Hour 2: Yankees Struggles

Summary

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Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2: Yankees Struggles (May 12, 2026)

Theme Overview
This episode dives deep into the current struggles of the New York Yankees, examining roster construction, bullpen issues, player slumps, and broader questions about the competitiveness of the American League. Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg analyze recent games, management decisions, and even spend time engaging in their signature “strange pull” sports trivia, all while keeping the banter witty and relatable for loyal New York sports fans.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees’ Recent Slump and Bullpen Woes

• Bullpen Concerns:
  • Don highlights that despite being “in great shape,” Yankees have lost four in a row, three of which were one-run games—reflecting bullpen instability.
  • “When Weathers had a no hitter going to the seventh inning, you had a 2 nothing lead. You end up losing 3-2 because the bullpen couldn't get it done.” — Don (02:35)
  • Both agree this flaw is particularly concerning for a team with playoff ambitions, where tight games are expected.
• Brian Cashman’s Roster Construction:
  • Rosenberg refers to sportswriter Bill Madden’s recent column lauding Cashman’s roster as potentially his best in 28 years—an assertion both hosts criticize as premature (09:03).
  • “40 games into a season and you're making that kind of proclamation. Give me a break.” — Don (09:39)

2. Player Underperformance & Identity

• Jazz’s Struggles:
  • Jazz, after bold preseason predictions about his output, is now benched and dodging media—prompting criticism both for poor performance and lack of accountability.
  • “If you're going to talk a good game, then when you struggle, you know what? Talk to the media. How about that?” — Don (02:07)
  • “Jazz feels like a wide receiver. When things are going well, Jazz is the happiest guy in the room. When things aren't going well, Jazz is suddenly the quietest guy in the room.” — Rosenberg (04:57)
• Other Underperformers:
  • Austin Wells and Volpe: Discussed as “crown jewels” who aren’t providing expected offensive output (07:57).
  • “At some point, what is Volpe going to be? Because it's not like he came back off rehab...and was tearing the cover off the ball.” — Rosenberg (08:45)

3. Perspective: Is the AL Weak?

• Strength of Schedule / Overperforming?
  • Don and Peter question if Yankees’ strong early record was a byproduct of facing weak opposition.
  • “I would not be surprised if at some point this summer we're having the same damn conversation we always have about this team underachieving...” — Don (06:36)

4. Trade Deadline Talk & Roster Outlook

• Still In Progress:
  • Rosenberg notes, “We can't look at this as the finished product,” arguing further bullpen improvements are necessary (05:50).
• Rotation and Positivity:
  • Praise for the NYY starting rotation and top-of-the-order bats.
    “This starting rotation might be the best. I can't remember another one that was this deep and this potentially good.” — Rosenberg (03:46)
  • Yet, absence of key contributors (like Stanton) still leaves holes.

5. Mets News: A.J. Ewing’s Debut

• Major League Debut:
  • The Mets call up celebrated prospect A.J. Ewing to address a lack of offensive production in center field (14:41).
  • “I think, as soon as I got drafted, it was like a dream of mine to play here...and I'm excited to play.” — A.J. Ewing (15:02)
• Team Outlook:
  • Comparison to 2019 Nationals and the historical "it's early" comeback refrain (15:22).
  • Skepticism that Ewing's debut will “turn the season around,” but acknowledgment it's a “baseball move” rather than a PR stunt (16:03).

6. Broader Sports Banter & “Strange Pulls”

• Memorable Trivia / Inside Talk:
  • The crew ignites a spirited round of “strange pull” — recalling obscure athletes from New York teams and prompting listener participation (42:01 onward).
  • This section is filled with quick-fire callbacks, nostalgia, and community connection, serving as comic relief and fan service.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Yankees’ Bullpen:

  • “If you have leads and your starting pitching is that good, you should survive games without your bullpen coming in and just giving up a home run or giving up two doubles. Can't happen now.” — Don (14:21)

• On Cashman’s 28-Year Tenure:

  • “If you are saying this is the best constructed roster he's had in 28 years... it says a lot about the 28 years.” — Don (14:33)

• On the Pressures for Prospects:

  • “There's a lot of pressure on the kid, all right? Whether that's going to work out or not, I don't know. But... maybe he can light a fire.” — Don, on A.J. Ewing (17:05)

• On the Weakness of the American League:

  • “All of a sudden, we're going, how are we on May 12 talking about only three teams above .500 in the American League?” — Don (12:09)

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Memorable Listener Segment: The “Strange Pull” Game

Fan Participation (42:01–47:32)

• Listeners call in to toss out obscure and memorable athletes across New York sports, with the hosts riffing on names like Chris Copeland, Cleanthony Early, Pat Kelly, Scott Proctor, and more.
  • “This is a great way to test the die hard. Because if you watch every game and you love a team, these names, like, sometimes some will slip through the cracks.” — Don (43:20)
  • “If you're a fan of a team and watch a lot of the games. You'll get a middle reliever that a lot of people aren't gonna remember. That's an easy way to do it.” — Rosenberg (46:43)

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Sidebar: NFL International Division Vision (28:01–39:35)

• Discussion of Adam Schefter’s hypothetical—a future NFL international division (28:01–39:35).
  • Don is skeptical, noting logistical/cultural barriers and player preferences.
    • “You can't have teams in Europe unless they're going to bring back the Concorde.” — Don (28:49)
  • Rosenberg plays devil’s advocate, citing globalization and potential for new markets.
  • Both ultimately worry most about the dilution of talent if the NFL or NBA adds more teams.
    • “My fear is not whether or not there are teams in London...I'm worried about the product. What I'm watching every Sunday is generally very competitive.” — Rosenberg (38:28)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Yankees Bullpen & Jazz’s Attitude: 02:05–07:57
• Roster Construction Debate: 09:02–14:33
• Mets Call Up A.J. Ewing: 14:41–17:59
• Listener “Strange Pull” Calls: 42:01–47:32
• NFL International Expansion Debate: 28:01–39:35

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Summary

This episode is a microcosm of what New York fans crave: sharp insights, passionate debate, and plenty of laughs. From dissecting Yankees’ flaws and hyped roster to the challenges of building and sustaining a competitive team, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg never lose sight of the human side—whether it’s poking fun at bar mitzvah gift etiquette or reminiscing about sports oddities. For all the hot takes and humor, the show ultimately lands on a message of cautious optimism and realism—reminding fans that, in New York, scrutiny and hope are always in season.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

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[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

This is the Don Han at 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.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Rosenberg]

P.

[Don Hahn]

I like that it's tolly time. Mets are back home red hot five and four on their nine game road trip. They're facing the Tigers over at Citi Field. That's going to be on right after us on 880 at 6:30 and AJ Ewing is in the lineup batting 8th playing center field, making his major league debut. Jazz not in the lineup for the Yankees as they take on the O's at 6:35. Really? And coverage of the T Wolves and spurs on 1050 starts at 7:30 and that series is even at 2 and that's been a lot of fun. Boy, it's just going to work out for okc, right? Like they don't want the spurs because if you care about the regular season and we outline why you shouldn't, they

[Rosenberg]

do not like the spurs though.

[Don Hahn]

Still, they like the fact that they're all done with the Lakers and they can watch the T Wolves and spurs beat each other up. And they are beating each other up. So that should be fun. Game five on 1050 tonight. Telemardu, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish Whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Yeah, I mentioned Jazz not in the lineup for the Yankees day off, not playing well. Didn't talk to the media after the game and I know fans don't get caught up in that because we're the, we're the bad guys in the media.

[Rosenberg]

Who cares if he talks to you,

[Don Hahn]

but I think you'll be on board with me. He's not, he's not playing well. He's not going to be a 5050 guy like he predicted he was going to be. And you know what, if you're going to talk a good game, then when you struggle, you know what? Talk to the media. How about that? Instead of just making these ridiculous proclamations that I'm going to go 50, 50 this year and then have the kind of season that he's having. I'm telling you, I like him. I'm entertained by him. He's not a Yankee. He's not what the Yankees are about. And I thought it was kind of refreshing the last couple of years because the team did need to kind of build up a little personality sometimes. But at the end of the day, if you're not going to perform, then there's not much use for you. And I don't think he's going to be around much longer after this season and he's not going to be in the lineup tonight for a Yankee team. That's. Here's the thing. They're in great shape, all right? Although the Rays don't lose and I think they're a byproduct of their schedule. Not that they should have to apologize for that. You know, one and eight against winning teams and all that. They've lost four in a row. There's a couple of issues that I think you want to address. One, the bullpen. When Weathers had a no hitter going to the seventh inning, you had a 2 nothing league. You end up losing 3, 2 because the bullpen couldn't get it done. So I think that's something they're going to have to bolster and probably will before the season is over. They're three and nine in one run games. That, that would worry me.

[Rosenberg]

It's a small sample size, but it screams bullpen again.

[Don Hahn]

It screams bullpen and screams, hey, in the postseason you're probably going to be in a lot of close games, the bullpen and not winning one run games. They're attached at the hip, right?

[Rosenberg]

Can I now, I know I was waving pom poms a week ago and I still am. I'm very, very optimistic and bullish about this Yankee team. And Garrett Cole's going to get another rehab start. They're going to really up him to about 80 pitches. So Garrett Cole is getting closer to coming back as well. We're now in May, which is around the time we were expecting to see him come back. Radon is back. He didn't like his first start. You got to expect it's going to take him a minute. But this, this, this starting rotation might be the best. I can't remember another one that was this deep and this potentially good. So I love that. Top of the order, very strong. What you're getting out of Judge and Rice is Marison, Mantle level stuff. They always seem to lose something. It's a gaping hole in the lineup when Stanton is not there. It always feels like you feel the weight of his absence and it's something you live with in the regular season because of how good he is in the postseason. But this team had flaws that you knew were still going to have to be addressed at some point before the deadline. Running it back didn't mean we think this team's so good we don't have to touch it. I don't think that's what running it back meant. I think it meant that this, there was enough pieces here for this team to be one of the best in baseball. But there's still some stuff to fix. When you say, like I'm with you on the Jazz thing and then they bring him in, he's got a little bit of personality. I think they needed it badly because they were very boring and very corporate and very kind of st. And he gave him a little something, right? Caballero, same thing. But I think Caballero fits a little better personality wise because of his competitive nature. Jazz feels like a wide receiver. You know, you never know. Couple ball, you know, a couple of passes don't go his way, a couple of drops, and now all of a sudden I've lost him. I got to get his head right. It doesn't it feel like that with Jazz? When things are going well, Jazz is the happiest guy in the room. When things aren't going well, Jazz is suddenly the quietest guy in the room. That's not good. So I feel like there's just still more that Brian Cashman has to do when we get to the trade deadline. And at least for once, you don't have to go get starting pitching. But he's definitely going to have to address the bullpen. Bednar, we know, is a closer, but he did blow one. And that's why you got swept. Because in a moment where it looked like he was about to close it down and continue the game at 3. 3. He gives up the home run. Before that. Hedrick's been good. He drink or Hedrick, by the way, I always get that wrong. But anyways, either ways, he's been good, but he's kind of getting. Michael was saying it today, probably leaking oil a little bit. Like he probably needs a need to break right? Because he's the one who blew it yesterday. So I just like, we can't look at this as the finished product.

[Don Hahn]

I just. They're very good and I pointed it out a couple of weeks ago and I'm not being that guy. If you want to nominate me on Thursday, go right ahead. Is that were they just a byproduct of a weak American League and a weaker schedule? Of course, again, they don't have to apologize for that. But a lot of people were taking bows on, you know, how, how Cashman finally got it right and the Yankees were this awesome team. And I think that you're starting to see some flaws in the record against winning teams and the record in one run games and how the bullpen has looked and leaking oil in certain situations are just showing you that. I would not be surprised if at some point this summer we're having the same damn conversation we always have about this team underachieving or this roster not what it's supposed to be. And they need this and they need that. And why the Rays have a five game lead when they've got a tenth of the payroll. Like it always seems to come out that way, you know. And the Mets and Yankees are very interesting in the sense that it's early and maybe it was a little too early to bury the Mets, although I still think they're dead. There's a lot of games, but there's also a lot of games for you to show your flaws. And the Yankees over the first 40 games have shown you how good they are in certain situations. But lately they've shown you that there is still a bit of a work in progress and their last 120 games might even expose it further unless something's done.

[Rosenberg]

And they're still very lefty heavy and they're still, you know, again, Austin Wells is somebody that is one of the, the, the crown jewels for Cashman. Right. And the bat's not there and it's still not there. He's gonna have to figure it out. You heard like Boone yesterday started to give you that inclination of, you know, some guys go through it. Jazz is one, Wells is certainly one going through it. Grisham hasn't been great either, but especially those other two guys. It starts to get to a point where we've got to start getting some production out of them. So Jazz gets a day off today, Rosario plays second and Volpe's not going to play today. At least not he's not going to start. But at some point what is Volpe going to be? Because it's not like he came back off rehab, played in the minors and was tearing the COVID off the ball, you know, like.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, exactly.

[Rosenberg]

He's somebody that. You're also another crown jewel that's got to figure it out. So there's a lot still to look for here. I couldn't understand this though, Don. Last week Bill Madden's column said something that really caught my attention and I just want to read this part to you. You react, if you don't mind.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

He wrote this for the past couple of years as the Yankees often look fundamentally flawed and too one dimensional in their quest for the first World Championships in 2009, Brian Cashman took frequent bashings for his roster construction. Whether that was fair or not, you can make the case that this year Cashman has put together. Now this is a quote, one of the best constructed rosters, if not the best of his entire 28 year tenure as Yankees GM. That's Bill Madden fighting that last week just before they got swept.

[Don Hahn]

And the reason I jump all over something like that is. So you're going to. So come on, Bill, come back to me. You're 40 games into a season and you're making that kind of proclamation. Give me a break. Alright, well, what would you be seeing? What would you be. What would you be seeing? Construction wise, Better. But that's it. That's not construction, that's just things are going the right way for right now. This is why Yankee fans, and I give them credit for this, even though I have a problem with how much they jump on Cashmere, they probably feel the need to do that because there's a lot of people in the media that kisses ass. They do.

[Rosenberg]

I don't understand.

[Don Hahn]

And I think that's the balance it out because, well, the whole reason for it, and I'm not accusing Bill of this, but I think overall it's, hey, I can't lose Brian Cashman. He's the general manager of the Yankees, okay, But he shuts me down. How can I do my job? But all of a sudden we're going to have a conversation. It's the best constructed roster in Brian Cashman's history. Forty games in and then immediately after the article, you know, you lose four in a row and Jazz can hit and you got an issue injury wise at shortstop and, and both of you can't hit, can't field last year. Now he's going to be probably forced to get a chance to play. When you sent him down to AAA when you guaranteed us he was a ball Player. The one thing I'll give him credit for, this starting pitching is outstanding. It's the best I've seen under Brian Cashman. But there's still flaws and there's still issues. But let's be. Let's just all be honest. You don't remember me sitting in this seat and Alan sitting in that seat literally, like, one week ago. And. And I'm not saying Alan boasted about the construction of the team.

[Rosenberg]

No, but I was.

[Don Hahn]

But he was outright giddy.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I was.

[Don Hahn]

Before the show started, him and Anthony were literally in our meeting. Like finger guns. Like, it's the Yankees, baby.

[Rosenberg]

For the record, I've never done that. Not a big finger guns.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if you were in the room or you were out. Out of the room that day, but they were like, I never saw. Audibly.

[Rosenberg]

Definitely not a.

[Don Hahn]

But I did see him. Like, it was a lot when. When Elmer was pitching the other day and he was. Allen was like, watching his feet. Listen, they lost. They lost twice between April 17th and May 5th. They lost twice. They got. And you guys felt really good. In fairness to the pro Yankee star, I don't think anybody realized how bad this American League is. Like, all of a sudden, we're going, how are we on May 12? Talking about only three games above five or three teams above.500 in the American League?

[Rosenberg]

4. Because Cleveland just got over.

[Don Hahn]

There you go. There you go. We can have a 21 and F forward. Two or three days from now, it might be down to two again. Right?

[Rosenberg]

I mean, so, yeah, the Athletics are down to 21.

[Don Hahn]

I think this is why it's. The entire NL Central is better than the AL. Well, the Reds are in last place. And above. 522 and 19. In last place. Well, Pittsburgh is in 22 and 19.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, both 22 and 19. And yeah. And by the way, the Athletics are 21 and 19, and they're in first place in the West. But no, I'm with you. I get it. That's why I brought it up, what I was enjoying. Because you know what I suffer from? Optimism. I'm really bad. Like, it's. It's. It's good. You should. There should be a case study on me because I really do suffer from it. I always first see what's good about this. And the Rice judge stuff really had me giddy, had me excited. I'm like, this is awesome. Watching this and seeing what Rice is becoming and the starting pitching. Loving what I'm seeing from that. You talk about the one run Game stuff again. It's. This is why, like, Duval and

[Don Hahn]

God,

[Rosenberg]

so many names in my head right now. Bird, Hedrick, who else would you like to go? Bird again, like, he's got to let go. Like, he made some moves at the trade deadline last year for that bullpen, and the only thing that I could really take from it that was a success was getting a closer because you knew he didn't have one, right? And even he did not have the greatest of weekends. No, no. But I still feel pretty good about him for what I've. What I've seen. And when he's in a high leverage situation, I feel pretty good about him. The rest of the bullpen, though, other than. I trust Cruz, other than Hill, I love Hill. Hill and Cruz are who I trust Cruz just. And I always felt like he was a bit iffy because he's so emotional, but he's been good. But for the most part, he's gonna have to go figure that out again. And that's why you lose one run games. Your starting pitching's good. Weathers gave you a start for once and you couldn't hang on for that. Judge gave you a lead. You couldn't hang on for that. So you keep complaining about offense, which the bottom of the order we know and has to produce. You can't have a guy get a double and then no one gets him over. It can't happen. We know this. But if you have leads and you're starting pitching is that good, you should survive games without your bullpen coming in and just giving up a home run or giving up two doubles. Can't happen now. So that's why you can't say this is the best constructed roster he's had 28 years. Or if you are saying. It says a lot about the 28 years.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, exactly. Now, the Mets, they call up A.J. ewing, and he spoke before the game today on his home debut.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's awesome.

[Don Hahn]

I think, like, as soon as I

[Rosenberg]

got drafted, it was like a dream

[Don Hahn]

of mine to play here.

[Rosenberg]

And, you know, stadium's awesome. I love the guys here and I'm excited to play.

[Don Hahn]

He's 21 years old. He'll bat eighth. He'll play center field. Mets do not hit home runs. They do not score. They're getting no production out of center field. That's why he's up here. And Carlos Mendoza gives more depth on why he's here.

[Rosenberg]

There's a lot to like. I mean, obviously he can help you win baseball games in a lot of different ways. Defensively, pace running, offensively is a simple swing, simple approach, short to the baseball, uses a whole field. And that goes in the makeup of the player. Even though he's only 21, he's pretty mature and he's super consistent. That shows us that, hey, let's give

[Don Hahn]

him an opportunity here now. AJ Ewing, now. That's right. Now. Kept hearing all. All season. It's early. It's early. Come on. Look at the, you know, look at the. Remember the St. Louis Blues? They were on New Year's Day. They were dead last in the NHL. They made the playoffs. You know what? They fired Mike. Yo. They brought in Craig Bruby. They called up Jordan Biddington, and then they got hot. And then. Oh, what about the Washington Nationals? They were dead in the water. And then they won the World Series in 2019, same year.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? They called up Juan Soto.

[Rosenberg]

I've heard of him.

[Don Hahn]

On May 20, and it kind of turned things around.

[Rosenberg]

Maybe AJ Ewing can be that guy.

[Don Hahn]

There's things you do, and I give the Mets credit for this. It's not going to turn around unless you do something. What do you do? Fire the manager? What do you do? Make a trade? What do you do? You call somebody up. Now, they tried one of the three, one of the three jimmy switches, as I like to call it. Some. Some kind of way to get it going. And maybe this could be the jimmy switch. He'll get hot and all of a sudden he'll be the turnaround. I give it credit because, you know what? It's a baseball move. It's not, you know, getting the Hamburglar to throw out the first pitch, right? It's, it's, it's. And we'll see. Now, it's a lot of pressure on the kid, all right? Whether that's going to work out or not, I don't know. But, you know, the hope is, is that maybe he can light a fire on a team that, you know, every Met fans excited. Oh, they went, Don. They went five and four on the trip. Come on, you lousy baseball teams. And you won a couple of series against the Rockies, who you got swept by at Citi Field. So you still end up losing the season series against them, you know, and an angel team that's God awful. And oh, my God, it's one of the saddest things in sports. What's that? Trout's off to a great year. He's healthy. He's only missed one game this year. And the Angels still are one of the worst teams in Baseball, it is amazing. There is no comp. There is no comp in sports of somebody this good being on a team this bad for this long. There's no comp.

[Rosenberg]

Here's your example of how bad the angel are. They are literally one game better than the Mets.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And it'll get worse. Now quickly back to Ewing. Just be careful. Mets did this with Francisco Alvarez. Different situation was late in the year. Remember the Braves had passed them. They brought up Alvarez. They said he wasn't ready glove wise. But his bat was going to be special. Ended up going like over eight. But we found out he's a pretty good player. But we're still kind of waiting for Alvarez to become a star. And that was back in 22.

[Rosenberg]

What is Ewing? Is he center fielder or second baseman?

[Don Hahn]

He's a center fielder.

[Rosenberg]

All right, so he's all right.

[Don Hahn]

He's playing center field tonight, right?

[Rosenberg]

No, I saw by his name. He's like. He has two positions listed.

[Don Hahn]

He's playing center field tonight.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Because the Mets don't. They can't hit. They can't hit and they can't hit home runs. Forget about it. Marco's got more home runs I think this week.

[Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

Than the Mets do.

[Rosenberg]

Good old Marco.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I mean that's. Everyone's talking about it, but it gets mistake.

[Rosenberg]

Only it's in the Parker to hear. It's in the park.

[Don Hahn]

I almost. I did not hear this. And I'm a big. I'm a big listener. But I did not hear this morning. Apparently I almost. Right. Anthony made Dave cry. Why is that? Because he said he heard my story about Marco's inside the park home run. And it brought back memories of him playing with. With Ben and why do I forget his other kid's name? Steve, is it? You just made that up. That's right. That's almost Ben and Alex. That's more disrespectful than not remembering. I think I just. The idea of Alex. Alex, that's how fast. Wait, hold on. But isn't his youngest still like I guess already like 15?

[Rosenberg]

The fact that you just were like Steve, poor Don is like.

[Don Hahn]

I knew it wasn't Steve, but I was just trying to figure out whether he was a bad guy or just missing four. Alex is the younger one. Alex is the younger one. And he. And he had already 16. He had his bar mitzvah like. No, that was two years ago. That was when I got him. You're right. That was when I got him the jersey that he made the worst choice on in history.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I think freezing cold. It takes a retweet. Do you know what happened? You remember that? Before your time, probably. So I got made fun of a lot because I think for the first bar mitzvah, I think I gave then $136 or $154. Jewish, you do multiples of 18, and mine was in the. Somewhere around 150 bucks.

[Rosenberg]

Gotcha.

[Don Hahn]

I was treated as if I basically showed up the bar mitzvah and spitz because I gave them the Christian round number and it ended up being a lot more. Yeah. And listen, I was new to these.

[Rosenberg]

New to the envelope, too. It is the envelope.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Well, I know. Oh, and hold on. It was double bad. And I think I accidentally. Oh, no, that was RJ's wedding. When I sent it to the wrong place. Do you. Well, not only did you send it to the wrong place, you didn't bring it with you to the wedding, because. Do you understand there's a. You have a year to give the gift after a wedding.

[Rosenberg]

Never knew that.

[Don Hahn]

You didn't know that?

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

But as a human being, you walk. You bring the gift to the West.

[Rosenberg]

You have an envelope.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Now for some reason, you hand it to. You don't. This. This whole idea of the gift table, by the way. Oh, just leave it on the table. No, no, no, no, no. This is money in here. Yeah. You take this, you put it on the.

[Don Hahn]

I got news for you. As the one who you need them

[Rosenberg]

to see, I as the person who

[Don Hahn]

was most recently married, I just want to say it is a complete free for all.

[Rosenberg]

And where those gifts go, I think

[Don Hahn]

so I might have lost money that night. I don't know. So, like, you can tell me.

[Rosenberg]

I took some home.

[Don Hahn]

You could. Exactly. You could tell me that the proper thing to do is hand them the check, but I'm telling you, you have no idea where it's going. So if you send it to my house, at least I see that it arrives anyways. I messed up. I got, you know, I get clowned on it forever. So then here comes the second bar mitzvah, and I go, well, I'm not messing around. What's something. What's a gift? Not just money, because Dave's got money pouring out of his pockets. Right. What could I give that's, like, thoughtful. This was very thoughtful. So I go, you know what? Find out. Find out your son's favorite giant player, because he was really turning into a big giant fan. Like, he had a choice. I go out. Exactly. I go out and Order the alternate. The alternate. Authentic field jersey. Player of your choice. 350 bucks. I didn't give a damn.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Do you know what player Dave Son chose?

[Rosenberg]

I don't know the time. You're not going to get it.

[Don Hahn]

He's a better rapper. He wasn't very good at that. Than a player.

[Rosenberg]

Okay, good.

[Don Hahn]

You won't. I. By the way, I forget his name.

[Rosenberg]

Strange pole.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's not a strange poll, but

[Rosenberg]

I just forget his name.

[Don Hahn]

Who was he in? No. Grayson Waller. What was it that. Darren Waller. But that's. Yeah, that's. He chose. No, that's his fault. But how sad is that? He chose. I gave him a jersey. I got it big, too. So I'm like, you could wear this through high school. Like, you got your Giant jersey. You have your. Wear it to every game. This is your thing. Darren Waller. Meanwhile, he's washing his bike with it in week four.

[Rosenberg]

I gotta tell you, though, in all seriousness, though, I kind of blame you.

[Don Hahn]

Me?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. Here's why.

[Don Hahn]

Go ahead.

[Rosenberg]

You hear Waller and you go. No, because what I'm gonna pay for, I should have. This needs to be forever. Manning, number 10. Manning and Done. But feel like an authentic field. No, you're getting Eli Manning because this will last forever.

[Don Hahn]

So I could be right. You're not wrong.

[Rosenberg]

Don't let the kid make the choice.

[Don Hahn]

His kids are dumb.

[Rosenberg]

What does he.

[Don Hahn]

God bless. I didn't go to Alex's bar mitzvah because it was right on. It was. It was a weekend. It was a Sunday.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

It was. It was Saturday or Sunday. And it was exactly my wedding anniversary.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, wow.

[Don Hahn]

So I said. I. I said, of course, but I wanted to get him something. And so. But I didn't see him. So what I did was.

[Rosenberg]

He came to cesspit his metzgers.

[Don Hahn]

No, he. By the way, it's starting to border on. It. It didn't. It didn't age great. I'm gonna need a ruling from Anthony. He got the Bore the authentic Power jersey. So he. Do you remember the night where we were all invited to one of the Eastern Conference final games between the Rangers and the Panthers? They had that big suite that. In the corner. And we all got invited.

[Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if you went.

[Rosenberg]

Probably not.

[Don Hahn]

And I was doing the game, but I still swung by between period. I was doing the. I was doing pre and post, so I swung by. Okay. During. During the game. You swung. Michael was there. Adam Schefter was there. It's kind of shefty and I Realized that I had not yet gotten Alex's gift. So I went down and I got him an authentic Artemi Panaringers.

[Rosenberg]

All right, well, that's.

[Don Hahn]

That's not enough now is that okay, Anthony? It's in the moment. Conference final.

[Rosenberg]

No, no, that's good.

[Don Hahn]

But he's not. He's now a king. So it lasted a couple of years.

[Rosenberg]

That's right. I mean, Lundqvist probably would have been the way to go, but.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I don't know if there was any Lundqvist hanging there. It's current players. I could have got him a Fox. I could have got him a Shusterkin, a Zabanajad, because he's still there, but he's going nowhere. Best of intentions, right?

[Rosenberg]

I don't think there's anything wrong. People remember I have a Panarin jersey. Bread was a good option back, you know, and I think he's only a lot better than Darren Waller.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, it definitely could last.

[Rosenberg]

It's not Waller.

[Don Hahn]

He could last longer than Waller. Well, he's the king now. He's not on the team anymore, but walking around the garden concourse with a Panarin jersey, right? Darren Waller jerseys.

[Rosenberg]

It wasn't a Stubickle jersey. And I love Stu, but it's Stu Bickle. You hit the button, Peter. Go for it. That's. That's one. Stu Gotts, as it were. That's one I watched a lot. I watch a lot of Rangers hockey.

[Don Hahn]

You'll feel good. Matthew Barnaby gave his top five guys he'd want in a bar fight, but

[Rosenberg]

stupid is one of them.

[Don Hahn]

No, no. Dale Puritan was number one. That's a great Ranger Pole, right? And then how about a good devil pull? Krzysztof Oliva was also on the list. We had a strange devil. And Puritan also works for the islanders too, right? As far as a strange pulse, such a familiar. It was an islander. Yeah, I believe Charger.

[Rosenberg]

Now the Ram.

[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Rosenberg]

Bucked up is so confident you'll love their drinks, they're giving away an island vacation just to prove it.

[Don Hahn]

That's the kind of brand this is.

[Rosenberg]

No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends May 30th. Enter and find your closest Bucked up

[Don Hahn]

at buckedup energy.com Grab a Bucked up

[Rosenberg]

and feel like a million bucks Michelle Smallman here.

[Don Hahn]

PayPal is now the official peer to peer payment sponsor of the NFL, which means all the money moments that fandom creates. Whether splitting tailgate costs or chipping in on tickets and game day food between friends are covered wherever the game is played or watched. PayPal moves with fans. You can send money through text, email or directly to your friends with eligible accounts on Venmo. Just download the PayPal app and share all the moments that matter. Account with PayPal is required. Not available in all regions where PayPal operates as you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by thanks

[Rosenberg]

for listening to the Don Han 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. You're done. I've done. This is let's Talk About It Tuesday with Don Han and Rosenberg.

[Don Hahn]

So if you listen on Sportsmanlike, which is a great show, you can hear in the morning on 10:50am with our friend Chris Canty, former member of our radio station.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah. Also super bowl winner. And of course Michelle Small.

[Don Hahn]

We love her, right?

[Rosenberg]

And Evan Cohen, who we see here all the time.

[Don Hahn]

Fraud.

[Rosenberg]

Well, yeah, Nick Hater.

[Don Hahn]

Well, Big, he said he was never a Knick fan. Well, big he's having some fun with him. But Adam Schefter was on and they were asked about the possibility, wait for it, an NFL International division. I don't dismiss the idea that one day we couldn't see. I don't know that I've heard this before, but expansion to the point where maybe the league adds one International division, four teams. That's a down the line thing. Way down the line thing. But as we begin to look international, you have to let your mind wander and think, where could this go? And the first place we think it goes, obviously would be an 18 game season, an international game per team and then an international TV package.

[Rosenberg]

And I say, okay, well, if they're

[Don Hahn]

doing that and that works, then why wouldn't they just set up like one international division where you're getting the expansion franchise fees from those teams and you're having teams based there. Well, now, I'm not mad at Adam because I see it too, the NFL. It's almost as if Roger Goodell is a saboteur, but he has got the golden goose. He does. But do you see it? Am I the only one that sees it? That they just start slowly but surely starting to chip at this. This beautiful golden goose that can't seem to fail, can't seem to not get great ratings, can't seem to not get half a billion people to attend any live event that they have. My the only one that sees by adding these games, these international games, having a game on a Wednesday, having a game on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, double headers on Monday, playing games internationally, eventually the super bowl is going to be in Riyadh, playing on Christmas, playing on Thanksgiving, playing on Black Friday, Good Friday, manic Monday. It's a. At some point, man, isn't it going to give? I know it sounds impossible and I probably sound like a moron, like Don, you know what you're talking about. The football's a monolith. It can't be stopped. It can't be. Until the earth stops turning, this is going to continue to print money. But why do I feel like it's. Things like this can get it to crash down? I don't care if it's 30 years, 100 years. You can't have teams in Europe unless they're going to bring back the Concorde. How are we going to make this work? Honestly? You're a free agent quarterback. You're highly touted. You want to go play in Munich. I'm not saying it's a bad place. I've heard good things. But it's one thing. You know, I don't know if I want to bring my kids up in Jacksonville now I'm going to have to uproot my entire family and play on the other side of the pond and play in Barcelona, play in London. These are great cities to visit, but do I want to live there?

[Rosenberg]

What's the difference between living there and living if you're somebody from Alabama, living, living in Kansas City, what's the difference?

[Don Hahn]

I mean, I don't know. Six hour difference.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, Barcelona wouldn't be so bad.

[Don Hahn]

I'm not bad.

[Rosenberg]

It's not.

[Don Hahn]

It's not bad to be there, right? It's Just that the. The travel and. And just uprooting your family and living another culture, another. Another money. Everything is different. I mean, would you. Let me ask you this.

[Rosenberg]

You.

[Don Hahn]

You played basketball. Unless I'm sure you'd want to be in the NBA no matter what, right? But if you were a really good NBA player and you had a choice to go play, would you want to uproot your family and go live in Europe? Or did you do that out of desperation because nobody else would want you?

[Rosenberg]

How much you paying me?

[Don Hahn]

All right, let's get into that. I can't pay you any more than anybody else. It's a cap sport, okay? It's all the same.

[Rosenberg]

It's still. It's an opportunity to play in the league. They're going to expand. Clearly. Now, first of all, I don't think Shefte said in the next two years, right?

[Don Hahn]

No, he just says that's the goal.

[Rosenberg]

He just said that at some point we're going to get to this place. And you already know Adam Silver's been talking about this for about a year now.

[Don Hahn]

It's not.

[Rosenberg]

They want to do the same thing.

[Don Hahn]

I know they want to do it, and I'm telling you, it's not going forward.

[Rosenberg]

Here's the thing, Don. I don't know if it's going to be a division that you like. You know, the AFC north will play the European division this year in the schedule, and you've got to play home and away or whatever it is. I don't know if it'll ever get to that, because like you said, by. By the time this becomes something that common, you would have to have the concord or something along the lines of much faster travel. So I don't know if this is something that's happening soon, but could I see them, the NFL, starting it by putting teams in Europe and creating their own league that just plays on its own and starting the grassroots, because I think that's what the NBA is trying to do.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I'm trying to do it, too.

[Rosenberg]

This is coming, Don, whether you like it or not.

[Don Hahn]

I just. Unless, like I said, the concord, I think. What was it, Peter, would get you, like, to London from New York in like three and a half?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And then. And that. That's not bad.

[Rosenberg]

And again, isn't that how Prince got there?

[Don Hahn]

But is that a thing?

[Rosenberg]

Was it. Wasn't it Prince?

[Don Hahn]

I mean, a lot of people did.

[Rosenberg]

Who was it when they did the. When they did.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, no. Phil Collins.

[Rosenberg]

It was Phil Collins.

[Don Hahn]

He went to the Collins Right.

[Rosenberg]

You're the one that said that Live

[Don Hahn]

Aid, right, Played both Philly and, And Wembley.

[Rosenberg]

That's what it was.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And it was because they had the Concord.

[Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Okay, that's pretty, that's. That's pretty good.

[Rosenberg]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

Anyway, but, but, but in the NFL, usually they'll give you a buy after you go to Europe. They started to stop that, but they make sure that you're least on the east Coast. Like, you couldn't schedule a game in London and in the next week they're playing in San Francisco.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, the Rams can't do this, even

[Don Hahn]

though it's a one. I'm just saying. I just don't. The biggest thing I have, and again, I'm not coming across as anti Europe. Have I ever been there? No, I have not. All right. But I heard London is beautiful. I remember John Giannone telling me, Michael telling me they went to London, loved it. I'm not saying I would love to be able. If Nancy liked to fly, she doesn't like to fly. So I'm not going anywhere. But if I, I would love to go to these cities and visit these cities. I'm just saying that to live in another country. You saw like the NBA couldn't make basketball work in Vancouver. None of the players wanted to play in Vancouver. Vancouver's a beautiful city. Vancouver is an hour and a half from Seattle. But in the NBA world, Vancouver was Guam. Like, it just. I don't want to play there. Now you're gonna have them wanna go play in London and have different money and a different society, and it's so cut off from the rest of the world. You'll never sign a free agent. Everybody would ask to be traded out of there. It would not work. Now, listen, I both agree. I came in here thinking I was gonna agree with Don.

[Rosenberg]

Me too.

[Don Hahn]

Because I think the whole thing is kind of like, stupid.

[Rosenberg]

It just feels. It feels. That's what it is.

[Don Hahn]

But now when I'm hearing Don's reasoning, though, I think his reasoning stupid.

[Rosenberg]

Here's my reasoning.

[Don Hahn]

I'm like, well, I don't know. Getting to be a part of Europe, you have to be in a European city, travel around Europe, also get a whole new fan base, new money. Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Before

[Don Hahn]

you're a young kid and you're like, yeah, I'd love to be able to experience that. But then, then you have a family and your wife's and you have kids and they're in school and you're like, guess what? I'm gonna upgrade them. And they may be there.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I, I, I, I don't want my kid.

[Rosenberg]

I met this French girl.

[Don Hahn]

The next thing you know, to be in Spain to learn what, the metric system. Well, they live there now. It'd just be their life. That's called. No, I don't want, I don't want to. I, I don't. Are you living it? It's one thing to live in Canada, but live on another continent, but I don't. Again, as beautiful as it is, I gotta be honest. Player is gonna want to do that, especially of a certain age. Now, the reason it might work in the NBA is you might have a team in Barcelona that 75% of them are Spanish because the way they've grown, the game is like, yeah, we got people playing in Europe. Let's put a hockey team in Czechia because, you know, we get a bunch of Czech Republic guys and that kind of makes sense. But football is 99.9% American.

[Rosenberg]

Correct.

[Don Hahn]

It's just a money grab anyway. Don't make it seem like, oh, we're trying to build the culture of our play now. You're not just trying to grab wherever it can. It's coming out. Grab it, grab it, grab it.

[Rosenberg]

Can I give you my concern?

[Don Hahn]

Go ahead.

[Rosenberg]

Can I talk about the part that I worry about? That's the dilution of talent. The more you add teams, the less talent you're going to have on every team. There's certainly not enough talent to fill. We have already talked about how hard it is to find a capable starting quarterback. Right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

So you're going to add.

[Don Hahn]

Now you need four more.

[Rosenberg]

Okay, well, is it four teams? We don't even know.

[Don Hahn]

Well, they said it'd be a. Yeah,

[Rosenberg]

because four or five teams, right?

[Don Hahn]

Four divisions. In each division, it would probably be four.

[Rosenberg]

So you're still. So to me, that's the part that I would be the bigger concern about. It's like, how much does it water down the league? How much does it hurt the competitive balance of the league? And now I've got real. Like, I'm worried about this with the NBA. The NBA is going to add two teams, and while that's nice, you're going to get a team in Seattle and a team in Vegas. That's great, but have you watched the NBA? Did you see already that the bottom of the league is so freaking bad that it's better for them to keep being bad? Like, they can't even try to be good. They know they can't compete. Now we're going to add Two more teams and put more of that talent into the league. So for me, that's the part. What I don't want is the NFL to become that watered down.

[Don Hahn]

And the reason Adam's smart, because this is just a theory of his, but the four is the magic number. And the reason four is the magic number is not because each division has four teams. Four is the magic number because 34 doesn't work. 36 works better than 34. Yes, because you don't want an odd number of teams in each conference. That's why the NHL, they are 32 teams. They want to expand. If they expand to 34, they're eventually going to expand to 36. And Adam said it in the cut. They want, these owners want the expansion fee. They don't care about the delusion of talent. They don't care about anything. They just care about wait. Because you know what it's going to cost by the time we get to what Schefter's saying, it's going to cost you probably $2 billion just to be able to apply. So that's all they're thinking about is the windfall of money. They don't care if they damage the sport, the credibility of the sport, the performance of the sport. They're like, wait a minute, you're telling me that we're going to be able to split $2 billion 32 ways and if we're going to be adding four teams, oh come on man. The $8 billion are going to be

[Rosenberg]

able to divvy up and the jets still won't put a roof on that life. Listen, but, but no, you're that part of it. I think we all understand the greed of it all. And my fear is not whether or not there, there's going to be teams in London, Barcelona, Paris and wherever else. Munich, I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about the product. What I'm watching every Sunday is generally very competitive and usually every game is tough. How hard is it to games from week to week? It's not that easy. So that's what I'm looking at. And if you're adding 4, not 2, 14, where's the talent coming from?

[Don Hahn]

So 53 times 4. So you're talking over 200 players and

[Rosenberg]

now you're also seeing, we are seeing older quarterbacks lasting longer. You're probably going to see 40 year old quarterbacks would be, would be part of the norm because they still at least would be smart enough to play, good enough to play. But I'm worried More about diluting the talent and making the game less enjoyable to watch.

[Don Hahn]

112 more players.

[Rosenberg]

They don't care.

[Don Hahn]

No, they don't care. They want to think about the billions of dollars.

[Rosenberg]

But yeah. And watch.

[Don Hahn]

All right, that was fun. Your thoughts on this? Knicks, Mets, Yang. Strange polls. Yeah, strange. Oh, we got a bunch of strange polls. 1-800-919-3776. And before you jump me, I'm not making. This is not a grandiose against Europe. I have no problem with Europe. I just don't think guys want to play 6,000 miles away from, you know, from their home country. And I don't. And believe me, football, no matter how much it tries to advance to these different countries, are not all of a sudden going to get that many international players. Just doesn't work that way like the NBA and the NHL do.

[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

thrown a lot at you today. In less than two hours, the Knicks not playing until it feels like at least Tuesday. Not made official by the NBA, but that's what we're going with. And it'll be well over a week between their game four against the Sixers and game one either at home against the Cavaliers or at the Detroit Pistons. That series now even at two games apiece. So they're guaranteed to go six. And with the Cavs undefeated at home and losing every game on the road, odds are that they're going to go seven. And again, everything's breaking the Knicks way. Yankees have lost four in a row. Bullpen's a bit in shambles right now. Volpe's been called up. Cavaliero on the IL Mets call up A.J. ewing gave him number nine, not 33.

[Rosenberg]

Mistake.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, orange and blue skies, man. But listen, if, if, if it's your life's work to be a player and not maybe nine means something.

[Rosenberg]

A 30. 33 is taken, apparently. Remember AJ Minter? Do you remember?

[Don Hahn]

But he's on the. Yeah, right.

[Rosenberg]

Yes, but. But he's got a jersey number. Considering it, they're not in any way related. Spoiler alert. I know you guys know that I don't need to give up his number. They're both named aj. How are they not related?

[Don Hahn]

You know why? He just winked at me. I love it. You're a winker.

[Rosenberg]

Every now and then.

[Don Hahn]

Nice.

[Rosenberg]

No, that was Jesse. That was a different guy. You needed that One. Oh, right.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? Give him a strange poll. That's a strange pole because it was very good in the moment.

[Rosenberg]

Very good.

[Don Hahn]

That was outstanding.

[Rosenberg]

Very good.

[Don Hahn]

Let's dive back into the Phone calls of 1-800-919-3776. Josh is in Westchester. You're on ESPN, New York. What's up, Josh?

[Rosenberg]

Hey, fellas. How's it going? I got a Nick Strange pull for you.

[Don Hahn]

Go ahead. What about Chris Copeland?

[Rosenberg]

Optimus cope? Very good. 2013 playoffs, fans loved him. Got a big contract out of that little run he put together.

[Don Hahn]

Another mistake.

[Rosenberg]

Good one.

[Don Hahn]

Anything else? Or that was just your strange pull? That's it. One Yankee and he was done. Let's go to Anthony in Charlotte. You're on espn, New York. How about a couple of Madison Square Garden strange polls? Anthony will respect the hell out of this one, I think. Remember the defenseman, Tim Erickson, who had his name spelled with an X in the middle? Yes, sir. That's not that long. And then the most random Wichita State player for the Knicks has not been named yet. That would be Clee Anthony Early.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, wow. Former Queen Guy Cleanthony Early.

[Don Hahn]

That was outstanding.

[Rosenberg]

Wow. That is a good one. Wow.

[Don Hahn]

They've come to play.

[Rosenberg]

No, no, the fans. See, they, they. They love playing this game because this shows you. You know what playing this game shows? Scars.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, and just scars and just their passion that you don't just forget names. Like, if you're a real. That's a great way to test the die hard. Because if you watch every game and you love a team, these names, like, sometimes some will slip through the cracks

[Rosenberg]

and you go, I yeah, forgot about that. Forgot he was a Nick.

[Don Hahn]

But if I, if I throw out, it just. It really shows you how you were dialed in, how deep you're into this.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. You know, like, think about it. Like, I remember as a kid, like in the NBA back in the day when you had a good team, every team had a human victory cigar, which was the guy that came in when you were up 20 and it was like, you know what I mean? And a guy would come in.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

And it's like Greg Butler was one for the Knicks back in the early 90s. He'd come in the game and the whole crowd go crazy. A, you knew the game was done. B, this big white dude and all they wanted him to do was just score. It was great. So that's what we're getting from some of these fans.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And you gotta be reminded of it, but then you just like, oh, wow, That's a great.

[Rosenberg]

Yes. Give me a devil strange ball right now.

[Don Hahn]

Right. Well, I mean there's a. There's like the. Christoph Oliwa was.

[Rosenberg]

That was a good one.

[Don Hahn]

The. Yeah. What was the one that, that that Sonny pulled was the. Oh. Who was, who was he? The first one that popped in. He. He threw one. That was a. Was a great one. But I mean for you. Oh, Mike Antonovich. Wow.

[Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

He was original though. Don Lever was their first captain.

[Rosenberg]

Don Lever.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's. Those are. Those are ones that I can go back. Bob Solvay, he was the one that was the goaltender and then in 88 and then he became the backup goaltender.

[Rosenberg]

So they Suavey.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. So there's. Yeah. That just shows you. Then you're in like. That's almost like. Like in the club. Like the secret club. You know the secret handshake or the password. You're trying to get into like the. You know, the devil's fan club and it's like.

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Don Lever. Okay.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah. You're good. Peter, you're in. All right. Redskins Strange.

[Don Hahn]

Paul.

[Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Terry Orr. Wow.

[Rosenberg]

I'm gonna take your word for it.

[Don Hahn]

No, you don't remember.

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you remember.

[Rosenberg]

Do you remember?

[Don Hahn]

I do remember. Terry or tight end 89.

[Rosenberg]

I'm gonna believe you.

[Don Hahn]

Thank you. That, that would get him into the. You know what would it? Would it not? No, because I. What I was going to say the club that you would need to get into probably wouldn't change the name. It would still be called Redskins.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Oh yeah. To get in the club.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

The club. I don't know about Terry. I just got Alvin Walton and they go. All right, come on. All right. So since the Yankees are your non affiliated fandom, what would be a Yankee strange pull for you?

[Rosenberg]

Pat Kelly. Pat Kelly. A strange pull.

[Don Hahn]

No, remembers all. It's all situational. That was me. We decided last week to these guys. Kevin Moss was a strange pull.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's one. That's one.

[Don Hahn]

Alright. So Anthony, since you're of a certain age, give me a Yankee strange pole.

[Rosenberg]

Scott Proctor.

[Don Hahn]

That's not bad.

[Rosenberg]

Proctor.

[Don Hahn]

Is that website still functional? Like it was Scott Proctor's arm. Like somebody put up of all it was and it listed all of the pictures that Joe Torrey destroyed by overworking them. And I think that, I think that, I think the way. Right. The website was Scott Proctor's arm.

[Rosenberg]

Baseball's fun in that way because you could just. If you're a fan of a team and watch a lot of the games. You'll get a middle reliever that a lot of people aren't gonna remember. That's an easy way to do it.

[Don Hahn]

And just looking at it, Scott Proctor's arm.blogspot.com is still up. Ah, wow. See Ranger.

[Rosenberg]

Strange pull. Nigel Dawes. Nigel Dawes. A good one. I like Jack Dawes. Shootout Master Montoya. Is that a strange pole? I know him, but he was barely here for like a year. Right? He wasn't out here that long, was he?

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Rosenberg]

We mentioned Dan Clouche recently.

[Don Hahn]

Yes. Dan Clouche is always my go to Doku for any Canuck Ranger. That's who I go. All right, so. So your fate, your favorite team, the jets of all of them. Jacob. Nick's.

[Rosenberg]

Nick.

[Don Hahn]

Nick's would be.

[Rosenberg]

So you had one earlier you wanted to give.

[Don Hahn]

All right. Yeah, I gave one already.

[Rosenberg]

You did.

[Don Hahn]

I need. I need John Winthrop, our pinhead suit jet to give us a strange pole jet since he's in there. Yes.

[Rosenberg]

How about Bobby Houston?

[Don Hahn]

Bobby Houston. Not bad.

[Rosenberg]

It's a random like 1990s linebacker. That's very random. You said strange. Yeah, that's almost like Jeff Lageman levels.

[Don Hahn]

That's right. I just had to. Sonny pulled out Greg Adams. That was a good devil's job.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Don Hahn]

Pat Verbeek and Patrick. But he started with Greg Adams. Like. All right, now he's in.

[Rosenberg]

Wasn't there. I'm trying to think of strange pull jets from the 80s because.

[Don Hahn]

What was his name? Oh, no. It's going to bother me now. He was a defensive back in the late 80s. My friend Jimmy Shark is his favorite player.

[Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Don Hahn]

What was his name?

[Rosenberg]

Safety.

[Don Hahn]

It was the safety.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. I think.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, when you say it had like, not a strange name, but it was like it was a. Oh, it's gonna. I gotta look it up. But that was his favorite player in. In the late 80s. Jimmy Stark. My best friends. Not.

[Rosenberg]

Not. Am I thinking of Victor as his first name or is that not who I'm thinking of?

[Don Hahn]

No, no, it's gonna. It's gonna bother me. Damn. I don't want. I don't want to get stuck. I'm feeling the pressure now. What was this?

[Rosenberg]

Feeling the flow?

[Don Hahn]

It was. Oh, it was. Oh, James. James Hasty.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah. Remember him? Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

John, do you remember James Hasty? I do too.

[Rosenberg]

Team in at Bobby Houston. Yeah, right.

[Don Hahn]

Is that right? Well, yeah. What was that, like 89, 90 like? Yeah, it was like in the late 80s. Yeah, definitely.

[Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. 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 ESPN8 New York app, and your smart speakers.