Hour 3: Gerrit Cole + List Reaction

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – ESPN New York
Hour 3: Gerrit Cole + List Reaction (March 18, 2026)

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Episode Overview

This lively outing from Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg—broadcast live from Calandra's Bakery in Caldwell, NJ—spins a classic mix of New York sports debate, caller engagement, and signature banter. The main themes of the hour are:

1. Reaction to Aaron Judge’s perceived lack of clutch playoff success—bolstered by detailed statistical and emotional analysis, fan calls, and comparisons to other athletes.
2. Discussion of Gerrit Cole’s much-anticipated return to the mound post-Tommy John surgery and expectations for the Yankees' pitching strength in the coming season.
3. A running tally of “all-time greats who weren’t clutch”—soliciting additions and spirited debate from both hosts and listeners.
4. Side flavor: Announcements of Jay Z concerts at Yankee Stadium, casual digs at the Mets, passionate food talk, and plenty of classic New York sports humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Jay Z–Yankee Stadium Doubleheader

[03:22–04:46]

• News breaks of Jay Z playing Reasonable Doubt (30th anniversary) and Blueprint (25th anniversary) on back-to-back summer nights at Yankee Stadium.
• Host excitement (“For a certain kind of New Yorker, the Yankee/Jay Z Venn diagram… there’s gonna be a very happy group of people”—Co-host, 04:14).
• Light ribbing comparing musical guests (Jay Z vs. Timmy Trumpet, Baja Men) and playful shade toward Mets attempts at similar events.

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Aaron Judge and the “Clutch” Debate

Statistical Frustration and Fan Perception

[06:02–13:29]

• The guys revisit their "all-time un-clutch MVP" list, with Aaron Judge’s woes in big moments as the focal point.
• Hahn admits, “Stats will tell you throughout his career he has had moments... But World Series, big moments—those are the things you’re looking at. And I thought yesterday was an opportunity for him, once again, to close that conversation. And instead it opened it.” (07:16)
• Callers and hosts spar over fair criticism, especially given the game in question was a WBC "exhibition."
• Rosenberg riffs on the theme, drawing a “Rocky IV” analogy: “Might I remind you that the fight between Apollo Creed and Drago was an exhibition… You know how that ended? It started with James Brown. A man died.” (08:17)
• The underlying point: For Yankees fans and haters alike, Judge’s big-stage at-bats feel like familiar heartbreak, echoing old postseason letdowns.

The Eye Test and the Psychological Side

[13:29–14:36; 29:48–32:16]

• Callers and hosts discuss “clutch energy”—does Judge seem nervous in the box? Does he “want it too much?”
• Anecdotes compare Judge to stars like Derek Jeter (clutch moments throughout career despite not being best on team), and Eli Manning (businesslike disposition, but “all he did was beast mode in clutch, and that was Eli Manning”—Co-host, 19:16).
• Rosenberg jokes Judge might need the “mom’s spaghetti” moment—referring to throwing up for nerves à la Rod Strickland or 8 Mile.

Notable quotes:

• “There is a fear, a dewiness, a nervousness that you can see when he gets up to that plate. It’s like he has the yips.” —Caller Nas, 30:21
• “Clutch moments, statistically, in analytics and clutch moments in what we remember are two different things.” —Hahn, 18:22

Is It Fair?

[09:14–13:29]

• Plenty of calls and opinions: Some say the criticism is overblown (“The Yankees would be absolutely nowhere without this guy”—Caller Vinnie, 20:41), others cite his actual postseason slumps (“That’s nine for 60 with a .150 batting percentage in the Final Four”—Caller Bobby, 15:39).
• Debate: Is it about lifting a team solo, or sharing the clutch burden (as past Yankees squads did)?

The Question: Would You Trade Regular Season Greatness for Postseason Clutch?

[17:53–18:22]

• “Would you take Aaron Judge, who batted 25 points lower, had seven to ten less home runs a year, but seemed to have more moments where he stepped up in like the big spot?” —Co-host, 17:54
• “Wouldn’t everybody?” —Hahn

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Gerrit Cole’s Return: What It Means for the Yankees

[26:23–28:13]

• Cole pitches one inning against the Red Sox in his first game action in 53 weeks post-Tommy John. Fastballs averaged 97 mph, topped at 99.
• The hopes: If the pitching delivers, Judge and the lineup may need to generate fewer runs in the postseason, perhaps alleviating pressure.

Notable moments:

• Jokes about bunting as the first batter back from Tommy John (“Can you imagine? The guts of a guy—you know he’s just coming back, and you’re going, ‘I’m gonna bunt.’”—Hahn, 27:08).

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The Great “Un-Clutch” MVP List

[29:48–47:44]

• Ongoing, interactive list prompted by both hosts and callers; requirements: MVP-level greatness, but notorious lack of postseason delivery.

• Names debated:

  • James Harden (worst 4th quarter playoff shooter per Bobby, 15:00)
  • Billy Wagner, Armando Benitez (relievers; discussion if Hall status alone is enough)
  • Dan Marino, Patrick Ewing (great moments, but missing “win it all”)
  • Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre (enough wins? Just one ring each but multiple playoff slip-ups)
  • Carmelo Anthony (Caller Jay, 44:12: Consensus—Melo did all he could, not enough supporting evidence for lack of clutch)
  • Josh Allen (Caller Nas, 29:48: “deserves honorable mention,” but hosts feel he has his share of big playoff wins)
  • Eli Manning is used as the positive counterexample (19:16).

• Through all, the bar for “un-clutch” is set at the all-time/MVP/Hall of Famer level—borderline Hall guys don’t quite make the list.

Notable quote:

• “There are compilers who make the Hall of Fame, but they were never close to the best in the game.” —Co-host, 47:22

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New York & New Jersey Sports Flavor

• Local energy is ever-present—live at Calandra's with fans, callers, and personalities like Ken Daneyko and Rick DiPietro popping by.
• Knicks and Hornets ticket giveaway announced ([25:01–26:23]); Knicks recent form and defensive record celebrated, with signature skepticism about their postseason ceiling.
• Closing segment teases Rangers-Devils watch party (also at Calandra’s) and winds down with food talk and upcoming ENN (ESPN New York Now) headlines.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Throw up, throw down!”—Hosts workshop potential NY Post headline if Judge ever puked for nerves (33:13).
• “But every—Maybe that’s what Judge needs. A little vomit on the pinstripes.”—Don Rosenberg (32:41)
• “Clutch moments, statistically, in analytics and clutch moments in what we remember are two different things.”—Hahn (18:22)
• “There is a fear, a dewiness, a nervousness that you can see when he gets up to that plate.”—Caller Nas (30:21)
• “It’s the same as Lamar Jackson. Just win one and everybody’ll shut the hell up.”—Hahn, on pressure to win a championship (21:00)
• “You watch sports, there are clutch moments you’ll never forget. Shots you’ll never forget.”—Co-host (18:56)
• “He literally was just phenomenal. Phenomenal.”—Hahn, on Eli Manning’s calm clutch (19:18)
• “We're so deep in our Calandra show. Don't forget, Drop Madness starts tomorrow.”—Hahn (48:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:22–04:46] Jay Z at Yankee Stadium: Announcement, banter
• [06:02–13:29] Aaron Judge clutch woes: Stats, analysis, first calls
• [14:46–20:11] Historical Yankees clutch debate, player comparisons
• [20:41–21:22] Caller Vinnie: “Just win one and everyone shuts up”
• [26:23–28:13] Gerrit Cole’s comeback performance
• [29:48–32:16] Caller Nas: “Yips”/psychology of clutch
• [33:13–34:01] “Throw up, throw down!”—Judge, nerves, headlines
• [36:21–37:59] Marino, Ewing, Favre, Rodgers: Who truly belongs on the un-clutch list?
• [44:05–47:44] Melo, Wagner, Benitez: Final clutch list additions and controversy

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Final Takeaways

• The third hour of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg is New York sports radio at its best—combative but fraternal, hilarious, and obsessed with both numbers and narrative.
• The question of Aaron Judge’s “clutch gene”—and the psychological baggage of New York fandom—remains fiercely open.
• The Yankees' fortunes, particularly with Gerrit Cole’s return, are a summer-long soap opera in the making.
• Whether it’s debating clutch, razzing the Mets, or breaking news on Jay Z concerts, there’s always a uniquely New York twist.

For devoted fans or new listeners alike, this hour captures the blend of insight, humor, and city spirit that defines DHR.

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Transcript

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[Caller/Vinnie]

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[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Don Rosenberg]

504 in the big city. 504 at Calandra's Bakery right here in Caldwell, New Jersey, for those who are regular listeners of the show. You know who's here. Tessa from West Caldwell.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's right.

[Don Rosenberg]

Who calls in regularly. And I mean, let's just say that Don and Peter's argument a couple of weeks ago was not the only heated argument that we have had on this show.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Sure.

[Don Rosenberg]

That got to a point where we were all pretty worried about, let's just say your safety.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yeah, that's right. Or my head exploding because my red face. You never know what to happen.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

No. Tessa and I had it out recently. It was not a great situation, but much like Don, family is family.

[Caller/Vinnie]

Yep.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You know what I mean? Tessa. Tessa probably went maybe a week and a half, two weeks without calling, and then she called back and we had multiple conversations. The other day, Tessa called the show when you guys had left and I was hosting and hosting. We had a lovely chat and I got to tell you, really lovely to see her have an in person embrace.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Now listen, the sport. What was the drop? Listen, sports fights can be intense, and she is about as. She is as much that guy, as a sports fan as you can be.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, yes.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Like there's. And I think she would be the first to admit that, like, one of the reasons she gets annoyed with me, for example, is because, like, I bring up my team too much. I mean, she is like a walking logo for the New York Giants. Right. So we are oil and water in that way. But wonderful to meet her in person. Had a. Had a lovely little chat.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Her sister's here. She's from right around the way, like you said, and she was talking about how much of a staple Calandra's is.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Very excited to have a nice adult beverage later on. Have a little meal with my compadres here.

[Don Rosenberg]

I think I'm looking forward to the meal part. Once the show's over, we can really dive in. Yeah, we kind of like. Now you held back tasting. A little here, a little there, some sweets, some pasta, some, some calamari. We had. What, what else do we do here?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh, we have this whole.

[Nas]

Well.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, oh, the, the, the. Well, Alan, I mean, olive oil.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

By the way, the olive oil was amazing. John left us some of the dessert. There's not a lot left, but some of them.

[Don Rosenberg]

Wait a minute. And by the way, that box was full.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yeah, I know. By the way, our engineer came over here and just ripped two hands. Oh, he ripped one hand.

[Don Rosenberg]

Tore it apart.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And it just. One in each hand every. Listen, everyone wants the colandrus.

[Don Rosenberg]

I'll tell you, I don't blame them.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Now I have an interesting piece of Yankee information.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yankee information?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yankee AJ's information.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay, all right. Yankee a Jays. All right, what do you got?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But there are certain people, I think you'll be included in this. I know Jacob probably already knows it. He's included in this. Who will be very excited.

[Don Rosenberg]

What do you got?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

On July 10, which is a Friday and July 11, which is a Saturday, at Yankee Stadium, Jay Z is performing to celebrate two anniversaries. So on July 10th he's doing the 30 year anniversary of Reasonable Doubt at Yankee Stadium. And on the next night he's doing the 25 year anniversary of the Blueprint on back to back nights at the stadium.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

So for a certain kind of New Yorker. Yeah, the, the, on the, the Venn diagram, the Yankee, the Yankee Jay Z Venn diagram. There's gonna be a very happy group of people. And of course, you know, there's really no argument that Reasonable Doubt and Blueprint are Jay Z's two best albums. So to have them sell. Because when I first saw it, I thought he was doing Blueprint both nights for 30. No, I mean, I'm sorry, Reasonable Doubt for both nights. Which is cool because Reasonable Doubt's amazing. But from an album standpoint, I'm probably more excited to see him do the blueprint 25 year anniversary nights too. Gonna be pretty cool.

[Don Rosenberg]

I. Look, it's not the Baja Men, all right? But for the Yankees, it's not bad.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You know, why does he have to do it? Why?

[Don Rosenberg]

Here's not bad. That's a pretty good poll.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

It's not Timmy Trumpet.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's not Timmy Trumpet.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Why does it. Why?

[Don Rosenberg]

But it's pretty good.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Doesn't it make you feel bad, John, that he has to do this? He can't just say it's enough that you have the biggest rapper of all Time. Who has to perform at Yankee Stadium?

[Don Rosenberg]

I'm just making a point, that's all.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Now what's the point?

[Don Rosenberg]

That the Mets have tried to do things like this too. And, and you know, has not hit the same. This will be on the dvd, right? This moment will be on the championship dvd.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh, this is All Star Weekend too.

[Don Rosenberg]

You know what I mean? Like, this will be all part of

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

like the, the greatness thing, I'm guessing. Now here's the question. If it's All Star Weekend.

[Caller Bobby]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

All Star Weekend is always. They'll be back to like. Do you think it's the.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's mid July.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

No, no, it's mid July. The last day they play on All Star Weekend is usually the Sunday, right?

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And then they're off that whole week until when? Friday?

[Caller Chris]

Oh, it's.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yeah, got it. Okay.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

So. So there's a game on Thursday, the night before. Oh, they played the night before.

[Don Rosenberg]

Like I said.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Got it. Okay, got it. Interesting. All right.

[Don Rosenberg]

So pretty good.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I'm excited, man.

[Don Rosenberg]

Good. A good pull. No, that's excellent. And again, it'll all be part of the championship dvd. Now what. What else could be part of it? If this is the year the Yankees finally break through and we've been talking about clutch a lot on the show so far. We have tons of calls to get to 800 now. 193776 that we will. We made a list of all time great players. Now you got to be MVP caliber to be on this list that just couldn't come through in the clutch. And having Judge currently on the list gives him time to get off the list. Of course. Because you don't want to be on this list. But last night was, wasn't it another example. As much as you want to fight it, and we all want to fight it because we know how great of a player he is. That 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, striking out right after Harper hits an epic home run to get the US team right back in the game. Get the building back as well. Like on a pitch that you always see him strike out on, like just. It looked familiar. We had a caller earlier that said it felt like a Yankee playoff game. Yeah. A Murderers Row lineup that couldn't score and only could rely on a home run. And Judge not coming through. Stats will tell you throughout his career he has had moments. People will bring up moments. You know, somebody came over and said, you know, against Class A and against Cleveland, came through huge in the seventh inning in that series. Yes. But World Series, big moments Those are the things you're looking at. And I thought yesterday was an opportunity for him, once again, to close that conversation. And instead it opened it. Fact, it could. Social media.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Well, you could have helped it.

[Don Rosenberg]

It silences Quell is probably the better word. But it's. All it did to me is almost light a fire on it.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I know.

[Don Rosenberg]

As much as we're calling it, right, like we're calling it an exhibition, we're calling it a. It's a fun series of games, but it's before the season and all that stuff. But for some reason, because of him and who he is and how important he is to the sport, how big he is as a Yankee, how much coverage he gets, people couldn't wait to jump all over the fact that in a. In a moment, for the US to win something, he did not come through once.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I just want to remind everyone about the word exhibition that we keep using. All right? This is an important moment. Might I remind you that the fight between Apollo Creed and Drago was an exhibition?

[Don Rosenberg]

This was supposed to be an exhibition.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You know how that ended? It started with James Brown.

[Don Rosenberg]

A man died and a man died

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

because his best friend threw in the towel once his carcass had already hit

[Don Rosenberg]

the mat too late.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

So an exhibition could go wrong. And it went wrong last night.

[Don Rosenberg]

It did for Aaron Judge. I like how you pulled in Rocky on this because I'm always there for that. I am always there.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

It's a damn exhibition. And because Apollo's act like it's gonna be so fun. And the whole time, Rocky's looking at the highlights of Drago like, I don't know, bro.

[Don Rosenberg]

You sure? You sure?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You've been retired a long time. All right? Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

This is not gonna go well for you.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Remember, Rocky had an exhibition. I mean, don't forget Rocky knows about a bad exhibition. He had one with Thunder Lips also didn't go great.

[Don Rosenberg]

That did not go well. You also think, fine, it ended okay. They got a Polaroid together, and that was really what it was all about. I love that. So is it fair? Is it fair to the criticism that is coming the way of Aaron Judge and what people are saying? And again, is it also a lot of Red Sox fans and a lot of Mets fans? Probably. But it is something that once again got loud, it was amplified and off of a performance last night and a great amount of frustration that goes with it. Chris in the Bronx. Chris, what do you say about it?

[Caller Chris]

I say it's not fair. Pretty much, you know, since this tournament's been Started. Everybody's talking about exhibition. The games don't mean anything. But when it comes to Aaron Judge, it seems like they want to change their tune. This guy, you know, during the season, if you're a Yankee fan, he didn't see these WBC results as anything other than just a glorified spring training. Saw your guy do his thing and he didn't work out the last game. But I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought. But pretty much what I'm just trying to get to is that if you're a Yankee fan, you see that he batted.500 in the playoffs last year, and you see that story that he can't get it done if you watch the games, you know that when the season comes, he'll do it. You know what I mean? I just think, you know, using the WBC as an example, that's just Mets and Yankee haters, you know, I mean, that's, that's what I think it is.

[Don Rosenberg]

I mean, there's a lot of stats out there. Chris, thanks for the call. And that. That's part of the problem is that you have dueling stats now about his clutch ability. And I think there's a lot of it that his eye test. For a lot of us who have watched him over his career since 2017, that there were moments that you were like, okay, this is a big moment. We're used to seeing great players come through in these big moments. I mean, again, Derek Jeter is a guy that wasn't really the best player on the team and those great teams, but, man, did he always seem to find a, like, have that clutch moment even later in his career.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Let me ask you a question.

[Don Rosenberg]

The home run with 3,000. Let me ask you a walk off for his last game. Like, just.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I want to ask you a question, Yankee boy. I'm listening and I say it respectfully. Who had the most clutch moments of that Yankee team? Is it a given that it's Jeter?

[Don Rosenberg]

It's Mariano Rivera. That's not a clutch moment.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

No, I hate to be that guy. But besides Mariano Rivera, because yes, you're right. Time and time again, Sandman delivers. I know, but besides, I'm talking about off because I'm really talking about the at bats. That's how we're kind of measuring the judge thing. So what are you saying, Anthony?

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, because.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Would it be Bernie?

[Don Rosenberg]

Bernie. But, but it felt like, it felt. Brocius, the, the 98 year, he. Brocius was unreal in the postseason, but I felt like everyone seemed to have that moment. Tino had his first moment that he really needed to have the grand Islam. I mean, O', Neill, you remember in the comeback in 96, some of the hits that he had running down a fly ball, like, I think it was shared. And so if you're going to push back, that's your best pushback is those great Yankee teams that Jeter was part of that Jeter gets a lot of credit for being clutch. Had a lot of guys contributing to clutch. Aaron Judge, who contributes to clutch with him now Stanton.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Stanton's been very, very good in the playoffs.

[Don Rosenberg]

Anyone else?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's the only name that really comes to your mind.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's the problem. And so I don't. I do think clutch opportunities can't always be on the shoulders of one player in a team, in a sport like baseball, because you only get the bat four times. But in one of those times, if it's a big moment, and last night it felt like twice he had big moment at bats. The one.

[Caller/Vinnie]

Right.

[Don Rosenberg]

I know what you're saying. You said that Bryce Harper's home run took pressure off him.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's what I thought.

[Don Rosenberg]

Because it made it 2:2. And now he didn't have to step up with. With two on or with one on and come up big. If.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

If Harper, he would have thought Judge didn't have to bat thinking, if I strike out, the game's over. The game wasn't over. They extended the game. It's 2:2. They turned out to not extend the game, but they seemingly extended the game. So I thought now less pressure. Just get up there and do what you do. And it looked like he felt all the pressure.

[Don Rosenberg]

No, no. Harper gets out, the inning's over. And then he leads off, which there's no pressure on a lead off.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh, true. It was two outs.

[Don Rosenberg]

You're right. Yeah. But if Harper gets on and now you've got a chance to knock two in to tie or hit one out to take the lead.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That would have been the highest pressure spot.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's the highest pressure spot. But I still think it's pressure. Home run. The stadium's now going crazy. You wake up the American fans who were being out cheered. They were. The. The Venezuelan fans were completely much louder. They took over the building. And now you get the building back momentum. You've maybe got them a little rattled. And you strikeout swinging on a pitch that we have seen strikeout swinging Yankee fans any times. That's.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

For a moment that must have felt so familiar. Oh, it had to Yankee fans of

[Don Rosenberg]

like it was to me when, when I watched it again. I admit I was working last night. I didn't watch it live. I watched it this morning. And I remember sitting in that bat and when he swings and misses and I'm like, that is Judge in a nutshell.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You have the big moment right before and you're all hyped. And like before the crowd has even come down from cheering in Yankee Stadium, Judge is taking off his batting gloves to walk back out. You know, like, it ended so quick.

[Don Rosenberg]

You're like, no. Already spitting the gum and batting it away with the bat. Right. Like, just so frustrating. 800 now. 193776. Let's see. Let's go to.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Well, we're packed, man. Pick.

[Don Rosenberg]

We are packed. I'm looking for fitting into the conversation, Bobby. And Belmore is ready to roll. I know, I know. Anthony's already ready to freak out. Good. Bobby.

[Caller Chris]

Hey, guys, how you doing?

[Caller Bobby]

Before I get the judge, James Harden, the worst fourth quarter a playoff shooter in the history of the NBA.

[Don Rosenberg]

The playoffs.

[Caller Bobby]

Yeah. It's a known fact. But let me talk about Judge for a second. You look at his numbers in the final four, just the final four since 2022. 1 for 16 against the Astros. 2024, 3 for 18 against the Indians, the ACLs. He started 1 for 12 against the Dodgers. Then they faced an opener and series was over and he got a couple of hits. Fast forward to this year. One for eight in the last two games, semifinal against Dominguez and all for four last night. That's nine for 60 with a 150 batting percentage.

[Don Rosenberg]

Now you're so, you know, the LCS World Series or.

[Caller Bobby]

Right, just the final four.

[Don Rosenberg]

Final four. See, see, I, I, I would go with those because I feel like those are the biggest stages too. And I don't like any of those numbers. I don't like any of them. And like, you can't argue with numbers.

[Caller Chris]

Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Caller Bobby]

Numbers don't lie. And you know, you want to talk about last year? I mean, he didn't have any help. No one. No Yankee hit even.250 last year in the playoffs and started stunk in the playoffs against Toronto. So maybe he went out of shot, you know, because he was really hot. So that was a shame. I really wanted to see. Yeah. And this year, I mean, you got to look at the Yankees, I mean, Colts coming off Tommy John. Well, Dan, you don't know about the playoffs. He's a hit or miss. He's got over 70 RA in the playoffs. Three, you know, pitch well against Boston, he was awful against Toronto and his history hasn't been that good in the playoffs either.

[Don Rosenberg]

Another guy, right?

[Caller Bobby]

And Belicher, you know, he hit awful against Toronto, you know, and he has a.200 batting average and he's making more money than judges here, which is hard to believe. He's making over 40 million the first two years of his contract and can opt out after that. So I don't know why the Yankees gave him so much money, but he hasn't done anything in the playoffs last

[Don Rosenberg]

year either, and he hasn't been up to. Yeah, he, he has, but. Bob, thanks for the call. Bobby, the. The numbers you gave again, Final Four, those are. That's the biggest stages. You know, you. You can't argue with them. But I will say, though, there's two things that can happen right now for Judge. It can just be one of those things that he just ignores. He just says, I'm not listening to the criticism, and just goes back into his robotic kind of way of approaching baseball, which I think is the best way to describe it. Yeah, he just does seem very robotic and very much like he blocks out all the criticism or it becomes the fuel. It becomes that frustration for him, even where he's now just taking it personal. As I said, I thought they should have done two years ago coming out of the World Series when they're auctioning off the ball that I dropped. You kidding me? Like, I'm out for blood now. I'm out to like, I want Aaron Judge with a damn chip on his shoulder. I don't want Aaron Judge just robotically going out and just doing my at bats and I'm just sticking to the program and trust the process. No, I don't want that. I want to see a pissed off Aaron Judd.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Would you. Would you prefer an Aaron Judd?

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't think we've seen that yet.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

This may be obvious, but would you prefer. Because let's suppose he needs that mentality to be the sort of proficient player that he is. Would you take Aaron Judge, who batted 25 points lower, had seven to 10 less home runs a year, but seemed to have more moments where he stepped up in like the big spot.

[Don Rosenberg]

Wouldn't everybody, I guess, Right.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But you lose games because of that. You. His average goes down 25, 25 points.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, it affects the team.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

He's losing games.

[Don Rosenberg]

His WAR is a reason why, like, he is a great player because his impact on winning for the Yankees is. Is notable and that's one of the best stats for him, is that he is Somebody who contributes to winning. You can't say he doesn't help you win. But we all know what it looks like. Clutch moments, statistically, in analytics and clutch moments in what we remember are two different things. And there are clutch moments that you remember because it's a moment, not seventh inning or later all season long. That's much different. You know, Come on. When you watch sports, there are clutch moments you'll never forget. Shots you'll never forget.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Well, we haven't mentioned the guy. There's one guy to mention whose personality, in some ways seemed like Aaron Judge. Very business, like, never up, never down, always straight ahead. Except the difference was, all he did was beast mode in clutch, and that was Eli Manning.

[Don Rosenberg]

You know, that's a.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Like, he.

[Don Rosenberg]

He literally was just phenomenal. Phenomenal.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You would. You would look at Eli.

[Don Rosenberg]

Everybody. Everybody watch. Let's take another moment. That's not a strange pull. That's a phenomenal.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Thank you very much.

[Don Rosenberg]

He's having a day.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

We need to play Phenomenon by LL

[Don Rosenberg]

Cool, you are having a day right now. But Eli Manning is a great example of a guy who was very much like Judge in that he, in every way, didn't show you emotion, didn't really get caught up in things, didn't want to hear criticism, whatever. Kind of like, just went through it. Regular season, though, he didn't put up epic numbers like Judge does. But when he got to the postseason, who was a killer?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Number one.

[Don Rosenberg]

He was a killer, even though it didn't change the expression whatsoever.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

No, he's a guy who took a

[Don Rosenberg]

beating in San Francisco. He's a guy that froze his tail off in Green Bay. Didn't affect him at all. Win. And then when it came time to make a big throw in a big spot, did it twice to get a Super bowl.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And sort of. He's sort of the answer to the question of would you take the trade off of worst player with the clutch gene? Eli Manning was never as sexy as his, you know, compadres in the NFC east, right at the time. You would have thought at the time, Romo was better than Eli. That would have been like, hey, week to week, who do you fear more on your schedule? You probably say Romo over Eli, but guess what? One guy shrinks, and the other guy shows up in the playoffs.

[Don Rosenberg]

Perfect. All right, Vinnie. And Staten Island's pissed off. Vinnie.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

He always is.

[Don Rosenberg]

Go, Vinnie.

[Caller/Vinnie]

They got to get off Aaron Judge's back. I mean, enough is enough. This. The Yankees would be absolutely nowhere without this guy.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's true.

[Caller/Vinnie]

And another thing is. Let me ask you a question. Let me ask you guys a question.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

All right.

[Caller/Vinnie]

If he take. If he wins in the rest of his career two more World Series, does he get that monkey off his back? And he has two good World Series?

[Don Rosenberg]

If you just won, Vinnie, you got to win once. It's the same as Lamar Jackson. Just win one and everybody hell up.

[Caller/Vinnie]

He was pretty. He was pretty good in the playoffs last year.

[Don Rosenberg]

He was.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You got to win.

[Caller/Vinnie]

He wasn't bad in the playoff session. I mean, they got to win, but you got to get. Why don't we get rid of Iron Bone? That's another thing. Can I. Can I say one thing about the game last night?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Go ahead.

[Don Rosenberg]

Go ahead.

[Caller/Vinnie]

I want to say one thing about the game last night. Watching the game last night, they're losing one nothing. I think it's a third inning. The catcher comes up, he's got a 2 and O count on him, and he swings that swings. The next pitch, which is ball three to me. That's the. That's. That's the Yankees and Aaron Boone in a nutshell right there.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Florida watching the game on television.

[Caller/Vinnie]

But that's. But that's part of. That's. That's just the Yankees.

[Don Rosenberg]

What Vinnie's saying, Vinnie, we got to run. But that's.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Boone was like, I like.

[Don Rosenberg]

But I know what Vinnie's saying. We got to run, Vin. Vinnie. But thanks for the call. What he's saying is what the caller earlier said. Yeah. Is that game. Not just judge that game. Game, from a US Perspective felt very much like a playoff experience of so much offensive firepower and very, very little production.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

It. It felt incredibly familiar. You look up and you go, it's the sixth inning already. Do we have any hits? What's going on?

[Don Rosenberg]

It. It is, but that's what. Again, pressure baseball. That's what it's like. You got to be able to have a clutch moment when it matters. Venezuela did. Hats off to them. More your calls coming up. 800-919-3776. Garrett Cole did pitch today. No, he really did pitch today. 53 weeks since he had Tommy John. He was on the mound today. How'd he do? We'll let you know. What did it look like? And more, get back into the Knicks, who won again last night. Although we are always trying to find things that are wrong with them and things that we worry about with them. They have won four in a row, and they do have one of the best records in the sport since January 21st, and they have the best defense in the sport since then as well. And there's more Giannis news if you're interested in it. More to get to ENN at 6 and of course Rangers, Devils after us and a watch party here at Calandra's Bakery in Caldwell, New Jersey. It's Don Hahn and Rosenberg, ESPN New York oh yeah.

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[Don Hahn]

thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Don Rosenberg]

Don Rosenberg, live from Calandra's Bakery in Caldwell, N.J. and ESPN New York's teaming up with Calandras to give away a pair of tickets to see the Knicks take on the Charlotte Hornets. Who, by the way, they're not your they're not your father's Hornets. You know this.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

No, I know that.

[Don Rosenberg]

Not even your they're not even your. Your.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You're not even your cousin from last two months ago.

[Don Rosenberg]

I'm trying to go back to, like, grandmama days. Would that be your dad, or would that be, like, your grandmama's your older bro? I don't know. Whatever. This Hornets team is really good, so these. These are great tickets. You could see the Knicks and the Hornets Sunday, April 12th. I believe that's the last game of the season to you and me, so. Always an interesting game. It's easy to enter. To win these tickets, just stop by Calandra's Bakery at 234 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell, New Jersey. Why does that address sound familiar? Oh, that's right. That's where we are.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's right.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's where we are right now. Do this before April 7th to enter in person. You know what? Why don't you just come down today? Because we're here. Say hi to us, and enter to win. It's brought to you by Calandra's Bakery in Caldwell, home of fresh bread, classic Italian pastries, and traditions baked daily before we get back to calls. So Garrett Cole actually pitched today. One inning against the Red Sox. 53 weeks since Tommy John. He's on the mount.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And he had heat, right?

[Don Rosenberg]

He was good. Yeah. No, he did bring it. He had six fastballs that averaged 97 miles an hour. I think he topped off at 99 on one of them. He only threw 10 pitches, but still did not give up a run. How about the first. The first at bat, the first pitch, a bunt. Like, if you're coming back from Tommy John and, like, you're just trying to get into rhythm, and the first thing that happens, the guy squares for a bunt. Serious, I'm thinking about shoulder right into. Right in your chest.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Serious question for you.

[Don Rosenberg]

What?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

How much money would I have to hand you right now in an envelope?

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

To square up and bunt against Garrett

[Don Rosenberg]

Cole, I'd probably have a better chance than swinging.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh. Oh, no. Oh, no. It's their bet. It's 100% your best chance.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's absolutely the only chance.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But I. I don't know if they're like that. Can you imagine?

[Don Rosenberg]

Can you imagine that? The cubes of a guy. You know, it's Garrett Cole. You know, he's just coming back from Tommy John, and you're going. I'm going to bun.

[Caller/Vinnie]

Like.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

What are you doing, by the way? It's spring training.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's spring training, bud. Well, I'm telling you. I hope I don't. We do.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Say how often does someone call at least once during the season and go. They don't practice bunting. So, I mean, this is the time, really.

[Don Rosenberg]

First at bat of the game.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

It's a little odd, but.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, anyways. But Nicole, he got through it. 10 pitches. I believe he was supposed to go to the bullpen and pitch another 20 just to kind of get the work up. Now he's still about two months away from returning. They do have to ramp him up. There's a lot of hurdles.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You need more than 10 pitches.

[Don Rosenberg]

You said more than 10's probably good. You're going to need to get them there. But the good news is, though, is that he. He did it, got on the mound pitching, that's a good sign for the Yankees. And so I think it's the strength of the team. Their potential pitching rotation, by the time we get to the second half of the season, on paper, looks elite. And I think that could be the difference. And so for a guy like Judge, if there's ever a time to win, you can win when you got great pitching.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Well, if that pitching were able to be healthy and elite in the playoffs, the difference that means for that offense is rather than thinking about how do we generate six runs with an offense that always seems to tighten up, tighten up in the postseason, it could mean we need three.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Can you put together three run? And by the way, that will affect the way. I know the Boone haters won't like this. That can affect the. The way Boone can manage a game.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

When you feel confidently, I only need to get to three runs, not to four or five.

[Don Rosenberg]

But it also could be, you know, one nothing, 00 games adds what pressure that is. That is the part that for Aaron Judge, he has to continue to prove that he can play pressure in pressure. Nas in Pine Brook. Hey, Nas.

[Nas]

Hello. Hello. I have serious FOMO that I'm not there today.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

What are you doing?

[Don Rosenberg]

I am upset that you're not here because I need to thank you for the wonderful gift you sent me and that I am using. I don't know if you can tell, but I am using.

[Nas]

I have to say, when I saw you, I did go to the YouTube and I noticed that you're looking a little good there, I'm going to say. So I'm glad that that's working out for you. I've done a lot of trial and error, Nas.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Let's keep it pg. You know what I mean? It's only. What is it? It's 5:30 on a.

[Don Rosenberg]

She sent me some Product.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh, I'm, I know.

[Don Rosenberg]

And, and it's. She actually did her own research and development in this product and said this works the, the best. Try it.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And she likes, she likes the results

[Don Rosenberg]

thus far and she, she apparently has noticed that there are results. That's a good thing. So thank you again, nas. Greatly appreciate it.

[Nas]

You're very welcome. So I have two points real quick on your list. I think Josh Allen deserves honorable luncheon.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Sure.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Nas]

He has lost to my beloved Chiefs quite a few times. So he's on my list of clutch players that didn't come up clutch.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

It's fair.

[Don Rosenberg]

Great players. Mvp.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But he has. I'll just say the reason I still put him ahead of Lamar is that he has had the games in the playoffs where he's done the opposite of that. He has more marquee playoff wins.

[Don Rosenberg]

He's played out of his mind. It's just the rest of the team stinks, right? Yeah, that is true

[Nas]

at the end. So I wanted to get to the WBC and my Aaron Judge, who I love to death. But there is a fear, a dewiness, a nervousness that you can see when he gets up to that plate. It's like he has the yips. I know you haven't heard that phrase in a while, but that's how I feel like he's got this hitting you.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's interesting because that's what. When we had Ken Danico here, that's what I wanted to get into with him when I asked him he's going to come back and join us for the watch party later. But that's what. It's when you see it in the eyes, either of your opponent or your teammate. When you're like, he looks scared to. Tough word for an athlete. But are you nervous, anxious, uncertain? Those are things that you can't have in your eyes. And is. Does the pressure get to him? Does he want. And you could say this too, because I love the point that Nas brought up and thank you for the call, Nas. But it's. You could want it too much. That's a real thing.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Well, there's multiple versions.

[Don Rosenberg]

You can't just. Namaste.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

Can't do it.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Well, there's, there's, there's so many different versions of athletes like that that we've seen. Right. And you know, and Rod Strickland talked about it with us last week as he gets ready for Liu to play Friday at 1:30 the tournament.

[Don Rosenberg]

Let's go. Spins up.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Strick said he threw up before every single NBA game he ever played. But guess what? Afterwards, he felt a calm come over him and he was able to be a top.

[Don Rosenberg]

So are you saying Aaron Judge needs to throw. Make himself throw up.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's right.

[Don Rosenberg]

Before and at bat.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That is the only way to do it.

[Don Rosenberg]

Steaming Willie Beeman right in the. Right in the on deck circle. But wouldn't that be a picture? This game seven alcs, Yankees down a run. Runner on base, right. The guy in front of him. There's one out. The guy in front of him, fly ball out. Whatever it is, Judge knows it's all on me. Sticks his finger right in his mouth. Just.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I don't know if that would be the.

[Don Rosenberg]

Ralph's right on the field, new guys.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

New guys in the corner puking his guts out. Exactly.

[Don Rosenberg]

Could you imagine that scene, though? And then he. Then he strolls up to the home plate, like, not a care in the world.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You know what it's giving? What's it's giving? Rabbit in the bathroom before the mom spaghetti eight mile.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah. Had to get it out.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You got to have that mom's spaghetti moment.

[Don Rosenberg]

Vomit on a sweater already.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's exactly right. But every.

[Don Rosenberg]

Maybe that's what Judge needs. A little vomit on the pinstripes.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

How epic would that be? You know what that would go for an auction. They win the World Series. You know what that goes for auction?

[Don Rosenberg]

The vomit jersey over the bloody sock. Oh, the bloody sock is off the table now.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Fake fico bloody sock.

[Don Rosenberg]

The ketchup sock. We all know it was ketchup. But could you like imagine the. The viral moment, though, of those sitting in those seats right there by the on deck?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I'm just trying to think of the post headline the next time.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, so he hits a home run, they win the game. What's the headline?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Judge Vomit.

[Don Rosenberg]

Throw up. Throw down.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's not bad.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's workable.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Throw up. Keep working. Let's keep workshop.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, we got to effort this. What else we got? Like, it's.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

This is tough to come up with though. Michael, give. If K is listening, we'll get a text in two minutes. What the headline will be too. Oh, Don McGregor, Texas.

[Don Rosenberg]

Because, you know, it's three up and three down. There's a throw up. Throw down.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Throw up. Throw down's not bad.

[Don Rosenberg]

You know what I mean?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Don McGregor texted us earlier when you were taking shots at the Mets.

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't remember taking shots at the Mets.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You did, because we're talking about the Jay Z concerts at Yankee Stadium.

[Don Rosenberg]

Right?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And you said, well, I know it's not Timmy Trumpet or the Baja.

[Don Rosenberg]

I said it's not the Baja Men, but it'll do. That's an observation.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And Don wrote the group and said the Beatles played at Shea Stadium. Like, I won't say the word that he said at the end, but he wanted to remind you.

[Don Rosenberg]

Can I see the word that he said at the end?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

It's very childish. I don't think you could say it though. I mean, you could legally, but it's not appropriate.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, they played at Shea.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But Billy Joel.

[Don Rosenberg]

A lot of pounce with Shay season was over. He also played Yankee Stadium.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

He did also play Yankees.

[Don Rosenberg]

He also mentioned the Yankees a few times in his songs. He did, yeah. Rosie. Rosie knows he was credit to the game.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But, you know, Yankees got the headlines every time.

[Don Rosenberg]

You nailed it. That's one. He was also in Miami. 2017 was awesome.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

And of course, my goat, Paul Simon referenced DiMaggio.

[Don Rosenberg]

Where have you gone now?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Is Paul Simon being a Yankee fan, fraudulent?

[Don Rosenberg]

Why is it fraudulent? Queens guy.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yeah, Queens guy.

[Don Rosenberg]

But he grew up in a time where there was no Mets, there was no National League team.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

So I guess he didn't go into baseball. Yeah, it was pre Mets.

[Caller Chris]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

So he became a Yankee fan. Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah. My mother's the fraud because she was a Dodger fan. They left. She then, as a teenager would go to Yankee games because she loved baseball.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Okay.

[Don Rosenberg]

She, you know, she should have just become a Yankee. And then when the Mets came, then she just saw it nationally. Team. I'm a National League fan. Went back to the Mets.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I never understood the rooting for a league. I don't, I don't care about that.

[Don Rosenberg]

It's a style of play that no longer exists now. Yeah, I like the National League of the pitcher hitting because that's baseball. Susan, continue with the calls. 800-919-3776. Frank in Long island wants some. Wants to give us some recommendation on the clutch list that we made. Frank. Hi, guys. Yeah, so for me, Armando Benitez is just synonymous for blowing it again. When we do the list, we're looking at the best in your sport, like the pinnacle MVP level people. You know what I mean? So when we say the greatest players that didn't come up clutch, it's got to be in that criteria. There's many people that we could point to that have had, you know, that have had unclutch moments. But I'm talking like, we've got it. We've got to have a standard of. You've got to be at this level, like hall of Fame level, player, MVP level players. See what I mean? Frank said it doesn't really work with Benitez. Thank you though. Let's go to Paul in Florida. Paul.

[Caller Paul]

Hey guys. How are you today?

[Don Rosenberg]

Good.

[Caller Paul]

So I was wondering originally was calling with just one, but then based on what you said about guys who have won but didn't win enough, I had two other that I wanted to ask about, but my first one was Dan Marino.

[Don Rosenberg]

Marino is an interesting one because he did have clutch moments, though. He just never got back to a Super Bowl. But I thought during his career he had some unbelievable clutch moments.

[Caller Paul]

I kind of feel like it's similar to Ewing. Pat did have some big moments that got the Knicks through some rounds, but he just didn't have the running mate.

[Don Rosenberg]

And Patrick's a very difficult one for me to put on the list. I was strong armed.

[Caller/Vinnie]

Okay.

[Caller Paul]

If I could, could I ask about the other two that I thought about? You guys brought up Peyton.

[Don Rosenberg]

Go ahead.

[Caller Paul]

I was thinking about Rogers and Favre. Farb ended like three different team seasons with a pick three years in a row. And they both had some epic teams that probably should have won more titles than just one each.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, Rogers was suggested to us by somebody here and even I don't put them on the list because once you win a ring, like remember the Manning one?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But I like the Manning call and I like the Rogers call.

[Don Rosenberg]

Don't ever, because four time mvp. And how many times did he run into a wall?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

One Super Bowl. And the games that were bad too, that championship game. A few years. Not a few. I guess it's like five years ago now at San Francisco.

[Don Rosenberg]

You remember that game when they wouldn't run it in?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Completely laid an egg.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

So no, he's had his moments. Yeah. No question.

[Don Rosenberg]

That is true. All right, more you calls. 800. Now a 93776. My eyes don't deceive me right. I did see Rick DiPietro.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh, Rick DiPietro's holding court. Having a good time, looking handsome.

[Don Rosenberg]

I caught the wave. The first one. The first wave.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's got another one.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

So we have him coming up for a big ENN at 6 o'.

[Don Rosenberg]

Clock. Coming up at 6, your calls as well. We are live at Calandra's Bakery in Caldwell, New Jersey. DON ON Rosenberg, espn New York.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Don Rosenberg]

Rosenberg. Diving right in for the sweets before we even eat dinner. That doesn't ruin your supper when you start doing it. Strawberry, go to the sugars. Well, I didn't realize you were once I called you out. Then you went oh no, no, I'd already just. You were going for a cupcake and then you're like, no, no straw.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

No, no, no. I'm being a gavon in a different way. I'm taking the fruit off of the tart.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's a kiwi.

[Caller Bobby]

Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

Nice. Yeah. But I. It first looked like you were about

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

to grab a cup just right with my finger.

[Don Rosenberg]

So. You hurt? Yeah. Well, the finger part we'll have to discuss another time.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I will be back to that though. I bet you Calandra's is tremendous.

[Don Rosenberg]

Tremendous. And we will be here all night. Not only when the show ends at 6:30 because we have Ranger hockey on our air starting at 6:30 with seven 7 o'. Clock. Probably 7:08 puck.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh, we're staying around 7:10, 7:12.

[Don Rosenberg]

We're going 7:12.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

It's a TNT vehicle, so you never know.

[Don Rosenberg]

That's a good point. Rangers Devils. So we have a Rangers Devils watch party here at Calandras in Caldwell, New Jersey. Ken Danico is going to come back and hang out with us for that. Rick DiPietro is here already. He's going to join us for ENN momentarily. We're going to have a lot of fun. Rangers fans in the building. Devils fans in the building.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's right.

[Don Rosenberg]

I mean we're talking. Everybody's just going to get along great.

[Caller Paul]

I think.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I think the vibe will not be one of combativeness.

[Don Rosenberg]

No. You sure?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Well, these are two teams that are. That both leave something to be desired.

[Don Rosenberg]

But that's what makes these games more important. I got nothing else to play for, so I want to kick your ass.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I don't think I'm not if I. Anthony's my gauge of where the Ron J fan base is.

[Don Rosenberg]

Where's the wrong.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I don't see him very intense tonight.

[Don Rosenberg]

All right.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

He wants. You're gonna Watch though, right? He'll be dialed in.

[Don Rosenberg]

I want intensity. I have a feeling that Danico is going to bring it down. Did you hear he was talking about Danico? He is off air.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yeah, he seemed ready to go.

[Don Rosenberg]

Oh, let's go. I want to get him fired up.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You mean drunk.

[Don Rosenberg]

That too. Game time Brought to you by Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time. I like that.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

That's probably time.

[Don Rosenberg]

It is why we're here. Rangers, Devil, Dev, Rangers, Devils.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You got it?

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah, I do. Coverage immediately follows us on 880 at 6:30, as I aforementioned. And also if you're inclined, the Nets host the Thunder. That's right, the Oklahoma City Thunder to you and me.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Oh, I'm familiar where they're from.

[Don Rosenberg]

Are in Brooklyn. They will play at 7:30 telemore. The original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemurdo or try the new Telemore. Honey. During today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. All right, a few more calls here before we get to enn.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Big enn.

[Don Rosenberg]

How about Jay in Connecticut with a name for the clutch list? Jay, what do you got?

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Jay?

[Caller Chris]

Hey, what's going on guys? First time caller got a question. I didn't hear the beginning of you guys list.

[Caller Paul]

Did you guys mention Carmelo Anthony on the list?

[Don Rosenberg]

Did not. No.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I don't, I don't like this mellow slander.

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't know and I don't know if he's. I don't know if Mello could be at that, like, would you put him at that level of the names on this list as far as in his

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

generation, I mean he's pretty great.

[Don Rosenberg]

One of the great all time.

[Caller Chris]

I mean you guys had James Harden on here.

[Don Rosenberg]

I, I, James Harden won mvp. Yeah, you know what I mean? You're an mvp.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Carmelo have a scoring title?

[Don Rosenberg]

Yes. Yeah, he has a scoring time.

[Caller Chris]

Yes, he does.

[Don Rosenberg]

He does have a scoring title. He has been.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Now, now let me ask you a question, both of you guys. Jay around. Was there one particular like moment in the playoffs though when you really felt like Carmelo came up small?

[Don Rosenberg]

No, I felt like, look, the biggest year for him with The Knicks was 2014, 2013, that playoff. He was against the Pacers. They lost that. It's typical story of Knicks Pacers lose the first game and the whole series goes to hell. But he was in the game to try to force a game. I think it was A game six, Right? Game six, trying to force a game seven. No one played harder than him in that game. He did all he could. And then that's when the Roy Hibbert. Remember the Roy Hibbert block? He went up to dunk on Roy Hibbert. Almost broke the guy's.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Interesting choice.

[Don Rosenberg]

Well, almost broke the guy's hand. Like, unreal. Like, that's how. But it was a great block. But he played so hard in that game. I felt like he was trying to carry the team. The Celtics series, the two the year before, two years before. I thought also the same story. So. Sorry, Jay. I just don't think Melo would be someone I'd put on that list. I just don't think he was in enough of those. And you forget, in Denver, that team went to a conference final and he was epic in that run as well. They lost to the Lakers. No shame there.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Jacob, I'd like you to get both a name drop and stranger straight. Yeah.

[Don Rosenberg]

Roy Hibbert.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I've hung out with him many times. Dipperstein, my manager, is very close with Roy Hibbert.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Like. Like, very unusual. Like, there's no reason for them to be. There's no reason for Dipperstein, who's all of 5 foot 5 to be that close with Roy Hibbert. Who, when you hang out with him seven feet. No. He's an astoundingly large man.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I mean, he is just. But what a sweet guy.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Caller Bobby]

Hell of a play.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

You know, Had a great career.

[Don Rosenberg]

Yeah. Solid career. Let's go to Robin, New Jersey, with another one, Billy Wagner. Good Lord.

[Caller/Vinnie]

This guy never, never was crushed. Ever, ever.

[Don Rosenberg]

Well, how could that be? He's in the hall of Fame.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

Yeah. Billy Wagner now.

[Caller Bobby]

Exactly.

[Caller/Vinnie]

Look it up. L 2006 on the Mets.

[Don Rosenberg]

Well, I figured.

[Caller/Vinnie]

Was never in a World Series.

[Don Rosenberg]

Okay, but.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But great enough to be on.

[Don Rosenberg]

So is he great enough, though, even though he's a Hall of Famer and some people were wondering, like, is he really a whole. Like, did he qualify? But he did. He got voted. But yes, he made the whole is. I get that. But was he on the level of the best in his sport at the time he played it?

[Caller Bobby]

Listen, he made the hall of Fame.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I know, but there are compilers who make the hall of Fame. Right, but they were never close to the best in the game.

[Don Rosenberg]

Rob, it's a good effort. We'll give you the effort. We appreciate it. But I don't know if. I'm John Winthrop, our resident Met fan, would you would you say Billy Wagner is on that list of people that you're like, man, this guy was never clutch. It infuriated you.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

But is and was he great enough to be on that? He says.

[Don Rosenberg]

But well, we had another call to say Benitez. So Benitez was the one that more than Amanda Benitez, frustrated you more as a fan than Billy Wagner.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

I was gonna say Honus Wagner, who I was a big fan of, or as Don knows him, Hornet Hornets was

[Don Rosenberg]

behind a couch and found like a

[Ramsey Mazda Advertiser]

Harness Wagner rookie card or something.

[Don Hahn]

You never know.

[Don Rosenberg]

Harness Wagner, by the way, Drop Madness tomorrow. Still a stupid name.

[Co-host (possibly Peter Rosenberg)]

We're so deep in our Calandra show. Don't forget Drop Madness starts tomorrow.

[Don Rosenberg]

Begin tomorrow. Exciting times here. Great moments in Drop Madness history as well. Great moments in ENN history because Rick DiPietro will be joining us. That's right, ENN next. Live from Calandras in Caldwell, New Jersey. Don on Rosenberg, ESPN New York There's

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Don Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the

[Don Hahn]

sausage is made, man.

[Don Rosenberg]

I just want to know. It's good.

[Don Hahn]

Hear more more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[TGL Finals Advertiser]

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