Hour 2: More Yankees Injuries

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast - Hour 2: More Yankees Injuries (Released March 3, 2025)

In this engaging episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the current injury landscape of the New York Yankees. Balancing insightful analysis with their trademark banter, the trio examines the implications of recent player injuries on the team's performance and future prospects. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions, notable quotes, and expert insights from the episode.

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1. Yankees Starting Lineup and Name Mispronunciations

The episode kicks off with light-hearted conversation about mispronouncing player names, leading to a humorous yet informative rundown of the Yankees' starting lineup.

• Anthony Pusick: "This is the Yankees starting lineup. It is brought to you by Cedar Pro Painters. Certipro. Certapro is the worst." [00:38]

• Peter Rosenberg provides a detailed lineup, ensuring accurate pronunciation and roles:

  • "Jazz Chisholm leading off and playing second, you have Aaron Judge in right field. No, you have Mr. Bellinger bad in third." [01:51]

• Alan Hahn emphasizes the importance of correct names:

  • "We did that. That's why I said so." [02:54]

The discussion highlights the hosts' camaraderie and attention to detail, setting a lively tone for the episode.

2. Yankees Injury Report: Luis Heel's Lat Strain

Transitioning to the main topic, the hosts analyze the impact of Luis Heel's recent lat strain on the Yankees' pitching rotation.

• Anthony Pusick shares the injury update:

  • "Meredith Morrokovic has this Luis Heel, high grade latch strain. At least a six-week no throw." [05:28]

• Alan Hahn discusses the broader implications:

  • "You can't get up from that. So we're probably looking at at least what, May." [05:58]

• Anthony Pusick further explains the severity:

  • "It's a high-grade lat strain for Luis Heel. So the Yankee pitching rotation, which you know, again this year when you consider their lineup and the lack thereof of the power, the no Soto, obviously Stanton now not available." [06:03]

The injury is portrayed as a significant setback, challenging the Yankees' expected strength in pitching.

3. Comparison with Other Teams and Injury Strategies

The hosts compare the Yankees' injury challenges with strategies employed by other teams, notably the Mets.

• Alan Hahn draws parallels:

  • "It's the same thing with the Mets. The Mets were out of it in June and still found a way to be able to make the playoffs." [13:30]

• Anthony Pusick elaborates on strategic differences:

  • "The pitching was going to be the strength of this team. At least that was the expectation. But now you have freed. You have obviously Cole, but he would have been the fourth." [06:03]

This segment underscores the Yankees' vulnerability compared to teams like the Mets, who have demonstrated resilience despite injuries.

4. Audience Calls: Insights and Fan Perspectives

Engaging with listeners, the hosts field calls that provide additional perspectives on the Yankees' situation.

• Caller Adam expresses initial optimism:

  • "As long as the golden goose is okay, our captain Judge, I want to say they're going to be okay." [09:00]

  Later, Adam shares his concerns post-injury update:

  • "These injuries to the Yankees are much ado about nothing, but that was before the Luis heel news. So now I'm definitely starting to shake a little bit." [09:36]

• Caller Griffin suggests lineup adjustments:

  • "Dominguez should be in center. Bellinger can play left. Judge over right. That simple." [17:08]

These interactions highlight fan engagement and diverse viewpoints on the team's prospects amid injuries.

5. Pitching Rotation and Player Performance Analysis

A critical examination of the Yankees' pitching rotation reveals deeper concerns about player performance and future rotations.

• Alan Hahn discusses rotation depth:

  • "Don't you have to go into every season figuring that at least multiple, I mean at least two, if not three of your pitchers are going to end up on the IL at some point." [13:37]

• Anthony Pusick comments on veteran experience:

  • "But with young players, when they start out with injuries, rarely do you get to August and say, 'Hey, remember that lat injury you had?'" [10:59]

• Alan Hahn analyzes specific players:

  • "It's the fact that you were worried about him hitting, but now you don't have him at all." [16:57]

The discussion emphasizes the delicate balance between managing injuries and maintaining a competitive pitching staff.

6. Position Adjustments and Strategic Recommendations

Addressing positional challenges, the hosts debate potential adjustments to optimize the team's lineup.

• Alan Hahn proposes alternatives:

  • "So go with Peraza. Go with Cabrera. I think that you're better off anyway. Is it a hole? Yeah, it's a hole." [15:24]

• Anthony Pusick analyzes defensive strategies:

  • "Ben Rice is tearing the COVID off the ball. If that actually happens." [21:14]

• Caller Griffin offers lineup suggestions:

  • "Dominguez should be in center. Bellinger can play left." [17:08]

These strategic insights aim to mitigate the impact of injuries and enhance team performance.

7. Final Thoughts: Postseason Implications and Team Resilience

Concluding the episode, the hosts reflect on the Yankees' ability to navigate the injury-ridden season and their postseason aspirations.

• Anthony Pusick maintains cautious optimism:

  • "As long as the golden goose is okay, our captain Judge, I want to say they're going to be okay." [09:00]

• Alan Hahn warns against overreliance on key players:

  • "You are relying a lot on the pitching now. G.J. leMayhue, as we mentioned earlier, also felt a little something in the calf." [06:36]

• Anthony Pusick underscores the uncertainty:

  • "The Yankees, with their injury situation right now, it is definitely alarming." [06:51]

The episode wraps up with a consensus that while injuries pose significant challenges, strategic management and key player performances will determine the Yankees' success this season.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Anthony Pusick: "I love Joe Dirt. Such an underrated movie." [00:27]

• Peter Rosenberg: "You got to get real DJs." [01:09]

• Alan Hahn: "We did that. That's why I said so." [02:54]

• Anthony Pusick: "These injuries to the Yankees are much ado about nothing, but that was before the Luis heel news. So now I'm definitely starting to shake a little bit." [09:36]

• Caller Griffin: "Dominguez should be in center. Bellinger can play left. Judge over right. That simple." [17:08]

• Alan Hahn: "You are relying a lot on the pitching now." [06:36]

• Anthony Pusick: "The Yankees, with their injury situation right now, it is definitely alarming." [06:51]

These quotes encapsulate the hosts' perspectives and the nuanced discussions surrounding the Yankees' current challenges.

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Conclusion

In Hour 2: More Yankees Injuries, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg provide a comprehensive analysis of the New York Yankees' injury woes, debating the implications on the team's pitching rotation, lineup adjustments, and overall season prospects. Through expert insights, fan interactions, and strategic discussions, the episode paints a vivid picture of the challenges and potential pathways for the storied franchise. Whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan or a casual follower, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating a tumultuous season marked by injuries and high expectations.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was a very revealing commercial break where Alan was able to give me more context into a bad experience he had with a wedding dj.

[Anthony Pusick]

But apparently I'm Joe Dirt to you now, so I understand. Life's a garden. Dig it, baby.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love Joe Dirt. Such an underrated movie.

[Anthony Pusick]

Like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But no, no, it's that what you just described to me. A DJ who's, like, obsessive and comes and badgers people at their table. That. But please. But by the way, please, just do me a favor. Don't use that to describe a dj. That's more like a wedding company. That's not like an actual. Like, at my wedding, for example, I hired. Not hired. My friends came and did. I mean, I had real DJs. Cast, one funk flex. My man. Quarter Man. These are all real DJs.

[Anthony Pusick]

Hit the drop, please. Oh, you just dropped.

[Alan Hahn]

But to make it serious, it only landed because he mentioned the names. There was a point he was trying to make there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You got to get real DJs.

[Anthony Pusick]

I know, but he was also a little bit of a flex. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pun intended, but no, I. But there are. There are, though. I have seen what you're talking about. It's just.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the worst. But I love a good DJ at a wedding.

[Anthony Pusick]

You know what I love? Tunes. You know what I love? I love a good Yankees lineup.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Anthony Pusick]

Dom, would you like to do the honors?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want me to do it?

[Anthony Pusick]

Peter, you want to do the honor?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure. I like you. Dream about it. Is there anyone here I've never heard of and won't be able to pronounce?

[Anthony Pusick]

Probably. That's what I want to say.

[Alan Hahn]

That's why I said so.

[Anthony Pusick]

This is the Yankees starting lineup. It is brought to you by Cedar Pro Painters. Certipro. Certapro is the worst.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I know everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, good.

[Anthony Pusick]

There's not one name that you couldn't.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought I was being set up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yas. She's home. Jazz Chisholm. Leading off and playing second, you have Aaron Judge in right field. No, you have Mr. Bellinger bad in third.

[Anthony Pusick]

Would that be Cody?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

I think it's Belanger.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Belanger.

[Anthony Pusick]

If he is from Quebec. This is so soft.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anthony Volpe playing short and cleaning up.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's Volpe.

[Alan Hahn]

That's Sterling.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They love to say that.

[Anthony Pusick]

I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Trent Grisham batting Fifth, Ben Rice. Six. Alex Jackson. Rice catching and playing seventh, Jax. Dominic Smith.

[Anthony Pusick]

We call him Ajax, I think Dominic Smith. Batting eight, Dom Smith. That's Bart Scott's favorite baseball player, and it's the only one he can name.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oswald Peraza is batting last and playing third. Max Freed is on the hill.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See?

[Anthony Pusick]

I think.

[Alan Hahn]

Good job, Peter.

[Anthony Pusick]

To have this, I think we should mispronounce. Purposely mispronounce. Like, you know, the A. Ron, Remember that. The whole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We should do that with every name.

[Anthony Pusick]

Every name.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, I love mispronouncing names. Like, no problem.

[Anthony Pusick]

Like. Like, be creative with it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Anthony Pusick]

And then the listener will have to figure out, well, who exactly is that?

[Alan Hahn]

We did that.

[Anthony Pusick]

You're not on. Yes anymore. You don't have to get it right.

[Alan Hahn]

On the K show, whenever a ball player didn't live up to their expectations, like when Tom Glavin was struggling, he became Tomas Glavine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? Right. You got to change their name.

[Alan Hahn]

And Bartolo Colon was struggling, he barked.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cole. It is fun. I doubt they'd like it very much. People don't like their name being messed with like that, but it is a lot of it.

[Anthony Pusick]

All right, well, that was the Yankees starting lineup, brought to you by Certapro Painters. When choosing a painting professional for your home or business, the choice is simple. Choose happy. Choose Certipro Painter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Someone just repost. Steve Brzezinski posted Don's sneaky moves when he got busy with the Fordham Ram on stage at the anniversary.

[Anthony Pusick]

He got busy with the Ram.

[Alan Hahn]

It's interesting wording. I was motivated by the fact that I'm assuming it was a woman in the mascot outfit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why did you assume that?

[Alan Hahn]

Just by the moves figure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you want to take a look, Alan?

[Anthony Pusick]

Let me see.

[Alan Hahn]

Take a look. A grade my dancing. And B, do you think that's a female in the mascot?

[Anthony Pusick]

No chance. That's a female. Female.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Anthony Pusick]

Zero. Thanks. Thanks, Anthony.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's giving female. It's giving female Ram energy.

[Anthony Pusick]

Oh, I thought you said that over the air.

[Steve Brzezinski]

No, I was protecting you.

[Anthony Pusick]

Oh, wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Me.

[Steve Brzezinski]

It was bad.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Because if it is a woman and she's listening and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Alan. Just. No chance. No chance.

[Anthony Pusick]

Just. Just for fun. No. Come on, fellas. I got one quickie.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I had some moves there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, that wasn't bad. That wasn't bad. That's better than Michael for sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Now people cap the answer on who the worst dancer is at the station.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

If we were to expand it to people behind the scenes based on their lack of athleticism we race. Santiago, we're struck out in slow pitch softball at the Sasso charity event.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yikes.

[Alan Hahn]

You can't get up from that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But don't you think based on the amount that they want to go out and do anything, Anthony Pusick's got to be right in the conversation.

[Alan Hahn]

You mean being bad or good?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, being a bad dancer. Because, like, he wouldn't ever want to be a place where people would be dancing.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't even think. If I had to guess, I would. He's never even attempted to dance for that reason.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What about an Italian social. What about like an Italian wedding, though? And I don't mean the soup. I mean, I'm talking about.

[Anthony Pusick]

It's a good soup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a nice.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's top five soup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, Anthony, are you. Are you want to ever dance?

[Steve Brzezinski]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See, I knew it.

[Alan Hahn]

Have you tried?

[Steve Brzezinski]

Sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, now we lost our producer now, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What about.

[Anthony Pusick]

No, he's done for a reason, though. I've got some news.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, God.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on.

[Anthony Pusick]

As we were just giving you the Yankee lineup. No, we get some Yankee news here. Meredith Morrokovic has this Luis Heel, high grade latch string. What the f. At least a six week no throw. Oh, I love that. That little phraseology. Still getting additional opinions and info.

[Peter Rosenberg]

General soreness.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah, but. But still a six week no throw. So we're talking mid April before he can even start throwing because he'd have.

[Alan Hahn]

To go down for extended spring training. So we're probably looking at at least what, May.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah, six week no throw on a high grade lat strain for Luis Heel. So the Yankee pitching rotation, which you know, again this year when you consider their lineup and the lack thereof of the power, the no Soto, obviously Stanton now not available. The pitching was going to be the strength of this team. At least that was the expectation. He was going to be part of that. But now you have freed. You have obviously Cole, but he would have been. He would have been the fourth. Like he would have been right there.

[Alan Hahn]

So he's rookie of the year. It wasn't a great crop last year, but he's still rookie of the year.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's one of those. He was rookie of the year and I always have to remind myself of that. Right. Though, like, not to say he didn't pitch well, but it didn't feel like one of those rookie sensations.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it didn't feel like Fernando Valenzuela going out there every five days.

[Anthony Pusick]

No, but that's a little different.

[Alan Hahn]

But I just.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's bad news. More bad news. The Yankees, with their injury situation right now, it is definitely alarming.

[Alan Hahn]

So you think that's why we lost Anthony, because the heel.

[Anthony Pusick]

Well, he. He saw the he in my ear. He definitely sounded like Eeyore when he told me, I have some news for you. And that was.

[Alan Hahn]

That's.

[Anthony Pusick]

His team's rough. I don't know. I think he gets. He's more Rangers, I think, than Yankees. Now Giants. He's. He's emotionally detached at this point. I know Anthony's a Giants fan, but the Giants have reached a point with him now where it's like in a relationship. He's emotionally abandoned them.

[Alan Hahn]

I think he's in the majority. I think the whole fan base right now feels like it is going through, is going through.

[Anthony Pusick]

Now there's all this talk about the Giants potentially trying to jump into the number one spot. The Titans are open for business, and the Giants want to leap into the one spot to get their future quarterback, and they hope it to be Cam Moore.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, they definitely tried last year.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Didn't work out. So maybe they'll do it this year.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

But I still think Yankees are one for him. Rangers are very, very close to.

[Anthony Pusick]

I'm feeling Rangers first. Let's ask him. I got Rangers 1, Yankees probably 1B, if not 2, and then the Giants might be 3, and the Knicks are probably 4.

[Steve Brzezinski]

Yeah, Alan nailed it.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Anthony Pusick]

Look at that. Do I know this kid? I've also seen him.

[Steve Brzezinski]

Those other two teams win. Have not seen the Rangers win. And it's. I don't. If the Rangers win, I do wonder where it would go. But I still think I like hot dogs.

[Anthony Pusick]

Before or after the parade? I know you're a 94, right? So were you before or after the parade?

[Steve Brzezinski]

After. I've never actually been alive when they've won.

[Anthony Pusick]

Wow. Sad Adams in California on the Yankees. Hello, Adam.

[Caller Adam]

Hey, boy. Thanks always for taking the call. I just. Before I get to my main point, Allen, I got married about four months ago, and a DJ is the only way to go. I'm telling you, you don't want some band, some yo yo band playing Michael Jackson. You just want to hear Michael Jackson.

[Anthony Pusick]

So. Well, I mean, like I said, I'm not going yo yo band here. I'm talking about you get like a, you know, good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Even the good.

[Alan Hahn]

You get the Foo Fighters that maybe.

[Anthony Pusick]

You consider, you know, so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, I'll let you finish your point. You know, what's the worst thing that can ever happen when a band's playing? They could Be the best band in the world. But they start playing Crazy in Love, and then the woman's singing and it's fine. And then it gets down to Jay Z's verse, and the random guy's like.

[Alan Hahn]

Young Hov in the rock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you're like, oh, my God, play the original song, for God's sake.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, if you can get me. If you can get me the wedding band from old school, that's a different story.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Turn around.

[Anthony Pusick]

Hell, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do you got?

[Caller Adam]

Yeah, I take that. But, oh, yeah, before the Yankees, Don, I had a little trivia question for you. On this day, 39 years ago, do you know what album was released? Massive album.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, wait a minute. So we're so 39 years ago.

[Anthony Pusick]

39.

[Alan Hahn]

30.

[Caller Adam]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So that would be. So we're talking March of 86.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

3-3-19. What came out 1986, that he would ask you about? Massive album.

[Anthony Pusick]

It's gotta be massive. It's not. Now, if you're saying, like, is it. Was it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you know what I'm going to say, because judging by the time frame and you asking me specifically, I'm going to go, master of puppets, my man.

[Caller Adam]

All right, man, That's a good one.

[Anthony Pusick]

Go.

[Caller Adam]

Congratulations on that. But, yeah, I was gonna call in and say these injuries to the Yankees are much ado about nothing, but that was before the Luis heel news. So now I'm definitely starting to shake a little bit. But mostly, as long as the golden goose is okay, our captain judge, I want to say they're going to be okay. You know, they always make moves at the trade deadline. They always make. They always do their pivot. So I'm not totally worried, but it is a little alarming about heel, so.

[Anthony Pusick]

Not going to lie about that. And a lat is like one of those things, too. And thank you, Adam. It's like, especially with young players, you know, the veterans like Cole went through what he went through last year, but he's a vet. He knew his body, he figured it out, and by the end, it wasn't a major issue. But with young players, when they start out with injuries, rarely do you get to August and say, hey, remember that lat injury you had? Whatever happened to that? It always seems to linger or be something that is part at least of the season. So hopefully, again, they'll be extra cautious. You're going to miss a lot of time, and then he's got to ramp himself back up. It's just one more thing to be concerned with. But at least your top three are not affected. I still think Radon is still there and obviously Freed and Cole.

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[Alan Hahn]

Don't you have to go into every season figuring that at least multiple, I mean at least two, if not three of your pitchers are going to end up on the IL at some point. So you're almost going and building your rotation of I got my five guys, but I've got a couple of guys in reserve that'll come out of the bullpen, they can spot start or I'm going to have to live with maybe having an opener occasionally. So listen, it stinks because he was somebody that was slotted to be in your top five. That won't be probably until May, but yeah. And it's the same thing with the Mets. The Mets were out of it in June and still found a way to be able to make the playoffs. So, all right, they've got their injuries. Quintana now off the table. He signed with the brewers, which tells me the Mets really were not interested because they certainly had the money and the wherewithal to sign him if they wanted to. I just think that you go with multiple guys, you believe in who you have and you just try to survive. The problem is I think the Mets can slug their way out of poor pitching early. Can the Yankees? I don't know.

[Anthony Pusick]

No, because they ha. They don't have that lineup anymore. So again, you are relying a lot on the pitching now. G.J. leMayhue, as we mentioned earlier, also felt a little something in the calf and he even was frustrated with himself. I believe the quote was, are you serious right now? Is this a sick joke? Because he knows how much like the injuries have really derailed his career. He's getting an MRI now tomorrow. So we'll maybe you hope not to get even more bad news again.

[Alan Hahn]

I.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's third base.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Man, I love spring training. So fun.

[Anthony Pusick]

No, you don't. No. You're so good.

[Alan Hahn]

But honestly. And I don't want to sound like that guy.

[Anthony Pusick]

Okay, but please do.

[Alan Hahn]

DJ LeMay who getting hurt is not bad news for the Yankees.

[Anthony Pusick]

Why not?

[Alan Hahn]

Because they've got two other third. He was not going to be your third baseman.

[Anthony Pusick]

He very much. No, no. He was very much going to be there third.

[Alan Hahn]

And I don't think that's good. I don't think that's a good situation. And if you're going to get him hurt, get him hurt now. Get the guys that are competing for it to get more reps at that position. Because I think you're better off if you move away from DJ LeMayhue. I don't think it's all right. It's not good news.

[Anthony Pusick]

So you're platooning then at third because.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't have an answer? I don't know.

[Anthony Pusick]

There's no full time answer.

[Alan Hahn]

But why can't you just have Cabrera come off the bench? He could play multiple positions for you anyway. I think you're stronger that way. Now listen, you'd have a kid at third base, but whose fault. I still think you're better off than with DJ who's bound to get hurt. Not hit. He. I think he's done, man. I mean he's a great. He was a great player. He was an MVP Yankee when he came, when he came up here early on not winning the mvp. But you know What? I mean, he was their best player, but that was a bad contract extension and has not aged well. Isn't it better to find out in March that he's not an option than having him be your starting third baseman only to have to give it over to somebody else in the middle? So go with Peraza. Go with Cabrera. I think that you're better off anyway. Is it a hole? Yeah, it's a hole. It would have been a hole if DJ was your starting third baseman, don't you think?

[Anthony Pusick]

I guess again, what the Yankees do a lot is you hope to catch lightning in a bottle. It's the same thing, you know, that they're trying to do with Goldschmidt. You know, like little things where, you know, can a vet just find it one more time? And maybe they were hoping if they could get LeMayhue healthy. He's so popular in that clubhouse. I mean, they all love him. So he's a guy that we know, like, when he's healthy, he's still a professional hitter.

[Alan Hahn]

I just don't know if that's even on the team.

[Anthony Pusick]

He is a good defensive guy. I mean, he is good defensively.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Anthony Pusick]

It's not like he's garbage in the corner. It's the fact that you were worried about him hitting, but now you don't have him at all. Griffin's in Connecticut once talked some Yankees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Damn right he is.

[Caller Griffin]

Hey, guys, the one thing that I don't know, Michael brought this up on his show, but the third baseman, I feel like you can figure out ways with Peraza, who, by the way, they have been high on for a while. So, Paraza, this is your opportunity to show us what you can do. You can bulk up her at third. Diva, you could maybe do once in a while, too, maybe at second if he makes his way up. And then you could put Chisholm at third. There's plenty of opportunities you could do. The one thing I'm really wondering, and I really do don't understand, what we are doing is Dominguez should be in center. Okay. Bellinger can play left. He has played left field before. It should be Bellinger and left Dominguez in center. Judge over right. That simple.

[Anthony Pusick]

Dominguez at center?

[Caller Griffin]

Yes. He's played center field. He's been a go. He's been a center fielder his whole time in the Triple A, Right. But in Double A, he's a. He should be in center. Not at last. It's an experiment with him.

[Anthony Pusick]

And left, they tend to do that. They Tend to do that. Griffin, I mean to put it. Put a rookie there at center. He's. He'd have to be special. And he's struggling obviously in left field, which is leading to some concerns. Which is why Grisham has to be considered an option because he can play multiple outfield positions as well. But you might need Dominguez to be a DH at some point.

[Caller Griffin]

But I'm telling you. But Dominguez is center field. He. That's what he's been doing down in AAA and that's what he's done. It's not going to be an experiment when you put him in center field. It's an experiment when you put him in left field.

[Anthony Pusick]

Well, I, I don't know. I don't know what to say about that one. Honestly. That's not. That's not. I, I don't know how it translates from center for the left field. I don't know enough about it. But the eye test tells me that he's struggling either way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Anthony Pusick]

So far in spring training. And that's a concern.

[Peter Rosenberg]

My brain always goes. And this, I'm not saying this is correct, but this may just go back to playing baseball as a kid in high school. If someone struggles in left or right, I don't really like to give them center where you have to deal with everything like that's. That's not my preference.

[Anthony Pusick]

Right. But I didn't know that in the minors he was just this unbelievable outfielder. I. All I knew about him in the minor leagues was that he just. He could rake right. Like that was it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Which, which I think he still could be able to do in the bigs. But right now he is struggling to.

[Alan Hahn]

Get his eye on the ball and the breakdown outfield. So I'm just trying to see what the breakdown for Bellinger is in his career of how much he's played the other positions. Why they seem so married to a. But listen, they know better. It's his natural position. But why don't they want to put him there again? It's been a mess so far, but he's known for his bat. But you got it. You got to catch two guys, especially in the bat defense is going to cost you. Especially in the playoffs. A la fifth inning of the World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why are you bringing up old stuff?

[Anthony Pusick]

But you know.

[Alan Hahn]

But here's the thing. He's. He's played 509 games in center field. 182 and right. 41 and left.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah. So now.

[Alan Hahn]

So you are asking someone who's a veteran to Go play a position that he's hardly played.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. Now, right field's not an option because that's where Judge is going to be. So you don't want to mess with Judge. You don't want Judge in center field. That's a bad idea. So you make it seem like, well, just put. Put Dominguez in his natural position at center field, but you're taking Bellinger and not putting him in a comfortable position. And it's not like, as you said. All right, he's played center field in the minor leagues, but is he particularly good at it?

[Anthony Pusick]

You didn't bring Bellinger in to play left field.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Anthony Pusick]

The only other option was for him to play first base.

[Alan Hahn]

You talk about a guy that's won a Gold Glove in center field.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Moving for a kid.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah. And he's got 41 games. You said at left field.

[Alan Hahn]

41 games in left field.

[Caller Glenn]

Yeah.

[Anthony Pusick]

I'm sorry. Glenn in Connecticut. Glenn.

[Caller Glenn]

Hey, guys, how you doing? Appreciate you taking the call.

[Alan Hahn]

What's up?

[Caller Glenn]

Alan, if you can just correct me here, it sounds like Ben Rice is going to take over the DH position while stands out. Correct.

[Anthony Pusick]

I think that's what we've seen. Yes.

[Caller Glenn]

Yeah. So, I mean, when he comes one, Stan is able to come back, and Ben Rice is just tearing the COVID off the ball. If that's the actual. If that actually happens. I know he looks good in spring training, but take that what he will. But can you imagine the conversation from Yankee fans if they have to replace him with Stanton and Stanton is just not hitting. So I just wanted to get your opinion on that.

[Anthony Pusick]

No, no, that's. That. Look, first of all, I'll say this, Glenn. It's a good problem to have. I'd rather have the problem of the kid who. He did capture your attention when they brought him up last year, and he did start to hit, and they. They haven't played out of position, too. You got to give the kid credit. He's a catcher, and they had him playing first base. But he did hit the ball really well when he. When he first came up. And this year he's going to get the opportunity. He bulked up. He got stronger. He knew they want me to be a power hitter. That's what I've got to bring to the table. So he, you know, he put some weight on, get a little more leverage in the swing. And it's true. If he does start to hit the ball well, and you're looking for anybody to protect Judge in the lineup, I mean, they're talking about. It's going to be. It could be Bellinger or it could be Chisholm hitting after Judge in the lineup. Now, that's your protection. I know it's a lot different if Rice can. Can show you that he can hit for power like we saw a little bit last year, and it's working. But you gotta play Stanton. Yeah. There's gonna be. You know how fans are.

[Alan Hahn]

They leave it alone.

[Anthony Pusick]

Don't mess with it.

[Alan Hahn]

I will. I will say this. You know, Paul Goltschmitt is gonna be 38 in September. He basically plays every day.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

He's played over 1900 games in his career. He's not playing first base every day.

[Anthony Pusick]

No, he'll. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

So that either means he doesn't play or he DH plays first. But then when Stanton comes, you're not gonna want Stanton in the field, so he's gonna dh, which means, you know, Rice is going to be riding a pine unless Goldschmidt gets hurt. But, like, I'm just looking. This is for baseball standards. It's pretty amazing. Last year, 154 games. Year before, 154 games. 151 games. 158 games. He played 58 of the 60 games during COVID Before that, 161. He plays pretty much every day.

[Anthony Pusick]

Plays a lot.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but he's going to be 38 and he's not going to be at first base every game. They're going to have to spell him. And if he's hitting, you're not going to want to take him out of the lineup. He's going to be your dh, but you know that's going to come at the expense of Ben Rice when Stanton comes back. If Stanton comes back. He will come back. But at some point. What did Judge say?

[Anthony Pusick]

Second half of the season, we just need him for the. We need him healthy for the run because we know Stanton is money in the postseason. I mean, he's already proven that. So in a way, you know, if the elbows, which I guess he's getting prp. I mean, so if that's going to take months. All right, fine.

[Alan Hahn]

We need you in October and as you get old. But as you get older, you just think these guys just gonna rake after sitting for three months, not doing anything. Good luck then, too.

[Anthony Pusick]

All right. More you. Well, no more you. Calls will stay with us, but we have. Is today a fourth 4:30 vehicle for yen?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's how afternoon most day. Yeah.

[Anthony Pusick]

News for your evening coming up next. Your calls are a Big part of it. And Peter, I am very interested in what you have to say here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Peter Rosenberg, here to tell my friends over at Bath Fitter. They remodel my bath. Did an incredible job. Customized it for my specific needs process.

[Alan Hahn]

Easy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Alan Hahn]

So 39 years ago.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's wild. It's a great freaking song, by the way. You know how I always say, like, certain bands have a distinct sound? Like, they just sound different. Metallica has a distinct sound.

[Alan Hahn]

You could just tell it's Metallica.

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I was kicking myself over the weekend because we did that no Skip album. And I forgot my absolute favorite. I don't know why I forgot it. And I was just. And I was like, I wonder. Peter probably wouldn't have any reaction, but I wonder if Alan, because sometimes you surprise me that we're a simpatico. It's right in my wheelhouse as far as, like, age is concerned. When it came out, I think it was 12. Oreo Speedwagon, high Infidelity.

[Anthony Pusick]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Love that album.

[Anthony Pusick]

That's one that you. You need to have like, no pun intended, high fidelity. Like, you need to have stereo, like, like studio speakers. Like, that's a. Like, that's one of those. There's a lot of.

[Alan Hahn]

Still. I still love that, you know, Take it on the Run. They're an underrated band, I think.

[Anthony Pusick]

Oh, yeah, they brought it. Then they did a ballad. That's the one thing they started getting, the power ballad. But that one, though, that's one where that. But like I said, there's certain bands that they had a big, loud, powerful sound.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Not, you know, not hard rock, but they. Yeah, they were. They were. They were good.

[Anthony Pusick]

You guys had me questioning my choices, by the way, because after the show, I drove home and I list. I had the Tears for Fears album, songs from the Big Chair. And I played it start to finish, just making sure. Like, am I sure this is. No skips? Yeah, no skips. No.

[Alan Hahn]

No skips.

[Anthony Pusick]

I stick to it. I know it's eclectic. I get it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's you are very eclectic.

[Anthony Pusick]

I'm all over the map. I'm first to admit it. It's not normal. I'm not somebody that will sit down and say, oh, you gotta listen to that. Because I know you might not like it. And it's just. I'm weird. Game time brought to you by Tullamore Do Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, it's Rangers, Islanders face off at MSG covers. Immediately following us right here with the great Don Legrecord at 6:30. That is game time brought to you by Tullimore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during tonight's action, glasses up. During to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. See how I'm flubbing today? Having a bad day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all right.

[Anthony Pusick]

You're tired.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe it's the hat.

[Anthony Pusick]

It's definitely not the hat. I'm not a hat guy, but I wore this for Cali and only for her.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When I saw him wearing the hat.

[Alan Hahn]

Today, it was odd.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was so odd. I thought like. Which is weird because what is it with you in caps?

[Anthony Pusick]

Cap.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He can't wear a cap. He can't say cap.

[Alan Hahn]

But he looks good in the cap.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it fits his head well. It just makes him look 12. It's weird. He's like already a pretty young looking guy for his age. And when I walked in the office today, I was like, are they sitting with someone's son?

[Anthony Pusick]

Say that on the air. I was. I got off the elevator and I happened to look towards the office.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mm.

[Anthony Pusick]

I saw like the side profile, Allen. I thought it was Zach. So. I mean, cap. Damn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. It's really interesting. It changes you completely.

[Anthony Pusick]

I don't. I don't wear hats a lot. Like DP always wears a hat. Constantly wears. I don't recognize when he does that with his hair.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, usually people that have hats like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it because he doesn't feel like putting in product? Maybe on a. Probably because he's a product guy.

[Anthony Pusick]

It's probably I don't feel like doing the work.

[Alan Hahn]

Or is it maybe just decided not to shower?

[Anthony Pusick]

Yeah, it's little, all that. Mix it all together.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I gotta tell you, for me, it.

[Anthony Pusick]

Was just wake up at 5 and had to get to New Jersey and I'm just threw a hat on and plus, it's Cali.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll tell you, being bald is so underrated. Not bad. It's like the most. Everyone's like, oh, don't you wish you had hair? I'm like, not really.

[Anthony Pusick]

I've told my barber that once I retire and I'm not doing TV anymore, like I'm. It's just a one all of like a little bit. Just a little bit. But I don't know if.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Alan, I don't know if I'm comfortable with you doing it.

[Anthony Pusick]

Why?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you think he'll look normal with.

[Anthony Pusick]

The whole, yeah, I care what you think if I'm no longer on television.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But your wife is gonna care.

[Anthony Pusick]

I don't think she will.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She. I mean, she did make it through that tough period, but still, she doesn't want to go back to it.

[Anthony Pusick]

She met me during the tough. Yes, exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But still he had hair, though.

[Anthony Pusick]

That was what was going for lots of hair then. Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

A lot of people would kill for his rough period, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's true.

[Anthony Pusick]

That is very true. That is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His rough period was a lot of people's dream period.

[Anthony Pusick]

Listen up, Knicks fans. Here's your once in a lifetime opportunity to win a meet and greet with Knicks legend John starks in the ESPN New York suite. That is Sunday, March 30, when the Knicks take on Portland. You want to be part of this? Enter for your chance to win on the ESP New York app [e-mail] it's brought to you by John Starks Kia. Oh yeah, Starks Ford of Queens and your home for Knicks basketball, ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Anthony Pusick]

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

[Don Hahn]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

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