Hour 2: Knicks Nuclear Options

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Episode: Hour 2: Knicks Nuclear Options

Release Date: February 24, 2025

Introduction

In the second hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the New York Knicks' recent performances and explore potential blockbuster moves that could redefine the team's future. The discussion is enriched with insights from passionate listeners, providing a comprehensive analysis of the Knicks' current standing and the strategic decisions that lie ahead.

---

1. Knicks' Struggles and Front Office Concerns

The episode kicks off with Peter Rosenberg expressing substantial concern over the Knicks' recent games:

"After what you saw this weekend, why does this team not show you enough fight in these types of games when both Cleveland and Boston clearly treated these matchups with the Knicks as some sort of statement..." (00:27)

Rosenberg highlights the significant deficits the team faced against Cleveland and Boston, emphasizing the lack of competitiveness despite being built to challenge such formidable opponents.

Don LaGreca concurs, noting the transformative impact a single player can have in the NBA:

"Especially in the NBA, where that one player can make such a huge, huge difference." (02:38)

The hosts discuss the possibility of major trades, particularly focusing on star players Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Rosenberg posits that Durant's potential move in the offseason could be a game-changer:

"He didn't want to be moved at the trade deadline. But there is a real scenario where he gets moved this offseason." (01:44)

Alan Hahn adds that the team's asset pool is dwindling, making significant acquisitions challenging yet potentially necessary to elevate the Knicks to contender status.

---

2. Strategic Trade Options and Team Composition

The conversation pivots to the implications of acquiring high-caliber players. Rosenberg draws parallels with other sports franchises, such as the Yankees' successful integration of Juan Soto:

"They finally jump up to be the best team in the American League. Finally getting over the hump." (02:45)

LaGreca underscores the necessity of transformative trades, citing the improvement in Cleveland's team dynamics post-acquisition of key players and coaching staff.

The hosts debate the balance between maintaining the current core and making aggressive moves to secure elite talent. Rosenberg emphasizes the ticking clock on key players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, stressing the urgency in making decisive moves:

"You have a three to four year window right now with these guys. So it's... You either got to go for it or you got to hope that what you've built is enough..." (04:34)

Don LaGreca reinforces the strategic importance of not remaining stagnant, comparing the potential inaction to historical pitfalls faced by other teams.

---

3. Listener Feedback and Defensive Concerns

The podcast features several listener calls that amplify the hosts' points and introduce additional perspectives. A prominent concern among fans is the Knicks' perimeter defense. One caller discusses the impact of trading away key players like Hardenstein and the acquisition of Bridges:

"Their perimeter defense was so much better than it can be right now." (12:10)

Peter Rosenberg acknowledges the defensive issues, particularly highlighting Mitch Robinson's inconsistent performance and the team's struggle to guard top-tier opponents.

Another listener emphasizes the domino effect of losing pivotal players and the resultant defensive gaps:

"They made the Towns trade because they probably didn't intend to sign Randall long term... But until they replace Iheart's two-way capability, I'm not sure they're going to be able to take that next step." (16:42)

This feedback aligns with the hosts' earlier discussions, underscoring the critical need for defensive reinforcements to complement the offensive capabilities of existing players.

---

4. Potential Rebuild and Future Outlook

The discussion transitions into a speculative analysis of the Knicks' potential rebuild. Don LaGreca muses on the long-term ramifications of failing to secure key players, drawing comparisons to the struggles of historically significant teams when inaction prevailed:

"If you don't do it and you don't win the championship, you're probably going to end up there anyway." (08:49)

Peter Rosenberg echoes this sentiment, expressing fear that the Knicks may fall into a perpetual cycle of mediocrity if strategic changes aren't implemented promptly:

"What you're saying is the opportunity in the offseason and if things don't look right and after this weekend... it's going to be a difficult thing for them to deal with in this offseason." (09:01)

Alan Hahn emphasizes the necessity of weighing options carefully but underscores that decisive action is indispensable for the team's resurgence.

---

5. Broader Sports Commentary and Recent Losses

Beyond the Knicks' analysis, the hosts pay tribute to influential figures in the sports and music industries who recently passed away, including Roberta Flack and Al Troutwig. These moments of reflection serve to humanize the discussion, reminding listeners of the personal impacts within the broader sports community.

---

6. Yankees' Strategic Decisions and Fan Reactions

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing recent strategic decisions made by the New York Yankees, particularly their change in post-game music and the relaxation of the team's facial hair policy. Peter Rosenberg criticizes the Yankees' departure from tradition, suggesting it reflects a broader struggle to stay relevant:

"The Yankees are becoming the Dallas Cowboys of Major League Baseball... they now do things to try to appeal to people." (37:09)

Don LaGreca and Alan Hahn discuss the implications of these changes, debating whether they signify an organization's attempt to modernize in response to evolving fan expectations or a signal of deeper underlying issues.

Notable Quotes:

• Rosenberg: "The biggest issue they've had on defense this year really is that they have no perimeter defense. Their three-point defense has been well, horrendous." (12:10)
• LaGreca: "But if you don't do it and you don't win the championship, you're probably going to end up there anyway." (08:49)
• Rosenberg: "Everyone loves the Villanova thing, right? Josh Hart, you love him and everything that he brings." (03:53)

---

7. Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate the importance of strategic decision-making for the Knicks and tease future discussions on evolving sports standards and organizational changes. They encourage listeners to stay engaged and share their thoughts, fostering a community-driven dialogue around the team's trajectory.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Why does this team not show you enough fight in these types of games..." – Peter Rosenberg (00:27)
• "If you're looking at, well, maybe we might, but most likely we're going to get close but not really get there, then do what you can to resolve that and to change it." – Don LaGreca (05:43)
• "Every time you try, it gives a little less. And then you realize, I can't do it. We can't break down the door." – Don LaGreca (05:56)
• "The Yankees are becoming the Dallas Cowboys of Major League Baseball." – Peter Rosenberg (37:09)
• "You're holding the Yankees to a standard that clearly does not exist anymore." – Don LaGreca (45:09)

---

Conclusion

In "Hour 2: Knicks Nuclear Options," Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provide a thorough examination of the New York Knicks' current challenges and the strategic crossroads the team faces. Through expert analysis and passionate listener interactions, the hosts paint a vivid picture of the potential paths forward, emphasizing the urgency of making informed, decisive moves to secure the franchise's future success. The episode serves as both a critical assessment and a rallying call for Knicks fans, encapsulating the hopes and fears surrounding one of New York's most storied sports teams.

Transcript

[Don LaGreca]

Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate First. Like, you know, to check the Jumbotron first before attempting to eat a stack of Supreme Nachos in one bite. Now, you're just a meme that everyone shares on game day. Checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Savings vary, subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg. I think alarms should be going off right now in the Nick front office. After what you saw this weekend, why does this team not show you enough fight in these types of games when both Cleveland and Boston clearly treated these matchups with the Knicks as some sort of statement or some sort of, okay, this team's coming for us. We gotta let them feel it. And they certainly did. They were down 27 at the half on Friday. They were down 21 at the half on Sunday. They put up a little bit of a fight, at least Sunday in the third quarter. You know, I can't just sit back and keep watching these performances against Boston, a team you were built to beat, and just say to myself, like, all is well. I would be concerned if I was in the front office of the Knicks, and I would wonder to myself, did we build this team the right way? And do we still have to consider some other things, dramatic things, if we want to be a team that over the next couple of years can contend? Don Hahn and Rosenberg on 880, ESPN and of course, the ESPNY app, into the 4 o'clock hour we go 800-919-3776. We'll get to your calls. Oh, sorry. Dramatic. We already know that Kevin Durant's probably going to be on the market by draft night, right?

[Don LaGreca]

That's the feeling, right? Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't move him. He didn't want to be moved at the, at the trade deadline. But there is a real scenario where he gets moved this offseason. We've heard enough rumblings in Milwaukee to know that at some point, Giannis Denokounmpo is going to. He's going to be done with that place.

[Alan Hahn]

It's feeling like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is feeling like it more and more. You don't really have a ton of assets left, but you still have some. And of course, you have a couple of, you know, pretty hefty contracts that you can move. If you wanted to make a dramatic change, would that be the kind of Dramatic change this team might have to consider if they want to get to that echelon of elites who you would put in the conversation as a contender, because a couple of weeks ago, we. We thought they were there, but after this weekend, it's hard to imagine they are there. Is that something that this front office might be forced to consider?

[Don LaGreca]

I think you have to. Especially in the NBA, where that one player can make such a huge, huge difference.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Seismic.

[Don LaGreca]

It happens. I mean, you saw how much the Yankees changed when they brought in Juan Soto. Granted, they had injuries, but they were 82 and 80. And all of a sudden they jump up to be the best team in the American League. Finally getting over the hump. Do you think that's a coincidence? They finally get over the hump, go to the World Series for the first time in 2009 by adding the best player in baseball. One of the best players in baseball you saw with the Florida Panthers. Florida Panthers were a good team, Allen. They won a President's trophy under Joel Quinnville. Consistent playoff team. All of a sudden they get Matthew. The trade with Calgary, they gave up a lot, too. Justin Huberto was a really good player for them, but they said, you know what? We need a special player. Matthew Tkachuk was a special player. They go to the final, they win the Stanley cup, you think that's a coinc. You know, so. But especially in the NBA, we're adding that player can make a huge, huge difference to a core that just doesn't look like it's good enough. And now it's not just one team to get over. Now it looks like it might be two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

Because now Cleveland's got themselves a legitimate coach, legitimate players. So do you want to just keep running it back, running it back and saying, oh, look how close we are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's going to be expensive. And.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course. And everyone loves the Villanova thing, right? Josh Hart, you love him and everything that he brings. You know, Bridges, Hart, Brunson, the Three Amigos. They won championships in college. That's such a cool story, but do you reach. And Adenobi was a nice addition, and their record when he plays is still insanely good.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But when you look at it in face value and say to yourself, well, maybe this isn't exactly it. Those are all guys that if you pair two together or whatever, you could make up the difference enough to bring in somebody of that high echelon talent and see and hope it fits with Carl Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.

[Don LaGreca]

But what's your alternative? Just hoping that this roster will all of a sudden figure it out. Figure it out. Well, again, is it figuring it out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

37 and 30 against everybody else? It's just the great teams they can't beat.

[Don LaGreca]

I know, but unfortunately you've got two of them and one of them in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Your division and the clock is tick on when you have Brunson and you have Katt. Your clock is ticking. They are both late 20s. It's not like you've got five years, they're not 23. And you're trying to figure it out like they did with Tatum and Brown. Like Tatum and Brown were younger when they were figuring it out. You've got a three to four year window right now with these guys. So it's. You either got to go for it or you got to hope that what you've built is enough to develop into something that can one year catch lightning in a bottle and win.

[Alan Hahn]

What's the other. What's option two?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was. I gave you two names.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, those are the two options.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not going both of them. I'm just saying, like, could. Could you make a move for Durant? Could you make a move for Giannis? Because you feel like those guys are probably going to be gettable, but you know it's going to cost.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't get a. Not easy to do.

[Don LaGreca]

What is it costing you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, bodies and you don't have depth to begin with.

[Don LaGreca]

What it's costing you is extra time because those are older players, especially kd. Yeah, but what are you heading towards? That's why I said use the Rangers as a gauge. The other team in your building where it looks like the core wasn't good enough and now where do you go? Now you're going to have to maybe blow it up and take a couple of steps backwards because you keep banging on the door and you're trying to knock the door down. So you keep taking several steps back and then running at the door and it almost goes down. But now each time you try, it gives a little less. It gives a little less. And then you realize, I can't do it. We can't break down the door. And in that time we had an opportunity to get better. Didn't want to do it because we thought foolishly there were other kicks of the can that really weren't there. Organizations have to look down the road. Where is this going? If you believe it's just a chemistry thing and then eventually they're all going to figure it out and Kat's going to get better defensively and Bridges is going to find it, and we, with this core, are eventually going to win a championship, then you don't touch it. But if you're looking at, well, maybe we might, but most likely we're going to get close but not really get there, then do what you can to resolve that and to change it. Because as you start to step away from that door, Allen, then you find yourself never getting back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the fear. That's the part that scares you, is because. And again, when you have the history the Knicks have or they haven't been very good in a long time, what you do is you're afraid of, well, if we mess with it and it doesn't work, at least we were 37 and 13 against 26 other teams. At least we were in third place in the East. We, we, we, you know, we're at a lofty place. This is the best season that they've had in 25 years. Like you, you start to, you really start to grasp onto. But at least we don't suck anymore.

[Don LaGreca]

And honestly, there is value to that as an organization, especially msg, that's got its own television network, and they want to fill that building and say, you know what? It's not bad to be in this place. It's not bad to be in contention every year, play a couple of rounds in the postseason, be relevant, play a bunch of games on national television. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you take the chance and go for the brass ring, finally win a championship for the first time in 73. But you do run the risk of maybe there's a season or two if it doesn't work out that you're in that rebuild. They were showing when Al passed away. When they made the announcement, people were like showing old clips. And there was a. There was open to a Nick Pelican game. I forget what year it was. The Knicks were 5 and 36.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I've been there. I was right next to them.

[Don LaGreca]

But you run the risk that maybe that's where you're headed after KD and Giannis don't work out. But what I'm trying to tell you is if you don't do it and you don't win the championship, you're probably going to end up there anyway. Because look again, look at the Rangers. Rangers are two points out of a playoff spot. They might miss the playoffs. A team that went to the conference final two of the last three years might miss the playoffs this year. Chris Kreider's 33 with a bad back. Zibanajad seems to have lost it. Like, you see how quickly it starts to deteriorate to now you end up in the basement anyway.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're afraid of becoming what the Sixers were, where every year they're good and you had Jimmy Butler and you had Ben Simmons and you had James Harden and now you have Paul George and.

[Don LaGreca]

Every time and then what are they, 20 and 34.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're miserable now. Miserable. And you know, like it just hasn't worked and so that's what you're afraid of. But like I said, they want to believe in this core. They want to believe in this group. They want to feel like the last month has been like a downturn, but there's still a lot with this group. And once they get, whether it's, you know, Robinson, whatever it is, everything will be fine. But all I'm saying is. What you're, what you're saying, Don, is all I'm saying that there, there could be opportunity in the off season and if things don't look right and after this weekend, right now, all you can do is. What I've just seen and what I've just seen kind of makes me say I don't know if they can compete with the Celtics or even the Cavs. And if they can, then they didn't want then what was the reason why they just got smoked in these two games and by why every game against Boston has been a 20 point blowout. Like something's going on either mentally or physically with this team that they can't compete with them. And so it's going to be a difficult thing for them to deal with in this offseason. They're going to have to think long and hard about it and there's going to be options.

[Alan Hahn]

And I think you really do have to. Don't go too far any one direction because I will say this, as bad as this weekend was, you may feel differently four or five weeks with.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right about that.

[Alan Hahn]

And so your decision making in the summer is going to be affected ultimately.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's why I said this summer because.

[Alan Hahn]

You have to see how it plays out. Guys, of course we. They could go on a run at.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The end and then you. What I just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I want may people calling me out like remember when you said they should remember?

[Alan Hahn]

Remember when Don sold off the Mets last year?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. That there's something like that make it happen.

[Alan Hahn]

So you can't, you can't make the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Decision until you see what happens? What Nick Player is going to make a song? That's what I need to know. 800 now. 193776 Blanderson, Hooper. What's up?

[Caller]

What's going on guys? How are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Alan Hahn]

What up bro?

[Don LaGreca]

That was a nice tweet you had earlier today by the way.

[Caller]

Oh, didn't he Poitier. Classic moment.

[Don LaGreca]

Him and a buddy texted back about all the people that have passed away today. Roberta Flack, Al Troutweg.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't tell Roberta Flack too. I didn't even see that.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, that hurts because I loved her. But just the back and forth about, hey, just double check and make sure these people actually died because I, I've been known to kill off people. I mean you.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's something you did to poor Sydney. Podium. Go ahead.

[Caller]

Three quick things about the Knicks in terms of Friday. Yes, it's. I'm more willing to give them a pass for Friday because it was the second night of the back to back and it was overtime the night before. Now granted they never should have gone to overtime against the Bulls to begin with, but whatever. So yesterday I think was the worst of the two in terms of Bridges. I don't regret the trade but like Alan said, he's averaging like 17, 17 half points a game. But it's a soft 17 points a game. Like there are games where he completely disappears offensively and then kind of pads his stats at the end. But the biggest thing for me is, is a defense. And all along I think people have been waiting for Mitch to come back. We cannot expect miracles from, from Mitch. But, but Alan, the biggest issue they've had on defense this year really is that they have no perimeter defense. Their three point defense has been well, horrendous.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If I could argue, if I could push back though. But I don't. It's going to look bad because they're helping in the interior because they have no interior defense.

[Caller]

So if Mitch. So when they're running around helping, does that, does that help them a lot? Because now they know in a perfect world, yes, behind them and allows him to be up on people a lot more.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In a perfect world, the answer is yes. But we have to see it. And with Mitchell Robinson, the one thing we know is that once he starts really getting into rhythm is usually when the injury comes. And that's what you're just hoping that doesn't happen. I'm telling you. Thanks for the call. You can't just say that's an absolute. I can't speak with conviction about it. I know it could be there, but I gotta see it. And they're hoping that's what it is. Ethan in Brooklyn. Ethan.

[Caller]

Hey, guys, you hear me?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, man.

[Caller]

Thanks for taking my call. I wanted to talk Knicks with you. I just don't see this team being better than last year's team. I think losing Hardenstein was like, biggest loss.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Huge.

[Caller]

Could have had.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, big.

[Caller]

Also, just. I think the Macau Bridges trade, I think the Nets. The Nets fleeced us with that one. I think five first round picks is a little too much. And I think we could have used those picks and trying to get Giannis, maybe in the off season, but you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn'T know about Giannis. Like, you gotta understand, last summer when you made this trade, there was no. There was no Giannis, you know, waiting on Giannis, type of thing. They didn't want to wait. The opportunity was there to get him and they got him and they had to pay the tax to get him. So the. You know, it's unfair, Ethan, to say, well, they should have waited for Giannis. You don't know about Giannis. Like, that's not a. The absolute. The given was Bridges. And because of the connection and everything and the fit seemed good, but right now he's been. He's been a little bit up and down. Was it Rattan in Toronto?

[Caller]

Yeah. Alan, how you doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Don LaGreca]

I know.

[Caller]

And Don. Sorry. And Peter, how you doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Caller]

Yeah. So my question is the fact that. And Alan, I think you can recognize this. We've been an incompetent organization for a long time. Once Leon Rose got in, I think one of the priorities was to stabilize this, make this a legit organization, get back to normalcy. And I think he achieved that in a lot of aspects. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Caller]

But I think once the trades happened this offseason, there was kind of a timer on tips. Now, with the things that we've seen, him and his staff, they fully maximize the offensive capabilities of this offense. I don't think you can put a question on that at all. But defensively, there's kind of been some question marks, and I'm. I've never wanted to be a reactionary Knicks fan. I don't want to ever. But there was one game in particular, the Pistons game, where. Where it would be Cade Cunningham or Malik Beasley would have the ball on the right side of the perimeter, the left side of the perimeter, and Tibbs would just let them have the ball in their hands for a while until they actually put some ball pressure and tried to get it out of their hands. And it was a reoccurring thing because it happened in the Pistons game before that in December. And then it was just a thing that was coming into my mind that he keeps on doing this. He's not with it. He's not able to make adjustments like I've seen in the past, which is just odds to me. And I know, yeah, we always have had our pieces this year, but in terms of just change the lineup to give us a better perimeter defender, Induce would help out and I don't. And then the cat defensive things, he's horrible and drop Tib still wants to play that. God knows why. That's another thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're protecting him. Let's see. See. Yes. An answer to everything you're saying. All goes back to personnel. They're playing to the personnel. And. And I know what it looks like. So I'm not trying to. To patronize you here when I say this, but you got to say to yourself, do you think he's just saying, yeah, don't guard him. They have a. They have a scheme and a plan, but if somebody's not there or the timing's off or again, cat and his feet are just not good when it comes to pick and roll defense. And teams know it. It's. Historically, it's been the. It's why. It's why Minnesota got Rudy Gobert. They knew that they wouldn't be able to survive that. They wanted to win. They needed to get a defensive center next to him. So there's a lot that's going on out there that I know looks like coaching, but at times it's personnel. Matt in Springfield. Matt, you're up next.

[Caller]

Hey guys, thank you for taking my call. I totally agree with you about personnel. I also want to build on that last caller's point about iheart being the biggest loss. Iheart ascension to starter. Last year he became a two way player for us. He set phenomenal screens. He fit well in the offense as a passer, offensive rebounding. But he also became a defensive threat for us with shot blocking. And Mitch's role was not what it was probably intended to be. This year he was your 20 minute a game guy as a backup later on. And he gave you minutes that were great against Embiid. But Hartenstein was one who was closing those games. And I feel like since he left, it's been a little bit of a domino effect. They made the Towns trade because they probably didn't intend to sign Randall long term. And while they gave up Dante in the deal. The deal for Mikhail was to replace Dante.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Correct.

[Caller]

And Mitch was supposed to replace iheart but Mitch being hurt. I agree the personnel isn't there right now and they lost toughness for sure in that deal. But until they replace I heart's two way capability, I'm not sure they're going to be able to take that next step. Randall didn't even play the end of last year and it didn't matter because I heart covered so many holes for them that their perimeter defense was so much better than it can be right now. So I agree with you. I think if there is a deal in the off season, Giannis is only a year older than Cat. It's not like he's so old. I'm not sure I'd pursue Durant, but Giannis is a kind of two way player for us where he offers defense, he offers offensive threat, scoring ability and he allows Brunson in a pick and roll game to like you have to guard Giannis so he's somebody I would pursue more. But I would agree with you on the personnel being the issue and not necessarily the coaching.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, again it's, it's, it's still coming together. There are times that it looks really good and then there are times like I said this weekend where you just ask yourself like where's the compete level? Joey and Montclair. Joey.

[Caller]

Hey guys, how are you? Everyday listener, multiple time caller. That's going to be a tough call to follow because I agree with everything. What I will say is that to all the other Knicks fans out there, let's pump the brakes a little because we are again not far off from a 1520 win season where absolutely nobody would come here. So our big off season acquisition was Alfred Payton. It's a great problem to have right now. So I remember when we can only beat three teams now that we can't beat three teams. That's a nice problem to have and we've come a long way in a very short time. That being said, it's not a finished product. I agree we need somebody else, but that person cannot be Kevin Durant. I would probably give up on this team if it was Durant. AJ injury prone player who's been a problem everywhere he goes and he's a bulldog which we don't need. We have plenty of options.

[Alan Hahn]

Problem everywhere he goes is a weird choice for Kevin Durant. He did, he did win those couple of championships in Golden State. Was a the best player on that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Team and the only thing Joey I'll Say this. I don't think he's a ball hog. I actually think he plays within the flow really well. I just think if your defense is a problem, he's not helping you there. Right. Like, that's the. If you wanted to make a pushback on the. On a. On a KD dream scenario, that's what I would do there.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for the call. I would then say, well, wait a minute. You know, you're not getting better defensively now, Giannis. Yeah, you're definitely getting better. You're getting length, which you desperately need. Defense, rebounding, like, you're getting a guy like that, that could. But that's an expensive proposition, right. To make a.

[Alan Hahn]

You said it. Well, if your problem is going to be defense, sure. I'll have that conversation saying, he's just a problem everywhere he goes. I know. I wouldn't think that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's certainly a bit much. All right. Maury calls 800-919-3776 enn. Usually at 4:30, though. Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Not this time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not today.

[Alan Hahn]

No. No, because we started late. Started late. Moving it till 6 and you know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like it ought to be.

[Alan Hahn]

And there's a lot of people out there been begging for six. The question is, is this gonna feel so right that people go, they should be making a move here full time to 6:00.

[Don LaGreca]

So they're begging for six. Yeah, I like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Begging for six. Could be on a T shirt. Don Hahn and Rosenberg begging for six. Hot six. Yeah, Hot six on the platter.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go. Hot six on the platter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So if you're interested like we are.

[Alan Hahn]

You'Re gonna know you're getting every bit of it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're gonna get it. That's sick.

[Alan Hahn]

Every bit of six coming your way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The best threesome I've ever heard. Saturday.

[Don LaGreca]

Excuse me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Instead, we'll continue with your calls and more going on in the sports world that have to do with beards and songs and everything else. So, Don, before we get to all that, I'm very interested in Bath Fitter, please.

[Don LaGreca]

The other reason we like to move it to six is because it's a longer segment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, who doesn't likes six long? It's like rephrasing. You can really.

[Don LaGreca]

Don Lagreca here to tell you about my friends over at pathfitter. They remodeled my mom's bath. Did an awesome job. Process was easy. One expert installer. Even with the customization she needed for a cast iron tub. It's done in one day with no demo or message. It's a beautiful High quality permanent solution Bath Fitter provides a lifetime guarantee. 3 million happy customers like my mom get 0% interest for 30 months. So start designing your bath today. @bathfitterdesign.com there's only one bath fitter.

[Alan Hahn]

Get in the zone.

[Don LaGreca]

Auto zone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ooh, got a dash light on.

[Don LaGreca]

The AutoZone free fix finder service can read your check engine, ABS and other warning lights to help you find the fix.

[Caller]

You'll get an easy to read report.

[Don LaGreca]

With clear next steps and we can recommend a trusted local shop if you need one.

[Caller]

It's the most complete free warning light.

[Don LaGreca]

Report backed by technician verified fixes. The free Fix Finder service with shop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Referral Only at AutoZone get in the zone AutoZone restrictions apply.

[Alan Hahn]

Your data is like gold to hackers.

[Don LaGreca]

They're selling your passwords, bank details and private messages.

[Alan Hahn]

McAfee helps stop them.

[Don LaGreca]

Secure VPN keeps your online activity private. AI powered text scam detector spots phishing attempts instantly. And with award winning antivirus you get top tier hacker protection. Plus you'll get up to $2 million in identity theft coverage. All for just $39.99 for your first year. Visit McAfee.com, cancel anytime terms apply.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don LaGreca]

Lost Roberta Flack today.

[Alan Hahn]

How old was Roberta Flag?

[Don LaGreca]

That's a great question. 8:88 is a nice run.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Michael wouldn't sign for it but she has had ALS for the last few years.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Couldn't sing ALS is.

[Don LaGreca]

ALS is a 100 bill. What if you could tell me who the song's about?

[Alan Hahn]

Don McLean.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, I'll get it to you.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean have you ever seen any lack of hesitation like that?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, never a pistol Pete.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Merrill, you were ready to go?

[Don LaGreca]

I was talking Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was looking at me.

[Alan Hahn]

I was talking to Alan. So by the way, so a couple others.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was gonna say Wyclef, but that's a different one.

[Don LaGreca]

They did a good job with that song. Oh really?

[Alan Hahn]

It's one of those great covers. A couple other passing this weekend the. The singer Gwen McCray passed away. She had a couple of great like disco y R B records in the 70s and 80s. I don't know if you guys mentioned it on Friday because it happened during the show Friday when I was off that Biggie's mom Valletta Wallace passed away.

[Don LaGreca]

It just 78, right.

[Alan Hahn]

So the New York Times said 78. Other places said 72. She was a really cool lady, man. I got to interview her a few times from the hot 97 years she'd come up to. Biggie would have a new project to be thrust into, the kind of situation that she was thrusted into. And to do it with, like, such sort of grace and warmth. Like, no one ever thought, oh, I'm gonna have a child. They're gonna become an incredible superstar, then they're gonna be taken away and the whole world's gonna mourn them, and I'm gonna have to be a representative for them publicly for the rest of my life. It's a pretty bizarre kind of adult life, you know, your entire life is defined by the death of your child. She did it with grace and kindness and warmth and intelligence and just, like, poise. She was a great lady. So, yeah, a lot of. A lot of. And as, of course, we started the show and we'll get into it in a bit talking about the passing of the great Al Troutwig. Just a lot of tough losses the last few days.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's take Henry, who is on tour.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

Is this Henry Rollins?

[Caller]

It is not. I'm not that prolific. This is usually Henry from South Carolina. First of all, sorry. I'm so sorry for going on and on the other day, but although I did get the good thanks drop out of you guys. So my apologies, Don, I did not mean to offend you.

[Alan Hahn]

Please don't feel so.

[Don LaGreca]

No, we were just having fun. Alan missed it because Alan wasn't on that day. He gave, like, a full critique of the show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

And after he was done, I said thanks and went right to the next call. I thought it was very ambitious of you. And I was good.

[Caller]

It was an absolute flop. My bad.

[Don LaGreca]

Now, listen, you gave your opinion and I gave mine.

[Caller]

Yeah, well, thanks. Well, I appreciate it. I just wanted to thank you so much for paying tribute to the great Altratwig today. He was my favorite broadcaster growing up. And when MSG was no longer the carrier for the Yankee games, that was like the big loss for me. I was like, wow, I don't get to listen out Trotwig anymore. He called my. My favorite call from my very first Yankee game in 1998. And I always, like, replay the highlight on YouTube and it's a big moment for me. So I really appreciate it. Especially I know you have an Al Trout wig sort of aura around you, Alan, so it kind of feels good for me. Thank you guys so much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I appreciate that. Henry, I can't come nowhere close to him. We always used to joke that he was the voice of God. Right, like at the network.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, yeah, he kind of was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He had that just way about him that.

[Alan Hahn]

But they used his voice that way too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Everything.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He voiced so much. And it was always like that, just prominent voice. And we used to just mess with him at times and get him all fired up. Wally Zerbak and I used to drive. We would always carpool back to Long island after broadcasting, and Al would sometimes jump in with us. And when there was construction going on in the Midtown tunnel one time we were stuck and he was getting frustrated because he couldn't stand sitting in traffic. So we saw workers on a truck that had one lane closed. And I guess they were on break, they weren't doing anything. So I just said, al, I'm gonna roll the window down. I said, use your voice and just yell. Like, tell him get to work. Right? Cause it. His voice would boom. Now we're in the tunnel. So the echo. We weren't even anticipating just how much this would resonate. So Al was all for it. He's like, all right, all right, all right. So we're getting closer to the truck and we roll down window. He sticks his head out and he's like, get to work. And it just like, it sounded literally like it came from the heavens. Like God himself was tired of these guys sitting around while the rest of us got. Had to sit in bumper to bumper traffic. These guys jumped and like coffee spilled. It was just. We were. We laughed the whole way home.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll tell you this about Al too. You know, like when you. When you move somewhere new and I guess you guys don't have this experience, but for me, having come from a different market, it's an adjustment. The local sports people are an adjustment that you make. I lived in the D.C. area for 27 years and by the way, the most hardcore sports fan years of my life. You know, like 10 to 27, right? I was hardcore. So when you get somewhere new, I'm learning who all the new people were. Al Trout wig was one who. I was just like, this guy's awesome. Like, he's just. Some. Some things are like very specifically this market in a way that I'd be like, I see why people like it, but it's not for me. You know what I mean? Respectfully, I've said that about John Sterling. Not for me. It's a New York thing. You got to grow up a New Yorker and you love it. But as an objective Broadcaster nerd. I was like, eh, not for me, okay? Troutwig was for everyone. Like, he was just a polished, awesome broadcaster. Like, whenever I heard his voice, just sounds like big time. Sounds like New York City.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A regional, local game felt like a national.

[Don LaGreca]

Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Because he didn't have some regional style. He felt you felt like you were getting. And you talked about the work that he did for NBC and the Olympics and all that stuff. He had that big time cachet doing local stuff.

[Don LaGreca]

And when the Yankees were on msg, you're talking about him being a part of the Yankees, the Knicks and the Rangers, three biggest teams in New York. So a lot of times there isn't that crossover. So, like, Knick fans appreciated him. Ranger fans appreciate him. Yankee fans appreciated him. The work that he did in the Olympics, it was. There's not that many announcers that could say that they affected just about everybody in the New York market equally because of the teams that he was attached to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I know exactly, from just knowing him all these years and having all these casual conversations with him where, you know, he could be very colorful. All right. I know exactly how he'd feel if I shared with him a tweet that I saw this morning about. What was it yesterday, about the Yankees deciding that after losses, they will no longer play New York, New York, they're now going to play. That's life.

[Alan Hahn]

I love it. Love this decision, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So. So I know Al, who would love Sinatra, be happy that it's okay. Well, at least it's a Sinatra song. But his whole thing would be what the blank. Like what? Why? You know, like that. The reaction to these things that are happening right now with the Yankees. I'm wondering why the beard thing? Okay. You don't want to lose out on a free agent. Then Judge comes out and says, if that little rule's gonna stop you from coming here, then you probably shouldn't be here. So Judge made it clear. I kind of like the tradition. I kind of like the Yankees as the team that just says, hey, you know what? When you're here, clean cut, this is how we want to be. Your captain made it clear that he feels like there's nothing wrong with that.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, and also he wants people here who want to be here like him. And I respect that because he made a decision. I think I do know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm curious what's going on with the Yankees, though, that now we're starting to do this. And look, and it's not a big deal. Sometimes they played Liza Minnelli's version of New York, New York after a loss. I remember those days.

[Don LaGreca]

That's what I remember.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I remember that, too.

[Don LaGreca]

Frank Miller Wing, Liza after.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it was like, a little more melancholy. It wasn't. But to say, that's life. Am I crazy? Am I overthinking it? That it feels like it's like, yeah, we lost. You know, that's life. Instead of it being Liza Minnelli. Sounded miserable, like. Like you were almost sad walking out, hearing that version of the song.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know who you're catering to, because it's not like you went to a hip hop song that. That's like. It's still Frank. Yeah. But it still resonates with a, you know, much older audience.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But then the words are like, eh, we lost.

[Don LaGreca]

I got people. I haven't heard this brought up yet. And I don't know how much of this. Michael would be a great person to ask this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

You know, remember a couple of years ago, they did the audit, and everybody thought that the audit that they did was gonna have Brian Cashman in trouble. They were gonna make wholesale changes. And then we heard a lot of backpedaling. Oh, you're looking at the audit the wrong way. They were just kind of assessing where they were as a franchise. I'm wondering if this is a byproduct of that. When they did the audit, they start asking fans, like, what do you want? What do you like about the team? What do you not like about the team? Kind of asking around. And I'm sure Hal probably got from that audit, hey, you know, you're the New York Yankees. We get it. But you haven't won a championship just once in the last 25 years. You're not as special as you think to a lot of people outside of New York and to a younger audience. I mean, if you're a young free agent, Allen, if you're 27 years old and your free agent, you'd be like, well, I can go a bunch of other places to win. I don't have to just go to the Yankees. And now there are teams that are spending more money than the Yankees. I don't want to say the Yankees are ordinary, because they're not. They're still very, very special. But they're not as special as they used to be, are they? And so you wonder, is this audit just like, hey, maybe we gotta be. We gotta conform, man. Maybe the fans. Maybe they talked to the fans who said, you know what? I want to change a pace? I don't know why, who did they talk? What's being played at the end of the games would matter to me. Did I. Like when I used to listen, full disclosure, I'd listen to the Mets on the radio. And when I was like 18, 19 years old, I listened a lot on the radio because I didn't want to miss a game, but I also wanted to go out and have fun. So I listened to the game on the radio. And the Mets, I don't know whether it was the Mets or fan at the time. What they would do is when the Mets won, they would play celebration. And when they lost, they play the acoustic. The. The end of Layla. And I thought that was, like, cool. You know, I thought it was cool, but, you know, when they changed it, I was like, I'm disappointed. But, you know, I didn't want him to hold a press conference and explain it. I was really surprised. Like, people are like, oh, my God, look at they're doing here. They're changing the song at the end of the game. Like, wow. But I'm just wondering. We're trying to find out what the motivation is. I'm just wondering if this audit is some of the byproduct of that audit where they're listening to what people are saying about them and saying maybe we just need to be a little bit more open to what our fans think and what other players think.

[Alan Hahn]

I think. I think that is what they're doing. And I think also they're saying our fans complain about a few things. Among those things are Aaron Boone. Among those things are Hal Steinbrenner. I'm sorry, Brian Cashman. Apologies. Among those things. I'm sure Hal catches it, too, but I meant Brian. Among those things are analytics and the way that we choose to run this team. Among those things are the way that we spend money these days. We're not changing any of those things. Here's what we can change. I think they're looking at the big pool of changes that people are screaming about. They're saying these huge marquee ones. We're not doing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You think this is. We're down to flesh. You think that's what this is?

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's a little bit of what can we cost you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Some chum.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because we're not going to give you the big deal.

[Alan Hahn]

We're not giving you that. So we are. But here's the thing. I. Both of those. Okay. The facial hair thing, I think probably should have been changed.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a silly, stuffy, dumb rule. Now you can find it cute or say, I like. Michael would say he liked the charm of it or whatever. Okay? You can still have that by saying a well maintained beard. You know what I mean? There's still a way that you can modernize and keep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In a vacuum. You're right. But if we are. If this becomes a macro thing where now it's like, shit, we're changing the song and we're doing this and we're doing like, what's next? What is this leading to?

[Don LaGreca]

Names on the back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, Jesus.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't. I don't think. I don't. You almost. You almost dropped the Jason Christmas.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you kidding me?

[Don LaGreca]

I don't think they'll.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm Catholic.

[Don LaGreca]

They will not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, just like. But if that happens.

[Don LaGreca]

But, but, but look, but look at. There's a lot of optics going on here, Alan, all right? You change the beard policy, you send out the press release. Fine. You had to have a press conference. They wanted people to know they were doing that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right?

[Don LaGreca]

The same thing. They could have just played. That's life after a loss. People go, oh, they changed it up. There has to be an announcement. So obviously they're doing it because they feel proud of what they're doing. They want people to know that they're doing it. So I do think it's coming from a place of. It seems like things are getting a little stale. The New York Yankees maybe don't resonate the way they used to outside of New York to free agents. It's other people. And maybe we just need to listen. Maybe we need to be a little less stuffy. We at least need to let our fans know we're listening to their complaints. And boy, it got a tremendous amount of traction. I think most people agreed with the beard policy. The playing of the. Which Frank Sinatra song got a little bit of a pushback, but I don't know. I don't know what it does. Cuz ultimately it's about winning on the field.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But doesn't it feel like to call.

[Don LaGreca]

Attention to it means that they are sending out a signal that they feel like they want people to listen to what they're doing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

My fear as a Yankees fan is that the Yankees are becoming the Dallas Cowboys of Major League Baseball. A brand that is celebrated, a brand that has staying power. The richest of all brands in sports. Right? But what it represents is so much about the past and no longer about the present that they have pretty much lost who they are and that they're so afraid now of being stuck in the Past that they now do things to try to appeal to people. When every answer to anything they do, when people say, why do the Yankees do that? Cuz we're the fricking Yankees, that's why. And that once was said, like said with your chest and now you can't say it anymore. Now you can't because, well, you never win anymore. You guys sucked. Like what are you trying to appeal to?

[Don LaGreca]

What did you think of? I'll ask you, you're a Yankee fan, so you're the perfect person to ask. If I say Yankees, what comes to you? Not, not recent, just overall. I say Yankees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's standard, it's just. Yeah, it's winning.

[Don LaGreca]

Winning. All right, well unfortunately, one more. The Royals, they win every year, right? But they, it doesn't have to be championships, they don't do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're always good, they never suck.

[Don LaGreca]

But you will know how championships resonate more than anything else. There's no doubt about that. The fan base is no longer tolerated. Finishing above 500.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I' I am not lowering my standards to now appeal and become just like everyone else. You're the Yankees. You're not supposed to be like everyone else. Everyone else has to beg for fans and beg for attention and beg for sponsors. Everyone else has to do that. You don't. Cuz you're the Yankees. You don't have to do that.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, you don't think they have to, but they're. Maybe they're starting to think maybe we have to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, all you're doing again is the most loyal people that follow you. You are changing who you are that they love about you to appeal to people who don't love you.

[Don LaGreca]

But true, the people that love you aren't going anywhere, Alan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know, I hate that. I hate that. Because as a Yankees fan, you talk about it on Friday. I'm frustrated by a lot of things. The one thing I want to have is the standard. That's the one thing I love about being a Yankees fan, is that I know there's a standard and that's chipping.

[Alan Hahn]

Away, but you don't want to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We can do, we gotta do more, we're do more.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but you also don't want to be stubborn about what that standard is. Cause it is a blurry line between evolving.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When the captain said what he said about the beards, that stuck with me because if he just said like, yeah, it was antiquated. Yeah, I had friends of mine. No, instead he said, well, if you couldn't conform, then maybe you shouldn't be here. When he said that, I thought, wait, that used to be the Yankee attitude. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. No, nothing.

[Don LaGreca]

No, I'm listening to it.

[Alan Hahn]

That's how much I eat.

[Don LaGreca]

No disrespect to you, but I love.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, we only have, like, about eight seconds of it.

[Don LaGreca]

So I, I grew up listening to a lot of her music. And then when I worked at. I worked at a pharmacy, basically from my sophomore year in high school right till I began working at the fan in 96. Like, that was 11 years I worked at the pharmacy. And we had. I. I wonder if it's still a station on WPAT out of Patterson, New Jersey, that played all soft rock. And then we went to Light fm and so all these songs would come on, and I just, I always adored her. Her voice. And so I was just taking it all in. Alan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I, I, Yeah, I, I just was aware of how much song we'd have to play, and I was thinking of, like, that's, that's too weak because we did the Killing Me Softly. There is a third that I hope. Yep. He's got his thumbs up, so he's gonna play it later.

[Alan Hahn]

Right now?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, later. Yeah, he'll play it later. The third one to me is. Is the most.

[Alan Hahn]

But now I'm curious about what you're saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Little tease. You'll know it. Yeah. You'll name that tune in one note.

[Alan Hahn]

You say that you don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You'll Name that tune one note. 800-919-3776. Dave in the Bronx. What's up, Dave?

[Caller]

Hey. Not much, guys. Thanks for having me on. Big fan of the show. Love listening to you guys, but I kind of disagree with everything that you're saying about the. I'm a big Yankee fan and mid, you know, mid-40s, late-40s. I don't get what you guys are even talking about. How. How does this even, like, come up as a topic on your show? I love this show.

[Alan Hahn]

But, like, what do you mean? Which part?

[Caller]

What do you mean? The facial hair, The Yankees. You know how, like, just changing everything. It's a, It's a good thing that they're changing everything. It might missing something. Why are you guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I explain, Dave? Like, it's, it's, It's Really. It's. It's not in a. Like I said, in a vacuum. Okay? It's. It's. That's not what it is. But it's. It's just one after another after another. Just makes you pause and go, what's going on here? Like.

[Caller]

Under. If you're under the age of 40, nobody has a problem with this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, what's wrong with. What about over the age. What about over the age of 40?

[Caller]

I guess. I guess some. There's a certain percentage like you guys that have a problem.

[Alan Hahn]

It's only Allen, by the way. Don and I don't have a problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah. They're not. They're not Yankee fans, so they don't care.

[Caller]

Of course not. Because it's ridiculous, Alan, that you're even having this take.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. Judge. Judge had it.

[Alan Hahn]

Judge did sort of feed Alan the tape.

[Caller]

I understand that. I understand that. But he's not a fan. He's not like. He's also not a player with a beard. There's a lot of guys out there in the world with a beard. I think it's. I don't have one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's not about the beard these days, so. It's not just the beard. Like I said, Dave, it's not just that.

[Caller]

It's the music. You're. I know you're going on and on about the freaking music. Who cares? Frank Sinatra. That's what you want to listen to these days? Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is still Frank Sinatra.

[Alan Hahn]

Still fright Sinatra.

[Caller]

But that's ridiculous. That's ridiculous.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, what do you want?

[Caller]

Change it up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want to change it up?

[Caller]

I don't know. A little Puerto Rican. What about you, Rosenberg? Put some rap on there. What do you think?

[Alan Hahn]

Up for the black.

[Caller]

Ridiculous.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, they're not. Hold on. They're not changing the music.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly what I'm worried about.

[Alan Hahn]

They're not changing not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, they shouldn't.

[Alan Hahn]

That's. You're missing the point of what it was.

[Caller]

Now we get a right. We're going to ride out with. Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

They're still riding out with Sinatra. It's still Sinatra.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's now that.

[Alan Hahn]

Ridiculous, by the way. I don't have any problem with them keeping it. Sinatra, it's their thing. Sinatra is a New York, New Jersey thing. It's fine.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, this.

[Caller]

And you have no shame. You have no shame anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you rap?

[Caller]

You don't. You. You can't throw a rap song up there. A little reggaeton, a little domestic loss.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to hear you want to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hear Gasolina after a loss?

[Alan Hahn]

What are you talking about?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why don't we play. Oh, my God.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, boy, I'm playing. Thank you, Dave. Dave's trolling.

[Don LaGreca]

He was trolling a little bit. I always hate the, The PDS that all of a sudden come out of the woodwork and want to program the show. If you don't think that wasn't a story, you're not paying attention. It was a story. It was a big story. Yankees had a press conference about it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that was it.

[Don LaGreca]

And the reaction over the weekend to changing the song, I was blown away. By now Peter and I both think, fine, do what you gotta do. Alan's in a way about it. But to say that it's not a topic of conversation. When everybody in the baseball world was making a comment on it, it was.

[Alan Hahn]

Clearly a big deal. The back page of the Post people did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They had a press conference. And I said, what else did they discuss in this press conference? He said, no, no, the press conference was just about the beer.

[Alan Hahn]

What?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then we're gonna change a song, which is fine, I guess, until you tell me it's. That's life, which feels a little bit like, you know, after a loss, it's like, yeah, that's life. Oh, really? What else are we gonna do here? Like, it just. It's one thing after another. And I just, I. I'm. I'm sorry.

[Don LaGreca]

I feel certainly. I'm gonna treat you like a caller, Alan. I'm gonna treat you like the Yankee fans that have called us over the last two, three years. Actions speak louder than words.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course.

[Don LaGreca]

You're holding the Yankees to a standard that clearly does not exist anymore. Now, they'll say it outwardly that it's World Series or bust, but when you see a manager and a general manager basically have a job for life, even though they haven't won in like a decade or two decades almost. So what more do you need to be told, Alan? You're holding to the George Steinbrenner standard than just me. The captain. Look at them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The captain.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm going to say something about him. When we come back, I got something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To say about Aaron Judge and your calls. You definitely want to stay with this.

[Alan Hahn]

And then at 6:00 tonight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

6:00, right. Like a dreamer, like you love it at six. Meanwhile, though, before Don gives us his take, he's got to tell us about Samwell.

[Don LaGreca]

That's all right, friends. Go see Dr. Jay Shaw. He's a double board certified Ivy League trained pain specialist. Don't let your neck, back, sciatica or nerve pain slow you down from doing all the work and the things that you love. It is time to reclaim your active lifestyle. Call our friend Dr. Jay Shot today at Samwell Pain. Dr. Jay Shot treats joint, neck, back, sciatica, nerve pain. Dr. Shah is also a migraine and headache specialist. Procedures involve no cuts, scars, incisions or downtime. Call Dr. Jay Shah to take a non surgical approach with precise image guided procedures without pain medications. Enjoy life pain free. Same day and next day appointments available. Go to samwellpain.com to book online. Put an end to your pain and suffering today. Why wait any longer? Make your appointment with Dr. Jay Shah. Go to samuelpain.com now. Regain your active lifestyle. Enjoy all of your favorite activities pain free. Samuel Pain now has three convenient locations in Woodbridge, Livingston and a brand new office in Englewood to serve Bergen County. Visit samuelpain.com or text to book online. You will Wish you met Dr. Shah sooner. Most major insurance are accepted.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter.

[Don LaGreca]

Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8.

[Peter Rosenberg]

80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Don LaGreca]

Hey, if you've been thinking about going back to school, here's your shot. National University's year of you scholarship can get you up to $6,000 a year on your bachelor's or master's degree. And don't worry, their flexible online courses fit your schedule so you can stay in the game while you study. Plus, you'll get free tutoring, career counseling and a lot more. Make this your year and apply by February 28th at nu.edu. terms and conditions apply. Check out the site for details.