Hour 3: Fraud Friday Continues

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast — Hour 3: Fraud Friday Continues

Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca (A), Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg (B)

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Episode Overview

This episode, part of the weekly “Fraud Friday” series, dives into the concept of "fraudulence" in sports fandom and culture. The hosts debate which sports behaviors, allegiances, and fan actions should be considered fraudulent — from switching teams and wearing rival jerseys, to the ever-contentious "only real New York football team" banter. Aside from fan fraudulence, the hosts also touch on the NFL Hall of Fame’s disregard for special teams players, share some personal and caller stories about sports loyalties, and close with a brief discussion on preseason baseball expectations in New York.

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Key Segments & Discussions

1. Arch Manning, the Jets, and Family Hypocrisy

[01:30 – 07:35]

• Don calls out the Manning family’s inconsistent logic:
  Don references reported comments that Arch Manning wouldn’t avoid the Jets in the draft, despite the family’s previous refusal to let Eli Manning go to the Chargers in 2004 for reasons that (by Don’s logic) now describe the Jets.
  • Quote (Don, 03:04):
    “You wouldn’t let Eli go to the Chargers … the Jets are everything the Chargers were in 2004. And you’re gonna let Arch go?”
• Hosts weigh the fairness of expectations around the Jets:
  Acknowledging fan frustration, Don contends criticism of the Jets is earned:
  • Quote (Don, 04:15):
    “The Jets deserve to be beat up. … Fifteen straight years of missing the playoffs. Enough said.”
• Debate if Manning’s stance is really “fraudulent”
  Both hosts appreciate the possible nuance (e.g., proximity to family support, organizational changes), but Don stands by the inconsistency.

2. Is Wearing Another Team’s Gear Fraudulent for a Fan?

[08:41 – 13:59]

• Caller Darren challenges Don:
  • Quote (Darren, 09:00):
    “If I see a cute Marlins hat... I’m a lifelong Jet fan. Do you think I’m going to put that on? ... That’s fraudulent.”
• Don and Peter’s take:
  Don admits to having worn other teams’ jerseys for aesthetics, drawing the line at wearing rival or division opponents’ gear. Peter frames it as slightly “fraudulent,” but harmless:
  • Quote (Peter, 11:52):
    “I do think it’s slightly fraudulent, but I have no issue with it. How about that?”
• Discussion extends to fashion and intent:
  Many wear hats or jerseys as a style choice, not necessarily as a fandom statement. The hosts note Yankee hats as a fashion item among those with little baseball knowledge.

3. Are the Jets/Giants Truly “New York” Teams? A Tri-State Semantics War

[14:10 – 22:13]

• Long-running debate about team geography reignites:
  Caller Mike claims only the Buffalo Bills are a true New York team; Don rolls out a spirited defense of the Tri-State identity.
  • Quote (Don, 16:32):
    “In this particular area... southern Connecticut, New York and northern New Jersey are considered a New York suburb.”
  • Don points out media, cultural, and economic ties between NJ/NY and how distinctions of state lines miss the real lived reality.
• Peter and Don try to put the debate to rest:
  Don, increasingly exasperated, likens the “Buffalo is the real NY team” crowd to flat earthers.
  • Quote (Don, 19:56):
    “They won’t stop. It’s like flat Earthers. It really is. It’s at that level.”

4. The Value of Special Teams and Returners in Football Legacy

[27:03 – 31:43]

• NFL Hall of Fame snubbing returners:
  Peter laments, by the numbers, the underappreciation of great return men like Brian Mitchell and Devin Hester.
  • Quote (Peter, 30:37):
    “He finished his career with 4,999 punt yards ... and no hall of Fame. Those are insane numbers. 13 return touchdowns—nothing, not a sniff.”
  • Don and Peter agree that changes to the game (like rule changes affecting returns) make this even more disappointing.

5. Callers’ Fraud Stories: Sports Allegiance & Relationship Dilemmas

[31:46 – 38:28]

• Dan’s Giants–Cowboys cross-loyalty love story:
  Dan worries he’s a “fraud” after criticizing Giants fans dating Cowboys fans, then falling for a woman who wears Cowboys gear (but can’t name three players).
  • Quote (Don, 34:34):
    “You did make the statement you would never do it, and now you’re going to do it, so that makes you a fool. But you gotta do it, man. This is the love of your life.”
  • Peter questions whether the family would actually care. Both conclude romance should win out unless it genuinely threatens family peace.
  • Banter about whether Rothenberg would let his kid marry a Cowboys fan leads to classic show self-mockery.

6. Can You Switch Sports Allegiances? (And Should You?)

[46:00 – 49:49]

• Inspired by a caller’s failed “Giants fan conversion test” on Rothenberg’s morning show:
  The hosts discuss whether you can ever really change the team you root for—or whether it’s fraudulent in essence.
  • Quote (Peter, 47:49):
    “You can’t do it… Even if I end up pulling for [the Knicks] forever... I’ll never be able to go like, yeah, I’m a Knicks guy now. … I am more comfortable being a fraud who says my team has always been the Celtics... than saying, no, I’m making an official change.”
  • Don adds sports fandom is more like falling in love: it can cool, but it can’t be forced anew out of convenience.

7. Rapid Hits & Fun Moments

• Valentine’s Day sidetrack: The hosts joke about Valentine’s Day, side piece day (when is it?) and Goodfellas references.
  [41:28 – 43:06]
• Olympic Figure Skating Appreciation:
  Don praises Johnny Weir's commentary for making the sport enjoyable and understandable for non-fans.
  • Quote (Don, 27:17):
    “Johnny Weir, to me, is one of the best color commentators out there … he does a terrific job explaining what’s going on.”
• Upcoming MLB Win Projections:
  Don surprises Peter with news that ESPN’s projections have the Mets with more wins than the Yankees. Both express cautious hope for a normal, competitive season.
  [43:11 – 45:55]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Don (on Jets futility, 04:15):
  “15 straight years of missing the playoffs. Enough said. … Stop being picked on. Stop being somebody that can be picked on.”

• Peter (on fan fashion fraudulence, 11:52):
  “I do think it’s slightly fraudulent, but I have no issue with it.”

• Don (flat earth analogy for Buffalo debate, 19:56):
  “They won’t stop. It’s like flat Earthers. It really is. It’s at that level.”

• Peter (sports allegiance, 47:49):
  “I am more comfortable being a fraud who says my team has always been the Celtics, [but] I live in New York though, so I kind of root for the Knicks now, than saying, no, I’m making an official change.”

• Don (on switching teams, 48:53):
  “Some people might think they chose a team, but the team kind of chooses you … You can’t create that. It’s just something … magical and mystical about it.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Arch Manning/Jets “fraud” discussion: 01:30 – 07:35
• Is wearing rival gear fraudulent?: 08:41 – 13:59
• Buffalo Bills “true NY team” debate: 14:10 – 22:13
• Olympics & Johnny Weir commentary: 27:03 – 28:27
• NFL Hall of Fame neglects returners: 28:27 – 31:43
• Callers’ fraud stories & love across team lines: 31:46 – 38:28
• Valentine’s Day/side piece banter: 41:28 – 43:06
• Mets/Yankees win projections debates: 43:11 – 45:55
• On switching team allegiances: 46:00 – 49:49

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Tone and Style Reflections

• The hosts keep the tone playful but passionate, mixing genuine sports insight and cultural commentary with classic New York banter, occasional exasperation, and a lot of self-deprecating humor.
• Listener calls provide both heartfelt confessions and spirited debate, with the hosts showing empathy, occasional tough love, and always sharp wit.

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For those who missed it:
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the soul of sports fandom—its quirks, contradictions, agonies, and absurdities. Whether you’ve ever debated the meaning of “real” team loyalty or just want to hear three New Yorkers rag on each other (and the Jets), it’s a classic hour of sports radio.

Transcript

[A]

We heard you. Nine years of bring back the snack wrap and you've won. But maybe you should have asked for more. Say hello to the Hot Honey Snack Wrap. Now you've really won. Go to McDonald's and get it while you can. This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast. That sounds like heaven to me. Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. Game time is brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey because what? And it's game time, Peter. The U.S. women's hockey team is facing Italy in the quarterfinals. It is six to nothing as they are underway in the third period. Out shooting Italy 40 to six or four. Excuse me? 40 to four and it's six nothing. So the question, I was talking to Anthony during the break and Anthony makes a great point. He's like, will Italy get as many shots as the US has goals? Something to watch out there. And that's all you got coverage for. The Rising Stars game will get underway at 9 o' clock here on 880 Tullamore. Due the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. I'm going to do something here as it's 504 in the big city that's going to be very, very painful for me to do.

[B]

Okay?

[A]

Something I never thought I would ever have to do. But I believe as a arbiter of fraud, it is my moral imperative to call out fraudulent behavior.

[B]

That's what you do.

[A]

And it all started with a tweet about an hour ago from Nate. Nate wanted to retort our conversation about how it's a bad idea to tank for Arch Manning only to have the Mannings say he's not playing for the Jets. Well, he tweeted, Love you guys. Allow me to be your college guru. Laugh out loud. Talking about how it's not just about Arch Manning. There's tons of really good quarterbacks coming out of the draft in 27, but he starts out first. Don Lagreca. Gary Myers reported that he talked to the Mannings and they said they wouldn't mind the jets because family like Eli still lives in the area to support him.

[B]

Okay, go ahead. There it is.

[A]

So I wanted to get the exact quote. So why didn't Eli allow himself to be drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2004? Go ahead, Archie. No, he's not gonna. He's not gonna go to San Diego. Why? Concerns about the organization's stability, poor reputation for developing quarterbacks and mismanagement. Does that not describe the Jets? Yeah. So you wouldn't let Eli go to the Chargers because of all those reasons that the jets are under now? I'm not saying it was right. As much as I love Eli Manning and I love the Mannings and everything that they meant to the Giants, winning two Super Bowls, I didn't like how that went down, but he had the power. He wielded that power, and he went to where he wanted to go. Good on him. I didn't love that. I didn't love what Elway did 10 Indianapolis back in the day. But he had the power. He got out of it. He went to the Denver Broncos and won a couple of Super Bowls. But isn't that kind of fraudulent? You wouldn't let Eli go to the Chargers. The jets are everything the chargers were in 2004. And you're gonna let Arch go? Yeah.

[B]

It doesn't feel very them. Right.

[A]

I would say. And I got some people saying, you know, we beat up the Jet. We beat up the Jets. The jets deserve to be beat up. All right, I'm sorry. I worked for the jets for 16 years. I love the organization. They treated me well. I'm just calling it as I see it, all right? 15 straight years of missing the playoffs. Enough said. Right. So I don't know what you want me to tell you. Haven't developed the quarterback in forever. The quarterback you did have in your backyard just won a Super bowl for Seattle. All right? I mean, it's just. Keep on coming, Peter. I don't know what we're supposed to do. All right? God love them. We all want them to turn it around. I think it'd be great. I feel. I weep for their fans. But if you're upset we're picking on the jets, then you know it's on the Jets. Stop being picked on. Stop being somebody that can be picked on. Yeah.

[B]

Become a real team.

[A]

But that's interesting now. I don't know. I mean, Gary's reporting it, and that's what he heard. But wouldn't you find that interesting? And I hope. I hope it's true, because I want. I want a quarterback to go and turn the jets around. I'd want Arch Manning to be the way. But didn't that strike you as a bit fraudulent? The jets are in worse shape than the Chargers were in 04? Because. All right, they didn't they didn't win a Super bowl, but Philip Rivers certainly turned him around. You don't think Eli would have been able to do that? Got him playing in a championship game. Almost won the championship game against the Patriots. They were a perennial playoff team under Philip Rivers. I thought that was very interesting. So good. I'm a good on Jet fans. If that's true. Good. But it is. Does it strike you as odd 21 years later, it'll be okay for Arch to go to the jets, but Eli couldn't go to San Diego? Is it was because the Mannings weren't close to San Diego?

[B]

Well, I mean, listen.

[A]

Was that what it was?

[B]

Listen, if it could have just been Archie being the one making the call back then, and maybe now that's, you know, things are different now. Your point remains, though. I mean, I would. If I. If that were the reason to worry about a kid's future, the jets would be the number one team you don't.

[A]

Want them to go to because how would you feel? And again, maybe it's just a case of, you know, L.A. was a little bit closer to New York, so they felt like they were a little, you know, closer to be there to support Eli. If there were any issues way out in San Diego, it's across the country. Maybe it had something to do with that. But let's say you let Arch go to the jets and Arch gets gobbled up like every other quarterback since Joe Namath and ends up getting chewed up and spit out by New York, just like Sanchez did, just like Darnold did. Although Darnold was able to get up and win elsewhere, but certainly no other quarterback's been able to do that. Like, how would you feel? You had the power to help Eli. You didn't help. Architect. It just strikes me as odd.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Still. Still love the family. Great people. Thank you for the two Super Bowls. It just struck me as very odd.

[B]

But every. But every person is different. Every situation is different.

[A]

True.

[B]

You know, our Arch's dad may see it differently, Arch may see it differently. Who knows, he may just want a bag.

[A]

Or maybe it just came down to they didn't. The one thing that maybe they regret is how that all looked. It helped.

[B]

I doubt. I don't think they've spent one moment thinking about it.

[A]

I don't know. It's interesting because he got. Listen, he got beat up whenever he went to San Diego. It was. It was a bad look at the time. Now nobody talks about it because he won two Super Bowls there. You know, so it was the right thing to do. And certainly New York has been very kind to him. And it ended up being the absolute home run that Archie was hoping it would be. Even if he won in San Diego, would have hit completely different than the two times he won in New York. Right. But I just. It struck me as odd but good if that. If Gary's reporting is correct, that would be great for the jets because you'd hate to see that happen, that they can't get the quarterback they want because. But, like. But as Nate said, there's plenty of other quarterbacks out there, so maybe it is an Arch Manning. But I just. It struck me as odd. 1-800-919-3776. Interesting phone call from Darren in Newark, who's annoyed with me. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, buddy?

[C]

Hello, guys. How you doing today?

[A]

Good.

[C]

All right, Don, I understand it's your birthday, so happy birthday. Mine was Saturday, so I understand. But, Don, I. I always considered you to be a straight shooter.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

You really, really upset me a couple of minutes ago.

[A]

Go ahead.

[C]

You're telling me that if I see a cute Florida marlin hat or I see a nice Packer hat that has some nice colors or whatever, I'm a lifelong Jet fan. Do you think I'm going to put that on? I wouldn't care. If I'm in California, I'm in New Jersey. But if I was in California and I couldn't find anything to wear, I'm not putting on a jersey from another team. To me, that's fraudulent.

[A]

No, no, but I think that's okay. I get what you're saying. But if, let's say you're a hat guy, like, Peter's a hat guy. He goes to Lids. He's represented Lids. Well, I mean, yeah, sure, at times, you know, and it was just a real fly Packer hat. And you just. Grant you really, it looks great and somebody gave it to you, you wouldn't put it on. I mean, there's no rivalry there. There's zero rivalry between the jets and the Packers. I can understand. It was Patriots, Bills, Dolphins. Okay, but you would.

[C]

Absolutely not. I don't care about rivalry. So I'm a Jet fan, I'm a Yankee fan.

[A]

But I was a jer. But I'll tell you, I'm not a Jersey guy anymore because I do think, no offense to anybody, I think it's kind of silly in your 50s wearing a jersey. But when I was. When I was growing up and I loved. I Loved hockey jerseys. I loved the way they looked. And I bought a Canuck jersey because I thought the logo was gorgeous. I love the color scheme. And you know, Doug Gilmore was one of my favorite players before he became a devil on the Leafs. And I love the leaf and, and I'd buy the jersey and I'd wear it. I was still a dire devil. Van, you think I was a fraud because I just appreciated the look of non rival jerseys that's fraudulent. I understand you not wanting to do it, but you would look down on me for just appreciating a non rivals jersey.

[C]

I could appreciate it by. It's hanging on a wall or something. Or maybe in a store. I could appreciate a nice jersey or a nice hat, but I'm not putting it on.

[A]

Okay?

[C]

You'll never see me in any, any other teams but the jets and the Yankees and I'm not really a big fan of any other teams.

[A]

Okay, I get that. And obviously I don't care how gorgeous you would think the Red Sox jersey is. You never wear that. Anybody in your division or a Dodger is like a rival. I get that. But I think we're getting. You're an appreciator of jerseys, Peter. I think you're the perfect person to ask this. There might be a jersey that strikes your fancy and you're wearing it less as a fan, but more of, hey, I just like the way this looks.

[B]

Yeah, I think we're into a semantic thing. He has the right to think that. For him, it makes no sense.

[A]

Oh, he's not.

[B]

But. But at the same time, it's not fraudulent. If you like a hat from an. I don't think I'm fine.

[A]

I mean.

[B]

No, let me not say that. How about this, Don? I do think it's slightly fraudulent, but I have no issue with it. How about that?

[A]

All right, interesting fraud.

[B]

It is a little fraudulent, but like, to walk around wearing a cap of a team you have no association with, it is a little fraudulent, but I also have no issue with it.

[A]

But if like somebody came up to me and said, listen, and, and I didn't hate the Canucks, you know, and part of me back when I was a Devil fan was kind of like trolling the Ranger fans because they played the Canucks in the final or whatever. But I honestly like the logo, like the jersey. And I love Trevor Lyndon and I got a Trevor Lyndon jersey, number 16, Vancouver Canuck. If somebody came up to me and said, are you a Canuck fan? Like, I like him, but I just love the jersey I'm a Devil fan, but I really love the jersey. And there's zero rivalry between the two, so. But I hear what he's saying, and I appreciate the stand he took. But if it's.

[B]

What if people. What if people were to extend this to, like, not wearing Jordans because you're a New Yorker? I've heard people say that before and they sound insane. I've heard it, though.

[A]

But I. But how do you not, like, you know, appreciate the person? Because there is. There. There is fashion involved. Like, there's plenty of people who wear Yankee hats that don't. You couldn't name one player on the team. Oh, of course. That too. But it's a fashion statement to wear the interlocking NY and the. The navy blue. And they, like. Sometimes it's just fashion, the way it looks. And it's a team that you don't necessarily mind representing because it's not a team you hate or a team that crosses with the organization that you root for. But I can't say he's wrong. If you were to ask who's. Who's fraudulent, it would be me. You can't call him a fraud. But I don't think either is fraudulent. But he's also not a hat guy or a Jersey guy. You know what I mean? Because sometimes if you're a hat or Jersey guy, you think about it a little differently.

[B]

Yeah, I know. It changes the game. It changes the.

[A]

I.

[B]

Listen, I respect it. I respect people who go this hard, but I think everyone has the right to have, you know, their own limitations.

[A]

Now Mike Lindenhurst wants to reply to the guy calling me a fraud. You're on espn. New York going on it is truly fraud Friday. What do you got, Mike?

[C]

So he's all about rooting for the New York Jets.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

New York team plays what? New York team plays football?

[A]

Oh, we're not gonna go there with the whole Buffalo thing. You gotta, because, you know, you don't have to.

[C]

I gotta leave the states.

[A]

No, but you're not really. It's the Tri State area. Stop. They represent New York now. You know what? Buffalo's an Orchard Park. Are they frauds for not being the Orchard Park Bills?

[C]

No, no. They're in the same state.

[A]

What about what? So the Bears frauds, when they go to Indiana, they will be.

[C]

They should be from the Indiana Bears, but they're not.

[A]

They're in the Chicago suburbs.

[C]

State lines.

[A]

I am in. Mike, I. The weird thing about the Tri State area. And he didn't have to. I don't know if he hung up or I wanted to continue this conversation. We're in a suburb of New York. If you live in North Jersey, you are in a suburb of the New York Tri state area. They call it the New York Tri State area. Even though when I go away, I very pridefully say I'm from New Jersey, but I have to say I'm in the. I'm in the New York tri State area because I don't live in Salem county, which is like, considered Philadelphia. Yeah, I live in North Jersey. There's a distinction. And living in North Jersey means you're most likely rooting for New York teams, listening to New York radio stations, watching New York TV stations, reading New York newspapers, and it's just the way it goes. Because you're in a suburb of New York. There are New York Yankees that live in Jersey because it's a suburb of New York. It's easy to cross the bridge and go live in Franklin Lakes or Tenafly or Alpine.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it's considered a suburb of New York. So is southern Connecticut. So, yes, you cross state lines. But can we at least acknowledge the fact that. That in this particular area, the tri state area, southern Connecticut, New York and northern New Jersey are considered a New York suburb.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Yes, that's.

[B]

That's no question.

[A]

You're not wrong to say you're from New Jersey. But if I'm out in Seattle and somebody says where you are, I'm from the New York area.

[B]

That's correct.

[A]

And if I live in Camden, I'll probably say I'm in the Philly area. Because as small as New Jersey is, saying I'm from New Jersey isn't necessarily telling that person everything. Because if I live in Camden, I'm most likely rooting for Philly teams because that's the suburb I'm in. A lot of Flyers and Sixers live in Voorhees, New Jersey, because that's the, I guess, the rich suburb of that area. And they cross state line. So what? You're crossing a line of demarcation created 200 years ago. We get caught up in it. So because you're in Buffalo, which do not watch New York stations, do not read New York newspapers, do not listen to New York radio stations are more New York when they're freaking 500, 600 miles away, but they just happen to be in the same state. Give me a break.

[B]

We can't keep doing this.

[A]

Every day. They play the Buffalo Bills, the Buffalo Sabres play the Canadian national anthem along with the American national anthem during games. The. The Bills congratulated the Blue Jays for going to the World Series. Are they really from the area?

[B]

We have to stop. We know. Don, you're doing too much. Honestly, this isn't worth it.

[A]

We've done this enough. It's too hard, bro. But it doesn't. I know, but we've done this. It never ends, but we.

[B]

It's. I'm like, I wasn't with Alan the other day when he was like, hey, we've argued too much about the music list. Listen, we were within a couple of days of it continuing to argue. We've been doing this buffalo thing for 10 years.

[A]

People still, well, don't get it. They don't make them. I don't know whether it's because they don't travel. Like, I don't know if it's urban legend, but I liked it to believe it's true because it's funny. Alexander McGilney was Russian. He gets drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Sure he did. Sabres, Charger. He doesn't know Buffalo from a hole in the wall. They tell him it's in New York. He gets a big smile on his face because he heard that Bensonhurst has a lot of Brooklyn people and he's excited at the fact that he's going to be close to Russian people. And somebody had to tell him, Kudlock, it's a six hour drive, right? Stop it. When you're in a massive state, okay? San Diego and San Francisco are in the same state. They're not in the same stratosphere as far as, like, locality is concerned. How the teams are covered, who they're covered by different radio stations. What do people not understand? Do you not leave the house? Or are you such a semantics person, such a captain literal person, that you're gonna root for the Bills because they truly are the only New York team. Come on. You're killing me. But it doesn't end. They won't stop. It's like flat Earthers. It really is. It's at that level.

[B]

You think it's flat earth, Jace?

[A]

Yes. Oh, it is. It makes no sense. And yet people won't stop. I'm not saying there's a lot of them, Peter, but there's enough of them. They irritate me. Why in God's name would you think the earth is flat? Really? Why would you think Buffalo is in the area? Joe, do me a favor. Drive it. Drive it.

[B]

Does it feel like something that's in the area?

[A]

Right. Really? What area do you live in? That Buffalo is anywhere close. Peter, it's my privilege to be the DO Rangers and then eventually the Devils. Every game I've ever done in Buffalo, guess what I had to do? Fly.

[B]

What's that?

[A]

I had to fly.

[B]

It's not a local.

[A]

If I have to fly, Peter, it's not in the area and it's a short flight, but you're in the air a little while. Like an hour. Why do I let people bother me?

[B]

I don't know. This one. I'm over.

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

You're getting caught up and I'm done. I'm not trying to be that guy.

[A]

But I wish I could.

[B]

I don't have the energy for it. Anyone who thinks Buffalo should be considered a local team is either not. You're either not a serious person, you're unaware of where it is, or you just don't care and you're trying to have fun.

[A]

So let me ask these yo yos one last thing. Just indulge me for 30 more seconds.

[B]

Fine.

[A]

The jets and the Giants went to New Jersey because New York wouldn't build them a stadium. The jets tried. They tried west, the west side of Manhattan, they tried. So if given an opportunity to play in Plattsburgh, should they have done that?

[B]

No, Don, I don't. I don't know that we needed that.

[A]

Just so, hey, we stayed in New York. Let's go play in Cortland. It's kind of a far drive. Yeah, but at least it's still New York. Well, but. But I can get there in 15 minutes from my apartment in New York City. But I gotta. I gotta. I gotta go to Syracuse because at least it's still New York.

[B]

These people are very committed to states rights.

[A]

Okay, you know what? Thank you. That is a great way to close it out.

[B]

What else can I say?

[D]

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[B]

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[A]

Thanks for Listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[B]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Peter of shots were goals. Team Italy has tied the U.S. they've got six shots. USA has six goals. That is insane. We've winded down. The game is over. 6 Nothing. Team USA wins in a quarterfinal against Team Italy. What was the final shot? That was at 51.6.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Dear God. When you really think about it, I mean, I would make. Whoever the Italian goaltender is, I make. I'd make her one of the stars. 51 to six beaters.

[D]

You.

[A]

You expect to be worse than six nothing, right? She had some pretty good saves. That's abuse.

[B]

50. What?

[D]

It's not bad.

[A]

Oh, man.

[B]

How much time in the game?

[A]

I just ended.

[B]

It ended. Okay.

[A]

Clock just zeroed out. Dang. It's gonna be a weird weekend, man. I think I got some college basketball. Real chance for college basketball to shine. Right. Because even the Olympic hockey or even the Any. Anything Olympics is over by. By what, like noon? Because of the time difference. So now you get to see a lot of things in tape delay. I've been watching a lot of figure skating. Peter and Nancy do it. Yeah.

[B]

Bless.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

It's just.

[A]

It's something. There's. They do a good job of the story.

[B]

A lot of stories.

[A]

I'm gonna tell you this. Not that I know a lot about figure skating, but. But I watched quite a bit.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

Johnny Weir, to me, is one of the best color commentators out there. He does a terrific job explaining what's going on and the reason that I pay attention. Because I need to know, because I don't. I literally know nothing about the sport. So I appreciate his commentary. But he's got an answer for everything. He sees the flaws that most people wouldn't see because that's the frustrating thing about figure skating is they'll make a mistake. But you don't. A lot of times you don't see it. It's not like I squealed down, you know?

[B]

Right. Not often.

[A]

Yeah. And if they do, that's easy to see. But there'll be one little thing because they he already. Because he's been to the practices. He knows the routines. So if any flaw, he sees it. And he explains it so well to where I think if you were a figure skating expert, you'd appreciate it. So he's not dumbing it down. But he does it enough for me who doesn't know anything to understand it. And I. And I know we get caught up on how flamboyant he is and the way he dresses and everything. I think that takes away from the conversation of just really how good he is. He's terrific. So I watch because, you know, happy wife, happy life. And there are some interesting stories, and I've been seeing it.

[B]

Well, Brian Mitchell, the former Redskin great, told me today when I called into a show that he got very into figure skating in the. I guess it was at that point we were doing the Olympics. How did the Olympics work? It was both sports, every four years. Yeah, it was winter, summer, same year, right?

[A]

Yes, yes.

[B]

So it would have been, I think, the 92 Olympics, which was relatively early in his career.

[A]

Right.

[B]

He. He got into figure skating when he looked and saw like, the. Was it figure or speed? Anyways, he saw the size of the quads and the. And the legs of the skaters and was like, what are these guys doing? And then as a result, because he didn't have a way to ice skate, he took up like, rollerblading and learning how to get there and skate just as a way to work on sort of his leg strength. And you remember Brian Mitchell, player? I don't sure. Of course, he was like all lower body. He was like. He was just an explosive return man. In fact, the greatest return man in history, who the hall of Fame has no use for. It's a thing they have in the league. You can be the best at it, who's ever done it. And they go, we don't really see it as an important thing that we do.

[A]

Yeah, they figured out they'll let the occasional punter and kicker in. But other really important parts of special teams, they ignore it.

[B]

Isn't it crazy, too? Because when. Let's just go back to a time when returns mattered more and you saw them more because now I consider the return games very odd. As you know, the return was a great return was as thrilling a thing as existed. Like it was. It was a gigantic deal, Don. Isn't it weird that it's so ignored historically?

[A]

Well, especially now. They change all the rules and everything.

[B]

He finished his career with 4000. Not punts. He did punts and kicks.

[A]

Yeah, dude.

[B]

He finished his career with 4,999 punt yards returned, 14,014 kickoff yards returned, nine punt touchdowns, four kickoff touchdowns, and no hall of Fame. Those are insane numbers. 13 return touchdowns.

[A]

No, that's. It's crazy.

[B]

And they don't care, these people.

[A]

Like how. When you really look at it and how significant he Was. What about Devin Hester?

[D]

Devin Hester.

[A]

How is Devin Hester not in the hall of Fame?

[B]

Let me get Devin Hester Stats give you a little.

[A]

I mean, there was a time period where it was almost like he was like Deion Sanders, almost like he just touched the ball. It was gonna be a score.

[B]

Well, except. And except he was back every time.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Hester finished with wow. So yards wise, not as impressive. Shorter career, he finished with 3,700 yards. Punt returns, 7,000 kickoff returns, but 14 punt returns for touchdowns and five kickoff returns.

[A]

That's 19 touchdown. Special teams, that's.

[B]

That's a different Nothing, not a sniff.

[A]

Now whenever I hear greatest ever, I've got to take the call. Oh, and Dan Rocklin says he's got the greatest fraud story ever. What do you got, Dan?

[C]

All right, so my father is a bigger Giants fan than Rothenberg. It's absolutely religion in my household. My first memory is in 91 before the field gold. He had me and my. Me and my brother Neil in player position over the ottoman. And when the kick was missed, he picked us both up in his arms, he kicked the door open, and he ran down the street with us.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

Now fast. Fast forward 30 years later. I've never called a radio show. Pond and Bart have this conversation. Would you ever date a girl who was, if you're a Giant fan, a cowboy fan? I had absolutely no etiquette for the radio. I spoke over both of them. I was just yelling. I don't give a. What if she's the hottest girl in the world. I would never, ever. Blah, blah, blah. My brothers even have the recording. Long story short, I'm going for a walk in the park, and I see this beautiful girl, and she's wearing a cowboy hat. And I told her, hey, you look really good, except for what's on your head. And we kicked it off. And I just thought, you know, we're going to be friends. And, you know, she. She has the keychain, she has the gear, and we're getting pretty serious. And I. It's. I want to know if I'm a fraud. But if I ask her to name three players on the Cowboys, she couldn't do it. But she wears all the gear all the time. And I even turned down going to the Giants game with her because I'm not going to be heckled for, you know, having a cow, you know, a girlfriend wearing a cowboy gear. Now, am I a fraud for first off saying what I said on that radio show, or should I just let that Go. Even though the one time we broke up was when the Giants lost that heartbreaking game in Week one. She thought it would be cute to send me a picture of her in a Dak Prescott jersey blowing me a kiss. But now we got over that, and now we're getting pretty serious, so. Peters. Don, you know, what should I do in this situation? I mean, this is gonna be a lifelong situation.

[A]

Well, you're asking two different questions now. Are you a fraud? I mean, you did make the statement you would never do it, and now you're gonna do it, so that makes you a fool. But you gotta do it, man. This is the love of your life.

[B]

If you.

[A]

If this is who wanted to spend the rest of your life with, you can't let her. And listen, she sounds like a fraudulent cowboy fan. She can't name a cowboy, so. But, yeah, dude, you gotta follow your heart, man. Right, Peter? I mean, whatever it is, like, listen, it's. It's important. This might be the only woman that truly is meant for you. You can't let that stand in the way.

[B]

No.

[A]

Now, don't let fraudulent stand in the way. No, no. Well, hold on. Let me ask you a great line, too. That was a great line. You look great. Except for what's on your head. That's a great line, man. Daniel, let me ask you.

[B]

Does the fo. Does he actually care? Like, are any of them actually gonna care and be angry? Like, will it create actual problems or something funny?

[C]

Oh, my dad. My dad is the nicest guy in the world. Once that Giant game comes on, the words that come out of his mouth, he's like a demon possessed.

[A]

Will he not support the marriage is what Peter's asking, Right? Like, how bad.

[C]

The marriage. But he would never let her come over to watch a game.

[A]

Oh, that's fine. He'll still show up till night. He'll give you his blessing. Like, he'll be at the wedding.

[C]

Yeah, he would be at the wedding. But, yeah, it's just, you know, it's just crazy, like, because she's one of those girls that loves to wear the gear.

[B]

Well.

[C]

And it's just.

[A]

And she looks good in the gear. So you know what? You marry her. But I tell you what. Now you made a statement that your dad's a bigger fan than. Than Rothenberg. Oh, did he. You ever bleed out because something happened during a game? Because that's what would happen.

[B]

Yeah, he just didn't care.

[C]

Oh, yeah. My dad has done things that I. I can't even mention as long as.

[A]

Long as it's not filthy. Mention.

[C]

As long as it's not. As long as it's not filthy. You know, he's. He's missed big events. He has. You know, he's ended parties where the Giants were playing because he was cursing and dropping bombs in front of little kids. And, you know, he's cleared out. He's cleared out parties that way. He's broken. He's broken TVs.

[A]

Oh, my God. But. I know. But he's got. He's got his issues. I could tell. So he's at Rothenberg's level. But that's. That'd be a great question for Dave. I've been texting with him today because we're going to try to do a brunch next week. I wonder if you think Dave would be on board with one of his sons marrying a Cowboy fan. You want to see the matter? If Alex or Ben brought home a Cowboy fan. He. Now, he. I'm sure he wouldn't let her in the house during games and all, but would Dave. I. I don't. The matter. Would he actually show up? Would he.

[B]

I'm gonna tell you something. I'm gonna tell you something. It's gonna sound like a tough criticism, okay? I think if the woman was attractive enough, he'd be fine with it.

[A]

Oh, that's interesting.

[B]

Hear me out. Hear me out. If. If the woman was so gorgeous that he just had a pro. He has a pride in his son. He's going, listen.

[A]

Who.

[B]

Because I know Dave, Dave, Dave, Dave, for all of his madness and being a complete lunatic, still scored Sherry. He still understands and appreciates a beautiful woman. I think if the woman was great enough and I'm emphasizing beauty. Yes. But I'm included in other things as well. I think he'd give it a pass. I think if he didn't think the woman was that special, physically or otherwise, I think he would legitimately use the cowboy to discourage the relationship.

[A]

That's my thought. Interesting.

[B]

How do you like that? Girl's great. If she's just absolutely great, he would make it a funny thing. He'd be silly. He might fight with her, and at some point they might get in real fights, but he'd be fine with it. Yeah, I agree. But if he thought the woman was kind of below the level, he'd say, get her out of here.

[A]

I don't want. You know what? I would like to get Dave on. And since Alan's not on, I guess we could.

[B]

Oh, because Alan, we know he does not take well but I'll reach out.

[A]

To him to see if he can at least give me the answer on what he would say in text form.

[E]

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[B]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

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

[B]

All right, ladies and gentlemen. What? We're still on the romantic vibe? Oh, yeah.

[C]

When the world is cold.

[A]

I will feel a glow.

[B]

If you don't know, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Yes. And Jacob is giving us the vibe tonight. Natalie and I are going out for our Valentine's Day dinner tonight. Tomorrow night we'll be. We'll be with family in the D.C. area. That's the plan, at least. We've been trying that for a while, but weather and sickness keeps preventing it, but.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Hopefully this time we will have be having a family dinner tomorrow to celebrate my niece and nephew's birthday and a belated first birthday for Maya, who has not seen my parents in like a few months. So as a result, we're going to go do the celebration tonight. A little Valentine's Day.

[A]

Good.

[B]

Is the 13th side piece day, Jacob, or is the 15th?

[A]

Why are you asking me? Well, maybe, you know, take it out. You want it.

[B]

You know what I mean?

[A]

I mean, usually it's the day after.

[B]

I thought it was day after. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, usually it's the day after because everything is cheaper. Everything is half off at that point. So you get flowers and chocolate.

[B]

Sunday. Sunday is supposed to be side piece day.

[A]

Yeah. But if you remember in Goodfellas, yeah, it was, you know, Saturday was for the wives, but Friday night was for the girlfriends.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

So based on that. It would be the day before.

[B]

It would be the day before. Then if you go by the.

[A]

And interesting.

[B]

Knows better now. But we're gonna do it tonight, so we're looking forward to it.

[A]

Now, I don't know if you saw the Mets and Yankees projected win totals. Did you see this? I heard you mention it. I didn't see it. You didn't see it. Okay, well, in a recent ESPN article, they projected the Mets and the Yankees win total. All right, the first question is, which team do you think is projected to win more games, Mets or Yankees?

[B]

What you asking it makes you think that it would be a surprising answer, but I'll just go with what my intuition would be if I'm. If I'm not looking at, you know, reading your mind. And I would say the Yankees.

[A]

Okay, well, the Yankees, according to this article, are projected to win 89.4, so slightly over 89. So say between 89 and 90 wins, which would be tied for sixth most in major League Baseball. And Would give the. All right, I'll save that one for last. The Mets, 91.2, which would be tied for second most in baseball with the Braves. Obviously, the Dodgers would have the highest total. Now, the other thing is, is that they give. And if you're wondering, last year The Mets were 89.1. They obviously fell short of that, which is 83 wins. The Yankees, they were 89.5. So basically the same. And they exceeded that. They ended up winning 93 games. According to this, the Mets have a 77.9% chance of making the playoffs. Last year they were had a chance of 68.8. The Yankees chance of making the playoffs are 89.5. So slightly higher and certainly higher than last year, 69.8. Obviously that has a lot to do with the fact that they think that the Yankees are in a tougher division. Obviously. The Blue Jays are the defending American League champions. You got the Orioles. That certainly got better this year. Many people love this Red Sox rotation. I was a little surprised that they've got the Mets projected to have, you know, the second most wins in baseball, tied with the Braves. So where are the Phillies in all this, too? So it's all just whatever. But it sounds like some of the experts are looking at these two teams with very high percentiles of being in the postseason this year. But I would have been with you. I would have guessed the Yankees.

[B]

Yeah, I would have thought the Yankees. But I'll say this. I. If we could please just deliver on what we're supposed to get, I'd be thrilled. Like, can we just get a good season?

[A]

Yeah, that would have a season that would be very, very nice.

[B]

Just give me the season we're supposed to have for once, please.

[A]

Let's see. Danny in Massapequa. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Danny?

[C]

Hey, good afternoon, ap. Good luck on your show. God bless you.

[B]

Thank you, friend.

[C]

Hey, so. So, Don, did you hear the call this morning? Dave Roth. Dave Rothenberg, right. There's a guy that called up this, called up the show. He was a Jet fan. He wanted to switch allegiance to the Giants.

[A]

I did hear that.

[C]

Did you hear that?

[A]

Great.

[C]

I was hoping you would call it to. To give you. To give you your. Your judgment because it was hysterical base. I was. By laughing.

[A]

So the guy calls up Peter and says he's done with the jets and he's gonna become a Giant fan. And Dave's like, well, then you're gonna have to take a test. And so he asked him, you Know how many Super Bowls of the Giants won? And he said four. So he got that right. Name the teams the Giants beat. Now, he was obviously a younger fan, so he remembered the two Patriots and he remembered the Bills. He did not know the Denver Broncos. Dave wouldn't let him. Can't do it. He said, you can't do it. First of all, he doesn't believe you can switch allegiance like that, which I agree with. But he would not. He would not take him. He failed the test.

[B]

I listen, I respect it. Yeah, go ahead.

[C]

The best part, he was totally trolling because DPH was in the background saying, don't do it to him. Don't do it to him. Because he wasn't going to let them in anyway. It was hysterical.

[A]

Yeah, he tortured him because he wasn't going to let him in. Even if he got. He would have kept asking questions, Danny, until he got one wrong and then wouldn't let him in. I really love the way Dave handled that. And, Danny, thank you for the phone call. You. Can't we talk about, you know, fraud Friday and giving up on teams and stuff? I could see you quitting a team and just saying, I'm done. But to all of a sudden become a Giant fan or like that other person suggested, like a Patriots fan. It wouldn't. It wouldn't stick. It would last for a little while. And you're like, you know, I can't do that.

[B]

It doesn't feel right. This is what's always kept me even, Don. Even as I. The inkling, as I've told you that I'm like, I've been. I pull for the Knicks. My wife likes the Knicks. My daughter's gonna root for the Knicks. I. That I'm on the Knicks station. The Knicks. I like the Knicks. That's why it's always folly when you guys are like, well, then just declare, like, I know you're just kind of having fun. You can't. Even if I end up pulling for them forever, and I'm always gonna, like, I like to go to. Listen, last year I went to that playoff game, rooted for them, had a good time. I'll never be able to go like, yeah, I'm a Knicks guy now. I've given up the Celtics. I'm a Knicks guy now. I am more comfortable being a fraud who says my team has always been the Celtics. I live in New York, though, so I kind of root for the Knicks now than saying, no, I'm making an official change.

[A]

You can't do it.

[B]

You just can't do it. It's ridiculous.

[A]

No, I just don't think it would stick. It won't.

[B]

That's why you're better off just living as a fraud than pretending that you're going to make some sort of declarative change.

[A]

It's not.

[B]

That's not how fanship works. That's just not how it works.

[A]

It. Yeah, it's not like you're. It's a job. Right. A choice. It takes over you, you know? Yes. Some people might think they chose a team, but the team kind of chooses you. It's a lot like, you know, falling in love or it just. It just something happens that sparks that interest. Maybe it dies. It happens. People fall out of love. But to expect that to happen again with another team immediately, that you just choose. It's. It's no. And you could do it and you could try it and buy the gear, go to the game, but it won't be the same. You would. You know what? Even if they were winning, it would. You would still. You would eventually get bored of it. It wouldn't work because the spark wouldn't be there, would be artificial. You, You. You can't create that. It's just something. I don't want to make it too important, but it's just something magical and mystical about it.

[B]

It's its own thing, that's for sure.

[A]

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 ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra, that's.

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