Hour 1: Wait and See

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – "Wait and See"

ESPN New York | Hour 1 | December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” tackles a seismic shift in New York sports fandom: the New York Mets' bold offseason, highlighted by losing Pete Alonso to the Orioles and letting go of closer Edwin Diaz. The hosts—Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg—wrestle with the emotional pain of favorite players departing, analyze the front office’s vision, and debate whether Mets fans should panic or patiently wait for the next move. Lively, opinionated callers challenge the hosts and ignite passionate exchanges, all underpinned by the ever-present question: “Is there a real plan, and will it work?” Meanwhile, some Knicks and NBA Cup talk weaves in, and the episode’s tone rides the line between therapy session and energetic sports bar.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mets’ Offseason Shakeup: Emotional Fallout and Rational Analysis

• The Loss of Pete Alonso & Edwin Diaz (01:18–07:38)

  • Don opens with exhaustion from a late night but is “still excited to talk sports.” The Mets losing two prominent free agents is front and center.
  • Don La Greca is “torn”: sadness over Alonso (“yet another Forever Met is going to go finish his career someplace else”) but cautious optimism in David Stearns, the Mets' GM, to deliver on his vision.
  • Don points out the unique pain for baseball fans: “Baseball, more than any other sport...you get attached to these players and their numbers and what they mean to the organization, their significance to history. So I think it stings a little bit more when you lose somebody in baseball.” ([03:12])
  • Alan Hahn presses Don for solutions (“Who’s your first baseman?”) and offers options like Cody Bellinger, challenging panic and calling for perspective.

• Trusting the Process vs. Fan Meltdown (04:39–07:57)

  • Alan and Peter praise Don for "adulting," resisting the urge for the classic sports radio meltdown.
  • They note emotional ties (“Pete Alonso as the emotional tie and the connection to the player...you loved about him as a fan”) but challenge fans to wait for the final product.
  • Don: “For me to rip him today, only to pat him on the back three months from now...I need to see what the vision is.” ([03:54])

• Was There a Plan All Along? (07:57–09:56)

  • The hosts dissect whether Stearns and owner Steve Cohen were ever truly committed to Alonso long-term. Alan notes: “If you’re paying close attention, you knew a year ago he really didn’t want to bring them back.”
  • The past season’s failures make a case for a different approach (“the run two years ago...let’s let them come back...It didn’t. And now it’s time to get into the plan that he wanted all along.”).

• Fan Tribes & Caller Michael Cole’s Take (10:03–12:34)

  • Peter reads a text from Michael Cole, WWE announcer and diehard Mets fan: “Good riddance. Glad they're cleaning house. Never won with these losers. As long as they're going to bring in some bats. And pitching.” ([10:27])
  • Don pushes back: “That’s aggressive. I’m not on board with that...” but concedes the logic—“What are we in this for?...Are we in this for the entertainment...and then fail? Or winning a first championship since 1986?” ([10:57])

• The Business Side & Pressure on Stearns (13:08–15:33)

  • Alan analogizes the roster overhaul to a “kitchen renovation”: it looks bad during demolition, but you must trust the process to see if it's better.
  • Don: “If you come back and the kitchen looks like the pictures from when you were a kid...somebody’s getting fired. So that’s what I’m gonna...I am gonna look at this and say...the ball’s in your court, David.” ([14:43])
  • Don stakes out his position: "I am gonna look at this and say, all right...the ball’s in your court, David. Let’s see what you’re gonna do with it.” ([15:01])

• Risks of Repeating Old Mistakes (15:40–16:28)

  • Peter warns the Mets can’t replace stars with “somebody else’s trash”—moves like the Orioles picking up Alonso—but need to build smart and avoid stale or lateral moves.

• Fan Frustration & the Need for Patience (16:28–18:03)

  • Don voices empathy for fans but refuses to overreact: “I’m willing to be patient to see what Stearns can do. I will be there if he fails to lay down the hammer. And let’s wait and see.” ([16:28])

---

Baseball, Business, and the “Vision” Debate

• The Value of “Forever Mets” and Results (17:46–18:13)

  • Don and Alan agree: “You don’t collect players...what Stearns is looking at is...players that are going to win a ring...these guys were given a chance. It’s not like Alonso and Diaz were only here for five minutes.” ([13:08–13:44])

• Fan Loyalty, Ownership, and Salary Cap Talk (45:23–49:17)

  • The show closes riffing on the economics of baseball: Cohen’s $23 billion net worth dwarfs rivals, which shapes expectations for spending and risk tolerance.
  • Mike from Connecticut suggests owners may be bracing for a new salary cap era, which would explain restrained spending.
  • The hosts break down owner net worths and how they might affect future baseball landscapes, noting: “When their owner is worth $1.6 billion and Steve Cohen...is worth 23 billion...it’s basically 20 times more than Hal Steinbrenner...” ([48:10])

---

Listeners Sound Off: Calls, Critique & Chaos

• Balance or Blow It Up? (20:08–24:32)

  • Callers debate if a true master plan exists, with some doubting Stearns can outbid other teams for prime free agents.
  • A key caller: “If this doesn’t work out, fire Stearns. Because Stearns wants you to look at advanced analytics...but Baltimore valued Alonso’s consistent right handed power. He’s the third most home runs in Major League Baseball since he came into the league and he plays every game.” ([20:59])
  • Don answers: If Stearns is wrong, “he’s out.”

• Mets Fans’ Emotional Pendulum & Don’s ‘Meltdown’ (30:01–35:27)

  • Multiple callers contrast measured patience with deep cynicism, sparking heated and humorous exchanges.
  • Caller Fran attacks the hosts as “not baseball guys.” Don erupts: “I’ve been on sports radio for 30 years, you punk...how did I survive at FAN for five years? Are they known for their hockey?” ([32:35])
  • Alan and Peter egg Don on, and the ensuing shouting matches showcase both the hosts' knowledge and their ability to channel genuine fan frustration for entertainment.

• Callers Debate Stearns, Ownership & Direction (43:16–44:47)

  • Julian from Queens articulates the lack of trust in Stearns due to prior bad trades and a failure to address pitching needs: “...the trade deadline moves that he decided to make were trash...what’s been our greatest downfall, and we still haven’t addressed that issue.”
  • Don acknowledges the criticism: “No general manager is working with a perfect record...he’s certainly on notice for that because if he gets this wrong, he will lose his job.”

---

Knicks and NBA Cup Sidebars

• Knicks to Vegas and Trophies (18:16–19:27)
  • Brief diversion into the Knicks' trip to Vegas for the NBA mid-season tournament, with jokes about the "NBA Cup" being like a “sippy cup” not a real trophy.
  • Light-hearted banter: “If that trophy were to drop down, oh, yeah, that sippy cup is—It's gone.” ([19:49])

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Emotional Attachment and Rationality:

  • “Baseball, more than any other sport...you get attached to these players and their numbers and what they mean to the organization, their significance to history. So I think it stings a little bit more when you lose somebody in baseball.”
    — Don La Greca ([03:12])

• On Fan Reactions and “Adulting”:

  • “I really like this version of Don… He’s adulting.”
    — Alan Hahn ([04:28])

• On the Perils of Judging Too Soon:

  • “Am I supposed to go ballistic with my hair on fire and then what? Apologize if all of a sudden Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker are here… I want to see it through. But I’m telling you, you’re on notice. Right?”
    — Don La Greca ([05:54, 15:01])

• On Calls for Patience:

  • “You can’t judge a team at 3 o’clock on a Wednesday. You judge them in March.”
    — Carlos from Stanford, caller ([27:14])

• On Ownership Wealth Shaping Expectations:

  • “When their owner is worth $1.6 billion and Steve Cohen...is worth 23 billion...it’s basically 20 times more than Hal Steinbrenner.”
    — Don La Greca ([48:10])

• Classic Don Meltdown:

  • “I’ve been on sports radio for 30 years, you punk...how did I survive at FAN for five years? Are they known for their hockey?”
    — Don La Greca ([32:35])

• On Letting Go and Building Toward Titles:

  • “What are we in this for?...162 games and then fail? Or winning a first championship since 1986?”
    — Don La Greca ([10:57])

• On Mets Fan Logic:

  • “I bet you I know 10 times more Mets than you do. 10 guarantee lock.”
    — Don La Greca ([40:41])

---

Listener Calls: Summary of Sentiment

• Many callers (and the hosts) articulate a deep sense of loss and skepticism, with some voicing outright anger at the front office, while others, echoing Don’s more measured approach, advocate a "wait and see" attitude before passing judgment.
• The “Fran” exchange becomes a memorable—and comic—clash, with Don defending his (and his co-hosts’) baseball credentials and taking shots at fair-weather fandom.

---

Flow & Tone

• The episode is lively, fast-paced, and occasionally combative—with a consistent balance between fan emotion and analytical hope.
• The hosts’ personalities shine through: Don as both passionate fan and broadcasting veteran; Alan as the measured, sports-lifer voice of reason; Peter as the irreverent, emotionally plugged-in everyman.
• The show makes room for caller engagement, letting the public’s pulse steer the emotional peaks—especially in the confrontational segments.
• Humor, pop culture references, and self-deprecating jabs abound—especially as the hosts riff on their supposed “non-baseball guy” status.

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Mets lose Diaz & Alonso: [01:18–07:38]
• Fan emotion & Stearns’ vision: [07:38–09:56]
• Michael Cole’s take & team philosophy: [10:03–12:34]
• Roster construction and the “kitchen” analogy: [13:08–15:33]
• Callers: emotional swings and Don’s blowup: [32:08–35:27]
• Ownership wealth discussion: [47:23–49:17]

---

In summary:
This episode is a snapshot of Mets fandom in flux—caught between the ache of losing beloved stars and the cautious hope (or suspicion) that the new front office vision will finally deliver something better. It’s a perfect listen for anyone invested in the psyche of New York sports, decision-making under pressure, or simply craving fiery, unfiltered debate.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

Kids, they grow up so fast. One day they're taking their first steps and the next they don't fit into the tiny sneakers they took them in. You blink your eyes and their princess dress is two sizes too small. And their dinosaur backpack isn't cool anymore. But don't cry because they're growing up. Smile because you can profit off of it. For real. There are a bunch of parents on depop looking for the stuff your kid just grew out of. Download depop to start selling.

[Don La Greca]

Don cool man.

[Alan Hahn]

Han, Don holding his hammer and Rosenberg the report.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don doesn't hold a candle to that pumpkin pie haircut in the freak.

[Don La Greca]

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

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Caller]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Alan Hahn]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[Don La Greca]

Fast approaching 300 one of the big city. Don, Han and Rosenberg with you on a Wednesday.

Blind with exhaustion. Got home at 3 o' clock in the morning but still excited to talk sports with you for the next four hours with two of my best friends in the world. Are you Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg? Are you? Yeah. Because you know why you live for days like this as a fan when.

[Alan Hahn]

You do a show to be able.

[Don La Greca]

To express your opinions on what's going on.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, what's going on?

[Don La Greca]

There's a lot going on. Second consecutive day the Mets lose a free agent. It was Diaz to the Dodgers and that stung a little bit.

[Alan Hahn]

Little bit.

[Don La Greca]

Oh. But you kind of had a feeling it was going to happen after they went out and acquired Devin Williams and you hear the Dodgers are involved and then when you see the smoke cleared, it was like they really didn't necessarily want to be together anyway. Diaz was itching to go to LA to win a ring and the Mets were kind of itching to move on as Stearns looked like he was good with Devin Williams being as close clearly. And then you fast forward to today and even more significant pieces. Pete Alonso is now a member of of the Baltimore Orioles. The revenge of 1969 Allen. The Orioles have finally gotten their revenge after losing in five games to the Mets in the World Series. They got Pete Alonso. I, I'm torn. I really am torn. And I and I looked at social media and everybody's expecting me to go ballistic and reenact my Ed cream pool rant from years ago that another forever met walks out the door. And, and that's the one side of Don Legrack that I liked Pete. And I liked the fact that he was a forever met and yet another Forever Met is going to go finish his career someplace else. And baseball, more than any other sport is. It's day in and day out, you make more business decisions, I think, in football, basketball, and hockey. But in baseball, because there's 162 games, and you go through the whole summer with pretty much that is the only sport. Yeah, it's about winning and losing, but you. You get attached to these players and their numbers and what they mean to the organization, their significance to history. So I think it stings a little bit more when you lose somebody in baseball. So there's that, but then there's the other side that I still trust David Stearns. I believe he has a vision for this team. And Pete Alonso was not a part of his vision. I think he wanted Alonzo gone last year, but the home run off of Devin Williams kind of curtailed that, and the fan base was going to revolt and. All right, let's see it through. And after winning 83 games, I think Stearns was able to go to Cohen and say, okay, we tried it your way. Now can we try it mine? So maybe I'm foolish to believe in him. And you kind of hinted at that yesterday about me trusting Stearns, but I've got to believe he's going to have a plan. So for me to rip him today, only to pat him on the back three months from now or a year from now, if this team wins a championship, or three days from now. Right. I need to see what the vision is. So as much as I'm sad that Alonzo goes, I'm kind of excited to see what they're going to pivot to.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why I was. All right, so where I wanted to go with you on this is many places. The first place I wanted to start with you was, who's your first baseman?

[Don La Greca]

I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

So is it Bellinger? Well, Bellinger played 350 games at first base in his career.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds doable.

[Alan Hahn]

So there are options. Right. So I'm with you. This is. By the way, I really like this version of Don. Peter. I really like this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do you mean, physically?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I always liked the physical part of it. He's got a great look about him. I'm saying what I liked about this version of Don is that he is adulting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You mean not doing the. Like, I'm just melting down. How do we give up another throw.

[Alan Hahn]

Fit before you see the final product?

Like that. And so I think that's exactly where you should be. Now, a lot of fans for what you said because of Pete Alonso as the emotional tie and the connection to the player. And you love a player like this because he loved being a Method, right?

[Don La Greca]

And I loved him being a man.

[Alan Hahn]

LFGM. Like that's. That's who he is.

[Don La Greca]

I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, Mr. LFGM, right.

[Alan Hahn]

And so that's all the stuff about his third most home runs, right, since he came into the league. All this stuff like these are things that you loved about him as a fan. But what you have to do also is step back. And while it hurts to see somebody that you liked, Nimmo loved him, too. Great kid, right? Saw him grow, all that stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a tough offseason in that way.

[Alan Hahn]

But what was the results?

[Don La Greca]

That's all.

[Alan Hahn]

What's the great majority of the results are you aren't achieving what the owner said when he took over the franchise he wanted to achieve. So with that in mind, you have to go through the pain of losing a player, but you can't react until you see what is he replacing it with.

[Don La Greca]

So am I supposed to go ballistic with my hair on fire? And then what? Apologize if all of a sudden Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker here and Dark school, and then, oh, I'm sorry. All I'll say is if you're going to do the things that you've done, basically say, I believe we're a better team with Devin Williams closing games than Edwin Diaz. That player exit first base is better than Pete Alonso, then you better be right. All right, I'm willing to see this through. But if we get to next off season and the Mets are, you know, out of the playoffs again, or they lose the face off on all these free agents, they can go out and get. And now I'm stuck with a rebuild with, with a, you know, two players on the team locked into huge contracts like Lindor and Soto, playing on a team that's going to win 75 games, then I am going to lose it. Well, and then I'm going to go nuts. But let's see. These are bold moves, but hey, he is running the baseball operations of this team, all right? Cohen has the money. Stearns has the ability to build the team in his image. The guys he's getting rid of were not Mets because of him. All right? Diaz came over in the Canoe deal, right, if you remember. And then Pete Alonso, hey, he was drafted before he got here. Same thing with Nimmo. So he's building the team in his image. He better be right. And it's his job on the line. Because if we fast forward a few years from now and Met's going nowhere, guess what? He's gonna be out of a job. So let's see what the pivot is. He's obviously got a plan. Because you agree with me, guys, right, that he probably wanted to get rid of Alonzo last year.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Don La Greca]

But we saw that after the home run against Devin Williams, they go to game six of the league championship series. All right, I'll sign him to essentially a one year contract because they knew that Alonzo was going to opt out. We'll give it another shot. You win 83 games, you missed the playoffs. Okay? Okay, boss, now it's my turn. And let's see what that turn is.

[Alan Hahn]

And that first of all, you have to believe he has a plan. Because you don't let things like this happen. And the reporting, real time is what kills you. Because you see that Mets were surprised that he got five years, right? Mets never really made an offer. All the things that as a fan you get upset about because you feel like it's disrespecting someone that you thought was a part of the family. But if you're paying close attention, you knew a year ago he really didn't want to bring them back. He didn't see the value in him as a first baseman at a big number. But because his market at that time wasn't good, the fans wanted him back. The owner probably felt the pressure and they thought, you know what, all right, let's do it one year and let's see how it goes at the end of the year. And we all felt like this was a short term thing. Now let's all remember the first couple of months of the season. How's it working out for him? Because he looked, he was right. Maybe he was raking. And it looked like, wow, he bet on himself and he's going to win. They're going to be forced to pay him. But how did it end? Just like Stearns would expect. So there's got to be a plan. This is why if at the end of the off season he's scrambling to now plug the holes that he is just left on this team, then you can turn around and then I'll go after. That's a bad plan.

[Don La Greca]

I'll go after.

[Alan Hahn]

But because last year, like 367 days ago, Juan Soto left the Yankees for the Mets and David Stearns was a genius, was he not? Steve Cohen was exactly what he was supposed to be. The big money guy willing to write the big check how could a year later he be a buffoon? And he'd be a guy that is afraid to spend money. That's not it. Watch this plan from here forward because they had to rework that clubhouse and now they're going to rework the team. And this will be more in the image of what David Stearns wanted to do. But I think they had to push it up a year because that run two years ago, it almost was like, you got to let it. Let them come back and see if they can do it again. See if that same magic happens. It didn't. And now it's time to get into the plan that he wanted all along.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now you were. You were mentioning Don. You love loving where Don is.

[Alan Hahn]

I do. Because he's very calm. He's adulting.

[Don La Greca]

It's great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just texted the voice of WWE and renowned Michael Cole. Michael Cole fan. Renowned Mets fan Michael Cole.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. Hugh. He's also a fan of Michael Cole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, no, believe me, I would believe. Believe me, he is. I said, thoughts, you know, because he's always very aggressive with his thoughts. And I. And I want to take these with a grain of salt. This is a man who's. He's been through a lot. Like many Mets fans.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I said, thoughts on Pete, don't give an ish. Bleep the Mets. Where are we today? Because I knew it's only one of those things. And I quote, good riddance. Glad they're cleaning house. Never won with these losers. As long as they're going to bring in some bats. And pitching.

[Don La Greca]

Now, that's aggressive. I'm not on board with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not all the way. But you understand the logic.

[Don La Greca]

But that's the logic again. Baseball's a little different because really the Rangers are going through the same thing.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, great point. You know, Kreider going somewhere else.

[Don La Greca]

They had to break up the group. It wasn't good enough. They did go to a couple of conference finals, but not good enough to win a championship. What are we in this for? Are we in this for the entertainment of just watching our favorite players for 162 games and then fail? Or winning a first championship since 1986. So that's why I think the pressure's now on Sterns. Because I think the other half of the Met fan base is red hot that they didn't use Cohen's money. Just throw. You know, I'll give him six years. Who cares? It's going. He's sitting on 20. You just saw the list. He's worth $23 billion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But this is where it becomes a very simple thing, I think. And I. In my other group chat for the morning show, a Mets fan in the chat wrote, what's the point of having a billionaire if you can't sign the guys? Or he doesn't want the.

[Don La Greca]

Doesn't want him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't make an offer. Now, I understand not liking that. I do. I understand thinking Pete's been a really good player. And my argument with Pete would be there have been opportunities prior to now where he would have jumped at an offer and they wouldn't have had to spend as much money. They could have gotten this done previously. And then after the monster home run in the playoffs against the Brewers a couple years ago, all of a sudden, his price went up and things changed.

[Don La Greca]

The.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was an opportunity where you could have kept him at a lower number per year than this is.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I think so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But given where we are right now, it's only an emotional thing. Both Nimmo and While I'm not going to go as far as Cole and say, get these losers out of here. As much as you like Alonzo and Nimmo and they love being Mets, and that's very sweet. What joy has it really brought you? Overall, it's warm and fuzzy, but it may be keeping you from the real glory.

[Don La Greca]

Let's get to the real star. And that's why the pressure is on Stearns to get there. Because if we're sitting here two, three years from now and it's the same old Mets and they're making the playoffs, or they have a big, you know, second half and sneak into the playoffs, make a run, but come up short, and it's really no different that he's going to get eviscerated, and rightly so. But let's see where this pivots to. Because even though Cole was over the top, because I would call those guys losers, it just. It didn't work.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, they didn't win.

[Don La Greca]

They didn't win because they don't work. They're not losers.

[Alan Hahn]

They didn't win.

[Don La Greca]

Listen, you don't collect players. I mean, sometimes you do to get better ratings on SNY and to fill your building. Yeah, I think that's part of it. But ultimately, what Stearns is looking at is I want to collect P players that are going to win a ring. Yeah, that's what we're looking at. And these guys were given a chance. It's not like Alonzo and Diaz were only here for five minutes. Soto's only been here A year. But. And Lindor, you can't move. He's kind of become the meekest, abandoned of the Mets in the sense that he's not going anywhere. But the guys that can go are gone. I'm not the most movable. Alonzo, don't resign him. Diaz, don't resign him.

[Alan Hahn]

You can't compare him to Mika's. Abetaj has fallen off a cliff.

[Don La Greca]

But my point is still a high level player. I am not comparing the players. I'm comparing the fact you can't move them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Immovable contract.

[Don La Greca]

You're not. Nobody's taking Lindor.

[Alan Hahn]

You wouldn't want to move, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but even if, but even if next year, Lindor bats 160 to Don's point, he's coming back next year.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And this is for. He's a forever guy now, but the.

[Don La Greca]

Guys that could go are gone.

[Alan Hahn]

But again, if I, if, if I'm giving you like this, the first thing you have to do to reorganize it to, to refurnish a room is empty. The room, right?

[Don La Greca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Then it looks bare and you're like, oh, my God, it's the same thing. You do a kitchen renovation, get it down to studs. That's the most jarring day when you walk in and the construction guys go home for the day and you go, oh, my God, holy crap, I don't have a kitchen. And you get like, oh, no, what am I gonna do? But then you build it back and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You realize, oh, man, we got a new fridge.

[Alan Hahn]

I got a Viking fridge. Man, this is way better than that other piece of crap we used to have. And you realize, okay, this is the hard part. You got to see it through.

[Don La Greca]

But if you come back and the kitchen looks like the pictures from you when you were a kid, like in 1981 with the 70s cabinets. You're like, the walnut. Somebody's getting fired. So that, that. So that's what I'm gonna. I am gonna look at this and say, all right, let's say, all right, the ball's in your court, David. Let's see what you're gonna do with it.

[Alan Hahn]

It's on him.

[Don La Greca]

Now. Let's go see. Let's see what the pivot's gonna be. And I'm not gonna be that guy that gonna rant and rave and the videos to go viral. And then all of a sudden I'm gonna be like, yay, David Stearns. When all of a sudden, all these great players, like, Tucker's here, Bellinger's here. School's here. And I go, oh, my God, he's great. I want to see it through. But I'm telling you, you're on notice.

[Alan Hahn]

Right?

[Don La Greca]

You're on notice. I think now you're in the crosshairs because we're looking to seeing how you're going to pivot. And don't give me, oh, well, it's going to take a long time. There's free agents to be had here.

Are you going to steal Bellinger away from the Yankees? Is Tucker going to be here? Is School Bull going to be here? What are you going to pivot to? Here's what you can't do. Let's see it. Here's what you can't do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think this is what bad teams do in baseball. The Orioles are the kind of team, and I've been watching them my whole life, they let go, someone's on. On the come who they had. They let them go and then they go and get somebody else's trash. Because I know that's really harsh, but that is what Pete Alonso is at this point. He is a guy who's out there, who's really good, who the Mets didn't feel not good enough. We're moving on. Orioles go, ooh, we'll take him. The Mets can't go out and fill the slot with someone else's trash. You gotta. This has to be a collection. Smart move or a monster player. Yeah, you're bringing in someone really good. Yeah, I don't want to see a Pete Alonzo equivalent, but less cringe.

[Don La Greca]

That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, it would be nice to have less cringe.

[Alan Hahn]

Shorter. That's not a shorter contract or anything like that. But it's absolutely true what you're saying.

[Don La Greca]

There's a big day. Want to hear from the fans. A lot of them are apoplectic about what happened. And I. And listen, I feel you because again, I'm tired of there never being a forever mat. But I'm willing to be patient to see what Stearns can do. I'm not. I don't plan on going anywhere. We're going to be seeing this through, and I will be there if he fails to lay down the hammer. And let's wait and see. But the ball is certainly in his court. Let's see if he can. If it's gonna be all net or he's gonna clang it off the rim or an airball.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's see if any other Met fans are handling this like an adult, just like you did.

[Don La Greca]

I don't Think so, but you don't think so.

[Alan Hahn]

I think Met fans are growing up and they're realizing that it's less about the cute stuff and the, you know, the Timmy Trumpet and all that and more about how about we just build a team that can freaking win. How about that? Give me a team like that.

[Don La Greca]

My favorite teams, the 86 Mets, they fought with each other. There was a lot going on. A lot going on.

[Alan Hahn]

A lot of characters.

[Don La Greca]

But the thing that I remember the most about that is beating the Red Sox in seven and winning a championship. Not the fact that they tore up the plane on the way back from Houston. Not the fact that they got into a fight in spring training during team pictures.

[Alan Hahn]

You like that about them though?

[Don La Greca]

No, what I liked about them is they won. Okay. That's what I'd like to see this team win.

[Alan Hahn]

Mm. So you don't want.

[Don La Greca]

It's been 1986. 18 year old Don Legreca.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

How old are you now?

[Don La Greca]

I'm 57.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don La Greca]

I was a freshman in college.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. So forever Met. Give me all the forever Mets. Give me the list of forever Mets that won a World Series. Name them. Ed Crane, Paul.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I'm going to have a list later. I don't want to give too much away because we got a list coming up at 4:30. We got ENN at 6, 4 o' clock. We're going to pivot to some football because we got Booker McFarland.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course we do.

[Don La Greca]

There's. There's football to discuss.

[Alan Hahn]

There's football.

[Don La Greca]

Without question, there's football. And you know what? The Knicks are going to Vegas, baby. The Knicks for the first time are going to Vegas. I'm sure all of them have spent crazy amount of time in Vegas. I'm sure many a night in Utah was not spent in the hotel. It was spent down the road in Vegas, just like Jordan did. But this is actually playing in Vegas and it's not in the heat of the summer. It's for a cup, an NBA cup.

[Alan Hahn]

A real cup. When you can drink out of a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cup, it's a cup.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a cup.

[Don La Greca]

It's a sippy cup. No, it's not. We've got none on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like Maya's cup.

[Alan Hahn]

It's above.

[Don La Greca]

I wouldn't say sippy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maya has this one sippy cup. You guys remember this?

[Alan Hahn]

It's like this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like. No, Maya has one that's like blue and has the plastic lid. It's nice. She loves it. And if it falls it doesn't break. It's like, you know, it's solid. But I wouldn't go as far as calling it a real cup.

[Don La Greca]

You know what I mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, it's a cop, but it does the job.

[Don La Greca]

I'm just saying it's something. But when you like it, you cherish it.

[Alan Hahn]

You like that, you pet it.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, but if all of a sudden the Bill o' Brien trophy were to drop down.

[Alan Hahn]

Bill o'. Brien.

[Don La Greca]

Bill o', Brien.

[Commercial Announcer]

Who is it?

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, Bill's fine. The Bill o' Brien one is probably what the NBA Cup's named after.

[Don La Greca]

It's Larry. Larry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, Bill.

[Don La Greca]

The fact that I got o' Brien out of it was. I should give credit for that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bill o' Brien is the award for any Texans coach. It was a crush who's not very good.

[Don La Greca]

I was going to say the Bill o' Brien award, you know, was. It's a combination.

[Alan Hahn]

It was a great effort, though.

[Don La Greca]

Bill O'Reilly, yeah, sure. There's a lot going on.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't want to correct you. I thought it was.

[Don La Greca]

No, have fun with it.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I'm saying.

[Don La Greca]

But if that trophy were to drop down. Oh, yeah, that sippy cup is.

[Alan Hahn]

It's gone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, what happened to that?

[Don La Greca]

There was something.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, we have, though, an interesting question for Nick fans. At some point, maybe we could, if we, like, throw it out there now and then later we can get.

[Don La Greca]

Well, later. But this. But we got to get this very.

[Alan Hahn]

Very interesting question for you about this NBA Cup.

[Don La Greca]

All right, let's get started off here with David on the EAS side. You're on. Don on Roseberg. What's up, David?

[Caller]

Dhr. Great to be here. I partly agree with you guys. Let's be patient. Don't rip your hair out. Wait for the final product.

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Caller]

But here's my counterpoint. You said there obviously has to be a master plan behind this. There can't be because even the Mets don't know how this is all going to pan out. It would be different if they signed Tucker or Bellinger, traded for Scubal and then tapped out on Alonzo. They don't know if they're going to win the bidding on Belly or Tucker. They don't know if they can trade for Scubal and he won't go to the Dodgers, which is. And on top of that, the fact that Baltimore won the bidding and the Mets made no offer tells you everything you need to know because Baltimore can't afford to overpay, which tells me this contract was not an overpay.

[Don La Greca]

But the Mets were not willing to go more than three years. And you can understand that for a 31 year old.

[Caller]

All right, so here's why that's wrong. Here's why that's wrong. And I think this is why I say if this doesn't work out, fire Stearns. Because Stearns wants you to look at the advanced analytics and why aging first basement is not a good plan. The reporting from Joel Sherman is showing that Baltimore valued Alonzo's consistent right handed power. He's the third most home runs in Major League Baseball since he came into the Knicks and he plays every game. So that's. That defies the, the conventional wisdom on first baseball.

[Don La Greca]

No question. But, but they look at it and I'm with you. But at the same time he looks at it and goes, he's been the third most home runs, yada yada, yada. We haven't won a thing with him. And now I'm going to pivot. Now I agree with you. If he doesn't pivot to something that wins, then yeah, he's absolutely gonna get fired. And you're right, we don't know. It's air. He was not gonna have signing Alonzo to a five year contract even though they could afford to do that. Put them in a situation where they're now out on Bellinger or they're out on Tucker. Now you could say, why should they be out on anything? The guy's worth $23 billion. I get that. But at the same time, they want to be able to find value. Where can they find them? And the general manager rightly or wrongly doesn't believe that Pete Alonso is going to age well. He doesn't like his lack of athleticism. All they've talked about the entire offseason was run prevention. Run prevention. He's not a great defender. You just traded for a second baseman. Why? Because he's a great defender. Yeah. Why is Nimo gone? That's what they're looking at.

[Alan Hahn]

Skills were starting to slip.

[Don La Greca]

Might end up being wrong. And David's right. If he's wrong, he's out. Can we see what happened again?

[Alan Hahn]

There are still a bunch of guys out there that are worth the investment of an owner that has $16 billion. Right. Then there's some moves that, you know, we don't want to be compromised by by something like this. Why do it? Just because he's a nice guy. He's going to be a DH in two years probably. Right, Alonzo?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So why would you do something like that? $155 million over five years if you don't need to. And you feel like it's. First of all, let's all know this. While the Dodgers right now are the big bad wolf, the idea that everybody's going to sign with them is insane. It's not happening. But if I'm an agent, I'm using the Dodgers to drive up the price and make sure I sneak out into the media because I've been part of this where they tell you, well, you know, the Dodgers are lurking. Hey, the Dodgers called. And you put that out there because it makes people panic. Oh, no, not the Dodgers. They're going to get them. All it's doing is driving a price. Don't worry about that because for Cohen, if he wants someone, he will raise his bidding.

[Don La Greca]

They didn't want Diaz, clearly didn't want Diaz.

[Alan Hahn]

They were going to defer money so they could save money up front because they didn't feel like he was a priority. There's priorities out there they're going for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And can I just add one thing, though? And this isn't anything except just telling the truth, because that's how life is. You know, Diaz is going to be full on. Diaz in la, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Diazing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

He'll be, he'll be back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It'll be, I guess as long as.

[Don La Greca]

Devin Williams is good, I'm not going to care. Well, let's hold seven, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, let's, let's, let's throw a penny in the, in the web.

[Don La Greca]

Allen. But Allen said something important and he said moving Alonzo to dh. Mets don't want to lock up DH because you know what? Their right fielder is a guy there is eventually going to be their dh because Soto's a butcher out in the outfield. So if you're really looking at run prevention, Stearns is probably thinking Juan Soto's.

[Alan Hahn]

Going to be my dh, a very good one.

[Don La Greca]

Right? And I don't want to now have a first baseman for the next five years that in the last two, three years of the contract, I can't DH you because Soto's gonna be DHing.

[Alan Hahn]

So you make.

[Don La Greca]

So there is a plan here.

[Alan Hahn]

Look at you making sense.

[Don La Greca]

As you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows Safety is always a priority. They're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. You know one of the perks about.

[Don La Greca]

Having four kids that you know about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is actually getting a direct line to.

[Alan Hahn]

The big man up north.

[Don La Greca]

And this year he wants you to know the best gift that you can.

[Alan Hahn]

Give someone is the gift of Mint Mobile. Mobile's unlimited wireless for 15amonth. Now you don't even need to wrap it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Commercial Announcer]

Of $45 for three month plan equivalent to 15 per month required. New customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes if network's busy, taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com.

[Don La Greca]

This episode is brought to you by McAfee.

[Commercial Announcer]

Yes, playoff tickets. Just need to click here and wait. What fake site? Good thing McAfee threw the red flag. That would have been 400 bucks gone.

[Don La Greca]

McAfee blocks risky sites so you don't pay for seats and other things that don't exist. Plans start at just $39.99 for your first year. That's cheaper than parking on game day. Learn [e-mail] onlineprotection.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

You like this idea?

[Don La Greca]

Just looking at some old pictures.

[Alan Hahn]

Good. I. I like this idea for our Christmas card this year. I'm sorry. Our holiday card.

[Don La Greca]

Holiday card?

[Alan Hahn]

I already got yelled out.

[Don La Greca]

We're just looking at some old pictures and it's. It's rough for some. Game Time is brought to you by Telemar Do Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time fell.

The Rangers visit.

[Alan Hahn]

See, he did this to me yesterday.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, it's irritating.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, it's irritating.

[Don La Greca]

I'm a big Jacob fan, but he can get under your skin. The Rangers visit the Blackhawks with coverage immediately following us on 880 at 7 o'. Clock. Tullamore Dew. The original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris 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. Let's get back to the busy phones and let's talk to Carlos Season. Stanford, you're On ESPN New York. What's up Carlos?

[Alan Hahn]

What's up Los?

[Caller]

Happy holidays, guys. What's up Pete?

[Peter Rosenberg]

My guy. What up baby?

[Caller]

Good movie. So I'm calling in just to kind of talk about this mess stuff. And kudos to you Don, for not losing it. I actually thought you would have. I'm a 50 year old fan. I've been a fan since I'm 8 years old. I'm a partial ticket holder. Ticket holder. After last year's collapse, why are fans losing their mind? Didn't they expect consequences? Mendoza is lucky to have a job. So the coaches are changing, the core players are being changed. This team is not complete. Like you guys were saying, we should wait till March. The amount of negativity I've been seeing online in other radio shows, including your own station, I'm actually dumbfounded. I don't understand why Med fans do not see this coming considering what just happened last year. Last year was unbelievable. The collapse that happened considering the squad they had. So what they doing? They're going to blow this up and they're going to figure this out and they're going to put in new players. And you can't judge a team at 3 o' clock on a Wednesday.

[Don La Greca]

Right. You judge them in March and you have to. If you, if you were of the opinion today, Carlos, that the Mets screwed up, should have kept Alonso, should have kept Diaz, then you believe that they are actually a championship caliber team. And Stearns is looking at it and saying no they're not all right. They had a run in the second half of 2024 that took them to game six of the of the league championship series. They wet the bed early in the year but they were able to make up for it with a big second half. Then in 25 they have a big first half and a terrible second half. The only time they put it together for a full season was in 22 and they won 101 games and they got bounced in the first round by the Padres. So you can't understand Stern saying I don't think this is a championship caliber team. Right. Yeah, they came close a couple of times but otherwise you know what they really didn't get there? Were the jets close when they went back went to back to back championship games in 09 or 2010 or felt like it. Felt like it. But you know what? They weren't right. And they haven't back to the playoffs since because they didn't. They haven't handled things properly. But the point is, is they weren't as close as maybe they thought. Same thing with the Rangers. Go to the conference final in 22, go to the conference final in 24. All right, well, you know what? They weren't that close to a cup. And now they missed the playoffs last year and they, and they're barely a playoff team. If a playoff team this year because they gotta, they gotta figure it out. Had to get rid of some players to kind of figure it out. You fall in love with guys, but all the people that are bitching and moaning about no championship. Well, close, but no cigar. Is not a ring. All right, I don't want to. No offense, Alan. I don't want to be the knicks of the 90s. I don't want the greatest moment to be almost, but not getting it.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not offended.

[Don La Greca]

I don't want it. I don't want to be. The best moment for the jets is back to back championship games and no ring. I want to be able to get there. And if Stearns believes this is the best way to get there, let's have him at it. And I'll be right there if he drops the ball, to tear him a new one. But let's wait and see if he drops the ball.

[Alan Hahn]

What was the first big move for.

[Don La Greca]

David Stearns was getting Juan Soto.

[Alan Hahn]

Juan Soto, who's in his prime, who has a ton of years left, is easily, not arguably easily, one of the best hitters in the sport. Right?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And so that's what you're building with. That's what they're valuing.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Not, you know, well, he's a really nice guy. Like, no, give me a guy that has won. He has been there before that, that, that he's an elite player. I need more of those guys. Not somebody that. He's a nice guy. He really runs hard, he plays hard, he cares. No, you got to have guys who, who are the best in the league because to beat the Dodgers, you got to have that. So I think that's what he's looking for. I'm not throwing money at something that is just because, well, I like them.

[Don La Greca]

And you're, you're in a division with the Phillies. Take the Braves fell apart last year, but you know, they're going to be back. All right.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

Padres are still very good. The Giants have a ton of money. They're going to be spending this offseason. So you're, you're in, you're in, I think the elite league, I mean, the American League has some holes, but the National League's got the Best team of baseball the last two years. And they've got a ton of other teams that are going to be standing your way, including the Phillies in your own division, the Braves, who are going to be better in your own division. Milwaukee's good every year, you know, so you got to get to that point.

[Alan Hahn]

You're really upsetting Met fans, though, because they want you screaming.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I don't. I don't take requests. Let's go to Fran and Massapequa.

[Caller]

Oh, man. Listen, the Mets suck. It's that simple. They've always sucked. The bottom line is this. He is a wrestling guy, Han is a basketball guy. And Mr. Greco, you're a hockey guy, all right? You're not baseball guys.

[Don La Greca]

I want to hear it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I want to hear. I want to.

[Alan Hahn]

Mr. Bas. I don't understand this.

[Don La Greca]

I want to hear Mr.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Baseball.

[Don La Greca]

Go ahead. All right.

[Caller]

Han is a Yankee fan, correct?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. It's the first team I rooted for. But I'm not a baseball.

[Caller]

You gotta remember, I'm talking as a miserable ex, miserable Met fan. I'm not a Met fan no more. But listen, the bottom line is this. Your three sports are not baseball. Your specialties. That's all I said. And that's the truth, isn't it?

[Don La Greca]

I've been on sports radio for 30 years, you punk.

[Alan Hahn]

Alright?

[Don La Greca]

I don't have to answer to you. I've been around longer. I've been 30 years on sports. I get so irritated.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you're a hockey guy, you know.

[Don La Greca]

And that goes for executives here. And that goes for everybody who said, oh, Don's a hockey guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

30.

[Don La Greca]

Let me ask you something. How did I survive at ESPN for 25 years as a hockey guy? Does ESPN have a huge reputation for its hockey? I'm sorry. They just got it back four years ago after getting rid of it, discarding the sport like a used tissue, and then getting it back over the last four years. So 25 years. On September 3rd, I'm gonna be celebrating 25 years of this radio station as a hockey guy. Or maybe you misunderstand it, as a hockey guy and that I'm a sports guy who's been in this business for 30 years. Going back to WFAN. I was at WFAN for 5 years, left on my own accord because I wanted to go to espn. I'm sorry, how did I survive at Fan for five years? Are they known for their hockey?

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is why I wanted to hear what he. This is why I wanted to hear.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I didn't give that any air.

[Don La Greca]

What was the Thing.

Guy. He doesn't yell. He's going to offer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I wanted to know what could France.

[Don La Greca]

Have offered a moronism. Yeah, that's. I don't even know if that's a word, but I'm going to. No. Why not that it's Fran. Fran doesn't exist and he's a fraud. I used to be a Met fan. Oh, he's a guy. Used to be a method tough guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he's out now.

[Don La Greca]

There's no. I love arguing with people.

[Alan Hahn]

A year ago. Give me some logic, Juan Soto. A year later you're out. A year ago you were parading around. Ding dong, the witch is dead. We won.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We got a year later.

[Alan Hahn]

One year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's out.

[Alan Hahn]

That you never were a fan. Fraud.

[Don La Greca]

I just love.

[Alan Hahn]

Not done 25 years.

[Don La Greca]

Stay in your lane.

[Alan Hahn]

Stay in your lane.

[Caller]

A hockey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's all you should.

[Don La Greca]

So they.

[Alan Hahn]

So stay in your lane.

[Don La Greca]

They keep me employed just to do my family a favor.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me ask you a question. At this station, there's only one human being that is equipped to talk baseball. The rest of us should lay out layout DiPietro. What's he doing? Why is he talking?

[Don La Greca]

Why would I want Fran back? I disconnected him.

[Alan Hahn]

You know why he gone?

[Don La Greca]

Because I get dumb.

[Alan Hahn]

Put him on.

[Don La Greca]

Speak to dumb people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Put him on the board.

[Alan Hahn]

Put him up. Put him up, friend.

[Don La Greca]

He doesn't have the guts to call back because I put him on the board. Have your nurse call back and then we'll talk. I just show some effing logic. For God's sake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I just offer. Can I just say.

[Don La Greca]

No, I really don't want to hear from you either. I just want to hear one thing. If.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait. The wrestling guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The wrestling guy. I know. Everything I've said so far has made no sense. We don't make sense. But I just would love if Fran. If Fran's nurse dials the number and he. We already know. You think that word worthless. And we don't know.

[Don La Greca]

Baseball.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So just jump right in. I want to hear what his brilliant point was that we won't understand because he's a baseball. I want to hear. Oh, he's here. Fran is here. I was just. Can you just prepare him that if he's gonna go on. Get right to what you know, Peter Gammons has to say. I want to know what Mr. Gammon has to offer us.

[Don La Greca]

Go ahead. Yo, yo, Loop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So as soon as.

[Don La Greca]

That's. That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I need to know because he already set it up. Allen only knows basketball.

[Don La Greca]

I only know wrestling online for.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know what's going on.

[Don La Greca]

Because he's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe that's the perfect summary of who he is.

[Don La Greca]

Anthony's trying to make sure he doesn't curse on.

What is he gonna do, sign a contract? Make a prom?

Let him swear?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, put them through.

[Don La Greca]

We'll dump them. I don't care.

I scanned through YouTube. People have seen worse.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a great point.

[Don La Greca]

What, are we gonna wait forever? What is not worth it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. What is happening now?

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, the anticipation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There he is.

[Don La Greca]

Hello.

Don.

[Caller]

You want to talk to my nurse?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Here we go, friend. Offer your jump. Right?

[Alan Hahn]

Here we go.

[Caller]

You guys have the button to hang me up. So it's a beautiful thing for you. That's the thing.

[Don La Greca]

Because you were being a moron. Why don't you speak some sense?

[Alan Hahn]

Get to the point. Just get to the point.

[Caller]

I'm telling you right now, okay? If you call me a moron again, we're gonna meet up.

[Don La Greca]

I'll call you whatever I want to call you.

[Alan Hahn]

All right?

[Caller]

Okay, no problem. Beat me up.

[Alan Hahn]

You're gonna.

[Don La Greca]

Is that the way you win arguments? You're gonna beat me up? You're going to show me what time it is. Let's go. Let's go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fran, we gave you the line again. Is that all you got?

[Alan Hahn]

We?

[Don La Greca]

What's the big ice ball so far? Go ahead.

[Caller]

No, go ahead. I'm ready.

[Don La Greca]

Go ahead.

[Caller]

What? My point being is you had three specialties on low speed up and you said no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And so what's your point?

[Caller]

My point is that miserable, rotten Met fans like me who have been trapped on. It's just horrible to the MF fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Caller]

They don't care what Yankee fans think. And they don't care what certain people think about what they think about them. Now, Don made her or you guys know, somebody made a mark. I think it was time. Oh, they'll bring in Bellinger. And who's the second guy that you said? Those two guys. I mean, they ain't got a chance at school, but that's the biggest fraud in the world.

[Don La Greca]

So do you have an overall point? I see you telling me that nobody cares about my men opinion. You obviously do. You called in. Yeah. You're calling me. I didn't call you.

[Caller]

Because you're saying that nobody cares on Peter. You're throwing Pete Alonzo. You guys are throwing him to the dirt. Maybe not you, Don. They're throwing him to the dirt like he's nothing. This guy's the third best hitter, RBIs and home runs the last six years.

[Don La Greca]

And they didn't win anything. So now they're going to try something different. Can I at least find out what they're going to try? You might end up being right, Fran, but can I see what they pivot to?

[Caller]

No, because it's done. First of all, this is amazing. I just. It's amazing. Look at. Look at what? They get rid of the best closer this year in baseball. We need the league pitching. My point being is it never works. They got rid of Tom Sieber. We didn't win.

[Don La Greca]

Didn't do that.

Diaz didn't want to be here.

[Caller]

Can I talk as a miserable Met fan?

[Alan Hahn]

You are.

[Don La Greca]

You said you stopped being a Met fan. I am.

[Caller]

No, I'm.

[Alan Hahn]

This is.

[Caller]

This is it. Once I'm done. Once I. This is it. Once I hang up, that's it. After today.

[Alan Hahn]

Promise? Promise.

[Caller]

You just listen to me. They got rid of Steve. I'm talking as a meth man now. Yeah, right, Sheila. They got rid of him, all right? Horrible rain night. They let walk, okay?

[Don La Greca]

Over a loss of $200,000.

[Caller]

Can you let me just talk, please? I'm talking as a miserable Met fan, all right?

[Don La Greca]

I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what?

[Don La Greca]

I called it.

[Alan Hahn]

We're all set.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So is what it all.

I'm talking as a miserable.

[Don La Greca]

So you're miserable now? You quit. Good. Goodbye. Yeah, all right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're better off.

[Don La Greca]

But don't insult us and then get mad when we decide to defend ourselves. You never had a point. You're talking about Tom seaver. That was 50 years ago. People always forgive when Frank Cashin wins the championship in 86. Then it was okay, all right? Then it was okay when they went to the World Series in 2000. Then it was okay when they went to the World Series in 2015. But now, decisions that were made by M. Donald Grant are now affecting what's happening here. David Stearns didn't get rid of Tom Seaver. David Sterns didn't get rid of Dave Kingman.

[Alan Hahn]

He did.

[Don La Greca]

Dave Stearns, Edwin Diaz. Edwin Diaz didn't want to be here. And they didn't want Pete Alonso. And let's see where they pivot to. But don't. You called our show. You chose to listen to our show despite Allen's only a Knick fan, I'm only a Yo, yo, hockey guy, and Peter's only a wrestling guy.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't even know sports.

[Don La Greca]

But yet you called our show to argue about the Mets. And I guarantee you rather than get the big fight. I'll call people whatever I want to call. Especially when you insult me on our own show. All right? Is that I bet you I know 10 times more Mets than you do. 10 guarantee lock.

[Alan Hahn]

You know why?

[Don La Greca]

Because I'm able to articulate a point. I still don't know what his point was. Still don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We gave a chance back.

[Don La Greca]

Still did not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm talking as a miserable Mets fan, right?

[Commercial Announcer]

No, no, no.

[Don La Greca]

We knew this. Now we've done. Now he's done. Well, guess what? If Stearns gets it right and they're winning a World Series, he's gonna come back and you're gonna be a diehard fan.

[Alan Hahn]

Fraud. You're out.

[Commercial Announcer]

Coca Cola for the big, for the small, the short and the tall. Peacemakers. Risk takers for the optimists, pessimists for long distance love for introverts and extroverts, the thinkers and the doers for old friends and new Coca Cola for everyone. Pick up some Coca Cola at a store near you.

[Don La Greca]

There's a reason Chevy trucks are known for their dependability. Because they show up no matter the weather, push forward no matter the terrain, and deliver. That's why Chevrolet has earned more dependability awards for trucks than any other brand in 2025, according to J.D. power. Because in every Chevy truck, like every Chevy driver, dependability comes standard. Visit Chevy.com to learn more. Chevrolet received the highest total number of awards among all the trucks in the J.D. power 2025 U.S. vehicle Dependability Study Awards based on 2022 models. Newer models may be shown. Visit J.D. power.com awards for more details. Chevrolet together. Let's Drive.

[Commercial Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Listening to this podcast Smart move. Being financially savvy. Smart move. Another smart move having State Farm help you create a competitive price when you choose to bundle home and auto bundling. Just another way to save with a personal price plan. Like a good neighbor. State Farm is there. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Speak.

[Don La Greca]

Speak up, Jacob. Why?

[Alan Hahn]

Dylan, just, you know, it's a wind.

[Don La Greca]

Blowing in here after that last call. Okay, well, I want to know. We should have a segment. Jacob's Logic.

[Alan Hahn]

Jacob's Logic sounds like a great movie.

[Don La Greca]

Doesn'T it like Jacob's Ladder?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that too.

[Don La Greca]

I like it. Sounds like a sick horror movie. All right, Booker McFarlane is going to join us at the top of the hour, but want to get in as many calls on this as we can.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's your ace.

[Don La Greca]

Because a lot of people are certainly chomping at the bit to talk about this. So let's go to Julian and Queen. Johnny, ESPN New York. What's up, Julian?

[Caller]

Hey. Hey. How's it going, guys? I guess they got the Don Rand that they were looking for today.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, eventually. I would give Fran credit for doing that on purpose, but it wasn't.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you.

[Caller]

I feel like it was on purpose, but I feel the same way as all the other Mets fans out there because they're hesitant to trust Stearns considering that the trade deadline moves that he decided to make were trash, I guess, in a way.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. The hell in his face. Yeah.

[Caller]

Yeah. And then one of the only pictures that he actually. That actually did something for him, which was Soto, they got rid of him also. So that's why I think most Mets fans are hesitant to trust him. And I. I totally agree with you guys. Let's just see what happens. But considering how we haven't picked up pitching, which is what we've been lacking for. For the longest, and what's been our greatest downfall, and we still haven't addressed that issue.

[Don La Greca]

Well, it's a philosophy with him. He doesn't like to give big contracts to pitchers. And I get why.

[Alan Hahn]

But you've got older pitchers.

[Don La Greca]

Older pitchers for sure. Now, listen, there's, you know, he can go out and get King. I think that's probably more logical than it would be school, because I think there's a lot of competition. You got to trade for him, too.

[Alan Hahn]

And then you got to worry about him walking in a.

[Don La Greca]

You're right. So that there's. That's a little dicey, but that's kind of a philosophy thing. And listen, no general manager is working with a perfect record. Right. And certainly the trade deadline does not reflect well on him. So I can understand you lacking confidence. I want to see where it goes. And again, he's certainly on notice for that because if he gets this wrong, he will lose his job. Let's go to Mike in Connecticut. You're on espn, New York.

Hi, Mike.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, guys.

[Caller]

Thanks for taking my call.

[Don La Greca]

No problem.

[Alan Hahn]

So I.

[Caller]

Before I make my point, do you want to say one thing that I find kind of funny about Baltimore? They moved that left field wall back about 500ft a few years ago for the pitching staff that they were building and now they're building a righty power hitting team.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I guess they can always move it back.

[Alan Hahn]

Really good call by you. Yeah, really good.

[Caller]

But my, my point is. So this might be completely reaching for not just stars, but farther than that. But do you think there's any part of some of these big market owners? Because the rumor is, you know, Steinbrenner is trying to get the payroll to a certain point. And I mean, clearly the Dodgers have no regard for money at this point. But do you. Do you think maybe the owners think that this lockout that's clearly coming after this season, maybe they think the end result of that is going to be some kind of salary cap and everyone's trying to maybe be a little smart. Well, not everybody, most everybody is trying to maybe be a little smart about spending.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I think the Yankees for sure, because I think they're going to be on the side of wanting a salary cap and the Dodgers are probably going to be on the other side of that line and spend like drunken sailors because they think they're going to ultimately win. And history, Mike, is going to tell you it's going to be very difficult for the owners to win this battle because unlike hockey, the owners are not going to be willing to shut the sport down because even the worst of the franchises aren't losing money. There were teams losing money in the NHL and there was a lot of owners like, listen, I'll make more money not having a season.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

That's not the case in baseball. But if they want it bad enough, they'll lock them out or they'll go to war and really cut into the 2027 season, which is something you don't want. But Alan, wouldn't that be the smart thing to do if you're an owner? Like, let's not get too crazy because I don't know how this is going to look.

[Alan Hahn]

It won't be a hard case. It's not going to be a hard case. They'll. They'll do a cap system that has a soft cap and the penalties, when you go over it, for the teams that are willing to pay the penalties, they already have something like that in place. But it's clearly not punitive enough. I think it'll just be a little bit stricter where a lot more teams then will use it as a way to make it happen.

[Don La Greca]

But you could also understand a team like the Yankees, who again, you. You showed me the list. I have it here. Of what each owner is worth.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. Their value.

[Don La Greca]

And it's probably worth bringing up as part of the conversation here. Alan had brought it earlier to my attention during our meeting. Steve Cohen is the richest owner in Major League Baseball.

[Alan Hahn]

What's he worth?

[Don La Greca]

His worth is $23 billion. That's not too bad.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, the Dodgers owner, what's his name?

[Don La Greca]

Mark? Walter.

[Alan Hahn]

Walter, who just bought the Lakers, what's he worth?

[Don La Greca]

7.3 billion.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Don La Greca]

Which is significantly less. Rogers. The Blue Jays, 19 billion.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Now, way, way down at the bottom, number 23 of a 30 team league is House Steinbrenner, worth $1.6 billion.

[Alan Hahn]

That's crazy.

[Don La Greca]

So again, nobody's crying poverty for the Yankees, but they're not what you think they are. When their owner is worth $1.6 billion and Steve Cohen in the same city is worth 23 billion, it's basically worth 20 times more than Hal Steinbrand and.

[Alan Hahn]

Rich Eisen tried to bring up yesterday. He's like, well, but Steinbrenner also has deals with other, in other entities. And so he's making money in other ways. And I'm thinking. But he's not making that much.

[Don La Greca]

No, he's not making that. And he's also got a share with shareholders who, you know, listen, I'd like a ring, but I'd like some profits back for the money that I invest. So I'm sure the Yankees are looking at it and saying, if there's going to be a salary cap, we want to get out in front of this and we'll be better off. If the cap is 300 million, say, and they're at 300 million, then they're golden. And the other teams, yeah, maybe there'll be a soft cap, maybe there'll be some sort of grace period or maybe they're going to have to start shedding some of that salary. So I think the Yankee, a good business, is going to try to get out in front of what they see. And if the Yankees are going to be in those rooms fighting for a cap, then they should be spending as if they're going to win that battle.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know to how.

[Alan Hahn]

The sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.