Hour 3: Don v Alan on Mets Attendance

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Don v Alan on Mets Attendance

Release Date: February 18, 2025
Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode Title: Hour 3: Don v Alan on Mets Attendance

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1. Introduction to the Discussion

The third episode of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast centers around a spirited debate between Don LaGreca and Alan Hahn concerning the New York Mets' attendance figures. Peter Rosenberg moderates the conversation, providing insights and interjecting when necessary. The discussion delves into the impact of Mets owner Steve Cohen's investments, comparisons with the New York Yankees, and the broader implications for fan engagement.

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2. Steve Cohen's Ownership and Investments

Steve Cohen's Financial Commitment: Don LaGreca initiates the conversation by highlighting Steve Cohen's significant financial investments in the Mets franchise since his purchase. He emphasizes Cohen's commitment both emotionally and financially, contrasting it with previous ownerships.

Don LaGreca [03:26]: "So he is invested not just emotionally, but financially. But financially, yes. In a Met franchise that you could argue has never really been invested like this in a long time."

Key Moves Under Cohen: Peter Rosenberg outlines Cohen's pivotal decisions, including high-profile player acquisitions and strengthening the minor league system.

Peter Rosenberg [02:05]: "Well, he went and gave Lindor a ton of money that people criticized up until this past season... he bought out Scherzer and Verlander and was able to help the minor league system."

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3. Attendance Concerns and Recent Performance

Last Season's Low Attendance: The core of the debate revolves around the Mets' attendance standing last season, which ranked 18th. Don expresses concern over the low numbers despite the team’s mid-season performance.

Peter Rosenberg [05:16]: "The Mets last season finished 18th in attendance. That really bothered me."

Alan's Perspective on Attendance Lagging: Alan Hahn offers a more optimistic view, suggesting that attendance typically improves with team performance and expresses hope for higher turnout this season.

Alan Hahn [05:14]: "18Th in attendance when we're right in the middle of a pennant race... I'm really hopeful this year."

Don's Frustration with Owner's Ultimatum: Don criticizes Cohen for making demands on fans to boost attendance, feeling that it's an overreach from the owner.

Don LaGreca [03:26]: "I'm just asking for you to show the hell up."

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4. Comparisons with the New York Yankees

Yankee Attendance and Consistency: A significant portion of the discussion compares the Mets' struggles with the Yankees' consistently high attendance, attributing it to the Yankees' perpetual competitiveness and star power.

Peter Rosenberg [06:57]: "The Yankees have not finished under .500 in over 30 years... they are always in a position to win."

Historical Context: Don brings historical context, recalling periods when the Yankees faced attendance issues contrasted with the Mets' successful fan turnout during their championship runs in the past.

Peter Rosenberg [07:16]: "Back in the 80s when you weren't that bad of a baseball team... they were drawn over 3 million fans."

Alan's Argument on Market Differences: Alan argues that certain markets have inherently higher attendance due to sustained team success, making direct comparisons challenging.

Alan Hahn [32:11]: "Baseball is... front-running when it comes to attendance. If you want good attendance, you have to be consistently good."

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5. Fan Engagement and Expectations

Don's Call for Fan Investment: Don emphasizes the need for Mets fans to be more engaged and supportive, highlighting that real fan investment goes beyond social media interactions.

Don LaGreca [04:57]: "I gave you a team that you can cheer for... All I'm asking for you is show the hell up."

Peter's Defense of Fan Behavior: Peter Rosenberg counters by defending Mets fans, explaining that past disappointments have understandably led to skepticism and reduced attendance.

Peter Rosenberg [07:17]: "Met fans are a little dubious about their team every year because not every year they're good."

Economic Considerations: The hosts touch upon the financial aspects of attending games, discussing ticket pricing, parking costs, and the accessibility of games for average fans.

Peter Rosenberg [18:25]: "I could still go to $4 a ticket in the hundred section."

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6. Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

Hope for Improvement: Both Don and Alan express cautious optimism for the Mets' future attendance, contingent on the team's performance and sustained investment.

Don LaGreca [37:15]: "I still feel like that's why you would almost grab onto the best of times."

Skepticism Remains: Despite investments, Peter remains skeptical about immediate improvements in attendance, citing the need for long-term consistency.

Peter Rosenberg [25:22]: "But let's see how it all works. Out."

Final Stance on Owner-Fan Relationship: The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the complex relationship between ownership decisions and fan support, highlighting the delicate balance required to foster a thriving fanbase.

Alan Hahn [31:26]: "If you build it, they will come. That's true though."

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Notable Quotes

• Don LaGreca [03:26]: "So he is invested not just emotionally, but financially."
• Peter Rosenberg [07:17]: "Met fans are a little dubious about their team every year because not every year they're good."
• Alan Hahn [05:14]: "I'm really hopeful this year being a year when the fans come out."
• Don LaGreca [04:57]: "All I'm asking for you is show the hell up."
• Peter Rosenberg [06:57]: "The Yankees are always in a position to win."

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Key Takeaways

• Ownership Impact: Steve Cohen's significant financial commitments have begun to reshape the Mets franchise, but results on attendance are still pending.

• Attendance as a Performance Indicator: There is a strong belief that team performance directly influences fan turnout, with consistent success being crucial for sustained attendance.

• Fan Loyalty and Engagement: The relationship between fans and the team is complex, influenced by historical performance, economic factors, and ownership strategies.

• Comparative Analysis: Comparing Mets attendance to the Yankees underscores the importance of consistent competitiveness and star power in maintaining high fan engagement.

• Future Prospects: While there is hope that recent investments will translate into better performance and higher attendance, skepticism remains until tangible results are observed.

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This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the factors affecting Mets attendance, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between ownership decisions, team performance, and fan behavior. Through lively debate and insightful perspectives, Don, Alan, and Peter shed light on the challenges and potential pathways for the Mets to enhance their presence in the hearts and stands of New York baseball fans.

Transcript

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[Don LaGreca]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don LaGreca]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8:80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers. The big 5:00 hour. And I've been waiting for this. And I'm. I hope you guys are ready for this conversation because I certainly am. And Don, I think you would probably be a little more invested in this conversation. Right? Just broke my phone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You didn't break your phone.

[Don LaGreca]

Mashed it. Damn it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No way. No way.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, you did.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he's lying.

[Don LaGreca]

He's trying to get a new phone tumbled.

[Alan Hahn]

It was a tumble.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You saw the commercial. You got to throw the phone as hard as you can in the air.

[Don LaGreca]

And I get a new one back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And a new one comes right back. Right, because that'd be false advertising otherwise, right, Peter?

[Alan Hahn]

Sure. I don't know what commercial you're talking about, but I do.

[Don LaGreca]

Really? No, we see that commercial.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you watch television?

[Alan Hahn]

No, I don't.

[Don LaGreca]

Commercials he streams now. He'll be the guy that likes watching the NFL on Netflix next season.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, yeah, I am under the age of 70. That's right. I do stream.

[Don LaGreca]

It's a dumb idea that we'll get to later.

[Alan Hahn]

We'll get to it.

[Don LaGreca]

Painful.

[Alan Hahn]

I do have mixed feelings on it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But we got lots to get to.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, it is Don Leggreca and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. 800-919-3776 is your number to be part of this conversation. And today we have something for you with the owner that everybody loves. All you Mets fans love your owner, Steve Cohen. Uncle Steve. Well, what has he done, Don, with the Mets franchise since he purchased it? What has he done? Just give me like, just a quick synopsis of life since the Wil Ponds were bought out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he went and gave Lindor a ton of money that people criticized up until this past season.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. He bought out of Scherzer and Verlander and was able to help the minor league system.

[Don LaGreca]

Paid a mistake to go away. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A lot of teams and owners wouldn't have done that because they wouldn't have been able to afford it. And obviously went out and signed one of the biggest free agents we're probably going to see in our generation. Okay, Those are the top three for me.

[Don LaGreca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And in what, two of the last four years he's had a playoff team.

[Don LaGreca]

So he is invested not just emotionally, but financially. But financially, yes. In a Met franchise that you could argue has never really been invested like this in a long time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

Right. Okay. And so with that, what would you think if you were the owner, if you were in his position, what's the one thing that you would hope to get back? And I know you're never gonna break even when you owe. When you own a franchise, you know, that's not. You're not in it to make money or, you know, it's gonna just always be one of these things where you're in the red, but you're just trying to stay as close to the black as possible and you want to enjoy it. This is. Owning a franchise is a toy. It's something you just like to have. So what is the one thing aside from winning, which is the obvious answer, that, that you're hoping. Let me just get this in return. What would it be?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You hope that he would be able to be able to make some money off of what he owns and have the Mets be self sustainable. Meaning that he hasn't had to dip into his own fortune to help the team win. The hope is, is that they generate enough money being the New York Mets that he can take the Met money and put it back into the Mets instead of having to dip into his own fortune. Is that what you're getting at?

[Don LaGreca]

There's that. I would want the fan base to be equally invested as I am. I would want to know that everything that I'm doing is gonna register in not just clicks and likes, because that's easy, right? That's. That's not the effort that you need to make these days. It's like, oh, that got, you know, got a 4 billion impressions. That's great. I'm sitting on the couch. I earned you an impression. Just scrolling. No, I gave you a team that you can cheer for. I gave you a team that can win a World Series. I gave you a team that got to the Final Four, that had a second half that you. A playoff run for the ages. Howie Rose was hitting octaves. He hasn't hit in years calling some of these plays. I gave you a team that as a Mets fan in a town dominated by the Yankees, for you to be proud of. And I got the star from their team to come to our team. All I'm asking for you is show the hell up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they will.

[Don LaGreca]

That's all I want you to do, is show up. And that is something that really seemed to bother him, that the Mets last season finished 18th in attendance. And so he had this to say.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I didn't like it. Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That really bothered me.

[Alan Hahn]

18Th in attendance when we're right in the middle of a pennant race. I've said this before, the series against the Nationals, right before the Philly, the final Philly series. I think there were 18,000 fans in the stadium during a great pennant race. And so I'm really hopeful this year. I mean, I'm told that usually attendance lags performance. And so I'm really looking forward to this year being a year when the fans come out. I think the fans are having a great time. I mean, when I look out on the stadium, I think it's a great game presentation. We have a great team. I think I'm really excited by. I think it's going to be a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fun place to be this year.

[Don LaGreca]

Now, you know that series with the Phillies, they drew 165,000 fans over four days. And that's something that tells you. Yeah, okay. So when it came to winning time, once you started proving you were right there, the people started coming out. But that has to now become a thing from start to finish, because I'm telling you, he's paying attention. Him bringing it up, him answering the question instead of saying, you know, oh, I think we'll be fine. Him going in the depth that he did, guys, tells me he's paying attention and that if you're a Mets fan, you should be on alert.

[Alan Hahn]

I remember the series he's talking about, though. I felt the same way.

[Don LaGreca]

It was unbelievable. Oh, you mean the National Series?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, I remember us talking about it. Remember we looked up the numbers and I remember being like, really? That's all they did. This is like a big moment. And so there are times when I think it's reasonable to be disappointed. But, Don, don't you think this is just an example of someone who's coming from the business world expecting to see immediate payoff for the things that he does?

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's a bunch of things that bother me about this. All right, first of all, it's why I went on the Michael K. Show earlier today. There is the Yankee flex I'm sensing from Allen, from Michael, and from a lot of Yankee fans on social media. Well, we don't have this problem. We're in the same city as the, as the Mets and look how well we do attendance.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm talking is it wrong?

[Don LaGreca]

It's fact.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But also, the Yankees have not finished under.500 in over 30 years. Every single season, the Yankees are in a position to win the World Series. Good on them. So if you're a Yankee fan, of course you're going to invest to go to the ballpark because they've got Judge and last year they had Soto, finished fourth in attendance last year with Judge and Soto. The year before that, you know, Aaron Judge. A couple of years before that, Aaron Judge is going out there breaking the American League home run record. So even though the Yankees weren't tearing it up necessarily in the second half of that season, there was a reason to go. See, they've always had stars. They've had Jeter, they've had Judge, they've got Garrett Coles, the best pitcher in baseball. So they're always in a position to win. Met fans. They're a little dubious about their team every year because not every year they're good. So you go into 2024 where they finished 18th in attendance the year before, they finished 75 and 87. And going into 2024, we talked a lot of the Michael Cashew about how the Mets looked like they were taking a knee. They weren't signing any free agents. They weren't making any big splashes because they were waiting till 2025. So you're coming off a losing season and you're telling your fan base we're not really going to be competitive in 2024. So I believe a lot of tickets are sold now. February, March, hey, let's look at the schedule. Let's buy tickets in advance. Nobody was doing that for the Mets in 2024. Then all of a sud. But you're talking about a series in September with the Phillies coming in next. I'm going to go save my money for the Phillies series. I got. They should be able to beat the Nationals. We know the Mets have fans, so it's not an issue of, well, Mets don't have fans. It's just that when you're investing the money to go to the ballpark and your team has been up and down and for the most part has been down, and you're going into a season in which the perception was they were taking a knee, of course the attendance is going to be down. They still averaged over 31,000 fans. The building was completely full in the postseason. And I Believe because of the addition of Soto and coming off a year in which you were two wins away from going to the World Series, I think it's a lock. They're going to be top 10 or even higher. Because let's not forget Yankee fans who want to flex. Did my team never had this problem? Yes, you did. Back in the 80s when you weren't that bad of a baseball team. Dom Mattingly is breaking the record for grand slam home runs in a season, hitting upper deck home runs where they could have hit Jimmy Hoppa and that found his body. How many home runs you see Dom Mattingly hit? Nobody's in the ballpark. And George Steinbacher is threatening to move the team to New Jersey because nobody was going. And meanwhile, across town and Flushing, when the Mets had Doc Gooden and they had Darryl Strawberry and they had Gary Carter and they had Keith Hernandez, they were drawn over 3 million fans and they were the team in town. Why? Because they were winning and had stars and the Yankees weren't winning and didn't really have stars. And you saw nobody was going to the games. So now the Yankees for the last three decades have had nothing but stars and nothing but being competitive. So you're in a different stratosphere than the Mets. So if Cohen wants to get the Met fans excited, then be a consistent winning team the way the Yankees have and you'll see the attendance go through the roof. I don't like the threat, Allen. All right, if you come, I'll spend money. All right, I get that from a business standpoint, but don't start threatening me. I'll go if you're consistent enough. And you went out and got Juan Soto and you brought back Pete Alonso. I'm in 20 games under.500 in June, it looked like you're mathematically eliminated and people are talking about you selling pieces off. I'm not going to go.

[Alan Hahn]

And that's the part. It's great that he's made the moves, Ellen, but to me, this shows a fundamental, and it's almost sweet, a fundamental lack of experience and knowledge of this business. He believes, based on the other things that he's seen in the business world, when you make investments, you see return on investment. Don's point is correct. This fan base is not going to become like the Yankee fan base unless they are a team that is competing to win the division and compete for the pennant, at least to make the World Series over the next four or five years. Talk to me in five years. But you think what? Because you went out Last year you guys put together a run at the end, had a little fun, playoff run, you went out and got a good player. If they come out this year, if, if, if they're pitching moves that they've made, which by the way are a little sus, aren't good, and this team's 10 games below.500. But they have Juan Soto. You expect it to be packed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It won't. And I, but, but I believe it will be to start, because Juan Soto is a draw. And I think the fan base is excited and I don't think this is going to be an issue. If all of a sudden they're in a pennant race and they're winning 100 games and nobody's going to the games, then that, then you have a problem. But like I heard Michael say, well, you know, the Mets have a huge fan base. Well then what's the issue? The issue is that huge fan base is saying, okay, show me something. You want me to invest $400 for my family of four to pay 50 bucks for parking and 13 bucks for a beer and 10 bucks for a hot dog, Nevermind how much it costs to go to a game? Well, I want to make sure I'm going to be entertained by a winning product. So I think it's unfair to compare the Yankees to the Mets because the Yankees, they're a Broadway show every day. It's like Book of Mormon every day. All right, the Mets, I mean, they've been off Broadway for a long time, man. But you know what? They are charging Broadway prices. And I'm a Met fan. That's the other thing too. I'm a Met fan. You know, Peter, how invested I am in this team. Didn't go to one game last year. Does that make me a bad fan? I got to go to 20 games to show you that I'm invested. What, what is this? A bank that I have to now put money in in order to see wins come back out the other end when this guy's sitting on $16 billion. Yeah. In a perfect world, you'd like to be able, the Mets to be self sustaining. And I do think it's a problem in Major League Baseball that these owners can dip into their own funds. But sorry, Steve, if you, Uncle Steve, if you're gonna have to dip into your own funds for a little while, you're gonna have to understand that because this fan base has beaten, been beaten pillar to post for the last 30 years, haven't won a championship since 86, haven't had a lot of Star players either. Lindor became a star this year, but a lot of fans were dubious about that contract. And Peter, as much as we love Alonso back, Alonzo's not the draw that Juan Soto is that Aaron Judge is that maybe Vlad Guerrero will be next year. So let's cut the Met fans some slack, okay? We've been beat up enough by our own team. We don't need you making fun of us and also throwing out an ultimatum. Hey, you want me to spend money, you better come. All right, ease up, home slice. No, no, we'll see how it works itself out.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, here's how it works, Stevie. By the way, I know that everyone's on board. I'm not going to call the man uncle. Here's the deal, Stevie. You spend the money, then the product gets good, then the people show up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he's done that so far. So far. So far it should be good. But I'm sorry, there's a shoe that's hanging over every Met fans head waiting for the. Waiting for the string to get cut, the laces to get cut and fall on her head. So excuse us if we're just a little curious to see how this is all gonna play itself out, okay? We've been down this road before, so we need a little bit more sustainability. So don't all of a sudden now compare yourself to the Yankees in their attendance because you had one playoff run that oh by the way, was still surpassed by the other team in town.

[Don LaGreca]

It's amazing to me that you can turn what last year was now into, as Peter put it, a little run. That was an epic run.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, of course, that was a franchise changing, turning run.

[Don LaGreca]

That was something that told you the culture's changing. You have a manager that you have star players, then he goes out and get it is not strong. Don't you do forget that time they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Were doing the things, were doing a little run in the grand scheme of things. An amazing fun run in the moment. Everything around things. But we'll see.

[Don LaGreca]

And now you have something to believe in. Because it's the core.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We've invested in a big time player now. Nobody of this ilk but the Mets. If. Do I have to talk to you about Vince Coleman? You took the Yankees and Bobby Bonilla. I understand, but it doesn't always change overnight.

[Don LaGreca]

And this is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think it will.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't think, not about the past. This is about now. He has shown you enough now by now. How do you not believe in everything that he is doing and saying? I am investing in this, whatever it takes. He wants to develop Will it's point and turn that into more of a destination for fans. This is all about making this a premier franchise, which for Mets fans, you. You haven't had this. You've never felt that way about them because of the previous ownership and how they did things. Now you have it. And it's not like in one year it's been since 2021 that it has been notably different. And so when they're playing the Blue Jays, your ass better be there to see them play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't care if it's old in March or I don't like that. You go there, put on this team.

[Don LaGreca]

You show him that you're equally invested in him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, I'm a fan whether I go or not. So I don't need to be guilted into now having to go throw a bunch of money to be able to go to a game until I feel like I want to go.

[Don LaGreca]

But you're talking about Yankee fan flexes because Yankee fans literally do what you're saying that you're not going to do. I don't have to do it. Yankee fans feel like, no, I got to be there. I need to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because they have proven over three decades that it's definitely worth the investment. Because every year they're good.

[Don LaGreca]

Every year the Yankee fans do what? Complain that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, they complain what it used to go because they know they're going to definitely be entertained for you. Talk about. Don't talk about the past. Well, obviously being ranked 18th in attendance last year before Soto coming off a losing season when everybody and their mother said they were taking an E in 2024, they're also bringing up the past. I don't think this is going to be a problem. I think Met fans are going to come out in droves. If we're having this conversation next year at this time that they finished 18th, then I would agree that there's certainly a problem. Can we see how it's going to be? Luke Cano says Steve Cohen said it nicely, but I've been saying it forever that you guys never acknowledge. I always said Met fans are fair weather. Fans only show up when the going is good and absent when they suck. All right, what about the Yankees?

[Don LaGreca]

That's fair.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When they suck. Where are the fans again? Dom Mattingly hitting it into an empty upper deck. That was 40 years ago. It didn't even suck.

[Don LaGreca]

It was 40 years ago, but it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Was the last time they were bad.

[Alan Hahn]

It's the only time you can look.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At it though, Al, you gotta go back 40 years. The last time the Yankees were friggin average. And then you're talking about, oh, the.

[Alan Hahn]

Only reason why they didn't make so.

[Don LaGreca]

Much playoffs is it wasn't a wild card.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know how easy it is to be a Yankee fan, to know your team is going to be good every year. And then when you go to a game, you know you're going to see stars and your team is going to be in a race. And then the one time you're not in a race, you still finished above.500. As opposed to a Met fan that after they win 101 games and go to the playoffs, they end up finishing eight, nine games under.500. And then last year they got off to a miserable start. They were out of it in June, they had a great run and it was fun and I was excited as anybody else. But do you think that one run is going to now all of a sudden make you number one in attendance after a fan base has been smacked around for 35 years?

[Don LaGreca]

September Bas and your team is making a playoff push? I would think that's exactly the time that you want to say, I'm gonna go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the best time. I do think a lot of tickets are bought way in advance. The days of family getting together and you're sitting there having your spaghetti and meatballs at 5:30 and dad goes, you know what kids, let's go to the ballpark tonight, let's grab some tickets. You think that happens anymore? People buy their tickets months in advance. Family doesn't miserable.

[Don LaGreca]

But I'll tell you what though. Cause I'll know this experience from my son. He, when he's home, that's what he does with his boys. They go right on Stubhub or whatever secondary market or we can get in the building for this, I think get together and they go. And for the majority of Mets fans, by the way, I think historically Mets fans are the younger audience. It is the younger crowd. So they're the ones that should be going. They're the ones make the most noise, they're the ones that complain.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Every one that makes the least amount.

[Don LaGreca]

Of money though, they have to get Alonso. You got to bring him back. You can't. How they booed the owner.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. When I was in college, I don't know if I'd go spend 90 bucks for a ticket.

[Don LaGreca]

Oh, pay 35 bucks for park. You don't pay 90 on the secondary.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what? It wasn't like there Was nobody.

[Don LaGreca]

Anthony, am I wrong? You wait two hours before the game and all of a sudden those tickets become very affordable.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just.

[Don LaGreca]

My son doesn't have any money. He goes to the guy. I don't buy him tickets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He gets. I just find it very interesting. Peter, I'm going to talk to you, Peter, because he's, he's Yankee flex and he's looking at his own muscles in the mirror.

[Don LaGreca]

Yankee flex.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I. I can't.

[Don LaGreca]

This is a reality.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Speak to him. All right, we're comparing it to the Yankees and how they do it when every year they're great and then you got a Met fan base that's been smacked around. The Yankee fans think they've been smacked around. I love what. I laugh when you're like, I'm a die hard fan. You don't die hard that often. Your team seems to be always in the playoffs. Your team die hard, fine.

[Alan Hahn]

But they won the 15 years ago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But obviously you're talking about a fan base that's been smacked around. Excuse me for being a little dubious about their future when the Yankees have had not had a losing season since 1992. There's a whole generation of fans listening to me that have never seen the Yankees be a losing team. Meanwhile, Met fans seem to go through it every other year and most years. So, yeah, the Yankees outdraw the Mets. It's easy to be a Yankee. How difficult is it to be a Yankee fan knowing that your team is going to be good every year? You think the Yankees would be drawing 41,000 fans on average a game if they're losing 100 games every year? No, it'd be a ghost town like it was in the, in the, in the, in the late 60s and the way it was in the 80s when the team wasn't all that great. Not bad.

[Alan Hahn]

The church.

[Don LaGreca]

Which stadium's harder to get to?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Depends on where you live.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they're both a pain in the ass. Depending. Depending. Let me, let me say this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would say. I would say. I would say Citi Field is probably tougher to get to.

[Alan Hahn]

I find it more annoying for me. Citi Fields more. I find it more annoying also. I think the train's a little easier going to the Bronx. I think the drive.

[Don LaGreca]

Easy to go. To. Go to.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, depends if you're. If you're. Well, you're from Long Island.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, most of their fans are from Long Island.

[Alan Hahn]

A lot of them are. Okay, let me, Let me say this.

[Don LaGreca]

And the rest of them are from Queens or Brooklyn Baseball again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But There's a lot of Met fans in New Jersey and it's a hole, okay? It's a hole for fans.

[Alan Hahn]

Baseball is. Here's the back to Steve's point again and why I don't think it was totally on target. Baseball is not football. There's 81 home games a year. The fact of the matter is it is a front running sport when it comes to attendance. If you want good attendance, you have to be consistently good. Don't look, look all over, look all over Baseball. The Orioles don't get attendance until the end of the year. If they're, if they happen to be on pace to make the playoffs. No place gets attendance unless you're consistently good. That's why the comp to the Yankees is basically impossible. And you can't compare it to other sports. There's only eight home games in football every year. Your team can stink. But if you're into going to games, you go it's. I appreciate what Steve has done so far. Gonna need to see a little more before you start making demands. If Josh Harris made demands to me, show me. Oh, look what I did for a year. You better show up. You better show up to that putrid stadium in Landover, Maryland. What? You better give me more than a couple of playoff wins. I'm with you, Don.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, what do the people think? 800-9193 and I'm not calling you uncle either. 76 we will get to your calls on this. Coming up. This is not Yankee splaining, alright? This is not flexing. This is just an observation. And if the owner brings it up, that means he's paying attention. And if you're a fan who loves what this new owner has brought you, you need to take heed. Don Han and Roseberg. 880 ESPN.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

So how much is an oil filter.

[D]

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[Don LaGreca]

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[D]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

Listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just saying be careful when you start, like giving ultimatums to the fans. I love Steve. I'll be honest with you. I don't know the guy. I love his money.

[Don LaGreca]

You don't care.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So let's not get crazy.

[Don LaGreca]

Guy has turned your franchise. He's done all the things.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's finally spending some money. But let's see how it all works. Out.

[Don LaGreca]

I found it interesting that they've met fans, like, again, they didn't. He wouldn't sign Alonzo to a dumb contract, and fans are like, you got boo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm fine with that. I just. I just don't like being called out.

[Don LaGreca]

His own event.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't like being called out. And the other thing, you need to be called out. You got to be careful. Steve. Don't. Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story. That national series that he's talking about, it was September 16th, 17th and 18th. He was talking about 18,000 fans in the building. It was a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I don't know what the weather was like, but it was mid September, so I'm sure it wasn't great. The Monday game, 21,694. The Tuesday game, 24,932. And then the Wednesday game was 34,196.

[Don LaGreca]

You're at half capacity, but you're still.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't exaggerate the number. That's not 18,000 people.

[Alan Hahn]

34 is not. 34 is not half capacity.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The 30. What are they, 40? Maybe 45. I want to get the actual.

[Don LaGreca]

So you're not even half.

[Alan Hahn]

What is up with your math? 34,000.

[Don LaGreca]

Allen, it wasn't 34,000.

[Alan Hahn]

You just said 34,000 on Wednesday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On that Wednesday, 41,800.

[Don LaGreca]

You said it was 20. It was 22.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was 21,694. About like half.

[Alan Hahn]

That was Monday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was Monday. Monday, half.

[Alan Hahn]

Don, let me get in here. You can't say, don't give me Monday. School week.

[Don LaGreca]

Monday, here we go.

[Alan Hahn]

It's middle of September. School had just come back. Your kids are in school. You go, how many times did your parents take you out to a Monday night ball game?

[Don LaGreca]

I never got to go to any sports.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

My parents couldn't afford to. I mean, we couldn't afford to watch sports on tv. Listen, the truth is, though, is that. Do you know there's a given night where the devil's Rangers and Islanders are all playing home games at the same time? And 60,000 people go to those games one night, you know, it could be a Tuesday, whatever it is. Like, you can't give me, like, oh, it's a Monday. So what do you expect? Then why play a game on a Monday?

[Alan Hahn]

Don't play, by the way. I sometimes feel that way.

[Don LaGreca]

I didn't realize baseball, like, give me a break.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Should it be better?

[Don LaGreca]

Is your team good? Are you in a. You in a Penny race. It's September. The weather's great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't, don't, don't. Still out pointing fingers available. If you want a good team, then you're going to have to come out. Well, that's what I'm sitting there with my family going, you know, I really can't afford it, but I'm going to go anyway because I want a winning team.

[Don LaGreca]

Listen, is he talking to you? Is he talking to the family that can't afford it? Or is he talking to the fans that have a lot to stop? He's talking about but don't invest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's talking to Met fans. Met fans get excited. When he speaks, he's an owner that actually speaks.

[Don LaGreca]

The same people that went to the Philly Series. Where were you a week ago, two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Weeks ago, whatever it was that also comes into play. How many games am I going to a week? Again, I'm going to gear up to go. You know what? The Phillies are coming in this weekend and I'm off.

[Don LaGreca]

Fair weather fan. Once it's safe for me to go, I'll go. Other than that, I'm not going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So. I love that definition in everybody's pocket, Alan. That. That. So I guess I'm a piece of garbage fan, Peter. I didn't go to one game, so I'm just human trash.

[Don LaGreca]

You're coming with me to games. I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

With this attitude, I will.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm not even admitted myself, and I'm making you go with me after.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just. I just don't like that. That whole, like, oh, well, if you care, you go. No, listen, I've got a life. I watch every. I watch or listen or invest it in some way to every Met game. I could be walking around the Willowbrook Mall on a Sunday, you shout out, hey, Don, what's the Met score? I'll be able to tell you. Yeah, because if I'm out, I'm still following it. Okay, but all of a sudden I'm being judged, Peter, by the fact of how many games you go to. How you big fan of. This is very Dave Rothenberg of you. Like I gotta act like a complete idiot in order to be able to prove my fandom. I gotta divorce my wife and have my kids bleed out because the G games on. Otherwise, I'm not a real fan.

[Don LaGreca]

Well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you got to go to every game. How many games you go to? Didn't go to a game. I guess you're not a real fan.

[Don LaGreca]

No, I didn't say you're not a real fan.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you told me that I'm not. That I'm not totally invested and that I don't care about winning because apparently my, my money is going to go to paying the next ball player.

[Don LaGreca]

So why, why does anybody go? Nobody should go then. Because it's easy. Just stay home, watch on tv, don't go, then go.

[Alan Hahn]

But, but nobody goes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you again. But listen, if you got to exaggerate to make your point, then I don't think you have a point to make. Even Steve Cohen. Oh, 18,000 people. Oh, there wasn't 18,000 people. There were 34,000 people.

[Don LaGreca]

How many?

[Peter Rosenberg]

24,000 people. 21,000.

[Don LaGreca]

What is the place? What does the place sit again?

[Peter Rosenberg]

41, 42.

[Don LaGreca]

42. The average attendance on the season was 29, 4, 8 4. That's the average, right? Actually, it wasn't 18th, it was 17th. If you own by average total, it was 2.3 and change. All right, but, but average because the Mets only played 79 home games as well, right? 29, 4, 8 4, which is 17th when it comes to average.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And in June, they were out of it. Were there. And there was games early in the season. What was that game five, when Gary Cohn was saying, feels like rock bottom.

[Don LaGreca]

That was five.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There are only five to start the season.

[Don LaGreca]

Did we even celebrate Easter? Like saying that we were still in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That there was a season, they were taking the name where they didn't go sign any big name free agents and they were just going to wait until 20, 25. So they told their fan base, I.

[Don LaGreca]

Would love to see September numbers. Give me September. Like the September numbers, only for attendance.

[Alan Hahn]

September, by the way, I think you'll think they're generally pretty good. And the weekend series were very good. But. But some of those weekdays were a little bit rough.

[Don LaGreca]

But again, for him to make this point, it tells you it's on his radar. That's the only point I'm trying to make.

[Alan Hahn]

That's fine, but it's on his radar. What does that mean? As a fan though, you gotta be wary. You want unky Steve to get upset with you, I'd be a little.

[Don LaGreca]

I'd be a. Well, first of all, it's business, it's money, it's numbers and guys. You know, again, this is not a gravy chain that lasts forever. This guy's willing to spend right now, and he is, but it's gonna reach a point where it's like if the ends doesn't justify the means, well, they gotta win. I'm good.

[Alan Hahn]

But that's not on the fans. That's on the team winning.

[Don LaGreca]

It's on all of it.

[Alan Hahn]

No, if the team wins, the fans will be there. The fact no one wants to admit that if you build it, they will come. That's. It's true though.

[Don LaGreca]

It's legit that.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, there are some exceptions, okay. The teams that have their home in msg, kind of an exception. The Rangers and Knicks seem to no matter what it is. And we all agree that building is an attraction. Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

It's not a fair comparison. I could tell you I would never make that comparison because of its location above Penn Station Central. Yes, I completely agree, but.

[Alan Hahn]

But I'll keep going. You also can't make the comp to the jets and Giants fans who by the way are incredibly loyal.

[Don LaGreca]

They sell those tickets. A lot of them make their money off.

[Alan Hahn]

They do sell some of them. But generally speaking, even in a bad year, those fans show up. But it's football. It's eight times a year you have those tickets in your family, you go tailgate. It's part of the whole experience. Baseball is sort of a different thing. And also here's something I would contend. I'd be curious to see the 17 markets ahead of the Mets.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, I'll give you two because.

[Alan Hahn]

And let me explain why all of.

[Don LaGreca]

Them are over 30,000 average. All of them.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. And give me, give me some markets.

[Don LaGreca]

Milwaukee.

[Alan Hahn]

Milwaukee. The price of a ticket is a hot dog or a bag of popcorn. Keep going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they consistent. Playoff team.

[Don LaGreca]

Seattle.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. Seattle's probably a price.

[Don LaGreca]

The freaking Angels. Okay, Texas, what else are you doing.

[Alan Hahn]

In Anaheim for God's sake?

[Don LaGreca]

Red Sox are 11th in average, but they weren't very good. San Francisco, Toronto, Houston, St. Louis, which is again, that's traditional town. They're going to draw whether they're bad or not. Cubs, same story. Atlanta, which is an awful sports town. They're at 37 6. Yes. Good team.

[Alan Hahn]

Really good team, by the way. Consistently good team.

[Don LaGreca]

Padres, fourth. San Diego.

[Alan Hahn]

They had a good team too.

[Don LaGreca]

41,000 average.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, I'll tell you what I'm impressed by. San Diego.

[Don LaGreca]

And then it's Philly, Yankees, Dodgers of the top three and Philly being third. Yankee second. Dodgers first. Dodgers at 48, 657.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mets also just 79 home games. Just like the Yankees.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but don't you think it's a little bit the. In this town? Even though of course lots of working class people love the Yankees. The. Everyone loves the Yankees. They're very popular. Yeah, but in this town, there is a certain thing about the Yankee game being higher end and a little bit foofier and the Met game experience being a little bit more than one team. You know what's weird?

[Don LaGreca]

Citi Field is a way better park.

[Alan Hahn]

I agree.

[Don LaGreca]

The experience.

[Alan Hahn]

Finally we're on a show where everyone can agree Citi Field's a better place to go.

[Don LaGreca]

Way better.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's an expensive experience. And let's be honest, Don, the people that Allen just said, Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, a lot of people out there working really hard to make ends meet. That's an expensive ticket. Parking's expensive for a team that is generally not very good. That's a tough ass.

[Don LaGreca]

Scrap some calls. 800-919-3776. Jay in Newark actually has that point. Peter. Jay.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, Jay.

[Don LaGreca]

Call back. Jay. Corinne And Meniscoin has been waiting a bit. Hey, Corinne.

[E]

Oh, man, guys, so much I could say about this topic. I mean, it really is something. First of all, how is Alan more Yankee boy than Michael K right now? I mean, Michael K. It's crazy. But, you know, I do, I do want to talk about this attendance thing. So, I mean, maybe I could give some perspective. You know, college student, part have a part time job, busy schedule. But, you know, I still make time out of the year to go see the games. You know, in the past, I've probably gone like three or four games a year. This year my goal is six. But, you know, a lot of people do get their tickets in the beginning of the year. Like just today I was looking at the schedule and just seeing, you know, picking and choosing games I wanted to go to. And I think it's not so much a matter too of the price of the games because I'm looking at an angel game at Citi Field and I can get in. I got in there for $4 a ticket in the hundred section. So, you know, it's really not that expensive.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait, you got it. You got in for $4. Hold on. On the 100 level, Peter.

[E]

Section 129. I was, I was baffled. I looked at, I mean, Mike Trout. I could see Mike Trout plays four bucks.

[Don LaGreca]

Zach will show me. He's like, he's like, dad, we're going to the game tonight. Look this, because I always say, like, what are you spending? He shows me. I'm like, oh, my God, you're getting in for that.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait, but you got, but yeah, you got that. Corinne, you got that in advance for $4.

[E]

Yeah. So it's, it's a Wednesday game. It's July 23rd, a day game, first birthday game.

[Don LaGreca]

It's a big holiday.

[E]

Perfect. But, yeah, no, I mean, and that's what you have to do to. That's what you have to do, too, as a fan. If you really want to go to a lot of games, just be smart about it. Go on getaway day when the tickets are cheap, you know, bring your food into the stadium, because you can do that. I mean, that's what I do. I'm not making loads of money, but I'm still able to go. I even got in one time, $20 first throw in the outfield. But, you know, like you guys, like Don and Peter said it is just because the Mets haven't been that good in years past, that when you're buying tickets in advance, you might not want to go to as many games. And that was totally the case last year. They were going to be bad. They were bad until June. And at that point, you know, people already have plans in place and it's a little harder to get tickets.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also the reason I call it a Yankee flex.

[Don LaGreca]

Great stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you. Is because there are more Yankee fans than Met fans. So not only is the team good, but three decades of winning has created an atmosphere where there's a whole generation that are probably more Yankee fans than Met fans, and so their attendance is going to be better. Doesn't that make sense? I mean. Well, you can make the case that, like, there's a lot of Met fans, they're so battered and beaten over the years that they're lucky to have what they have, and you're going to see it start to grow because there are fans.

[Don LaGreca]

I still feel like that's why you would almost grab onto the best of times. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you will. You'll see it.

[Don LaGreca]

That's what I want to see. That's all we're saying. I think that's what Steve Cohen said. I want to see it. That's what he's saying. Let's not let whatever happened last year, let's be. Let's make five in attendance every year now, because, you know, we're going to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But does he. If he's. If he's a big Met fan, supposedly. I don't buy that. Wow. Accusations. $16 billion. Can you get something better than, like, a Mets fishing cap? I mean, get yourself a nice fitted cap. I have one very. I don't make school. That million dollars.

[Don LaGreca]

You don't think that's like a good little old school?

[Alan Hahn]

It's trying too hard, you know, what if you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Obviously, if you're a big Met fan, you know the history. You know what this fan base has gone through. So they're going to want to see a little more than a couple of winning seasons before they really believe that this is all starting to turn around. And I think it is. And I think you're going to see the attendance be great because I've seen there were no empty seats during the playoffs. And those tickets are very expensive. Yeah, because now you're all in.

[Don LaGreca]

And the place was the atmosphere in that building.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry, I have a lousy Nationals team in September when you're playing on Monday, Tuesday and a Wednesday, you know, and then. Then that Philly series comes in and now the place is jam packed, man.

[Don LaGreca]

Isn't that a safer ticket to buy playing Nationals?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know. I'm going to wipe anything. You or to him. Okay. I go to the games I want to go to. Okay?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When you start winning all the time like the Yankees do, I won't care about the opponent. But you know what? I don't want to see the lousy Nationals when the Phillies are coming. And maybe I'm a fan that can't afford to go to every single game because I got a family and I got a job and I got things to do. And you know what? The Phillies are coming in over the weekend. I'm not going to waste my one chance to go to Citi Field on a Tuesday to see the Nationals. And if that makes me a bad fan and if Steve Cohen needs more from me, then you know what? I'm sorry. I'm not going to feel bad if you got to dip into 16 billion for a couple of more years. I know you don't own Snyder, Al. Give me a break.

[Alan Hahn]

You have to admit, and you've been playing the other side, and I enjoy it, but you have to admit what? It's a little, my least favorite kind of gall. The unmitigated kind.

[Don LaGreca]

Unmitigated?

[Alan Hahn]

There's a little.

[Don LaGreca]

It's not mitigated. A little mitigated.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Mitigation. It's a little. Little bit of gall.

[Don LaGreca]

I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

To this quickly go. I'm sensitive.

[Don LaGreca]

Are we not sensitive to just, you know, observation?

[Alan Hahn]

It's not just observation, though. It's your owner.

[Don LaGreca]

He's making.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Called out by a guy that's been here for five minutes when I've lived and died with his team for 40 plus years and haven't seen very much and have him dictate to me what I'm supposed to do. And by the way, I'm sorry, I'm a New Yorker.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't like to be told what to do, Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I certainly don't want to be told what to do by a Yankee fan, by the way.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you're talking about Alan Allen or Steve.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's allegations.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm throwing out allegations.

[Alan Hahn]

So real quick, what if I told.

[Don LaGreca]

You the hat he's wearing is Sid Finch's?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sid Finch didn't exist.

[Don LaGreca]

That's my point.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, Don, before we go to break, I can completely relate to you on this. It's the exact same thing. My team, after 30 some years of being terrible, was bought by a billionaire fan. They immediately go on. You want to talk about an epic run? Yeah. You can argue, Don, about how epic the Mets run was. The Commanders ending up in the NFC Championship game was an epic run. If next year, week three, Josh Harris is like, I don't know. Commanders fans, show it to me, bro. We've been here for a long time. We got it. We got to make sure the other shoes not dropping. That's fair.

[Don LaGreca]

Let's just make sure we don't have human waste falling down on us.

[Alan Hahn]

We don't want to fall out of the stadium. We don't want waste to fall on top of us.

[Don LaGreca]

We just start there.

[Alan Hahn]

Some sort of embarrassing statue made of plastic.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. At least the Mets have.

[Alan Hahn]

But they have a beautiful building.

[Don LaGreca]

Beautiful.

[Alan Hahn]

That is true.

[Don LaGreca]

Like, the fans have a place to go where you're like, this is a beautiful place to go to watch a game.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. I don't have that. Yeah, you guys do have a great building.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, what we do have is more calls to get to 800-919-3776. We certainly will do that and more. But first, Peter Fanduel, please.

[Alan Hahn]

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[D]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Vary terms apply.

[Alan Hahn]

Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, IL thanks for listening to.

[Don LaGreca]

The Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don LaGreca]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want.

[Alan Hahn]

Just subscribe to us.

[Don LaGreca]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Alan Hahn]

Warriors come out to play Don Han.

[Don LaGreca]

And Rosenberg's Weekend Warrior. Well, Don and I lost. I didn't. I didn't know you and I picked the same.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you weren't in that, Jack Hughes.

[Don LaGreca]

I was. I was. I was being a dad.

[Alan Hahn]

The huggies yes, Jack Huggies.

[Don LaGreca]

Hughes essay.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I. Listen, Hughes, you know, Jack Hughes is Jewish. I'm always pulling for the man, but unfortunately.

[Don LaGreca]

Why does that make a difference?

[Alan Hahn]

Because I'm Jewish.

[Don LaGreca]

I know, but still, that's how it works.

[Alan Hahn]

That's, you know, that's called identity politics.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, it doesn't have to work.

[Don LaGreca]

You have to work that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'm not mad at it.

[Don LaGreca]

He's a decent person, that's all.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know that you could be a total.

[Don LaGreca]

That's what I mean, be a total. And yet you're still rooting for him.

[Alan Hahn]

It doesn't make sense until I find out something bad. Now listen, it's all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all.

[Alan Hahn]

It's all like I won't root for. We met the kid. He was a nice kid.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? But the last time this happened was Josh Rosen, and that didn't work out at all.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but now we got two. Two Jewish kids playing hockey in this town. You got the Ranger kid and the Devil kid.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, actually three, because. Well, Jack's brother Luke is on the Devils.

[Don LaGreca]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I'm sure he's Jewish too. Unless he's some sort of different side.

[Alan Hahn]

His name's Luke. I got questions.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, it's the same family, right?

[Don LaGreca]

Is he a Jedi, you mean?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know. I don't know.

[Don LaGreca]

Anyways, so Don, I are out. Your choice. Was Sid the kid.

[Alan Hahn]

It wasn't good Saturday, but Monday got a goal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His team lost, though. Well, why does Monday count?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait a minute.

[Don LaGreca]

Weekend Warrior.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

Did you work yesterday? President's Day weekend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don LaGreca]

Did they work yesterday?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want to play that game?

[Don LaGreca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Weekend over.

[Don LaGreca]

No one wins. Nobody wins. Nobody wins.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We put no problem with nobody wins.

[Alan Hahn]

That's all right.

[Don LaGreca]

Wait.

[Alan Hahn]

The producer already weighed in.

[Don LaGreca]

Vote of 3, 2 to 1. We're fine with it. So weekend nobody wins.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no. That's not how the vote include those guys. Hold on real quick. Hold on. I don't even want to go to a vote. I'm pushing back on us going to a vote.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

Is Jake going to break this time?

[Alan Hahn]

The Weekend Warrior is based on what happens over the course of the weekend.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes, the weekend is Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

[Alan Hahn]

But this is a weekend. This is a federal three day weekend.

[Don LaGreca]

You work Monday.

[Alan Hahn]

The ESPN does not set the calendar for the globe. Only us freaks work on this Monday. It was the weekend.

[Don LaGreca]

No, it's unquestionably a weekend. The weekend.

[Alan Hahn]

Why do you think the tournament you went to happened this Past weekend.

[Don LaGreca]

Because they're psychotic, that's why.

[Alan Hahn]

No. And guess what? The kids weren't skipping school for the tournament. There was no school.

[Don LaGreca]

Guess what? There's another one in Boston leaving Thursday.

[Alan Hahn]

Anthony, you made the right decision.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it should not be challenging, which you have said should not count as a full goal. I didn't say that.

[Alan Hahn]

Who am I, Richard?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you did say that.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think I've ever said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, nobody should be. No one should be parading around the room here.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's another way.

[Don LaGreca]

This is not a good Weekend Warrior. Okay, so no one should.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's too late. He already ruled it. You can't always fight back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Man, I wish I cared to continue.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you. I'll take the W then. And keep it moving.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If that's him, have it if that's what he needs, you know.

[Don LaGreca]

Do we need the patino speech again?

[Alan Hahn]

See, don't. Don't.

[Don LaGreca]

Hold on. Where were you raised on. Let him have it. We're just giving away wins now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, is there some sort of punish. Is this a cool thing?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, there's no real points.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got to be honest with you. Weekend War Warrior is. It's not a lame. Is it sponsored, by the way?

[Alan Hahn]

Because if it's. If it's sponsored, he changed his mind.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's one of the greatest things. But I don't think it's sponsored. So why can't I have an opinion? I get paid to have an opinion. And I think the Weekend Warrior sucks. How about that?

[Don LaGreca]

Do we just kill it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but I'm just one person. Well, you hate it down inside. You're not a fan either. Let's be honest.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, but I hate losing, especially Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he got his little empty net. His 5, 3 game became a 6, 3 game. Yippee. Meanwhile, Jack Hughes was on a winning team.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, he did win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They contributed to winning on one of the biggest game. 4.1 million people.

[Don LaGreca]

Pretty, pretty epic game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How many people watched it? The Crosby empty netter at like quarter to 4 in the afternoon.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm going to go with no. 1 for 500 bucks.

[Alan Hahn]

Fair enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm sorry. The Weekend Warrior.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, it's dead. No more.

[Alan Hahn]

No, you're not killing it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't have the right to kill it.

[Alan Hahn]

You did kill it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You just said you like Draymond Green now.

[Don LaGreca]

Nobody wants to watch the All Star Game. Draymond told him not to watch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a very good point. I believe the Weekend warrior is the NBA all star game. Well, we have six, but they're not killing it.

[Don LaGreca]

We have a 6:00 hour and we have lots of calls to get to, so stay with us. But first on little Ramsey Mazda, you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

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 ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Alan Hahn]

In case you didn't know, these young men are driven, quite remarkable, magnificent and unmistakable. These are the prodigies, the savants, the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ones we've been waiting for.

[Alan Hahn]

And they are not asking for you to pass the baton. They are methodically planning the perfect moment to take it. A new generation of Toyota drivers are here, and they want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive.