Hour 2: Soto's Demeanor & NFL Binge

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast: Hour 2 – Soto's Demeanor & NFL Binge

Release Date: May 19, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of the “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into the aftermath of the recent Subway Series between the New York Mets and Yankees. The discussion primarily centers around Juan Soto's performance and demeanor, the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, and transitions into an engaging NFL segment. The hosts also interact with listener calls, adding diverse perspectives to the conversation.

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Subway Series Recap

Don Hahn opens the discussion by reflecting on the Subway Series, expressing disappointment over the lack of memorable moments:
"Judge versus Soto, they combined have four hits in the series. Didn't have any kind of signature moments. It really was about the players that replaced Soto..." ([00:39])

The conversation highlights key performances, noting Peter Rosenberg's praise for Goldschmidt and Freed:
"Goldschmidt was very good and then Freed was unreal." ([01:04])

Don Hahn contrasts the Yankees' superior bullpen with the Mets' current struggles:
"Freed was great through six and it just gave you battle of the bullpens and the Yankees bullpen is better. Mets aren't hitting right now." ([01:08])

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Juan Soto’s Performance and Demeanor

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Juan Soto's underperformance and the resulting backlash. Don Hahn questions the intense dislike Soto faces despite the Mets benefiting from his departure:
"Why you hate him so much. When you've somewhat, at least on the surface, benefited from him being gone." ([03:20])

Peter Rosenberg discusses Soto's apparent frustration and discomfort during the series:
"He was rattled... he couldn't wait to get the hell out of there." ([04:42])

The hosts explore Soto's struggle to meet high expectations, especially given his massive contract, with Michael Kay adding:
"It's not like being unhappy when you have a $765 million contract... but money is not a guarantee that you're going to be comfortable." ([11:10])

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Team Dynamics: Yankees vs. Mets

Don Hahn assesses the Yankees' strong position in their division, noting their lack of significant competition:
"The Yankees obviously have very little concerns because again, it doesn't look like there's any resistance in their own division right now." ([01:24])

Conversely, he points out issues within the Central Division, mentioning the Minnesota Twins' recent performance:
"The Minnesota Twins just came off a 13 game winning streak and they're in fourth place in the Central Division again." ([01:44])

The hosts speculate on the future performance of both teams, emphasizing that the Yankees are likely to maintain their standing:
"I think the Yankees are going to be fine." ([02:05])

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Fan and Media Reactions

The discussion delves into the polarizing reactions from fans and the media towards Soto. Don Hahn expresses confusion over the animosity, considering Soto’s contribution to the team:
"Mets are going to be fine. Yankees are going to be fine... he was here for a year, and he made no question that he was going to test free agency." ([07:10])

Michael Kay comments on Soto's mental state amidst criticism:
"The man already been making more money than any of us can understand since he was 19. So that really, to me is irrelevant." ([11:37])

Don Hahn draws parallels with other athletes who initially struggled but eventually thrived:
"Keith Hernandez cried when he got traded to the Mets, ended up Becoming a Forever Met. Remember Harry Carson begged to get traded from the Giants, Ended up sticking around, winning a Super Bowl." ([07:43])

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NFL Binge Segment

Transitioning from baseball, the hosts pivot to NFL discussions, touching on player contracts, team strategies, and notable transactions.

Michael Kay critiques the hefty contracts for quarterbacks, using Brock Purdy as an example:
"You can almost picture... [Purdy's] average salary of $53 million which is crazy." ([28:06])

They also discuss front-office movements, highlighting Joe Douglas's return to Philadelphia:
"Good news, everyone. Guess who is around in Philadelphia. Joe Douglas is going back to Philadelphia." ([30:14])

The conversation includes humorous takes on team decisions and player dynamics, maintaining an engaging and lighthearted tone.

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Listener Calls

Several listener interactions provide additional insights and opinions:

• Caller Jose from Connecticut emphasizes the Mets' steady performance despite Soto's struggles:
  "Mets fans aren't tripping about this... most of us would be. He's gonna be fine." ([15:14]-[16:32])

• Another Caller compares Soto’s situation to other Mets stars like Lindor and Bellinger, expressing optimism for his future:
  "If he’s going to have a tough time now, it'll be fine in the long run." ([44:27]-[45:32])

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Traffic Talk

In a lighter segment, the hosts humorously debate driving maneuvers and traffic frustrations in New York:

Michael Kay shares his experience of navigating through heavy traffic, leading to a playful exchange about road etiquette and patience:
"I saw a gap, and I jumped... comedians on how to handle traffic." ([46:05]-[49:39])

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Conclusion

The podcast wraps up with a blend of insightful analysis and entertaining banter. The hosts reaffirm their perspectives on Juan Soto's challenges, the dynamic between the Yankees and Mets, and transition smoothly into ongoing NFL conversations, leaving listeners with a comprehensive overview of current sports topics.

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Notable Quotes

• Don Hahn on the lack of excitement in the Subway Series:
  "Judge versus Soto, they combined have four hits in the series. Didn't have any kind of signature moments." ([00:39])

• Peter Rosenberg praising Goldschmidt and Freed:
  "Goldschmidt was very good and then Freed was unreal." ([01:04])

• Don Hahn questioning fan animosity towards Soto:
  "Why you hate him so much. When you've somewhat benefited from him being gone." ([03:20])

• Michael Kay on Soto's mental state despite his contract:
  "It's not like being unhappy when you have a $765 million contract... but money is not a guarantee that you're going to be comfortable." ([11:10])

• Don Hahn on Soto’s future with the Mets:
  "The Mets are in first place... eventually he's going to get comfortable." ([07:43])

• Peter Rosenberg on Soto's determination:
  "He takes his at bats personal and... he's wrong. He's not on right now." ([43:38])

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Overall, this episode provides a thorough analysis of Juan Soto's current struggles and their implications for both the Mets and the Yankees. The engaging dialogue is enriched by listener interactions and a smooth transition into NFL topics, making it a comprehensive and entertaining listen for sports enthusiasts.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want is a great feeling. Talk to a State Farm agent today to learn how you can choose to bundle and save with the personal price plan. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Don Hahn]

403 is the big city. Don Han and Rosenberg. Nick certainly on the table but I was listening to K come in and of course we had the subway series which ended up not being what everybody thought it was going to be. Judge versus Soto, they, they combined have four hits in the series. Didn't have any kind of signature moments. It really was about the players that replaced Soto. Obviously Bellinger with the grand slam and he had the big day yesterday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Goldschmidt, Goldschmidt was very good and then Freed was unreal.

[Don Hahn]

Freed was great through six and it just gave you battle of the bullpens and the Yankees bullpen is better. Mets aren't hitting right now. They, they got, they, they took two out of three from Pittsburgh scoring two runs a game and they, and they averaged just a little over two runs in the, in the three games 35.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Against his Yankee offense.

[Don Hahn]

No, they got to get, they got to get something going there and the Yankees obviously have very little concerns because again, it doesn't look like there's any resistance in their own division right now. So I think they're going to be good. Although Michael brought up a great point. We always kind of just completely ignore the Central Division. The Minnesota Twins just came off a 13 game winning streak and they're in fourth place in the Central Division again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I've seen that, I've seen this movie before. I hear about how good the Central is and then the playoffs come and true.

[Don Hahn]

But you know, Detroit does have the best record in baseball and and to Michael's point is that you got to win the division because if all those teams continue to be good in the regular year, there may not be a landing spot for a wild card. Although I think the Yankees are going to be fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're going to win the game five game lead right now over the Red Sox and the Blue Jays.

[Don Hahn]

But you know, obviously Soto got what we expected him to get at Yankee Stadium, which are you sure Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you sure that's what you expected? This felt personal, and it was relentless, which I thought, especially when he tipped the cap, you know, that was kind of cool that he, like, he was almost going to laugh it off. All right, give it to me. Okay. And he thought, all right, it'll all die out. And a lot of us thought, you know, get out of your system, and then we move on. But these people wouldn't move on.

[Don Hahn]

But I'm trying to figure it out. And again, I'm not. I'm not playing this from my. My Met fandom. I'm just. I'm legitimately curious.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

You hear from Yankee fans who feel like, well, we didn't want him anyway. We were able to get Freed right when the Cy Young Bellinger had the big night last night. And then, of course, Goldschmidt's been one of the best offensive players. And look how Grisham has really matured into a really, like, a star on this team with his 12 home runs and let you have Juan Soto. And you're going to regret Met fans or regret how then. Then what? Do you kill him? He was here for a year, and he made no question that he was going to test free agency. Like, I'm. I'm wondering why you hate him so much. When you've somewhat, at least on the surface, benefited from him being gone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You almost should thank him.

[Don Hahn]

It's just weird to me. That's why I say, are you just so irritated that somebody said no to you, but you still pivoted very well? Ultimately, we'll see. We got 14 years after this to find out whether it worked out or not. But I just think it became a thing. I think that happens in New York. Just like with everything that's happened on 7th Avenue with the Knicks. I like a lot of diehard fans. A lot of them are just, hey, something's happening here. Let's go run around 7th Avenue. What's happening here, guys? Why are we so excited? Oh, the Knicks won a game. Oh, yeah. Let's climb a pole. Yeah, I. Oh, you're booing Soto. Let's do that. You know, I think there's a lot of, you know, followers instead of leaders with this. But I found that curious anyway.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think, also, if I could.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think he got rattled. I think being out in right field, where those people for a whole year told him how much they loved him and how much they wanted him to stay there all year. They were through the World Series. He was hearing it. Beloved he goes out to that same exact spot and they are. First of all, they all turn their back on him. That's the start thing, which was funny. But then it stopped being funny and it started just being a relentless, uncomfortable place for him to stand to a point where he waited to the last second to run out on the field to defend his position.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And he didn't wear the mic yesterday, although he had agreed to it, which he probably agreed to it before the beginning of the series and then realized, I didn't realize.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to do this. Because he. And there was like, at first there were times he would turn around, look into the crowd, make faces. Then he just stopped looking. I'm telling you, Don, I think he even was caught off guard with how much vitriol he faced for three straight games and he couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what I think would happen to him this weekend. Now, Michael used to that now. No, of course he's used to being beloved. So this was different for him.

[Don Hahn]

Michael brought this up on his show when I was driving and I was listening. All right.

[Michael Kay]

Every day, one to three, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

And Michael said he did a lot of work, especially on Saturday. Got to the ballpark at 8:30 in the morning and started asking. And here's some of the things he was able to. Information he was able to grab.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got it.

[Michael Kay]

I hear you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they could deny it publicly, of course. They have to do. He is very, very glum around the clubhouse. He does not have a hop and a step. He does not smile much. He seems quite glum. I'm not going to say unhappy, because how could you be unhappy when you have a $765 million contract? But it's funny. Money is not a guarantee that you're going to be comfor comfortable somewhere. Glum.

[Don Hahn]

Glum. Now, I. Now it's easy for Yankees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't remember him being effervescent last year as a Yankee. He was just there.

[Don Hahn]

He did his, you know, the shuffle. Like he looked like he was having fun with the Yankees. It doesn't look like he's having fun.

[Michael Kay]

At all with him.

[Don Hahn]

He had.

[Michael Kay]

He definitely looked fun, but last year.

[Don Hahn]

And, you know, and again, I'm just like. I'm just looking at Dan Rourke on Twitter. You will never be a Yankee again. This is forever rot, baby. Okay, so I guess you didn't want him, but it sounds like he did. So I'm just trying to figure out why there's so much like absolute hate for a guy that was here a year and you went to the World Series with him and he never guaranteed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He'S gonna come back.

[Don Hahn]

Islander fans hating John Tavares. Makes sense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

He said he was gonna come back. He wanted to be an Islander and then left to go to Toronto.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

All right. And it just felt like he betrayed you. I don't think. I don't think Soto ever betrayed you. He might have betrayed what you thought should happen. Oh, we're going to love him to death and he's going to want to stay. And then when he didn't, you got your panties in a bunch. But I don't think he ever lied to you anyway.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But go back to the glum.

[Don Hahn]

But the glo. I'll tell you how it started.

[Michael Kay]

Return to the glove. I'll give you my 11th book.

[Don Hahn]

He had the big series against Houston as a Yankee on opening day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

It was good from the very beginning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Don Hahn]

If you remember opening day in Houston, ironically enough, of the Mets with a key opportunity to win the game for the Mets or at least take the lead. He struck out and he's never really gained any traction since. And he's struggling now. He's struggled before, but he has to understand, first year of a contract, everybody's expecting things from him, and it's been a bit of a struggle. He's been batting.240. He's not the player. So don't you think that would make him glum?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

That he's not playing to the level he's expected to play. So I know Yankee fans are going to spin it. He wants to be a Yankee.

[Caller]

He.

[Don Hahn]

Dude, he could have been a Yankee. The Yankees made him an offer. All right. If Scott Boris got the better of him. Bad job out of him. All right. The agent works for you, not the other way around. Michael indicated that it was his family that wanted him to sign with the Mets. He really wanted to sign with the Yankees. I'm sorry. I don't have an ounce of sympathy for you. You could have done whatever you want. You're a big boy. You're a grown man. If somebody else influenced you, that's on you. I don't feel bad about it. But guess what? For at least the next five years, if he decides to opt out or for a full 15 years, he. He's going to be a New York Met Lindor. Hated it here when he got here. Now he loves it. Keith Hernandez cried when he got traded to the Mets, ended up Becoming a Forever Met. Remember Harry Carson begged to get traded from the Giants, Ended up sticking around, winning a Super Bowl. There's plenty of guys that hate where they are, uncomfortable where they are and end up becoming stars. It will work itself out. He's struggling right now. He probably didn't expect to get that vitriol probably got into his head a little bit. Mets are going to be fine. Yankees are going to be fine. Let's have at it. Don't make it into something. And it's not because if he's crying crocodile tears, he didn't stay with the Yankees. Whose fault is that? It's his. Nobody held him at gunpoint. Yankees made him a very fair offer. He decided to go to the Mets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tough.

[Don Hahn]

Suck it up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's exactly it, Donnie. I'm telling you. It's definitely the weight of expectations, the weight of a contract that you signed that he just looks at as sure baseball players. This is what I do. Until he realizes that you stayed in the same market. You went to another team. Did you think that people weren't going to constantly talk about this? That's exactly what this is like. Just imagine yourself, Don. Put yourself in the same situation every day. You're hearing about it and then it becomes there are some Mets people that will keep waiting to see what. When are you going to show us what you're worth? That's what they want because the money does that. It precedes him. And then there's the other side of it, which is the team you left. Well, they're better off without you. And you got to hear about that. And how many reporters go up to him. What are you looking forward to? What are you expecting in this series? How are you feeling? Are you happy? Do you miss playing for the. All that stuff is all part of the conversation. His family pays attention to all of it. So they're also probably talking about it, too. They're probably pissed off about it too, about all the stuff being said. You guys both told me. I was juicing this and it was nothing to it. I'm telling you. There's so much to this. So much to it because he stayed in market and he makes it. And what you said there about get over it. Right? Toughen up. He's got to do that. We've never seen him in a situation where he is being criticized and. And under pressure because he's always. He come into the league. It makes it look easy. Everything he does, it looks easy. This is not easy now. This is because it goes beyond. Hey, Just hit the ball. We're not going to let you hit the ball on Friday. They were like, nope, not letting him hit the ball. Frustrate him. You can't have your moment. We're not going to let you. Then he throws the ball away a couple of times. He makes a couple of plays in the field now. And you know all those people. Right field is a very uncomfortable place in Yankee Stadium. Short porch. Those people are on top of you. He was hearing everything. So I think he go from glum to that kind of verbal abuse. Now he's downright miserable. Miserable. And guess where he goes to go next? Boston.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good luck with that.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sure they're giving it to him there.

[Michael Kay]

I don't understand. Why is this so complicated versus just like Michael saying, I know it's hard for you to say he's glum or sad when you have a $700 million contract. The man's already been making more money than any of us can understand since he was 19. So that really, to me is irrelevant. The idea that his mood would be great because that's not how human beings.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Were you saying, like, because you got this contract, you should be happy.

[Michael Kay]

That's not how it works.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not at that level.

[Michael Kay]

Not at that level.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The money, literally, to get that money.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not like a shock. That's not like winning the lottery.

[Michael Kay]

Well, it's not like for him, it's like he was thinking about buying a new car, couldn't afford one. Then he got the new contract, so he went out and bought it. It didn't change his life at all. So why is it surprising that when you're really just struggling to find your way in spite of the fact that your team's playing well, you can't find it. That's not enough to just be kind of glum and not have a pep in your step. Like, why is that all? Where's the story?

[Don Hahn]

It's never fun to be. To be failing at your job. And at the end of his time in Washington, they. He knew that he wasn't going to get. He had already said no to the contract. So he was having a real struggle. The first hundred games of that season where he only had. He had 21 home runs, 46 RBIs, he was batting.246, gets traded to San Diego, plays 52 games there, six home runs, 16 RBI, is batted.236. Then he bounced back and had a really nice season in 23. And then he had a great season last year. So you saw it happen when he left Washington to go to San Diego. Except San Diego is a different spot. Man, they probably weren't destroying him. You know, now, now you're going through where the papers and the sports radio and the same reporters that are at Yankee Stadium last year are all of a sudden now at Citi Field this year asking the same questions. He's gonna have to get over it. And that's why I think people are reading into. He misses being a Yankee. He said he wanted to be a Yankee, but he made it clear he wanted the money and he got paid, right? And now he's got to live up to all those expectations. And so far, it has been a great start. But I'll tell you this, all right? They're in first place. The Mets are in first place despite all of this. So, you know, eventually he's going to get comfortable and he's going to start to hit. Now, if we fast forward to the end of the season, guys, and they miss the playoffs and Soto never gets on track, then I would be legitimately concerned. Now, he cost you a season, and now you got 14 seasons left. Because guess what, guys, if he struggles, he's not gonna opt out of his contract. He's gonna stay. So in all likelihood, this is where he's gonna finish his career. And again, I heard the stories about Keith Hernandez. You hear the stories about Lindor when he first got here. Now, Lindor is like the prince of the city, right? And everybody loves him and he loves New York, and you're in the same city, probably live in the same place. The Mets are paying you a lot. I listen. I'm sure the Yankees are treat him well. I'm sure the Mets treat him well. Maybe he does want to be a Yankee, but he chose the Mets. And this is where he's going to have to be, and he's going to have to figure it out. And I think what's so interesting about it is both teams are going to get up from it. We'll see ultimately, if Goldschmidt, Bellinger and Freed are going to lead the Yankees to a championship. Remember, they went to the World Series with Soto last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Early returns look really good.

[Don Hahn]

Look really good. But you know what? If you get. If you knock down the first round of the playoffs, then it's going to feel like you took a step back, of course. And let's see how Bellinger, Goldschmidt hold up the rest of the year. I think Freed's going to be fine, but, you know, you lose A playoff game. And then all fans are going to get on him, too. It's like they got on Cole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think they. I think you think about the next two years for the Yankees, like, you got to. This is a window, right? This is a true window right now. And that's what's exciting about it. They're already showing you like, this is a really, really good offense. And they're still getting healthy. And next year they'll even more healthy once Cole does get back right in time for the postseason. And now you got two aces at the top. Come on.

[Don Hahn]

1,8009193776. Let's get back to the busy phones and let's talk to Jose in Connecticut. You're on espn, New York.

[Caller]

Hey, what's up, guys? Thanks for taking my call. Listen, man, and I love K, man. And I have a lot of Yankees fans, friends and family on Met fans, though. But I'm just kind of tired of this man. Like, even Michael, he admitted he got that news from Yankees people. Like, he's. They've been trying so hard to make this narrative that, oh, he wants to be a Yankee. He misses the Yankees. Like, he had a good year and we got to the World Series. Of course he was happy, but he's just struggling. And this happened to Beltran. You mentioned Lindor. Like, the first year of his big contract was a lot of pressure. You go into a team that is dying for a championship. It's a lot. He's gonna be fine. And Mets fans are not even tripping about it.

[Don Hahn]

Like, we don't.

[Caller]

We know he's struggling, but we're still doing good. Is the Yankees fans making this a thing every day? And it's like, shut up and get over it, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jose, Mets fans aren't tripping about this. Or some Mets fans aren't tripping about this.

[Caller]

Most. Most are not. Like, most of us would be. Like, he's going to be fine, you know?

[Don Hahn]

Well, I mean, listen, like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like him not him not running out that. That line drive, you know, the one.

[Don Hahn]

That now that bothered me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, like him not liking that out and then just kind of jogging out of the box. That. That did not sit well with methane.

[Don Hahn]

But you know what? But David Wright didn't bust it all the time either. And fans loved him. Believe me. There's more athletes that. When they know it's an out. Don't bother.

[Peter Rosenberg]

David Wright already earned your love.

[Don Hahn]

I get it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Soto has to earn this.

[Don Hahn]

I don't disagree. And I do agree with you that a Lot of Met fans are bugging about this because he hasn't lived up to the expectations yet. The team is in first place. But I do think a lot of Yankee fans want to use this as well. He misses being a Yankee. Well, what do you care? You've pivoted. You pivoted well. Like, don't. If you don't care. If you think the Yankees did the right thing, if you think he's not worth the money, I value that opinion. So then why are you bugging? You should be happy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because it's fun. I told you. I told you why they're bugging. They're bugging because it's fun. Because Mets fans won the off season and now you're in the regular season and. And the first chance you get to roll up the newspaper and smack the dog on the butt, you're going to do it. That's what fans do. That's what this weekend was about more than anything else. If one side was going to say, see, we got the guy. He's the best. Look what he did. And the other side had the opportunity to say, he didn't make you any better.

[Don Hahn]

You're still the Mets, but ultimately, no matter what happens in these six games they play, it's going to be how far these two teams go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But we live in the moment. We live in the moment. That's what this is about. I told you, this is what some fans love to do. They live in this. It's great. Makes it fun.

[Don Hahn]

Let's go to Anthony in the Bronx. You're on espn, New York, Anthony. But to defend Michael, though, from the other caller, he talked to both sides. He talked to met people, he talked to Yankee people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, we got Mets. You got. You want the Mets perspective?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's see. Well, we played the Met one, right? Yeah. Let's play the Yankee perspective. We played the Met perspective already.

[Don Hahn]

The glum. Yeah, that was. That was the Mets perspective.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was the glum. The Yankee perspective. But I thought it was more important to get the Yankee take. And I talked to people on the Yankees that watched him on Friday. So this is discussions that I had on Saturday. And the one thing that came out when all the conversations, to them, the shocking thing was there's no joy. He doesn't have any joy at all. You could see the way he's playing with the Yankees. Last year he was, like, so pumped up every single day. I don't know if he made himself that way because he's playing for a contract, but now that you've got the contract. I would think that all the pressure is been released, but maybe he needed that to drive in. But he always was engaged on the field. He looked like he was having a blast. And why wouldn't you have fun when you're one of the great hitters of all time? But they were saying to me, you could see by watching him, there's no joy there. He doesn't seem happy.

[Don Hahn]

Well, what is there to be happy about?

[Michael Kay]

I just don't understand when the first.

[Don Hahn]

Big moment on opening day, you strike out. And it really hasn't been great for him since.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I just. Can I throw this? I'm going to throw this grenade and then run out of the room.

[Don Hahn]

Our boy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is different when you're in pinstripes and traveling with that brand and there's a big feel about everything you do. And I got judged next to me. And there's something different.

[Michael Kay]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Versus.

[Don Hahn]

I think that's a Yankee.

[Michael Kay]

That is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You really think so?

[Michael Kay]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You really think so?

[Don Hahn]

Yankee fans don't agree with you. And not. But Peter, you're not either. So jump in.

[Michael Kay]

This. This team. This team now with the way they operate, to me, it's just the winning and losing part. If he. If he had. If he was in Milwaukee, we could have a conversation. I think the Mets are a big deal and they're getting a lot of. A lot of attention. There are other stars on that team, and it's not Aaron Judge, but you're with Francisco Lindor. He's a surefire hall of Famer. Pete Alonso is a great player. Like, this is not a joke of a team. I just think he's not playing well. Also, if you guys. If you've never, like, paid much attention to Juan Soto, I don't know if people are aware of this. He takes batting very seriously. Yeah, he is about as serious a hitter as there is in the major leagues. It's a craft for him. Like, if you watched him in the Bronx, you know, the way he played the game. Every at bat is very tactical with.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The way he would nod at a pitcher if he saw a picture. He was like, okay.

[Michael Kay]

And you watching at bat, it's like art. Honestly, I really think the way that he bats in some ways is. It's impressive in a different way than Aaron Judge even is as a batter. If you looked at him yesterday, guys, he had a. Was it his third at bat when he ended up like he works the count? I think. I can't remember. He worked at Fuller. It was two and two. And then he ends up striking out, kind of coming out of his stance uncomfortable. He's just not right. So you, it wouldn't surprise me that he's miserable.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And he went, he went to a team that, all right, look, they might not draw the way the Yankees draw, but it's not like he's playing in front of an empty building. There's an energy around the Mets and expectation around the Mets. They were two wins away from the World Series last year. They won 101 games two years before that. So yeah, they haven't won at the clip. The Yankees have won but you know, over history. But recently, I mean the Mets, the Mets have had made the playoffs two of the last three years and so there's an energy around the team with other stars. So no, nothing compared to the Yankees. But he didn't, he didn't go play for the Florida Marlins where half the building is empty and the other half are rooting for the other team. And by the way, his first four games, the Yankees, that series against the Astros, 9 for 20 as a Yankee to start in the three game series against the Astros to start the season, he got a hit in every game. He was, he was three. He was three for 13 to start the year and struck out with the game on the line on opening day. So like he got off to a ferocious start as a Yankee and that made him happy. He's gotten off to a slow start here as a Met. It's probably making him sad because he's just not used to the struggles and then everything that you added to new team, new fan base, criticism, criticism, loud criticism. But I do think eventually he's going to play to the back of his baseball card and Met fans are going to be happy about that. 1-800-919-3776 We've got the NFL binge coming up, plus more of your calls. Take you up until 6 o' clock and then it's Mets baseball right here on 880 ESPN New York and the ESPN New York app.

[Michael Kay]

All right guys, and I have a message brought to you by our friends at Better Help May is mental health awareness month and everyone needs to take care of your mentals and your well being and break that stigma that's out there because the world is better when people are healthy and happy. All right. Mental health awareness is growing, but there's still progress to be made. 26% of Americans who participated in a recent survey say they've avoided seeking mental health support due to fear of judgment. All right, I know what that's like and I've heard about it from many others. Trust me, you gotta push through that. BetterHelp has over 10 years of experience matching people with the right therapist from their diverse network of more than 30,000 licensed therapists with a wide range of specialties. BetterHelp is fully online, which makes therapy affordable and convenient, serving over 5 million people worldwide. Easily switch therapists anytime at no extra cost. We're all better with help. Visit betterhelp.com timeout to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp.com timeout this is an ad by BetterHelp for Mental Health Awareness Month. BetterHelp surveyed 1600 people across 23 countries for its first ever State of Stigma report and found that while 75% of people believe it's wise to seek support, only 27% of Americans are in therapy. When people hesitate to get help, it doesn't just affect them, it impacts families, workplaces and entire communities. Let's encourage everyone to take care of their well being and break the stigma. The world is better when people are healthy and happy. With over 35,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. Plus switch therapists at any time. We're all better with help. 72% of better help members report a reduction in symptoms. Visit betterhelp.com timeout to get 10% off your first month of therapy. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

[Don Hahn]

This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime. From streaming to shopping, prime helps you get more out of your passions. So whether you're a fan of true crime or prefer a nail biting novel from time to time, with services like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Prime Video, Amazon Music and fast free.

[Don Hahn]

Delivery, prime makes it easy to get more out of whatever you're into or getting into. Visit Amazon.comprime to learn more.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

528 mulch offer excludes Alaska and Hawaii. Selection varies by location while supplies last.

[Don Hahn]

See lowe's.com for more details.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for Listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Michael Kay]

Gonna be quick one today, obviously. I think we gotta. Gotta get back to talking these Knicks fans out here, cuz. This is an amazing time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But there's some good stuff here though.

[Michael Kay]

Doesn't change the fact, Allen, that things will continue on and the NFL beats on. By the way, isn't it crazy? You can still.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What did the NFL do?

[Michael Kay]

It's beating the heart.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh.

[Caller]

Oh.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just the way you phrased that.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

Was like beats on. Oh, well, if you change the word on. I'm just saying it changes everything.

[Don Hahn]

Well, you mean the opposite of on.

[Michael Kay]

Correct. It's not what you want now. God. Isn't it crazy, guys? I basically rested. I took off hot Thursday and Friday. I canceled plans this weekend. I. I did go to the zoo yesterday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nice.

[Michael Kay]

Went out for a few hours. I was outside. And now you can still hear that I'm still like not all the way there.

[Don Hahn]

No. I think you sound fine. You do?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You don't hear nasal. I don't hear nasal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nothing.

[Michael Kay]

No one's hearing the nasal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nope.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, it's all. It's not getting it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all in your head.

[Michael Kay]

Well, well done. All right, so let's.

[Don Hahn]

No. That was a genuine laugh. I know.

[Michael Kay]

I can't believe you're are. You're. You're almost surprised. Are you surprised that he just gave you that genuine laugh?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought he was being surprised.

[Michael Kay]

You thought it was coach laugh.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I totally thought he was MOC Media laugh. The dad joke.

[Don Hahn]

That really what's going to strike me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That you really don't.

[Michael Kay]

That struck him. Now we didn't get a chance to bring this up last week, but Brock Purdy pay that me on his money. I'll call it. This could age one of two ways. All right? Kyle Shanahan has a team every two years basically in the Super Bowl. So they could end up winning a Super Bowl. And you go, it worked out great. There's a chance if somehow it doesn't work out that we go. That was the most ridiculous contract we've ever seen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

265, 181. Fully guaranteed.

[Michael Kay]

Fully guaranteed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Last pick of the draft.

[Michael Kay]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the same draft they drafted a quarterback. Number three.

[Michael Kay]

That's right. Trey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lance give him all his money. You know why? He shaved everyone's asses. That's why he did like, they picked a guy third who couldn't play, and the guy they took last on a whim, on a favor. Like, seriously, seventh round, last pick. Hell with it. Who's this kid? Purdy. Or whatever take you guys.

[Michael Kay]

You guys want.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he ended up being your starter.

[Michael Kay]

I get it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Michael Kay]

I get it. No, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he saved a lot of jobs.

[Michael Kay]

No, no, he did. And he's good, right?

[Don Hahn]

He is good.

[Michael Kay]

None of us can say we're sure that he's the real deal.

[Don Hahn]

But what's the option?

[Michael Kay]

But. But I guess. What are the options? But I just want everyone to remember, please, when we get to draft season again, and I hate. On it again, Don, please, just say these two words and remind me. Trey. Lance.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Michael Kay]

Remind me. Everyone talks about stuff. The guy never even really got a chance to play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nope.

[Michael Kay]

He got hurt. No one ever saw him, and now he's not around. It doesn't make sense.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Where's he now?

[Don Hahn]

You can't.

[Michael Kay]

Does he have a job?

[Don Hahn]

Last year was in Dallas, and then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He had to be somewhere. I think he got traded. I've lost track of where he is.

[Michael Kay]

Well, guess what? His. His replacement, Brock Purdy, will have an average salary of $53 million.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Charging now.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, it's a Ram.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, definitely a charger. Could be a ram also, but $53.

[Michael Kay]

Million, which is crazy. Which means, if you're wondering, Purdy will get paid more per week under his new deal than he did over the first three years of his career.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Remember, he was sharing an apartment with an offensive lineman.

[Michael Kay]

That is an insane.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He really was trying to save his money and be careful with it. Now it's like, I could picture, like.

[Don Hahn]

Almost like a prison thing where they had bunk beds and the offensive lineman was on the top bunk.

[Michael Kay]

And you're saying, and now he's got a man. When Brock Purdy would go to eat, his other roommate would steal his cornbread.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now there'd be consequences and repercussions.

[Michael Kay]

The consequences.

[Don Hahn]

Repercussions. You take my cornbread.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's one of the great scenes.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, boy. Okay, if you've never seen the movie Life, everyone, you have to go see Life. One of the most underrated films ever made.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, perhaps Tremendous.

[Michael Kay]

Oh, good news. Joe Douglas is going back to Philadelphia. Yes. He will join the Eagles in a senior scouting role. Man, I will tell you what, guys. The NFL administrative executive tree will humble you so fast one that you are on top of the world. Everyone just wants to get a word with the gm, and then you blink and you have a senior scouting role. At least it's with the super bowl champion Eagles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So went back home.

[Michael Kay]

Congrats to Joe Douglas.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

Who's in the mood for a little Jamal Adams back in New York?

[Don Hahn]

I'm good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm all set.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

I'm gonna go ahead and pass on it as well. But the all former all pro safety and former Jet, who of course had a very, very messy split from the jets back in 2020. It was actually Joe Douglas's best move.

[Peter Rosenberg]

As a GM to two bursts.

[Michael Kay]

Said, quote, I would love to be back with the jets and obviously finish it the right way. He said that in a chat with jets fans on X Man, quote, that would be a dream come true to patch up that relationship and kind of make it right. Who did he. What local media person did he have horrible things to say about? Who did he just completely disrespect?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I forget. But I. Yeah.

[Michael Kay]

Could it have been Rich?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think it was he complete.

[Michael Kay]

Remember, Don?

[Don Hahn]

I do remember. There was a. Might have been.

[Michael Kay]

Jacob's got me. Who is it? Oh, it was. It was. It was Connor Hughes. Might have been Connor.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's right. He actually called out. Oh, yeah, that got perfect.

[Michael Kay]

He said, I'm at his wife.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes. I got real.

[Michael Kay]

It was nasty.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah, we're good.

[Michael Kay]

It's the thing about burning bridges. You don't. All right. Seth Wickersham with some interesting stuff about Caleb Williams not wanting to end up in Chicago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is a story you didn't want to get out.

[Michael Kay]

Let's hear from Seth.

[Caller]

Carl Williams was trying to find a way to give his son a measure of agency over his future employer because he wanted him to have the best chance for success that he could. It's nothing that Jack Elway didn't do. It was nothing that Archie Manning didn't do. And he just tried to find loopholes. He consulted with lawyers, agents, Archie Manning himself, Marvin Demoff, who was the agent for John Elway to try to find a way to give his son a choice on where he went. And I think that the Bears history when it comes to quarterbacks is horrible, and it goes back 70 years. And he didn't want his son to be forced into being a possible footnote.

[Michael Kay]

Interesting. In fact, Wickersham went on to say that Caleb Williams looked at all options to try to get to Minnesota.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They were what, 10, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They picked like McCarthy. Right. But you know what? It's. It does make sense. That's why, again, the. The NFL draft, to me, it's these guys have no chance. You have to go to sometimes a God awful franchise and just hope they get it right. And if you Trevor Lawrence, look what happens now. He got paid. But they're a disaster. They're just constantly turning it over. Like sometimes I wish we could, we could modernize the way rookies come into the league and have it to be where there's some say from the player where he wants to go. Because we lose a lot more players than we gain because of the fact that at the very top of the draft is some God awful.

[Don Hahn]

That's why I don't think you reward teams that are God awful with the gift of the first overall pick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I agree.

[Don Hahn]

You don't know what you're doing. Why am I going to have you ruin a career?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

You know, ruin all this and that. But here's the thing, I understand the comparison. This always comes up well, nobody killed John Elway, nobody killed Eli Manning. Those guys had leverage that Caleb Williams didn't have. Unfortunately Caleb Williams dad was not Archie Manning. And John Elway said, oh, I'll just go play baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Like so there was leverage there. You going to, it wasn't feasible that you were going to go to Canada and play in the cfl. Now if he had done that well then good on him. Then he really showed you, hey, I mean business. So that's the difference I think guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that I'm waiting for the guy who has enough nil to tell the NFL that ain't going, that's going to happen. It paid Manning State. That's hey man, he didn't want to be a Jet, didn't want to play for the jets, so I stayed in school.

[Don Hahn]

That's the leverage Peyton had. I'll stay. Yeah, stay in school.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So now I could stay in school. Or you know what? Maybe, you know, maybe I'll, maybe I will go play in the CFL and just bring all the money I made in Nil with me, make a few bucks in the CFL or whatever. Just the threat of now you're going to have to trade me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

But the Colts couldn't take the chance, Alan, because John Elway would have played baseball and Arch Manning, Archie Manning did it. I think in a way that everybody just felt like let's make it work. And it did work for, for San Diego. They got a heck of a quarterback. Yeah, that also helped too. You had so many good quarterbacks. Roethlisberger was there, you know, so unfortunately Caleb didn't have that kind of leverage and didn't have that kind of a draft.

[Michael Kay]

Good news, everyone. Guess who is around in Philadelphia. Nick Sirianni.

[Don Hahn]

I'm good. He did win the Super Bowl.

[Michael Kay]

I. I know. That's me to look at his stupid.

[Don Hahn]

He's got. I'm not a fan.

[Michael Kay]

No.

[Don Hahn]

And they did basically replace everybody but him going into the season.

[Michael Kay]

Yeah, but I'm not a fan.

[Don Hahn]

No, I'm not either.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But for him, I guess, because good for him.

[Don Hahn]

He's a toolbox.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Tush Push is going to get.

[Don Hahn]

Eliminated, but that's not the reason they won.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's a huge part of what they do and it's a huge part of what makes him a nozzle, as Peter would say.

[Michael Kay]

Say that is true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And so let's take that away and see if he has another plan for it. Or will they now become mere mortals when it comes to, you know, 4th and 1?

[Michael Kay]

It would be interesting, right? But Sirianni got himself a nice, nice extension.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He earned it.

[Michael Kay]

Terms not disclosed.

[Don Hahn]

How are we ever gonna find out?

[Michael Kay]

No, I'm sure we never will.

[Don Hahn]

Why not disclose it? Why not get out front? You know. You know it's gonna get out there there. So why don't these organizations just tell.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You brag about it? Look how much we paid our coach. Look at us.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, this is.

[Michael Kay]

We're all in the NFL binge driven by Ramsey Mazda. The it's the experience of driving a new Mazda and buying a new Mazda from Ramsey Mazda. Choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Isn't it crazy, guys? I. I didn't mention it the other day, but when the NFL schedules came out, the. The commanders went from like two standalone games last year to eight this year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, welcome. All it takes late nights.

[Michael Kay]

All it takes is you get yourself a quarterback they want to put on tv. Well, I think it's only a couple of primetime games, but you do have a bunch of the 425s, things like that. Do they include the wacky Barcelona game as a standalone?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, there's nothing against it. Thus standalone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There you go.

[Don Hahn]

Should I consider it going to Barcelona?

[Michael Kay]

Going to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what?

[Michael Kay]

To watch my team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If there's place you're going to go, that's probably it.

[Michael Kay]

Why not Barcelona? Might be fun, right?

[Don Hahn]

Have fun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I say you good.

[Michael Kay]

When you think football, what do you think?

[Don Hahn]

Barcelona? Well, the Barcelona Dragons, they were one of my favorite teams in the world League of American football world. This episode is brought to you by Chevy Silverado. When it's time for you to ditch.

[Michael Kay]

The blacktop and head off road do.

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Michael Kay]

With a trip coming up, the A.

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[Michael Kay]

And the app hey there travelers.

[Don Hahn]

Kaley Cuoco here.

[Michael Kay]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Michael Kay]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

Game Time is brought to you by Tumblr, Dear Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time.

[Michael Kay]

Good Lord.

[Don Hahn]

That'S not even a long one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So good.

[Don Hahn]

Mets start a series with the Red Sox. Coverage begins immediately following us on 880 ESPN New York at 6:05 Yankees are off Telemardu the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew honey during tonight's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Lots on the table to discuss. So let's get back to the busy phones and let's talk to Kirk in the Bronx. You're on ESPN New York.

[Caller]

Hey Don. Hey Han. Hey Rosenberg.

[Michael Kay]

Hey man.

[Caller]

First of all Don, I got a couple things I want to compartmentalize that I talk about I love the fact that you have twins. That I have twins also. And I've called a couple times, but I haven't been that consistent. And my twins are about to be eight come August. Okay. August 8th. So that's cool.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Caller]

I know. Well, we talk about Juan Soto. Right. And I know Peter doesn't know this because he's not from New York. Do you remember Ed Whitson?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, sure. He couldn't handle being a Yankee. I'm sure.

[Caller]

I'm sure that. That Han knows that too.

[Michael Kay]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course.

[Caller]

Okay. I'm not sure if this is the reverse Ed Woodson syndrome, because the life of the contract is going to play itself out with Juan Soto, but he was definitely in a. At Woodson moment this weekend. And I'm not sure if he's capable to withstand that bandwidth of dealing with how the. The New York media is gonna. Media is gonna be his friend. And now they're. Now. Now they're his worst enemy as well as the fans.

[Don Hahn]

So when you. I don't think. Here's the problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I disagree, Kirk.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Because you disagree.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Here's the problem.

[Caller]

Listening.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But here's what I'll. Quick.

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because I'm gonna be quick. When's the next time he's going to play at Yankee Stadium?

[Caller]

Next year or the World Series?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he'll never have to hear that noise again.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. I think the Met fans haven't been destroying him. Now, maybe that might change if he continues to struggle, but I think they've supported him for the most part. Yeah. The media is going to be asking questions, but Ed Woodson just couldn't handle New York. This isn't a question of not being able to handle in New York. I think he might have been a little overwhelmed. Or was it just the fact that he's been struggling kind of like this all year? Right. He got one hint at 10 at bats, walked three times. He's never been an A plus fielder. Guys, I think Case said it best earlier today. He's a great hitter. He's not a great ball player. He doesn't run the bases well. He's not a great defender, but he is a savant when it comes to hitting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

And he had one hit. Well, you know, Aaron Judge had three hits and struck out with the game on the line. Not a great series for Judge, not a great series for Soto. I don't. I think it's easy to say he couldn't handle the pressure, and I'm sure it got to him a little bit. But at the end of the day, he's been struggling overall. So I need to see a greater sample size than just three games to say he can't handle the pressure. The kid won a World Series at 19 years old. He played in a World Series last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think the atmosphere at the stadium and the way the fans treated him for three straight. It was a miserable weekend. He couldn't wait to get away from it. He'll never hear any of that again. They will not treat him like that at Citi Field. No matter. No matter if he continues mediocre, nobody's going to treat him like that at Citi Field. So this was it. This was the worst of it. It's past him. He will not need to be asked about the Yankees or even answer about the Yankees until they meet again in the World Series.

[Don Hahn]

And I do think there's a difference. Maybe there isn't. It'd be interesting to hear what you have to say. There's a. I think there's a difference between pressing and pressure. Like, could it be that it wasn't that he wilted under the pressure? Just. Yeah, he was probably pressing, wanted to impress. Maybe it was a little much. And he get. Because he's a guy that. Getting taken out of his comfort zone, like if you remember that strikeout against the Astros, that was a pitch out of his own. I think he was all hyped up. I think he wanted to leave an impression. You know, everybody thinks it a negative. He's only about the money. Just because he prioritized money doesn't mean he doesn't care, doesn't mean that he's just going to cash in his checks. I think this is actually a good thing in the sense of that he's bothered by not playing well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don.

[Don Hahn]

He's prideful and he's prideful and he wants to do well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He thinks he's the best hitter in the sport. He takes it like Peter was talking about. He takes his at bats personal and this and he's out of it. He's wrong. He's not on right now. And then he's hearing the criticism and he can't shut it up with what he does best. And so it's. All of this is coming together. How would you be if you were going through that right now? You'd be glum, too, until he gets it, snaps out of it. And maybe it comes at some point and then we laugh about this.

[Don Hahn]

You'll have a moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I think this build up to this Series, you know, What? I'm sorry, I'm wrong. The next time I left to talk about it is when the Yankees play at Citi Field, the other side of the Subway Series.

[Don Hahn]

But it'll be a little easier, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He will not have what he had right now. That right field was a. It was a crucible for him.

[Michael Kay]

He wasn't. He wasn't great.

[Don Hahn]

Luca and Soho, you're on. Don, Hahn and Rosenberg.

[Caller]

Hey, what's up, guys? I don't typically don't agree with your takes, but you and all the other callers are right. As a Med fan, is this really news? You know, like, I just think back to when Francisco, when Lindor first started out with the Nets, it wasn't going so well. Right. And then it kind of comes together slowly but surely. I think that's. That's a good thing about, you know, the greats of the sport, you know, whether it be Lindor or Belchan, like, they do find a way. And I think what makes it kind of annoying that their. Those show styles are still better than most of the leagues, but it kind of doesn't, you know, feel that way because you expect more from them. But I think in the long run, it'll be just fine. And if I can just say one more thing, Don, you're 100% right about the Lincoln Tunnel. Anybody who cuts people off at that point, they deserve points taken off were license defended. It's a crime. It's a criminal crime. I spent hours there. No, not hours. A lot of time there. And you're right, it's. You can't do that. You can't come anybody off of it. Thanks, guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, this is from the day when we were talking about passing on the left to go to the right to.

[Don Hahn]

Merge on right, but a left only emerging. So now not only are you not able to get in, but you're also blocking the people who want to make a left.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who are you?

[Michael Kay]

I thought of Don yesterday. Alan, I'll talk to you because I think I know where Don stands on this. So I'm coming back from the Bronx Zoo, and it was one of the times where for whatever reason, on the west side highway, the. On a site just happens for no reason. The traffic's backed up super bad at 96 or 79th or whatever. @ both.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Usually it's both in between. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So.

[Michael Kay]

I admit it. I saw how bad it was. I said, I'm not. I'm not doing this one. And I went further and I picked my gap, and I caught one. No stopping, no Nudging. But I did go.

[Don Hahn]

I cheated.

[Michael Kay]

I saved 10 minutes. I cheated it.

[Don Hahn]

But.

[Michael Kay]

And I just pulled in, and no one. No, you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You jumped into. Into the exit?

[Michael Kay]

Yep, I jumped into the exit and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then jumped back in.

[Michael Kay]

No, no, no, no, no. We were approaching the exit. I wanted to exit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Michael Kay]

Saw there was a huge line for the exit, was weighing what I should do. So I went. I went. Should I. Will I continue? Skip 79th and go to 56, then just go back up, or am I gonna jump?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You did the right thing.

[Michael Kay]

And I jumped. I saw a gap, and I jumped nothing.

[Don Hahn]

But you saw a gap. You did. So there. If you saw a gap, that means there was movement.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

What I'm talking about is there's zero movement, is you're not moving. So what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna block the left lane only.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now you're waiting with your knowing.

[Don Hahn]

That I'm not gonna move for five minutes, but I want to get closer.

[Michael Kay]

No, you can't.

[Don Hahn]

That's wrong. If you're moving slightly and there could be a gap, you're taking a risk. I would hope that when you got to the end and the gap didn't exist, that you would have pivoted and gone.

[Michael Kay]

No, that was down further.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, because you can't stop.

[Don Hahn]

Not just to stop. I'm the man. I'm gonna hold up traffic because I don't want to wait an extra 10 minutes. Yeah, those are. People should be dragged out from the windshield by their hair and dragged right to prison. A month through the windshield, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right to prison in front of everybody in their car.

[Don Hahn]

Dragged out by their hair.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What Don wants is for all the drivers to see, because this is what you get.

[Don Hahn]

These are people that like, listen, I know a little secret, and I'm gonna find my way to get through. Then there are other people. Like, I am more important than everyone. Everyone on the planet. Those are the people by their short hairs. But I could see out. I could see out through the window as a screen.

[Michael Kay]

I could see people viewing all those things at the same as the same. And I don't think they are. I think there is a difference between seeing the gap and saying, I'm not gonna wait. I know there's gonna be a gap.

[Don Hahn]

I caught the gap. And.

[Michael Kay]

And knowing if I miss the gap, that's it. I'm not gonna be able to get in. I gotta move on.

[Don Hahn]

But catch the gap got him right by the short hairs, and they're not letting go. Where. Where is the worst place in Shawshank. I'm not sure I can say it. We'll put you down with the.

[Michael Kay]

That's right.

[Don Hahn]

That's where you go. That's where you belong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. All to just like.

[Don Hahn]

No, because I just hate people that think I'm way more important than you. And most of these people couldn't rub two diplomas together like the grad the.

[Michael Kay]

Grade couldn't remember the school couldn't read the diploma.

[Don Hahn]

Disgusting. But no, no, you. That you were just. You were just smarter than everybody.

[Michael Kay]

That's just being a bit smart. I know this. I've done it before. There's gonna be a gap.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's one. That's the cross island. That's the maneuver when you're on the cross island south trying to get to the lie east. You have to do that because if you sit in that, if you just park yourself in the right lane, you get nowhere.

[Michael Kay]

Nowhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You gotta just find it and you'll see the opening.

[Michael Kay]

I'm not gonna make you break, but I'm just gonna get in.

[Don Hahn]

That's it. Yeah, it's just. It's. It's. Is it bucking the system? Is it working it a little bit? Little bit.

[Michael Kay]

Little bit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nothing illegal. Lane's the lane.

[Don Hahn]

The world revolves around me. And most of these people are just like dim witted.

[Michael Kay]

That's right. Well, welcome to America.

[Don Hahn]

Here we are, America.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg pod. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.