Adam Graves (2:25)

Well, again, it's milestones and moments and some of the alumni in attendance. Derek, step on some names that, you know, obviously, Hank the Great, the King, Stephan Matteo, Mike Richter, a name that you haven't heard in a while. Merrick Malik. We're just celebrating some of those magical moments that have happened at the Garden and even from the beginning of the season when we had growth of a franchise and we had some of the family of the Bouchers and Hextall and Cooks. I mean, when you are able to celebrate like that, it is just, it's phenomenal. And it really reminds you of just how long there's been this, for me, a love affair between the city of New York and the Rangers and Blue Shirts and Blue Shirts hockey and certainly having that and Craig Patrick coming in representing the Patrick family and what they've meant to the organization. So this is an ongoing, obviously throughout the year. We have many of nights, whether it's the new Garden fan favorites, legendary blue shirts, goaltenders. As you know, we've had a plethora, we've been spoiled with goaltenders. So we have a real great, I think for me, format for just trying to pay respect to our team. And I say that because I'm a fan and it's the fans team, it's New York's team. And to be able to celebrate 100 years is pretty remarkable. And this Saturday will be no different. It'll be fantastic, as I said, milestones and moments. It'll bring back a lot of smiles. And for me, it's having kids sitting there with their parents and their grandparents and sometimes great grandparents celebrating generationally where there might be a moment that was special to a grandparent, that might be different from a grandchild, you know, and it's everyone's represented and everyone has ownership of those great memories. And we have Sam Rosen will be the master of ceremonies, which is fantastic. And we do have a commemorative ticket incorporating players images and whatnot just to commemorate it because it's always nice, especially in today's technology age where you can actually take something physical home with you. So we're thrilled there's still some tickets available as well, as you know, but it's going to be an outstanding night and certainly can't wait to be there.

Peter Rosenberg (4:57)

And also ahead of the game, on Rangers, the Rangers website, fans can share personal photos of their favorite Rangers milestone memories. Fans who submit their photos are entered to win a centennial Jersey, which looks gorgeous by the way too, as we talk to Adam Graves. All right, let's. Let's fast forward to the now, Adam. I mean, this team just can't seem to figure it out at home. It's very strange. And outside of the San Jose game, they haven't been able to score at home. Is it just a coincidence or is there something going on here?

Adam Graves (5:26)

Well, here's what I would tell you. And I'm an, I'm an old school player as you, as you know, and it's a different game now. It's. In fact, I'd say the game's never been better with the skill and certainly the speed of the game. But. And you measure a lot of the differences in the game by analytics. And I don't want to because I'm not an analytics expert by any stretch, but if you looked at their team's analytics and you know their chances, both even strength and power play would tell you that it should be a lot more goals scored. But anytime you have a stretch where you do that, you have to continue to do the right things. And when you have a new coach that comes in and Sully is a fantastic coach, obviously with his success he had and then certainly being a Ranger before and his staff with Quinner and sacks, I mean they know the game. But there's also adjustments and I think that just more recent history, last decade ago when Alain Vignol came in and he changed some of the systems and I think we were, we really came out of the gate slow because you're trying to make adjustments on the go. But I like the way the team's playing. Has the puck gone in the way we love it to go in? No, it hasn't. But defensively, I think the team's played extremely well. And I think that we are creating an identity of a team that plays 200ft. You just. But you need that puck to go in the net. But it's as a player, if you're not getting those opportunities, that's when you get concerned. But they've had some great a looks and just. And it's like this can't keep going on the pucks. Got to start going in the net because they've been outstanding on the road too.

Don LaGreca (7:05)

You're talking about like it's expected goal metric, right? Like, like this, the shot, the quality of shot, that the expected goal percentage is way up, but they're just not finding the back of the net for various reasons. And that can obviously, as you know, especially, especially at home it can cause like anxiety in a player. Like you get frustrated and that can really mess with you. They all the old phrase, grip the stick, you know, that kind of thing. So how do you get out of that? If you're a team, how do you find that place? Is it. Does it take just one game where, you know, you just blow the roof off and now everybody can relax because they kind of had that. But it didn't seem to work. And as you mentioned on the road, you know, they've had more success than they have at home. Is it as simple as something like that? Maybe just feeling the pressure of, you know, the fans are a little frustrated and we're also frustrated that we just for whatever reason can't bury the puck in our. On our home ice.

Adam Graves (7:56)

Well, it'd be easy to say, hey, there's. This is exactly how you do it. Here's the formula. But that's hockey. And that's why hockey such is a unique game. And it's. It's so fast and it goes quickly. And I will tell you, back in the day, the things that you would focus on as a player was the process. Okay, I've got to get to that. I've got to stop. I've got to finish my check here. I've got to screen the goal. I got it. All these different things that you would have in your head, but you actually didn't think about, okay, I get the puck, I'm going to deep to my left, beat to my right and then put it home. That's usually you thought about getting the opportunity and creating opportunities and getting into those habits, which I think they're, you know, the Rangers are doing a good job of, but it's one of those things that you're going to have the ebbs and flows and nothing's linear. And especially in hockey there you're going to have your ups and downs and sometimes it makes it tougher. You're doing all the right things, but the puck's not going in the ice, in the net. So when you're on the ice, you have to continue and it's not easy. You have to continue to create and get those opportunities. And yes, and I don't even think it's case of bearing down. I think they're bearing down. It's just a little bit of puck luck. But. And I'm not suggesting that I think it's going to change you keep playing the right way. I think that long term that you are going to be rewarded for it. And I think this team, they've got too many talented players that have scored goals in the past, will score goals in the future. And I think it's a matter of time, especially because they're playing the right way, you know, for 200ft of the ice. And I like that. I really like that. I see that as a, a real positive.

Peter Rosenberg (9:33)

You know, the, the Knicks change their coach, the Rangers change their coach. And you preach patience to the beginning of the year because you need to make adjustments because of the new coach. So Adam, from what you've seen, what is the adjustment you have to make as a Ranger, from Peter Laviolette to Mike Solomon?

Adam Graves (9:49)

Well, I think each, each coach has their, their different messaging. So again, it's personalities that you have to, to, I guess, get acclimatized. It's like anything else in relationship, get to know someone. The more you're with them, the more you get comfortable, the more you understand what their expectations are of you and they get to know how to connect with you. Because it's not old school hockey where, you know, you just kind of, you know, dive in and you're aggressive. And I mean, it's. How do you communicate with any individual player? Whether it's through humor, through pushing, through, you know, giving them time, you get to know your players. And when you're trying to establish an identity and the way you want to play, it takes time. And I use that AV's example. When he first came in, I believe the team was 26 or 2 7. I don't know exactly. Like, really had a slow start. And one of the big things were, you know, those short little passes I remember to the front line net for the breakout. And it take a while because there were some turnovers and it was like, oh my goodness, a new system. Then all of a sudden it clicked and the team just took off. And I actually think I see a lot of similarities because I thought at that time the team was playing the right way, they weren't being rewarded and they stuck to it. And you really do have to stick to it, especially with a new system, getting ready for, get used to a new system, you really have to just stay with it.

Peter Rosenberg (11:19)

And.

Adam Graves (11:21)

Coach Solomon, he's had great success for a reason. And when you think of the way that, you know, he's had his teams play and both with, obviously in Pittsburgh, but in international play as well, he's used to working with different players and communicating, and this is no different. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time for that transition to take place.

Don LaGreca (11:43)

Well, Adam, I know Don mentioned it earlier about how Rangers fans can share a personal photo of their favorite Rangers milestone or memory and submit it and have a chance to win the Centennial Jersey before Saturday's game. I gotta give me one of yours. Like, give me your. Like if you have a favorite memory in whether it's your own history. I mean, 94 sounds obvious, of course, but I don't know if there's also just maybe just a moment that we aren't thinking about that is special to you that isn't maybe the obvious one, which is, of course, when you raise the Stanley Cup.

Adam Graves (12:18)

Well, I can think of so many that both on the ice, whether It's Mark Smith's 500th goal to Mike Gartner's 600th goal as a, as a Ranger, two people that I have such respect for and are dear, dear friends. And the joy you had in watching that when Mess was introduced as the first captain or not the first captain, but in the first game after coming back after the trade in New York back in 1991 and thinking, I mean, it's hard to believe it's 34 years ago, but even some of those memories. For me, the most special part of Ranger hockey is the energy in the building and the start of the game and the drop of the puck and those nights when you would have Stephen McDonald and Stephen would come on the ice. Those are some of the memories that I just, I've always cherished and being a part of that energy. And now Don, as you know, sitting up there, we're always here at the beginning because you want to see, you want to see the, you know, the lights go down, the team come on the ice and the national anthem played and just the energy and the building, the excitement of the drop of the puck. And those are the moments that. And of course, the overtime goals. You know, Marty St. Louis on mother's Day, Hank's big blocker save against, you know, Montreal. I mean, there's so many. And people all have their own, you know, to Marek Malik's 16th round or 15th round of the shoot. I'll never forget that the roof went out the building. I mean, but that's. But, but that's. That for me is what's special about our game and Ranger hockey is you have these moments and you'll never forget. They create capsules. And it's not just the capsule on the ice. It's. Maybe you're sitting with your wife or your son or your daughter or your grandpa or your good friend. You're sharing that moment with people that you care about. And that's what's really cool.

Peter Rosenberg (14:15)

You were mentioning your best players have to be your best players. And it's been a bit of a slow start for Artemi Panarin. You wonder, is the contract on his mind? Is he going to get traded at the deadline? His future as a player, I know you're supposed to shelve all that stuff, but when you see somebody of his talent get off to a slow start, do you wonder if some of those things kind of creep into his game?

Adam Graves (14:36)

Well, he's such a talent. I mean, his intellect on the ice is his creativeness. It's as simple as he gets a. He has a night where it's going to, it's going to happen for him and then you get that confidence in a way. He goes, I don't think that you have, you know, 30 plus goals last year, 48 two years ago. He's still a heck of a player. And there's, there's going to be ebbs and flows to the season and certainly when you're part of it, you're gleaned on to, to, to, you know, to add that offense and that. And certainly the team has struggled a little bit at home as you, you, you know, alluded to that you feel the weight of that because you're expected to do that. So. But I, I see, I see him being, being the old Artem. Once, once a puck starts going, it's going to go in and it's going to be like this is going to be in the rear view mirror. He's too good a player.

Peter Rosenberg (15:34)

The Rangers 2nd Centennial Theme Night will be coming up on Saturday. Milestones and moments. This will celebrate Rangers who have had historic moments at the Garden. There will be a game day giveaway for all fans in attendance. A commemorative ticket incorporating players and imagery that highlight the various milestones and moments being celebrated during the game. For whatever reason, the NHL didn't schedule a Ranger Devil game until March and there's only three of them. So we've got a long way to go before I'm going to get the cross paths with you, but I'm looking forward to that day and enjoy this season. It should be a lot of fun and enjoy Saturday, man.

Adam Graves (16:11)

Well, I'll tell you one thing and hopefully I'll be able to bring a box of popcorn up to the box.

Peter Rosenberg (16:19)

You got it. Thanks so much, Adam. You're the best. You know why Adam Grave is the best?

Anthony (16:25)

Because he wants to share popcorn with you.

Peter Rosenberg (16:27)

Well, that and also the fact he's talking about great moments and he brings up overtime goals and he never mentioned his overtime goal that beat the Devils in game five and nine. He's not that guy, right?

Don LaGreca (16:39)

He's never been that guy.

Peter Rosenberg (16:40)

That's the. That's what's so amazing about hockey players. And like, seriously, Adam Graves, you know, scored 50 goals in a season. He's part of the 94 team, right? Everywhere he goes, he's, oh, he's a beloved.

Don LaGreca (16:51)

He's like.

Peter Rosenberg (16:52)

He's a beloved Ranger.

Don LaGreca (16:53)

He's like the John Starks of the Rangers, like, from the Garden fans, like, like, he's beloved player. And you only remember, like, just like he was always part of something, right?

Peter Rosenberg (17:04)

Exciting and. And yet still humble that he's not going to mention that. You know, one of the great moments in Rangers history is that overtime goal wraparound against Brodeur in 97 that got them into the conference final. He was great about hockey player.

Don LaGreca (17:18)

He was also the guy, like, again, for the younger generation, you know, like, there's chants, right, that players all say they don't hear. They don't care about all that stuff. But the 1940 chant was the most derisive chant, and every Ranger fan like it. It broke your heart hearing that chant as a Rangers fan, because it just drove you crazy because it's the. The reality of the reminder that you haven't won a Cup since 1940. And when they won that cup, Graves had the, you know, again, in the moment, goes into the camera and mocks the chant because it's over, can't say it anymore. And it's almost like a way. It just shows you the connection he always had, not just as a player to the team, but to the entire franchise and what it means to fans and all the different nuances of it. You could hear it in his voice when he's talking about the current team. And I love the fact that he was all over the expected goals metric because, like Dom, like this team right now, what they're going through. So they have two players in the top 25 in expected goals, and Zibanajet is at 6.1. His actual goals is 4. So he's really like. Like two goals that he should have scored. He did, right? But J.T. miller, he only has three goals. He's. He should have six according to the metric. Like, that's the quality of chances he's getting. It's still three goals. Three goals. A big deal when you're losing games. One nothing and two to one.

Peter Rosenberg (18:41)

But he has to make it feel good. If you're a Ranger fan about the AV comparison.

Don LaGreca (18:45)

Yeah, it's a good. That's a very good reference.

Peter Rosenberg (18:48)

And listen, I don't think this team is going to go to a Stanley Cup Final like one of AV teams did, but I do think it's going to be better than it's been, and I do think they're a playoff team. And then once you get to the playoffs with their goaltending and some of their skilled players, I think they've got a chance, you know, to do something. All three teams, the Islanders have been able to turn it around. Devils hit a bit of a hiccup here on the road, but they're undefeated at home and they're in first place. They went on the west coast trip in first place, they came back in first place. So they didn't do too much damage.

Don LaGreca (19:18)

This game Saturday is against the Islanders, right?

Peter Rosenberg (19:20)

Yeah.

Don LaGreca (19:21)

So Ranger, Islander, tilt at the Garden on a Saturday. I love it.

Anthony (19:24)

Did you say Garden again, by the way? You said garden.

Don LaGreca (19:27)

Garden.

Anthony (19:28)

Do you know ESPN New York is giving you the chance to experience UFC 322 at the Garden?

Don LaGreca (19:32)

More Garden things.

Peter Rosenberg (19:33)

That's right.

Anthony (19:34)

November 15th, it's going down. One grand prize winner will win tickets to the suite. To hang out with me.

Don LaGreca (19:39)

You.

Anthony (19:39)

We're gonna feel out the whole vibe, have a beverage, perhaps.

Peter Rosenberg (19:43)

Feel that? Why not?

Anthony (19:44)

Yeah, feel out, feel up. It's gonna be a good time. Enjoy the energy of the Garden.

Peter Rosenberg (19:48)

Opposite of his mic, the comfort of.

Anthony (19:50)

A private suite, and the world class UFC action. Alongside me, Peter Rosenberg. Gonna be a time to enter. Find the contest tile on the ESPN New York.

Don LaGreca (19:59)

Smash it.

Anthony (19:59)

Submit your entry by. Smashing it. Mushing it, Mashing it.

Peter Rosenberg (20:02)

All of it.

Don LaGreca (20:03)

All of it.

Anthony (20:03)

It's all brought to you by Bud Light, proud to be the official beer sponsor of the ufc. Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy Bud Light responsibly. Anheuser Busch bud light beer. St. Louis, Missouri.

Don LaGreca (20:14)

Missouri. So we were talking some Rangers the other day, and Don and I were doing most of the listenings because Anthony.

Anthony (20:23)

He was going off, huh.

Don LaGreca (20:25)

For a guy that doesn't care about his teams, he cares about this. So, Anthony, you were paying attention to the great Adam Graves and what he was saying about this current Ranger team.

Michael (20:33)

I was.

Don LaGreca (20:34)

And I gave you a couple of little stats here about two players. You're talking about a total of five, right? Four. Four, four goals that they should have scored just from two players alone. Yeah. That they haven't scored to the Expected goals thing. Are you buying into the expected goals metric that says, you know, the quality chances are there, they're not burying them?

Michael (20:57)

Well, one thing I certainly agree with Adam Graves, who will forget more hockey than I'll ever know, is that yes, if they continue to play this way, they should win games. Expected goals is a fun stat and it's an advanced stat. And Peter, we know how much we love, you know, analytics in all of our sports.

Anthony (21:14)

I love it beyond the sports. I like it in all of my life work, you name it.

Michael (21:17)

Alexi Lafiniere is basically having Ben Rice's start to his season where like he should be hitting.900, but every single ball is going right at somebody. Alexi Lafiniere should have a lot of goals, but he's shooting them right at somebody. Well, that could be fixed.

Don LaGreca (21:29)

How did Ben Rice finish the season, though?

Michael (21:30)

Very good, but now it's everybody on the team. My concern with an expected goal stat is, and even J.T. miller said this, it's great that we're playing the right way, but it's starting to not be funny anymore because, yes, we're expected to score. We're not scoring. Is that a lack, Is that a lack of puck luck or is that a lack of a lack of skill? And does Mike Sullivan have the players on this roster to play the way that he wants to play? Well, I think the system works, but they're not equating it to win.

Peter Rosenberg (21:59)

See, all a coach can do, all the analytics can do is tell you what's supposed to happen now. The players got to go out and make it happen. And that's the thing that always gets lost in all these stupid stats, is that, yeah, you're expected to score, but you don't always score. Sometimes it's luck, sometimes the goaltender goes nuts, and sometimes you just don't have the ability to finish in that particular moment. Just because you put yourself in the position to score or to win or to win a championship, it's still human. It's. Things can kind of get in the way and let's not forget that. But if you continue to put yourself in the right spot eventually over an 82 game season, it should be able to come together for you. So we'll ultimately see. But it is still ridiculously Hurley.

Don LaGreca (22:45)

Yep.

Peter Rosenberg (22:46)

But every game in which you don't get points is a, is a missed opportunity. And I do think it's going to be a really tight race to get into the postseason and you don't want to have to rely on that wild Card. And it's going to be hard for all three of these teams to lock down a top three seed in the Metropolitan Division because Carolina is good. You know, Washington I still think is dangerous. Congratulations to Alexander ovechkin. Goal number 900. We'll get into that a little bit later on.

Don Hahn (23:12)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

Anthony (23:16)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

Don Hahn (23:17)

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. We all have that one friend.

Peter Rosenberg (23:31)

I'm talking about the Yo Yos who set themselves on fire and bathe in.

Don Hahn (23:34)

Pork and beans or know that one person. I'm here with, my family who can't help but be.

Don LaGreca (23:40)

He's not cool.

Anthony (23:41)

His voice is weird. He's kind of a dork. His brother's a tool. His girlfriend's annoying.

Don Hahn (23:46)

That. That guy.

Peter Rosenberg (23:47)

I didn't know it was banner night.

Adam Graves (23:49)

We won't be out for that.

Don Hahn (23:50)

It's time for that Guy Thursday.

Don LaGreca (23:52)

Hey, guys. Anyone want to play some ball with.

Don Hahn (23:54)

Don Han and Rosenberg?

Peter Rosenberg (23:56)

He's just being that guy.

Don LaGreca (24:00)

All right. I am. I am looking up at our monitor because I'm told that when you come on the screen. Oh, yeah, there he is.

Michael (24:09)

We have Sith Lord, don't.

Peter Rosenberg (24:13)

I. I could turn the.

Don LaGreca (24:14)

No, no, get it. It's red Dawn.

Peter Rosenberg (24:17)

I. I could turn on the light to the booth, but I kind of dig the way I look right now.

Don LaGreca (24:23)

This is so you. This is you now. This you. This is your devil indoctrination. There it is. The satanic verses of Don Lagreca.

Peter Rosenberg (24:32)

Little war pigs in the background.

Don LaGreca (24:34)

No, it's all. This is so. This is so you. And this is so that guy Thursday. Sponsored by No1. Because it's. You know, where that should be. We're that guy. We're being that guy. We don't put a sponsor on. We have a story today in hockey.

Peter Rosenberg (24:53)

Okay.

Don LaGreca (24:53)

As we'll continue the hockey theme, that this is the epitome of that guy. So Alex ovechkin scored his 900th goal, which is an unbelievable milestone. Again. He already has the most goals in NHL history. So the fact that he's now at 900. No one's ever done that before. And who would ever do it again? So he scores the goal. You would think, all right, get the puck, commemorate it, Right? They couldn't find it. You know why? Well, take a listen to the broadcast.

Anthony (25:30)

Watches after the goal is scored. He's got the puck. Watch what he does with the puck. He's gonna keep it in his pants. I don't know if he wants to sell on the open market or not, but they're not going to get that puck from Binnington. But that is until linesman Michelle Cormier came over and said, hey, we know you got the puck, buddy. Good job catching that.

Don LaGreca (25:49)

There's cameras everywhere, guys. So Jordan Binnington, who is the. The blues goalie who gave up the goal, went into the net, the cameras caught it, put the puck, like, you know, he has all the hockey pants that players wear, but goalies have these monstrous sized hockey pants. And he tucks it in the back of the pants and skates away. Like, no big deal. Like, he does it almost like he. Like this guy has definitely been a shoplifter. Like it was natural, a pickpocket or something. Like, he was very swift with his hand, a quick with it, like as if he was fixing something in his equipment. Meanwhile, he was stashing the puck.

Anthony (26:29)

What's the purpose of this?

Peter Rosenberg (26:30)

Well, he's a tool.

Don LaGreca (26:31)

Yeah, that. That's the purpose is he's that guy. He's always been that guy. So he skates away. So the linesman comes over and he's like, you know, the Capital's bench is looking for the puck for ovi. And at first Bennett is like, what are you talking about? I don't know what you're talking about. He's like, I don't know. And then finally he skates away, goes to the corner, reaches to behind into the pants, pulls out the puck and then gives it to the ref. Like, oh, I guess it ended up in my pants somehow.

Anthony (26:57)

Like, real. I don't. What? Unreal.

Don LaGreca (27:01)

Oh, he explained. You want to hear his explanation?

Anthony (27:03)

I'm watching right now. I just watched the video of him sticking in his pants.

Don LaGreca (27:06)

Yeah, you see that? Yeah.

Anthony (27:08)

And he's doing it real casual like.

Peter Rosenberg (27:10)

Oh, yeah, like.

Anthony (27:10)

Like they won't notice because they're all celebrated.

Don LaGreca (27:12)

Yeah, they're too busy. So nobody's gonna see it.

Anthony (27:14)

Now the refs over there talking to.

Don LaGreca (27:16)

All right, that is insane. Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (27:19)

Oh, yeah.

Anthony (27:19)

All right, so what's the explanation?

Don LaGreca (27:20)

So they. They asked Bennington after the game, like, why did you have the puck in your pants?

Jordan Binnington (27:25)

Yeah, I figured I basically had an assist on the goal there, turning it over, so didn't think he'd mind sharing it, but I have full intention to give it back to him. It's still incredible play by him to catch that on his backhand or forehand, spin around, get that on net. From a bad angle. Like, obviously, he's such a legendary player and just seeing a play like that still happening at his age. And the talent and hand eye coordination from cutting off my pass and then just catching off the wall spin in backhand, getting it up right by, you know, our guy skate and right by my pad is just. He's next level and he just continues to. To impress. So, yeah, full intention, giving it back. And obviously a legendary, inspirational player for the game, for the league. So it's a good moment for him and their team.

Don LaGreca (28:03)

Full intention, Donnie. To give it back.

Peter Rosenberg (28:05)

Well, I mean, obviously he wasn't going to get away with it, and you can't sell it because everybody's going to know that. That you took it. Right. So he's just. I guess he's goofing around, but knowing him, it's just. It wasn't funny.

Anthony (28:22)

But also you're goofing around. There's no one there to see it.

Peter Rosenberg (28:25)

Like, he's. I. I'm sure weird. Thought it was performative, but it's just very weird. It's that guy. It is the definition of.

Anthony (28:32)

No, no, he. He bathes in pork. Beans. Pork and beans.

Peter Rosenberg (28:35)

That's why Alan just so nailed this one.

Don LaGreca (28:38)

This is that guy now. Do you have one, Donnie?

Peter Rosenberg (28:40)

I do. It's awkward because I'm going to need a call because it's two friends of the show.

Anthony (28:47)

Oh.

Peter Rosenberg (28:47)

Ariel Helwani and Chris Russo.

Don LaGreca (28:50)

Oh, wow.

Peter Rosenberg (28:51)

Both of them, Russo on first take in, Ariel on his show, his podcast, and on social media, went after Joe Davis for hosting the Dodgers parade. Now, for those of you who don't know, Joe Davis is the voice of baseball on Fox, and he called the World Series, but he's also the television voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. So in that capacity, he hosted the parade.

Anthony (29:18)

Okay.

Peter Rosenberg (29:18)

And Russo and Hawani went after him saying that that's. That's bad form. He just called the World Series. He's supposed to be neutral, but he's also the Dodger announcer. But here's where I come down more on Ariel than I do on Chris. Ariel said in a tweet, allen, Mike Breen would never do that. So I'm going to ask you if the Knicks win the NBA championship. And Breen calls it. He's also the longtime voice of the Knicks. No. No disrespect at all to Tyler the radio announcer, but Mike Breen's been doing it forever. You're telling me Mike Breen wouldn't host the Knicks parade?

Anthony (29:58)

Well, and most importantly, if they asked, assuming they want.

Peter Rosenberg (30:00)

If they asked him, would he say no? Because I just called the game for abc. Where do you say, hey, I'm the Knick announcer. I go back 30 plus years counting radio. The Knicks finally win a championship. I'm hosted a break. Could Ariel just throw out Mike Breen would never do that. And if Breen did it, would anybody dare disrespect Breen for doing it?

Don LaGreca (30:22)

I can't speak for Mike Breen.

Peter Rosenberg (30:23)

I can't either.

Don LaGreca (30:24)

So I'm not going to assume. I know. Of course he would or know he would would.

Anthony (30:29)

Right.

Peter Rosenberg (30:30)

But would you kill him if he did?

Don LaGreca (30:31)

I certainly would not. I would think it would feel and look natural for him to be there in a moment like that where it's. And by the way, hosting the parade is really hosting at the end of the parade. That's what it is. It's when the parade's over and everybody gathers and they do a little celebration somewhere they're going to do it. Usually it's Gracie Mansion. Right. That's usually what they do. Well, it's been so freaking long. So I, I, I imagine or City hall hall it should be. So I, I, I would imagine if there's somebody at the podium who, who hosted it when the Rangers won the cup in 94. Do you remember was it Al Troutwig?

Peter Rosenberg (31:07)

It might have been because I remember.

Don LaGreca (31:09)

Sam and JD the whole joke was they were doing a studio like throwing to the parade.

Peter Rosenberg (31:14)

Yeah. And then they think it was Trout. I don't.

Don LaGreca (31:16)

Was it Al or was. I could tell you, I believe it.

Peter Rosenberg (31:19)

Was Papa when the Giants won because there is no television voice by the.

Don LaGreca (31:24)

Way football just to make it clear like that's the only problem is I think some have to understand that the, the national guys usually have a team that they do also local.

Anthony (31:37)

Oh look, they have it up in full.

Don LaGreca (31:39)

What is it the Ranger one.

Anthony (31:40)

They have the Ranger one is the full 49 minute video.

Don LaGreca (31:44)

Well get to the end part where they're at City Hall.

Anthony (31:46)

Here's Troutway.

Don LaGreca (31:47)

But he's not Al was doing a lot of sideline stuff.

Anthony (31:51)

Let me see if any who's on the stage.

Don LaGreca (31:53)

Yeah but by the way at the podium is where introducing it is.

Anthony (31:57)

It is a nothing burner.

Peter Rosenberg (31:58)

But also let's, let's keep it at home. 2009 Yankees. The parade or the the ceremony at the end of the parade was hosted by John Sterling and Michael K. Yeah. So if Michael had also but again done the game for Fox would he.

Don LaGreca (32:13)

Have had the layout Well, I don't know. Again, Michael can answer that. Would he have said, you know, I really can't. I just called the World Series. I don't know.

Peter Rosenberg (32:21)

Here's the thing.

Don LaGreca (32:22)

I don't think it would. It should not matter.

Peter Rosenberg (32:24)

The parade is for the nation. The parade is for Dodger Nation.

Don LaGreca (32:28)

Yes.

Peter Rosenberg (32:29)

All right. It's in Los Angeles. It's a ceremony of the town hall in Los Angeles, and they wanted the Dodger voice on television to host it, by the way.

Michael (32:38)

So.

Peter Rosenberg (32:39)

So if you're gonna be like, oh, they're rubbing it in the.

Anthony (32:41)

The Blue Jays face.

Peter Rosenberg (32:41)

Well, what are you even paying attention to the parade for? It's nothing to do with you. It's not for you. It's for the Dodger fan.

Anthony (32:46)

I literally think Giuliani hosted the parade. He keeps talking between people.

Don LaGreca (32:50)

Okay, maybe he did. Is that possible? He had that back then.

Peter Rosenberg (32:55)

But I guess the question is, guys, should Joe Davis have said no? It's disrespectful to the rest of baseball. I want, you know, the voice nationally.

Don LaGreca (33:03)

I wanted it like, I want to know now from people. 800. I went on 3, 7, 7, 6. That's a real thing. Was that wrong for Joe to do. And would you. Would you expect that Mike Breen should say.

Peter Rosenberg (33:18)

It's a good question.

Don LaGreca (33:20)

One, because Mike Green is the voice of the NBA on. On abc, espn, who has the finals. So this is the same thing again with Michael.

Peter Rosenberg (33:29)

Same thing.

Don LaGreca (33:29)

Michael doesn't do the national games. So it's. It's different for Michael.

Anthony (33:33)

Right.

Don LaGreca (33:34)

It's different for Don. Right. Like, Don, if the Devils won the Stanley cup, every right. Don would have every right to be there on the podium. He's not calling the Stanley cup finals yet. One day we expect him to. But for Mike Breen, it is in the realm of possibility this year. And so it'd be the same type of situation. So how would people in New York feel? Would you say, oh, why would anyone care?

Anthony (33:56)

Why would anyone care about this?

Don LaGreca (33:58)

Well, apparently.

Michael (34:00)

Hold on.

Anthony (34:00)

Ariel's a Blue Jays fan, right.

Don LaGreca (34:02)

So let's start. And a Knicks fan.

Anthony (34:04)

So. So. Yes, exactly. He's a Blue Jays fan and a Knicks fan. And he's hanging on to feeling bitter about the Blue Jays loss, as most Blue Jays fans should.

Don LaGreca (34:11)

That might be. Yeah.

Anthony (34:13)

Mad Dog, God bless him. Let's be honest. He has a lot to say about every.

Don LaGreca (34:17)

Now he find. He. I love him. He finds problems wherever there are, wherever he can find them.

Peter Rosenberg (34:22)

Giant fan. So he probably likes to dig at.

Anthony (34:23)

The Dodge Giant fan doesn't like the Dodgers. Let's not forget he killed Gary Cohen this summer for the Pete Alonso home run record. He likes to pick on announcers.

Peter Rosenberg (34:32)

It's what he does.

Anthony (34:33)

Yeah, but it's a yo yo. It's a yo yo take. It's a that guy take. Who gives a damn?

Peter Rosenberg (34:37)

You know, it's so interesting we do have another opportunity because it could happen to Kenny, right? I mean, if TNT has Stanley cup final and the Rangers won the Cup.

Don LaGreca (34:46)

Yep.

Peter Rosenberg (34:46)

And Kenny is the television voice of the Ranger, they probably would still have Sam do it because Sam's been around forever. But you know, you know, 20 years from now, if Sam didn't want to do it, I'm sure Kenny, it's a great. I don't know if there's a right or wrong answer.

Don LaGreca (34:59)

So all we have to do is.

Peter Rosenberg (35:00)

Don'T think it's that odd.

Don LaGreca (35:02)

Is it good form or bad form if the voice of the national broadcast who also broadcast the local broadcast of a team that won the won the championship, is it right for him to host the championship parade or is it bad form but like bad? I don't think it's bad form because of your affiliation. It's different if you, if you had no affiliation with the team and you hosted it, that would be bad.

Peter Rosenberg (35:28)

Also. I would think it's strange circumstances. The easy thing would be, well, if you've got a longtime radio announcer, just have them hosted. Right. But that's why with the Breen stuff, it's interesting because, you know, Tyler Murray does an amazing job.

Don LaGreca (35:40)

He's really good.

Peter Rosenberg (35:41)

But he's also only done it for a couple of years.

Don LaGreca (35:42)

Yeah.

Peter Rosenberg (35:43)

So I would think the Nick fan would want Mike Breen to host it. He's been the announcer for them for what, like 35 years. The team hasn't won a championship since 19, 1973. I would expect the fans would want Mike Breen to host it. I would not look at him cross eyed.

Anthony (35:58)

I don't like what we're doing right now. We're turning the segment the wrong direction.

Don LaGreca (36:02)

That guy, the.

Anthony (36:03)

That guy is. You already decided. Ariel and Mad Dog are. That guy. There is no discussion on this, guys.

Peter Rosenberg (36:09)

I'm sorry, I'm right, I'm right to do that then.

Don LaGreca (36:11)

Yes.

Anthony (36:12)

What I'm saying is this isn't some sort of guys we have to get over. This is not serious hard news. These are sports announcers who called a sports parade. Everyone settle down. This wasn't, this wasn't, um, it was an election and the person who hosted the debate is then seen hanging out with the politician right after.

Don LaGreca (36:30)

Right.

Anthony (36:30)

This isn't serious. And it's entertainment.

Peter Rosenberg (36:32)

It's a really good parade is for the Dodger fan. And I would think the Dodger fan would have no problem.

Don LaGreca (36:38)

Really good point, though.

Peter Rosenberg (36:39)

With Joe Davis doing it. I don't think a Nick fan would have any problem with Mike Green doing it. Now, again, I'd have to ask Mike. I'd have to ask Kenny, you know, what they would do.

Don LaGreca (36:49)

But yeah, so. So you have two.

Peter Rosenberg (36:50)

That guys, they were both friends of the show.

Don LaGreca (36:53)

Yeah, we love both of them, but they're. They were being that guy in this situation.

Anthony (36:58)

And Eric Thursday and Ariel's opinion is. Is. Is fraught because he's a. He's a Blue Jay.

Don LaGreca (37:04)

Well, it's just funny, though, that he would like. Like he was speaking for Mike. Mike Bean would never.

Anthony (37:09)

Yeah. What does that mean?

Don LaGreca (37:10)

How are you speaking for him? You don't know?

Peter Rosenberg (37:12)

Yeah.

Anthony (37:13)

How do you know? You don't put him in that spot.

Don LaGreca (37:14)

How many 17 win seasons that man had to call. I know, I'm sorry. There's a whole lot of us, man. We. That group of us have been. We've been together, like, I know Mike's been doing it for 30 something years. Right. But there's a group of us that have been doing this. This is like 14 years now. If. If this ever does happen.

Peter Rosenberg (37:35)

Oh, boy.

Don LaGreca (37:36)

Like what we've been through. Oh, yeah. They say you want to be on a float. Oh, yeah, I want to be on a float. Damn.

Anthony (37:42)

No, you're a serious journalist. You don't go on the float.

Don LaGreca (37:45)

You're an interviewer to cover this parade. Yes. John Q. Public. How do you feel about this parade?

Peter Rosenberg (37:51)

You know what? I was there and I have it on vhs. I just don't have anything to play it on because who the heck has a VCR anymore? The one the Devils won the cup in 95. They had the parade in the parking lot.

Don LaGreca (38:01)

I remember this. Yes.

Peter Rosenberg (38:03)

Emmerich hosted that. And he called the cup final for Fox.

Anthony (38:08)

Hmm.

Don LaGreca (38:08)

Nobody called him out.

Peter Rosenberg (38:09)

No, you. Because you can't call out Mike Breen. If he stabbed somebody to death, he'd.

Anthony (38:12)

Be like, ah, the guy probably deserved it.

Don LaGreca (38:14)

Yeah.

Anthony (38:15)

And I don't see him.

Don LaGreca (38:15)

He really has reached one of the.

Peter Rosenberg (38:17)

Great human beings of all, like, nobody.

Don LaGreca (38:18)

The pop should just saint him now, Right? I really do believe that.

Anthony (38:22)

You want a sainting.

Don LaGreca (38:23)

I think he should.

Anthony (38:24)

What about. What about a night do you call it?

Don LaGreca (38:26)

Is it Sainted not sure.

Peter Rosenberg (38:28)

No, no, I. I said sacker, so I sacker.

Don LaGreca (38:30)

Well, he can't be a sacker.

Don Hahn (38:35)

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

Peter Rosenberg (38:38)

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

Don Hahn (38:39)

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

Don LaGreca (38:47)

Hey, guys. You want a game time? Of course you do. It's brought to you by Tullamore. Do Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time. All right, we need to. We should play out the music. Play out. Don't play out. Play out. Right. Okay.

Peter Rosenberg (39:04)

Wrap it up.

Anthony (39:06)

It's totally time.

Don LaGreca (39:07)

Like when he holds it. Only one local in action tonight.

Peter Rosenberg (39:11)

That's it.

Don LaGreca (39:11)

It's the only. It's the only game in town. Everyone, your homework. Tonight when the show ends, you get off the YouTube. You get off your radio. You get off the app.

Anthony (39:23)

You just get off.

Don LaGreca (39:24)

You go, well, you can get off. And you go right to MSG because it's 7pm The Devils, the Canadians, and Don Legreco from the Prudential Center.

Peter Rosenberg (39:37)

There you go.

Don LaGreca (39:38)

There's nothing else to watch tonight. What else is on television?

Anthony (39:40)

Tell the telly. National. Espn.

Don LaGreca (39:44)

I mean, of course, Thursday Night Football. Well, there's that.

Anthony (39:48)

Football's dead.

Michael (39:49)

Any Pickett.

Don LaGreca (39:51)

What are we doing?

Peter Rosenberg (39:52)

Yeah, what do we get? What's the number?

Anthony (39:53)

I should just.

Don LaGreca (39:54)

Nine and a half.

Michael (39:54)

I saw eight and a half.

Don LaGreca (39:55)

Eight and a half.

Peter Rosenberg (39:56)

No.

Don LaGreca (39:57)

Denver's home.

Anthony (39:58)

Not excited about this.

Don LaGreca (40:00)

No. No movement.

Anthony (40:01)

I have no, like Denver.

Don LaGreca (40:02)

You got Vegas at Denver. Geno Smith against that front line, right? Remember that? What was that drop, Jake? Geno Smith. We had a mic'd up one time.

Anthony (40:12)

You know, it'd be fun. You know, I just realized.

Don LaGreca (40:14)

Oh, my God. Yeah, he had, like, a rush coming. Oh, my God. He just threw the ball down. It's like one of the great drives. Gotta find it. They had him.

Peter Rosenberg (40:21)

Oh, my God. Or I'm seeing ghosts.

Don LaGreca (40:23)

Oh, I would almost think that I'm seeing ghost. Game after the fact. Oh, my God. Is in the moment. Have you ever heard it? Don't. So. I don't know, man.

Anthony (40:37)

It makes me want to. It makes me want to power. You know this. I just thought of this right now.

Don LaGreca (40:40)

I might want to dance.

Anthony (40:41)

It goes beyond a list, but power ranking the teams that I have interest in watching when I. When they have nothing to do with me.

Don LaGreca (40:48)

Okay.

Anthony (40:49)

Because Vegas and Denver are both low for whatever reason.

Don LaGreca (40:51)

You're gonna watch the Devils, aren't you?

Anthony (40:53)

Well, I'll throw it on. I gotta hear Buyer Donnie.

Don LaGreca (40:56)

He might throw it. I threw you nice of him.

Anthony (40:58)

I threw you on yesterday. What do you want me to do? I throw.

Peter Rosenberg (41:01)

I throw it on a lot going on.

Don LaGreca (41:02)

He's got it.

Peter Rosenberg (41:03)

He's got it.

Don LaGreca (41:03)

So busy.

Peter Rosenberg (41:04)

He's got a young child. He's such a big general lack of interest.

Don LaGreca (41:08)

Right.

Peter Rosenberg (41:08)

So both of those things really.

Don LaGreca (41:10)

He's got 1800 podcasts. He's got to do mind all the social media that he's got to post.

Anthony (41:15)

By the way. Add it up. Add up the math. Hang out with my nine and a half months old daughter or watch a game I have no interest in whatsoever. As much as I love Don, I can leave it on the other room.

Don LaGreca (41:25)

And hear it, you know. Listen, you know what we know. We know what Peter put when they asked, do you have a best friend at work? Strongly disagree is what Rosenberg said.

Anthony (41:35)

That's not true. I have no. I forget where I landed.

Don LaGreca (41:39)

You had to put strongly disagree best friends.

Anthony (41:43)

I didn't strongly disagree.

Don LaGreca (41:45)

Strong.

Peter Rosenberg (41:45)

I'm 100% speaking out of school here, but I don't care.

Don LaGreca (41:48)

Do it.

Peter Rosenberg (41:50)

There was a lack of seats at the meeting.

Don LaGreca (41:52)

Yes, I noticed.

Peter Rosenberg (41:55)

Michael did grab one of the seats. Yeah. Rick DiPietro did not. Did Michael A, ignore Rick. B, offer Rick his seat or C, tell ask Rick if you wanted to sit on his lap?

Don LaGreca (42:13)

C, No. D, D, none of the above.

Peter Rosenberg (42:16)

No.

Anthony (42:16)

C. I know.

Don LaGreca (42:17)

It was definitely. Oh, you heard it. I heard it, Peter. You heard it, right?

Anthony (42:21)

No, no, no. I just assumed. Oh, you didn't.

Don LaGreca (42:24)

Straight assumptions.

Peter Rosenberg (42:25)

Sit on my lap. And I think the only reason Rick didn't is because he had to like fight through a few people on anything. Rick wanted to be inconsiderate, so he said no.

Anthony (42:36)

It was a rather tight room. We had that meeting in today.

Don LaGreca (42:38)

Well, it's a bit of a snug. I feel like it made us more together.

Anthony (42:42)

Is that what you felt?

Don LaGreca (42:43)

No. Telemu'du. The original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew, honey. Try it during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew response.

Peter Rosenberg (42:55)

Please remind me, Anthony, because I got to leave at 6:30. I think I'm gonna. I'm gonna play tonight.

Michael (43:02)

Noted.

Anthony (43:03)

Wait, really?

Peter Rosenberg (43:04)

Yeah.

Michael (43:05)

Might as well change something up.

Don LaGreca (43:06)

Nothing's working for anyone.

Peter Rosenberg (43:07)

Yeah, I might. Yeah, I've got it. Because I think the last time I won a three was early in the year on a Thursday. So I'm Gonna try to see if I can.

Don LaGreca (43:14)

I. Nine and a half, Anthony. You see eight and a half on our cover five. Damn.

Peter Rosenberg (43:20)

The COVID five.

Don LaGreca (43:20)

Cover five.

Michael (43:21)

We have it locked in at eight and a half.

Don LaGreca (43:23)

Cover five's the Bible. We have to listen to that.

Peter Rosenberg (43:26)

Yeah, because I like.

Michael (43:27)

Doesn't we change sports?

Peter Rosenberg (43:28)

I like to get mine pretty frequently. Tuesday as well.

Don LaGreca (43:31)

Tuesday is when I lock it in. Yes, I, I, I'm. I'm kind of feeling I might dabble.

Peter Rosenberg (43:38)

You know what?

Anthony (43:39)

You're considering a dabble? Go for it, Broncos.

Peter Rosenberg (43:42)

Three point.

Anthony (43:45)

Lock the door.

Michael (43:47)

Lock it.

Don LaGreca (43:48)

Taking the Bronco. Taking the Bronco.

Peter Rosenberg (43:50)

3, 3, 3, 3, 3.

Don LaGreca (43:53)

Just pulled him right into that, didn't I?

Anthony (43:54)

Oh, you sure did.

Peter Rosenberg (43:56)

I wanted to the dance.

Anthony (43:57)

And you know what, though? I like it because it makes me want to watch the game while not touching it. Just root against Don.

Peter Rosenberg (44:05)

No.

Anthony (44:05)

You know what I mean?

Peter Rosenberg (44:06)

Well, you know, it'll make it even more fun for you.

Anthony (44:08)

Three on the Raiders.

Peter Rosenberg (44:09)

Right? Three on the Raiders.

Anthony (44:10)

That could. That's a. That's a season ending when you have a record like I have and Don, I've been here for a long time. Listen, you've never seen me like this. I, I am usually. I'm usually competing to win or, you know, it's just not great. I'm not. This is. I cannot get anything right.

Peter Rosenberg (44:28)

Right. So you almost have to do it. Right. Let me almost ignorant not to do it.

Anthony (44:33)

I know when you, when you're this wrong all the time, I mean, I, I might as well have bear pick tonight or this weekend. Maybe it's Bears. Maybe you should got a good solid poop from Bear today.

Don LaGreca (44:44)

We were.

Anthony (44:45)

We're rolling today.

Peter Rosenberg (44:46)

That age, right? It's a little st. Well, listen, we.

Anthony (44:49)

Had, we had a. We had a rough. We've had a rough several days trying to bounce back from. From some ria. And so to get a nice solid one today to start the day. I felt like a coach afterwards in the presser. Hey, get it. You know, we're all just here trying to do the best we can. And you're happy with the results you got today? You know, we move on to the next.

Don LaGreca (45:08)

We're just gonna keep building from here.

Anthony (45:09)

Keep building from here.

Don LaGreca (45:10)

Now, when he had the RIA to take him in the bathroom. So clean him up.

Anthony (45:15)

Keep going. Well, you know what? One day I did have to put him in the bathroom right near the bath. You know who made that bath?

Don LaGreca (45:21)

Who made that bath?

Anthony (45:23)

Fitter.

Don LaGreca (45:23)

You know what? I'm glad you brought that up. Because I also had Bath Fitter come in, but instead of just fixing the bath, you know, giving us a nice new bath like you did, the unique permafit solution, you know what else they could do? They ripped the bath out and put it in a gorgeous shower. They also do that as well. So my friends at Bath Fitter updated a bath in my house, in Peter's house. And my sister was so jealous. She's like, how do I get this done? She got it done as well. It's very simple. A Bath Fitter consultant will take you through a process with a free in home consultation. You pick out style, color, all the specifics, accessories, everything to update the bath customized the way you wanted it. Bath Fitter also offers all types of custom bath renovations. I mentioned the unique permafit solution. It gives you a watertight fit. Peter, yours. Watertight?

Anthony (46:12)

You kidding me? Tighter.

Peter Rosenberg (46:13)

Yeah. Not as watertight as Bear. But still.

Don LaGreca (46:17)

But still no money down, no payments, no interest for 18 months right now. So if you want to get it done in your house before the holidays, this is the time I'm talking. No interest until April of 2027. It's done in one day. Durable, easy to clean, no demo, lower cost and replacement. And here's the best part, everybody. Lifetime guarantee. That's right. You can trust the batfitter team just like we all did. Start designing your bat today. @bathfitter.com there's only one Bathfitter. So many places to go today does feel like a buffet. If you know, we really have a lot of different sports stuff. We think we've done every sport well. We've did the four majors.

Don Hahn (47:00)

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

Don LaGreca (47:04)

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

Don Hahn (47:06)

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.