Hour 2: Tong & Talk About It

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Tong & Talk About It

Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: ESPN New York – Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

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Overview:

This episode digs deep into New York baseball storylines—primarily the Yankees’ handling of Anthony Volpe, the Mets’ rotation shifts (including Jonah Tong’s call-up), and broader themes like sports leadership, accountability, and media dynamics. A lively debate on Aaron Glenn’s testy media exchanges and a reflection on the Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce engagement highlight broader culture and mental health topics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mets Rotation Shifts: Tong’s Call-up and Senga’s Role

• Joel Sherman’s tweet: Confirmed Jonah Tong’s MLB call-up.
• Hosts debate the rotation:
  • Senga’s recent performances and rest days drive the uncertainty.
  • Peterson, Holmes, McLean—their places juggled around the new addition.
  • Hosts emphasize a “six-man rotation” approach as the Mets try to get the best out of their arms into September.
• Performance Focus:
  • If young arms (like Tong and Peterson) perform, Senga’s seat as a postseason starter is in doubt.
  • Rosenberg (02:49):

    “Jobs are up for grabs, which it has to be that way, and it should be. Trying to win.”

• Carlos Mendoza (Mets manager) interview:
  • On Tong’s call-up (13:25):

    “It’s all about him dominating the minor leagues… It’s just hard to keep him there… He’s put himself in the conversation and here he is now going to get an opportunity for us.”

  • On Senga’s short leash (13:58):

    “Performance matters, you know... We’ve got to see performance... We need him because he’s an ace... But we haven’t been able to get that consistency... Every game, we’ve got to put our best guys out there.”

  • Mendoza’s comments underline a no-nonsense, performance-based approach: spots aren’t guaranteed—especially with a playoff run at stake.
• David Stearns (Mets President) on rotation philosophy:
  • On in-season evaluation (45:36, 45:56):

    “We’re going turn by turn at this point… It’s going to be a combination of what the matchups are, who we think match up well, how our guys are throwing, who needs rest, who doesn’t... In September, we try not to plan too far ahead…”

  • Stearns makes clear flexibility and results drive decisions, not reputation.

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Yankees’ Volpe Dilemma, Lineup Strategy, and Boone’s Job Security

• Volpe gets a rare rest, Caballero stakes his claim:
  • Volpe’s struggles at the plate and with errors finally prompt the Yankees to give him time off—amid sustained defending from Rosenberg, who blames the organization’s handling (03:40):

    “I’m going to continue to defend him. Has he been good? No, he’s been bad… but they have not handled it well at all... Forcing him out there and just hoping that it'll change? That’s not the way to do it.”

  • The contrast with how the Mets handled Francisco Alvarez: sent him down to regain confidence, which paid off.
  • Caballero’s emergence as a utility asset raises the question: Does Volpe deserve “fixing” time, or is it now about maximizing the Yankees’ win chances?
• Boone’s management under public and internal pressure:
  • Hosts forecast how poor performance could spark managerial change, yet expect Yankee brass to cite injuries and “not being whole” as excuses if the season disappoints.
  • Don Hahn (11:14):

    “The manager. Yes, in other organizations. But in this one they just gave him a contract extension... They’re making the playoffs, but if for some reason they face Boston, they get bounced… The call’s going to be, well, we didn’t have Cole all year… That will be the excuse not to make the move that you’re looking for.”

  • Rosenberg (12:42):

    “Even if they are knocked out in the wild card round… 90 wins through all this… That’s what it feels like to me.”

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Defining an MLB “Ace”:

• Hosts debate what qualities define a true ace pitcher.
  • Don Hahn (17:02):

    “He’s a stopper... If you’re losing games, he’s pitching tonight, we’re winning that game... He’s going to give you length…”

  • Rosenberg adds (17:33):

    “An ace is somebody that… when he doesn’t have it going, finds a way… is creative enough… to know my number one pitch, it’s not working tonight. I got to find another way to beat them.”

  • Both agree Senga hasn’t met those expectations lately.

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Callers Weigh In: Franchise Direction & Fan Sentiment

Notable segment with “Justin” from Floral Park (19:23–21:50)—shouting out his youth team and airing frustration with Yankees GM Cashman’s (and the organization’s) inability to develop prospects:

• Justin (20:15):

  “It’s the same story every year with this team... This guy needs to go. I don’t care that we make the playoffs every year... This D does not know how to fundamentally hit. They have it since ’09. It’s a joke.”

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Let’s Talk About It Tuesday: Media Relations, Leadership, and Positivity

Aaron Glenn, the Jets, and the Media

• Don takes strong issue with new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn’s brusque answer (“My decision”) regarding depth chart choices in a press conference (29:00-35:02):
  • Don calls out such “tough guy” answers as needless posturing, unrelated to actual success:

    “Explain to me why just being flat out rude to a classy media member changes the culture of a team. I want to know that… Explain it to me like I’m an idiot. Go ahead.” (30:54)

  • Rosenberg’s counterpoint: It’s preseason, maybe Glenn’s just being authentic, but agrees—“this will get tired fast if you’re losing.” (37:04)
• Wider reflection on coaching style:
  • Don: Real leadership is in how you hold players accountable, not how you treat the media.
  • Don Hahn (38:20):

    “Go win games... Anything other than that is all garbage. Don’t waste time... There is no formula other than being a good coach.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Engagement – “Let People Be Happy”

• Rosenberg urges listeners to avoid cynicism around the high-profile engagement announcement (41:01–42:45):
  • Rosenberg:

    “It’s a nice moment... This is a great American story. The pop star and the football star met, fell in love, and they're getting married... Not everything has to lead to bad things... As a very confident heterosexual male, this is A lovely American story, and I don’t think it needs the snark...”

  • Don reflects on cultural negativity (43:05):

    “We just live in a world when we don’t like something, it’s not enough to just say, I don’t care and move on. You got to destroy it.”

  • Message: Embrace positive stories and don’t be compelled to publicly dismiss what doesn’t move you.

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Mets’ Front Office Approach: Auditioning for October

• David Stearns on not adding a starter at the trade deadline (46:10–47:37):
  • He’s comfortable giving prospects an audition during meaningful late-season games instead of overpaying for available veterans.
  • Flexibility and performance will dictate who gets crucial starts in September and possibly the playoffs.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Performance > Reputation:

  “Every game, we gotta put our best guys out there.”
  —Carlos Mendoza (14:20)

• On Volpe’s handling:

  “…But they have not handled it well at all... That’s where the Boone positivity thing and their belief in just saying all is. Well, sometimes that’s not the way to do it.”
  —Rosenberg (03:40)

• Why is “tough guy” media posturing overhyped?:

  “He could take a poop right there on the podium and they’ll go, ‘Why didn’t anybody else think of that?’”
  —Don Hahn (34:12)

• Cultural cynicism:

  “If I don’t care, I want the rest of the world not to care.”
  —Don Hahn (43:00)

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Timestamps for Important Segments:

• Mets rotation/rotation debates: 00:29–02:49, 13:25–14:22, 45:36–50:01
• Yankees’ Volpe/Caballero discussion: 02:59–08:54
• On Boone’s job security/injuries: 10:17–12:57
• Carlos Mendoza soundbites & analysis: 13:25–15:23
• “Let’s Talk About It” segment (Jets, media, and management): 27:13–39:04
• Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce engagement & cultural takes: 41:01–43:26
• Stearns on rotation, Senga, and Tong-Sproat decision: 45:10–49:20

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Tone & Style:

• Candid, sarcastic, and knowledgeable: Don and Rosenberg don’t mince words, blending media critique, sports analysis, humor, and a bit of New York tough love and exasperation.
• Authentically passionate: The hosts are clearly invested, whether defending or criticizing, always leaning into the reality fans and teams face.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

You’ll come away with clear insights about the New York baseball landscape’s current uncertainty (both Mets and Yankees), provocative perspectives on leadership, the media, and fan culture, and a refreshing call to let good news be good—sports or otherwise. This episode is about sports, but also about how we react, criticize, and (sometimes) allow ourselves to just enjoy the moment.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers 401.

[Don Hahn]

Of the big city Don Hahn and Rosenberg with you until 6:30. Then it's Mets baseball. Mets, Phil. So Tong called up. Joel Sherman tweeted out that he was told that Tong is being called up to start. So I'm, I'm at least under the belief that, that he's going to start because they want to get Sanga back on five days rest or replacing Sanga in the rotation. One of the two. So I guess we'll take a look at that because if Sproat's going to call up to be called up too, I mean he might want to get the right to start and then you're just going to run out of chairs.

[Rosenberg]

The Marlins come in Thursday.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Four games set at Citi Field.

[Rosenberg]

Do you put them there?

[Don Hahn]

Well, why not?

[Rosenberg]

You have them start Thursday because what.

[Don Hahn]

So Senga was. That was what was yesterday was Monday. So Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. So Saturday. If you're keeping Senga on four days.

[Rosenberg]

Rest, which you don't want to do.

[Don Hahn]

Or if you want to get him back to five, I think you want to start Sunday. You know, Tom could pitch Saturday, could do that too.

[Rosenberg]

Because right now, see after McLean there's no, there's nothing set. It's all TBD's after that.

[Don Hahn]

Peterson pitched Sunday. So Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. So he'd pitch Friday. So Peterson Friday, Tong Saturday. So who Sunday?

[Rosenberg]

Oh, Holmes.

[Don Hahn]

And then Holmes could pitch on.

[Rosenberg]

So Holmes would be Thursday then wouldn't. He wouldn't home.

[Don Hahn]

According to Mendoza, Tong's going to pitch Friday.

[Rosenberg]

All right, there you go. So Holmes probably gets Thursday, Tong gets Friday.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, Citi Field, that's Peterson because Peterson pitched Sunday. So again, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, his day would be Friday.

[Rosenberg]

Well now they're going to. Obviously he's not. Peterson could pitch Saturday and maybe they move into Saturday.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, they move him to Saturday and then Sanger can be Sunday and that.

[Rosenberg]

Gives him a full week.

[Don Hahn]

And then they go to the six man rotation because obviously what they're going to take from a positivity standpoint from Kodai is to say it was because he was on four days rest. We want to get him back to five days rest. Yeah, but how's that going to work in the postseason then? Like, so he's not going to be a. If he's got to go five days between starts and if Tong pitches well and Peterson pitches well and McLean pitches well, like, where is there a seat for Kodai Senga in the postseason?

[Rosenberg]

That's why this month, the month of September is coming. I think jobs are up for grabs, which it has to be that way, and it should be trying to win.

[Don Hahn]

So Volpe back in the lineup for the Yankees after sitting for two days, ironically, two wins. He did get into the game the night before for defensive purposes, and the Yankees blew out the Nationals last night. So he's back in the lineup. And they said that he was going to be back in the lineup anyway, so it's no surprise, really.

[Rosenberg]

Well, lefty, too. He's good against lefties. And you get a lefty tonight.

[Don Hahn]

Right. And so that's why everybody kind of looked at this.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. It's an opportunity for him to, you know, just get. Look, he. 129 of 130 games this guy played.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. His last day off, I think, was like, May11.

[Rosenberg]

Yes. While struggling. They did him no favors.

[Don Hahn]

No, they didn't.

[Rosenberg]

Like, look, I've been defending this kid. I'm going to continue to defend him. Has he been good? No, he's been bad. He has struggled, but they have not handled it well at all. That's where the Boone positivity thing and their belief in just saying all is. Well, sometimes that's not the way to do it. Sometimes it's okay to acknowledge, you know what, the kid's struggling. We got to take him out of the lineup instead of just forcing them out there and forcing him out there and just hoping that it'll change. He's. What is he, 24 years old? He's getting killed. Every time he walks back to the dugout. If he doesn't get a hit, he's getting booty, hears it all. You know, he's hearing it all. He's going to hear it all on social media. This all was handled so poorly. And what's amazing, too, is Francisco Alvarez was really bad for the Mets. He was bad in the playoffs, and he was bad to start this season. And what the Mets do, Don, they sent him down. Get him out of here. Just get him to refresh. Get him confident in himself again. Figure it out. And then when he came up, how'd he do?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Now until he got hurt. But he. He looked. He looked good again. And so for Volpe, Sometimes it's simply like the, the stuff I've been reading. Bill Madden had a really good column on him, and it's like the stuff I've been reading about it. It's, it's. I'm sorry, not Bill. Matt. It was clappich. And he said, talking to scouts. Scouts, look at it. It's like it's all correctable stuff. The hips open too much on the swing, all the little fundamental things about what they're seeing. Why all of a sudden he's in a 1 for 28. The fact that he was throwing the ball around, that's, that's out of character for him. He doesn't even know why it's happening. But it's gotta be a men. It clearly is mental, not physical. Fans all want to say, yeah, he just sucks, but that's not true. He's going through something that has to be fixed, but it can't be fixed if you get no days off.

[Don Hahn]

It's, it's so.

[Rosenberg]

And you're hearing it. Every single time you make a mistake.

[Don Hahn]

You'Re hearing it, but it's so.

[Rosenberg]

Did not do him any favor.

[Don Hahn]

Interesting about the handling of Albee is that in the analytic world, and especially with the Yankees giving these guys days off. Oh, my God. You know, because they don't believe in hot. So judges had five home runs in his last three games, but we gave him a scheduled day off. Then he's not going to play.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But yet Volpe hadn't had a day off since.

[Rosenberg]

Couldn't give him a day off even.

[Don Hahn]

Leading the league in errors, struggling at the plate. Finally, finally after. What was it, an zero for. What is it, 24? Whatever it was, they finally relented and gave him a couple of days off. Why did, why so long when you had alternatives? Caballero came over during the trade. Yeah, the trade deadline was, was, was three weeks ago.

[Rosenberg]

I know, I don't understand it, but it was something they should have done even in July, for whatever reason this is, this was their approach with him, and it has failed miserably. And now they've got to hope that they can get him right. So they got him back in the lineup tonight, and it's against the lefties, which he hits lefties well. And maybe he'll have a good night and feel better about himself and find rhythm again. But the one thing to watch, though, is Boone has figured out that Caballero is actually a really good weapon. He called him a 10th man. Basically like somebody that I can use almost anywhere. I Don't know if I'd use him in right field, but he definitely is a guy that can play second. He can play short. We know he can pinch run. We know he's a, you know, demon on the base path, and he can hit. If Caballero plays well, it's short and is producing.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

What is. You don't have to go back to Volpe, but I. By the way, Caballero's on the contract next year. You don't have to worry about it. This, to me, feels not like giving up on Volpe. This feels like you should give Caballero a look here and see does he take the job right now.

[Don Hahn]

And now he's out of the lineup. So you do lose that again. He's not tearing the COVID off the ball, but in the last five games, he does have a couple of home runs, five RBIs, and he's a guy that you just.

[Rosenberg]

On the base pads. He's trouble.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

You know he's trouble.

[Don Hahn]

Then he plays a quality defensive first.

[Rosenberg]

If you're like, aren't you trying to find. Like, right now is not about feelings, it's about winning. And if he gives you a better chance to win, you worry about Volpe in the off season. You can't worry about Volpe right now. This isn't the time to get him right. July was the time to get him right. August was the time to get him right. It's September next week, Don.

[Don Hahn]

Because you could have very easily. Just because it's what we hear all the time now we're going to give the you to Dale.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. But you never did since May, one day amazing.

[Don Hahn]

One day all season. Now you give him two days off, clearly, because he's struggling. So now you put him back in the lineup. So let's say he goes over four and the Yankees lose.

[Rosenberg]

Gotta take him out.

[Don Hahn]

What are you gonna do? You gotta take him out. You have to. So. So now you're really screwing with him, Right?

[Rosenberg]

Of course you are.

[Don Hahn]

So now it's like a live audition every time he comes back into the lineup, where if you just given him that mental day before, anybody would have even noticed, then maybe it's no big deal, but now it's going to be. All right. It's on. So now it's a big. It's a big game for the kid tonight. It's the lousy Nationals, and it's Gore, who's already lost, like, 12 games. This.

[Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

All right. But God forbid, 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, he boots it. And they lose the game. Well, then. Then, then he's out of the lineup tomorrow. And now. Now it's a thing.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, well, I think it's already a thing.

[Don Hahn]

I think it's gonna be more of a thing because then if you put Caballero back at shortstop tomorrow and they win, then it's like, now you've opened the door where I'm not gonna put him back.

[Rosenberg]

Like I said, I think that door is already open because I think what Caballero is to be able to show you what he can do. And the fact that Boone. Here's the one quote that really stood out to me, that he said yesterday. He said that he's a really good player, like championship caliber. I mean, you're not throwing words like that around, at least you shouldn't. But to say that a player like this is a championship caliber asset on your roster tells me that the manager has seen things in this guy. To say I got to find ways to get him in the lineup. And what's the easiest way to get him in the lineup? You're not taking Jazz out.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Rosenberg]

Where are you going to play him? And he's not really good in right field. You know, instead of Stanton, now you. You're gonna play him at short. That's what you're gonna do. And right now it's about winning. Look for Boone, he knows he's not gonna get fired in season, but it doesn't mean that something's not gonna happen this offseason if this whole thing goes to hell.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but you never know. It's gonna be very, very difficult. Like it going to hell would be. I didn't.

[Rosenberg]

Tom Thibodeau just got a contract extension and he doesn't have a job anymore.

[Don Hahn]

The Yankees don't have a history of doing all right, and they definitely don't have history of letting go somebody in season.

[Rosenberg]

But don't. The way they played this year.

[Don Hahn]

I get it.

[Rosenberg]

He's a bad reflection on the coaching.

[Don Hahn]

I agree with you.

[Rosenberg]

Because of how poorly fundamental they are, how bad they are at base running, a lot of lack of focus, kind of things with them that are easy to point to the manager. And that's the only reason why it's always an option.

[Don Hahn]

But is it?

[Rosenberg]

Even if you don't want to believe it. I don't want to believe it.

[Don Hahn]

I. But I.

[Rosenberg]

But you gotta think it's this point.

[Don Hahn]

Manager, or is it just pointed at the way that this organization runs things and Boone is the spokesperson for that.

[Rosenberg]

But who goes first? Who always Goes first.

[Don Hahn]

The manager. Yes, in other organizations. But in this one they just gave me a contract extension. He's done nothing but win in the regular season since he's been here. And I'm telling you, I send this over and over and over again. They're making the playoffs. But if for some reason they face Boston, they get bounced in the first round. I'm telling you the call's going to be well, we didn't have Cole all year. We didn't have heel for half the season. We Judge was on the il. They're going to tell you about all. All of the injuries that they had. Right. The other pitching problems that they've had. Your stant was on the fumes. So here they have. They will have the built in. Hey, the reason only we won 88 games. It got bounced in the first round of the playoffs. We were never whole. And that. That will be the excuse not to make the move that you're looking for.

[Rosenberg]

Totally get it. And I don't have. I don't argue with you on that because you're right. Those are the excuses you can make. I'm right. Now as I started yesterday, I. Before last night's game. We discussed this a little bit yesterday. I think Boone needs 20 wins.

[Don Hahn]

So 20 and 12 get to 92. He got one already. So 19 and 19 and 12 get to 90.

[Rosenberg]

However you do it. I don't care if it's all of them are against the bet. Doesn't matter. Get to 90. You can't be fired. They can't fire. I think because getting the 90 without. With Judge missing a lot of time with Cole bow out for the whole season with all the other stuff.

[Carlos Mendoza]

That'll be on Friday.

[Rosenberg]

Yep, Friday. That to me makes you. Makes it impossible to. Even if they are knocked out in the wild card round. 90 wins through all this. That's what it feels like to me.

[Don Hahn]

And now you painted.

[Rosenberg]

Am I wrong?

[Don Hahn]

But think about what you did there now you painted a scenario that he's a hero. Look what he did. He got 90 wins. That's how you sell it, right? But then that's how they'll sell it. They'll be able to sell. Why would Boone be gone? Look what he's able to get.90 wins out of this team with all the issues. With all the issues that they had, which they always seem to have, by the way. We gave you a little sneak peek accidentally. But Carlos Mendoza did speak before the game today. Did you decide to call up Tong and why.

[Carlos Mendoza]

Yes, that'll be On Friday, I think it's all about him dominating the minor leagues. You can make a case alright, he's Double A. You want to give him a better look at the Triple A level. But man, you know, a couple of outings and you know, I think it's just hard to keep him there, you know, Here he is now. We knew we were going to need a stage six starter and he put himself in the conversation and here he is now going to get an opportunity for us.

[Rosenberg]

There you go. There's your six now. Six starters.

[Don Hahn]

Now here's the $64,000 question because we talked about how does this tie to Senga's performance last night? And Carlos was asked, did his performance reinforce Tong being called up?

[Carlos Mendoza]

Yeah, and I'm going to be honest, performance matters, you know. And we're to a point now where, you know, we got to see performance and that was a conversation with him and we need him because he's an ace. He's got that, you know, we've seen it in the past, but we haven't been able to get that consistency. So ye, maybe it's the regular rest, the extra day, whatever that is, you know, we're getting to a point where like every game, you know, we got to put our best guys out there.

[Rosenberg]

See what he said there?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I heard performance. Yeah. Well, I just love the honesty and the bluntness. Not no excuse making because again, comparing organizations, Boone probably like, listen, he was on four days rest. He's not used to four days rest. No, he flat out said, yes, performance matters. Yeah, we're in a pennant race here trying to win. He's supposed to be our ace. He's been awful. Yes, we won the game 13 to 3. But he couldn't make it through four, you know, couldn't get to the fifth inning. That's a problem. And now we just called up our second young kid in the last two weeks and it's going to come at the expense. So yeah, on the surface it's going to be to give him the extra day, which clearly he needs. But I'm telling you, Allen, if he goes out there and pitches Sunday and gets smacked around by the Marlins, there's no way you can convince me that Senga, unless he completely turned it around, is going to be an option in the postseason. And if these kids pitch well, continue to pitch well, he might be out. He might be the one trying to figure out a way to get him coming out of the bullpen.

[Rosenberg]

That's what Mendoza sounded like, didn't it? And that's him saying, like even saying tong is an ace and he looks like an ace and this is what we need right now. He's making it clear we're not getting enough out of our starting pitching and every job is up for grabs right now. And that's where it should be.

[Don Hahn]

I love it. I don't want excuse making. I don't want to sugarcoat it. He said it's about performance and he's not in. He's not performing.

[Rosenberg]

Same time for hurt feelings, man. It's time for winning now.

[Don Hahn]

Carlos, is it set in stone that senga needs a fifth day?

[Carlos Mendoza]

I'm not going to say no because, you know, you never know what happens. And before we know it, we're asking him to take the ball on regular rest. But, you know, again, and I think it's just more like where we are on the schedule. You know, when you look at a september schedule, there's off days in between there where it's going to allow us to kind of, you know, continue to get creative. But in the meantime, you never know. You never know. And the one thing that, you know, we appreciate about kota is that the willingness to do whatever it takes. I said it yesterday before the outings like, hey, man, can you go? And there was no hesitation. And he was out there. We went out there and pitched. But obviously we understand that that extra day is important for him as well.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And let's be honest, from a long term perspective, can you be an ace if you need an extra day that everybody else doesn't need? Like, you're going to have to pitch phenomenally if I'm just going to have to go to a six man rotation to be able to keep you in it. Or does it get to the point where, like, dude, you're not pitching well enough that I can afford to give you an extra day? What am I going to have to go with an opener because I can't pitch you on the fifth day because you stink? Then you're not an ace.

[Rosenberg]

Define what you think an ace is. Give me the qualities of an ace.

[Don Hahn]

Well, ace, first of all, he's a stopper. He's a guy that, you know, if you're losing games, he's. He's pitching tonight. We're winning that game. I can't say that about him. He's going to give you length. He's going to go seven, maybe eight innings to be able to give my bullpen a rest. That's also part of being a stopper. My bullpen is sucking Wind. But don't worry, Kodai Sang is pitching tonight, and he's going to give me eight quality or seven quality innings, and I'm not going to go that deep into the bullpen.

[Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Those are the two qualities that I want out of an ace. He doesn't have either of them.

[Rosenberg]

I'm going to add one more.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

An ace is somebody that also, when he doesn't have it going, finds a way now is creative enough and understands the craft enough to know my number one pitch, it's not working tonight. So I got to find another way to beat them.

[Don Hahn]

Even though he was probably. Those are some of the best, never an ace. You know who did that for you guys for the Yankees was El Duque. Every time, Zelduke, about three runs in the first thing, you're like, oh, he doesn't have it. And next thing you know, he went seven innings and allowed four runs and gave you a chance to win.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Like that's a quality. And you could say, well, listen, he didn't have it against the Nationals last week and look what he did. He still gave you five innings. Listen, he gave you five innings. But like, I think there are qualities. Remember his rookie year, he finished seventh in the Saigon. And then he gets hurt last year and basically doesn't pitch. And then he gets hurt again this year when he got off to a good start. So he's had. Had circumstances, but we've been. That injury happened a while ago. He's been back and he's been several very, very ordinary to less than ordinary starts. I'm not saying he can't be a good pitcher, but he's not my ace anymore.

[Rosenberg]

The forkball seems to be ghost pitch. Well, yeah, but the location on that has been his biggest struggle because that always was what I mean, people just couldn't hit it. And his ability to locate it was so important. And now everybody lays off it because it's never in the strike zone.

[Don Hahn]

And what's happening. And you saw it last night because he went 0 2. Unlike everybody, he can't finish guys off. No, he gets 02 next, next 3 2. And that's why he pitched like 90 pitches through four because he's got a guy on the ropes and he can't knock him out. And these guys work the count and maybe he'll eventually get the strikeout. But it took, you know, was a 10 pitch at bat when it could have been a four or five. It just. It's just not working. So, you know, a lot of baseball here let's dive back into the phone calls at 1-800-919-3776. Justin in Floral Park. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, man?

[Caller Justin]

Hey, guys, how are you?

[Don Hahn]

Good.

[Caller Justin]

First, just want to give a shout out to my 12U Knights team. We just got back from Cooperstown, Boston around the 16. Let me tell you guys, if you ever go up there, Don, with your kids, hopefully they do baseball. It's amazing experience.

[Rosenberg]

That's great. How'd you guys do?

[Caller Justin]

We lost in a round of 16 to a team from San Diego.

[Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Caller Justin]

Lost five, four in a walk off. Oh, my son. My son batted. No joke, joke. 465.

[Rosenberg]

So what a great experience.

[Caller Justin]

Oh, it was amazing.

[Rosenberg]

That's great.

[Caller Justin]

As you can tell, I have still no voice what's called now it's on to the big field for them. That'll be a big adjustment. As far as the Yanks go, guys, listen, it's the same story every year with this team. And I don't know if you guys saw Cashman got into a reporter that said that you have not developed anybody, including Volpe, and he got very defensive. You know, Perazza has been garbage. There was two other guys that they.

[Rosenberg]

Heard about, Esteban florial for like 10 years.

[Caller Justin]

I mean, dude, it goes back to Clint Frazier, Greg Bird. I mean, this guy needs to go. I don't care that we make the playoffs every year. Okay? That's easy. Done. You and I could make the playoffs, Alan. We could make the playoffs with this roster. With the three with the million dollar payrolls, they got this. D does not know how to fundamentally hit. They have it since 09. It's a joke. And this guy, honestly, where else guys in 25 years, okay, if you count 2000, they've won two championships in 25 years. Who allows that? And I know you hate hearing it. Oh, George wouldn't like this. But George wouldn't like this. He'd be fired. Him and Boone.

[Rosenberg]

Justin, I'm with you. I'm with. Justin, I'm with you.

[Caller Justin]

I can't take it anymore.

[Rosenberg]

I can't wait for the Bills to.

[Caller Justin]

Open up against the Ravens. I'll be up there in Buffalo. My son's a Raven fan. I raised him wrong. I'm sorry. But I'm ready for this, Don. I want one Super Bowl. I just one. Just give me one. Don, you took away the one for me with the Giants. You know, if we played you 100 times, we're beating you 99. You know, it you know it. You can admit it.

[Rosenberg]

Scott Norman, are you there?

[Don Hahn]

Don't. I'm listening. I'm so just. I was thinking back and savoring the win.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I know.

[Caller Justin]

Because we. Because the Bills couldn't stop on third down. How many times you got to see Stephen Baker make a catch? Me, I mean, I just say, all.

[Don Hahn]

Right, the one thing. And don't get mad at me. All right, the one thing. Because. Because I. I got. I got cowboy friends.

[Caller Justin]

I'm a loser. I watched the game on VHS before I went up to the cap Skills and I said they should have ran one more play.

[Don Hahn]

Everybody knew, dude, you know, that's the thing. I will always counter. While the. The Giants got lucky because Norwood missed the field goal. Although you. You hear during the call since you watch it while you watch it on vhs. Frank Gifford saying this at the tip of his range. Right. Is the thing that nobody ever talks about. Jim Kelly, hall of Fame quarterback, one of the great quarterbacks of all time in a Super bowl, gets the ball at his own 20 with 2 minutes and 10 seconds and a timeout. And the closest he can get is a 47 yard field goal. When Mahomes got his team in field goal range with 13 seconds in a playoff game against the Bill, like, I know it was a different era and all that, but they had time.

[Rosenberg]

That was the Kegun. It was. It. Justin's right about. There was time for one more play. There was also a. I'm trying to remember. There was. There was one controversial play call, like a very, very conservative play call that they had right before that as well.

[Don Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Rosenberg]

And it's like it just. They played into the field goal because they believed in Scott Norwood. They thought walk off. They trusted him.

[Don Hahn]

You. There's a little. I used to joke with my Jet friends if you watch the NFL films of Super Bowl 3, right? They. They make, they make it up that when Johnny Unitis came into the game down 16, 7, that the Colts had a chance to come back in the game because Johnny, you was called into the game. And you see, you see the footage of Namath going back and forth yelling at the defense. Watch the plays. They've got united hitting. And you're like, what was the field, 200 yards long? Sometimes you just saw the same pass but at a different angle. Like they made it up. That was kind of like that final Bill's drive. Because you know the result. You watch it and you're like, you're seeing. They're getting chunk yardage, but yet they're like still only at their 35 yard line. It was like, it's like what's going on here was just because this day and age, like I said, Mahomes got in the field goal range at 13.

[Rosenberg]

Blink of an eye.

[Don Hahn]

But even with the K gun right back 30 years ago, offense just functioned differently in the NFL. It's crazy.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Talk about a Tuesday.

[Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You got one? I do.

[Rosenberg]

Oh boy. Oh, then I'm ready. As long as the microphone's still connected.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, we'll find out. You never know. It's coming up next year on Don Hanna Rosenberg on ESPN New York. More Mazda buyers Choose Ramsey Mazda during the Mazda More to move you sales event. Get 1.9 APR financing on the new 2025 Mazda CX50. No payments for 90 days or at least for 239 for 33 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for lease details Vin SN 319033 MSRP 3020087850 Security Deposit APR 1748 PER 1000 Financed Ends 9225 this is an ad by BetterHelp. These days, it feels like there's a vice for everything. Cold plunges, gratitude journals, screen detoxes. But how do you know what actually works for you? With the Internet and information overload about mental health and wellness, it can be a struggle to know what's true and what actions to take. These days, using trusted resources and talking to live therapists can get you personalized recommendations and help to help you break through the noise. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served as over 5 million people globally. And it works with an App store rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1.7 million client reviews. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Talk it out with better help our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com timeout that's better. H E L p.com hey guys, it's Ceedee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.

[Rosenberg]

I'm partnering with Abercrombie this season to.

[Don Hahn]

Tell you all about their viral denim.

[Rosenberg]

All you need to know is denim.

[Don Hahn]

Should fit like this. My jeans need to check a lot of boxes. Fit first, trend second. They need to go with whatever I'm feeling and Abercrombie Denim has it down.

[Rosenberg]

Whether I'm throwing on a tee or.

[Don Hahn]

Putting a hole fit together. Shop Abercrombie Denim in the app online and in store. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on the phone or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best practice fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Sometimes you just can't take it anymore. This is let's Talk About It Tuesday with Don Han and Rosa Rosenberg. Sponsored by Better Help.

[Don Hahn]

It's time now for let's Talk About It Again, sponsored by Better Help. Mental health is health.

[Rosenberg]

Sure is.

[Don Hahn]

So I requested sound for mine, which we now have, so I could start if you don't mind.

[Rosenberg]

Please do.

[Don Hahn]

Because yours makes me sick. So I'd rather get mine out of the way.

[Rosenberg]

That's why we gotta talk about it. All right.

[Don Hahn]

So I didn't bring it up yesterday because it had happened on Friday, jets play the Eagles. And it was. It wasn't a contra because it's the last preseason game. It doesn't matter. Let's just get the season going. But if you've been following me, then you know that I've had a bit of an issue with Aaron Glenn deciding to kind of use the media as a way to change the culture. Right. Like just not treating the media particularly well. Which. Which he knows because he's smart enough. The fans rally around. Because the media's evil. Right. Well, you had Adrian Hernandez and Brady Cook.

[Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Don Hahn]

The start. The. The quarterbacks and Martinez got to start. And so Martinez gets the start. And somebody asked Aaron Glenn about why Martinez started. And this is Glenn. What's the thinking in playing Cook first and Martinez second? My decision. But is one guy's in a second year, the other one is his first. Is there any decision but what's the. What goes Asian? Any other questions? So I had it backwards. It was Cook over Martinez. But you hear clearly here, Rich Samini ask what I think is a legitimate question. Why the order?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

My decision.

[Rosenberg]

Take a step.

[Don Hahn]

We know it's your decision. You're the head coach. We want to know about my decision.

[Rosenberg]

Why?

[Don Hahn]

Why does that change the culture? Why does that show you all, he's not messing around. It's a new sheriff in town with the Jets. Aaron Glenn's not going to mess around with it. It's a legitimate question from a guy that has been with the jets forever. And my decision, my decision, my decision. Explain to me how that's going to win you any games, how that's going to convert fourth downs, how that's going to make the defense have a big stop and a big moment, how that means your kicker is going to kick a big field goal to win a game. Explain to me why just being flat out rude to a classy medium member changes the culture of a team. I want to know that because it's a legitimate question. All right? At the grand scheme of the. It doesn't matter because neither of these guys are going to have any impact on the season. You hope, because once Tyrod Taylor comes back, he's going to be the backup to Fields. So it really doesn't matter. But guess what? The game doesn't matter. It's the last preseason game. Nobody of significance played. But it still has to be covered. There still has to be a press conference. There still has to be questions. And Rich Samini asked a legitimate question. Why do you have to act like a jerk? How does that change the jets culture? That your head coach has to be mean? Explain it to me like a vibe. Why do you have to do that? So you could hate Rich Zemini, you could hate the media. But I'm sure there was somebody out there watching that meaningless game that wanted to drive their head into the TV because they had no life to watch it, that was at least somewhat curious on why he decided to start Cook over. Martinez and Samini asked a legitimate question, but, oh, Aaron Glenn wants to be Bill Parcells. And by the way, Bill would never do that. Okay. And how that makes you a good coach, how that changes the culture. Explain it to me like I'm an idiot. Go ahead.

[Rosenberg]

Because it's irrelevant. It's like, let's not waste our time in this press conference with me talking about why I just. I flipped the cards.

[Don Hahn]

You know what?

[Rosenberg]

No, no. Because if you do that, Don, then Cook and Martinez feel like, wow, I mean that much to you, that I'm irrelevant, that it's not important to talk about why? What I'm involved.

[Don Hahn]

Well, just come up with something. Just say, I don't know. I just felt like Mart. As maybe he. He looked at practice, but he obviously do that. But Aaron Glenn is not like, but. No, but don't. Don't spin it like it's okay. Because everybody's really hoping that Aaron Glenn's going to be a good coach. I think he's going to be a good coach. Explain it to you like a five year old. I don't like what you did. I don't. First of all, I don't like the evidence. I don't like what you said.

[Rosenberg]

I'm not telling you that this is right.

[Don Hahn]

I don't.

[Rosenberg]

I'm telling you this is what. This is probably what he was thinking.

[Don Hahn]

No. Then just say whatever it's like.

[Rosenberg]

It's like why you asked me about the third and fourth quarterback.

[Don Hahn]

At least have some humor in it and say like, rich, I appreciate you, man, but it's the third preseason game. Who cares?

[Rosenberg]

Probably the better way to do it.

[Don Hahn]

All right, but no, he takes the moment to be like, yeah, I'm Joe Tough guy here. My decision, my decision now was, why do you gotta humiliate Rich Samini?

[Rosenberg]

Have we seen the video? Was he smiling when he said my decision?

[Don Hahn]

But if he was, then Rich would have laughed, not continue to ask the question.

[Rosenberg]

I don't think Rich does the. I don't think he does that.

[Don Hahn]

No, but, But Rich has been around.

[Rosenberg]

Too long to do that.

[Don Hahn]

But, I mean, I'm just. Listen, I don't think Rich is easily offended. Believe me. He has so much garbage with this organization that he can count.

[Rosenberg]

It's amazing what he's covered.

[Don Hahn]

But I don't. I don't get it. Because that's the one thing I think he's going to be a good coach. Right? And I genuinely like him. But I see through the whole facade of this thinking that the tough guy attitude means anything. It means nothing. Go out there and win games. And then if you want to be Joe Clown later on, like Popovich, like Tortorella, like all these other coaches, like Belichick, then you earned it. But you haven't been a head coach for five seconds in this league. My decision. My decision. Why do you gotta act like a jerk? Do you think anybody wanted to be there? Rich Semini was probably there. That was probably the 12th hour. He was at MetLife Stadium for a meaningless game. But he was curious, as many other people were. I was just kind of curious. I'd like to know why cook over Martinez? And he didn't even get an answer. But it was an opportunity to show you how the culture of the jets has changed. Am I the only one that sees this? Is all just a facade that it doesn't matter unless he can go coach the damn game. Let's not put the cart before the horse here. None of this means anything. He could go up there and dress like a clown, and if he wins 15 games, he's gonna be amazing and everybody's gonna love him. But acting like Joe Tu guy means nothing. Does anybody else see that? Or are Jet fans so intoxicated that they finally have a guy that's got a clue that it doesn't matter what he does? He could take a poop right there on the podium and they'll go, why didn't anybody else think of that? Oh, my God. Maybe if Adam Gates did that, we'd win some games. Oh, look, he's urinating on the top of Samini's head. My God. Why didn't Todd Bowles think of that? If Todd Bowles had done that, we would have beaten the bills in Week 16 and made the playoffs.

[Rosenberg]

You are a beaut.

[Don Hahn]

How am I wrong?

[Rosenberg]

I don't like when a coach talks to the media like a coach. I never liked that. I've always felt like, just talk to me as a human being. But I have heard from those covering the team that he's actually great to deal with. And Rich, for one, has told me that he is, because Rich knew him when he got drafted. He was there, right? So Rich has said no. He's like.

[Don Hahn]

So it's performative for the fans.

[Rosenberg]

I. I think a lot of this is performative, all right?

[Don Hahn]

But I'm trying to tell the fans who that's for. Listen, I don't feel bad for some. I'm just saying that Sabini's hurt. He's. He'll be fine. Okay?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Believe me. Tortorella used to shoot daggers at me. I didn't care. I was just doing my job. All right? You don't like the question, that's your problem. I'm just gonna. I'm gonna. I'm not going anywhere. It doesn't matter. Okay?

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But I'm just saying, are the fans buying into this? That now this is all great, like. And I think a lot of them are, because the coaching's been so bad for so many years. They're like, you know, it's like the Robert Sala no gas, all gas, no break. It didn't mean anything. Yeah, they needed a break, so they didn't go 100 miles an hour into the wall. Maybe some breaking might have saved the season.

[Rosenberg]

It was a rally cry, but it's stupid.

[Don Hahn]

Well, win games. And everybody. See, everybody thinks that it's so funny how they cherry pick, like Parcells, Parcells, Parcell. There's those meltdowns with Parcells. Parcells had a great relationship with the media. He knew how to wrangle everything up. But at 3:12 and 1, he was just trying to save his job in 1983. Right. Until he started winning games and then he became Bill Parcells. All right. The funny laughing stuff like that. The Varro, like, it's stupid when you're 312 and 1, nobody cares. So just win games. My God. I just. I don't like. It feels like false bravado. But even if it's not false bravado, and this is genuinely who he is and he doesn't suffer fools and he's gonna call out bad. Que. I just don't know how any of that relates or translates to wins on the field. Tony Dungy was the nicest guy on the planet and won a Super Bowl. There is no formula other than being a good coach.

[Rosenberg]

What if this is who he truly is, though?

[Don Hahn]

So. But.

[Rosenberg]

So he's being genuine instead of fake.

[Don Hahn]

So he's so. But so he's saying he's genuinely kind.

[Rosenberg]

Of, this is how I am in.

[Don Hahn]

Front of a jerk. Well, or because he was being a jerk.

[Rosenberg]

Or he's no nonsense. It's like, let's just. We got business to get to. Let's just get to it. Like, that's it. And if you're asking me a question.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think it was that stupid question. So all the questions are stupid because it's the third preseason game. There wasn't one question that he would have been asked other than did anybody get hurt? That has any relevance to anything. Okay, so if he's going to be this way, what's it going to be if they lose their first five games and there's really legitimate questions going to.

[Rosenberg]

Get thrown out there?

[Don Hahn]

You think any of this. You think the fans are going to like any of this garbage?

[Rosenberg]

That's what the last thing I was going to say to you on this topic was that is that this is all preseason performative, and as we get into the season, this will get tired fast if you're losing.

[Don Hahn]

Right. And also I'm saying I'm not judging his coaching ability. I don't know how good a coach he's going to be. I think he's going to be good. I'm hoping he's gonna be good. I don't wanna sit there and cover another Worthless Jet season like I have it felt like for the last 15 years. All right, this is not a judgment on his character. I'm just. I'm saying, do the fans now buy into this, this new sheriff and down act that seems to be going through here? Just go win games. If it's because I can't believe. I know. I covered Aaron, I don't think he's a jerk. But not answering the question. I don't know what the reason is for that other than to sell the fans some kind of false belief that I'm not taking any garbage anymore. But I don't know how that translates into going there. You know what, Aaron? Do your job. Do it well. Win games and everybody's gonna love you and all the accolades are gonna go flowing and you'll change the culture. Anything other than that is all garbage. Don't waste time. I can understand it was a stupid question. It wasn't that stupid a question.

[Rosenberg]

No, it was just an. It was an innocuous question, but it was a question.

[Don Hahn]

It was a question. He was curious to know why the two year player sat and watched the rookie. Was there some logic to it? And the answer could have been no, there was no logic. I flipped the coin. I didn't care. It's the third preseason game. They both deserve to play. Somebody had to go first, whatever. But just my decision. They didn't ask you if it was your decision. I know it's your decision. I want to know why you made that decision. Yeah, but of course I'm the jerk. Because everybody's got a rally around the new coach. Because the change the culture. I'm sorry. 16 years doing pre and post for the Jets. 30 years in sports radio covering this team. Okay, I know what to look at, and that's the actual coaching ability. I'm not going to play the stupid Reindeer Games. The floor is yours.

[Rosenberg]

Well, thank you.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sorry I took too much time.

[Rosenberg]

You deserve better. No, no, that was. That was very good and very enjoyable. But for me, it's something I think we as men need to talk about. There was an announcement made today that a lot of people reacted to. And for the most part, there's going to be men who react and women who react because this is. This was. This was an announcement that really had an impact on both sexes and it mattered to a lot of people. In fact, 17,301,767 people tapped like on this announcement. That announcement was simply from Taylor Swift's Instagram account saying, your English teacher And your gym teacher are getting married. It's a photo of Travis Kelsey on one knee with Taylor Swift looking down at him, smiling. They're getting married. Okay, I know it's a shock to everybody. Nobody saw this coming. Right. But what I don't understand is a vitriolic response from a lot of men about this. Or of course, the need to immediately go to snark. It's a nice moment. And for think about it too. This is a great American story. The pop star and the football star met, fell in love, and they're getting married. It's a great story. This is cool. There's nothing to sneer at. There's nothing. Just look at and go, that's great. It's a nice story. And that's it. Not. She's selling a new album, needs the attention, wants to sell the. Really? You think Taylor Swift is really worried about album sales? I don't think so.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Rosenberg]

What does Travis Kelsey need this for? He's happy. So this segment a lot of times is about mental health, right?

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Rosenberg]

And just let's talk about it. So Donna, I cuz I know how uncomfortable you are with these things. I think we should talk about it. This is a really nice American story at a time we don't get a lot of this stuff where Page Six is filled with all types of controversy and salacious stories and things we love drama. And we'd rather see breakups. And maybe there's people that are hoping they're gonna see the breakup story eventually here too, because nothing good could ever happen. Right. It always has to lead to bad things. And famous rich people shouldn't be happy together, but maybe they will be. And this is kind of cool. And if they win the super bowl, which I know will make you throw up in your mouth, but I really thought he was going to propose to her last year if they won the super bowl and he would have retired, but he couldn't because they didn't win the Super Bowl. And he didn't want to retire because he didn't want to leave with that bad taste in his mouth of losing. So it never got to happen. So the fact that before the season starts, literally right before the season starts, he does this tells you a couple of things. Number one, this was inevitable. We knew this was coming. He decided to do it here. Number two, this is clearly his last season and we're gonna see what if. It can have that fairytale ending of the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl. But I think as a very confident heterosexual male, this is A lovely American story, and I don't think it needs the snark and the sarcasm and the eye rolls and all that. I think we should all be rooting for this to turn out the way it should, which is happily ever after.

[Don Hahn]

We. We just live in a world when we don't like something. It's not enough to just say, I don't care and move on. You got to destroy it. That's. That's how we are. Right. It's not enough to say, I'm not into hockey. It's got to. You got to come on and say, nobody cares. Like, what are you talking about?

[Rosenberg]

Exactly.

[Don Hahn]

That's how we live in that society. If I don't care, I want the rest of the world not to care. I particularly don't care.

[Rosenberg]

Or I want everybody to know I.

[Don Hahn]

Don'T care for you, that you enjoy it. But I'm not gonna rip it, but I'm also not gonna care.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. I didn't ask you to care. Right. The whole idea, though, is it's like, just let. Let happy. Just be happy rather than piss on it, like a lot of people want to do.

[Don Hahn]

And if it's a work, it's a pretty elaborate work.

[Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

It's been a couple of years, but anyway, that's good.

[Don Hahn]

I wanted to talk about it, and that was. Let's talk about it. And it's sponsored by better help. Visit betterhelp.com timeout today for 10% off your first month of therapy. This episode is brought to you by Amazon. Sometimes the most painful part of getting sick is the getting better part. Waiting on hold for an appointment, sitting in crowded waiting rooms, standing in line at the pharmacy. That's painful. Amazon One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy remove those painful parts of getting better with things like 247 virtual visits and prescriptions delivered to your door. Thanks to Amazon Pharmacy and AmazonOne Medical Healthcare just got less painful. Introducing the perfect companion to your morning listening routine, AG1's clinically backed formula is now flavor packed with three new delicious flavors, Tropical berry and citrus. Start the day on a high note with probiotics that taste like the tropics. Mix it up with micronutrients that taste like berry or citrus, and take it all the way back with the classic AG1 original with notes of pineapple and vanilla. Do your health a flavor or four with AG1 NextGen, the daily health drink. Learn more at drink ag1.com.

[Rosenberg]

Race the rudders. Raise the sails.

[Don Hahn]

Raise the sails. Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching.

[Rosenberg]

Over. Roger.

[Don Hahn]

Wait.

[Rosenberg]

Is that an enterprise sales solution reach.

[Don Hahn]

Sales professionals, not professional sailors.

[Rosenberg]

With LinkedIn ads, you can target the.

[Don Hahn]

Right people by industry, job title and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started today at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply.

[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

Now we heard from Carlos Mendoza on Tong being called up and his thoughts on Senga's lack of performance. That's coming off the il. Well, let's hear from David Stearns how Tong will be used in the starting rotation.

[David Stearns]

We're going turn by turn at this point, and it's going to be a combination of what the matchups are, who we think match up well, how our guys are throwing, who needs rest, who doesn't need rest. I think in September we try not to plan too far ahead and we're going to go turn by turn.

[Don Hahn]

See, I love this because.

[Rosenberg]

Can you play that again, if you don't mind?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, why not?

[Rosenberg]

Let me hear it a little clearer.

[David Stearns]

We're going turn by turn at this point and it's going to be combination of what the matchups are, who we think match up well, how our guys are throwing, who needs rest, who doesn't need rest. I think in September we try not to plan too far ahead and we're going to go turn by turn.

[Rosenberg]

Hmm. Okay, so he's making it clear that we are trying to establish who is going, who's got it going by the time we get to October, and that's what September is going to decide. He's saying we don't look too far ahead. It's September. We're not looking far ahead, meaning we're not trying to set something up. We need to see who are who, the three guys that we can rely on the most when we get to the playoffs. This is smart. Turn by turn, matchup based.

[Don Hahn]

And this is why he didn't trade for a starting pitcher at the deadline, because he didn't want to give up too much. And he realized, I've got three prospects that I'm ready to call up that could be a part of this audition. Now, look, maybe it'll come back to Burnham. You know, maybe he could have went out and got a starting pitcher that would do a better job, but he knew he had these kids that were ready to go.

[Rosenberg]

What starting pitcher got traded. There wasn't really anybody Injury. Like who. Who's.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, there wasn't. There was. But the feeling was he should have gotten a starting pitcher. I don't know who that starting pitcher would have been. I'd have to go back to my notes to see what was available at the time. And it wasn't any needle movers that I could remember.

[Rosenberg]

Miami had a couple of guys and they were asking the sun moon that.

[Don Hahn]

Was out there and the like. And these guys cost money and these guys have years on their contract and all that.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But now he's got. All right, listen, I've got my rotation of guys step up. You want to be a part of this rotation? Go out there and pitch well.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. Turn by turn matchups, and who's throwing well and rest and no rest. Who needs rest? Who doesn't? And that. That speaks to Senga.

[Don Hahn]

That does speak to Sanga, and he talked about Kodai Sanga.

[David Stearns]

I don't think we've seen the consistent quality of stuff in the zone. And when you don't have the consistent quality of stuff in the zone, you tend to nibble a little bit more. More. And I think that's what we've seen. We've had some count control challenges. I think he's done a really nice job of minimizing damage. We've had a lot of traffic in his starts, but he's generally kept us in the game and competitive. He's frustrated.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[David Stearns]

He. He doesn't think he's pitching at his best right now. And so we're going to continue to work with him and do our best to get him back to a good spot.

[Rosenberg]

It's so good because he begins with the negative and finishes with the positive. And that's a polished way to be critical of a player who's still important to you. So you point out the immediate, which is what I was saying, his issues, the fork balls not get. He has no control over it. He can't keep it consistently in the strike zone. That's what makes it dangerous, is that it sits in the strike and then drops out. It starts low and it stays low. And a lot of times, and if it doesn't, they're gonna hit it out. But I think that's been the issue for him. That pitch, which was his money pitch, he struggled with, and you said he'll go, he'll be ahead.02. And then he can't get anybody out. Or they ended up with the at bats going long. Why the count runs up because he can't get the strike zone. He Nibbles on the edges, which is everything he said there. But then he throws the. You know, he's frustrated. He knows. And he's been great at battling like he gave you the positive at the end. But that's a clear indication that they're seeing that Senga is not to be trusted right now.

[Don Hahn]

Now, the question I have, why tong over Sproat?

[David Stearns]

He answered that Brandon's done a tremendous job and he's probably had as good second half a season as any pitcher in minor league baseball. He's made some real adjustments. He's pitched great. We've talked about Brandon a lot, and this was really just what Jonah has accomplished. Plus the timing of this lining up, keeping him on, turn on his normal rest progression and taking the start on Friday. But we think Brandon's got a really bright future and we're excited about it.

[Rosenberg]

We'll see him.

[Don Hahn]

We're going to see him very soon. But you want to reward performance down in the minor leagues and if the guy's pitching better than he should get.

[Rosenberg]

Who got sent down, by the way, who to create the space? I. Did you see, like, what, what the roster move was?

[Don Hahn]

I didn't. I just see that. So Anthony will check it out, but let's go to Chris in Union City. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Chris?

[Caller Justin]

Hey, guys, thanks for having me on. I just, I take a little bit of issue with. With how worked up you get with, you know, the press conference stuff with Aaron Glenn. And as far as I'm concerned, within the first 10 plays of the first preseason game, Aaron Glenn proved that, at least on some levels, he's gonna be a much more effective head coach. I'm curious if you understand the example that I'm talking about.

[Rosenberg]

So what. So you said he's already proven something. What did he prove?

[Don Hahn]

Well, I like the fact he's not tolerating their. Their penalties and all that. I like that.

[Caller Justin]

So. So yeah, that. That's kind of what I'm referencing because there was a personal foul, questionable one, which, you know, I think even the commentary said they didn't really think it was a personal foul. I think three plays later, on a third down, number 41, I forgot his name off the top of my head, really hit a guy way out of bounds and Glenn pulled him out of the game, got in his face and, and like, to be honest, the jets haven't had a coach to do that. I'm not even sure. Rex. Rex Ryan style.

[Don Hahn]

So I don't. I don't know, but then see I like, I like that. And see that to me shows value on the kind of coach he's going to be. So, so what am I supposed to get from, from this post game? Prescott? It's not the point. It's not the point. Why? What then? Why do it then? Why do it other than I'm going to just show everybody how tough I am.

[Caller Justin]

Well, let me, let me say, let me say there is, I think there's another angle to it and maybe, maybe to start with you a little bit, he takes it too far. The jets have had another problem in the media over the, over the course of the past 15, 20 years and that says there's information leaks everywhere, players tweeting crap behind people's back. And I think, I think he wants a no nonsense approach and maybe this is taking it a step too far.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, well, that's all I'm saying, Chris. I'm not evaluating him as a coach. I'm just saying I don't see the value in this. Now I think Jet fans get all excited cuz let's face it, you guys don't love the media. And I happen to know you guys aren't necessarily in love with Rich Samini cuz he's been critical of the team. Rich has a job to do. I don't feel bad for Rich or any member of the media, okay? They're getting paid either way. But my point is I don't see the value in it. I don't know how that makes you a good coach. That makes you no nonsense. When a guy asked a legitimate question and you don't answer it and act like a jerk, how does that make you a good coach? How does that change the culture? How does that show you you're no nonsense? How does that stop leaks in the organization? It's performative. It's garbage. It means nothing. The stuff you were talking about, that's meaningful. I can understand why you get excited. Holding players accountable, that's good. Making good decisions on the field, the treatment of the media or the post game press conference. I don't see the value in it, Chris. I don't.

[Caller Justin]

Well, time out. Let me give you an example of Buddy. Buddy with the media didn't work out so well with Robert Salah and I don't really have to name him because I know he used to work on another.

[Don Hahn]

Well, Joe Benningo he was texting with. But isn't that way far out than just answering a legitimate question? That was stupid. That was stupid of Robert Sala to do. He thought he was gonna curry favor by being friendly with guys or when Herman Edwards was golfing with media guys. That's just that I don't like that either. But I. But I don't understand Guy asked legitimate question. Just answered a damn question. I don't get how that helps anything.

[Caller Justin]

Yeah, I mean, I guess I'd rather have a coach that's like that than the other way. I guess is all I'm saying.

[Don Hahn]

But just to answer a question. No, but I Chris, the thing that frustrates me and listen, you know, 16 years I work with the Jets. I just the all gas no br the championships aren't won by stupid quotes and how you deal with the media. But I know and believe me, the jets do a lot of work on this. They know the fans eat this up with a spoon. They know that the fans. Oh yeah, they love that. And it works up the fan base when they treat the media poorly.

[Rosenberg]

Especially football.

[Don Hahn]

Especially football.

[Rosenberg]

They don't like it in other sports.

[Don Hahn]

But they like it in football and they like. Because that's my guy.

[Rosenberg]

Baseball too. I would think you get a manager to talk like that in baseball. I think you you'd like it as But I think in basketball they don't like it in basketball. And in hockey it gets old real fast.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. I'm going to tell you a story that reinforces that.

[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. 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 before you go.

[Don Hahn]

You've got a game plan for everything. But what about fire safety?

[Rosenberg]

Kidda?

[Don Hahn]

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