Hour 2: Cole Injury Concern

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Cole Injury Concern

Release Date: March 10, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York

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Introduction

In the second hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, the hosts dive deep into pressing sports concerns, focusing primarily on Garrett Cole's injury and its implications for the New York Yankees' season. Alongside, they touch upon NFL free agency activities, particularly those involving the New York Giants, and engage in light-hearted discussions about music and personal anecdotes. The episode is rich with expert analysis, candid opinions, and interactive segments with listeners.

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NFL Free Agency and the New York Giants

Alan Hahn opens the discussion by addressing the current state of the Giants during the NFL free agency period. He notes the team's inactivity in securing a quarterback and highlights minor signings that may not significantly impact the team's performance.

• Alan Hahn (00:43): “The Giants have not been active yet when it comes to a quarterback as we're waiting on that.”

He mentions specific player movements:

• Roy Robertson Harris, a defensive tackle signed for two years, aimed at bolstering the defensive line.
• Joshua Palmer, a wide receiver initially targeted by the Giants, has instead signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. Hahn speculates that Palmer may have preferred the Bills due to their stable offensive prospects.

Peter Rosenberg adds depth to the conversation by discussing the Giants' internal challenges, including organizational leadership and quarterback instability.

• Peter Rosenberg (01:34): “If I played football, loving the Giants as much as I love them now, would I do, would I be doing my career a service by going and signing with the Giants right now with all that instability when I've got other places to go?”

Rosenberg emphasizes the potential hesitancy of top players like Rogers to commit to the Giants under current conditions, contrasting them with more stable organizations like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Impact of Garrett Cole's Injury on the Yankees

The core of the episode centers around Garrett Cole's recent elbow injury and its ramifications for the Yankees' pitching rotation and overall season prospects.

Alan Hahn provides a detailed account of the injury timeline:

• Alan Hahn (04:55): “So Friday night the news broke that Cole was going to go for an MRI because he had discomfort in that elbow. He said he was concerned but optimistic.”

He recalls Cole's previous elbow issues from the prior year, which required a second opinion and ultimately led to a temporary recovery period. The recent injury suggests a more severe prognosis, potentially necessitating Tommy John surgery.

• Alan Hahn (05:31): “It was recommended that he get Tommy John surgery. I mean, that's it now that's the season.”

Peter Rosenberg expresses concern over the Yankees losing a key starting pitcher, especially following Luis Heel’s injury and the departure of Stanton.

• Peter Rosenberg (05:33): “The Yankees can still go out and get him if they want to. They still have a great bullpen.”

However, he questions the Yankees' financial flexibility to acquire high-end starting pitchers given their self-imposed salary cap constraints.

• Peter Rosenberg (07:16): “It's a self imposed salary cap. ... When you lose two starting pitchers, you just saw your best offensive player leave via free agency.”

Don McGregor interjects with a lighter anecdote about player trades, mentioning Lamarre Tunsil and the complexities of NFL transactions.

• Don McGregor (02:45): “By the way, my commies went out and got Lamarre Tunsil for a package of picks, which is...”

As the discussion progresses, Hahn and Rosenberg debate the Yankees' options moving forward, highlighting the challenges of replacing Cole and Heel without overspending or compromising team chemistry.

Alan Hahn (08:14): “To you if you lose him, how do you really. How do you tell yourself you can still win a World Series if you don't go out and trade for somebody's ace in July?”

• Peter Rosenberg (10:35): “He [Will Warren] was the one that bailed the Yankees out last year...”

Rosenberg underscores the importance of pitching depth and the difficulty of maintaining a competitive edge under current constraints.

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Listener Interaction: Defending Brian Cashman

The podcast features a call from a listener named Dan, who defends Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman amidst criticism for not extending Garrett Cole's contract.

• Dan (22:12): “I'm actually happy that he had again the wherewithal for not giving him the extension and actually signed him freed.”

Alan Hahn acknowledges Dan’s perspective, explaining Cole’s decision to opt back into free agency and lauding Cashman’s strategic choices.

• Alan Hahn (22:47): “You know, I got you, Dan, and I understand it. And look, by the way, it's one year, right?”

Peter Rosenberg adds that regardless of Cashman's decisions, fans are unlikely to retract their support due to his consistent leadership.

• Peter Rosenberg (23:19): “He'll be. Exactly.”

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Music and Pop Culture Banter

Transitioning from sports, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about music, showcasing their diverse tastes and nostalgic references.

• Peter Rosenberg (14:19): “I had. I was listening to Duran Duran. Ordinary World, and it's great...”

Alan Hahn defends his love for classic rock opera, specifically mentioning Meatloaf and his appreciation for "Bat Out of Hell".

• Alan Hahn (24:18): “I love Meatloaf. The food? Yeah.”

They reminisce about the cultural impact of artists and their performances, touching upon Andrew Dice Clay and his controversial persona.

• Peter Rosenberg (25:30): “But I think if this team is within striking distance, they're going to go for it...”

The conversation humorously veers into personal preferences and shared experiences with music, enhancing the show's personable and relaxed atmosphere.

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Closing Remarks and Advertisements

The episode concludes with promotional segments for various sponsors, including FanDuel, Uber Eats, Shopify, and Mint Mobile. The hosts briefly acknowledge these ads before wrapping up the discussion.

• Alan Hahn (27:23): “Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.”

• Peter Rosenberg (27:37): “Slayer Blood. There we go. Dave Lo...”

They encourage listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for future episodes, emphasizing the availability of the podcast on multiple platforms.

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Key Takeaways

• Garrett Cole's Injury: A significant blow to the Yankees' pitching rotation, potentially requiring Tommy John surgery, which raises concerns about the team's ability to remain competitive without major financial adjustments.

• Yankees' Financial Constraints: The Yankees face challenges in acquiring high-end pitching talent due to self-imposed salary caps and the loss of key offensive players like Juan Soto.

• Giants' Free Agency Strategy: The Giants remain cautious in free agency, with minor signings that may not substantially impact their performance, highlighting underlying organizational instability.

• Listener Engagement: Active participation from listeners, offering diverse perspectives on team management and player decisions.

• Cultural Interlude: The hosts' discussions on music and pop culture add a relatable and entertaining dimension to the podcast, balancing the intense sports analysis.

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Notable Quotes

• Alan Hahn (04:55): “Now he's going to get that, and remember Luis Heel already going to be out with the lat for a couple of months and now you lose Cole that leave.”

• Peter Rosenberg (07:16): “It's a self imposed salary cap. Obviously, they don't want to have to pay...”

• Dan (22:12): “I'm actually happy that he had again the wherewithal for not giving him the extension and actually signed him freed.”

• Alan Hahn (24:18): “I love Meatloaf. The food? Yeah.”

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Conclusion

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg effectively balance serious sports analysis with light-hearted banter, creating an engaging and informative listening experience. The episode "Hour 2: Cole Injury Concern" provides valuable insights into the Yankees' current challenges while maintaining a personable and relatable tone through music discussions and listener interactions.

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Connect with the Hosts:

• Listen Live: Weekday afternoons starting at 3 PM on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and smart speakers.
• Join the Conversation: Call-in number 800-919-3776.

Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms for on-demand listening.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers. All right into the 4:00 hour we go with Don McGregor, Peter Rosenberg, I'm Alan Hahn. 800-919-3776 is the number. You can be part of this conversation here with us. We keep an eye on the NFL free agency. The Giants. It's interesting guys. The Giants have not been active yet when it comes to a quarterback as we're waiting on that. But a couple of small little newsy things for them. Roy Robertson Harris is a defensive tackle that Jordan Renan has reported that they will sign for two years. They need depth at that defensive line. He certainly provides that a wide receiver that they had been reportedly targeting, Joshua Palmer from the Chargers. He's instead going to sign a three year, $36 million deal with the Bills. And I mean if you had a choice, I would think that the Bills.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would make sense when you know, Amani Toomer mentioned that nobody wants to play for the Giants because they hate Shane and the strong statement. But you know what, but the same could be true. The fact is is that they're not going to win a lot of face offs when you're going up against teams that have a chance to win. A team that has a quarterback in place, a team that has stable coaching, I mean they take a look around. You can respect the Giants organization all you want. Who's the quarterback? Is Shane and Dable going to be here beyond 25 if I'm a free agent? If I played football, loving the Giants as much as I love them now, would I do, would I be doing my career a service by going and signing with the Giants right now with all that instability when I've got other places to go? That's why there's no shot that Rogers chooses the Giants over the Steelers unless the Steelers decide? No. Or some people have suggested on Twitter does he have a problem with Tomlin, which I don't see. I've never heard. I've heard nothing but respect that Rogers has for Tomlin.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no. It's always been that mutual respect between the two of them. Yeah, I don't think that'd be an issue at all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're not gonna take his garbage.

[Don McGregor]

You know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think there's gonna be any garbage to take.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I don't think he's there, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They'Re not going to do that.

[Don McGregor]

By the way, my commies went out and got Laramie Tunsil for a package of picks, which is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was the one with the. The gas mask that. That age so well. Honestly, like at the time. At the time, it's like, oh, my.

[Don McGregor]

God, he's a maniac. He's dangerous. He's wearing a gas mask.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He helped it because he's going to go to the hall of Fame. So it would have still been worth the pick. But just to think that that was a thing.

[Don McGregor]

And then we also. This is what I hate about football, though. Diami Brown comes along as the season goes on. By the second half of the year, I go, oh, my God, they finally have a number. Like a number two to Terry McLaurin. This is pretty good.

[Alan Hahn]

He gone.

[Don McGregor]

He gone. One year, 10 million. Jacksonville, see ya. It's so hard to read it with these football teams, man.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, how about reading with the baseball teams as we get closer? That's easy.

[Don McGregor]

It's called a horror novel.

[Alan Hahn]

This feels like it, doesn't it? Or the news over the weekend with Garrett Cole. After we saw Friday when he. Just remember Donnie, we were doing the show. He got picked, pounded. Yeah, like, this isn't good. And you wondered, was he just trying, you know, trying stuff. You know how they do that. Like a lot of veterans. I was trying to pitch today, it didn't work. They just hit. Yeah, they hit it out of the park seven times. This. This is getting worse and worse. So Friday night the news broke that Cole was going to go for an MRI because he had discomfort in that elbow. He said he was concerned but optimistic. Now, we remember last year at this time, he had concern with the elbow. There was some. Some issues there. He got a second opinion and they told him, no, you don't need surgery. And he just needed a couple of. What was it, a couple of months before he came back. Right. And then he came back. And by the way, how good was he in the playoffs? He was really good. But this now is becoming worse and worse because the suggestion that he might need, though, that he was. It was recommended that he get Tommy John surgery. I mean, that's it now that's the season. Now he's. He's going to get another second opinion and we'll see where it goes. But the sense is that he's probably going to need that. And that now takes with remember Luis Heel already going to be out with the lat for a couple of months and now you lose Cole that leave. I mean, you think about it now don't. The Juan Soto decision and them losing Juan Soto. Imagine if they did give him all that money, which means they don't get Max free and still these two injuries happen at least again, losing Garrett Cole, you're still. You're up against it even as bad as the American League. But at least they got Max Freed. Am I crazy to say at least they got Max Freed. And so this is awful, but it could have been way worse for them. They might not have made the playoffs if they didn't have Max free.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that fair? It's very fair.

[Alan Hahn]

And he'll again, we don't know months, who knows?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Remember with Heel, he was the one that bailed the Yankees out last year. When you didn't have Cole, he pitched out of his mind. Basically won the rookie of the Year in the first couple of months, waiting for Cole to come back. Then you add Cole and you go on and win the American League. I still think it's a playoff team because the American League is weak and because of Soto not re signing with the Yankees, there's flexibility financially for them to add other pieces. There's still guys out there that they can go out and get. So I wouldn't panic too much, but this is your stud. This is the guy that goes beyond seven innings. This is your stopper. And the strength of the Yankees was their starting rotation. And you just lost a Cy Young Award winner. And then the next year the rookie of the Year.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, it's also true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In one offs, in one spring, your.

[Alan Hahn]

Two best righties now not available. Yeah, right. He will be out until probably May or whatever. He can't even throw for a couple of weeks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So there's, you know, he and Cole, your two best righties. You got two solid lefties. Radon, obviously, with Freed and guess who now all of a sudden becomes very important to this organization.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that's why I said he should have kept his mouth shut. And that's Stroman. Oh, I'm a starter. If he, if he didn't say anything, he would have. It would have been fine. He's. He's going to be the number three starter he went from out of the bullpen to now a guy that's going to be a major force and maybe pitching in playoff games if he has a good regular season, just by the sheer numbers of it. So he's fine. Good thing you have him and that's how important pitching is. But Dylan Cease is still there. They can go out and get him if they want to. They still have a great bullpen.

[Alan Hahn]

But aren't they up again? Aren't they at this budget now? Well, like, if they're holding to this budget that this is as much as we're spending this year, we're not going over it. How are they going to go out and get somebody who has a bigger country?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, listen, it's not a salary cap as we know. It's a self imposed salary cap.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Obviously, they don't want to have to pay. They don't want to lose international money. They don't want to lose draft picks and all that because of the revenue sharing, the tax that they have. There's not a cap, per se. But how far do you want to take it, Alan? Like, it's one thing to say, I believe that we could win with these financial constraints we put on ourselves. We don't need a $300 million payroll to win. But when you lose two starting pitchers, you just saw your best offensive player leave via free agency. At what point do you change it and say, all right, well, now maybe we need to spend a little money because now it's not excess. Now I'm trying to replace what we lost and he'll come back at some point. But if Cole has Tommy John, that's it. Done.

[Alan Hahn]

Done.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See, we'll see you next spring.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Which then would affect the beginning of next year, too. You got to do something. So don't you try to kind of move the finish line a little bit when you see that things have happened.

[Alan Hahn]

To you if you lose him, how do you really. How do you tell yourself you can still win a World Series if you don't go out and trade for somebody's ace in July? Like somebody that doesn't want to pay someone and you just take them as a. As a rental? Like that's the only other option I could think. No, you get to July. That's what you got to do.

[Don McGregor]

You don't. You're saying a healthy Marcus Stroman doesn't replace Scar Cole?

[Alan Hahn]

It's shocking, I know. Is that a bad take? But honestly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's bad.

[Alan Hahn]

Their lineup already without. Think about it. Their lineup already without Stanton and we. You don't know when the hell you're getting him back.

[Don McGregor]

Well, by the way. And let's start before that.

[Alan Hahn]

Multiple PRPs.

[Don McGregor]

Let's start before that. You lost. You lost a guy who is. I mean you could literally have made an argument he was the best player on the team but second best player in Juan Soto. We can't forget that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That he's already gone.

[Don McGregor]

All right, now, now playoff G. It might be a wrap until the playoffs. Who knows.

[Alan Hahn]

Third base is a platoon.

[Don McGregor]

So now you find out and boy, boy, my take about. About not spending money on starting pitching.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It ages.

[Don McGregor]

Like Don, what's better than fine one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean this takes.

[Don McGregor]

Keeps getting better. It is. You bank everything on a guy who plays every five days and then God forbid you lose the guy. I mean this is really bad. Are we going to keep acting like there's not something up with this team and injuries? Is there no way to allocate any blame anywhere?

[Alan Hahn]

They're not the only. They're not the only.

[Don McGregor]

But this is now. Year after year, they're star players are gone. It just seems like Don. It's always somewhere.

[Alan Hahn]

Cole had a lot of mileage on.

[Don McGregor]

Him when you got him and never had Tommy John.

[Alan Hahn]

There's that.

[Don McGregor]

So I guess, you know, it could happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like this is the one thing where I won't kill the Yankees because I just think this is the starting pitching that you're going to lose somebody. That's why you. You need depth.

[Alan Hahn]

I think everybody dealt with this, you know, like whether it's last year, but this year you're seeing teams like it's. I'm not saying this is a Yankee issue, but I don't think it's a Yankee issue.

[Don McGregor]

So is it just.

[Alan Hahn]

It's just feels like some guys that he brought in that have a history of injuries, they're going to get hurt and they do, no surprise. But then other guys get hurt. So it piles on to the ones that are already. That's what the problem is.

[Don McGregor]

The ones that they bring in that have a history of being hurt, they've had ones who then literally never get on the field. Like they brought in someone who has a history of being hurt. But don't worry, we'll get them on the field. Can't even get them on the field.

[Alan Hahn]

Never gets on the field.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. All right, so now you're looking at Rodon Freed, Stroman, Schmidt. It's not enough.

[Alan Hahn]

No. Will Warren probably right. Virginia. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So does Warren Become the heel from last year. Pitches out of his mind. You would hope so. You know, the reason here's how you talk yourself into I could still win the. I could still go to the World.

[Alan Hahn]

Series, still get to the World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that the American League is still weak. You know, the. Baltimore's got to prove to me that they can do it in a big spot.

[Alan Hahn]

They don't have to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Red Sox improved enough. Blue Jays, I still think the Yankees can win the division. And then you navigate through the playoffs, you hope to pick somebody up the trade deadline, there'll be some pitcher out there available on a losing team. There's flexibility there for them to improve. But right now, with what they have, it doesn't look good.

[Alan Hahn]

This puts a lot of pressure on Brian Cashman, boys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He loves this. He loves the challenge.

[Alan Hahn]

You think so? Because this, this. Now all eyes are on him. Not right now, because right now it's hard to, you know, you're not going to do Dylan Cease here. It doesn't make sense. You don't show desperation. Let's see how it goes. Like you said, if they want to give the ball to Will Warren and they see if maybe he could build off of spring training and turn it into something, because last year he wasn't great. But see, if that becomes something, then you can say, all right, you know what? We can, we can manage. We can manage. And if it doesn't, and you get to June and you start saying to yourself, all right, look around the league. Who are some pitchers that could be available at the trade deadline and who are some pitchers that we could target that could fill a need that we have that are basically rentals? The only problem is, is what do you really do there? Because you know every team is going to want to just completely gut you. You're the Yankees. And there's certain players in this organization that you, you cannot like. If they don't have an answer at third base, then you can't. You can't trade that kid. Right? You can't. You can't make that move. Lombard can't be traded for a pitcher like you. Like, you can't sacrifice now, you can't sacrifice later. For now, this is not a situation. They are not like a team on the cusp. And hey, this will put us over top. We can win a World Series. And so let's make this move. I don't think so. They might have to pass on somebody that could be a really good pitcher for them to bring in. And yet it's going to cost them too much because whatever team is going to you know they're going to try to steal something to make. How desperate are you? Brian Cashman this might be a season. As a Yankees fan, you have to accept the fact that they're not willing to pay the price to acquire a high end starting pitcher to make up. Oh, just for what? So we can give it? So we can make a run again? No, it's not worth it in my opinion.

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[Don McGregor]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's so interesting you say that because you can look at the flip side and say, you know, how long do I have Aaron Judge at this level? You know, he's. He's. He's north of 30 now. You know, again, you lost Cole, but you had, like, this window of. You've got older players.

[Alan Hahn]

You would have to be, what, 10 or more games over, like, in the lead, in first place in your division. Like, you'd have to have one of the best records in baseball to even consider it. I think it would be a huge mistake if they considered any of that stuff. You can't do it. Dominguez can't be traded. None of them can be traded. You can't do this with an old organization. With DJ LeMay who can't move anymore with Stan, clearly can't. Like, how much more can you rely on him? You're talking about Judge. I'll have Judge for five more years. These other guys are clearly not going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To be available anymore. Philosophy going into the season.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it wasn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When you give the Gantt contract to Goldschmidt, he's 37 years old, gonna be 38.

[Alan Hahn]

He's only here for, what, a year?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he was here for a. Because this was a really important year, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, if everybody was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't lose Juan Soto and go, okay, now it's time to rebuild.

[Alan Hahn]

Things change. This is. This was the year when you thought, okay, Stanton will come in and he'll be all right, and Cole's gonna have cold. Comes off a great postseason, and he'll be fine. We just added freeze. Now we got the lefty, righty. Like, we're great at the top. Like, now you're set up to say, we'll make another run in it, but then you have these injuries. I know my situation just changed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's what's so. See, I hate it. I need to say it because you're right, but I think if this team is within striking distance, they're going to go for it. Now, if you, if you're. They're 10 games under, they'll obviously pull the plug, right? Because what's the sense, Right? But if they still think they can make the playoffs, they're going to go for it. This is a very important year. And also, I don't know this for fact, but I'm sure they're keeping an eye on what the Mets are doing. You know, if the Mets are going to the playoffs, I'm sure the Yankees want To follow suit. They don't want to have the first year without Juan Soto. Mets in the playoffs, Yankees not.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you can use the injury as an excuse.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You could. But if you have the wherewithal to still make moves to go for it. Are the fans gonna let you sit there and not be competitive and say, listen, we're thinking about our future? Because remember, Stan's not getting any younger. Cole's gonna come back. He's not getting any younger.

[Alan Hahn]

But if Stan's got PRP on these elbows and they're talking about excruciatingly painful elbows, that doesn't sound like a guy that by August will be smacking 450 foot home runs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know the movie Interstellar, which. Not stellar, but interesting. And they're on the water planet and each second that goes by and Peter, I don't know if you've ever seen it.

[Don McGregor]

I've never seen Interstellar.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like there's a tick in the soundtrack. When they're on the water planet that represents each day that's going by on Earth. So they're there for like 10 minutes. They come back and it's like all these years later, that's like Aaron Judge. It's like it's ticking. His biological baseball clock is ticking. Like every year you don't win with the Judge, he gets older. And so I don't know if the Yankees would ever take a knee unless they're like mathematically eliminated. I think the DNA is always to try to go for it. So I don't know if they would. It would, it would probably be really like double digits out of a playoff spot before. I think they would really think about taking a knee on the scene.

[Alan Hahn]

I would be. I honestly, and I know it's easy to say now before games start and then watching, losing, whatever it is. I would be furious if they gave up significant prospects who are not that far away, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, I don't think they. I don't think Brian Cashman is going to start mortgaging the farm for a fugazi run. But they're not going to just stay pat and say we're not going to do it. They'll make some moves.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, they'll.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, of course, they might have to compromise what they want.

[Alan Hahn]

They'll get a guy. But I like going for somebody of significance. You know, you mentioned cease. I don't know what he would cost. Like, again, I don't. I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would think that would cost you a lot. I don't know. For A fact.

[Alan Hahn]

Not doing it. I'm not doing it. I'm not going to do that for a year like this. When this year is telling you this season is screaming at you, this ain't it. And it might be. It might be time to consider that the age of some of these players and you got to get younger.

[Don McGregor]

Is there a world in which. In a world the expectations can be just low, like they are for most teams. And Yankee fans could be pleasantly surprised if their team shows heart and fights and does something good in spite of a team that's in a bad place. And you could just like, just enjoy the season.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a great question. Fantastic question. And I will answer this. But if you tell me Cole is. If I'm. If we get the press release tomorrow, Tommy John surgery done for the season. Right. And I already know heel situation and I know Stanton's situation, I would probably sit back and tell myself, as a fan, lower your expectations.

[Don McGregor]

How would you not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you gotta lower your expectations.

[Don McGregor]

You gotta be a psychopath. You have to be an actual sociopath to.

[Alan Hahn]

Not. By the way, Yankees fans, are you new to them?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well done.

[Alan Hahn]

We're supposed to win. Cashmen should go out and just trade for every all star you could do when you. George would do it. No, he wouldn't. Like, you just got to know. You just got to know going into the year. You know what? Now I want to see what is, you know, like jazz and Vulpil. What does that look like? You know, how does Goldschmidt look? How does Bellinger look? Judge, can you give me a season where he's just, you know, out of his mind? I could be fun. Like, it's little things that I'd be watching without the expectations of. We gotta get back to the World Series. That is gone from my thinking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I. But let's reassess at the deadline, right? Well, July 31, of course. Three games out of a wild card spot.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but are you going to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, no, don't do anything. Are you going to be salivating, saying, let's just. Maybe if we just get in.

[Alan Hahn]

If they ask for Lombard, if they ask for any. No, no, of course those guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, Cashman's not going to do that. You know, you're not going to have to do that. They'll ask. They're going to ask for it all they want and they'll have to pass. Yeah, I don't think they would do.

[Alan Hahn]

Remember, it was Volpe they were asking for. For what's his face from Seattle the pitcher they were supposed to get. Bart always messes up his name, Jake. Bart always kills his name. Castillo. Right? Castillo.

[Don McGregor]

Oh, boy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Seattle, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

God bless you, Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

We had a run, it was good. So how about how I remember names now is remembering them the wrong way? This is how I remember people.

[Don McGregor]

How did Bart used to say that name?

[Alan Hahn]

Castillo. Yeah, that's the guy. That's. But, but they asked for Volpe and they wouldn't pay it. Now, in hindsight, some people thought like that year, if you gotten him, maybe you had a chance, but they didn't do it. And is that the, Was that the right move? Yes, it was. But at the time, people were frustrated.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The main guys, I mean, I don't know what, what, what the other prospects are, but like Volpe, we were hearing about Volpe for years. He's going to be the next Derek G. Like, there's going to be certain guys that are not going to be on the table now, but they, I don't. They're still going to try to do something.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's take Dan in Saratoga. Dan. Dan, how are you, Dan?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hi, Dan.

[Caller]

Hey, how you doing, guys?

[Alan Hahn]

What's up?

[Caller]

Hey. I actually want to call and defend Brian Cashman, believe it or not.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Caller]

For having the wherewithal to not given the extension of Cole. You know, I mean, this elbow wasn't a matter of if, it was just a matter of when. So I'm actually happy that he had again the wherewithal for not giving him the extension and actually signed him freed. I know it's an eight year contract with him, but I don't know, I, I think he's actually not doing that bad of a job. I know people are giving him a hard time right now, but I just, I don't know, I'm just. This is how I feel about it.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, I got you, Dan, and I understand it. And look, by the way, it's one year, right? It was only the one year he opted out. They weren't going to give it to him. They said go ahead and go to free agency. And he realized, you know what, I kind of like it here. I don't want to move. And so he just opted back in and that was the end of that. It was the smart thing to do, certainly. But you know, like, we all know there's no chance that a Yankee fan is going to back off Brian Cashman. They're always going to. He is going to be on seat even when he wins a World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, win another one.

[Alan Hahn]

He'll be. Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he's the one that said it's not about a championship, about championships, so he kind of dug his own grave there.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

So now a quick. I know it's all quick. Really quick music thing. Alan, I know you love Tears of Fears. I do, too.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Caller]

I'm going to one up your Tears of Fears for Duran Duran.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow. Which. All right. Wait, wait.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Though it's got to be early Duran.

[Alan Hahn]

Is it Rio?

[Caller]

Yes. So on my playlist. Peter will appreciate this. I had. I was listening to Duran Duran. Ordinary World, and it's great song to the Little Way in the Block is hot. That's how eclectic I am.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Ordinary. Wow. But Ordinary World is actually a fantastic song. They don't get enough credit for that one because they're known for more, like the bubblegum pop stuff. Right.

[Caller]

That was the guy that laughed at the Renee comment last week.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So sorry about that. You know, the other the no skips that I didn't think of is Bat out of Hell Meatloaf. I was listening to it on the flight to Ottawa.

[Alan Hahn]

I got to be honest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really awesome.

[Alan Hahn]

Totally honest. I never really got into meatloaf. No. No.

[Don McGregor]

What about the food?

[Alan Hahn]

I love meatloaf. The food? Yeah.

[Don McGregor]

Little mashed potato inside.

[Alan Hahn]

God, it's nothing better than that.

[Don McGregor]

That's America.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, now, now, here's the question. Little barbecue sauce. Well, how are we doing? How are we making?

[Don McGregor]

I. I prefer ketchup. I'm a ketchup man.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm a good old American mozzarella inside and a little bit of sauce. Oh, it's like a big meatball.

[Don McGregor]

It's not kosher. My mom can't make it anymore. It's gone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

My cheat day, I went to Bogey's Hoagies is over by my mom in Hawthorne, New Jersey.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, Bogey.

[Don McGregor]

That might have been a drop. It was long, but that may have been a drop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Had a meatloaf sandwich with gravy.

[Don McGregor]

You're such an American.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really?

[Don McGregor]

That's why he's 80s Jersey, New Jersey.

[Alan Hahn]

I want the gravy all over the beer. Just making a mess.

[Don McGregor]

Just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Bad out of Hell.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not feeling it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Paradise by the Dashboard Line.

[Alan Hahn]

It's all right. It's all right.

[Don McGregor]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's one of the greatest albums of all time. It really is.

[Don McGregor]

But isn't meatloaf, like, a taste? Like, not just the food, but the artist? Like, it's. It's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's very rock opera ish.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don McGregor]

That's what felt to me. But I'VE never. I only knew what was his big late thing.

[Alan Hahn]

I would do anything for love. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would do anything for.

[Don McGregor]

You know what he sounds like? You know what he sounds like? You know the great movie with Jason Siegel where he makes the puppet opera.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, God.

[Don McGregor]

Movie where he.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes. Sarah Marshall.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don McGregor]

Meatloaf sounds like the music that Jason Siegel makes in forgetting Sarah Marshall. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's acquired.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can see Hell's was. Was a huge hit. Yeah. It's definitely considered. It doesn't have. Listen, music is taste. But that is one of the great albums of all time. I told you that. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Your, your music tastes. You're never wrong. No one's ever wrong. Cause it's what appeals to you. You asked me and I'm telling you. It's the one thing I never. People love it. I've heard it a million times. I just. It's like it's all right for me. I could live without it, but if it's on, I don't turn it off. Does that make sense?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it makes sense. But that was one that I thought of. That was. That's no skips. No skips because I popped it on in the plane. On the plane. Just relaxing.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No skips. I didn't have to Skip.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm with you. 800-919-3776. We have Enn. Coming up next. Don Juan Rosenberg. 880 ESPN.

[Unknown]

It's time for basketball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Uber Eats is dropping deals on game day favorites to keep you locked in on the action. Like when you're craving a buzzer beater.

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Or when an upset makes you want to ugly cry into a pizza.

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don McGregor]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Slayer Blood. There we go. Dave Lo. I don't know if this is your thing.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no. This. This is. This is like Eastbound lie, past the 60s. Like, you got to be at least 64, 65 exit and, you know, like, at that point, there is no speed limit. T. Tops off now. This is just. This is bang. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jake, what's the significance? Because the album came out in 86.

[Unknown]

This was actually produced by Rick Rubin.

[Alan Hahn]

So of course it was. He's so good, right? Tremendous.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter was, like, suggesting impropriety with Rick Rubin, and I need to know what he was.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, there's something deeper. No, I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When I brought up the. That didn't age well with the data. Laughter dies. I.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, it wasn't about. More about Dice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. I gotta ask Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it was more about Dice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, listen, that did not age dice in the 90s, that comedy.

[Alan Hahn]

That was 80s dice. That was 80s, man. You know, he was in. Was it Sixteen candles? No, not 16. What am I saying? What's the one. You know, the one Ducky and what was that called?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, not 16. Pretty pink.

[Alan Hahn]

Pretty in Pink.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pretty in Pink.

[Don McGregor]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

He was the bouncer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he was also. He was an injured soldier in mash.

[Alan Hahn]

What?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he goes back.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, you ever watch, like, old reruns now of, like, classic shows, and you see, like, famous actors when they were really young. You could tell that was, like, first break.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is pretty cool.

[Alan Hahn]

And you watch, like. Oh, my God, look who that is. Like. Like Beverly Hills Cop. The. The tough. The. The bad guys, like henchmen. Yeah, the one that beats up Eddie Murphy. Right. All that stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. And he was in Breaking Bad.

[Alan Hahn]

Breaking Bad, Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I don't know him. Anything else between.

[Alan Hahn]

Has he done anything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was. That was absolutely brilliant.

[Alan Hahn]

But the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not defending Dice's behavior back in the late 80s, but it was a character, and the character was based off of Buddy Love.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

From the Jerry Lewis movie Nutty Professor. Yeah, that's where he got that character.

[Alan Hahn]

From, the whole thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So it was just an act. But the problem is, it was an act, but the fans ate it up as if it wasn't.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what made it how you're supposed to act. Because I was in, like, seventh grade, and we were just repeating those lines one after, you know, Little Miss Muffet. Like, that's all we were doing.

[Don McGregor]

I don't think I realized till this, that. And now that I think about it, of course it makes sense. Like, I did know it was an act, but I didn't think about it from that context. That in some ways, in some ways it's almost like an Archie Bunker act.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, yes.

[Don McGregor]

Like, you're making fun of being this way.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don McGregor]

But the problem is a lot of the people who liked it are like, no, no. I just think that that's, that's how I think.

[Alan Hahn]

Especially the. What he was doing at that time was a lot of similar type. People related to it and thought, yeah, that's exactly what it's about.

[Don McGregor]

Not realizing. He's like, I'm making fun of.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, legit making fun of him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know if the. I don't know if the, if the actual Andrew Dice Clay was the opposite of that character, though. Like, Carroll O'Connor was the polar opposite.

[Don McGregor]

That's why he did you. Character, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And people, including my dad, like, he watched that like it was a documentary, you know, and.

[Don McGregor]

Which is a telling piece of information.

[Alan Hahn]

If. Eat it. But how many of us, like, did you have a grandfather did that? Like, he'd say something, say, huh?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like my mom.

[Alan Hahn]

He would end every sentence with, ha.

[Peter Rosenberg]

My mom, get me the coffee.

[Alan Hahn]

Huh?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Whenever I tell her something, all right, mom, we're gonna juvenile. We're gonna pick you up and see. Ha. And then answer the question. Like, she'll say, hey, as if she didn't hear it, but then still answer the question.

[Don McGregor]

She heard it. What was the point of the ha?

[Alan Hahn]

It's just what they do. It's that generation. Hey, listen up, Knicks fans. Here's your once in a lifetime opportunity to win a meet and greet with Knicks legend John starks in the ESPN New York Suite on Saturday, March 30, when the Knicks take on Portland. Enter for your chance to win on the ESPN New York app [e-mail] it's brought to you by John Starks. Kia Starks Ford of Queens and your home for Knicks basketball, ESPN New York. We got lots of calls to get to 800 now at 93776 and a lot more to get into, including the jets and the Giants as free agency has begun. The latest on them. The jets got a quarterback and where they go from here now? And the Giants still waiting on a quarterback. What's the right move for them to make? Garrett Cole's injury. What it might mean to the Yankee season, the Rangers at a loss weekend, and so much more. But first, Peter, a message.

[Don McGregor]

Yes, guys, this week FanDuel is bringing you a dog of the Day profit boost token. One of the best parts about the tourney is when an underdog takes down a powerhouse. How appropriate for me this week and right now, those upsets can get even better because if your underdog bet wins, you'll land even more winnings with a profit boost. This is your chance to ride with the long shots, the scrappy teams, the ones that refuse to go quietly. You know, I'm picking whoever wins that Georgia Tech, Virginia to beat Duke. Okay, and if you've been waiting to join FanDuel, there's no better time. The app is easy to use and when you win, you get paid instantly. Just visit FanDuel.com Peter to download America's number one sportsbook today. All right. And get that dog of the day with a profit boost. Because after all, anything can happen in March 21and over and physically present in New York. Opt and required wager of at least a plus 100 odds. Required bonus issued as non withdrawable profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including any token expiration and max wager amount. See [e-mail] for help with the gambling problem. Call 8778-Open Wire Text open wide 467-369.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

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