Hour 2: Mets & The List

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2: Mets & The List (June 24, 2026)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives deeply into the pain and expectations of New York sports fans, focusing primarily on the New York Mets' legacy of disappointment. The conversation then shifts to a lighter note with "The List," ranking the greatest second-round NBA draft picks since 1999, in honor of the ongoing NBA Draft. The episode closes with humorous banter about NHL coaching names. Full of personal stories, sharp opinions, and the trio’s signature wit, this hour is a portrait of enduring (and often self-deprecating) New York sports fandom.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Mets Misery: New York’s Kings of Disappointment

• Mets’ Latest Loss: Mets drop game one vs. Cubs 10-3, sinking to 11 games under .500. The mood is bleak.
• Comparing NY Droughts: The hosts list New York teams with the longest title droughts: Mets, Knicks, Jets, Rangers, Islanders (02:00–02:50).
  • Quote: “Of the three teams with significant droughts...the Mets have been to a couple of World Series since then...but, correct me if I’m wrong, there have been a handful of times for the Jets where expectations were through the roof and they disappointed you, but the Mets — it would take me all day…” (Peter Rosenberg, 02:50)
• Why the Mets Hurt More:
  • The Mets consistently fall short when expectations are high and have disappointed more frequently and severely than other NY franchises.
  • The pattern: Big-name acquisitions and ownership promises routinely fizzle, while playoff streaks are rare (07:10–10:45).
  • Quote: “That’s the difference between the Mets and all the other drought teams...they take your heart out and stomp on it, and they don’t even make it close.” (Peter Rosenberg, 07:10)
• Hopeless Hope: Short bursts of success give fans false hope, leading to steeper letdowns.
  • Quote: “They are the perfect example: the biggest tease in the history of sports.” (Peter Rosenberg, 12:13)
• Mets as a Dysfunctional Friend: The Mets are compared to an unreliable friend you can’t cut loose despite constant disappointment (13:12–14:15).
  • Quote: "They're your buddy that just always disappoints..." (Peter Rosenberg, 13:12)
• Pop Culture Metaphors: They liken the Mets' betrayals to Sharon Stone’s character in Casino, who always makes things worse (14:18–15:19).

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2. Managerial Frustration & Fan Connection

• Carlos Mendoza’s Postgame Rhetoric: Mendoza remains positive after brutal loss; hosts question why managers don’t show raw emotion.
  • Quote: “At what point do you stop with the rhetoric and just say how you feel? Because there’s no way he can actually go that way.” (Peter Rosenberg, 17:00)
• Contrast to Aaron Boone: Anthony points out how even showing a little anger is rare, yet might endear a manager to fans even as things unravel (18:04–19:38).

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3. Mets Injury Irony & Soto/Lindor Saga

• Bad Luck Continues: As Francisco Lindor nears return, Juan Soto picked up an injury. The Mets’ misfortune seems poetic (20:19–21:08).
  • Quote: “It’s so Mets, right? These guys don’t get along, and now they can’t play at the same time. One guy comes back from injury, the other guy gets hurt.” (Peter Rosenberg, 20:20)
• Soto’s Underwhelm: Hosts poke fun at Soto’s awkward base running and the persistent trend of star acquisitions underperforming in Queens (21:10–22:37).

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4. Transition to “The List”: NBA Second-Round Greats

• Segment Intro (27:23): Peter introduces "The List," ranking top five NBA second-round picks since the two-round format was introduced in 1989.
  • Top Picks Revealed (28:46–33:02):
    1. Nikola Jokic (2014): “He’s number one. He’s won a championship, one of the best players in the league.” (Peter Rosenberg, 29:10)
    2. Manu Ginobili (1999): “Only Hall of Famer on the list so far…” (Anthony, 30:54)
    3. Jalen Brunson (2018): Debate over whether he should be #2; consensus is he needs a longer track record (29:17, 32:30)
    4. Draymond Green (2012): Key piece in Warriors’ dynasty (29:57)
    5. Gilbert Arenas (2001): Three-time All-NBA selection (31:56)
    • Honorable Mentions: Marc Gasol, Carlos Boozer, Nick Van Exel, Dennis Rodman (pre-89), Antonio Davis.
• Classic Jokic Draft Moment: Noted for being drafted during a Quesarito Taco Bell commercial; clip lives on in draft lore (29:05, 33:12).
  • Quote: “The Quesarito is literally on the screen when it says ‘Nuggets select Nikola Jokic’.” (Don Hahn, 33:15)
• Stats Context: Not many second-rounders become stars, which makes the list remarkable given the NBA’s draft structure (35:17–36:23).
• Two-Day Draft Format: Hosts express disbelief at the NBA’s move to stretch the Draft to two days, mocking TV filler for limited true value picks.

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5. Humorous Hockey Name Banter (39:03–45:24)

• Game of Names: Don quizzes Peter on what recent Edmonton Oilers coaches have in common: Hitchcock, Tippett, Woodcroft, Knoblauch, Babcock.
  • The joke: All have names ending in “cock,” or as Peter reveals, “back” as a recurring syllable.
  • Quote: “What do they have in common? Back...an hour back. Get it? Back in an hour. Get it?” (Don Hahn, 41:05)
  • The gag continues with childish humor, riffing on names like Woodcock and Knobcock (42:35–43:17).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Mets Futility:
  • “They are the worst. They’re the worst.” — Peter Rosenberg (06:10)
• On Mets Hope and Disappointment:
  • “With those occasional runs [the Mets] give you hope. In some ways that’s what makes it worse.” — Anthony (11:22)
• On a Manager’s Role:
  • “At what point do you just stop with the whole rah-rah...and say how you feel?” — Peter Rosenberg (16:35)
• Jokic Draft Story:
  • “The Quesarito is literally on the screen when it says ‘Nuggets select Nikola Jokic’.” — Don Hahn (33:15)
• Childish Name Game:
  • “Do you really think I was going to just have a throwaway segment for the 5 o'clock hour...they all played their junior careers in Manitoba?” — Peter Rosenberg (44:38)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mets Disappointment Deep Dive: 00:49 – 24:35
• Managerial Frustration & Fan Connection: 16:17 – 19:38
• NBA Draft & The List (Top 5 Second-Rounders): 27:23 – 36:23
• Jokic Quesarito Draft Story: 29:05, 33:12
• Hockey Name Banter: 39:03 – 45:24

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Episode Tone and Takeaways

The hour swings from raw, exasperated sports pain (especially for Mets supporters), to witty, pop culture–tinged references, to genuinely sharp sports analysis in “The List.” The humor is self-aware, sometimes childish, but always has the warmth and commiseration of friends who have suffered the same heartbreak and still manage to laugh about it.

If you’re a New York sports fan, especially a Mets devotee, brace for some gallows humor and deep, knowing sighs. If you love hoops history with a side of irreverence, you’ll enjoy The List segment. And if you just like grown men making middle-school jokes about NHL coach names, this one’s for you too.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

So good, so good, so good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[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 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game time is brought to you by Tullamore. Do Irish whiskey because when it's game

[Anthony]

time, guys,

[Peter Rosenberg]

it's taller time.

[Anthony]

It's tolly time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mets Cubs game one is over. Mets lose 10 3. Then now 11 games under.500. But there'll be another game later on today and coverage will begin at 6:30 right here on 880 ESPN. New York, the NBA draft continues. Alan Hahn hosting. That's why he's not here on the show. You can Hear it on 10:50am at 7:30. You can also follow it on the app. Yankees close out their series with The Tigers at 640 Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. All right, so the Mets lose and I wish Allen was here, but I think between Jacob, Anthony and Peter, they'll

[Anthony]

have we could combine to one half.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Allen. Well, from a Knicks history standpoint because you know, we talk about the drought. Knicks had not won a championship in 53 years. The Mets haven't won a championship in 40. The jets have not won a championship in what is it now? 50 because that was 60. 58 years because it was technically was

[Anthony]

the 60 if it was a day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so that's 58 years. A long time. Obnoxiously long. But of the three teams with the significant droughts, I'll throw the Islanders in there as well. They haven't won since 83, so they've gone over 40 years. So those are the four big droughts here in New York. The Knicks, they, they've had moments, but they've also been awful. Jets, awful. Islanders, awful, embarrassing flying commercial when everybody had charter because they had no money. They had an owner that went to prison. A lot of embarrassing things. And of course the Mets ownership and how ridiculous things have been since 1986. But the Mets have been to a couple of World Series since then in 2000 and then in 2015. But correct me if I'm wrong, guys, and we all. Anthony is a Knick fan, so he knows the history. Jacob is a Knick fan. And Peter, you've been here long enough and big enough basketball fan.

[Anthony]

I like the, I do like the basketball

[Peter Rosenberg]

and I know the Islanders and I certainly know the Jets. There have been a handful of times that you count on one hand where the expectations were through the roof and they disappointed you. Like with the jets expectations through the roof when they get Brett Favre, they finish 8 and 8 after going 8 and 3, injures his shoulder. Disappointment out, Mangini fired, didn't live up to expectations. That's the one that jumps to my mind and the one that jumps to my mind for the, for the jets as well is obviously Aaron Rodgers. His Achilles blows four plays in, you know, didn't live up to expectations. Although it wasn't really anybody's fault. It just circumstances. I can't think of the Islanders having a ton of expectations and not living up to them. And I really can't think of the Knicks. The Knicks had bad seasons, but like, how many times can you think where the expectations were through the roof and they just grossly disappointed you acquired a big player. You want to say Patrick Ewing was a disappointment because they didn't win a title, but they had a lot of great seasons with Patrick. I guess when they went. I GUESS it was 96 when they went out and got Alan Houston and Chris Childs, and I guess they never really reached the plateau they wanted to. They did go to a final in 99 with Allen Houston. Maybe they didn't quite live up to expectations when they got Larry Johnson, but again they went to a final. They fell short of their goal, but they didn't embarrass themselves. Peter, it would take me all day to recount the times that the Mets flat out disappointed you, where the expectations were through the roof and they just sucked. That's the difference between the Mets and all the other drought teams. You know how many times I could go back chapter and verse, I can go back what happened after 86, not making the playoffs in 87, you know, failing against the Dodgers in 88, you know, coming up short. All those times in 89 and 90. And then, you know, Generation K is going to come here. Oh, all of them failed in New York. All of them. And then the worst team money can buy, we'll go get Brett Sabring. We'll get Bobby Bonilla, we'll get Vince Coleman. We're going to win. And nothing, Nothing gave you nothing under.500. An embarrassment. Oh, we're going to win the World Series. Don't even make the playoffs, embarrass themselves. And now you're going to be on year two of Juan Soto, one year barely above.500, when the expectation were to follow, going to the League Championship Series the year before. And then this year, Stern's, oh, we're going to revamp the whole team. Goodbye, Nimmo. Goodbye, McNeil. Goodbye, Alonso. Goodbye, Diaz. And we're going to be better. He said it. Not the media, not the fans. He said, we're going to be better than last year. 11 games under.500 as we continue play on June 24th.

[Anthony]

You're saying that's not better? That's what I'm gathering from you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They are the worst. They're the worst. I know the jets embarrass themselves, and I know, you know, they don't function, but again, there's been a couple of times they didn't live up to the unbelievable expectations, and it was injury that derailed them, specifically to the quarterback Favre, and to Rogers. Granted, the jets have been a miserable failure, too. And they do disappoint, but. But not to the level. The Mets disappoint because every year, because there's no cap and because, you know, they have the ability. They've gone on spending sprees to where the expectation is all this team going to World Series,

[Anthony]

They really are the

[Peter Rosenberg]

expectation that this team can challenge for a World Series and then finish under.500. How many times did the Knicks do that? How many times did the Islanders do that? The Rangers do that? How many times have the jets done that? We're going to the Super Bowl.

[Anthony]

I mean, the Giant. The Giants. The Giants. The year after the playoffs a few years ago, there was some expectation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Teams with droughts, teams that have gone. I threw the Rangers in. Because they've now gone, believe it or not, 32 years since the last time they won a cup. And the Islanders have gone, you know, over 40 now, since 1983. But the big one, the Mets and the jets, now that the Knicks are done, the big ones here, they don't disappoint to the level. The Mets disappoint. I mean, they just. They take your heart out and stomp on it, and they don't even make it close. It's not like, oh, we're gonna be better, and then they finish 82 wins instead of 83, and they know they're. They're 11 games under.500. They're an absolute mess. They can't keep Senga on the field, and when he does pitch, he gets rocked. It's. I don't know where to begin. Disappointment after disappointment. Do you realize only twice in the history of this franchise have they gone to the playoffs? Back to back years. That tells you right there, they never live up to expectations because after you make the playoffs, you figure you're going to make the playoffs the next year. They never do. The only thing I'll give the Mets credit for. You ready for this?

[Anthony]

Go ahead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's embarrassing that. So this team started in 1962. So what have they been around 64 years. All right. You know how many times they made the playoffs in those 64 years? Counting this year, because now they're not going to the playoffs this year. Take a guess. Take a wild stab in the dark. Throw a number out.

[Anthony]

Wait, wait. How many times they've made the playoffs?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Made the playoffs in 64 years?

[Anthony]

Well, let's see. I can. I can remember one,

[Peter Rosenberg]

two. Think about that. Compared to other teams, he's going to be able to count on the top of his head.

[Anthony]

No, I won't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But like, you know, you remember when you see Haley's Comet in 64 years.

[Anthony]

Give me. 13.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Close 11.

[Anthony]

11.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, but five of the times they went to the World Series out of the 11. So they do tend to make runs,

[Anthony]

but if they can get there, they can make a run.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, they've got almost like half a shot of doing it. 69, 86, 69, 73, 86, 2000 and 2015. But, Peter, that's what separates them from everybody else. They don't have as long a drought as the jets or what the Knicks just had. Their drought's pretty significant. Or the drought that the jets have. But boy, do they know how to disappoint you. Every time this team has expectations, they never live up to them. But to their credit, give them no expectations. Oh, that's when they come out of the woodwork, right? That's when all of a sudden, where did they come from? It is amazing to me that they disappoint more than anybody else. And this year included, we are actually having a conversation, Peter, about the Mets being 11 games under.500 after being told by the general manager they were going to be better. So not only did I have to go through the indignity of seeing Pete Alonso, who was a forever met McNeil, who won a batting title. Here to see Nimmo leave, to see Diaz, Timmy Trumpet gone. And I live with it because I was told that this was going to make the team better. And I'm sitting here on June 24th talking to my good friend Peter Rosenberg.

[Anthony]

Peter Elliot Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Great audience.

[Anthony]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Talking about a team that's 11 games under.500, just got beat by the Cubs 10 to 3

[Anthony]

at home. Yeah. They're repulsive. Don. I really, you know, there, as someone who certainly. I couldn't go as far as calling myself a Mets fan, but as someone who every year, this is the team I pay most attention to. They make it as brutal for their fans as any team in sports. It's there. Yes. They're not the Cleveland Browns. They do make an occasional run. In some ways, that's what makes it worse. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because with those occasional runs give you hope. Those occasional runs actually tell you, you know, that maybe one of these days they'll live up to the expectation and it creates the expectation. Right. Why was there expectations all this year in the first half of the season when they continue to lose and be bad? Because while they did it, you know, in 24, they got off to an awful start and it got hot. So they could do it again, Peter. They could do it again. Anything's possible. That's why I get upset about that. They have these little bursts where they're good for a little bit. They shock you with an unbelievable run that came out of nowhere. Create the expectations just to pull the plug on you. There's a word I can't use. It begins with a D. But they are the perfect example. Dump me if you want, guys. I can live with it. They are the blank tees. The biggest blank tees in the history of sports. Oh, boy. Tell me I'm wrong.

[Anthony]

At their best, I mean, this year, they're not even giving you a tease. They're giving you nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like thinking you're going to get lucky and she doesn't even show up.

[Anthony]

That's the thing. She called you. She said, tonight's the night you've been dreaming about. You went, oh, my God. Are you serious? Yeah, I know we've been talking. We've been texting for a long time. But guess what? Tonight, meet me at 9:30. You know where I'll be there. And then you get there, and not only does she not show up, she never calls again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Maybe 9:30, the Dew Drop in.

[Anthony]

Yep. You get there. Sure. You're there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure. Already?

[Anthony]

No One ever shows up, you never hear from her again, no text.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Mets are just a. They're like a flat lever. They're just, they're, they're, they're your buddy that just always disappoints. Don't you have a buddy? Like a good friend? You don't have to say his name. Everybody's got one. I don't care who you are. I don't care if you got two friends. One of them is this guy that you love him, he's. You've known him all your life, but you just can't trust him as far as you throw him. Because, because whenever you need him, he's not there. He's the guy that you. He's the guy that's going to drive you to the airport, shows up late. He's the guy that's going to lend you money. Oh, sorry, I thought I had the money. I didn't have it. He's the guy that you meet me at, dude. Drop in at 9:30. We'll go out, drink, and doesn't show up. But for whatever reason he's been in your life always, you still consider him a friend. That's what the Mets are. Can't let him go, can't cut him loose. But every opportunity, it's gonna screw you over. Every waking moment, gonna mess with you. Just can't get. Let them go. Can't let them have a wife that cheats on you. They're the friends that borrows money.

[Anthony]

You know, let's Don. You and I like going movies.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, let's go.

[Anthony]

Let's go. Sharon Stone and Casino.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, she's with Joe Pesci.

[Anthony]

She just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

With Joe Pesci. She's tying the kid to the bedpost.

[Anthony]

She, she's not. She's with Joe Pesci locking the kid in the. She's now your kids in danger. And now guess what? She's with Joe Pesci. Somebody's got to die now, right? There's, there's no way out of this now because you're such a mess. You are such a slob, such a slovenly pig of an organization that now someone's gonna die. You could. All the people in Las Vegas you could have had an affair with and now look at me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, you bring up the Mets of the movie Casino like, because when you think about it, Sharon Stone is completely messing with Robert De Niro. Right? Pesci turns on De Niro by cheating with Sharon Stone. And then Pesci gets turned on by his Buddy that was in the Sopranos and Goodfellas.

[Anthony]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then beats him to death with a baseball bat. That's right. Like, everybody's screwing everybody else over in that movie. And it's like the Mets, every year, it's a new way that they're gonna stab you in the back. And so as bad as the knicks were for 53 years, there were times that they were 19. Win team. There were no expectations going into that season. He just lived with the fact that they weren't good. He had a little expectations. When Isaiah took over quickly, those expectations were completely extinguished. Jets, obviously. Favre and Rodgers. There's a couple of years, like, I think we're going to be good and they disappoint you. But most of the time he's, yeah, we're going to suck. I know we're going to suck. And they. And then that's where they don't disappoint you. They are every bit as sucky as you thought they'd be. But the Mets, they tease you, man. Carlos Mendoza spoke after the first loss. Doubleheader. Oh, he's speaking, he's talking. And this is the level we're at, Peter. This is the question. How do you not get demoralized?

[Don Hahn]

It's tough. It's tough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not gonna lie.

[Don Hahn]

Obviously, there's frustrations for all of us in here, but we got another one coming up pretty soon, you know, Like, I think the last thing we want is here and start feeling sorry for ourselves. Like, you have to punch back. You got to find a way to punch back and keep going. You got to get back up. But it's not easy right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At what point, Peter? And listen, I've coached Marco in fallball, all right? I've never had to lead men the way a manager or head coach has to. But at what point do you just stop with the whole rah, rah? We're just looking to the next game. You know, we're disappointed. We got to fight through it. And at what point you turning over a table and going, you know, we suck, and I'm pissed off about it. And something's going to have to change here because my ass is on the line. And you know what? These players better start playing and just show some humanity. Wouldn't that. What's so wrong every once in a while to just wear your heart on your sleeve, let the world know what you're thinking and just stop being a coach for two seconds and it goes viral. It did for Dennis Green. Remember, they were who we thought they were or Jim Mora playoffs. But there's a reason those things live forever. Because they're impactful. Because stop sounding like a robot and be a human being. You're 11 games under.500 with expectations of being better than that, being better than you were last year when at least you finished above.500. Would it be so wrong for Mendoza to just be human? And wouldn't the fan base appreciate it as they're kicking the chair, watching the postgame show, knowing the manager's doing the same thing? At what point do you just stop with the rhetoric and just say how you feel? Because there's no way he can actually go that way.

[Anthony]

But this. This kind of goes back to our Boone conversation. This is what managers are now. And that's why it's so odd that Boone actually said he was pissed off.

[Don Hahn]

But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But.

[Anthony]

Because if Carlos Mendoza can't say that he's outright pissed off after this point, Boone going to pissed off on a lollipop is odd, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're absolutely right. But Boone's misstep was they're in first place. They could win a World Series this year. Don't mess things up. Mendoza's a hell of a lot closer to getting fired than being above.500 at this point. So at what point do you just at least show the human side and just show how upset and demoralized you actually are by what's going on here? Because nobody's buying what you're. What you're selling at this point? Because then you would have no feeling that you would have no heart if this doesn't bother you. And at some point, Wendy, across the line, like Maura did, like Green did, there's other managers that have done it. And I'm not saying you're doing it to help turn it around. You're doing it just to kind of let your fan base know, hey, man, I'm with you. I'm not going to sell you the BS anymore. We're 11 games under.500, and I'm red hot about it. Because one day he is going to get fired. Maybe sooner than later. Wouldn't you want, before you go out, to kind of let the world know that you were kind of with him, that you weren't delusional, that you were actually ticked off about what was going on?

[Anthony]

That's a good point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. But maybe that's why I would never make a good manager or maybe make a good leader, because I would be too emotional. But I think every once in a while, just showing that you're human. It goes a long way to the fan base. It goes a long way, I would think, to ownership, and it would go a long way to maybe your team, because some players have to talk after the game, not all, but the manager always has to speak. He's always got to be able to give you the pulse. Now, the other story is Soto. I can't get past the irony, Peter, that the second Lindor is going to come back, and there's speculation he'll play tonight, Soto gets hurt.

[Anthony]

That is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but it's so Mets, right? These guys don't get along, and now, literally, they can't play at the same time. One guy comes back from injury, the other guy gets hurt. Soto had to leave the game last night. Didn't play today. Carlos, how's Soto feeling?

[Don Hahn]

Still feeling the same. He's getting treatment, so. Yeah, he wasn't available on game one. He's not gonna be in the lineup on game two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, when do we see Lindor? I got it wrong with Soto. I got it wrong with Lindor. I thought. I thought, like, all star break for Lindor. It might be tonight, so I was off by about a month. When do we see Soto?

[Anthony]

He is being activated, though, tonight, officially.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he would play. So it's over. I was a month off, but that's perfect.

[Anthony]

So now they just won't see each other. They can just walk right by.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't. Isn't that.

[Anthony]

It is odd.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just.

[Anthony]

I got to tell you, we have. We. We have given a nice break to Soto with regard to not really regularly mentioning his.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His base running. I mean, Don, how often is there of.

[Anthony]

Yeah, how often? Him getting thrown out the other day in second was such an embarrassment. It's like you're playing a pickup game, Don.

[Don Hahn]

That.

[Anthony]

That should happen. Like, if that happened in the Sasso game, I'd be frustrated. Like, oh, man, I should have just stopped at first.

[Don Hahn]

What am I doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Anthony]

And you'd be like, hey, come on. You had a nice double. What do you. I mean, he had a. What are you doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's got, like, a piano on his back. Like, there was a. There was a. He scored. It was a game. We were watching on T. I was watching with Marco, like, a couple of weeks ago, and even Marco's like, why? Why? What's. What's wrong with him? Is he not fast?

[Anthony]

You're like, sure. I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. He Got there. But listen, I don't think they paid him all that money to go out there and steal 100 bases, Peter. But, and he has had. He's fine. He's. He's having a good year. He said it's not. He's not bad. And I'm not putting this all on him, but it's just another Met expectation. Let's go out to get the all worldly player and go out there and be bad with him.

[Anthony]

It's very odd. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just, you know, they are the worst.

[Anthony]

Yeah. Even when they get great players, the great players forget how to play baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I mean, I know Jet fans will call and say, don, you're crazy. We haven't won. It's been 20 longer years and. And you can give me all the laundry list of things that have gone wrong for the jets and they've gone wrong. Mismanagement, bad injuries. I'm not. Listen, I was there 16 years. I saw it when I did. The pre and post Islander fans, Ranger fans, they all can give the laundry list of things that have gone wrong. But the Mets just tease you and just always seem to just do the wrong thing. They're so close and yet so far. Where those other teams. Yeah, they just been far and you kind of just accept it and it's frustrating and I love that just because Allen's around them more often. But Jacob, you grew up with Nick fan, same thing with Anthony. Like, did they ever disappoint you the way the Mets seem to do it like every other year?

[Don Hahn]

Maybe. Maybe like those. The year after that 2013, 2014 season where they won 50, like 54 games. That's probably like the earliest I can remember, but like nothing more recent than that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, every team disappoints, Peter. I'm sure you got a. You got a list of commander disappointing, Celtic disappointing. The Celtics disappointed Peter this year. That was underachieving in a lot of ways. When they were predicted to go to the finals and didn't even get out of the second round. But. But the Mets. Hold my beer, man. It's every other blanking year. All right, we got a list. Try to get a better flavor in your mouth. I think you're gonna enjoy this.

[Anthony]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can't wait. Don't be sarcastic.

[Anthony]

No, I'm being serious.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no, I didn't get any sense of enthusiasm at all.

[Don Hahn]

I felt sincerity.

[Anthony]

Thank you. I didn't mean it in a I can't win it. No, I meant it in a, Please get me away from.

[Don Hahn]

I think the Mets have you in a mood. That's what I think.

[Anthony]

Let's move on from the Mets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's right. I've.

[Anthony]

They've overstayed their welcome. You know what? We'll bring them back in at 6:30.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How about that? Yeah, the Mets have made me tone deaf. I can't even.

[Anthony]

You don't even know what's what anymore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know what's what.

[Don Hahn]

I can't wait. What's that supposed to mean? That I'm really excited for the next.

[Anthony]

Yeah, I like the list. I usually enjoy it, that's all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Even the second time it's me.

[Anthony]

I appreciate you admitting that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe that's what that's the disease the Mets give you. Is that all? Every conversation. Everybody that talks to you, it turns into sarcasm.

[Anthony]

What it is to be a loser.

[Peter Rosenberg]

God, do I wish I partook. Would change everything. The Mets are going to drive me

[Anthony]

to weed at this age.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like Don at 58 you didn't do any weed and all of a sudden you're 16. You opened a dispensary. Why? Oh, because the Mets.

[Anthony]

I'm a Mets fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You guys know that's what I'm going to. Yo, dude, man.

[Anthony]

Come on man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Welcome to the show. Oh man, that's. That's what we got going. Study and play come together on a Windows 11 PC and for a limited

[Don Hahn]

time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the unreal college deal. Everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 Premium and a year of Xbox Game Pass ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller. Learn [e-mail] studentoffer while supplies last ends June 30th termed at aka mscollegepc this episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it, ready to make anything online make sense. There's no place like Chrome. Check responses setup required, Compatibility and availability Various 18 MLB TV on ESPN is your home for every out of market game, live or on demand. Catch your favorite teams and players plus MLB Network and ESPN app features like multi view, syncing your stats, key plays, bets and fantasy all in one place. Sign up now for MLB TV in the ESPN app. Separate subscriptions required blackouts and other Terms apply. Visit stream espn.com mlbtv for more information. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Anthony]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

You just made the list, buddy.

[Don Hahn]

This is the list with Don Hahn and Rosenberg brought to you by the Amor group.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. It's brought to you by the Allure Group. We're happy to have them on board for another version of the list. Peter. Another edition of the list. And it's topical because coming up at 7:30 tonight will be round two of the NBA draft. Right? I decided to take a deep dive since the addition of the second round. Top five second round picks in the NBA.

[Anthony]

Top five second round picks. Like you dream about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like you dream about. That's so topical in so many ways. Not only are we on the verge of the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, but for another reason. It's very, very topical. And they're in order by the way. I do have them five through one. So I have, I have put them in order. Why am I not.

[Anthony]

Why is like the no brainer greatest second round pick of all time?

[Don Hahn]

Oh man.

[Anthony]

It's not coming to my mind. Who the. I mean I have someone there, but I don't think that's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So, so why don't we get everybody to participate? Participate.

[Don Hahn]

I've got an answer. That's sort of an answer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I think I love sort of answers.

[Don Hahn]

Has it. How about. And you're not gonna, maybe you don't know this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don.

[Don Hahn]

The Quesarito because when Nikola Jokic was drafted it was during a commercial break and the Taco Bell commercial that was being shown was the Quesarito.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So Nicole,

[Don Hahn]

he was a second round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was a second pick in 2014 of the Nuggets and he's number one.

[Anthony]

I, I, I would imagine that Jolene Brunson is on the list.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I, I put him at three. Drafted in the second round by the Mavericks in 2018. Don't jump me. But I, I, I do believe three is fitting. You got to put, I'm sorry, you got to put Joker above him. Even though you know he's won a championship, he's been, he's one of the best players in the league. He's got to be number one. And I will fight for this number two being where he's at. But right now I've got Brunson at three.

[Don Hahn]

So I have two on the top, top of my head right now. And they're probably the same exact player. Draymond Green or Dennis Rodman.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Draymond. Draymond Green. I have it 4 warriors in 2012. I'm going into the current format of so basically this is from 1999 to now. So otherwise very good pick by going with Robin. But Draymond Green 2012 by the Warriors. I have a number four.

[Anthony]

And what about. And Dennis Rodman's not there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. Because this, this is really since.

[Don Hahn]

Since 99.

[Anthony]

Oh sorry. Since 99 only got it. Sorry. 27 lost 27 years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I should have prefaced that. I just when I mentioned the format change, I should have said 1999.

[Anthony]

All right. I'm looking around now. I'll be honest. I need to see some people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I kind of on you but I, I get it.

[Anthony]

I have. How about, how about in. How about in 99? Manu ginobly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Because he's the only hall of Famer on the list. I got him at 2. I think I think Joker will be the better player and why I think

[Anthony]

I think Brunson's the better will be the better player also.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, but, but we're at now.

[Anthony]

Well based on this list that I'm seeing right now, I, I, this one doesn't give me movement. But do you have Mark Gasol?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't thought about it. Honorable mention.

[Anthony]

You thought about it though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I, I 5 I think I will win you over. But there, there's a lot of different Antonio Davis jumps to mind. But of all the players that we're talking about here during that span of time, to me this one best of the rest of the lot.

[Anthony]

But it's. You have Carlos Boozer who was at 35. Honorable mentioned very you have Gilbert Arenas

[Peter Rosenberg]

at 31 and I have him at 5. Gilbert Arenas from the war back in 2007. He was a three time all NBA and I just felt that was enough of credential wise of everybody else that was on the list since 99 that I gave Gilbert Arenas number five. You guys good with this?

[Anthony]

I, I'm not mad at this list. I mean like I said, I, I would have been fine if if you lived in the moment and put Brunson at 2. That would have been. No one's complaining about that over Manu Ginobili, but that's a solid list.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I don't hate it just because Brunson still has a little more to do in his career. Manning is a Hall of Famer. His career is done. Jokic is probably the only MVP out of the group. So obviously he has to be number one. I don't hate it.

[Anthony]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. And. And by the way, just to get it cleared up, even though it didn't really affect the format change, came in 89, not 99. I missed. But he is an honorable mention. He was drafted in 1990. So those are the guys. So what do you think?

[Anthony]

I have no problem with this list, Don. I enjoyed that list thoroughly. And that's not me being sarcastic.

[Don Hahn]

I really want a Quesarito now.

[Anthony]

So the Quesarito commercial happened when Jokic was drafted?

[Don Hahn]

Yes. If you see like pictures sometimes it shows up on social media where people mentioned Jokic and you see they used to have the bottom scroll that said Jokic. And it's a Quesarito is literally on the screen when it says nugget select Nicola Jokic. He was. It wasn't even during the time of the actual draft that he was selected.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, because. And listen, the second round has. You know, there was another guy that I thought about. Nick Van Exel. Very good player, Championship. Will play forever too. Because when was he drafted? 01. No, no, no, not Vin. No, he had to be drafted.

[Anthony]

No, in the 90s. He was playing. He was. Because he was at his best around 01.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. He was playing with the Lakers. What that he was.

[Anthony]

He was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was drafted by the Lakers in 93. He played till 06. He probably had as long a career as anybody's had as a second round pick.

[Anthony]

I loved Nick Van Exel. Like player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Anthony]

Well, he's just like one of those. You kind of had to be there guys. Like, if you were to hear about Nick Van Exel or just see stats, you might not understand. But when you were watching the NBA every night at that time, Nick Van Axel was just. I mean, that's Nick.

[Don Hahn]

The quicker me and you.

[Anthony]

That's right. Just an absolute baller. Like, he was just so fun to watch. In a time in which the Western Conference every night, Sacramento, Portland, Louisiana. Phoenix, like everyone was just putting up points every night. And Nick Van Axel was such a treat.

[Don Hahn]

See? Good guy. He put it in the chat. He put the Quesarito video in the chat because he's a good guy.

[Anthony]

Let's see who did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Our good friend Jason. Wow.

[Anthony]

But the nice thing is for Anthony, we know the Quesarito commercial actually means a lot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So 19. So make sure that we put this up in social media. It was when the format changed.

[Don Hahn]

89.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How the format changed is, is that it's been since 1989, where we've only had two rounds. So, like, Dennis Rodman was taken in the second round in 1987, but I think they had like seven rounds back. What the hell were they doing? Like, all these other sports, like the NHL used to have, like, more. They. Now they're down to seven. Like, but the NBA is able to do second rounds. And really, since they went to the format, I think that. I think Ginobili might be the only hall of Famer. Jokic will change that. Brunson will change that. But it's odd that the draft, there's just not any players. It's crazy, right? The second round really is not produced

[Anthony]

much in that crazy. Think about how much time we spend on draft picks. And then when you go through and look at how. At how many actually come out of the second round and now and they made it its own day. You're sitting around today. Tonight, Alan Hahn has to do hours and hours of homework and prep and what are we really going to get out of it? Don?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know. I. Listen, I don't want to sit there and criticize a product of ours, but, like, I was really shocked, floored even, that the NBA that was decided to make it into two days, make the draft into two. I just didn't think there'd be enough interest for people to want to watch the second round. But I think the NFL has kind of set the standard of making the draft more important than I think sometimes it actually is. To where I've joked about it. I suggested a million years ago, Peter, on this air that why wouldn't Major League Baseball just, you know, just put on the MLB Network or something, their draft, and Bob Raisman ripped me for it. Well, guess what they do now. They. They do. They do a draft show. It's like, why not? Right now it's not a national television, but it's on the MLB Network. Like ESPN is going to air Friday, Saturday, the NHL draft. I think the NFL draft has become so big that it has trickled down to the other sports because to me, I just don't see there being an interest in day two of the NBA draft. But I'm most likely going to be proven wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if the ratings aren't bad.

[Anthony]

But that's the funny thing about it is, like, yes, it has, but, man, it's a slow trickling, right? Because nothing even comes close. I mean, you guys know I've got no use for the NFL draft, but

[Peter Rosenberg]

the issue is crazy. But I think you know, I think.

[Anthony]

I think if you're a fan and you make a trip on your own, you should be institutionalized. But there's no question it gets the ratings. People actually really care. And then these other ones just can't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Draft just, just gets people excited. That was the list brought to you by the Allure Group where care meets compassion. I've got a very interesting question for Peter when we come back. It's a question I've never asked before.

[Anthony]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm going to dare to go there. That sounds right.

[Anthony]

And I'm excited for you to ask me that. And before you ask me, I want to tell you guys right now that on the biggest stage in the world, FanDuel is changing the game. Because sometimes your player gets subbed off and your bet goes with them. Well, not anymore with FanDuel super sub. If your players ever subbed out, your bet stays in. That's right. If your player leaves the match, your bet continues on with the substitute. So you're still in it until the final whistle. Visit FanDuel.com local to get started now. Let there be goals this summer on FanDuel21/plus and physically present. New York for help with the gambling problem, call 877-8-Hope and wire text open y 467369 thanks for listening to the

[Don Hahn]

Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Anthony]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Soccer fans, join Bart Scott, Chris Garland Tomorrow, June 25th for a watch party presented by Radeburger Pilsner. Watch the match between Germany and Ecuador at the Hoboken Beer garden in Hoboken, New Jersey, starting at 4pm Enjoy Pilsner perfection since 1872. From the first German Pilsner come out, grab a cold Rataburger and join the energy with ESPN New York. That's Bart Scott and Chris Carlin live at the Hoboken berry garden tomorrow, June 25th. Brought to you by Radeburger Pilsner. It's hard to believe we're almost out of June, man. It's kind of crazy. I always think about it every spring, you know, April showers bring May flowers. And now all of a sudden we're out of May and we're in. It's practically July. It's kind of crazy. So I wanted to ask Peter a question. I'm waiting, but don't get caught up in the hockey part of it. The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock as Their new head coach. Peter, what do the last five Edmonton oiler head coaches have in common? I'm going to read them off to you. Ken Hitchcock, Dave Tippett, Jay Woodcroft, Chris Knobloch, Mike Babcock.

[Anthony]

What do they have in common?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, like what? Read the names one more time. Hitchcock, Tippett, Woodcroft, Knobloch, Babcock.

[Anthony]

One more time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hitchcock, Pippett, Woodcroft, Knobloch, Babcock.

[Anthony]

But I mean, besides the fact they're all familiar names from other things.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, let me do it one more time. Okay, go ahead.

[Anthony]

I'm not very bright. It's. I'm overrated.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just. Just, you know, keep an open mind. Ken Hitchcock. Tip it. Jay Woodcraft.

[Anthony]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Chris knob lock. Mike Babcock.

[Don Hahn]

Hour back. Get it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hello? Hour back.

[Don Hahn]

Get it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Back in an hour. Get it? Wow.

[Anthony]

Well, that's. I wasn't even thinking about it that way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, isn't it crazy? The last five straight. Not five in their history. Five in a row.

[Anthony]

I mean, here's kind of. Here's where I'm put. Here's where I'm pushing back. Here's where I'm pushing back. Tip. Tip. It's a kind of a reach.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, kind of.

[Don Hahn]

We're just trying to make it work here, but.

[Anthony]

No, you're making it work. But that's the thing. You're making it work.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, you know, it's not that far off.

[Anthony]

No, Tip. It's there. It's not all the way there. It's not. It's not Hitchcock, Woodcraft or Babcock. At least it's not Woodcock. That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was. That was a character. Wasn't there a movie?

[Don Hahn]

Yes, Mr. Woodcock,

[Peter Rosenberg]

we're so. Listen, this is so fifth grade, but come on. Somebody had tweeted that. And I looked at. I got. Wow, that's. It almost feels intentional. You're right, Tip. It's a bit of a reach, but it's not.

[Anthony]

It's only a reach relative to you. To.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If it. If you went from Hitchcock to Tippet and giggled. You know what? You got a filthy mind.

[Anthony]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But when the next one, sir. You know, Come on. Would.

[Anthony]

Now, what are they? What are their Crofts?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Knob block. And then Babcock is like.

[Anthony]

By the way, I found. I. I found what I found. Which one would be worse than Woodcock? Ready? It's Knobcock. Chuck Knobcock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, there.

[Don Hahn]

There.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's. There's some junior coach out there, like in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Like, I'm gonna be the Next coach of the Emmett Oilers.

[Don Hahn]

You don't get yellow knife every day.

[Anthony]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You know, only on this show.

[Anthony]

My hat. A guy. There's a guy named. There's a guy named Bill Longshaft who just knows that his day is coming.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I understand. It's so pedestrian, but that will always be childish. Just like, you know, you know, a gas. Gas is always going to be funny no matter how old you are. If some. If somebody you know, she loves. All right, I get it. I've got a grade school sense of humor. Good for me because I like to laugh. And I'm sorry it took Peter a second because believe it or not, of the people that work on this show, I think Peter has less of a dirty mind than everybody else. Believe it or not, it might be easy to look at Peter. All he's got. No, no, no. Everybody else has more of a filthy mind than I.

[Anthony]

Well, I. Because you know, it is. I'm worried that like I'm going to look foolish, that I'm missing some sort of sports thing because I'm like, well. Andre Tippett. Chuck Knob lock.

[Don Hahn]

Look at you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Andre Tippett, a linebacker from the New England Patriots. Dave Tippett. That's okay.

[Anthony]

What I say.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Andre Tippett, who's a hall of fame linebacker for the New England Patriots.

[Anthony]

No, no, no, but I'm. I'm saying. I'm saying all the last names, okay? And I'm thinking Chuck Knobloch. And I'm going, what were the other names?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Babcock? Woodcroft.

[Anthony]

Woodcroft. I don't have. I know there's other Babcock.

[Don Hahn]

No, you were just missing an us thing, that's all.

[Anthony]

But yeah, yeah, I was. I was. I was totally missing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You really think I was going to just have. Have a throwaway Segment for the 5 o' clock hour that I'll. By the way, Peter, the things that these five coaches have in common is. Is they all. They all played their. Their junior careers in Manitoba.

[Don Hahn]

They're all Moose heads. They're all Halifax Mooseheads.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on, man.

[Anthony]

No, you gotta say you were saving it for something important. All of these guys names remind you of Crumb.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's just. It's so stupid. But you know what? It made me laugh.

[Anthony]

It's who we are.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it really. You know what? It's who I am. I'm proud. Wonder if Alan was picked up on it. You're a salt star.

[Anthony]

Filth day. Yeah, for sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Text it to Alan and see. What do these guys have in common?

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Anthony]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want

[Don Hahn]

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.