Hour 2: Cowboy Peter & Thursday Rewrite

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary: Hour 2: Cowboy Peter & Thursday Rewrite

Release Date: May 1, 2025

In the second episode of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg navigate a diverse array of topics, blending humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful sports analysis. From viral social media incidents and concert preparations to in-depth discussions on baseball strategies and broadcasting legacies, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging listening experience.

---

1. Viral Road Rage Incident

The episode opens with a disturbing discussion about a viral video featuring a woman involved in a road rage incident.

• Anthony (01:08):

  "TMZ has a video out there of a woman having a road rage incident… she decided to defecate on the hood of someone's car."

Don Hahn expresses his discomfort with the graphic nature of the content and debates whether to delve deeper into the incident.

• Don Hahn (01:05):

  "Do you want to describe it, Peter, at all, or do you just want to leave that one alone?"

The conversation highlights the trio's ability to tackle sensitive topics with a balance of empathy and discretion.

---

2. Concert Plans and Outfit Banter

Shifting to lighter subjects, the hosts discuss their plans to attend major concerts at MetLife Stadium and the humorous dilemmas surrounding concert attire.

• Anthony (01:50):

  "I am 100% going to see Beyonce at MetLife Stadium Memorial Day weekend."

The discussion humorously revolves around Anthony's consideration of wearing cowboy boots and chaps to the Beyoncé concert, sparking playful teasing among the hosts.

• Peter Rosenberg (04:52):

  "But I am considering one thing… assless chaps. Yeah."

• Don Hahn (05:02):

  "Why did you take it there?"

The banter showcases the camaraderie and lighthearted interactions that define the podcast's dynamic.

---

3. Caller Interactions: Knicks and Yankees-Mets Analysis

Listeners call in with their thoughts on the New York Knicks' performance and the ongoing rivalry between the Yankees and the Mets.

• Derek from Brooklyn (08:05):

  "Two inches is always important… Peter, swear to God, if you…"

Don Hahn addresses concerns about being perceived as biased towards the Knicks, navigating the fine line between professional analysis and team loyalty.

The conversation deepens into a strategic analysis of Juan Soto's potential signing with the Yankees instead of the Mets, setting the stage for the episode's creative segment.

---

4. Thursday Rewrite: Alternate Baseball Scenario

In the unique "Thursday Rewrite" segment, the hosts utilize ChatGPT to explore an alternate reality where Juan Soto signs with the Yankees instead of the Mets. This imaginative exercise examines the hypothetical impacts on both teams.

• Don Hahn (27:11):

  "Thursday rewrite is the segment where we take headlines from the past and rewrite them as if something else happened instead."

The AI-generated analysis suggests significant shifts in team performances, with the Yankees enhancing their offensive capabilities and the Mets struggling without Soto. However, Don and Peter critically assess these outcomes, pointing out potential oversights such as financial constraints and player dynamics.

• Peter Rosenberg (31:36):

  "It's a matter of fact, I've lost confidence in the product."

This segment underscores the hosts' commitment to scrutinizing every angle, even when presented with advanced AI insights.

---

5. Honoring Joe Micheletti's Retirement

The podcast pays heartfelt tribute to Joe Micheletti, the long-time Rangers broadcaster, upon his retirement after 19 years of service.

• Don Hahn (44:36):

  "Joe Micheletti announced that he also was retiring. He will retire now himself, after 19 years as a Rangers broadcaster."

Peter and Don reminisce about Micheletti's professionalism, deep knowledge of the game, and his enduring legacy in sports broadcasting.

• Peter Rosenberg (46:54):

  "He was so good and he knew the league and spoke to coaches and general managers… he was a savant that way."

This segment highlights the importance of legacy and the impact one individual can have on a sports community.

---

6. Closing Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the breadth of topics covered, from viral incidents and personal concert plans to intricate sports strategies and broadcasting tributes. The engaging interplay between Don, Alan, and Peter ensures that listeners are both entertained and informed.

Notable Quotes:

• Anthony (01:50):

  "I am 100% going to see Beyonce at MetLife Stadium Memorial Day weekend."

• Peter Rosenberg (04:52):

  "But I am considering one thing… assless chaps. Yeah."

• Don Hahn (27:11):

  "Thursday rewrite is the segment where we take headlines from the past and rewrite them as if something else happened instead."

• Peter Rosenberg (31:36):

  "It's a matter of fact, I've lost confidence in the product."

• Peter Rosenberg (46:54):

  "He was so good and he knew the league and spoke to coaches and general managers… he was a savant that way."

---

This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" masterfully balances lighthearted humor with serious sports analysis, making it a must-listen for fans seeking both entertainment and insightful commentary.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Chevy Silverado. When it's time for you to ditch the blacktop and head off road, do it in a truck that says no to nothing. The Chevy Silverado Trail boss. Get the rugged capability of its Z71 suspension and 2 inch factory lift, plus impressive torque and towing capacity, thanks to an available Duramax 3 liter turbo diesel engine. Where other trucks call it quits, you'll just be getting started. Visit chevy.com to learn more.

[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. This is how you're a bad friend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who's that?

[Don Hahn]

Like Peter found. Peter came across a pretty disgusting video on social media. And it was. Do you want to describe it, Peter, at all, or do you just want to leave that one alone? Cause I just feel like what Anthony did walking out of the room was. That's a bad guy. It's a bad guy. Not as bad as her.

[Anthony]

Well, yes.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, no. Well, let's.

[Anthony]

It's a.

[Don Hahn]

Thank God she wasn't in the room.

[Anthony]

TMZ has a video out there of a woman having a road rage incident. Don. And she was so enraged that she decided to defecate on the hood of someone's car.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

And so Peter decides to show Anthony the video. And when he turned to me, I said, I'm good. I'm all set. Like, I just had lunch. I don't need to see this. So Anthony decided as he's walking out, he's like, think of mustard and then close the door. And I'm just like, now I'm.

[Anthony]

He actually referenced the. The Kendrick Lamar song, and he went mustard. Which is. It was disgusting. No, there's no question. By the way, I'm in a tough spot right now.

[Don Hahn]

Tough spot.

[Anthony]

Before we get to the Yankees. Well, I am 100% going to see Beyonce at MetLife Stadium Memorial Day weekend. Very excited. It's on the calendar. I haven't picked my tickets yet, but it's happening. But then Kendrick Lamar and SZA are at MetLife Stadium next week. And I gotta tell you guys, going to the Venetian blind twice in two weeks, that's a big ask.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Especially these are nothing shows.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, not at all. Now are you getting. Now, if you're gonna. If you're gonna. If you're gonna lay down the dough to go to some of these shows like this, you're not driving yourself, right? You're not driving in Parking.

[Anthony]

See, it's a great question that you ask.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, if you're going in, you.

[Anthony]

Go all in and get a car.

[Don Hahn]

Come on, man. You're not parking. Tell me you're not parking.

[Anthony]

I haven't thought. Thought I only had like. I haven't decided on the ticket bracket I'm doing for Beyonce and like, drop. Why was that?

[Don Hahn]

You know, you're. I'm already going already.

[Anthony]

No, I don't know what I'm getting. No, no, listen, I'm getting. I'm getting friends and family tickets, of course.

[Don Hahn]

But I. Oh, there it is. These are all first four, Parliament.

[Anthony]

But by the way, I'm telling you right now, the quote unquote, friends, family, ticket. I don't treat family like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

These are still.

[Anthony]

These are very pricey tickets.

[Don Hahn]

Like, I treat family better than this.

[Anthony]

I am going to spend more to take my wife to Beyonce than I've ever spent on another show in my life. I. I don't think I've ever been past like 200 bucks for a ticket.

[Don Hahn]

Is Beyonce the be all end all for her?

[Peter Rosenberg]

We.

[Anthony]

No, no, she's probably her top artist.

[Don Hahn]

She's.

[Anthony]

She's on the. On the Spotify. Year end wrapped. She was like in the top 1%. Like, she's a big fan.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Anthony]

But Natalie likes a lot of stuff. It's more that for us. Cowboy Carter, like, Natalie and I have been together. We just hit five years since we met. Cowboy Carter was our first true. The album came out and was like our album together. So it's a meaningful couple.

[Don Hahn]

I feel you.

[Anthony]

So I'm gonna go in. But I've never done 500 bucks a ticket for something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How much?

[Anthony]

Yeah, I think that's where I'm gonna be at. Yeah, it's 500 smackaroos done per.

[Don Hahn]

That's actually pretty cheap from the ones I saw.

[Anthony]

Yeah, well, yeah. I mean, I'm not.

[Don Hahn]

So then you definitely are getting a car, because that's. No, not so.

[Anthony]

I'm already in for a thousand bucks, though. How much am I gonna spend to get a car service?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on, you know people.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. To and from.

[Anthony]

Oh, Don, I hear what you're saying.

[Don Hahn]

Drop off, pickup.

[Anthony]

Don, I know you're talking about.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yeah, Don knows somebody.

[Anthony]

You're talking about Elite reaching out to my. My good friend Gary at Elite. That's what you're talking about?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Take care of you?

[Anthony]

Yeah, I mean, you know what?

[Don Hahn]

I gotta do it.

[Anthony]

And he's Jersey based. It may have to be a car service situation. Right. Because you don't want to be running to a. Running from the parking lot.

[Don Hahn]

Oh God, no.

[Anthony]

You got to go with class.

[Don Hahn]

Yes. You get out. You know, look a little more vip. Come on.

[Anthony]

By the way, how about this?

[Don Hahn]

Park your car a little chirp chirp. Start walking with people.

[Anthony]

That's what I normally do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm a normal person now.

[Anthony]

Now, real quick, you one more thing to add to this. By the way. You know, people dress up for these concerts like the Beyonce. So you know it's a cowboy Carter. It's a country thing. Right. So all the girls would be wearing big cowboy hats. That's like a whole thing. I'm not doing that.

[Don Hahn]

Please don't.

[Anthony]

But I am considering one thing.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, what do you got stirrups?

[Anthony]

I'm considering getting chaps. Assless chaps. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm going to say. Why did you take it there?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I didn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just.

[Anthony]

Chaps I think of are ass.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why is that?

[Anthony]

I don't know.

[Don Hahn]

We know why.

[Anthony]

It's the only way I use that phrase. No, I was considering because I've always been curious about what. What the. What the heels could do for me.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, some boots.

[Anthony]

Considering a pair of cowboy boots. Look at you now. I'm not. I wouldn't buy new ones because they're very expensive. I've been looking on ebay like getting.

[Don Hahn]

An old pair of worn in anyway. Better like a worn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You what?

[Anthony]

Give myself a nice. Alan. I could grab. Let me be careful.

[Don Hahn]

You might hit five seven.

[Anthony]

You're a terrible guy. But I could hit five ten. I could get from five eight to five ten.

[Don Hahn]

Not bad.

[Anthony]

Two inches are important. You know what I mean?

[Don Hahn]

I mean you get them where you can get. I wouldn't know. Natalie might. But I just think for you it's. You got to at least have one element and the boots are probably a great idea.

[Anthony]

I don. You're disgusted by it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm disgusted. What? He's not a country guy. He doesn't wear country.

[Don Hahn]

He's not wearing a hat though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why don't you get a red baseball cap?

[Anthony]

No. Oh my.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. Hold on.

[Anthony]

Don. It's.

[Don Hahn]

That's a. That's somewhere else. We just went off the rail.

[Anthony]

It's the Beyonce meanwhile.

[Don Hahn]

But the red Budweiser hat.

[Anthony]

He's saying that. He's saying that it's not as much as. As much as. That would not be my brand. Yeah. The cowboy boots are not.

[Don Hahn]

But what do you wanted to wear? Flannel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

But jeans. Think about it. The whole concert is going to be filled with people who aren't traditional country people, but they're dressed up, playing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So would you. So would you go to Pearl Jam and like rip Jeans in a flannel?

[Anthony]

It's not the same, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I'm. No, but come on, man, don't. I'm just trying to help.

[Don Hahn]

You're in support.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go to the show, have fun. But all of a sudden, that guy is not country at all.

[Don Hahn]

This is not a country music fan thing. Isn't it? You get dressed up, Pretend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just telling you I'm allowed to be disgusted. If I'm disgusted, I'm disgusted.

[Don Hahn]

This is cowboy con.

[Anthony]

Maybe we run this up. The poll. Should. Should I get Cowboy Carter? Let's hear from the Cowboy Carter show.

[Don Hahn]

I think that. I think the glass you have right now, that's probably. That's probably a decent look.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not kidding. Like that with what you normally wear to a concert.

[Anthony]

It's probably going to be wearing some nozzly sunglasses inside, let's say nozzle. You don't think so?

[Don Hahn]

For inside, maybe.

[Advertiser]

Sure.

[Don Hahn]

We're having this conversation. Very nice.

[Anthony]

They're prescription, so I forgot my car, but. All right. These are things I'm going to pun.

[Don Hahn]

I'm. I'd look. If you had a choice between boots and the hat, I'm going boots. No way should you wear the hat.

[Anthony]

No, I'm not going.

[Don Hahn]

Somebody's knocking that off your head.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think you should wear that. I'm done.

[Don Hahn]

All right, so on the pole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Actually go to management and say I can't work with this guy.

[Don Hahn]

On the poll, should Peter wear cowboy boots?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Anthony]

Cowboy hat or a cow?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, both. Hat. Both or neither?

[Anthony]

Yeah, that's. That's the question.

[Don Hahn]

There's your options.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And let's see what the people have to say and. And you're gonna lose.

[Don Hahn]

All right, let's talk. Talk to some more people before we get into Yankee conversation. Shade Hunter, 9193776.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go. Go see the show.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go to Derek in Brooklyn. Derek, go ahead.

[Caller]

Hey, guys, how are you?

[Don Hahn]

What's up?

[Caller]

Take my call. Number one. Two inches is always important.

[Don Hahn]

Let's fact skip over that. Right?

[Caller]

I don't care how tall you are, Alan. Peter, swear to God, if you. Because you're the tall guy. So I think like maybe two inches might not. And never mind.

[Don Hahn]

Trust me.

[Caller]

Peter, I swear to God, if you wear a pair of athletes chaps, I will spend $500 on tickets for you for that show.

[Don Hahn]

What do you think you know what if you get somebody to buy the tickets for you, how. How would you do it? No, if somebody would drop a grand on tickets just for you, you wouldn't do that?

[Anthony]

No. There's no amount of money.

[Caller]

Okay, how about, how about athletes? Chaps with zines underneath. What do you think about that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Honestly? I think. Honestly, I think the chaps are less corny because then I could at least play the game. That he's just trying to be ironic. He's trying to make some sort of a statement. The cowboy boots are just so wannabe like me. And that's not Peter.

[Anthony]

I do hear him. I do hear him. It might be tough for me when I put them on, I might be like cringing a bit. But I am so curious about.

[Caller]

You're gonna be cringing more than a bit. I feel like Alan. Okay, so per your comment earlier, if you do a post mortem on the Knicks.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

After the end of the season, which we can all kind of, you know, agree is probably going to wrap up, even if they do come past Detroit, is it fair? All Michael K. Can we call you a Knicks boy after that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he'd be doing his job.

[Caller]

Is that fair?

[Don Hahn]

Well, I'm trying to figure out. Because what you're doing is actually exactly what makes me hesitate sometimes to do stuff like that. Because there are people that say to me, I want to know what you think. And then I'm like, but if I, if I do that, then it becomes the Knicks boy thing. And so like Derek, you got me paralyzed.

[Caller]

That's kind of my question. So I shouldn't do it like treading on. Yeah, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, See, everybody guess has their own definition of Yankee boy or Nick boy. When I think of Yankee boy, it was when you're an apologist for the team that they can do no wrong, that you're going to explain why this ridiculous move is the right move. Him using his expertise in covering the team and the league telling you what they need to do to get better is the exact reason why he's great at what he does. That's what you want from somebody who's got that kind of inside information. Yeah, a Nick boy would be. I wouldn't change a thing. I think they're great. You're kidding me. Another year with this team, I'm running it back and then when they make a move, say, this moves great. That's. That's Nick boy. Not Nick boy.

[Caller]

No, he's not Nick boy.

[Don Hahn]

But.

[Caller]

But by that same token, was, you know, was Michael the Yankees boy because he was kind of doing the same thing.

[Don Hahn]

Kind of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. Am I wrong in what's saying what, what they can do at the end of the season based on your season?

[Don Hahn]

I think, I think we're all supposed to do this, Derek. Right? Like, and I know, I know what Derek's doing, and I have no problem with it. Dere. It's something I definitely have to keep in mind. So I appreciate you bringing it up. But, Don, like, when the Rangers season's over, I want to hear from you, right? I don't want to hear from some yo yo about, oh, they should trade. They should trade for Crosby and bring in, bring in McDavid. Like, you know, that's moronic. You know, the league, you know, what's. You can base everything in reality, who could be available. That's why I'd want to hear from you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If they unfortunately lose tonight, everybody and their mother is going to have an opinion on what they should do in the off season.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yours is going to be the most valuable because of how close you are to the team. That's just doing your job. Now, if.

[Don Hahn]

And that's Michael, too. Michael.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the same story, right? So that never. That didn't make him Yankee boy.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, the reason people called him Yankee boy is when he's an apologist for the team or when people are critical of the team and he's finding ways to support the team even when it doesn't seem that it is supportable or defendable, relentlessly defending your team, apologizing for your team, that's what makes you the team boy, not doing your job. I would like to think that at the end of the Rangers season, people would want to come to me, of all the people that are on sports talk radio, because of how I'm close to the team, but everybody's going to be doing it. And I'm not saying that I would do it better than anybody else, but I have a little bit more insight.

[Don Hahn]

You would do it better. Of course you'd do it better because you would know what's real and what's not. You would know what's possible and what's not because a lot of times fans assume, oh, just trade for that guy or get this guy. And it's like, you got to remind them, well, no, you can't do that because of this contract situation, whatever it is. Like, you have to understand the inside, the nuances and everything else that comes with it. Only somebody like, you know, again, Michael, myself, you like people that actually Cover teams and cover leagues and are involved in them. They know those nuances. And that's. Anyways, I don't want to get too deep into that, but I do. I have to. I will admit to you guys, because I'm learning how to share more with myself. I never used to like to do this on the end. I love what you're doing, but I'm trying really hard to be the guy that can share more and be a little more vulnerable.

[Anthony]

We're very proud of you.

[Don Hahn]

I do cringe at the thought of being too much like to be that Knicks boy kind of element. I do worry about that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why do you worry about it?

[Don Hahn]

Because I don't want to be that asset, you know, you don't want to go. You don't want to be that guy.

[Anthony]

He doesn't want to be.

[Don Hahn]

I want to. I want somebody to think that I have the right opinion because I've been covering professional sports in this market for 20 years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's on them. Now, if you have an opinion on what the Knicks should do and it's opposite of what a lot of other Knick fans think, well, they're just. They're. They're de facto going to be. Well, he. Allen works for the team, so he's not going to tell you what he really thinks.

[Don Hahn]

That's really funny. My checks, that's on them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because I've seen you be opinionated and be critical of the team. So if I.

[Anthony]

If I were to call you in anything, boy, you want my honest opinion? Because we don't hold back here.

[Don Hahn]

Go Thibod.

[Anthony]

Oh, boy.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you're carrying, baby.

[Anthony]

I believe Card Carry don Allen in 20 years is going to be an exact mirror of Michael for Showalter. Any job that comes up, it's a Thibodeau.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why not Thibodeau?

[Anthony]

It's a. I mean, right now, I swear to God, if the job. If the New York Football Giants had an opening, Michael would recommend Buck Showalter. That's where Allen's going to be.

[Don Hahn]

They should bring him in as a consultant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

Why not at least talk to him? He knows the game.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, listen, I reckon I see what I see, and there's certain coaches that I just say that guy knows what he's doing. He's dedicated to the job. And I respect that. That's all.

[Anthony]

I totally.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. But Tibbs is a really good coach, so Buck is a really good coach.

[Anthony]

Yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Peter Laviolette is a really good coach. I'll always stump for Peter Laviolette.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If Alan's like, you know what? I really think that, you know, they should. I would call back horn a sec, man. I really think there's something there that they missed on, because I guess that guy's got to be coaching. Then I'd say Alan maybe, you know, that might not be a good idea.

[Anthony]

Maybe fall back a bit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, you know, and I know Tibbs hasn't won a title or whatever, but he's a coach. Buck's a really good coach. Like, I don't think there's. Because people have to realize that when you cover a team and you start to be in depth, especially the way Allen is, you're going to become friendly with people. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

[Don Hahn]

I'm still friends with people that used to coach here. I would never want to see them coach again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I always do it on my podcast. I really like John Tortorella. I think he's a terrific coach. But I'll be full disclosure, we always got along. And does that mean that maybe I'm a little bit more skewed that I root for him and want him to be a coach?

[Don Hahn]

Because it's human nature.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course, that's just human nature, man. And if anybody is kind of close to the situation, there might be a little bias. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You know, that doesn't mean I wasn't critical of John or thought that he was wrong. But I would tell you, if I'm an NHL team looking for a coach, I'd hire him.

[Anthony]

And if they say, why?

[Don Hahn]

Why tell them that it's human nature.

[Anthony]

You know, wow, if this town is just an apple.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, let me take a bite.

[Anthony]

Oh, you kidding me? You dream about.

[Don Hahn]

You know, Mark Messier said that once.

[Anthony]

Is that true?

[Don Hahn]

It is true. Boys on the bus. They were on the bus in Manhattan. That's what he said when they were playing with the Oilers. Danny in Long Island. Danny, we need to hear from you on Peter and these chaps.

[Caller]

A couple of topics. One Peter. Absolutely not. No element of that costume. And that's what it is. Because you're Urban Pete. That's you. You have great fashion. You look, you know, you wear what you wear and you go in.

[Anthony]

Never heard of urban.

[Don Hahn]

I need. Wait, wait, where's Graphic Joker? I need an Urban Pete cartoon right now.

[Anthony]

I don't know if it's going to be a problem.

[Caller]

Peter shows up with a cowboy hat. He looks like Belichick on the beach with his girlfriend posing with the mer. It's completely. It's completely out of who he is. You know what? They have great summer concerts at Jones Beach. There's country music stars. You know, sometimes you go down there, nicest weather. I'm not putting on cowboy boots. That's not who I am. I'm being an idiot. A fraud. Basically, as we say on the show, it would be.

[Anthony]

It would be fraudulent. It would be fraudulent.

[Caller]

It'd be fraudulent. Now, listen, Alice Floyd, listening to the. The postseason analysis from you and Don, it's all great, and I love to hear from the experts, but when you're entertaining the masses, you also need Dick from Manhattan, Gil from Staten island, because that's what we as call as. I've been listening for 30 years, love. Like, I can listen to you talk about basketball, but the highlight is what the media calls up, and Don's gonna rip the phone off the hinges. See that? You have to have the balance, Danny.

[Don Hahn]

That's the formula, isn't it? Isn't that the formula of sports talk radio in New York is the insane take and the insane responses to it 100%.

[Caller]

As far as tonight goes, Mr. Nix and Mr. Nick fans, I revert back to Senator John Plutofsky. It wasn't over when the Japanese. When the Germans bombed Pearl harbor, and it's not over now. The knicks are actually up 32 in the series, if anyone hasn't noticed. So let's just go in there, win a damn game. And I'm sick of hearing the negative waves. As Donald Sutherland once said, you can Google that. Yeah, let's just go and win a game. I think they'll be more focused. I just. I think this team plays better with the bar up their butt when they're a little bit, you know, after a bad performance. Let's see how it goes.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you're not wrong, Danny. Good stuff. Great call. See, that's a good call.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good stuff.

[Don Hahn]

Very good call. Let me give you a little bit of Yankees here. Can I. Can I go Yankee boy?

[Anthony]

Yeah, please. Can you? Can I.

[Don Hahn]

We got tons of calls. 809, 3, 7, 7, 6. What's that about?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Host boy.

[Don Hahn]

Host boy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All I keep hearing is you doing your job and you feeling bad for it. Just do your job.

[Anthony]

Told you he's very sensitive. We've learned that about out.

[Don Hahn]

Very sensitive. Now we get yelled at. Do your job. So the Yankees, by the way, having them lose a series to the Orioles, how do we feel about that? Just quickly. Is that a bad look or is it A bad trend. Did you see, by the way, the who posted that the April month for the Yankees after the brewers series was not exactly a good. It was not a good run.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it's 15 and 13. It is take away the Brewer series.

[Don Hahn]

15 and 13. They lose a series to the Diamondbacks, they lose a series to the Tigers, the Giants, the Guardians and the orioles, and they're 15 and 13 after that. So this is not. Even though Aaron Judge has had a great start and Max Freed has been an ace, Radon's been okay. This. This has not really been a good. They're not bursting out of the gate even though they're in first place. They have not bursted out of the gate here. They can play better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. Yeah, but they're in first place. So you feel good about the fact that what we're seeing is this American League isn't very good? Basically, they are what they are. This is a team that we thought was flawed but still good enough to win the American League. And I was arguing with Michael about this last year. I mean, if you were to rank the teams just last year, you would probably have the Yankees fourth or fifth, but yet they were the second best team because they came out of the American League. Yeah, I don't think anything less of this team, but I don't think that much more.

[Don Hahn]

But they're kind of like just, you know, again, they're just not fumbling, but they're just sort of mediocre when it comes to wins. Now, again, the closer blew up a couple of times. They've had issues there. And again, starting pitching hasn't been great. Been mainly, you're missing Garrett Cole, but you do have Judge. And judge has won two MVPs. And guys, I mean, he's. I know, again, super early. He seems to be on his way to another one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he's amazing.

[Don Hahn]

He's reached base 73 times this season, more than any player before the month of May since 1900. 1900. Not 1900 and something since 1900.

[Anthony]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

That's crazy. 50 hits, second most by any player entering May in Major League Baseball history. The other was Dante Bichette, who had 51. So that's the pace he's on. The fastest into a season in Yankee history to have 50 hits, 10 home runs. Tino Martinez did it in 33 games in 97. Judge has done it in 31. His six three hit games ties Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter. This was both in the 97 season for most before the start of May. In Franchise history. He's the quickest to 325 home runs in Major League Baseball history. Not just Yankee history, Major League baseball history. He did it in 10, 24 games. Juan Gonzalez, next closest at 10, 183 games and in the first inning this season. So starting off games, he's batting.519. Five home runs, 11 RBIs and a 1.766 OPS. He's otherworldly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep. But it's not basketball. So it's not enough to, you know, all of a sudden make the Yankees the best team in baseball because of it. You know, if Bellinger is not going to hit, which has been a problem, and Volpe is going to kind of digress from his rookie year and he's not elevated to where he needs to be. The. The back end of the rotation and all that's been a bit of a problem. But he's special, man. I mean, all those numbers. And again, you tell me how Derek Jeter's better. Yeah, he's more clutch and he's got rings. I can't argue that. If you want to say that Derek was more of a winner than Judge. Is rather Derek in a big spot than Judge. Yeah. Aaron Judge is the better player. Aaron Judge, when. If he continues to play like he's like this. And what would he.33 now. So let's give it another five years of this kind of level.

[Don Hahn]

This level.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. I mean, he's been fairly consistent. The one thing, Peter, we always said, remember, if this guy can stay healthy.

[Anthony]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The numbers now, he stayed healthy. So what you're seeing is just a magical guy that's not going to go out there and be able to play 20 years like Soto will or, you know, way Harper will, because of how long it took him to get into the major leagues because he went to college. But if this guy continues for even another four years, guys, tell me how he's not in the conversation of one of the greatest players in the history.

[Don Hahn]

Of the sport and the franchise, which is saying a lot as well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm saying clearly. Franchise.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. No, there's no doubt now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He is a specimen. Nobody did this. No one. Even like Mickey Mantle, who hit a ton of home runs. Did Mickey Mantle hit for this kind of average? Now, we never found out how good Mickey can be defensively because he blew out his knee. And so he never really got to be, I think, the defender at center field that they were really hoping when he replaced Joe DiMaggio. But this guy, he hits for average home runs. A plus defender, gun for an arm. I mean, yeah, he hasn't won and he hasn't shown that ability in the postseason. But the last I checked, everybody that goes to the hall of Fame or when they talk about records, you know, especially in baseball, we're talking about the 162. How is he not one of the best ballplayers that you've ever seen? Like, who's in the conversation? Bonds. Well, we know Bonds cheated. Alex. Well, we know Alex cheated. Who else? Allen, you've been around. You're, we're around the same age. Who else is even comparable to this guy as a baseball player that isn't tainted?

[Don Hahn]

You know, I mean Griffey had like, he was an unbelievable all around player. You know, that's a guy that right away comes up. But you're talking about, you know, again, nobody that's connected to that steroids era. That's, you know, it's really hard to find that guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, it's so interesting you bring up Griffey.

[Don Hahn]

What was Brett like? I'm thinking of, you know, the guys that were just every year just putting up numbers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I just got a, I just wanted to check because, I mean, I saw old Griffey's career. Did he hit for this kind of average?

[Don Hahn]

No. Again, it's definitely special.

[Advertiser]

If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place. From inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world. It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.comnetwork. go to shopify.comnetwork shopify.comnetwork.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This episode is.

[Don Hahn]

Brought to you by State Farm. You might say all kinds of stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When things go wrong, but these are the words you really need to remember. Like a good name. State Farm is there. They've got options to fit your unique.

[Don Hahn]

Insurance needs, meaning you can talk to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Your agent to choose the coverage you need, have coverage options to protect the.

[Don Hahn]

Things you value most, file a claim right on the State Farm mobile app, and even reach a real person when.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You need to talk to someone.

[Don Hahn]

Like a good neighbor.

[Peter Rosenberg]

State Farm is there. That's your money saying it's time for a McDonald's run. Cause with new McValue at McDonald's, you get more than you expect. Like buy a six piece McNuggets and add a McChicken for just a dollar. Your money says let's go get more than you expect. With new MC Value. Prices and participation may vary. Valid for item of equal or lesser value.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

The time continuum has been disrupted, creating an alternate 1985.

[Don Hahn]

This is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, Doc, are you telling me you built a time machine?

[Don Hahn]

The Thursday rewrite. You think I'd get the name right? Eventually we will. Yes. Thursday rewrite is the segment and it is essentially we take headlines from the past and we rewrite them as if something else happened instead. Don, I thought about a conversation we were having yesterday, okay. And I thought, you know, sometimes we go way back in time and sometimes we don't have to go back too far. We're not going back very far on this. This Thursday rewrite. In fact, we're only going back a couple of months. Let's go back to the headline, Juan Soto signs with the Mets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I thought, let's rewrite it, let's rewrite it.

[Don Hahn]

So let's live in a world since Soto. Although today had two home runs, the Mets lost four to two, by the way. But he did get two solo home runs. And so it feels like he, you know, like, did he give Mets fans something finally, because he has not had a great start. And so I thought, what would be different if Soto decided, no, I want to be a Yankee, I'm stay with the Yankees, okay? And did not go to the Mets, but I didn't want to do this by myself. Peter influenced me to give ChatGPT a look and how it can help you. And in Fact, my kids have told me that it's very helpful at school, doing projects and stuff. You can ask it things and it gives you literally what you asked for. So I asked Chat GPT what would the world look like right now if Juan Soto signed with the Yankees instead of the Mets? I'm going to tell you what it said now. Chat GPT is unbiased. This is not a Yankee boy. Take my literal question was Juan Soto signs with the Yankees instead of the Mets. That's all I said. So just know this is not me skewing it. This is not any type of Yankee boy stuff. This is literally unbiased artificial intelligence. Okay, this is what it says Juan Soto. Of course, it doesn't go exactly where I want it to go. Here's the conclusion. Juan Soto's decision to sign with the Yankees instead of the Mets did more than change uniforms. It redefined the competitive narrative of two of baseball's most visible franchises. The Yankees reclaim their elite identity. The Mets, left scrambling, have been forced into a premature retool. In baseball, one player rarely defines a team, but in this case, Soto's signature rewrote the script for both sides of New York and perhaps the entire league. So that's just the conclusion. But there are parts of this because very detailed of the impact that it had on both teams. And so one was as of May 1, 2025, the Yankees sit atop the AL East. They have them at 19 and 9. Soto is batting.321 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. It's incredible transforming the Yankee offense from one dimensional to deadly balanced, taking pressure off Aaron Judge, blah, blah blah. They're the most league's most productive two, three punch. And his plate discipline sets the tone for patient high efficiency at bats. So the Yankees run production is better, blah blah blah. It also helps in the clubhouse. Everything else now on the Mets side of things, it says. Meanwhile in Queens, The Mets sit fourth in the NL east at 13 and 15. The offense is sputtering, averaging just 3.9 runs per game. And the impact of losing out on Soto is visible not just in the numbers, but in the energy of the team. Francisco Lindor struggling out of the gate. He's hitting just.218. Pete Alonso, entering a contract year, voiced frustration with the lack of lineup protection and offensive strategy. Think about this. The ripple effect goes deeper. Mets ticket sales are down 8% compared to April of 2024. SNY ratings have dropped. Media narrative. Just a year removed from calling the Mets the future kings of New York has flipped to full blown skepticism. Yeah, like this is chatgpt. This is not me saying it, Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, it doesn't make it right.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't say it was right, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Still, matter of fact, I've lost confidence in the product.

[Don Hahn]

Well, because, because just one more, because this conclusion, I know you need it. This conclusion really, though, is that this hits home, that this is the looking ahead. If this alternate 2025 holds, the Yankees are headed for a deep playoff run, possibly a World Series rematch with the Dodgers, or even facing the Braves. Soto, already a leading MVP candidate, one of the most beloved athletes in New York, the Mets. Question mark. Their future depends on whether they can sign or trade for a new franchise centerpiece. And fast. Cohen has the money, but the star chaser approach is starting to lose credibility. That's the conclusion of your Thursday rewrite.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, can I shred just holes in this to the point where it bleeds out?

[Don Hahn]

Please do. That's why we do this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Peter, be my conscience, all right?

[Anthony]

I'm trying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I am biased, unlike Chat Yoyo over there. All right, so one of the things that said is that, you know, he's Soto's, Soto's contributing to the Yankees 19 and 9, first place. I would think that would be the case. Right? I mean, that's what happened last year. Right. So why would anything be different? So if they're looking through the, the analytics of this all, they'd probably, you know, just repeat what you saw last year. Why would it be any different? All right, now for the Mets, well, of course ratings at SNY would be down. If the team was struggling and they were under.500 in fourth place, then why would anybody want. People would be disappointed after coming two games to the world, from the World Series to all of a sudden being a team that's struggling in fourth place at under.500. I don't get the attendance though, because we even talked about it yesterday that I think a lot of people were buying up tickets because of just the run last year, maybe in anticipation of Soto, but not necessarily because of Soto. I'm sure it would affect the attendance if they didn't get them. But I still think attendance would be pretty good. I don't think it would have completely.

[Anthony]

Dropped to that effect.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also, where is this all coming from? Soto hasn't hit up until the couple of home runs today. Maybe he made some of the other guys in the lineup better because of the protection that he offers them being in the lineup. And maybe he's being pitched to a lot Harder, as he suggested, because he doesn't have Aaron Judge. But they've pretty much been in first place with the best record in baseball with Juan Soto really not contributing.

[Don Hahn]

But how do you know that Soto isn't impacting the players around him? By his presence in the line.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm sure he is. But this is also a team without Juan Soto that had a great second half to the season.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, all right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

With. With really Alonzo not contributing. Pete Alonzo has been really.

[Don Hahn]

All right, so you're not buying Fire.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. But Lindor was on fire at the end of last year without Juan Soto.

[Don Hahn]

So you're not buying it. You. You think the match would be right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Where the holes in some of the things that it was saying. All right, all right. I don't buy into any of the Yankee stuff because all they're doing is just duplicating what he contributed to last season. Why would it be any different?

[Don Hahn]

Well, why would it be any different? It'd be the same thing. They'd be the same offense, you know, so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So obviously that's not. That. That's really not hard to calculate.

[Don Hahn]

But what it doesn't tell you is would they still would. They probably wouldn't have Bellinger. They. They wouldn't need him. Right. His Judge would be playing center field. They probably wouldn't have Goldschmidt because they couldn't afford it. And Ben Rice, who's been raking, would be playing first. So you'd get. Still getting Ben Rice's production. You'd just be getting it at first base. So the only question is a. The coal injury, which do we. Do we still say Cole is hurt and in this alternative universe and do they have Max Freed? Those are two things that I think Soto back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There would be no Goldschmidt, right. Would there be freedom?

[Anthony]

Cole would magically be healthy.

[Don Hahn]

Magically.

[Anthony]

Because Soto being near him would keep his.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well. But I still think they probably would have went out and gotten Freed because of the Cole injury, right? So I still think Freed. I don't know if they'd be able to get all three. They probably wouldn't be able to afford to get all three. They wouldn't need. Or they wouldn't need both. Although they still needed a first baseman. They probably. Bellinger wouldn't be here. So the question is, would they have been able to afford Freed and Goldschmidt if Soto came back? But I don't know if Chat, DBT or whatever it's called can. Can calculate that.

[Don Hahn]

Probably not. Now, the last.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did it calculate Cole? I guess it did calculate Cole being hurt because he's not on the roster because he's hurt.

[Don Hahn]

They don't mention Cole now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They have no idea the Yankees fiscal responsibility. As far as what they would have done had Juan Soto come back, like, who'd be on the team? Are they just. Are they just putting Juan Soto in replacing Bellinger?

[Don Hahn]

I don't. I don't know how this all works. It is just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because it's all BS and it's. It's all just speculation. Don't. It's not fact. And I'm not just saying this because of the fact.

[Don Hahn]

Of course it's speculation. It's just. It's just, what would this world look like if this happened? It's fascinating to take all the information that it gathers on the Internet and creates this. Now, I want to do. I do want to ask you one thing that does sound pretty close to real.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

When it comes to the Mets, the future depends on whether they can sign or trade for a new franchise centerpiece in fast. Cohen has money, but the star chaser approach is starting to lose credibility. I think if they would have lost out on Juan Soto, don't you think that it would start to become a. I don't know. Are they ever going to get somebody to complain for them with all that money?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not at all. You're not buying that players are motivated by money, Right?

[Don Hahn]

He wasn't in this alternative universe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who wasn't?

[Don Hahn]

Soto.

[Anthony]

Soto in the alternative universe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. So let's follow through that train of thought then. It wouldn't. He returned to the Yankees. I don't think anybody would have faulted him for that if he decided, you know what? I don't need your money. I'm going to stay with the New York Yankees, a team I went to the World Series with. It's an historic franchise. Would anybody look and say, boy, the Mets look like clowns. They couldn't win Juan Soto away from the Yankees. It would just be, okay, we'll pivot, we'll find somebody else. As long as you've got a guy sitting on $16 billion. Most players are motivated by money, right? So as long as you are in competition to pay these players the highest amount of money possible, you're still going to be very credible to win free agents over. You still was. You still were. A team that went to the league Championship series last year without Juan Soto, you're still in New York, like so. This is not some small market team that only has a finite amount of money. To be able to spend. So that's where I think that's a bit of a leap that they would have lost credibility not getting Juan Soto. There were other teams that were in competition for him too. The Mets were able to win if he went back. Now, if he had signed say with the Padres for a discount, you know, that certainly would have looked bad on the Mets. I'm not taking your money. I'm taking less money and I'm going to go to some other market, some other team. But, you know, if he returned to the New York Yankees, would that have looked bad on the Mets or would have been. Hey, he fell in love with the Yankees. He fell in love with the winning. He loves that organization and he's going to stay there. I only think the Mets would lose credibility if you went and signed with the Marlins.

[Don Hahn]

If they were offer less money like the near 800 million. And he was like, I'm all set. I'm going to stay where I am. You don't think there's a little bit of that? Man, it doesn't matter how much money this guy has, he's not gonna be able to pry somebody away. Him prying him away from the Yankees because he had more money. That's a big part of this story. Of course it's a big part of it. And the sweets and the whole thing. That's the whole thing. He was able to swing it. That's why he's a Met. I think we've all concluded that. Right. He didn't have a Met because he thinks they can win. He became a Met because it was because of the money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know, but, but you, but if you want to. And I'm sure there's a lot of Yankee Fans out there, 1-800-919-3776 that would love to be able to follow this story through that the Mets are some poverty franchise that nobody wants to play for and they're a joke.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I'm not saying that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but I'm saying that you could that. But that's what could be suggested is why would he want to go play for that piece of garbage franchise? They're nothing. I don't think that. Are they the New York Yankees? No. There are very few, if any teams that are to the New York Yankees. Right. I'm not even sure the Dodgers are the Yankees. Right. So I, I don't think him staying with the Yankees would have looked bad on the Mets if he had gone someplace else, a smaller market, a team with no history, like you said. If he goes signs with the Marlins, if he wanted to go sign with the brewers, you could say, oh, man, damn, that's really disrespectful to the Mets. He really didn't want to play for them. Yeah, I don't think anybody thought that it was anything other than the money. And Met fans could sit there and pump their chest all the way over.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, that's all I heard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but that's garbage. We all know Peter, right? We were saying from the very beginning Soda was all about the money. And the reason why I thought he was going to be a Met is because the Mets have the most money.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Anthony]

Yeah. I always thought it was a dream. If anyone thought anything else.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think most ball players, with the exception of a few that maybe want to return home or something that might drive them to a certain market, are going to go to the place that's got the most money.

[Anthony]

Which is always what makes it even more remarkable that people still find a way to poo poo things Judge does when they have the best player in baseball. And he decided, you know what? I want to stay here. Yeah, the money isn't the be all, end all. Could have gotten a few bucks elsewhere. I wanted to stay here. It's still not enough, though, because he hasn't been quite exactly who they need him to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Peter, do you really believe that if the Mets had lost out on Soto and he returned to the Yankees, that the Mets would have lost all credibility? He would be reeling the way. Not all credibility that ChatGPT is suggesting.

[Anthony]

Of course not.

[Don Hahn]

I wouldn't say all credibility, but I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How did they put it? Repeat exactly what they said. That what it would do for, like, free agents and the credibility of the frame. Like there was something specific said about the Mets kind of like reeling.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. It just said that their future depends on whether they can sign or trade for a new franchise centerpiece. And fast. Cohen has the money, but the star chaser approach is starting to lose credibility.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, we stop at the break. Well, but why would it lose credibility?

[Don Hahn]

Said starting to lose credibility.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, why would it start to lose credibility?

[Don Hahn]

Well, because this has been how many years now? And what has he done? What has all this money brought you? Where's the big fish? This was your white whale. You got him. This was the big fish. And they got.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think losing him to the Yankees after he played for the Yankees and went to a World Series with the Yankees would have hurt any credibility. Yeah, there's not another big fish like this Right.

[Don Hahn]

There wasn't going to. There wasn't one coming.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you know, but Lindor didn't look like it was the right move. Now it's looking like it was the right move to give him that 10 year contract. Right. There's credibility there.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sanga, they're treating him like Sanga. They're treating him with kid gloves, you know, not allowing them to throw too many pitches. He only threw four, went four innings today.

[Don Hahn]

They couldn't get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He wasn't cheap.

[Don Hahn]

Yoshimoto, they couldn't get him like nobody did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Yankees couldn't get. I wanted to be a Dodger, but.

[Don Hahn]

They'Re all trying to do all that stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey there travelers. Kaley Cuoco here. Sorry to interrupt your music great artist BT Dubs, but wouldn't you rather be there to hear it live? With Priceline you can get out of your dreams and into your dream concert. They've got millions of travel deals to get you to that festival, gig, rave, sound bath or sonic experience you've been dreaming of. Download the Priceline app today and you can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off lights. So don't just dream about that trip. Book it with Priceline. Go to your happy price. Priceline.

[Don Hahn]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for 15amonth plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today.

[Don Hahn]

I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail].

[Peter Rosenberg]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month.

[Don Hahn]

Required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees, extra fee, full [e-mail] thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. We'll get into some Mets. You're going to hear from Carlos Mendoza at Juan Soto in a moment. But Don, did you see the release here from MSG Networks? I did, yeah. The so Sam Rosen, as we all know, had his final season. He retired. Sam and JD were obviously they were a brand for a long time. But then Joe Micheletti came in and you know, Sam and Joe were, you know, they called some fantastic games. They had a long time together. They what, 19 years, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So Joe Micheletti today, and I find this to be very classy. Joe Micheletti announced that he also was retiring. He will retire now himself, after 19 years as a Rangers broadcaster. And the fact that he waited, you know, he knew the whole time. Right. He had to have known. I don't know if you know anything more about this, Don, but him letting Sam have his time and his moment and celebrating Sam as much as Joe did, without ever making it about him and ever hinting that he, too was going to leave, and then just quietly, a little press release, a statement, and that's it. That's class personified, I think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, without quite. So that's all he is. Joe Mick is just nothing but class. So I don't know. I mean, there was always rumblings that he was probably going to be thinking about retiring. He had scaled back his work. He wasn't doing anything nationally anymore over the last couple of years. He was just keeping it to the Rangers. And so you felt like maybe that it was going to come, but, yeah, he wasn't going to step on Sam. This was Sam's moment. 40 years compared to the 19 he had been. He understood that. He didn't want to take any of the shine away from Sam, but give Joe a lot of credit. You know, hard it is to be an analyst for a forever team like the Rangers in New York. Having never played for the Rangers and having to replace a legend like John Davidson, I mean, that is some difficult shoes to fill, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A legend. And he never played for the Rangers and you know how fans are, you know.

[Don Hahn]

Of course.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And not only did he not play for the Rangers, his. The gig he left was the Islander gig.

[Don Hahn]

That's right. That's how I got to know him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A tremendous job.

[Don Hahn]

Yes. He and Howie Rose, a fantastic duo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, and. But he was just so good and he knew the league and he was so well connected. Some of my best times on the road or, you know, sharing a cab or an Uber with Joe, going to the arena, and I felt like I was way more prepared being in that car with him. The way he knew the other team and knew the players and spoke to coaches and general managers around the league. He was a savant that way because he had so many connections and just such a nice guy. Fun. And I even just tweeted out, just an underrated sense of humor.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because he was always very like, you know, felt like straight laced during the broadcast. But he's a guy that really could let his hair down and have a lot of fun. So I Wish him nothing but the best. You know, he'll go and, and hang with his grandkids because Mike Madonna.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is his son in law. His daughter married Mike Madonna and they had twins. So I got a chance to meet Mike through Joe and he was very gracious to do that and invite me to certain like dinners and stuff on the road that I felt like maybe I shouldn't be at. But Joe be like, no, come, you're one of us. And I really was very welcoming that way. So it's, it's a lot, it's a lot to lose in one fell swoop like that. I don't know who they would replace him with. I mean, I know Brian Boyle had done a lot of work during the season, but he lives in Massachusetts, so I don't know if he wants to relocate. Yeah, I know Mike Rupp has done some radio and another guy that I think really does deserve the job if he wants it would be Dave Maloney. I mean, he bleeds Ranger blue. They've made him part of the, the pre and the post game coverage, doing interviews at the end of the games on television, doing work with John Giano and in the pregame. So I. And he does a great job with Kenny for 20 years. So that would be a natural fit, I think, for him to be able to work with Kenny who just was announced as the replacement for Sam Rosen. So I really hope they consider Dave Maloney. It's tough. Michael even told me a lot of these players, they don't want to commit to doing full seasons. That's why the Yankees have the rotation they do on. Yes. Because I don't think these guys want to work 135 games. You're going to do 70 plus games of hockey because of the games that will be taken away for national television. So it is a commitment.

[Don Hahn]

It's the travel that's the toughest part. Right. Like it's still. I marvel at Clyde and the fact that Clyde at 80 is still, you know, puts in a ton of games and some travel. He's scaled it back obviously, but still it's, it's a lot of commitment of your life of travel, being on the road, sitting in a hotel room between games, like, what am I doing here? But it is also something that, you know, you become part of the fabric as we've seen with Joe Micheletti.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And.

[Anthony]

Can I say something, can I say something insane?

[Don Hahn]

Insane.

[Anthony]

I mean, you could also consider a color guy who's not a former player.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that, that's, that's Becoming more common. I mean, look, you're looking at one.

[Anthony]

Well, I was gonna say you're looking.

[Don Hahn]

At somebody that you work at msg. I am doing. Yeah. I've done. I've done plenty.

[Anthony]

I know some people out there who didn't play. I know some out there. People out there didn't play hockey, but.

[Don Hahn]

Know the sport inside and out.

[Anthony]

Oh, quite well. Yeah. Very good.

[Don Hahn]

Talking about you who really know the game.

[Anthony]

Like really know the game.

[Don Hahn]

Good insight.

[Anthony]

Sure. Yep. The league, every aspect of it. Could talk about it.

[Don Hahn]

Good voice too, though. You need a good voice, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter.

[Don Hahn]

Peter, you need a good voice.

[Anthony]

Known by the fans.

[Don Hahn]

Well known by the fans. Beloved by the.

[Anthony]

Love by the fans.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There were a lot of guys that were not in the NHL that make for great analysts. Billy Jaffe, for one, were terrific for a long time. You know, I think he played for Michigan, if I'm not mistaken. Played on the collegiate level. Never played in the NHL.

[Don Hahn]

Billy did some Islander stuff. Right. Billy Jaffe was. Did the Islanders for a while.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Islanders for a long time. With Howie, we've. We've seen some women do a tremendous job too.

[Don Hahn]

Obviously did not AJ Malesko. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the NHL. But they played. Allen played. So if you're suggesting me that that would be a joke and I would. I would.

[Anthony]

Okay. Sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not even be on the table.

[Anthony]

Respectfully, to Alan's basketball career.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know about joke ye.

[Anthony]

Alan, where did you play in school again?

[Don Hahn]

I played at LIU Post.

[Anthony]

It's a real place. Alan played basketball. But it's far enough away from.

[Don Hahn]

We all understand. It is. It is. The sisters of the poor. I understand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

And I'm not trying to be disrespectful of that, but I'm saying it's not the reason you're a great analyst.

[Don Hahn]

The program doesn't exist anymore.

[Anthony]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

That's. That's how prominent of a school.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, because they said we can't do any better than this.

[Don Hahn]

We could do. Let's just absorb into the LU system and just have one team now.

[Anthony]

I just think it's an over. I get it and it's a really great thing to have. But if we're getting to this era where it feels like it's hard to have, you know, players do a whole season, maybe there's some guys who aren't former players who could do a great job.

[Don Hahn]

More conversation to take forward into the big 5:00 hour. Back on 880, of course. And of course on the app as well. The Knicks tonight trying to close out the series one more time. We'll get into the Mets and they're lost today, but Juan Soto does hit two home runs. A lot to get to there. Stay with us. Defense is crucial, of course, in basketball, especially this time of year. Everybody but a good defense can win you games. And a good defense is important in business too. The truth is, 1/3 of businesses will unwittingly turn over their sensitive company data to thieves this year in an instant. Your customer files, bank accounts, everything is compromised. And you won't know until the million dollar ransom demand hits your email. Preventing data turnovers is why your business needs Thrive, the leading managed security services provider in the US it all starts with a comprehensive Thrive Thrive Cyber Risk assessment. Thrive's security analysts identify security gaps and deliver proactive solutions to help keep your network healthy and protected. Listen, it's not a matter of if, it's when. Are you ready? Get your no obligation security recommendations and consultation. Your business relies on it. Visit Thrive Next gen. That's thrive nextgen.com ESPN thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.