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Don Hahn
This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.
Peter Rosenberg
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Don Hahn
Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers 401.
Peter Rosenberg
Of the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg still with you here on 1050. We'll eventually end up on 880 as soon as the Mets coverage is over. And of course you can always get us without interruption on the ESPN app. Mets lose to the Brewers 7 to 2. Same old song and dance for them. They get a lead, but they can't hold it as Clay Holmes gives you five at a third. And I guess the good news about that Allen is is that it breaks a streak of 12 consecutive games in which a Met starter did not register an out in the sixth inning.
Don Hahn
So there's that.
Peter Rosenberg
Holmes got that. But then they go immediately to the bullpen and it all goes to crap and the bullpen gives it up and the next thing you know they end up losing the game 7 to 2 as Ortiz hits the grand slam similar to what happened to the Yankees in Toronto on the Springer grand slam and it just busts the game wide open. So Holmes goes five at a third, three hits, two runs. I mean, that's fine from a starting perspective because of the innings limits that he's kind of on stretching him out from being a closer last year. But Garrett's hit a wall, man, gives up the four runs and then Waddle comes in, he gives up a run. But you know the game is over at that point. But they're just not hitting. Lindor another oh for four. Marte oh for four Soto oh for three. Alonzo one for three, although he did have an RBI. Nimmo oh for four. Vientos has one hit since coming off the illustration. He was one for 13 in Pittsburgh, zero for three in the game today with two strikeouts. By the way, the Mets. The Mets had two hits today. Now they catch a break because baseball right now feels like it's awful. There's so much parity right now that the Mets and the Yankees could both be Average, if not below average and it not really affect you in the standings because the Padres beat the Phillies today. The Phillies got rained out last night. So despite the fact that The Mets have three wins in their last 17 games, Allen, the Mets are still only two games back at Philadelphia. And the Yankees, who are five and five in their last 10, they've lost two in a row. They've got a one game lead on Toronto and Tampa. So the Mets are in second place and at last glance they had the first wild card and the Mets in fact still do. They have the second wild card because Milwaukee's leapfrog them. They're still in contention and the Yankees are still in first place because everybody's got their problems. So I'm really just wondering, Alan, like we look at the Mets and the Yankees every day, so we dissect them differently. But are the Mets and Yankees just a symptom of what's happening in Major League Baseball where all these teams are flawed? Listen, the Dodgers are terrific and they spent a ton of money and they're the defending World Series champions, but they.
Don Hahn
Can'T get, they always struggle with their.
Peter Rosenberg
Health and they're still a great team. That doesn't seem like to have too many flaws. And they right now have a seven and a half game lead over San Diego. But you know, San Diego is supposed to be better than seven games above.500. The Giants have gotten worse since the Devers deal. The Giants have lost four in a row and three wins in their last ten. Remember the Diamondbacks wasn't that long ago they were in the World Series and they look like they were hot. That team's only a game above.500, you know, so you've got teams like Detroit has been incredible, the Dodgers have been incredible, but like everybody else just seems to have flaws. So as much as the Mets and Yankees are not playing great, they're going to stay in this thing because that's because they added the extra wild card. So 12 of the 30 teams make it six in each league. Right. And the fact that there's parody where there's only a handful of teams that are really, really good, but I still think there's room to say what's going on here. Man. I know there's injuries and a lot of things that go into where they are right now, but the Mets are an absolute mess. And the Yankees, it's the same old thing. Chisholm is not a third baseman.
Don Hahn
No.
Peter Rosenberg
DJ Lemayu should not be playing second.
Don Hahn
You should not be playing at all at all.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, but every year we have the same conversation with the Yankees. You know, who's playing left field. Why are they force feeding us the wrong position player? Like, why is Gary Sanchez continuing to be there? Okay, everything's great with Gary Sanchez and then eventually they get rid of Gary Sanchez. Volpe is a problem. It's short, he's not hitting, he's not fielding at the level he was in his rookie year. And listen, he's only in his third year and he's a good ball player, but the fact is we were sold a bill of goods that he was just going to be a flat out star. We don't need to address shortstop. Volpe's coming. Well, Volpe's okay. Not great, you know, and you just. The plan. It's almost as if the Yankees think their blank doesn't stink like anything we do. It's going to work because we're the Yankees. So we'll put Jazz at third. Well, the Jazz isn't a third baseman, right? Oh, we'll put Gleyber Torres at short. No, he's not a shortstop. We'll put dj. He could play anywhere. You know what, DJ can play anywhere. Poorly. And I don't want to beat the guy up because he was a great Yankee and a great player, but not anymore. So is he out there? What are you, a small market team? Allen? We got to play the guy with the big contract because I'm not paying a bunch of money to a guy sitting on the bench.
Don Hahn
Same thing.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, you're the Yankees. You should be able to eat that money if you want to play him at second base. And forcing Jazz to play in a position that he's not suited to play doesn't make a lot of sense.
Don Hahn
No.
Peter Rosenberg
And even Boone after the game, he can't defend it. Right. When you're asking him about the third situation, listen to him. There's a bunch of. Here from Boone just talking about the defense. Here's what he's saying on the defensive alignment.
Don Hahn
I mean, look, I think both guys are really talented defenders, so, you know, wherever they line up. But we'll continue to look at things like that.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, you think they're both talented defenders. Well, just because you say it doesn't make it so. That's where I talk about the blank. Not sticky. He's like, well, you tell me they're a great defender, but you watch the games.
Don Hahn
There's more. No, what he said just there opens the door.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, on the.
Don Hahn
We'll continue to take a look at it.
Peter Rosenberg
Right, so you're telling me. Hang on.
Don Hahn
Yeah, but that, that, that's, that's not Boone defending it. That's Boone almost like saying, like. Yeah, I know.
Peter Rosenberg
He's saying, that's why I wanted to play it.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Because at first he's like, well, they're both great defenders. Stop at the compliment. You know, that doesn't matter.
Don Hahn
But that's his way.
Peter Rosenberg
Compliments don't matter. But at the end of the day, we're going to look at it. What do you look at it? If you say they're both great defenders, if you're telling me Jazz could play third, you and you tell me D.J. complete your be second baseman, then what is there to look at? Talked about the defensive mistakes.
Don Hahn
You know, we obviously got to play a little bit better and we have the people capable of doing that, and we'll continue to work hard at it and. But yeah, we got to play better overall. We understand that. We know that. And yeah, hopefully get it going tomorrow.
Peter Rosenberg
But I don't think it's a case of getting it going when you've got guys that are playing out of position. And Michael was saying it for years. And I used to get on Michael Allen because in the one hand he defend Cashman, and on the other hand say that the roster is flawed. Well, whose fault is it that it's flawed? It's Brian Cashman. Why is this roster flawed? Why with the third highest payroll in baseball, are you playing light at third? You're playing an old man at second. How many years you went without a left fielder, you know, or you went with a catcher you sold us a bill of goods on. You're playing without a catcher now, by the way. Yeah, now, that's because of injury because Wells is banged up. But why are there people out of position?
Don Hahn
Why.
Peter Rosenberg
Why do you keep telling us this guy can do it when you watch it and clearly he can't. Now, it's not for a lack of effort. And Jazz is not a Butcher at third, but clearly he's not a third baseman, he's a second baseman. So D.J. leMayhue's got to play second.
Don Hahn
Why?
Peter Rosenberg
To justify his salary. Well, is that ego? Is that what's best for the team?
Don Hahn
No, this is a team we have seen do this with other players, though. That's the problem.
Peter Rosenberg
Best small market teams who say, you know what? I can't have a $30 million ballplayer sitting in my dugout or whatever.
Don Hahn
What you said before, though, is what I, I've kind of used this many Many times. And I'll keep saying it till I get the opportunity to ask the man myself. But it's as simple as what you just said about why is this a poorly constructed roster. You're spending over $300 million. Right. And that's always been my question. Fan criticism of Hal Steinbrenner is misguided. He is writing one of the biggest checks in. In the sport. He is. That's a fact. The problem I keep having is, is his money being spent wisely? Is his money being spent effectively? That's the question I have. So you can tell me all you want about how he'll stop at 300 million because he's on a budget and it's the Yankees, and the Yankees now suddenly have a budget and they operate, that's fine. But the guy making the decisions is the one that I would keep holding accountable, not the one writing the check. Because I. If I'm house timer, I don't want you to come to me and say, you know what, probably shouldn't have given DJ that contract, so we're gonna need to come up with a better third baseman. Hang on a second. You told me we should pay him. You told me we were supposed to pay him.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
You gave him that contract.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
And now he's useless. And now I gotta spend more money with while I'm still paying him. Like, how much more are we going to do this? So that's my problem right now is that it's still about what you said, is that how could you possibly have a poorly constructed roster that is $300 million. That's the worst team money can buy, if you're giving me that excuse. But you're right, there's still going to be the team that can win the division, that can still be in the playoffs. So in the end, we in the black. In the end, we're in the black. But I don't watch the Yankees as a fan to say, well, the good news is we'll be in the black at the end of the season. I don't care about that. What I watch as a fan and any sport you're watching is, I hope my team can play for a championship. That's what I want. And so I watch them and wonder, can it happen? Can. Can this team, the way it's constructed, can they win a champ? I don't know if you can.
Peter Rosenberg
I don't. It doesn't feel like a championship team. But then again, it's the same old song and dance of, is Detroit a championship team? Is Houston a championship team right now as presently constructed? Last year, clearly they weren't a championship team, but it was still good enough to go to the World Series. Usually your flaws cost you earlier, like not making the playoffs or bounced early.
Don Hahn
Or they, or they're exposed in the playoffs. When you're a really good team, your flaws are exposed in the playoff.
Peter Rosenberg
There's enough bad baseball out there that over 162 games, you're going to win your share of games and you're going to find a way to get into the playoffs. And then once you get to the playoffs, everybody else is a playoff team. There's no layups, although many looked at the first two rounds against the Royals and Guardians because it was the Central and say, well, those were layoffs adjacent. And maybe they were, but they took advantage of it and they go to the World Series and they got exposed. What did the Dodgers say? Listen, did they walk on the Yankees grave? Of course they did. But they also stated, well, listen, we read the, we read the scouting report. Put the ball in play. These guys can't feel they put the ball in play. And you saw what happened in the fifth inning and World Series. And now you look at this team and you say the same stuff's happening again.
Don Hahn
But Don, the other part of it is, okay, so that's one side of it, that they're really not a great fielding team. The other side of it is, and this is really an issue for both Mets and the Yankees, what has been the biggest offensive bugaboo all year for both teams?
Peter Rosenberg
Not being able to hit with runners and scoring positions.
Don Hahn
Exactly. I think the Yankees the other night, were they over 9, 1 for 15 with. With runners on base, over 9 with runs in scoring position. Right. So if that's a problem at some point, don't you change the approach? I think Jazz went rogue when he bumped at that time. I think it was in the 9th when, when Judge got, When Judge was walked. Yeah, I think he went rogue and.
Peter Rosenberg
Bunted in the first game of the series. Oh, yeah, I agree.
Don Hahn
When was the last time the Yankees bunted? Like, I can't remember.
Peter Rosenberg
And again, people complain because he was 2 for 4. So why are you bunting? It's weird when, when you don't bunt. Why didn't you bunt? Why'd you bunt?
Don Hahn
But the whole point is, is that they. There's no element of surprise with the Yankees. There's no, what are they going to do here? You always know what they're going to do. Swing through, swing up, always. Right.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
Not go with the pitch or where's the gap, any of that stuff. So that, to me, is the most maddening thing, is it's an issue all the time. Runners scoring position all the time. And yet they do nothing to change it, because, as you said, they think their stuff don't stink. And they say, our way works, we'll prove it. And so far, and I guess it.
Peter Rosenberg
Implies the biggest stage, over 162, they'll say, we make the playoffs. And that's the objective. We. We're gonna win this division. That's the objective. But I.
Don Hahn
So as a fan, I just have to be like, yeah, you know, we can't win a championship this way. But, hey, at least they're winning games.
Peter Rosenberg
I keep circling back to this, and I hate to do it, and I apologize to everybody listening. It sounds like I'm a broken record. But you bring up the analytics, and the Yankees notoriously play players out of position, and you heard Boone say it in his cut. We know they're good defenders.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
If I'm somebody analyzing the Yankee situation, for lack of a better word, not analytics, but that's where you're sure, sure. And you're cashmen, or you're the analytic people. And I ask the question, can Jazz play third? The second that guy picks up the paper, I take the paper and I say, no, I'm asking you, can he play third? I don't care what the numbers say. I don't care what the analytics say. You know baseball supposedly. Can he play third? The numbers say he can. Allen, I don't have the numbers in front of me. I'm not a baseball expert. I'm just Joe fan. I watch. He can't play third. So that's the disconnect. Your eyeballs. God gave us the ability to see.
Don Hahn
Oh, yeah. Listen, with your eyes.
Peter Rosenberg
And the eyes tell me he can't play. He's not a butcher in a tough spot, you could put him at third base. He's not going to embarrass you. But for a championship team, he's not going to make the key play. All right? He's not going to make the key throw. And because it's New York, it's going to get in his head. In other places, you can boot the ball and everybody will say, better luck next time in New York. They're going to kill you. So can you do it? You're a second baseman. You've played third base a handful of times. He cannot be. Our answer is D.J. lemayhue cooked again. Put the paper down. Is D.J. cooked?
Don Hahn
Yes. My eyes tell me it ain't there anymore.
Peter Rosenberg
His launch angle and his exit. Velo. And now stop it. Because I'm watching with my eyes and I'm seeing a cooked player. The Yankees. Here's how I feel about the Yankees. They're blind. They're blind to the numbers. They refuse to let their eyes tell the story. Good baseball people. Aaron Boone, a third generation major league baseball player, is blind because he's looking at the stupid numbers instead of his eyeballs. That you tell him you can't do it.
Don Hahn
What position did he play?
Peter Rosenberg
He played third.
Don Hahn
Think about the.
Peter Rosenberg
He's the reason Alex Rodriguez is here.
Don Hahn
I'm aware of the basketball stuff. I'm aware. But think about. I was just thinking about this while we're going through it. When the Yankees were at their best and most most recently. But if you want to go even back, they've always had a great third baseman in their best of times. Third baseman? Oh, yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Back to Greg Nettles. Yeah, yeah.
Don Hahn
Even before him.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
So. But just think about the championship of the late 90s. Now, they weren't superstars, but Charlie Hayes. Make sure you get him. Scott Brocius. You get him. Right. You get Boone. Right. And then. And then after Boone, you get Alex Rodriguez. Like they've always, always felt like they've always. It seems like they've always prioritized third base. Now, it doesn't seem like they are. It doesn't seem like they look at.
Peter Rosenberg
It as something that they prioritize anything, honestly. Do they prioritize starting pitch? Yes.
Don Hahn
Why? And home run hitting?
Peter Rosenberg
Because they can't develop a starter, so they spend money on starters.
Don Hahn
Good point. Power hitting and starting pitching are the two things I think they prioritize the most.
Peter Rosenberg
All right. But. But first base, you know, Goldschmidt, let's make a catcher a first baseman. Second base. We're throwing DJ LeMay here. There.
Don Hahn
Really good first baseman, though. He was very good.
Peter Rosenberg
No, he's very good.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
But since then it's, you know, let's go this guy, let's convert this guy. Let's shortstop Volpe. Okay, well, that addressed that. But yo, let's left field putting judge in center field. It just seems like it. Again, you're not following your eyes. You're just following the numbers.
Don Hahn
Don't build a team for defense, Don. They build a team to hit home runs. That's what they're building.
Peter Rosenberg
Defense.
Don Hahn
All they care about.
Peter Rosenberg
But you cannot defense. Yeah. You can kick the ball all over the field during the regular season against bad teams, but as you saw in game five, in the fifth inning, the World Series, it cost you a game and probably cost you a chance to win a World Series.
Don Hahn
Laughed at you for it, and they auctioned off a ball for it. Is there more boon? Because he was giving off to me vibes last night of a manager that. Or yesterday, I should say, of a manager that was almost nodding while saying that he disagrees. You know what I mean? He sounded like as the questions were coming, he's like his face was telling you you're onto something. I agree with you. But his words were saying something completely different. But he was hinting in a way.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, yeah.
Don Hahn
That said, you could hear it the last couple. This is what we're doing.
Peter Rosenberg
I'll play it again. And welcome to our audience who just listened to the mets lose again on 880. We'll get to them in a second. You know, again, we'll play the boon. It's only seven.
Don Hahn
I mean, look, I think both guys are really talented defenders, so always going to start with a positive wherever they line up, but. Wherever they line up. Things like that.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
See, he says that because he's like, these guys are good defensive players wherever they line up. So he's acknowledging we know they're not. He's not in his natural position. And then he said, we'll keep taking a look at it, as if to say, yeah, it's definitely something we can't ignore. I again, but he's being told that's where he's playing.
Peter Rosenberg
He's being told they don't value defense. If they did, they wouldn't have guys playing out of position.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Now, which is again, I'm going back a long day, a long time ago, but if you looked at the 86 Mets, the 86 Mets were stacked, right?
Don Hahn
Yep.
Peter Rosenberg
But they said, you know, defense is important. So even though Rafael Santana is pretty much an automatic out, he makes all the plays at shortstop. He's our shortstop. We should have enough offense to overcome it. The Yankees look at it differently and say, I need Jazz's batting a lineup. I need DJ lemayhue. I don't want to waste the money by having him coming off the bench. Where do I put these guys? Because it almost as if it doesn't matter. Just align them. Just the word aligning. We're just aligning people because we need them in the order they need to play. They need to play someplace. We only have one DH and That's a problem too, because Stan can't play the field. So when Stanton comes back, he sucks up the dh, which means Judge has to play every day in the field. You got no place to play. Lemay, you said just stick him at second base. It's like my Sasso softball. Where do you want to play? Because all we care about is our bats, right? You don't care where you play in softball. Nobody can field. Doesn't matter. We're going to, you know, we're going to win or lose the game, 20 to 19. So where. Does it matter where? I'll put Dan Rosen at third. He's. He won't. He won't, you know, have a stroke there. So just put him out there. So is that what we're looking at here from a Yankee? Just align them. Just listen, we need DJs back. Just stick him out there. Jazz got to play. DJ's got a place. So where can we put Jazz? We can't put him at short field because that's softball. So we're going to put him at third.
Don Hahn
What is your other option, though, if you sit dj, who you playing? Who you play?
Peter Rosenberg
Why can't Perazza play?
Don Hahn
Well, isn't Perazza is the one who broke his. Who. I. I get this mixed of old. It's Cabrera broke the paraza. Is. Is Esteban Floral still in the. In the, in the franchise? Whatever happened in the last 20 years, like, I love these names of all these guys that were like, you know, the up and coming. This all goes down here.
Peter Rosenberg
You really want to go back.
Don Hahn
But no, it's, it's. I think just quickly. The point I'm trying to make is, I think for Boone, I don't know what, what's the better option? Because if they're, if they are favoring offense and they are clearly right, then he's DJ is right now, on paper, their best choice to put in a lineup.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, the point is, then you make a deal and try to find a third baseman. Now, they didn't make the Arenado deal because, again, it's too much money. And he's this, this and that. Because I, Michael, would scream at me and say, no, you don't know what you're talking about. Don. I still believe Cashman and the Yankees are sensitive about all the overspending. They want to find different, cheaper ways to get things done. Well, they want to show you smarter than everybody else.
Don Hahn
Absolutely.
Peter Rosenberg
Because they don't want the whole. They buy champions.
Don Hahn
I agree. I think that's a real thing. And it may not be on the surface, but I do think there's an underlying pride. And you know what? I wouldn't hold it against them. There is an underlying pride to saying we found this guy and turned him into something.
Peter Rosenberg
But then you end up putting yourself in a situation like you did with the Donaldson, where now you go out and get a player and he needs a bust. Yeah, but you know, you succeed and fail with those things. But don't have a hole, don't force a square peg into a round hole. You have the wherewithal to kind of do something about it. But again, they'll say, how we doing? We're in first place. But you know, Tampa won today. All right, you've lost the first two games against Toronto. A seven and a half game lead has now become a one game lead. So now I'm even I'm always the one telling Allen, calm yourself, calm your nerves. You're fine. You're going to win this division. But now we're more than halfway through the year and, and they've got a one game lead on two teams. Are they going to make the playoffs? No question. And since is that the way it was designed?
Don Hahn
Since Jazz moved to third base in the 25 games he has played, the Yankee record is 11 and 14 June 3rd.
Peter Rosenberg
There you go. And you can't tell me if you watch every inning the way you do that he hasn't cost them runs and cost them games.
Don Hahn
There's been moments. It's either a throw or it's just where he if it's coming at him hot, he really struggles. Look, that's not an easy position to play. You got to have a guy that's played the position. It's got to be an area of concern. And right now it's not. He's comfortable at second. He and Volpe together worked a lot together in spring training to develop that double play tandem. And ever since that move, they have not been the same. Jazz has not been the same, although his numbers aren't great anyway. But also Volpe, by the way, has not been the same.
C
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Don Hahn
Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial.
Peter Rosenberg
Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment.
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Of $45 for a three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of network's busy taxes and fees extra. See mint mobile.com thanks for listening to.
Don Hahn
The Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.
Peter Rosenberg
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
Don Hahn
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
Peter Rosenberg
You just made it this buddy.
Don Hahn
This is the list with Don Hahn and Rosenberg.
Peter Rosenberg
Now time for the list which is brought to you by bet365. Listen, this was a very difficult one to curate, but we brought up about American bands and we kind of just discussing like Eagles, Beach Boys. But if you had to come up with a top five American bands, what would those top five bands be?
Don Hahn
Yeah, we kicked this around the other day and it's not easy to do. The top two are easy.
Peter Rosenberg
Top two are easy.
Don Hahn
Top two easy. Now again, American band means the band was formed in the U.S. yes. And is known as a band, not a lead singer who also has a B. Cu. I would say Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers just doesn't count because it's Tom Petty. Tom Petty is the name.
Peter Rosenberg
I know because that that's the driving force, right? Tom Petty and the Heartbreak Springsteen and the Street Band. It's still Jimi Hendrix and the Experience.
Don Hahn
Yeah. Like I think it needs a band name because and I because I think.
Peter Rosenberg
There'S a dynamic to a band like Billy Joel. Bruce Springsteen are amazing but and listen and the eastern band is in the hall of fame, but it's about one guy. But this is A band. And all the dynamics of that.
Don Hahn
All that. And it's specified to rock.
Peter Rosenberg
Rock.
Don Hahn
Because there's going to be, you know, some will say there's this soul. There's. There's a lot of other. You know, we can name American groups that play other music. We're just strict. We're strictly sticking to rock and rock.
Peter Rosenberg
And listen, it's very hard. And I. And I honestly, when I put the list together with everybody and I got suggestions from you and Brownshur and Anthony.
Don Hahn
P. How about Anthony's dad?
Peter Rosenberg
Anthony's dad, he handed me a list which would. Do you still have it, Anthony? Because I want. I want you to read it on the air because he deserves. He deserves some love.
Don Hahn
It's great.
Peter Rosenberg
This is not necessarily my personal preference either, because there are bands that I don't necessarily like, but I think this is the top five.
Don Hahn
Let's do it.
Peter Rosenberg
And number five. And this is where it comes in. Even though I'm not a huge fan of them. It's hard not to have Aerosmith in the top five. Because it's Aerosmith. They've been around forever. They've got amazing amount of hits. I know you like the whole. You're not skipping, but there's some songs that are just forever songs. They lost me with the whole Diane Warren and the Armageddon soundtrack.
Don Hahn
That wasn't terrible.
Peter Rosenberg
But the songs are good. But they really lost their edge when, you know, living on the edge, ironically and crazy and all that. But it's an American band that started in, like, the early 70s and we're still putting hits out until, you know, Steven Tyler lost his voice the other day. So I've got Aerosmith at five.
Don Hahn
All right, quickly, if I could.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
Their greatest hits album. You tell me if it's a skip.
Peter Rosenberg
Okay.
Don Hahn
There's a lot of songs, but there's 18 songs on this. Mama Kin.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I like that song.
Don Hahn
It's a good one. Dream on, obviously. Same old song and dance. Don't skip that Walk this way. Don't skip that Sweet emotion. No. Back in the Saddle.
Peter Rosenberg
It's a hit. It's a big song.
Don Hahn
Yeah, but Draw the Line. That could be a Sony.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I gotta hear it.
Don Hahn
Dude. Looks like a lady. Not skipping that angel. Not skipping that ragdoll. Janie's Got a Gun. What it Takes. Good song. Loving an Elevator Crazy. Living on the edge. Crying. Pink. Pink. I probably would skip. Don't Want to Miss a Thing is the one from the. From the movie.
Peter Rosenberg
From Army. It's tough.
Don Hahn
Very few Skips there. Yeah, that's a good. Very good.
Peter Rosenberg
Okay, punch this one up. I. I got a number four. Chicago around forever. You know, early 70s, right through the 80s, big hits. They changed a lot, too. Like Aerosmith. They got very commercial, they got very poppy. And then Peter Cetera took off and you understand they had it from a solo.
Don Hahn
Three greatest hits albums. Right. You know, we're talking about almost.
Peter Rosenberg
So they're amazing.
Don Hahn
We're just going to say yes.
Peter Rosenberg
Yes, absolutely.
Don Hahn
Chicago. Good one, three.
Peter Rosenberg
I'm gonna go with you, Allen. I'm sorry. Van Halen.
Don Hahn
Yeah. Come on.
Peter Rosenberg
Now, the Van Halen's interesting because, again, there's two distinct Van Halen. There's Van Halen and there's Van Hagar. But they really started to get the hits with Hagar. But listen, you're not skipping any of their songs. I mean, classic, classic song. Especially with David Lee Roth. Huge band.
Don Hahn
Now, there was. Yes. There's no question about it. They had a third lead singer. I think it was the. The lead singer from.
Peter Rosenberg
From Extreme. Yeah, Extreme.
Don Hahn
Yeah. Right. And that album, Van Helen 3, wasn't well regarded. Like, it didn't get a ton, but there were a couple of really good songs on it. So that's why I would say the staying power of the three guys that were the band. Michael Anthony, Alex and Eddie Van Halen. No matter who the lead singer was, that group put out bangers.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. So, no, I got this. I got Van Halen.
Don Hahn
I like it.
Peter Rosenberg
And then it's just interchangeable. But I still went Beach Boys, two Eagles. One can't argue, because Eagles don't. I. They don't have a bad song. The Beach Boys do have songs. I'm like, all right, skip, skip, skip. Now, they've got massive hits.
Don Hahn
Massive.
Peter Rosenberg
And the influence is amazing. But the Eagles. And you're talking about top 40 songs and just the power from almost the entire 70s.
Don Hahn
Yeah. Right.
Peter Rosenberg
I mean, 72 to. And then. Then they go. The solo stuff was amazing, too. The Eagles, that's a quintessential American band. I got them at number one.
Don Hahn
They have two greatest hits albums. Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Both amazing. And again.
Don Hahn
And there's not a single song that you would say, I don't want to hear that.
Peter Rosenberg
And the first one, which has sold more albums than any other album.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Doesn't have Hotel California, which is the.
Don Hahn
Song they're well known for. Now, before you close it.
Peter Rosenberg
Yes.
Don Hahn
Some honorable mention. Some.
Peter Rosenberg
A bunch of honorable mentions.
Don Hahn
Some people might argue. So I'll give you a couple.
Peter Rosenberg
Okay.
Don Hahn
And you tell Me, if you think they deserve mention or not.
Peter Rosenberg
Pearl Jam, they definitely deserve. They've got the lasting power. They can sell out stadiums. Yeah. But they do have, as Michael used to talk about, Bruce Springsteen, some castor oil songs. Like, we know that nobody likes it. We're still going to play it anyway. But they do have some skippable songs. But they also have some real rockers. Yeah, Pearl Jam, definitely an honorable man. REM Not a huge fan. Alternative more than like rock to me.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Fair. I don't know if I wouldn't have them there, but that's. That's. That's not a bad one. Metallica, we mentioned the last time.
Don Hahn
I was going to say to you, but I know how you feel about Metallica. I just feel like, like Metallica's Black Album kind of brought metal. If you don't consider them metal, I understand. But they were a metal, though.
Peter Rosenberg
They're metal.
Don Hahn
Like.
Peter Rosenberg
Like I said, they're the Beatles of that.
Don Hahn
Yeah, yeah, that. But that album brought metal to mainstream.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
You know, what was that 91 when that album came out?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I think it was 91.
Don Hahn
Like you didn't. You know, we all knew there was Hair Band and all that stuff going on, but then there was metal. Metal never was played on the radio. This was played on the radio.
Peter Rosenberg
The biggest day to me, Some people will debate this. The two biggest days in the history of heavy metal to me was when Quiet Riot.
Don Hahn
Come on, Feel the Noise.
Peter Rosenberg
Come on, Feel the Noise was in like a top 40 song. Like that was a metal song that actually hit the top.
Don Hahn
Get two hits off that, cuz Mental Health.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. And. But the biggest day to me was when Metallica played The Grammys. Was 1989. They played one.
Don Hahn
Yeah, yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
And one's a long song, but total rock and roll. They made him cut the song down. So Hetfield decided, I'm going to say instead of cut this life out from me, cut this blank out front just to be able to get that on. They didn't win the Grammy. They gave. They gave it to Jethro Tull, which was just, you know, because Tull had never won a grammystam Achievement Award. Yeah, but. But Metallica playing at the Grammys, for me as a metal guy in the late 80s, for. For a metal band to get that kind of exposure and love, amazing. CCR has to be considered Clearwater Revival.
Don Hahn
Yes.
Peter Rosenberg
It's a tough list. Also, I'm a big fan of Grand Funk Railroad. They've got more top 40 hits than you think. They've got a lot of good songs, but I'm. It's hard really to debate these five. Like, who you taking out? Here's the thing with Kiss. I like Kiss. Their studio albums are all garbage, right? The live stuff is what you care about. KISS alive. Kiss Alive too. It was basically about the makeup. They weren't great musicians, but they did have rockin songs. But I can't put them on the list of great greatest bands. You want to say popular, influential. I can't put them. I, I can't put them there. I think they're deserving of the Rock and Roll hall of Fame and I'm a Kiss fan. But they were more gimmick than I think substance, if that's fair question.
Don Hahn
They were part of the show.
Peter Rosenberg
They were the show. Those are, those are the ones.
Don Hahn
I, I'm, I'm struggling to think of any others that go like Nirvana wasn't around long enough. Food Fighters has been around a long time. And they're very popular, very, very good. And they have a of lot, lot of hits. And they rock. I mean, you could say, you know, it's a new age sound, but that's still, that's, that's, that's. That's a bass, an electric guitar and drums.
Peter Rosenberg
Now, I understand that there's going to be a lot of people that are going to be upset with this list. And that's why it's a list and.
Don Hahn
That'S why I want to hear from you.
Peter Rosenberg
You know Bill screaming about CCR and I don't. I disagree.
Don Hahn
I get it.
Peter Rosenberg
I would take Van Halen and Aerosmith out.
Don Hahn
You crazy. Van Halen. No way.
Peter Rosenberg
Also, there's a few, like some of these names, like definingly not Dylan or definitely. Whatever it is, definitely not Black Crows.
Don Hahn
Enough. What about Speaking of crows? Counting Crows. They rock. Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Right round here, you'd be surprised.
Don Hahn
A lot of hits, but a lot. Really good.
Peter Rosenberg
Not a lot.
Don Hahn
It was Peter loves when I bring them up, which is why I did that.
Peter Rosenberg
They had their moment, but we're talking about sustainability. But listen, this is our list. Love it, hate it, kill it, destroy it, whatever you want to do. 1-800-919-3776. So we did the list.
Don Hahn
It's a good list.
Peter Rosenberg
Thank you.
Don Hahn
Did we get Peter's dad's list?
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, please. No, not Peter's dad. Twice I said Peter in the month. All right. What did your dad give me? Your dad's list. He didn't stop at five too.
Don Hahn
He didn't stop at five. You guys Mentioned Beach Boys at one, Chicago at four, and Aerosmith at five. He had those three on his list. Honorable mention. You had Grand Funk Railroad and Kiss was mentioned. And you explained. I think Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience don't qualify based on what you guys said. Because it's one person. When your name. It's almost like the Michael Cage show previously. It's the names of the show. There's two other guys on the show, but there's only one name on, like, the Alan Hahn show now. So it's not really a band. Right. Can't be a band if there's. If there's a headline name.
Peter Rosenberg
You know what? There's gotta have a bad name. There is that dynamic.
Don Hahn
And then also Doors and the Young Rascals.
Peter Rosenberg
I gotta tell you, I'm a big.
Don Hahn
Doors guy, but they don't have enough.
Peter Rosenberg
You can.
Don Hahn
You know how to run.
Peter Rosenberg
Just. Just for giggles, punch up the Doors Greatest hits. You're not skipping too many songs.
Don Hahn
Hello, I love you.
Peter Rosenberg
You're not skipping.
Don Hahn
People Are Strange.
Peter Rosenberg
Not skipping.
Don Hahn
Riders on the Storm.
Peter Rosenberg
That's a good song.
Don Hahn
Oh, my God. Light My Fire.
Peter Rosenberg
Right? Not skipping that.
Don Hahn
Love Me Two Times.
Peter Rosenberg
Love Me Two Times.
Don Hahn
Break on through, which I want you to perform.
Peter Rosenberg
So, you know, no skips.
Don Hahn
Of course. Screen's frozen, so we got nothing.
Peter Rosenberg
I'll finish it. Roadhouse Blues.
Don Hahn
Oh, my God.
Peter Rosenberg
Celebration of the Lizard.
Don Hahn
Well, that's the one.
Peter Rosenberg
What was the other one? Touch Me and An LA Woman. Finish.
Don Hahn
Oh, my God. Celebration of the Lizard.
Peter Rosenberg
And don't forget my favorite favorite Door song. It's like 12 minutes long. Oh, this is the end. This is the end.
Don Hahn
The end.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, this is the end. Which I don't want to tell you what it's about. Jacob. You know what it's about. Not good. Not a good subject matter.
Don Hahn
Oh, boy.
Peter Rosenberg
Father. Yes, son?
Don Hahn
Oh, that.
Peter Rosenberg
I want to kill you. Mother.
Don Hahn
No, I want to. Nope, nope.
Peter Rosenberg
That's what he said. He doesn't say anything again. Filthy mind.
Don Hahn
We think he.
Peter Rosenberg
Mother, I want to have cereal with you. Mother, I want to go to church with you.
Don Hahn
We think we know what he's about to say.
Peter Rosenberg
I wanted to bring up the end when you. Because you said. Because we were talking about the east being wide open in the NBA. You said the west is the best. Yeah, west is the best.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
I'm on a flight. I put on their greatest hits and like that. That'll kill, like, 45 minutes of the flight. Because every song is. Doors are really just. Unfortunately, the body of work or half a gummy.
Don Hahn
Full or half?
Peter Rosenberg
I'm not a. I'm not full gummy on the doors. I've never had a gummy.
Don Hahn
You not only will hear music, you'll see it.
Peter Rosenberg
That's why I was calling Andrew. I was like, andrew, have you ever seen heard Dark side of the Moon? He's like, no. I said, dude, put it on. Just lay in bed. Put the headphones on. It'll change your world. You'll see.
Don Hahn
God.
Peter Rosenberg
1-800-919-3776. It's Don Hanan Rosenberg here on ESPN New York.
Don Hahn
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C
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Peter Rosenberg
Close your eyes. Exhale, feel your body relax and let go of whatever you're carrying today.
C
Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh my gosh, they're so fast.
Peter Rosenberg
And breathe.
C
Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste.
Peter Rosenberg
Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order.
Don Hahn
1-800-Contacts.
Peter Rosenberg
If you went on a road trip and you didn't stop for a Big Mac or drop a crispy fry between the car seats or use your McDonald's bag as a place. Matt. Then that wasn't a road trip. It was just a really long drive at participating McDonald's.
Don Hahn
Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.
Peter Rosenberg
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
Don Hahn
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
Peter Rosenberg
This song is incredible. This is grand fun. Railroad.
Don Hahn
Jacob.
Peter Rosenberg
I don't know if you're familiar. 1970. I'm getting closer to my home. A lot of good American music. I'm expected to get beat up over this list. And by the way, the list, the top five was American bands Aerosmith, five Chicago, four Van Halen, three Beach Boys, two Eagles one. That was the list brought to you by BET365. Whatever the moment. It's never ordinary at that. Three hundred and sixty five. And again, I was just trying to honor the list because I, I'm not a huge Aerosmith fan. I like some of the hits.
Don Hahn
But when I read you the Greatest Hits album, 18 songs. There was only one that you like.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, but, but honestly.
Don Hahn
And that later on, I, I, I think they're great.
Peter Rosenberg
But back in the saddle, I'm probably. If it's on the radio, I might change.
Don Hahn
Really?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I'm good.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
But I acknowledge it's a good song.
Don Hahn
Yeah, I'll give. All right, I'll give it up.
Peter Rosenberg
One Walk this Way. By the way, you know where they got that song from? Young Frankenstein.
Don Hahn
Really?
Peter Rosenberg
They wanted to go see Young Frankenstein, and when he goes Walk this way and everybody hunched over and, and they.
Don Hahn
Just started to make that a song.
Peter Rosenberg
Aerosmith also one of those bands that walked out a Spinal Tap because it hit too close to home.
Don Hahn
But they also helped launch Aerosmith. Helped launch. I should say, help launch hip hop.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, yeah, sure. With the Run dmc with Walk this.
Don Hahn
Way by doing it. And they didn't really want to do it with them at first. They thought it was a whole, like, is it. It's almost like mocking the song, making fun of it.
Peter Rosenberg
Right.
Don Hahn
But they ended up hitting it off with them, and it, it turned into, you know, I don't even think Run DMC wanted to. They thought the, the lyrics were corny. Yeah. But the funny thing is, is that it actually was a rap. He's, he is rapping it, right?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, pretty much. Steven Tyler, Big dial up in the ass.
Don Hahn
Yeah. So, yeah, they just thought the lyrics sounded goofy. Hey, Diddle, diddle with the kitty in the middle.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, it was. It was.
Don Hahn
But. But. But it was like. No, no, read it. Trust me. Trust me. And then it turned into a huge hit. Went commercial, and then from there.
Peter Rosenberg
No, it was a big deal.
Don Hahn
Yeah, sure.
Peter Rosenberg
1-800-919-3776, Moose in Jamaica. What do you got, man? What's going on, fellas?
C
How are we?
Don Hahn
Good, Moose.
Peter Rosenberg
Chilling. Granted, I have an honorable mention and the entire list. I'm born in 89, so my era is the late night, and so on and so forth. So my honorable mention for the list later or not. It's Red Hot Chili Peppers. Not bad. They're outstanding band. They don't have the really good.
Don Hahn
I'll give you. I'll give you.
Peter Rosenberg
They've got some amazing.
Don Hahn
Tell me when you skip.
Peter Rosenberg
Okay.
Don Hahn
Under the Bridge. No. Californication. No. Give it away. No. Soul to squeeze. No.
Peter Rosenberg
No.
Don Hahn
Suck My Kiss. No.
Peter Rosenberg
I love that song.
Don Hahn
It's such a great show. Now, then you start to. It starts to slip a little bit.
C
That's all I have for you guys.
Don Hahn
Thank you.
Peter Rosenberg
Thank you, Moose.
Don Hahn
Like, then. Then it starts to slip a little bit, I have to say.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, but they're. They're breaking the girl, right?
Don Hahn
That's a good one. Higher Ground, the COVID Boom, badoom, boom.
Peter Rosenberg
Boom, boom, boom, boom. That is a good song. Flea is a great bass player.
Don Hahn
Fantastic. Higher Ground, the great cover of a Stevie Wonder song. Yes, my friends. Good one as well. So.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, no, they're good.
Don Hahn
Very good.
Peter Rosenberg
Let's go back to the phones. Dan is in Saratoga. You're on. Don Hanna, Rosenberg. What's up? Cool on, guys. What's up?
Don Hahn
What's up, Dan?
Peter Rosenberg
Hey, I got Don. I love you like a brother. Man, that lift was good. I'm taking Chicago off personally. I'm adding either Guns N Roses. No. Or I'm gonna add Journey. Journey's great Journeys. Of.
Don Hahn
Sure.
Peter Rosenberg
You know what Journey is?
Don Hahn
Didn't even.
Peter Rosenberg
Journey is a real good one.
Don Hahn
Here we go. Standby.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, my God. Journey's good. You know what? I know, I know. Depending on how old you are. Chicago. Chicago's got to be there. They've got three albums that are greatest.
Don Hahn
Here you go with Journey. All right. Good luck. Skipping a song. Ready? Only the Young.
Peter Rosenberg
Yes.
Don Hahn
Not skipping that. That's from the seventies, by the way. Don't stop Believing. Wheel in the sky Faithfully I'll be all right without you Any way you want it. Ask the lonely who's crying now Separate ways Lights, Love and Touch and squeeze and it's good. I have my open arms Girl can't help it Send her my love Be good to you Come on.
Peter Rosenberg
It's a great. I don't know who you're taking out.
Don Hahn
But it's who you're taking out. Who was the other one? He said he had two. He said Journey and someone else.
Peter Rosenberg
He wanted to take Chicago out.
Don Hahn
No, but he had another.
Peter Rosenberg
Did he have another one?
Don Hahn
It was Journey as someone else. All right, never mind.
Peter Rosenberg
I was gonna bring this up with Peter here because Peter's, you know, the music authority. The snob, I guess the music snob when you consider the influence. Because I thought about this because the kids had a function at school, like going into the last week of their school. They did an assembly, right? And the second grade class sang Don't Stop Believing. And I thought to myself, that song is 44 years old. And they sang it. And if you want to say, well, it was in the final Sopranos. That was in 07 is there. And I'm not saying like greatest as far as like the musicianship or meaning or whatever, but when you look at those staring staying power of that song, the influence it had being in the final episode of the Sopranos, how every generation knows the song, is it maybe one of the biggest, if not the biggest songs in music history? I mean, just think of the influence that is had on so many generations of people. My. My seven year old arena.
Don Hahn
Like an arena song. Like it's something you play. First of all, sporting events, we all know. Is it. Is it Red Wings games, right, that they play? Yes, right.
Peter Rosenberg
Because of the South Detroit. Even though there is no South Detroit.
Don Hahn
If you wanted to see. It's not the likability of it. It's almost as if when you say popular, it's. If I played the start of this song or sang the first two words, the majority of the people will be able to sing along with you.
Peter Rosenberg
Everybody.
Don Hahn
Right.
Peter Rosenberg
And the other one that I would throw out there is Celebration.
Don Hahn
Yes.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, that's another one. That's.
Don Hahn
What about September?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, that's another one too. But I was just thinking about like how many songs that came out in 1981. And it's like my kids are singing it in 2025.
Don Hahn
Earworm songs.
Peter Rosenberg
It is just a pretty incredible stuff. Oh, we got so much to get into.
Don Hahn
That list was fun by that was summer list.
Peter Rosenberg
And listen, there are going to be people that are going to be upset, but that's part of what the list does. It brings out the Best in words, worse than people. All right, the dicks are on the table. Mike Brown gets introduced. Hasn't been introduced yet, but he's going to be officially named, I guess. Well, the MSG likes to do things on Friday. I'm predicting they'll probably do something tomorrow because Friday is the 4th of July.
Don Hahn
I think, you know, Although they'll have next week.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, how about this press press release tomorrow? Introduction next week?
Don Hahn
Yeah, that's about. Yeah, it's probably. Probably the make it official tomorrow and then in the release press conference at some point maybe. I mean, first of all, do they have one summer league starting? Would it be in Vegas? Is it gonna be in New York? So, but, but I'm thinking if they have anything with media next week, or.
Peter Rosenberg
Maybe they're waiting to see what LeBron's availability is. Do a two for one.
Don Hahn
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. 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.
Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary: Hour 2: Analytics & The List
Release Date: July 2, 2025
In this engaging episode of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the intricacies of Major League Baseball analytics, focusing on the New York Yankees and Mets. Later in the episode, they pivot to a lighter segment, presenting their curated list of the top five American rock bands. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and notable quotes.
A. Mets' Recent Struggles and Bullpen Woes
The episode kicks off with a recap of the Mets' disappointing 7-2 loss to the Brewers. Peter Rosenberg laments the team's inability to maintain leads, highlighting starter Clay Holmes' respectable five innings pitched but critiquing the bullpen's collapse:
Peter Rosenberg [01:20]: "Holmes got that. But then they go immediately to the bullpen and it all goes to crap..."
B. Comparative Analysis: Mets and Yankees
Rosenberg and Hahn discuss the broader landscape of MLB, noting a trend of parity where even historically strong teams like the Yankees and Mets exhibit significant flaws. They question whether this is indicative of a systemic issue within the league:
Peter Rosenberg [04:58]: "As much as the Mets and Yankees are not playing great, they're going to stay in this thing because that's because they added the extra wild card."
C. Roster Construction Critiques
A significant portion of the conversation centers on the Yankees' roster decisions, particularly the utilization of DJ LeMahieu. Rosenberg argues that playing players out of position undermines team performance:
Peter Rosenberg [08:51]: "To justify his salary. Well, is that ego? Is that what's best for the team?"
Hahn echoes these sentiments, emphasizing concerns over the effectiveness of the Yankees' substantial payroll:
Don Hahn [09:12]: "Is his money being spent wisely? Is his money being spent effectively?"
D. Offensive Inefficiencies
The hosts delve into the Yankees' offensive challenges, especially their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities with runners in scoring positions:
Don Hahn [12:57]: "If that's a problem at some point, don't you change the approach?"
E. Defensive Alignments and Managerial Decisions
Discussions also touch upon defensive alignments under Yankees' manager Aaron Boone, with Rosenberg criticizing the reliance on analytics over on-field performance:
Peter Rosenberg [14:20]: "Aaron Boone... is blind because he's looking at the stupid numbers instead of his eyeballs."
Transitioning from sports, the podcast segues into their much-anticipated "List" segment, where Hahn and Rosenberg debate and finalize their top five American rock bands. The criteria focus on bands formed in the U.S. with significant influence and enduring popularity.
A. #5: Aerosmith
Selected for their longevity and classic hits, Aerosmith garners a spot despite mixed personal preferences:
Peter Rosenberg [26:20]: "Even though I'm not a huge fan of them, it's hard not to have Aerosmith in the top five."
B. #4: Chicago
Chicago is praised for their extensive catalog and ability to evolve over decades:
Don Hahn [29:43]: "Chicago. Good one, three."
C. #3: Van Halen
Honored for their dynamic sound and influential presence in the rock scene, Van Halen's versatility and hit tracks secure their place:
Peter Rosenberg [29:50]: "I'm gonna go with you, Allen. I'm sorry. Van Halen."
D. #2: Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are celebrated for their iconic status and timeless music that continues to resonate across generations:
Don Hahn [27:06]: "They have two greatest hits albums. Yeah."
E. #1: Eagles
Topping the list, the Eagles are recognized as a quintessential American band with unmatched success and influence in rock music:
Peter Rosenberg [31:26]: "The Eagles, that's a quintessential American band."
F. Honorable Mentions
Several bands receive honorable mentions for their contributions, including Pearl Jam, REM, Metallica, Grand Funk Railroad, and Kiss, each noted for their unique impact and legacy.
The hosts engage with audience feedback, debating potential additions to the list and acknowledging the subjective nature of such rankings. They encourage listeners to share their opinions, emphasizing the diversity of musical tastes.
Don Hahn [35:03]: "You guys Mentioned Beach Boys at one, Chicago at four, and Aerosmith at five."
This episode masterfully balances analytical discourse on baseball team strategies and performance with a passionate exploration of American rock music. Listeners gain insightful perspectives on MLB team dynamics and enjoy a well-argued list of America's top rock bands, complete with engaging debates and relatable commentary.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast episode, providing a clear and detailed overview for those who haven't tuned in.