Hour 2: Brian Windhorst & Chris DiStefano

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Hour 2: Brian Windhorst & Chris DiStefano

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 2: Brian Windhorst & Chris DiStefano
• Release Date: February 5, 2025
• Description: The voices of ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, sportswriter Alan Hahn, and opinionated Hip Hop vet Peter Rosenberg delve into New York sports and more.

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1. NBA Trade Speculations: Kevin Durant's Future

(Timestamp: 01:36 - 06:12)

Brian Windhorst engages with Shams Charania to discuss the swirling rumors surrounding Kevin Durant's potential move to Golden State. Shams provides insights, stating:

• Shams Charania: “Kevin Durant does not want to go to Golden State... based on the knowledge I have right now, I suspect Phoenix will keep Kevin Durant or he will attempt to make a deal and send him to Miami.” (02:36)

They explore the near-death of the Golden State deal and the possibility of Durant moving to Miami, highlighting the complexities and ongoing negotiations.

Notable Quote:

• Shams Charania: “It's probably not going to happen to Golden State, as interesting as that was.” (02:36)

2. Knicks' Strategic Moves and Mitchell Robinson's Return

(Timestamp: 06:12 - 07:34)

The conversation shifts to the New York Knicks and their strategy to manage the salary cap while aiming to improve their defensive lineup. Shams discusses potential trade moves, emphasizing the importance of bringing back Mitchell Robinson:

• Shams Charania: “Their trade deadline move is to bring back Mitchell Robinson. There's no trade that they can do that would be as impactful as bringing back that franchise center.” (06:27)

Notable Quote:

• Brian Windhorst: “When he's healthy is the key phrase with him.” (07:34)

3. NBA Commissioner's Vision: Potential 40-Minute Games

(Timestamp: 11:12 - 14:39)

Peter Rosenberg raises a speculative question about NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hinting at 40-minute games. Shams responds by clarifying:

• Shams Charania: “It's not something that's even being discussed right now... it's not a realistic.” (11:27)

They discuss the balance between game drama and actual play, with Shams advocating for more storytelling around players and teams rather than purely focusing on drama.

Notable Quote:

• Shams Charania: “We've gotten away from telling stories about the players and the team and we focus more on the drama than we do.” (13:00)

4. The Role of Drama in NBA Engagement

(Timestamp: 14:39 - 16:11)

Brian Windhorst and Peter Rosenberg debate whether the NBA's focus on player movement and drama attracts more attention than the games themselves. Shams emphasizes the need for balance:

• Shams Charania: “You need to have that discussion around it. But we have to celebrate the game and the stories of the players.” (13:00)

Notable Quote:

• Brian Windhorst: “It feels like the NBA drama is more of an attraction to people than the actual NBA games.” (12:05)

5. Promoting Live Events: Tap Room in Rockville Center

(Timestamp: 16:11 - 21:36)

The hosts promote an upcoming live event at the Tap Room in Rockville Center, inviting listeners to attend and participate. They highlight the ease of access and the excitement surrounding the new program’s launch.

Notable Quote:

• Brian Windhorst: “Don's gonna be there as well. Sure.” (17:16)

6. Segment on Black Sabbath Concert

(Timestamp: 21:36 - 23:31)

A lighter segment where the hosts discuss the upcoming Black Sabbath concert, touching on the legacy of metal bands and the cultural significance of such events.

Notable Quote:

• Peter Rosenberg: “It's Metal. Well, you kind of lost me there, but... it's a big deal.” (18:31)

7. Guest Appearance: Comedian Chris DiStefano

(Timestamp: 23:31 - 35:09)

The episode features comedian Chris DiStefano, who shares anecdotes from his career, including a challenging performance for the Mets' owner Steve Cohen. The conversation delves into his comedic experiences, his cultural identity, and upcoming shows.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris DiStefano: “I'm the first Puerto Rican comedian to headline Madison Square Garden.” (26:13)
• Shams Charania: “I'm really a big way to follow right now.” (14:56)

Highlights:

• Chris DiStefano discusses his bombing at a private Mets event and the unexpected fallout, including legal threats which were later mitigated by positive feedback from the Cohen family.
• He talks about his Puerto Rican heritage and how it influences his comedy.
• Upcoming performances, including his headline show at Madison Square Garden on September 11, 2025, are promoted with enthusiasm and humor.

Notable Interaction:

• Chris DiStefano: “I'm El blanquito... I think I'm the white guy that represents the Puerto Rican people in comedy.” (26:27)

8. Listener Engagement and Final Remarks

(Timestamp: 35:09 - End)

The hosts wrap up the episode by encouraging listener participation in live calls and promoting future content. They also touch on recent advertisements and upcoming shows, maintaining a casual and engaging tone throughout.

Notable Quote:

• Brian Windhorst: “All right. It's gonna be a lot of fun right now on the show, so we won't hold off on the calls for a while.” (23:44)

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Conclusion: This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offers a dynamic mix of in-depth NBA analysis, engaging discussions on the state of the league, promotion of live events, and a vibrant guest appearance by comedian Chris DiStefano. The hosts balance serious sports commentary with humor and personal anecdotes, making it a comprehensive and entertaining listen for both sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Notable Overall Quote:

• Brian Windhorst: “You can't believe everything you see on social media.” (16:14)

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For Listeners: Stay tuned for more episodes featuring expert analyses, lively discussions, and special guests. Subscribe to the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast on your preferred platform to never miss an update.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Chris Carlin]

Oh boy, can you wait. I cannot wait for ENN to hear what Chris Carlin had to say about Allen Hahn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ugh.

[Chris Carlin]

I don't even know what this is about. You hurt? Did you hurt my friend?

[Brian Windhorst]

I don't know what happened. I had a 30 second conversation with him across a studio and he left in a huff. Like real diva.

[Chris DiStefano]

Like really.

[Brian Windhorst]

And even Greenie commented something was up as he stormed out of the studio. Even Greeny was like, I won't say what green. He said. Cuz it's not for me to say really. But it was like, you know. And I was like, wow.

[Chris Carlin]

And that's not right. You and Carlin go together. Together. You guys are like the number 10.

[Brian Windhorst]

I see. Why don't do that.

[Chris Carlin]

That you guys are supposed to be together. The one and the zero.

[Brian Windhorst]

I would rather just say that we both know what it's like to work with Bart Scott.

[Chris Carlin]

Well, and you've shared that.

[Brian Windhorst]

We have that in common. But it's also a lovely experience. But I'm very curious because I don't know what happened there.

[Chris Carlin]

All right, we're find out now.

[Brian Windhorst]

I guess he's going to explain it to the world.

[Chris Carlin]

That's right.

[Brian Windhorst]

Game time brought to you by Tully Mardu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, it's Tully time. Tonight you get the Rangers and the Bruins a good original six matchup at Madison Square Garden. Don has the pregame coverage right here on 880. Following us at 6:30. Nets and the Wizards tonight you see the finish of that Nets game last night. Oh my goodness.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's going on? I know the Rockets are banged up, but yeah, that's just twice to the Nets in less than a week.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, that was low IQ Last night you had a timeout. You should have called it like the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

First win in like a month for the Nets in Brooklyn.

[Brian Windhorst]

I think you're right at home. Game time brought to you by Tullamore Dew. 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. During tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Fresh off of NBA today and all the rumor mills going on right now. His phone's probably blowing up all day. Brian Windhorst, kind enough to join us right now. Wendy thanks for giving us a few moments this morning. Of the many gems that you delivered on get up, one of them was the potential scenarios and you kept saying don't say it's going to happen, but of the idea anyway, the hypothetical of Kevin Durant going to Golden State, that has since kind of been debunked. Or has it? What's the latest on Kevin Durant's situation?

[Shams Charania]

Well, Sham Surani is just all over these stories. He's just excellent. He, the Kevin Durant does not want to go to Golden State. You know, he's making it known basically. And Shams is telling the world he doesn't want to go there. And so, you know, he does not have a no trade clause. Certainly Golden State could, could still trade for him. Anybody could trade for him. I'm not sure you want to trade for him considering what that would mean. But if that is indeed dead and you know guys, I would love to come on and talk in absolutes. That would be so awesome. You just can't. The trade deadline, you just can't because as wired in as you are, you're always going to be in an information lag in my business. So I would say it's probably not going to happen to Golden State, as interesting as that was. And so based on the knowledge I have right now, and I can give caveats for a half hour, you're just going to have to understand I don't know everything based, based on the knowledge that I have now, I suspect Phoenix leader keep Kevin Durant or he will attempt to make a deal and send him to Miami. Miami was involved in a three way discussion with Golden State and Phoenix. In fact, I think they were kind of close to that deal. There was actually, I think a deal nearing fruition yesterday and like, you know, I don't like Mary fruition, I don't really care about that. But there was a deal nearing fruition yesterday between Golden State, Phoenix and Miami that would have delivered Jimmy Butler to Phoenix, Kevin Durant to Golden State and Andrew Wiggins with other pieces to Miami. And so we know that those teams have been in discussions and we also know the most important thing is we know that is we know that Phoenix was willing to take Jimmy Butler without, without Kevin Durant. And that was, that was a surprise to me because this whole last month when they've been trying to get Jimmy Butler was the pair next to Kevin Durant. Devin Booker, that's what they were trying to do. They were trying to squeeze blood from a stone and figure out how to Trade Bradley Beal so that they could make a new Big Three. This concept would be to have Butler basically get traded for Durant yesterday. And now that is still potential on the table with Miami directly. I don't quite understand why Phoenix would do that and because of that I'm skeptical that it could happen. But my information tells me that Kevin Durant to Miami is possible.

[Chris Carlin]

Anything else out there besides the Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler of it all, Wendy, that intrigues you between now and tomorrow?

[Shams Charania]

I mean, there's a couple of things, you know, Brandon Ingram, who's been on the trade block for months and hasn't been playing for weeks due to ankle injury in New Orleans, you know, both Toronto and Atlanta are showing interest, interest there. I think there's a reasonable chance he finally gets traded if the Heat, if the warriors strike out on getting into this deal with Durant and Butler because they could still do Jimmy Butler. They've had discussions with the Heat on Jimmy Butler and there's a package built around Andrew Wiggins that I think the Heat would accept. Again, I don't know if that happens without the Durant piece of it. If that happens. If that doesn't happen, you could see Nikola Vucevich from the Bulls. The Bulls are selling, they've sold three players already this year and they could sell Vusovic to the Warriors. That's a possibility. But you know, and I'm sure there'll be other stuff that you know that you know there's going to be some, some moves for some salary cap stuff, but there's, there will still be an active data model with a number of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now we're hearing, and we've heard this before, that Mitchell Robinson is close, if indeed he is close. Does that take the Knicks out of trying to find another defender or do you still think they might be able to add something and maybe try to strengthen the bench?

[Shams Charania]

You know, so I think Tim Bontemps, my colleague, recently reported that Jericho Sims, Mike, a trader and I think that trade is just going to be a salary dump. And the reason that you would salary dump Jericho Sims is to give yourself some breathing space under the apron. You know, the Knicks are hard capped and there's a certain point where they cannot add. They're really like into like single digit thousands. That's why they're playing this game with these guys that they're signing and cutting, signing and cutting because they've got to like walk this line. If they were able to move a player like Jericho Sims off of their books, they could Free themselves up to maybe trade for somebody else or sign a player in a buyout who could potentially be a player. But really their trade deadline move is to bring back Mitchell Robinson. There's no trade that they can do that would be as impactful as bringing back that franchise center. And so I know he's getting close. You know, I think I saw these practicing soon or whatever. But you know, you guys know how impactful he can be when he's healthy. So hopefully he gets healthy and that can improve the next defense.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, when he's healthy is the key phrase with him. And he's been cleared for contact but not yet cleared for practice. Contact meaning 5 on 5.

[Shams Charania]

Thank you for updating me.

[Brian Windhorst]

No, I was a little busy of a day for you, but it's basically for him it's one step closer to being cleared. So we'll see how soon that is. Wendy, before we let you go, I just want to check in with you about other teams, including a team that I don't know. I'm keeping an eye on the Philadelphia 76ers just because of where they are in the standings. They're lottery protected first round pick that they have and whether or not they continue to say let's be all in on this season and try to get into the play in or if they want to make sure they get hold of that draft pick. Like remember Dallas did this a couple of years ago. What's happening in Philly?

[Shams Charania]

Well, they're not all in on the season, Allen, because they salary dumping. They, they dumped Caleb Martin yesterday and they sidelined KJ Martin in a trade. That I think is what they're going to do in the next day. That would get them out of the luxury tax. Their salary dumping. I do not think that they can lose enough to get there, to protect their, to get out of their pick situation because frankly they've been winning lately and Joelle is not coming back back. And you know Joel Embiid is such a spectacular player. You know, he comes back, he hasn't played in weeks, he has a triple double in his first game. I mean it's maddening because he is such a great player. But if he's going to start playing again, they're not going to lose, they're going to start winning. So they're in this no man's land. And I think if you're a 76er fan, what you hope for is that indeed and Paul George get healthy and you get into the play in and you try to make a run and that would be a real bummer if you're a team like the Cavs or the Celtics and your reward for being the one or two seed is to play a play in Philadelphia. 76ers team with, you know, a bunch of stars on it. But it's been an absolute disaster season for them. Disaster season for them.

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Just a broad NBA question. We heard Adam Silver hint at the idea of a 40 minute game. I mean he's the commissioner, so if he throws it out there, I guess it's feasible. Do you see a day, do you see any conversations where that could be in the NBA's future?

[Shams Charania]

It's not something that's even being discussed right now. He was answering a question from Dan Patrick about like an off the wall idea. And I mean it's. I know it's a great conversation piece. I do think it's interesting to see how Adam's mind is thinking right now because right now the NBA is taking steps to start this European league and you know him talking about going to 4840 minute game. It makes it sound like the NBA wants to play the international game and maybe someday he wants to have a league where the European teams are competing against the NBA team. We're talking decades 15 years down the line. It's not something that is a realistic.

[Brian Windhorst]

Thing right now when you've covered a league for a very long time. One thing that I think I'm starting to notice and tell me if you see the same with all the talk about ratings and all the talk about like the star thing when who's taking over, who's the next face league and all that stuff, it never ceases to amaze me that what happened over the weekend with Luka Doncic and we've seen it with other players in the past so. But obviously we've never seen anything like that trade before. But what I'm saying is it feels like the NBA drama is more of an attraction to people than the actual NBA games. Is that something that like and I don't see that in any other league. I think there's something about player movement in the NBA and the potential of stars pairing up and super teams being built. The that seems to attract way more attention than Celtics Cavs did last night.

[Shams Charania]

I think there's a little bit of out of balance. I'm a person that likes balance. I absolutely think that there is a great intrigue for the drama around the game that should engage you. You can't play basketball the entire day and you want want a little bit of difference. You want people to talk about the game in addition to playing the games and that's key for any league. You need to have that discussion around it. But we have to celebrate the game and I also think we need to celebrate the stories of the players. I think one of the things that's happened over the last decade, this is just my own little pet peeve is we've gotten away from telling stories about the players and the team and we focus more on the drama than we do. I'm not saying there shouldn't be any drama. I just think we need to. I think when you watch the game that know more about the players and the stories of the team just like within the game. I think I'm not advocating to get rid of the three pointer. I love the three pointer. Well, I think the balance is a little bit off. I think we're a little bit too 3 point I've yet not terribly. I'm not advocating a rule change but I'd like to see the balance a little bit better but that said, I am in actions over words. I don't care about words when I can compare actions. And the actions say that three media companies just paid $77 billion for the right to televise the NBA for the next decade. And a fourth media company sued to get in on the bit on the business. That is not the sign of a league in any sort of crisis. That's an action that we can see. It's not some narrative being described by, you know, somebody who wants to, you know, generate attention.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Engagement Farmers, we certainly know who they are. Wendy, you're the best. I know it's been a busy day, so thanks for giving us some time here.

[Shams Charania]

Be well.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right. Brian Windhorst again. See him on all of our platforms and especially right before the deadline. Him shams. I mean, these are the guys you want to be following right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I wouldn't read too much into the amount of money that's being spent on the games. Meaning the regular season is healthy. Postseason, you want those games. I know Major League Baseball. You think Fox is bidding for baseball for their, you know, Sunday, a Saturday afternoon package that's regional or because they want to be in on these wild card games, playoff games and obviously Fox with the World Series and by getting in on the NBA. Listen, there's been many times where the TNT pre and post outrate the game.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, so that's what ESPN and ABC and now NBC want to get involved in, is being able to get involved in the conversations and the shows and the things that haven't the games bring them and the information they now can tap into because they have the games. I'm not going to say the regular season is a lost leader for them, but that's not really what they're paying for.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not paying for that regular season.

[Brian Windhorst]

No. I have to take these games if I want to get the big ones, which is the playoff games and Christmas Day and all the other stuff that you know is going to be the big, big ratings.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because nobody is saying the NBA is in trouble. We're just saying the regular season is not interesting. But clearly we're with moments like what happened with the Mavericks deal with la and now the trade deadline, which is going to be a big deal at 3:00 tomorrow. The interest is there.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just not in the 82 regular season games.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's like when people say, like the NBA is, you know, it's a failing product. You see all these people that want to see it fail. You understand that's just A narrative. And you shouldn't believe everything you see on social media. Peter, you shouldn't come out and see our show for the first time live this first Friday, 3pm from the tap Room in Rockville Center, Long Island.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm gonna be there.

[Brian Windhorst]

We're all gonna be there. Peter's gonna be there as well. Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And we're. And I got the approval from the wife. I think we're gonna break bread after.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yes.

[Chris Carlin]

Wow.

[Brian Windhorst]

I love it. Okay, so we're hanging. And one thing I think we. We all agree on, we're a big caller show. We're gonna get some calls momentarily. I think on when we do live events, no calls. I. I hear if you're.

[Chris Carlin]

We get a mic.

[Brian Windhorst]

We get you a mic. And that's how we take calls.

[Chris Carlin]

Well, calls you want to ask questions are just not awful.

[Chris DiStefano]

It's just.

[Chris Carlin]

It's a weird dynamic. We don't want that.

[Brian Windhorst]

So. But I want people to know, like, if you really want to participate in the show, that's how you show up.

[Chris Carlin]

And by the way, if you're a Don Hahn and Rosenberg guy, this is our first outing.

[Brian Windhorst]

This is big.

[Chris Carlin]

You got to show people the powers that be. The suits that there's momentum and excitement about the new program.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, you can say I was there in the beginning.

[Chris Carlin]

That's exactly the first event ever.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's what I'm talking about.

[Chris Carlin]

So come through. If you've never come to an event ever, this is the time. This is the one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is fun.

[Brian Windhorst]

And it's easy because at the Tap Room in Rockville center, it is literally steps away from a LIRR train station.

[Chris Carlin]

Great location.

[Brian Windhorst]

So, I mean, you work in the city. Just come out, hit that like it's real easy to get to us. We will certainly be there. 800-919-3776. Steve is in Middletown. What's up, Steve?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, guys.

[Chris DiStefano]

Don.

[I]

Another reason for you to definitely go to the Black Sabbath show. So Ozzy is from Birmingham.

[Brian Windhorst]

He might even bite a bat's head off.

[I]

He's a huge supporter of Aston Villa football club.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's right. They play in that stadium.

[Chris Carlin]

There you go. Look at that.

[I]

And they play at Villa Park. So it's a soccer stadium for a game is like 40, 42,000. So configured for a concert, you're probably looking at maybe a third of the capacity of MetLife Stadium to see that massive bill. That alone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, that's also where Priest is from. So listen, it's kind of like it's.

[Chris DiStefano]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's Metal. Well, you kind of lost me there, but. No, because I was going to say the metal. It's like. It's the metal. Liverpool. It's where Black Sabbath came from. It's where Judas Priest came from. It's like. It's a big deal, right? So.

[Brian Windhorst]

No, it's the Mecca. It's a metal mecca. So it's feeling like you gotta go. You gotta pay homage.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Detroit's the make a pilgrimage since. Well, that's, you know, Detroit Rock city. Even though Kiss was from New York.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's weird, the very weird that since the moment I met Nancy, her thing was she always dreamed of going to England, but she just hates to fly. I think it might bother her if I go to England before her. But that's.

[Chris Carlin]

But hold on, hold on.

[Brian Windhorst]

Take a boat.

[Chris Carlin]

But she. She has the option. She just has to fly.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, she can go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What are you gonna do?

[Chris Carlin]

Wait for her to like flying?

[Brian Windhorst]

We'll watch the kids.

[Chris Carlin]

There's no better time than now, Don, by the way, you know what you gotta do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can you take the kids to something like that? Would I be. I think they called Dyfus on me.

[Chris Carlin]

These bands are so.

[Brian Windhorst]

Richard Dreyfus.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, not Dreyfus. I think it's the Jersey version. I'm gonna take your kids away.

[Chris Carlin]

These band. Yeah, that's what it is. But these bands are old, man. No, no one's good. It's not going to be that intense in there. No, come on.

[Chris DiStefano]

People are.

[Chris Carlin]

The fans are be 60 years old.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When I went to a metal Show in the 80s, it was dangerous. The only danger now these guys are on there like.

[Chris Carlin]

The only danger is that one of the fans is going to keel over and die. It's not going to be dangerous.

[Brian Windhorst]

What would that sound like, Peter?

[Chris Carlin]

Oh, well, you know what? I'm glad you asked.

[Chris DiStefano]

I need these monitors right here. Music in the monastery. And it's going to look something like this here. Now, if y'all want to party like we do. Like us.

[Brian Windhorst]

This is so good. So good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now play the Sweet Leaf and see if you can work with Carlin and that. Oh, I have it.

[Chris Carlin]

I have it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Give it. Let's play the original. But we should hear how it sounds.

[Chris DiStefano]

It's. It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The voice is. I would. I wouldn't say it's the greatest voice ever heard, but it just. It hits something. But you got to play the original to hear what you know. People that don't know that song don't know what just happened.

[Chris Carlin]

No, we don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But we don't have it.

[Chris Carlin]

No.

[Brian Windhorst]

Beastie Boy sampled that Sweet Leaf.

[Chris Carlin]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Did you know that?

[Chris Carlin]

But that's why it doesn't work as well as the. Let me clear my throat. No, everybody knows that.

[Brian Windhorst]

Everybody knows that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, but I just. I think a lot of people know the Sweet Leaf, but. But you don't. And I want to play it for you. But they cut that out.

[Chris Carlin]

All right, well, they're doing the best they can. They made two remixes for God.

[Brian Windhorst]

Wasn't that the point? That's a quick turnaround.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but you want to let them know what it is.

[Brian Windhorst]

Wow.

[Chris Carlin]

But.

[Chris DiStefano]

But.

[Chris Carlin]

But if you need the context, it might not hit right then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Once everybody hears it, then. Then you get Right.

[Chris Carlin]

I know, but it's not the same.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This. I hate everyone on this room.

[Chris DiStefano]

I am absolutely a galoot.

[Brian Windhorst]

Don's got the anger today. I love it.

[Chris Carlin]

It's in him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Something other stick is right out of the gate.

[Brian Windhorst]

You play some metal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I saw something on TV this morning.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, yeah? Maybe that could be part of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, I'm very.

[Chris Carlin]

You want to share?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm very spicy.

[Brian Windhorst]

No, not right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, I can't. I'm very spicy today.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, all right. Maybe during the break.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know. I'll tell you off the.

[Chris DiStefano]

Off the air.

[Brian Windhorst]

Another one of those podcasts we have to do off the show. You can't even do this in a podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's represented by espn.

[Chris DiStefano]

No, just a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, why don't we just do our own podcast?

[Chris Carlin]

But even then, you got to worry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

About that because it does spin back.

[Brian Windhorst]

I do feel like we should do spin offs. Like things that happen in the show that we really couldn't say on the air, but we can talk about off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The air, like what Stephen A. Has, like. Stephen A's podcast is not affiliated with espn.

[Brian Windhorst]

Tremendous.

[Chris Carlin]

Stephen will get away with more than we will.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, now, why is that? I've been here as long as I perform. Yeah, but he's on the same age as him. What does he have that I don't have Besides, like. Besides $9 million?

[Chris Carlin]

Besides the money. Besides the money, the power, and the respect.

[Brian Windhorst]

You guys are exactly the same. Well, respect. I don't know. Don has plenty of respect.

[Chris Carlin]

No, there's plenty of respect.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not within the company.

[Brian Windhorst]

And power. Not as much. Anyways, enn's coming up next, everybody, so you certainly want to stay tuned for that 800-919-3776 for your calls. But right now, I want to introduce you to an SUV where everything for every passenger feels just Right? It is the all new 2025 Infiniti QX80. It's Infiniti's most luxurious full size three row SUV that's full of customizable and advanced features. Individual audio that easily isolates calls or directions to to the driver's seat. So when you have to take a private call, it's easy to make your business and keep your business personal. With 64 customizable shades, you can set the interior to match your mood. Plus it has not one, but two rows of heated and cooled massage seats for the ultimate in luxury and relaxation. Feeling parched or hungry? You can open up the front console cool box. That'll be a drop for an icy cold drink or a snack. That's just a few of the many amazing new features available on the all new Infiniti QX80. Hey, how about you discover you're just right? Visit InfinityUSA.com to learn more about the all new Infiniti QX80. Availability of features may vary by trim level, packaging and options.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Chris Carlin]

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.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right. It's gonna be a lot of fun right now on the show, so we won't hold off on the calls for a while. We have New york native Chris DiStefano. He's one of today's biggest and most beloved names in comedy. He's headlining his biggest New York City hometown show. He's gonna step on the stage at Madison Square Garden. Big night of comedy. That's back. They're gonna be in September, September 11, 2025. Tickets are on sale by the way, via pre sales already and the general on sale begins Friday, February 7th at 10am@live nation.com Chris also has a who special. It's just unfortunate. And that's releasing February 21st. He's hanging out with us right now here in the studio. What's up man?

[Chris DiStefano]

Shout out espn, Shout out Disney, Shout out ABC Family. I'm in here with the sponsors all.

[Chris Carlin]

Day, by the way.

[Brian Windhorst]

This is. This is like Radio Row at the Super Bowl.

[Chris Carlin]

No, he's a pro. He's a pro.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's got up there. It's Freeform now.

[Chris DiStefano]

Yes. Oh, it's Freeform. Shout out Freeform.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Chris DiStefano]

Shout out to. Shout out to YouTube.

[Chris Carlin]

So, so, so you get Madison Square Garden, a comedian's dream. They're like, we only have one date available though, right? It's September 11th.

[Chris DiStefano]

That's right.

[Chris Carlin]

And I said, that's a funny day. That's a perfect day. Everyone's in the mood to laugh, dude.

[Chris DiStefano]

It's one of those things where when they offered that to me, I was like, I thought that was part of the bit. And they were like, no, no, that's the date. And I was like, sure. I said, you guys want to do comedy on that date? They were like, 100% because I have one of my standup clips. The only thing that's like, went viral in my standup career is I tell a story about what happened to me on 9 11. Got into a big fight with a kid. My dad had to come. He almost threatened to kill the principal. And it went viral. And my comedy career, like how most people's lives is a pre and post 9 11. That's my comedy career. It's like, pre 9 11, I was selling no tickets, nobody cared. And then post 911 clip, people are like, are you that 911 guy? People like, you're the 911 guy, right? And I'm like, yeah, my name's Chris. He'll stop saying 911 guy. Now the cops are looking. They're like, what, the 9 11? Yeah. They're like, is that Jihadi John? What is. Who's this guy? But so, yeah, that's the date they gave me and come through, man. I mean, it's gonna be a lot of cops and firemen and Puerto Ricans. That's my crew.

[Chris Carlin]

That is. Really? Cause you're Staten island, right?

[Chris DiStefano]

Yeah. Well, here's the thing. I was living on Staten island two years ago now. I moved back to Queens. I've moved eight times in nine years. I just love this city so much. I touch every barrel.

[Chris Carlin]

And your wife is Puerto Rican.

[Chris DiStefano]

She's full blown Puerto Rican.

[Chris Carlin]

And so a lot of your comedy and humor centers around the life with your wife and thus the half Puerto Rican crowd as well.

[Chris DiStefano]

No, literally, it's to the point where I identify more as Puerto Rican than anything else. I told our mutual friend Sypha Sounds that I'm the first Puerto Rican comedian to headline Madison Square Garden. And he said, yes, you are. Do it for the family.

[Chris Carlin]

By the way, Sypha is actually Puerto Rican. There's an actual layer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So how do the Puerto Ricans feel about this?

[Chris DiStefano]

I'm El blanquito. They have. They love him. Dude, I'm in. I'm just in. I think I'm the white guy that represents the Puerto Rican people in comedy because, you know, it's My whole family, my whole life, you know, I mean, there's. You know how Puerto Rican families are. There's. My wife's family's so big. I mean, there's 25 Puerto Rican people in my house right now. I don't even know half of them.

[Chris Carlin]

And you don't know who they are.

[Chris DiStefano]

They're just in my house. And I love it. And we hang out and I've had diarrhea for the first seven years, but now my gastrointestinal system has caught. No, I caught up.

[Brian Windhorst]

Adjusted.

[Chris DiStefano]

Yeah. Finally, Abuelita's rice and beans have. I can keep it down. There's a little blood, but mostly I keep it down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good for you.

[Chris Carlin]

Now, we were having a conversation off the air. You said something that at this radio station with everybody not named me, is a very big issue. You like the Yankees and the Mets.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yes.

[Chris DiStefano]

And I know you're one of those.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're a fraud.

[Chris DiStefano]

I know I pissed some people off. Right. Thank you. Here's the thing. First of all, I was born in Queens, okay? To my mom, who was a Mets fan. My father's from the Bronx, so Yankees fan. And I didn't want to pick mom or dad, so I just picked New York. Because to me, it's New York City first. Okay? It's New York City first.

[Chris Carlin]

You're making.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't.

[Chris DiStefano]

Sick. Don. I never forgot. Did you? It seems like you forgot New York first, baby. And I only do this with baseball, okay? I'm die hard Giants fan, okay? I like the Knicks. I'm not gonna root for the Nets. I'm not a 12 year old kid. It's like if you're a Nets fan, you're either a little kid or you know nothing about sports. If you're from New York, like nobody's rooting for the Nets unless you're from Jersey, then that's fine. But Yankees and Mets for me, I couldn't choose and I stand by it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so you go to Del Frisco.

[Brian Windhorst]

Here we go.

[Chris DiStefano]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you're gonna get a nice steak because your dad is always a steak fan. But you know, mom loves salmon. So do you order both and just shove them both in your mouth?

[Chris DiStefano]

Yes, because now you pick one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why don't you make it. You're a grown man.

[Chris DiStefano]

No, because I double.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're a grown Puerto Rican. Why can't you make a decision?

[Chris DiStefano]

Because, Don, I'm going to have steak and fish because I double up my protein because I'm getting jacked for my shell. So that's what it is. Because I, I need my protein.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, but I just think it's just you.

[Chris DiStefano]

I get it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How old are you?

[Chris DiStefano]

I'm 40.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At some point over, I'll say 30 years because like, or 32 because I, I've just arbitrarily said eight is when you have to make.

[Chris Carlin]

Well, you made that choice for your son.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But my son's gonna be eight and in, in, you know, next December and I'm gonna. He's right now he's a Yankee fan because he's seven.

[Chris DiStefano]

He doesn't have an eight year old son.

[Chris Carlin]

Here we go.

[Brian Windhorst]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he's soon to be eight.

[Chris DiStefano]

It's beautiful. Dude. My man's been hitting the Viagra. You look good, dude.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, thank you.

[Chris DiStefano]

I, I appreciate strong swimmers, but the point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you know what? Mentally I'm more prepared than if I was younger, but physically it's.

[Chris DiStefano]

This is your first twins.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I had a boy and a girl.

[Brian Windhorst]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was late. But you know what? That's a park home run. So that's like.

[Chris DiStefano]

This is like things guys used to do in the 1800s, just have kids.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, the 1800s. You'd have 10 hoping that two would.

[Brian Windhorst]

Live or just one of them gets rich. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I let him play his reindeer games. But at some point. So at no point did you say, I'm gonna make a decision here.

[Chris DiStefano]

Here's the thing. First of all, I'm, I'm Chrissy gray zones. I live in the middle. I never, I'm very indecisive. And that's a problem for me. Here's what I will say. As of late, I have went, I'm gonna say almost fully to the Mets because it got personal after a while. I went and did a, I did a private corporate standup gig three years ago for Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets. Right? And it was just Steve Cohen and his friends. So like 10 billionaires and they just had a comedian rich. So they had a comedian come on and they, you know, I don't know whose idea that was, but anyway, I bombed like you can't imagine. Because to have to try to perform for 10 billionaires. The thing is, it was his birthday. They either want Jerry Seinfeld like a comedian they know or respectfully, how did.

[Chris Carlin]

They land on you?

[Chris DiStefano]

Well, here's what happened.

[Chris Carlin]

Like, you're a big comedian, but not for a random 10 billionaire.

[Chris DiStefano]

Here's what happened. Because Steve's wife Alex is Puerto Rican. So she, through her husband, a birthday party said, oh, I know, just the guy, the Puerto Rican. Yeah, my husband's gonna love this guy. He talks about Puerto Ricans, you know, his wife, he's gonna make fun of me and blah, blah, blah, blah. So I go there, she's not there. It's just 10 white billionaires. And so she's not even there. She's not even there. So I go there and I bomb. Like you can't imagine.

[Brian Windhorst]

It's so relatable, all your comedy. 100%.

[Chris DiStefano]

Yeah, yeah, I'm just, you know, and just dripping sweat, bombing. Somebody threw a scallop at me. It was literally, I swear to God, it was wild. It was wild.

[Chris Carlin]

So if his wife was Mexican, they would have gotten fluffy. But instead they go, where do you get Chris Distiller?

[Chris DiStefano]

They're gonna get me, yeah. Cause Cypher Sounds was dj, so he was too busy, so they got me. So anyway, so I bomb, right? And so Steve's son Josh is there and he's like, you know, comes running after me, he's like, dude, that was hilarious. I was like. Cause I made fun of like one of his friends, Steve's friends, and Josh just loved it. Whatever. And so I had to sign all this paperwork before the gig to say I wouldn't like an NDA. But I thought cuz it was Covid. I couldn't say that I was performing in a restaurant without a mask. That's what I thought. So I thought once the gig is over, who cares, you could talk about it, whatever. So I go on my podcast the next day and I talk about how hard I bombed. And we're dying laughing, like dying laughing. And, you know, so some of these clips start to get out there and all of a sudden I get a call from my agent and he's like, they're gonna sue you. You're gonna get sued by the Mets. You just broke this contract, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then I'm like panicking. And then I check my DMs. And the Cohen family, Josh, Steve's other daughter, they're all DMing me how hilarious that was. They just heard the podcast. That was great. My dad loves you. It was just the Cohen family's lawyers, like, you know, sicing their dogs on me. And so Steve calls me personally and he's like, I want you to come to a game. I want you to come to a Mets game and redeem yourself. Come to the game. So he thought I was just. I thought I was just gonna go to his suite and just do some jokes for them. Mets Rain delay at CITI Field. He goes, I'm gonna put you out on the Jumbotron. Do some jokes. No, dude, let me tell you something. I did jokes to the Citi Field rain delayed crowd who was already angry that there was a rain delay and I bombed even worse for 20,000 people. My boy Pat Finnegan Patty Fly Balls was in the crowd. He texted me after. He goes, dude, you were bombing. He was like, section 108. We were just. He was like. Nobody was laughing, kids were crying. And so. But. But since that moment, the Cohen family has kind of just taken me in as like, you're a bad guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you're done.

[Chris DiStefano]

They're a little comedy murder.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would have had you kill.

[Chris DiStefano]

Exactly.

[Brian Windhorst]

They just throw you out to perform. Now just go clown, go.

[Chris DiStefano]

No, but you know what? Those are the best. I don't mind being these rich guys. Comedy monkeys. They give you good money. I pay for my family.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's true.

[Chris DiStefano]

I'm like, yeah, run around, dude.

[Brian Windhorst]

By the way, real quick though, because we're late, but.

[Chris DiStefano]

Oh, sorry.

[Brian Windhorst]

We got. No, no, it's not your fault.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you've been our pinhead. Suit said we can go long.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, we can.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. He just wait now we can. If he didn't like you when he said break five minutes, that's it. No, but it's all.

[Brian Windhorst]

I tell you what, can you hang for more minutes? Because we never even got into the more important team here in this city to talk about the Giant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, the Knicks.

[Chris DiStefano]

The Knicks.

[Chris Carlin]

Oh, the New York Knickerbockers.

[Brian Windhorst]

Why'd you give me that look?

[Chris DiStefano]

Sorry, the liberty.

[Chris Carlin]

I didn't remember Australia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, well, this.

[Chris Carlin]

I love the championship.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If I asked you to guess a country on the other side of the planet, what country would you guess?

[Chris DiStefano]

What? Just any random.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just give me a country. If I say on the other side of the planet, what country pops to mind?

[Chris DiStefano]

Oh, Australia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Chris DiStefano]

He's like, Asia, Nigeria, New Zealand.

[Brian Windhorst]

By the way, you said country and he said Asia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know because it started out as content. You got two choices. Two would be accepted. Australia and New Zealand.

[Chris DiStefano]

Those are the ones.

[Chris Carlin]

I didn't get either of those.

[Brian Windhorst]

You have a bath fitter for me?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure I do.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right, so Chris is going to hang out with us and we'll get into the big five o'clock hour with more to talk about and more hilarity that will ensue. But first, as Peter shuffles through the papers.

[Chris DiStefano]

I got it.

[Brian Windhorst]

I am interested in bath fitter for my house.

[Chris Carlin]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Brian Windhorst]

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

[Don Hahn]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 8, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.