it was a fantastic interview. And Stearns, number one, made it clear he doesn't pay attention to social media, he doesn't pay attention to sports talk radio. He's not interested in any opinions. Cuz he said that I can't let the opinions of fans and media impact the decisions that we make. Can't worry about it. We have to do what we think is the best. So I wanted to know, do you not go, after we had this discussion, do you not throw big money at pitchers as starting pitchers? Did you go cheaper and short term with pitchers? Because you either don't believe in it or you know, I've got some guys in the minors and I want to bring them up. He kind of answered the question and they asked him. They, they ask again, he's a sports writer, they ask great questions. But he answered it exactly the way I was hoping he, he would. He said the theory you had, which is those long term contracts for pitchers over 30 don't end well. And so you look at it and it doesn't, it's not a good investment but it doesn't mean they wouldn't. And he pointed to the fact that they have made offers to others and of course we're talking about yamamoto then the 12 year deal because he was younger. So it doesn't mean they wouldn't do it. It's just they haven't had the opportunity or when they did they couldn't get the guy. He also did allow though the idea that. But we know for long term sustained success with starting pitching what we have to do is develop it from within. And so it's sort of the two things. What you just said is exactly what he's thinking, which is kind of, you ask me, it's a very sound way to approach it. No, we're not going to make a desperate swing at somebody over 30 and forced to offer 8 to 10 years just so we can get an army. And yes, we know the best way to do it is to develop our own pitching. Well, they've got that and they're hoping to get those guys up and see them sooner rather than later. And we'll see McLean again tonight. But it does tell you it was a really good glimpse into why they're doing what they're doing and why they've done so far with starting pitching what they've done.

[Rosenberg]

And yesterday the theme was these starters better pick it up because they're starting pitching down in the minor leagues. They're going to come up and replace them if they don't get the job done. So watch out Sango, watch out Mania, Watch out, Holmes. These guys are going to get starts ahead of you, but also in play is if those starters do turn it around, as you heard Stern say yesterday, is that these guys can also come out of the bullpen. So these guys have all got called up before September 1st, which means they're post season eligible. Sprout will see. But right Now Tong and McClain would be eligible for the postseason roster. If the starting pitcher's turning around and the bullpen is a problem, well, then those guys can maybe, maybe Helsley gets replaced by a McClain or a Tong that does not now fit in the rotation or Sproat. However it works itself out. So it's a glorified audition for everybody. And so listen, they're not getting linked out of their starters. The bullpen has left a lot to be desired, but they just won two games against Philadelphia. They kept their hopes alive of winning this division if they could win tonight. And now you're four back with what, like 29 to play? You still have, you know, four games left with them. You're taking on a Marlins team for the next four games. They can really get something going here. So there's things that have to get cleaned up, obviously, Allen, but you just like the fact that the bottom of the order is hitting. They're able to come back. They've been resilient. They didn't tuck their tail between their legs like what happened when they blew the lead on Sunday. And then it's the Braves that get the late runs. They got the late runs the other night. They got the late runs last night. They blow the 5, 2 lead, but they win the game anyway. So there's things that need to get cleaned up because they're judged like the Yankees at a higher level. Now, if you want to be a championship team, it's not enough just to win the games. How does it look, as you said about the Yankees all year? And you've got to like what you've seen, but some things that have to get cleaned up, but they've got options. They've got guys they can go to now which can kind of stir the pot with the guys that aren't getting the job done and give Mendoza and Stearns ways to not just pivot with the rotation, but also pivot with the bullpen. I'll tell you what you need.

[Don Hahn]

This series has been compelling to a point where it's another night. Don, where the Yankees were my second screen. The Yankees were commercial breaks. I'll check in because it's who they're playing and as long. And I kept seeing the score. I mean, Stanton had a great game. We'll get into the Yankees once their game's over and they complete this sweep, which it looks like they're well on their way to doing.

[Rosenberg]

Bulpy, another ground out.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, God. But the, but the Mets have been a compelling story here because of how important this series was and how fast they, they really have jumped on this thing. And by the way, they're kind of in their heads. Like, how often do you see it? Like, you know, how the Mets go down to Atlanta or they play the Braves and it's like in their head, right. Like they just can never beat the Braves. And late last season, boy, that was so important. Important this, the Phillies almost are going through that right now with the Mets. They just had two starters that have been rolling lately, and the Mets ran them both out of the game. So there's something going on there. But the Mets have won seven of ten. Now is it five of six? So they, you know, you could feel.

[Rosenberg]

Momentum turning two out of three to Washington. So it's not that now five out of.

[Don Hahn]

What is it then? It's something four out of five because.

[Rosenberg]

They, well, they, they lost the first two in Washington and then they. So it's, it's three out of three in a row.

[Don Hahn]

Three out of four. I thought it was more than. Anyways, whatever.

[Rosenberg]

No, they have played better because they took two out of three from Atlanta to lost two out of three to Washington. There's your three now, taking the first two. No, they've been, they've been terrific. But I will say this, if I'm a Philly fan, I'm like, move, dude. Remember, there's a lot of flaws with all these baseball teams. It wasn't that long ago that Philadelphia early in the season lost eight of nine.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

And when the Mets had a five game lead on Philadelphia, then the Mets went down, Philly got hot, retook the big lead. Looked like it was over seven games, you know, and now they got a chance to reduce it down to four. There's really not that much of a difference between the Mets and the Phillies are sloppy baseball. They are very sloppy, just like the Yankees. And also, you know, with the Mets beating them last year and winning these games at home now nine straight games at home, counting the postseason from last year, even if Philadelphia wins the division, I mean, that's a team where the Mets have to feel like, like the Red Sox do against the Yankees. Like, I'm not scared of this team. I can beat this team and confidence with athletes goes a long way because it's all about matchups and it's all about how you feel about that particular matchup. And the Mets have to even no matter what happens today although you want to complete the sweep they couldn't do it against the Braves hope they can do it tonight against the Phil. You want to see McLean and you get McClain if he can get three straight starts in a row now, now he's feeling it now it becomes real. And this could be a lot of fun to be able to watch this team but you got to clean the stuff up that needs to get cleaned up. And then also if you win tonight don't lay an egg against the Marlins the way he did against the Nationals. Take care of business. A four game series at least take the three out of four build on something here. Try to get maybe within three or two games of Philadelphia and then really put the pressure on. Yeah, yeah distance yourself from the Reds not don't even make it an issue anymore about possibly not making the playoffs and if you do have to settle for the wild card make sure that you're getting those games at Citi Field not having to travel across the country to San Diego to Los Angeles and just give yourself the best chance to kind of put it together and make a run. 1-800-919-37761 Hear from you. We'll get to the Yankees and that game is over.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Rosenberg]

The cut down days all complete. We're getting closer to the start of the season. Got some very interesting sound from both Aaron Glenn and Shane and Dable so we're going to play all that. We got a list we got to cultivate at 4:30. Looking forward to that and then at 6:00 clock we got ENN and lead you into that big game between the Mets and the Phillies tonight.

[Don Hahn]

Do you have a list idea in mind?

[Rosenberg]

I don't remember talking about it, no.

[Don Hahn]

Oh this is going to be just complete ad lib.

[Rosenberg]

Well no, no, I don't ad lib anything. I just take advantage of the time allotted and I have over an hour. Okay, I have ideas now. You want to do this together? You want to lose it?

[Don Hahn]

I always want to film and lose it with you but I, I did.

[Rosenberg]

Anybody didn't see the movie might be very concerned right now.

[Don Hahn]

I did a list last week in in place of you and it was not received well and it represented me poorly in the same way and yet I actually put in an Extensive work on it, Anthony can tell you. And I don't think I did it right because what I did is I went literal. So I don't know if you were aware because you were away. The list we did, because we, we came up with this. So when I came back from the break, I realized that there is no song of the summer.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, I saw this on social media.

[Don Hahn]

So I, I thought let's make a list of the top songs of the summer the last 25 years. But I did it based on Billboard, meaning this was number one for the most weeks. Oh, well, then during the summer. So I let Billboard tell me it's a God awful list of songs that if you played them now, you would, you'd wish you would, you would wish you couldn't hear. That's how. These weren't great songs. There were a couple of decent ones, but they put the list on Social and they said, these are Allen's top five songs.

[Rosenberg]

No, they're not. Now see, what happened is.

[Don Hahn]

And I got killed for it.

[Rosenberg]

You let the, you had analytics get in the way.

[Don Hahn]

I did let you know it was. I didn't go off chat.

[Rosenberg]

GPT or GPT, whatever it is. Like do the list. It's Alan Han's list. It's not anybody else's list. Not Billboard's list, not the Hot 100 list.

[Don Hahn]

I went with facts.

[Rosenberg]

No, but that's not what it's supposed to be about. Then, then you can't debate it. See, I know the whole point of the top five or the list is that it's debatable. But if you're telling me, sorry, this is the list. This number one song spent the most time in number one. This was number two. Then, then you've taken the fun out.

[Don Hahn]

Of it, I guess. So I, I thought it'd be interesting to hold up a mirror to our society and say, hey, everybody, this is what you like. You might disagree, but Billboard saying this got the most play for 14 weeks and 19 weeks through that summer. These are the songs that you like, America. So don't get mad at me. This is what you like. And instead, because it was portrayed as my list, people are like, you have.

[Rosenberg]

The worst taste in music and you feel sick about it because it wasn't your list. Where now if they had said that and it was your list, you'd be fighting mad. You'd want to get into it with him.

[Don Hahn]

I love it.

[Rosenberg]

Yes, because now. Because you'd be passionate. You own it.

[Don Hahn]

It's.

[Rosenberg]

You just, you just repurposed other people's world.

[Don Hahn]

I had a friend tell me, he's like, he's like, you don't like Shaboozy? I'm like, no, I don't. But Billboard says that's the most popular summer song of the last 25 years.

[Rosenberg]

There is something about the summer. There's always a song, or every year there's one.

[Don Hahn]

This year there's nothing. Every year there's one.

[Rosenberg]

No, because it's over, man. It's kind of that whole when nobody's listening to the radio anymore.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, no, there was a song last year.

[Rosenberg]

Well, I'm saying music on the radio. What was last year?

[Don Hahn]

We knew we had it. And I forget.

[Rosenberg]

But.

[Don Hahn]

But you know, it was tipsy, right? It was the song of the summer.

[Rosenberg]

But they're just that there's just. We don't consume it that way anymore, you know?

[Don Hahn]

Like, I just don't know if we.

[Rosenberg]

Have a song that keeps playing on the radio. Because before, you know, I listen on satellite and I flip around to all the different stations. Like I don't listen to music for anything other than games and, and talk. I gotta listen for music. So. But back in the day, that was the only way you got music. Unless you decided to put in a cassette, whatever. So there'd be songs that would be in rotation.

[Don Hahn]

This song again, do you want it now? Do you want audio torture? Because a song that's now number one or it's top 10, but it probably number one soon. That your kids probably will know once they get like two months into school. This year it's a K pop song called Soda Pop.

[Rosenberg]

Soda Pop.

[Don Hahn]

And I'm telling you, you'll. It's torture. Audio torture. But kids love it and it gets stuck in your head.

[Rosenberg]

Well, that's what they're.

[Don Hahn]

Anybody out there that's a parent that knows what I'm saying? You have like middle school age kids or 10 year olds, like, you know what I'm talking about. And they're all nodding, going, oh my God, I can't stand that song when my kid plays it over and over.

[Rosenberg]

The only, the only way that I know any modern music is from Kidz Bop. Yeah. And it's because they take modern songs and the kids sing.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

So I'll hear them. But I only know them the kids version. Like there was the song a couple years ago. Well, I don't even know who it is.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, but.

[Rosenberg]

And what it's called, is it Astronaut in the Ocean, We're Rolling down in the D. It's it was a popular song couple years ago. I only knew it from Kidz Bop. That's the only way I knew it. Then when I actually heard it, I'm like, with the. With the. It was a blue song. Like, it had some filthy lyric like, oh, my God, that's not. But I'm like, rolling down and the kids are playing because.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Because I don't listen to any modern music.

[Don Hahn]

Just wait. There's seven. When they get to about nine, and especially once they hit 10, your whole world's gonna change because that's gonna be in your house constantly.

[Rosenberg]

Because now.

[Don Hahn]

And you'll know it all, because back.

[Rosenberg]

In the day, I drive my dad crazy with my music. I go into my room, put on the vinyl or the cassette and play it.

[Don Hahn]

Or put my headphones bang on the wall and say, turn it down.

[Rosenberg]

We could be at dinner and. And Jalen can just say, alexa.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Rosenberg]

Play Imagine Dragon. Or, you know. Yep. Panic at the Disco. And you hear it, like. So the access to this stuff is just. And some of it. Some of it's not bad, but some of it's, like, really?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Annoying.

[Don Hahn]

Wait till you hear Tate McCray.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But she's.

[Rosenberg]

She's from Calgary, and she's a Flames fan, so of course her brother is.

[Don Hahn]

She's. Her brother's a goalie. Zach plays against him.

[Rosenberg]

All right. There's.

[Pierre]

All right.

[Rosenberg]

You know, she had me at Flames, and then I saw her picture, and I'm like, all right, you're in.

[Don Hahn]

It doesn't matter what she sings.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Or how she sings it.

[Rosenberg]

You know, just the best hits of Saddam Hussein. I'm like, wow.

[Don Hahn]

She'.

[Rosenberg]

Look at her.

[Don Hahn]

Have you ever noticed?

[Rosenberg]

Go, girl.

[Don Hahn]

What's weird is that Gracie's going to the concert. So Gracie will have it on in the car, and the album covers pop up on your screen as it's playing. Every one of her album covers is either just her long legs that are, like, shiny from whatever oil they put on it, or it's never her face or from her neck to her navel. And I'm always like, gracie, this is uncomfortable, man.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, I appreciate it, but it's uncomfortable.

[Don Hahn]

It is weird.

[Rosenberg]

How much longer before I got to drop you off?

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Rosenberg]

1-800-919-3776. Your thoughts on the Mets? You know, Yankees up 111 as they bat. What is that, the bottom of the sixth inning? I think Volpe's over four, over five. I got to check, but I know he's got a couple. He's at least over four. So he continues to struggle. So that becomes the topic of conversation. And I want to oh for four. And I also want to talk a little bit about Giancarlo Stan, who had a phenomenal night last night.

[Don Hahn]

So let's do it.

[Rosenberg]

1-800-919-3776 Don Hanna Rosenberg on ESPN New York More Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda during the Mazda More to move you sales event. Get 1.9% APR financing on a new 2025 Mazda CX50 no payments for 90 days or lease for 3239 for 33 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for lease details then SN 319-033 MSRP32785 0 Security Deposit APR 17.48 that's $17.48 per 1000 financed ends 9225 this is an ad by BetterHelp. These days, it feels like there's a vice for everything. Cold plunges, gratitude journals, screen detoxes. But how do you know what actually works for you? With the Internet and information overload about mental health and wellness, it can be a struggle to know what's true and what actions to take these days. Using trusted resources and talking to live therapists can get you personalized recommendations and help to help you break through the noise. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. And it works with an App store rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1 1.7 million client reviews. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Talk it out with BetterHelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout Valspar Ultra starts at.

[Don Hahn]

Just 29.98 a gallon, so we've got.

[Rosenberg]

You covered when your daughter wants to paint her room again after last year's masterpiece piece of a unicorn mural.

[Don Hahn]

Dad, please. Or when you realize that maybe you.

[Rosenberg]

Went too hard on the grayish I missed color. Or when you were sure you wanted a home gym but your elliptical is currently hanging your laundry. What about a home office? Shop everything you need for your next phase with Valspar. Available at Lowe's. Price varies by sheen.

[Don Hahn]

Gatorade is the number one proven electrolyte.

[Rosenberg]

Blend Designed to hydrate better than water.

[Don Hahn]

So you can lose more sweat and raise your game.

[Rosenberg]

Gatorade.

[Don Hahn]

Is it in you? Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Rosenberg]

This is it.

[Don Hahn]

Oh my God.

[Rosenberg]

All right, so I proudly go. Game time is brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, it's Delhi time. That's right.

[Don Hahn]

Turn this off. I like when he holds it.

[Rosenberg]

Mets close out their series with the Phillies with coverage immediately following us right here on 880 at 6:30. And the Yankees and Nationals playing right now. Top of the seventh, Yankees 111 on the Nationals looking for the sweep Telemardu, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, all you needed to know was that the child among us, Anthony, started dancing immediately when he heard this song. That's all you needed to know. It will make you crazy. Listen to this. This is like. I thought this was a commercial for like.

[Rosenberg]

Or soda pop.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. No, this is not a commercial jingle. This is an actual. And this thing is skyrocketing up Billboard and kids can't get enough of it.

[Rosenberg]

Now what was it that we liked when we were growing up that our parents were saying the exact same thing?

[Don Hahn]

It's a great question.

[Rosenberg]

Now listen, I'm talking about like when I was younger.

[Don Hahn]

Like we were like 10.

[Rosenberg]

We didn't, we didn't have songs like that. But there was.

[Don Hahn]

What?

[Rosenberg]

No, that wasn't listening for that.

[Don Hahn]

It was a wonderama. Right?

[Rosenberg]

So that's what Volpe who grounded out, you know, is going to have his next walk up. But I could see my parents like listening to a Bay City Roller song and going really S a T U R D a Y night.

[Don Hahn]

Really?

[Rosenberg]

Who are these yo yos? But I, I don't. What else was there back that was like.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, I mean, remember Mickey, Tony Basil? Oh, Mickey.

[Rosenberg]

I was 12, 13. So that's not. That's not. That's a good song, man. It's irritating, whatever. But it's not bad.

[Don Hahn]

That's not a good song. It's not bad.

[Rosenberg]

It's not great.

[Don Hahn]

No, that's. That, that was not a great song.

[Rosenberg]

Like I guess if you were a Kid. And you were listening to. I'm just saying, from my time, like in the 70s.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

What was I listening to? Where? My parents. No, because I don't. I don't remember there being music like that. Like Leif Garrett. Some of the girls were into him and the Sean Cassidy. But, like, from a guy standpoint, like, honestly, I don't ever remember listening to anything that was quite that irritating.

[Don Hahn]

Not like that.

[Rosenberg]

That electrical like. Or just like, you know, it just.

[Don Hahn]

Remember Pac Man Fever.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, but that was like 85.

[Don Hahn]

It was an actual Pacman.

[Rosenberg]

Fever was a top 40 song.

[Don Hahn]

No kidding. It shouldn't have been, but it was terrible.

[Rosenberg]

Listen, and really looking back, so was Pac Man.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a minute.

[Rosenberg]

No, come on, Listen. I love Space Invaders. And I pumped so many quarters into Space Invaders in the late 70s, early 80s. And then whenever we get those retro games, I'm like, oh, Space Invaders. And like, five minutes in, I'm like, what was I doing? Jacob give you a song?

[Don Hahn]

He said ABC by the Jackson 5.

[Rosenberg]

It's kind of like that.

[Don Hahn]

Damn.

[Rosenberg]

But that's. That's Michael Jackson.

[Don Hahn]

It's that everybody loved.

[Rosenberg]

Listen, you could.

[Don Hahn]

You can appreciate an artist and realize that they probably had that one.

[Rosenberg]

You are so fortunate Peter's not here. Peter would have probably walked into the control room and punched her, right?

[Don Hahn]

He might have. He might have punched right through this. Right through the glass.

[Rosenberg]

But they were. The thing that. The thing with the K pop stuff is that that's all, like, through filters and it's computerized. There's no. Like, was. Was AB a corny song? It were corny songs, but they actually sang them.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, the Osmonds. All the stuff they had.

[Rosenberg]

That's corny.

[Don Hahn]

Those were corny.

[Rosenberg]

The. The Deep Purple song that they did not. Not Deep Purple. The band. The song. They have a song. Deep Purple.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

Donnie and Marie. That was quite corny. No, all corny. But at least they sang into a microphone. I mean, they were produced.

[Don Hahn]

At least, they say.

[Rosenberg]

But they weren't like.

[Don Hahn]

Well, speaking of not singing into a microphone, how about Milli Vanilli? How did that ever become a thing?

[Rosenberg]

Because people didn't know. But those were not good songs, though. No, there's a lot of. Not good songs. There's a lot of bad music. Like I said, I threw up the Bass City roles. I wasn't a fan. Like, there's a lot of. Believe me, go listen to 70s on 7. There's a lot of bad music. Billy, don't Be a Hero. And then Honey, How Honey I missed you and I'm being good. Everybody's girlfriend or wife dies in every song in the 70s.

[Don Hahn]

Every one of them or left them, right?

[Rosenberg]

They basically. Because Love Story was such a big movie, they figured we're gonna write songs where I sadness. It just all is. Everybody's sad.

[Don Hahn]

It's so true.

[Rosenberg]

But the Billy don't be here. It was corny, but they played their instruments, they sang into the microphone. It was on tape. They repurposed it into an album and sold it. This is going be to. Through filters and computers. It's not even real human beings. So this was bad, but at least it was. It was. There were artists.

[Don Hahn]

It just. But this is just. You have. This is. This is on its way for you, Don. You don't know it's coming. It's around the corner and you can't see it. Jalen especially because the girls are the ones that really bring this music into the boys. They go, whatever. Like, it takes boys a little longer. But the young girls. Jalen is going to have this and she's going to sing it, and she's going to want to play it over and over again. And you know what's going to happen? You're going to first say you hate it, but you can't because you have to want her to be happy, right? Then you're going to start realizing that it's stuck in your head, it's an earworm, and you're going to be sitting somewhere in your car at a stoplight and it's going to be quiet.

[Rosenberg]

No, it's going to happen.

[Don Hahn]

And you're going to start humming that song and you're going to go, what am I doing? That's what that Soda Pop song is.

[Rosenberg]

And then 20 years from now, when you're walking her down the aisle, right? And now she's. She's gone, she's out of the house, and that song pops on. You're gonna cry your eyes Cry your eyes. So that's the beauty of music. 1-800-919-3776. Let's go. Let's start it with Danny in Long Island. You're on ESPN New York. What's up?

[Don Hahn]

He can relate. He can relate. Yes.

[Pierre]

Well, I'm older than all of you, so, Don, I really think you had the 70s music, because I was 10 and 75, and the music of the 70s was so bad. But you have to put yourself in historical time. We just came off a decade of the Vietnam War as political assassinations, urban rioting, all kinds of Upheaval, Watergate. The entire country wanted to sit back, smoke a doom, and listen to John Denver and Karen Carpenter. If you put the. If you put some of those songs on the radios right now, people wouldn't know what they were listening to. But by the end of the 70s, and I got my Van Halen jacket on, you know, now we're talking enough. And that's the music that my kids listen to today. That rock and roll from the 80s. There's no real music now.

[Don Hahn]

That's your influence, too. It's a lot I've noticed.

[Pierre]

No, I don't. But the kids that have their own iPhones, now, there's nobody blasting music in the house.

[Don Hahn]

It's not that. It's. It's the influence, because you probably played it when they were young and they've heard it enough for it to become like a sound for. I've noticed this with a lot of kids this generation, younger kids, they are picking up a lot of things there that were played in the house when they were little, when they didn't have a choice.

[Pierre]

Well, I don't think I was playing.

[Rosenberg]

A lot of music.

[Pierre]

But anyway, my son remembers Don McGregor listening to Don McGregor in the car. Practice was starting, and we couldn't get the practice out of the way because Don was yelling about Ed Craypool. That was my son's influence.

[Don Hahn]

So Van Halen just happened through osmosis. That's hard to believe.

[Pierre]

No, no, that's what. That's what they listen to.

[Don Hahn]

Amazing.

[Pierre]

Listen, Donnie, want to list. So I'm in the yard today. I'm working all day, had a light breakfast. I open up the refrigerator. I'm looking at Greek yogurt and kale. I said, you know what? I'm throwing caution to the wind. I deserve a lunch like a man. I get in the car, I drive to my favorite delicatessen. Anything's on the table. What are you walking out with?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, go ahead.

[Pierre]

And you're not holding back. You're not holding back.

[Don Hahn]

So you earned it. You. You spend a day in the yard, you put in your work. This is what Danny's saying. And now there's nothing in the fridge, at least that you want to eat that feel like a man. So you go to your deli. What are you getting?

[Rosenberg]

It's just my deli. Yeah, Okay. I can't go get.

[Don Hahn]

Now. Is this lunch, Danny, or breakfast?

[Pierre]

This is. This is lunch. This is a deli sandwich.

[Don Hahn]

What are you doing? And you're not trying to be, like, careful because you earned it, no, you earned this one.

[Pierre]

You earned it.

[Don Hahn]

Burn calories, you sweat it all day. Have a man's meal. What is it?

[Rosenberg]

It, it's going to sound lame, but I, I want my roast beef on a buttered hero. Not mayonnaise, butter, butter, both sides.

[Pierre]

I don't think we can be friends anymore.

[Rosenberg]

Why is that?

[Pierre]

Only kidding.

[Rosenberg]

I don't know what.

[Pierre]

I, I, I, I. Today I went with the nice chicken salad on a toasted bagel, lettuce, side of potato salad and a nice big ice tea. And of course the pickle. It's required by law.

[Rosenberg]

Okay, yeah, I'm a big pick.

[Don Hahn]

That's the man's meal.

[Pierre]

Now I'm a deli. What are we gonna get? A steak?

[Don Hahn]

No, not a steak, but I mean.

[Pierre]

What do you go with?

[Don Hahn]

Italian hero. Oh yeah, just load it up, let's go. Right.

[Pierre]

Can't go wrong with that. Can't go wrong with that.

[Don Hahn]

The house dressing on it, a little oil and vinegar.

[Pierre]

Come on, 100%. But listen, we spoke earlier in the week about the Mets pitching. The more I watch this dissolve, the more I believe that the playoff plan is going to be. Mania starts that game like last night. But the second inning you got palms up in the bullpen and you're going to give him that fifth because you cannot continue. It's amazing that these professional pitchers who pitch their whole lives, go along through four innings and then all of a sudden it's like a maybe they sold their soul to the devil. The fifth inning comes around, they can't get it out and then you bring in all these schleps. So this is what we're going to do. We're going to mania, turn everybody around bringing homes or the other way around. And that's the only way we could have any success. It's unbelievable. We're bringing up three rookies that have no major league experience on the mound and we're expecting them to contribute down the stretch and into the postseason. Is that unheard of or is it just me?

[Rosenberg]

No, well it's, it's, it's because it's, that's the thing about baseball now. In the old days this would be the reason you didn't make the playoffs. But now they've added all these extra wild cards and there's so many God awful baseball teams that as long as you hit and you show some sort of consistency, you can still find your way to make the playoffs. That's why I think there's a difference between a playoff team and a championship team. This will cost the Mets a chance to win the championship. But will it get him in the playoffs? It might even win the division. It might win him a couple of rounds, who knows? Now once you get to the playoffs, I talked about this before, it doesn't matter. You got all these built in off days. You can rest your bullpen but during 162 game season it's no way to live. But right now they've been able to survive it because at times the bullpen was good and at times their offense has been able to carry them. And also there's a lot of fugazi team I think Philadelphia, let's be honest, they might not be for real now. I think the Dodgers are for real. They just want a championship. I think the Padres are very good. Milwaukee looks like they're the best team in baseball. I'll see it in the postseason when I, when I believe it, when I see that. But right now baseball is kind of built like hockey and basketball. We're making the playoffs does not necessarily mean that you're a quality team or that you're a championship caliber team. It just means you don't stink as bad. A lot of the other garbage that you're going to be facing, I'm telling you. How many hundred lost teams are we going to have this year? Right? Nationals, they're going to lose their 80th game today. Obviously the Rockies are going to lose 100 games. White Sox likely are going to lose 100 games. I mean come on man, there's a lot of bad baseball to take advantage of. And Alan's been telling you for months now that just about the Yankees being flawed. Yeah, they're going to be good, they're going to win their 90 games, they're going to get into the playoffs. But that doesn't necessarily mean you're a championship caliber team.

[Don Hahn]

But you're not wrong.

[Rosenberg]

So when you, when Danny says when was the last time you saw that or how is that. Because it's different now. You keep adding teams in the playoffs. Believe me, if this was 1995, even with the one wild card we'd be talking about the Mets selling off at the deadline because they probably wouldn't be making the playoffs. But now just be above.500 and you're in the race. You're the race for it.

[Don Hahn]

They we said it yesterday and it is was interesting to watch that last night too. They really don't let you struggle the or work through anything. The minute there's a sign of any type of decrease in velocity or you just like. Actually they let the Yankees let Heal go battle through a little bit because he was showing a little bit of trouble early in the game where his velocity wasn't there and he was getting frustrated, visibly frustrated. But they let him work through it and he was able to give them a little more, but with mania. They didn't waste any time. Took him right out. That's it.

[Rosenberg]

Because, you know, yeah, we can just for the sake get him to go along, but it's not going to help our cause because he's, he's spent, he's done.

[Don Hahn]

But again, so you're telling me then that you have guys in the bullpen that you have more confidence in for the next three batters and a lot of times it's left you righty. It's what's happening in the lineup. But you're saying you have more confidence in them than you do in your starter?

[Rosenberg]

Well, just because I have more confidence doesn't mean that I have confidence. Confidence. That's how bad things have gotten.

[Don Hahn]

Okay? Hey guys, it's CD Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. I'm partnering with Abercrombie this season to tell you all about their viral denim. All you need to know is denim should fit like this. My jeans need to check a lot.

[Rosenberg]

Of boxes fit first, trend second.

[Don Hahn]

They need to go with whatever I'm feeling and Abercrombie Denim has it down whether I'm throwing on a tee or putting a whole fit together. Shop Abercrombie Denim in the app, online and in store.

[Rosenberg]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Insurance may all seem the same on the surface, but having insurance isn't the same as having State Farm. It's like getting a speech from your third cousins plus one at your wedding. When you needed a speech from your best man, you wouldn't settle for just any speech. So don't settle for just any insurance. When it comes to getting the help you need, State Farm is the real deal. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime. From streaming to shopping, prime helps you get more out of your passions. So whether you're a fan of true crime or prefer a nail biting novel from time to time, with services like Prime Video, Amazon Music, and fast free delivery, prime makes it easy to get more out of whatever you're into or getting into. Visit Amazon.comprime to learn more.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Rosenberg]

This is what I'm talking about. This is Deep Purple by the Osmonds.

[Don Hahn]

I've never heard this.

[Rosenberg]

You'll know.

[Don Hahn]

I think I was too young for the Osmonds. Oh, man.

[Rosenberg]

No, it's bad.

[Don Hahn]

This is Roll one up and just lay back.

[Rosenberg]

But. But it was. It was Donnie and Marie around the microphone singing in to a reel. To reel.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Rosenberg]

They put that on vinyl, shipped it out. They didn't go, you know, some computer whiz saying, I could work with this garbage and then produce, like, robot music right now. It was bad. It was corny, was pap. But it was real. That's the difference.

[Don Hahn]

But it was music, damn it.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, it was real, but not spectacular.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, what is ahead of you, Don? I can't wait for these days. It's gonna be great.

[Rosenberg]

It's gonna happen. I'm already sensing, baby. Let's go to Pierre and Putnam. You're on ESPN New York. What's up here?

[Don Hahn]

Alliteration.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Pierre]

Gentlemen, what's up? I don't know what's going on. It's been forever since I've been able to get on.

[Don Hahn]

We got you.

[Pierre]

I am.

[Rosenberg]

I appreciate it, too.

[Pierre]

I see Rosenberg not there, but that's okay. I want you guys to loop this recording. I am a Die Hard, Die Hard fan. Jumped on in 86. And I've been believing ever since.

[Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Pierre]

Doesn't always work out. I'm coming to realize that as I hit 47 often does. I'm telling you. I am telling you, this series is going to springboard the New York Mets to where we've been wanting to go for over four decades now. The bottom of the order is hitting. We're bringing up young pitching. We're bringing in runners with scoring in position. We are doing it all piece by piece. And I've learned in my old age, it's not about being the best team. It's about being the hottest team. And I believe the New York Mets are becoming the hottest team in baseball right before our very eyes. I'm loving what I'm watching. The New York Mets are going to win the World Series in 20, 25. Loop it, save it.

[Rosenberg]

Play it back.

[Pierre]

Pierre from Putnam is telling you, here's the year.

[Rosenberg]

Here's the problem. I love the enthusiasm. I do. Okay, but when you talk about. It's about the hottest team. No, no, it's. It's still always about the best team, because eventually it wears off. Right? The Mets Were hot last year until they met up with the Dodgers and then they cooled off real quick, ended up losing that series. Right. The Diamondbacks, the year before they were the hot team, wrote it all the way to the World Series, but then the Texas Rangers were the better team and they stopped it. I would like to get to a point, Pierre, where the Mets are the best team, not the streaky team, not the hot team at the right time. And that seems to be the Mets history in the postseason. The only time, the only two times that they actually had the best team. But believe it or not, 69, even though he ever looks at as a miracle, they won 100 games that year. 86. They won 108 games.

[Don Hahn]

The miracle was that the Mets won the World Series. Right.

[Rosenberg]

But otherwise it's always been wild card. Make a run, get hot, something fluky happens, and then you make a run and then at some point the fairy dust wears off. Like, I don't want that. I don't want it to be fairy dust getting hot at the right time. I want to build something sustainable to where everybody's chasing after them and it's not luck and it's not hot and it's not all of a sudden coming together late in the season and having be a grimace or. Or now the new thing is going to be the parabolic thing. No, I'm tired of that. Listen, I'll take it because I don't have a lot of great Met moments, but can it ever be just, hey, we're the best team, everybody's chasing after us instead of some miracle, some fluke, some hot run, some wild card team that catches fire late. That to me is not sustainable. That's no way to be.

[Don Hahn]

And I think what you're saying is echoing the sentiments of David Stearns, fellow Met fan, growing up. This is what, this is what he's trying to do as well, I think. Of course, Steve Cohen wants this. Who doesn't want this? Everybody wants this. You want your year, you want your 98 Yankees year, where you're out of the gate and it's no doubt you're the best team in the sport and you close the deal. That's what you want. See, here's the thing. What you mentioned is funny. Going through the Met History in 69 Again, the miracle was the fact that seven years ago you had the 100. And how many losses that season? Like it was embarrassingly 120.

[Rosenberg]

100.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. So like seven years later, you win the World Series. That's the miracle. The you Gotta believe stuff was fun, but.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. But then eventually the A's were the better team.

[Don Hahn]

Indeed, I ran into the better team, but it was a fun team and a fun run. 86 felt more miracle if you think about it. Not the regular season, but the things that happened in the playoffs. Beating Mike Scott.

[Rosenberg]

But they were the best team. But you're right, things did break their way, which is fine. That happens.

[Don Hahn]

88, though, is probably the only. Was that the Most disappointing season?

[Rosenberg]

100 wins.

[Don Hahn]

You can call that the most disappointing season in franchise history, couldn't you?

[Rosenberg]

No question. No question. You know, the social home run. It was. It was devastating.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. So you're looking for your. You want the one season where it's like the 98 Yankees, because Pierre's kind of.

[Rosenberg]

Listen, I appreciate the enthusiasm. Five minutes ago, they lost two out of three to the National. All right, so let's stop. All right, That's. That's why it's not sustainable. That's why they're not winning a championship. Because if there is a miracle run and they catch a break, at some point, they're going to face that team. It's going to be like, okay, little way.

[Don Hahn]

If there's ever a year to do it, this would be the year. Because of what we've been saying, the landscape.

[Rosenberg]

No, you're right.

[Don Hahn]

It's laid out for them. They're just as good as anyone and just as bad as all the good teams as well. Right.

[Rosenberg]

But there are. Because I always steal.

[Don Hahn]

Everybody has weaknesses. They have.

[Rosenberg]

Weak. True. I always steal. Peter's line about playing with your food. Like, some teams are just. That's what they are. They're inconsistent. They're. They're not that good. When. When the Dodgers kind of fall off a little bit, they're. That. Maybe they're just bored because they know once they got to turn it on, they've got that. They've got that history. I think the Padres are a better team. You know, I. I look at the brewers, even though I'll believe it when I see it in the postseason, they're putting together a year where you say, you know what? That's. That's one of the best teams in baseball, and they just came off sweeping.

[Don Hahn]

Padres aren't a good road team.

[Rosenberg]

No, they're not. But I think Padres don't.

[Don Hahn]

But Padres aren't great against winning teams.

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Padres do it. The Yankees do. They beat up the bad team.

[Rosenberg]

Right. But still, I don't want it to be fluky no more. How about that?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, Flukey no more.

[Rosenberg]

All right, well the Yankees are pretty much done. They're in the bottom of the 8th inning up 11 1. Talk a little Yankees. We've got Joe Shane sound talking about Jackson Dart. We've got a list coming up at 4:30. It's Don Hanna Rosenberg hanging out with you until 6:30 until Mets baseball on ESPN New York. You want the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda for selection, customer service and savings during the Mazda more to move you sales eventually. Lisa New 25 Mazda CX30 for 239 for 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Vin SM 842601 MSRP26880 security deposit ends 92 25.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good. Here, more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Rosenberg]

This isn't just another ESPN fantasy football season, it's your shot at greatness. With a refreshed design, the ESPN Fantasy app is sharper than ever, so you can draft like a pro and dominate your league. And introducing Gridiron Gauntlet, a new game mode where the best compete to be crowned the number one fantasy football player of 2025. One app, one shot, one champion. Download the ESPN fantasy app and sign up to play ESPN Fantasy Football today.