Hour 2: NFL Playoffs & Fraud Alert Friday

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: NFL Playoffs & Fraud Alert Friday

Original Air Date: January 16, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guest Contributors: Anthony Pusick

---

Episode Overview

This hour of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" delivers an in-depth, energetic debate on the state of the NFL Playoffs heading into the Divisional Round, as well as the show’s signature "Fraud Alert Friday" segment where fraudulent patterns in sports fandom are hilariously tried and judged. The hosts dive deep into power rankings, playoff trust factors, young quarterbacks/coaches, and the drama of competitive pick contests between them, all served with their trademark banter and candid opinions.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Celebrating Tim Capstraw’s Milestone

• (00:33 – 02:17)
  • Hosts open with a shoutout to longtime Nets broadcaster Tim Capstraw for calling his 2,000th consecutive game (since 2002), praising his “iron man” streak and ability to maintain enthusiasm despite the Nets’ struggles.
    • Memorable Quote:
      • “Can you imagine? He has never missed a game. That’s some iron man right there.” – Alan Hahn (01:36)
  • Recognition of great local radio chemistry from Capstraw and Carino.

---

Ranking the NFL Divisional Playoff Teams

• (02:26 – 14:25)
  • The hosts debate which remaining playoff teams have a real shot at the Super Bowl, how close the field truly is, and which teams they trust most.
  • General consensus: The Rams are the top dog (1), Texans are likely last (8), but the difference among all teams is razor-thin.
    • Quote:
      • “There’s eight teams left in the divisional round, and if one played eight on a neutral site, it might be the Rams as only a three and a half or four point favorite. Like that’s how close.” – Alan Hahn (05:53)
  • Discussion of injuries (especially for the 49ers), power of coaching, and whether the Pats or Bills are strong enough with their current rosters.
    • Quote:
      • “Buffalo...they have the best player left. But...they might have the worst coach left.” – Peter Rosenberg & Alan Hahn (05:03; 05:21)
  • Focus on parity: Gone are the days of untouchable one-seeds (e.g., '85 Bears, Brady Patriots). Now young QBs and less-experienced coaches can be top seeds.
    • "Your one seeds are Sam Darnold and Bo Nix." – Alan Hahn (13:46)
  • Betting/tournament implications: How narrow point spreads reflect league parity.
    • Historical context: A one-seed being a home underdog is nearly unprecedented.
  • Coaching trust: heavy focus on Denver’s "winning close games" due to Sean Payton’s influence.

---

The Dynamics of the Hosts' NFL Picks Contest

• (19:41 – 26:36)
  • Discussions on rules/strategy for their in-show playoff picks contest ("who will have to dress as a clown").
  • Arguments about fairness, strategy, whether picks should be sent to the producer in advance to avoid tactical copying, and the spirit of competition.
    • “That completely spits in the face of why you do pick first place… Vomits on it.” – Alan Hahn (21:24)
  • Comparison to sportsmanship and “stalling” in basketball.
  • Ultimately, segments show the competitive and playful nature at the heart of the show’s chemistry.

---

Fraud Alert Friday

• (30:09 – 42:20)

  • Hilarious and insightful segment where listeners admit questionable fandom and the guys pass “fraud” judgment.

  • Examples Judged:

    1. Switching Allegiances Repeatedly – A listener from Rockaway admits picking basketball teams out of spite or convenience, and the crew condemns this approach.
       • “Your hockey, your football and your baseball seem to be genuine, but you know what? Your basketball is all fraud, fraud, fraud, fraud.” – Alan Hahn (33:01)
    2. Celtics Fan Secretly Rooting for Knicks – A Boston fan in NYC tries to justify rooting for the Knicks because “the city deserves happiness.”
       • “Fraud and vomit fraud. There’s a new level. I just invented ‘vomit fraud.’” – Don La Greca (33:54)
    3. Giants Fan Turning Ravens Fan for Lamar Jackson – A season-ticket-holding Giants fan openly roots for Lamar and bought Ravens season tickets.
       • “You’re not only a fraud, you’re a stalker fraud… you’re stalking Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.” – Don La Greca (39:31)

  • Segment Highlights:

    • Don and Alan invent new “fraud” levels: "Vomit Fraud" (rooting for a rival out of sentimentality) & "Stalker Fraud" (having an unhealthy, unfaithful obsession with a rival/team or player).
    • “Imagine somebody emailing wondering if they're a fraud and then finding out they're at the highest level fraud, a level that wasn't even invented before they sent the email.” – Alan Hahn (41:41)
    • The tongue-in-cheek "courtroom" dynamic, Don with his gavel, and the group’s comedic chemistry.

---

Mets Offseason Moves & Call-In Segment

• (44:33 – 51:54)
  • Caller "David" questions the logic behind the Mets’ offseason, focusing on defensive alignment after letting Pete Alonso go and acquiring Bo Bichette.
    • Alan agrees: The defense excuse is thin, Bichette can shift to 3B, but Stearns simply "wasn’t a fan" of Alonso.
    • Broader issues: Is Mets owner Cohen interfering too much, and who’s really in charge?
      • “If all of a sudden the second Cohen doesn’t like the direction it’s going... now he [the GM] gets the rug pulled out from under him. So who’s really in charge here?” – Alan Hahn (49:17)
  • “I’m a slave to winning, David…” – Alan Hahn (46:35)

---

Listener Appreciation

• (50:05 – 51:54)
  • Heartfelt call from a longtime listener, Steve, who appreciates learning from the show to keep up with sports for his family despite not being a diehard sports fan.
    • “After a year, you’ve done a hell of a job. I appreciate it.” – Steve, caller (51:42)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Tim Capstraw's broadcasting streak:
  • “Can you imagine? He has never missed a game. That’s some iron man right there.” — Alan Hahn (01:36)
• Playoff parity:
  • “There’s eight teams left... and if one played eight on a neutral site, it might be the Rams as only a three and a half or four point favorite. Like that’s how close.” — Alan Hahn (05:53)
• NFL’s new world:
  • “Your one seeds are Sam Darnold and Bo Nix...” — Alan Hahn (13:46)
• Fraud Alert Friday:
  • “Your basketball is all fraud, fraud, fraud, fraud.” — Alan Hahn (33:01)
  • “Fraud and vomit fraud. There’s a new level. I just invented ‘vomit fraud.’” — Don La Greca (33:54)
  • “You’re stalking Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Stalking them.” — Don La Greca (39:31)
  • “Imagine somebody emailing... and then finding out they’re at the highest level fraud, a level that wasn’t even invented before they sent the email.” — Alan Hahn (41:41)
• On broadcast pick competitions:
  • “That completely spits in the face of why you do pick first place… Vomits on it.” — Alan Hahn (21:24)
• Mets offseason:
  • “If all of a sudden the second Cohen doesn’t like the direction it’s going... now he gets the rug pulled out from under him. So who’s really in charge here?” — Alan Hahn (49:17)
• Listener appreciation:
  • “After a year, you’ve done a hell of a job. I appreciate it.” — Steve, caller (51:42)

---

Segment Timestamps

• Intro and Tim Capstraw milestone: 00:00 – 02:17
• NFL Playoff Ranking, Trust Factors, Parity: 02:17 – 14:25
• Hosts’ Picks Contest Debates: 19:41 – 26:36
• Fraud Alert Friday: 30:09 – 42:20
• Mets Offseason & Caller Reactions: 44:33 – 51:54
• Listener Appreciation: 50:05 – 51:54

---

Tone & Style

• Lively, candid, humorous banter with sharp sports insight and playful competition among hosts.
• Relatable, with hosts sharing personal fan experiences and letting their personalities shine.
• Emphasis on authenticity in fandom, with comic “judging” of fan behavior.

---

Summary for the Uninitiated

This episode captures the trio at their best: mixing old-school sports debate with the realities of a changing NFL, breaking down the drama of both playoffs and their own friendly competition, and bringing fans in for judgment on “Fraud Alert Friday.” If you want expert analysis with a heavy dose of personality and laughter—plus some memorable catchphrases about fraud—you’ll find plenty to enjoy here, whether you care about the standings or just want a fun, insightful listen.

Transcript

[A]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[B]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[A]

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

[C]

Game time is brought to you by Teleportieu Irish Whiskey.

[B]

Because when it's game time, guys, it's Tully time. You know it, man. And tonight, big local night, the Nets host the Bulls at 7:30. That's all I got.

[D]

Love my telly.

[B]

That's it. Wait, that's it. Cap straw, right?

[D]

Yeah, shout him out. I'm glad you said it because his.

[B]

2000Th game the other night, I thought that was awesome. They got a great broadcast over them and the team stinks. But they've got a great broad. No, honestly, Tim Capstro is one of.

[D]

The classiest guys in the business too.

[B]

Because Carino and Capstra are so good.

[D]

Very.

[B]

Listen, I'm no huge basketball fan and I'm not going to say that I care that much about the Nets, but I was in the car coming back from the, from the, from the Devil game the other night and they were in New Orleans, so they were. They. Their game started an hour after ours did and I was listening to their postgame. They're taking tweets. They're la.

[D]

Like they're.

[B]

And that's when I found out that he had done his 2000th game. That's awesome, by the way.

[D]

Not just his 2000.

[C]

You all right there, buddy?

[D]

No, It's like you get stung by a bee and all of a sudden like everything starts to swell. Anyway, it's apparently 2000 consecutive.

[B]

That's not.

[D]

Goes back to 2002.

[B]

2000.

[D]

Can you imagine? He has never missed a game. That's some iron man right there. Like seriously, that's crazy.

[B]

No, he's terrific. And I bet you Carino hasn't missed many. Unless he's had, you know, conflicts.

[D]

Here comes Pusick. Because Carino, of course afford him guy nothing, you know. No.

[B]

And he would have said something if his streak went back to the 90s, then he would have said something. But it was only 2002, so.

[D]

Right. He's not gonna get mad.

[E]

He laid out, but that wasn't that long ago.

[D]

Congratulation. Congrats though. And he's a, he's a. He's such a great guy, but a fantastic analyst.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

And you know, like he had some good. Again. He started out talking about final back to back finals. Like he's had, he had some good stuff. But there's been some, you know, it's been Some tough ones.

[B]

But, but I gotta tell you, and I, and I do, I do listen quite a bit in the car that there's still enthusiasm like you can understand. There'd be frustration. You listen to it. It's, it sounds like you would if you didn't know any better, you would think that that's one of the biggest games of the night because they just are so good at what they do. Tell them or do the original triple distilled triple blend into triple cast matured iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore do or try the new Telemore Dew Honey. During today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore due responsibly. You know, I just threw it out there as not as a goof, but not, I didn't put a lot of thought behind it of any of these teams in the divisional round could win a championship. But if you had to rank them, would there be that much of a difference between the top spot and the bottom spot of the teams that are going to be playing this weekend?

[D]

I still feel like the Rams would be your number one, like power ranked.

[B]

Okay, so that's, that's, that's fun.

[D]

But I think your number two is a bigger debate than your number one.

[B]

All right, so if, all right. I think we'd all agree. I, I think I agree with Alan. Do you agree, Peter, that right now it feels like if you were to rank one, if you were the rank the teams remaining, so it'd be one through eight.

[C]

The Rams are one. The Rams are one. I think because of the experience in this particular tournament, the problem.

[B]

So who's eight?

[C]

Sure.

[B]

If we can all agree. The Rams are one. Who's eight?

[C]

The Texans.

[D]

Texans are eight. Yeah, I think. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

And honestly. And honestly, the Bills might be seven.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

That doesn't mean I can't see them winning, but I'm saying we're ranking teams now.

[B]

Now, now, again, don't, don't. I, I think it's, it's wrong to look at who they're playing.

[C]

Oh, no, sorry. San Francisco. Now, minus the weapons there with everybody.

[D]

That'S banged up, I would probably.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

San Francisco, like, I know I'm, I, I'm. Denver is as great as their defense is. I, I still as a number one seed, I don't know if I'd put them in the top.

[B]

All right.

[D]

Top half.

[B]

But. So you, you would put the Niners at 8 or you saying the Niners would be 7? You'd still have the.

[C]

I think I'm still. I'm giving the. I'm giving Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy not last distinction. All right, give me the Texans last at 8. Give me the 49ers at 7.

[D]

Okay, give me. Give me Denver or New England.

[C]

I have Buffalo. Man, they just lost another receiver. Like, I would love the story.

[D]

And I could see them doing it. They'll. They have the best player left.

[C]

They do, they do. They have the best player left. But this is.

[B]

They have the best player. They do have the best player.

[D]

The two teams playing each other or New England, those are the three options for me at six. But because I think they'll all be in a row after that.

[B]

They might have the worst coach left.

[C]

Yeah, that too. So I think they do you say.

[B]

Allen's the best player. I could say McDermott's the worst coach. That kind of balances that out. But. All right. Rather. But here's what, here's. Here was the point I'm trying to make. Okay, so if we all agree the Rams are one and the Texans are eight if they played a neutral site, what's the number?

[C]

Rams minus Rams minus four and a half.

[B]

Three and a half. So think about that. And I would probably say maybe three and a half. Four. Think about that. That's.

[C]

That's a good tournament.

[B]

There's eight teams left in the divisional round and if one played eight in a neutral site, it might be the Rams three and a half or four point favorite. Like that's how close.

[D]

Like we had last weekend. Yeah.

[B]

Because I agree with you that the Texans are probably eight, but they might have, outside of Denver, the best defense. All right. Their quarterback is no slouch. Their coach is no slouch. Now that you might not wrap your mind around them winning a championship, but if we. But that's how close it is, though, guys.

[C]

But with the 49ers, with the 49ers now as beat as they are, if the 49ers somehow squeaked their way by on a neutral site, maybe their line would be worse. But the thing is, against who. Who would get the big number against them from the AFC? The Patriots. Would the Patriots be a four point favorite against the 49ers? This version of the 49ers in a Super Bowl? Maybe.

[B]

And that's all because of Kittle getting hurt. If Kittle were healthy.

[C]

Yeah, we're not feeling that way.

[B]

But now.

[C]

But remember the reason I brought that.

[D]

Up, like, there's this.

[B]

There's a lot.

[C]

But the reason I bring it up though, Allen is because Don's right. That the potential super bowl combos are all really tight. But yet we do have a seven point favorite this week in Seattle.

[D]

Yeah. Which is why that's so tempting. Which we'll get to.

[B]

Well, but again, that has a task to do with injuries. But. And it seems like all the money is going to San Francisco. That seems to be the case because they just can't believe that not being 100%.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And his history in the postseason that how can they be a touchdown favorite against the.

[C]

So it's. It's. It's Denver minus one and a half at home. It's the Seahawks minus seven at home. It's the Pats minus three at home and it's the Rams minus four and a half on the road.

[B]

So think about. I don't want to put Anthony any more work than he usually has on.

[D]

His plate, which is a lot.

[B]

But how often do you think a one seed coming off a buy is only a point and a half favorite in their first playoff game?

[E]

Remember, they were dogs most of the.

[B]

Week and they were dogs most of the week.

[D]

There's not a lot of faith in them. No.

[B]

Well, there's not a lot of faith. Why? Because their quarterback is inexperienced.

[D]

Inexperienced, unproven. But their defense is great.

[B]

They've got a distinction.

[C]

And the public and. And the public. Because they have such a big fan base and active fan base, I think. And the quarterback. The public loves Buffalo. That's another piece.

[D]

You want to go on that too? Yeah, The Josh Allen bump. But.

[C]

And the Buff. And the Buffalo is a lovable team. Bump.

[D]

But let's also just again, just Denver on their own. How many games this season did they have to like pull out a win late?

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

Were they losing double digits in certain. Both New York teams like that. They. They have given you enough reason this year to think that they're that team that. Remember that thing that bothered you, Peter, about Bill Barnwell, about your team? Your team last year won a lot of close games and that just hasn't.

[C]

Happened around the next year.

[D]

Denver this year not only won a lot of close games, they also had to come back. So maybe there's a little bit of lack of faith in them when it comes to playoff time. Being able to do the same thing here.

[C]

And to Allen's point, they beat the Eagles in an absolute nail biter. 21, 17. They squeaked by the Jets 13 11. They beat the Giants, as we know, in a ridiculous comeback. 33, 32. They were Texans. They beat the Texans in Houston 18 15. They squeaked by their division rival Raiders, who suck 107 at home. They beat the Chiefs 22 19. They went to overtime to beat the Commanders 2726 on a failed two point conversion. They beat the Raiders 24 17. And that's basically it for the really close ones.

[B]

But that's a lot.

[C]

That's half the season.

[D]

Think about and they were they 12 win team, 13 win team. Right. So think about how many games you're talking about that if it could have gone the other way. And that's Barnwell's whole formula when it comes to year to year. The teams that will regress. 14 took advantage of 14.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. 14 and 3.

[D]

So to finish the exercise, this is what I wrote down from us discussing. Okay. The top seed we all agree on is. Would be overall. Now if we made this a full tournament, not afc, nfc. The Rams are the best team left the arm. When we power rank, we're doing trust factor. Right. So the Rams are our highest trust factor in a team that can get to the super bowl, right?

[B]

Yes.

[D]

Okay. So then I, it feels like then Seattle is the second highest trust factor. That's why I mean I think I like easy. The. The rest is hard. So let me just do it and then you can argue the Bears end up being the third highest trust factor. The Bears with a very young quarterback, with a new coach. The fourth would be Buffalo because Peter, I put them four, even though you were going to put them lower. But I just decided to put them at four because it's hard to say no, but very close. Five New England, six Denver, seven San Francisco all banged up. And then eight is Houston because while their defense is elite, their offense, as we know, is, you know, a little suspect. And they don't have, they don't have Nico. And we know that CJ is a guy that will turn the ball over and we saw him almost give the game away last week in Pittsburgh. It just shows you number one is one. We can all agree on the rest of it. You could jumble them any way you want.

[B]

And also I don't. I would not say Seattle. I would not rank Seattle that high.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

Where. Who would go above? Here's the, here's the semantics of it. If you're ranking them, but you, but you're giving Seattle the best shot to get to the championship game because of who they're matched up against in San Francisco. Right? So that, that, that, that's part of.

[D]

The trust is the road. Right? I trust that they could because home in the next couple of games.

[B]

But I think personally I think New England is better than Seattle.

[D]

Wow. And coaching wise you have a little more experience in variable but they got a great coach in Seattle. Man. They found something.

[B]

No they did find something but you know certainly New England has found something in their quarterback and how they play. Now here are some stats that Anthony had sent me. Okay if the Broncos had closed as a dog and what's the number now they're favored by a point and a half.

[E]

Yeah it flipped completely I guess three full points.

[B]

Yeah, it flipped dramatically one and a half. Now there would be the second one seed to be a home dog. First time was in 2017 against the the Eagles were against the Falcons but the Eagles won the game outright. Road favorites in the divisional round are 5 and 10 outright and against the spread including 1 in 6 outright and against the spread in their last seven instances.

[D]

Huh. So don't buy it.

[B]

So listen we're we. We're still old school guys and Peter, even even though you're younger you still remember the days of when the the 1 seed in the NFC was a beast. 84 Niners 85 Bears 86 Giants like they were going to be a they weren't getting touched until the championship.

[D]

Yeah those were right. Those were legendary all time teams usually.

[B]

You know and even even in recent vintage you know Tom Brady Patriots a one seed. They're not losing in the divisional round.

[D]

Chiefs.

[B]

Yeah Chiefs you're not losing. They're not going to be a dog in Kansas City against a wild a team that played wild card weekend. The parody is just incredible where the one just think about again I don't want to insult the guy but it is what it is. Your one seeds are Sam Darnold and Bo Nix.

[D]

It's reality. That's what makes this I'll give you guys I'll give you guys this credit when you talk to you guys want talked about the parody stuff and get the Chiefs out here and all that stuff and I love to have those legendary teams like Don's just referencing right Those obvious one seeds that can't get touched. This does make it way more intriguing because it is wide open and now you want to see who is it that you don't expect that has like the performance that you weren't expect that you didn't think he could have. That's why Bo Nix, right. Can he do something and just enough because his defense can do it. All he has to do is just not mess it up. Could C.J. stroud have a. All of a sudden just get on a run, get hot. As Don likes to say, get on it, you know, on a toot. That's what makes this a little more interesting. But it's a lot harder to bet. A lot harder.

[B]

I saw a stat today because obviously the oldest quarterback in the playoffs right now is Stafford at 37.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

So I think it's between Josh Allen and Sam Darnold for like second oldest. Bo Nix is a kid. Caleb Williams is a kid. Stroud's a kid.

[D]

May's a kid, right?

[B]

Yeah, May's a kid. They're all kids that were drafted after 2020.

[D]

Purdy might be closer in age to Darnold and Josh Allen. Right? Josh Allen and Darnold the same draft class. The Purdy's still young in comparison.

[B]

So these are all great point quarterbacks, kid coaches.

[D]

Yeah. Who's. I guess, who's the grizzled veteran coach here? Peyton.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Shanahan and Vrabel. Right.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But it's.

[B]

I mean, if you look, they're still.

[D]

Young, but he's been around.

[B]

It's.

[C]

It's Peyton. Peyton's the guy. And maybe.

[D]

Well, Payton. Yeah.

[C]

And maybe we should be factoring that in a little bit more when we talk about Denver.

[D]

I agree, I agree. When it's wide open like this, coaching to me can push you. And maybe that's also part of the spreads here, too.

[B]

Well, and also, what do we talk about with the Giants, Right. Lack of coaching, all the close games they lost. Why do you think Denver wins all the close games? Because they've got a better coach. Most Sundays, Sean Payton's going to win the coaching matchup in most cases. So that's probably why. So you look at it as a. It devalues them. Right. Look at all the close games they were in. Games that we look at as they barely won. Well, maybe they won because they are superiorly coached. And when you take a look at the. And you look at the game, you don't care how many points you win by unless you got a bet on. And Denver's just trying to get to the championship game. So even if they win three, nothing, they win the game. Right. So.

[D]

Yeah, no, it, again, it makes it so compelling. It's funny too, because like McDonald, Mike McDonald, who's the terrific coach in Seattle.

[B]

Doobie Brothers.

[D]

Yeah, he's. He actually is great on the road, yet they're the top seats. That won't factor. Like, really part of his success has been how good they are on the Road.

[B]

God, I. That game again. San Francisco so banged up. Would you be shocked if Seattle lost that game?

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Really? Really?

[D]

Yes. That. Come on, Peter.

[B]

Would you be shocked?

[D]

It's stunning. If they lose this. They've had two weeks.

[B]

They almost beat the. They beat the Eagle. The killer was. When did he get hurt in that game?

[D]

Early.

[B]

I would not relatively early.

[C]

Would I be stunned if San Francisco one. No, again, because we go back.

[D]

Really.

[C]

We just go back to that coach conversation. This is a very good. They're just a very good, well coached football team.

[D]

Shanahan and Salah back together.

[C]

And Shanahan manages to. He'll dial up things. He'll find things. We'll be hearing names over and over again that none of us even recognize that.

[D]

All right. So. But. But would you. Would you say then part of the reason why Seattle loses is not just because McDonald gets out coached by Shanahan, but because Sam Darnold is exposed.

[C]

Can't both be on the table. And Shanahan and Darnold's dealing with an oblique situation.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

And he's never had a big playoff moment.

[D]

But don't you. I mean, that's just.

[C]

That feels Brock Purdy's kind of ice daughter.

[D]

Yeah. Amazing.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's fascinating. It's going to be so much fun this week. It was. It was fun last week. And if we. If we get four classics, which is possible, we're talking about, by the way, one of the great postseason runs ever.

[D]

So Saturday, because the Knicks have a game Saturday. Saturday night at the Garden. It's tough for me to be able to keep up, but I will do the best I can. Right. Watching those games.

[B]

I got a game, too.

[D]

Sunday.

[B]

Hurricanes.

[D]

Not only do I have nothing, but everybody's out of the house. The girls are off. They got sports. One's going one way, one's going the other. Like, honestly, that's. That's Nirvana. Me and the dog that you don't.

[B]

Love your family, but.

[C]

Sure do.

[D]

But how rare is it that you could have that kind of an opportunity.

[B]

I.

[D]

And just enjoy football and not even have to get dressed.

[B]

We. We.

[D]

Doordash.

[B]

We have not decided. I shouldn't say we. I have nothing to do with it. The Devils have not decided when they're leaving Sunday. I think. I think a lot depends on how they play Saturday night.

[D]

Oh, is this the big. This is the big road trip now.

[B]

Right. So we're flying Calgary Sunday.

[D]

Oh, boy.

[B]

Calgary, as they say up there.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

But if they don't play well or he Or Sheldon feels they need to practice. We might leave a little later. But there's going to be football while I'm in the air and everybody loves football. Dano loves football. So it's going to be a cool flight to Calgary because it's going to be everybody watching these games. It should be. It should be very cool.

[D]

Yeah, always fun.

[B]

So, you know, the NFL is just great theater usually, but there's really no awful games. So we got our picks. They're coming up at 545. And it's really between Allen and Peter, who's going to dress as a clown. But still point allocation. Now we need that. We need to straighten this part out too, guys, because we've been doing the one through six. So we going six, five, six, five, four, three. Now four through one or we're taking six and five off the table.

[E]

Take six, five.

[D]

I mean, I would love to be able to do a six pointer because.

[B]

That, that certainly affects things because now it's, now it's harder to move Peter. You probably have to run the table and you're going to have Alan that just completely melt down. Well, it's on the table.

[C]

I have to, I'd have to hit. I'd have to certainly hit a four this week. And Allen misses his power. That would have to happen.

[B]

Now here's another thing that we could have brought up in the meeting, but I'll bring it up now because I think the fans might be interested in this as well. Should we send Anthony our picks beforehand because we're going to. Or do you want. Or do you want to just have Peter go first? But then Allen can play four corners. So do you want to avoid that by sending our picks ahead of time? So because Alan can end you. Right. He knows he's not catching me anyway.

[D]

Every single one of those picks.

[B]

So he could just pick the same ones you do in seasons old.

[D]

So you're removing strategy. I don't like this, but that, but.

[B]

No, it's a, it's not about strategy. It's about making picks. You want to do better than Peter. Not I, I, this is how I feel. Not. I'm just going to pick the same as Peter. I win. Yeah, that's a, that's a good strategy, but it completely spits in the face of why you do pick first place.

[C]

Right.

[B]

Vomits on it.

[D]

If you want like a fly, just. Absolutely. Okay, tell you what. No, no, I'm. You and Peter and myself are removed from this. This is Anthony Pusick's decision okay, Anthony.

[B]

Do the right thing, Anthony.

[E]

Listen, you can send me. You can send me. You can send me the picks in a text, but Peter looks at the spreads during that break, so there's a very finite amount of time calling you out to be able to make this happen.

[C]

No, the. It would be one thing if he did this week 17, but he knows that in the playoffs that me and.

[E]

Him are the only ones who are talking about spreads for the last like three days.

[C]

I'm actually paying attention. And I went five and one last week. It was a little disrespectful.

[D]

Five and one was. Was a good move by you, Don. Here's the only thing I'm saying is that you are big on the regular season. Has to matter for something, right? In sports. Well, what good is it that I am in second place if I can't use second place to my benefit? Otherwise, who cares?

[B]

But, but. And listen, I trust my mild success over Peter and I mean, I do.

[D]

Should benefit me some way.

[B]

I do trust. But still. Look at me.

[D]

I'm looking at you.

[B]

Are you going to. Are you going to play for. Would you play four corners or would you just make the picks you believe are the right picks? You're not looking at me.

[C]

The four won't look you in the eye.

[D]

Well, the four pointer I might have to be careful with.

[B]

See, I don't want that to be Peter. That's not in the spirit of competition, is it?

[D]

My, My coach, my high school coach, God rest his soul, Gus Alfieri won a state championship because there was no shot clock playing against a team that had way better athletes. And the state championship was one, because we would score a basket or they would score a basketball, and then we would hold the ball and then we would score. And every time we got to stop, it was like a huge victory because what would you do? Hold the ball some more?

[B]

No, I get that that's how Villanova.

[D]

Score is like in the 20s, but it doesn't matter.

[B]

But, but you still had to hit your. You still had to come up with the occasional stop.

[D]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And you still had to make your shots, right?

[D]

But the stretch, but you just picking what Peter picked.

[B]

There's no. There's that. That's no fun. None.

[D]

No. No matter.

[B]

You know what I mean? I'm going to be that guy. Hey, I told Peter to get up the other day. Do I regret it? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes.

[C]

See?

[B]

All right.

[C]

Both be true.

[B]

They could both be true, though. We're sending the picks. We're sending the picks before 5:45.

[D]

You are not the arbiter.

[B]

No, I'm taking it you are. It's I'm going to be that guy.

[D]

No, you're going to be that guy. You can't be that guy because then I will say I'm out. But Don is ok, this is Anthony making the rule. We are the competitors. Anthony decides.

[C]

Yeah but, but didn't Don already be. Isn't it over? Didn't Don already win?

[D]

I don't care.

[E]

Don can make his picks now. Don't have to make picks.

[D]

It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.

[B]

I just think in the spirit of the clown shoes you can't play four corners.

[D]

Yes you can. Otherwise what is the regular season matter, Don?

[E]

What does it matter later in in in previous iterations of this show that is now being talked about on every media platform as being broken up by Michael and Peter that well now Don and I have beat once we got to this point in the season if I'm not mistaken. Yeah picks were sent to Andrew, picks were sent to me. So this is not a new like phenomenon. Now why didn't we do it now again we didn't do pick them all. This is a new show. We didn't pick them all. You know no one sending me six picks. Now we're down to four. A lot easier to send picks and Alan still has a pretty sizable lead.

[B]

Here's the thing, Peter, I don't think he's got the guts to do it.

[E]

Tap out.

[B]

Just, just pick your pick. He wouldn't do that. He's not that kind of guy.

[C]

I don't think he would either. But why are we fighting against it then? Let's just do it.

[B]

Because I think he's just being that guy that whole time I had that's Thursday. He's staring me down right now. When I asked him to look at me before he wouldn't look at me. Send the picks by 5:45. If your picks aren't in you forfeit them.

[F]

Why?

[B]

And if you stray from your forfeit then if you stray from your pick that was text to Anthony, you forfeit that pick. And that's what we're gonna do. Again, I haven't voted on that's it done.

[D]

All of a sudden you are just deciding that this is now a monarchy.

[B]

Well because sometimes with true leadership when you feel like it's down to doing the right thing or the wrong thing.

[D]

If I could be you don't put.

[C]

It to a vote.

[D]

If I could share something that I was going to keep to myself.

[B]

Go ahead, look at me.

[D]

Kate told me you would do this.

[B]

But here's the thing Kate, Kay would do it. I'm saying you wouldn't do it. K would do it. That's how I came up with the idea.

[E]

Peter, do you remember the last time that this happened where we said we should send pics? I think it was Don who just announced all his picks at that moment at like 3:30. Yeah, I think Jacob's telling me up in my ear. So I think that's what Can I.

[C]

Tell you guys Something other thing about picks is Don went six zero last week, I went five and one and if you had played those I would have recommend you play them on fandom.

[B]

There you go.

[D]

Yeah, that's a good point where they're.

[C]

Turning on playoff mode right now. All customers get a profit boost pack every NFL playoff game day. Each game day during the divisional round, you'll find a pack loaded with multiple profit boosts waiting for you in the app. More boost means more ways to level up your playoff bets, pick the matchups you believe in, take your shot on an upset, or build a parley that fits the moment. I you know, you guys know what I like, you know what I like. But you go the way you like, all right? And then apply your profit boost and go after even bigger payouts while the playoffs keep rolling. So visit FanDuel.com local and grab your profit boost pack every NFL playoff game day 21 and over. Physically present New York option required, bonus issued and as non withdrawable profit boost tokens restrictions apply including any token expiration, max wager amount. See [e-mail] for help with a gambling problem, call 877-8-Hopeny or text openy467-369 Quick.

[B]

Break tailgates are won before the food even hits the grill. That's why you need to go with Kingsford Original Charcoal. It lights fast, burns long, and brings that bold, smoky flavor every time. Since 1920, Kingsford's been the gold standard of grilling. If you're grilling for a crowd, it's the guaranteed way to get the W Kingsford, the king of the tailgate. Get it today at the Home Depot. How doers get more done compared to nationally available conventional charcoal in the usa.

[F]

Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it and you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way, you hand everything off and then silence. Days pass, weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full service expert. With Intuit TurboTax, you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app. And while your expert checks for every deduction, you'll see real time updates on your phone. So you always know exactly where things stand. Suddenly you're not refreshing your inbox. You're going for a run, grabbing a coffee, scrolling anything other than a just checking in message because your TurboTax expert is handling it and keeping you in the loop. So this tax season, get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real time updates only in iOS mobile app only available with TurboTax full service experts.

[G]

All right, here's some breaking breakfast news as we start the new year. Everybody's talking resolutions, eating better, staying on track, and this one's actually easy. Kodiak frozen power waffles and flapjacks are a quick win, heat and eat. No prep, no excuses. They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving, a good source of fiber and crafted with 100% whole grains, not refine white flour. You have plenty of options too. Classic buttermilk and vanilla blueberry chocolate chip, even gluten free. And it doesn't stop there. They've expanded their roster to include French toast sticks, flapjack puffs and brand new breakfast sandwiches. So whatever your game plan is, there's something that fits. Breakfast that works. Snacks that work. Resolution friendly. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. The they're the ones with the bear on the box. And a proud partner of U.S. ski and Snowboard.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Did you or someone you know participate in fraudulent fan behavior?

[B]

I'm a fraud with a capital F.

[A]

Is your friend a fraud?

[C]

I have been a complete and utter fraud.

[A]

Are you a fraud?

[B]

What is fraud?

[A]

Let's ask Don McGregor.

[F]

Screw.

[B]

Go scratch yourself.

[A]

Brought to you by D' Agostino Law.

[C]

Ah, beautiful. Welcome, welcome. Welcome to what we like to call Fraud Alert Friday. Brought to you by d' Agostino Law. Am I right? Yeah.

[D]

Can you sing this?

[F]

All right.

[C]

You guys want to Jump right into it.

[D]

I want you to sing the song first.

[C]

D' Agostino Law.

[D]

D' Agostino.

[B]

Law.

[C]

Bite back.

[D]

Bite back.

[C]

You get the idea.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

All right.

[C]

The emails are coming in hot and heavy. Dhrespnmail.com Dhrespnmail.com Bird from Rockaway, Queens here. Lifelong Mets, packers and Ranger fan.

[B]

Interesting.

[C]

Never waver to my fandom since the late 80s, early 90s, but basketball never really had a team. I like the Hornets because of Mugsy Bogues and Hugo the Hornet. Didn't know that was. I hated the Knicks and loved mocking them. Then I moved to Philly in 2012 and decided. I wrote root for the 76ers to piss off my Knicks fan friends. Last year I said if the Pacers beat the Knicks a second time, I'd root for them because the Sixers suck. And they did. So I thought I was going to root for the Pacers this year, but they suck and the Sixers are fun. Can I root for the Sixers again? By the way, I became a Packer fan before Favre because I thought being a cheesehead was funny and Makowski was my guy in Tecmo Bowl. Why even bother?

[D]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

This is. The whole thing's very fraudulent.

[C]

This is gross.

[D]

Now feels that guy.

[B]

Where do you begin? Right. So he's not that big a basketball fan, but. No, but it seems like he kind of landed on the Sixers, but for all the wrong reasons. He was just trolling. He just decided to be a fraud in basketball. So how can I rule any other way? His reasons for being fans of trolling. Knick fans. I'm gonna become a Pacer fan if they beat the Knicks, but then I'm gonna go back to the. Stop it. Stop, stop, stop. Your hockey, your football and your baseball seem to be genuine, but you know what? Your basketball is all fraud, fraud, fraud, fraud, everything.

[D]

He's a fan of himself. He just wants to troll people. That's. That's different.

[B]

Is that a fan of yourself or is that just a bad guy?

[D]

Well, it's. It's both, probably.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah, it just. It just sounds like complete and utter highest level fraudulent. All right, here we go. Celtics fan fraud. Okay, I'm right on behalf of my friend Julian. He's a Celtics fan from New York, but he's rooting for the Knicks to win a championship this year because the Celtics have seen so much winning and he wants to see the city feel happy. Plus, he enjoys watching this team play and knows it's likely their best Chance to ever.

[D]

Wine.

[B]

Goodbye. Goodbye. Fraud and vomit fraud. There's a new level. I discovered Vomit fraud. Hearing that story made me nauseous. I. I just always hate it. I want the city to feel good. How does that manifest itself? Free coffee. I like the city to be happy. Oh, my God. Really? Kumbaya. Kumbay, brah.

[D]

Well.

[C]

I'm gonna weigh in here as I understand the thoughts of this person. Now, if they. If what? If they'd phrased it differently.

[B]

In what way did I. I'm a. I'm a Celtic fan and hate the Knicks. That's the only way I could let it. You only what I hear. That's it.

[C]

Well, what if he said. What if he said he's going under the assumption that the Celtics don't have a deep run in them because of Notatum? Assuming that's the case, he's going to pull for the Knicks to win a championship.

[D]

No, they are.

[B]

They're in your division. They're your rival.

[D]

You're a Celtics fan. Your favorite player hates the Knicks, and now you're going to root for them. No, stop it. You can't do that.

[C]

I'm telling you guys, what I've learned in my old age is this is the problem with becoming an adult and rooting for another team in the city in which you live, in which you're not actually connected to that city.

[D]

It just.

[C]

I think it's the same issue that I'm talking about. Well, you just, like, sort of like, you know, like, listen, I haven't made the switches. You guys have known. I haven't been able to. My heart hasn't let me. But, like, I do feel that, like, desire to be, like, I kind of want to root for the Knicks. I mean, I live here. Everyone roots for the Knicks. And. And because I'm not from Boston, it's hard to explain. And the truth is. The truth is, neither of you, more so than me, are in a great position to speak to it because both of you have had the very rare and distinct honor of having a media career in the city with which you've lived your whole life. Most people don't get to do that.

[B]

But this fraud grew up in New York.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

What do you do exactly? What, you're just changing the narrative for the story?

[C]

Yeah. No, I'm applying it to myself.

[D]

His benefit.

[B]

You're not. I'm sorry, you're not on trial here. No.

[C]

If I would, I'd still already have fraud. But what I'm trying to say is the point Applies to this guy, though. That's why I'm saying it's ultimately. Yo.

[B]

Yo.

[C]

When you live in a city and you're like, yeah, I just root for this other random team. If there's no. If there's no real reason for it, it starts to get kind of. What are you hanging on to? You're now an adult and you're like, well, I just always like that team in another town. It just. It can start to fade. You have a life here, you have a wife here, you have children here. And you're like, I'm just hanging on to some other city I'm not even from.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Anyways.

[B]

Oh, But. But conveniently, that comes up in conversation when they lose their best player. That is, if they were the Oklahoma City Thunder. There's no conversation here.

[C]

See? See, now you're seeing.

[B]

Please. Fraud, Fraud, fraud, fraud. Hello. You're up. But you know what? I didn't allow you to approach the bench. All this.

[C]

The case has been decided. Hello, gentlemen. I have to make this inquiry, and I've been wondering what Judge Legreco would think. I'm a born New Yorker who moved to Maryland when I began high school. All of my sports teams are from New York. I've been a Giant season ticket holder since 2011. I've been a Lamar Jackson fan since his dad days at Louisville. I was praying the Giants drafted him when he came out.

[D]

Oh, look at Don's face.

[C]

I began attending a Ravens game at least once a year to watch him play as it's 25 minutes from my home. In 2024, I took my daughter, who is a Ravens fan since she started watching football, to the AFC championship against kc. I wore my Lamar jersey and rooted along with her. I took it a step further. I have a sentence left. I'm gonna finish. Sorry, sorry, Judge. Judge, this isn't how it works. I've never had to hold a judge in contempt of court. I took it a step further and purchased season tickets for us for the last two seasons. I attend with her or give her the home games and sell what we don't go to. When the Giants played the Ravens last season, I rooted for my Giants, of course, But I can't help but follow the Ravens and want Lamar to win a ring. Funny how Harbaugh may be the Giants coach now. Am I a fraud?

[B]

Yes, no question you're a fraud. Now listen, let your daughter be your daughter and you do everything you can to make her happy. I'm fine with that. But this whole, oh, I love lamarson's. I bought a Lamar J. I want him to do so well. I went and bought Season Hulk. Stop yourself.

[C]

You want it so bad.

[B]

You. You want it so bad, right? You're longing for the neighbor's wife. Desperately want the neighbor's wife. You're hounding her with phone calls. You're following her to work.

[C]

Just ask her out already.

[B]

Divorce your wife and see what happens. You don't get to play the game. You don't get to play both sides, all right? You don't get to fantasize about that. I've loved her since college. Stop. Stop trolling. Right. Because you know what he is? Not only is he a fraud, he's a stalker fraud.

[C]

Oh, it's the worst kind.

[B]

That's one of the worst kinds. You're right, because he knows the Giants stink, so he's got wanderlust, and now he's creating all.

[D]

Donnie is on one today.

[C]

I've loved him since.

[D]

Judge Donald is on one today.

[B]

You don't understand. Martha, my next daughter. I went to college with her.

[D]

If you're not watching on YouTube, you're missing out because the facial expression when Peter's reading the email, this is the second time Don had the hammer. He's holding the gavel. It's against his forehead, as if he's going to start hitting himself in the head with it.

[C]

It was so obvious.

[D]

He already knows how he wants to.

[C]

Well, that one was so obvious where we were going. It was so. Once you started. And then when it gets to season tickets and you know what he is?

[B]

He's. He's something about Mary.

[C]

I love her, man.

[B]

I love Lamar, man. You're stalking. You're stalking Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Stalking them. You are looking at. You're watching him practice through binoculars in the side road with sunglasses on, with.

[D]

The band playing on the street. Right?

[C]

He wears his sunglasses at night is what you're saying.

[D]

Oh, okay.

[B]

Soccer fraud. First one.

[C]

So you know what? I consider doing more, but I don't think I can. He's called ending on a high. That was phenomenal. That is fraud Alert Friday. One of the best I've ever heard, frankly. It's brought to you by D' Agostino Law. 35 years of getting accident victims and Social Security disability clients every dollar. They deserve offices in New York and New Jersey. 1-800- Bite back. 1-800-248-3222, D' Agostino Law.

[D]

Bite back, D', Agostino, because we.

[B]

We invented two phrases during that fraud Friday we had vomit fraud. Vomit and stalker fraud.

[D]

Which is. Which is. Is vomit fraud, like a 4 and stalker fraud, the 5. Like, what. What are the levels?

[B]

Yeah, stalker fraud's the worst.

[D]

Is it the worst or is there you. Could you go even further?

[B]

No, I don't know.

[D]

Yeah, well, right now, next Friday, because.

[B]

I didn't know I had vomit fraud and stalker fraud in me until it happened. So that's why you tune in every Friday to find out what new level could we reach. But imagine. Imagine somebody emailing, wondering if they're a fraud, and then finding out they're at the highest level fraud, a level that wasn't even invented before they sent the email.

[D]

No, no. You are the worst kind of fraud. That's.

[B]

And it was a little crystallization, because when I came up with that, all of a sudden the. The winter dawn went away. And did you see how the picture got better? Isn't that weird, right? I don't know what's happening today.

[E]

That's what I saw before the show.

[D]

Well, he looks great.

[C]

The hair, it's some, like, light thing. When. Like when he gets into some distance from the camera, he turns into Old Man Winter.

[D]

I think it's the light above him that. See? Yeah. When that you.

[E]

There's a God.

[D]

There's a light above you, and then all you do look like you're. You're being summoned. That is true. So we're not using, though, the gift that I gave you, though. We're not using it.

[B]

We get. We used.

[C]

I don't use it at all. I don't have to.

[B]

That has nothing to do with it. Stop it. So I'm bringing it with me on the road. On the road trip next week. Is it not good?

[D]

No, no.

[B]

Isn't this almost, like, nauseating level now? Right?

[C]

I don't know.

[D]

Nauseating that I took the time to get you a nice.

[C]

I relate to Alan because I'm a validation addict and I have problems in my life and my brain, and I go to my wife and get thank yous for everything. But I wonder, is Alan a lunatic like I am, or is he trolling Don? I can't tell. Like, I wonder if he does, like, the gift thing. And you never know. I mean, he's giving eyebrows right now to say he's trolling, but I don't know if he's trolling.

[D]

Guys, heads down. Why would you do that?

[C]

Well, we have a radio audience, for God's sake.

[B]

So what?

[C]

I'm worried about Don.

[D]

Well, Don's looking down, but you gotta be all, okay, all right.

[B]

I love the gift. I use it when it can be applied. It doesn't need to be applied at this point.

[D]

The French Dip from Firehouse Subs is.

[B]

Here for a limited time, piled high with premium roast beef, caramelized onions and melty cheese on a freshly toasted garlic butter roll. Every French dip is served with warm, savory au jus for dipping. This melty French dip is only at Firehouse Subs for a limited time, so head to your nearest Firehouse Subs or order on the app and try the French dip before it's gone. Limited time at participating Firehouse Subs restaurants while supplies last.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

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

[F]

All right?

[B]

1-800-919-3776. A lot of people want to chime in on a bunch of different subjects here on a Friday. David on the east side's been on hold for a while. You're on Don Honda, Roseberg. What's up, David?

[H]

Dhr. Great to be here.

[B]

Oh, great to have you.

[H]

I thought the reason the Mets didn't want to keep Pete Alonzo was defense and run progression. Boba Shed is a terrible defender and he's never even played third base. I think this shows the Mets didn't have a good plan. They were just crossing their fingers and hoping they'd get Tucker and outbid the Dodgers and Blue Jays. They panicked after they didn't get him and in the process they lost Pete.

[B]

Well, there's a couple of things that I agree with with you and a couple of things I don't. First of all, you're right. The whole run prevention thing takes a hit when you're having Boba Shet play third base. But Alonzo couldn't be here. Bichette is younger and I just think that for whatever reason, Stearns was just not a fan of Pete Alonso. I think the whole defensive thing was just kind of an excuse. I just think he felt he was older and just wasn't in love with him being the first baseman. Now we'll see if it's going to be Vientos at first. Is Beatty going to convert to a first baseman? Is Polanco going to play the majority of games at first base? We'll see. He's also not a true first baseman. But the ultimate thing I disagree with David is I think a shortstop can convert to Third base. I don't think it'll be any better defensively at it, but I think to.

[H]

Third in the same way Pete was a good first baseman, just not a great one. Sure I could see Bashett being there, but I think Stearns kind of indicated he wanted elite defense, run prevention, whatever you want to call it, I agree with you. I think Stearns was just never a fan of Pete. But that's just so terrible to the fans. I mean look, he wasn't. Look at all the great players that have the long, long term contract. They're all signed through their age 3940 season. Judge Soto, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado. Pete was just asking to get signed through his age 35 season. That's what he went with for Baltimore. They couldn't pay the guy through age 35. That's not, that's not how it should be.

[B]

Well, let's see. Ultimately I'm a slave to winning, David, and thank you for the phone call. I'm going to miss Pete. He's the all time home run leader. He was our guy. If the Mets end up being better, I'll forgive it. But guys, he makes an excellent point. If the Mets don't get better and Pete rakes in Baltimore, it's going to look awful, it's going to look God awful. But the ultimate point of that call is don't tell me about run prevention. When your corner infielders are playing the position basically for the first time and Bichette's not known as a great defender even when he was a shortstop. Why do I feel like run prevention is just another way of saying I just didn't like that guy?

[D]

Well, I think there's a little both that, yeah truth to both of that. But I also think run prevention was his plan and I think the owner just kind of big footed him, you know, I think the owner just was like we're losing this off season. I don't like this. Same reason why the owner last year pushed him aside and said no, bring, bring Pete back. I got booed at a, at a team event. I don't like this. Well, that's what I'm curious. Come on, it's a real thing. If Don, if you owned a team and you had the money to do stuff and you had your GM or whoever's, you know, advising you and you're saying no, no, let's take the patient approach, let's be smart about it. And then you're just getting hammered in social media, hammered by the media. Other teams are Signing players that you aren't able to get because your GM saying no, he doesn't fit. Then eventually, like, you know what? No, I'm the boss. Get these guys. Yeah, but then wouldn't you finally just say, I'm not doing this. We got to get some players in here.

[B]

But you got to be on the same page. Like, remember 100 gm said when, when.

[D]

The season starts, we will have a better team than when we ended the season. And you'll be proud of this team.

[B]

Well, we'll see.

[D]

Is it a better team?

[B]

Not right now, it's not. No. All right, but we still have a long way to go before we get to opening day.

[D]

Oh yeah, oh yeah.

[B]

But, but, but the whole run prevention thing or just, hey, clearly he pivoted because on the same basically 24 hour period Tucker goes to the Dodgers, Bichette becomes a met out of nowhere. So it does have, like, if Bichette was, if you had heard rumors, it's between Tucker and Bichette the Giant, the, the Mets aren't sure which way they're going to go. Like, then you wouldn't be that surprised by it. But it was like it was out of nowhere one second. You know, you got the owner tweeting out like smoke signals like Tucker's going to be announced today because he, I.

[D]

Think he felt like it was going down and then he got, he got shocked. He got stunned by that. Right. Like, you don't tweet that if you don't think it's going down. And you're pretty fired up. Right? And you want to, you want, you want your fans to get excited because they haven't had a lot to be excited about this offseason. And he pays attention to that. And then all of a sudden he got, he, the rug was pulled out from under.

[B]

Well, then there has to be a conversation the owner has to have with the general manager to say, hey, listen, build the team in your image, but also make sure we get some people here, you know, and so what's true? Because if all of a sudden the second Cohen doesn't like the direction it's going, all of a sudden now he gets the rug pulled out from under him. So who's really in charge here now? I think the owner is supposed to be in charge, but do you believe in your president of baseball operations or don't you? Is it about building a better team or is it about selling tickets and just not have an egg on your face? You know, you got to show some patience sometimes. But clearly they didn't. In this case, it doesn't feel like. Quickly, let's go to Steven Middle Villager on espn New York, Steve O.

[H]

Appreciate it.

[B]

No problem, man.

[H]

This will seem like a Lynn Jones kind of a call because this is an appreciation of the show, if you permit me.

[B]

Go ahead.

[H]

You know, Peter, I don't, I don't agree with your.

[B]

I don't agree.

[H]

I'm, I'm not a fan of the type of music that you like. But you've made me think about it and maybe listen to a few things that I wouldn't normally do. I'm not a wrestling guy. And the teams that you like are the teams that I like, but that's fine. Alan, you're a Yankee fan. I'm a laps Yankee fan. Am I a basketball fan?

[B]

No.

[H]

But I still like what you say. I like what you do, Don. Oh, well, you're a Met fan. I used to be a Yankee fan. So I guess we're on opposite sides on that. Your musical tastes kind of like mine, but really not about books. We're on the same core about that. The key reason why I listen is that I want to. I used to be a big sports fan, but I want to keep in the loop. You guys keep me in the loop and I listen to learn as a 73 year old guy now listen to learn about what's going on at sports so I can speak to my nieces and nephews. And I thank you for that. After a year, you've done a hell of a job. I appreciate it.

[B]

Well, I wanted to take that call because, you know, after a year, you want to make sure that you're, you're hitting the right notes. And it's nice to hear that, at least from his little corner of the world we're doing that.

[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[C]

I don't want to know how the.

[D]

Sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good.

[A]

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.