Hour 3: Kidz Bop & Mets

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 3 – Kidz Bop & Mets (July 20, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this lively third hour, Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg (with Alan Hahn off for the week) deliver their signature blend of New York sports talk and culture. The show opens with an exploration of athlete branding and authenticity — why modern athletes feel compelled to do more than just play their sport. Later, the conversation pivots into a humorous dive into Kidz Bop, childhood music, and pop culture in parenting. The episode wraps with sharp takes on the current state of the Mets, particularly the Francisco Lindor–Juan Soto dynamic, with a reflective look at Howard Stern’s evolving legacy and a few memorable calls from listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Modern Athlete: Branding, Authenticity, and Risk

• Why do athletes today focus so much on building their brands?
  Don and Peter use Giants running back Cam Scadaboo’s now-infamous Fanatics Fest backflip as a springboard for a generational conversation about self-promotion, risk, and legacy.

  • Don’s Perspective:
    "I grew up where just put your head down and play. And if you're great, everybody's going to know... But this generation... None of that's guaranteed. So I gotta do whatever I can to kind of up my profile." (03:26)
  • Peter’s Take:
    "Cam's being Cam. That's just who he is. I want to do a backflip. ...He just likes doing that stuff. Now, I do think that can end up being a backup thing for him, is streaming and stuff like that." (07:10)
  • On being genuine:
    "Whatever you do, be you. Because the second you're not you, everybody's going to notice it... I want to know who you are." —Don Hahn (05:58)

• Balancing Brand and Team:
  Peter cautions about risks: "Cam Scadaboo is one stupid injury away...he absolutely has to be full strength and incredibly explosive to be effective in the NFL." (09:31)
  Don responds: "How do I begrudge these guys, especially in football, when tomorrow you hurt something and now it's over?" (10:44)

• Notable Moment
  Don’s analogy comparing Cam’s playful persona to other jobs:
  "If he's working for Amazon, nobody cares. The Amazon guy that delivers your packages and does backflips…just leave the package on the stairs, buddy." (10:44)

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2. Pop Culture, Kidz Bop, and Parenting Playlists

• Jalen Brunson’s Bieber Fandom:
  Peter brings up Knicks guard Jalen Brunson’s big meeting with Justin Bieber, launching a hilarious digression on modern pop and parenting.

  • "What is there to love about Justin Bieber?" —Don Hahn
    "He's got great record. Justin Bieber. Some great records." —Peter Rosenberg (12:15)
  • Don admits disconnect with current pop hits, recognizing most only through Kidz Bop or his children:
    "There are songs, Anthony, that I've only heard through Kidz Bop. And I have not heard the original version." (16:30)

• Parenting in the Age of Kidz Bop:
  Heated, funny debate as Don insists all parents eventually surrender to Kidz Bop, despite Peter’s efforts to curate ‘real music’ playlists for his daughter Maya.

  • "At some point, it's gonna be the only thing that's gonna quiet her down. And then she's gonna demand it." —Don Hahn (19:41)
  • "Fight it all you want, but at some point, it's…gonna happen." —Don Hahn (20:14)
  • "Peter won’t allow Kidz Bop in the house." —Julian (19:26)
  • "How do we help him, Peter?" —Julian, on Don’s only-exposure-to-pop-through-Kidz-Bop conundrum. (18:22)

• Notable Moments:

  • The crew tries to recall pop songs’ titles, often guessing comically.
  • Don’s deadpan: "First time I ever heard Walker, Texas Hayes, whatever his name is…and it’s only been kids singing it." (18:30)

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3. Howard Stern in 2026: The End of an Era?

• Discussion on Stern’s Reduced Schedule
  The hosts respond to news that radio icon Howard Stern is moving to only one live day a week.

  • Peter criticizes the layoffs of Stern’s producers in light of his lucrative contract:
    "Did you just cut a bunch of people to make 80 grand? ...And your deal is for like 50 million a year?" (22:48)
  • Don reflects on the value of Stern’s vast radio archive, recognizing the changing economics of media:
    "They’re paying him for that archive because there’s always…so much content like you probably don’t even realize when he’s live anymore." (24:08)

• Stern’s Legacy and Burnout:
  The conversation turns to radio burnout, pivoting to other legends like Larry David, drawing connections to creative restlessness in retirement.

  • "I just feel like he may get bored…he may get bored not doing the show." —Peter Rosenberg (30:10)

• Don’s Personal Story:
  Don recalls his own summer 1990 KROCK internship, narrowly missing his adolescent crush Dana Plato on a “best of” Stern day—a nostalgic, self-deprecating aside. (27:09–28:59)

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4. The Mets Dilemma: Lindor, Soto & Clubhouse Chemistry

• Francisco Lindor’s Future (Audio clip at 32:03)
  Lindor voices his drive to perform for the Mets, referencing support from coaches and peers.

• Should the Mets Trade Lindor?

  • Don: “Why am I trading him? But isn't baseball the one sport where you don't have to get along?” (34:19)
  • Peter: "It's a bummer to me that immediately after getting Pete Alonso, …you're telling me that just because Lindor can't seem to get along with Soto, who's been here for five minutes, you're also getting rid of Lindor?" (36:41)

• Chemistry in Baseball vs Other Sports:
  "In baseball, it's not an issue. Juan Soto is an outfielder. Francisco Lindor is a shortstop. They don't even have to speak to each other if they don't want to." —Don Hahn (34:19)

• The Managerial Solution
  Both hosts agree that a strong manager—possibly a Hall of Fame-caliber ex-player like Carlos Beltran—is needed to command respect and manage egos.

  • "They need to hire a manager with a backbone, but they won't do it because that's not baseball anymore." —Don Hahn (37:25)
  • "Is it going to be different? It will be different because you're talking about a guy…with a pedigree, a guy that played…in a World Series." (42:00)
  • “When a Hall of Famer tells you something, man, if that's not going to work, then nothing will.” —Don Hahn (43:07)

• Call-in Segment (43:40)
  Callers weigh in on LeBron James, the Argentina soccer squad’s on-field behavior, and the evolution of baseball players as “independent contractors.”

  • "Baseball players have become independent contractors…his attitude was, I have a good day, it's a good day. I have a bad day, it's a bad day. We win, we lose, who cares?" —Caller Jack (44:57)

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5. Tom Brady, Athlete Afterlife, and Post-Career Struggles

• Brady’s Brand & Wrestling Experiment
  The hosts riff on why not every athlete can or should have a huge after-career brand, responding to Brady’s recent WWE appearance and subsequent online backlash.
  • "Why does he feel he needs wrestling? Like, come on, man." —Don Hahn (46:49)
  • "It's hard when you've done nothing but be like this polished, dominant, obsessive competitor and you can no longer compete…there's a lot of places people go that are worse than what he's [doing]." —Peter Rosenberg (47:26)
  • "It doesn't feel organic, but it's not organic and it's not on brand." —Rosenberg & Hahn in agreement about Brady’s recent attempts (47:18–47:21)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Be Authentically Yourself (On Athlete Branding):
  “If you're an ass, be an ass. If you're a student, be a student. If you're quiet, be quiet. But the second that you are something you're not, the world's going to notice.” —Don Hahn (06:19)

• On Generational Pop Disconnect:
  "There are songs…that I've only heard through Kidz Bop. And I have not heard the original version." —Don Hahn (16:30)

• On Parental Inevitable Surrender to Kidz Bop:
  “At some point, it's gonna be the only thing that's gonna quiet her down…Fight it all you want, but at some point, it's gonna happen.” —Don Hahn (19:41/20:14)

• On the Value of a Respected Manager:
  “When a Hall of Famer tells you something, man, if that's not going to work, then nothing will. Honestly.” —Don Hahn (43:07)

• On Athlete’s Post-Career Path:
  "Why does there always have to be an after, a follow up? Especially if it doesn't fit." —Don Hahn (46:07)

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Important Timestamps

• Athlete Brand / Cam Scadaboo Discussion: 01:23–12:14
• Pop Music, Kidz Bop, and Parenting: 12:13–22:06
• Howard Stern Segment: 22:10–31:37
• Francisco Lindor Mets Discussion: 31:41–43:40
• Caller Jack’s Rant & Athlete “Afterlife”: 43:40–47:56
• Brady and Athlete’s Post-career Dilemmas: 46:48–48:37

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Tone & Style

• Conversational, irreverent, and authentic
• Deep sports insight blended with relatable, often humorous, observations on life and culture
• Willingness to self-deprecate and poke fun at generational differences

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Summary

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg shines in its exploration of what it truly means to “make it” as an athlete in today’s world — the balance between authentic self and necessary showmanship. Their digressions into pop culture and parenting are as illuminating as they are hilarious, making this episode a quintessential slice of contemporary New York sports radio. Whether you came for Mets clubhouse drama or to reminisce about (or recoil from) the endless saga of Kidz Bop, you’ll leave entertained and maybe just a little more understanding of what makes today’s sports figures — and the parents who raise future ones — tick.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

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[Podcast Host]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Podcast Host]

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

[Don Hahn]

500 One of the big city Don Hahn and Rosenberg. Allen's got the week off. He'll be back on Monday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't know.

[Don Hahn]

Well, anything could happen. But the plan is he's going to be back. And also we're on till seven pretty much all week. Only Friday's the day we're gonna be off at 6:30. So we got full frontal for four straight days. So we're looking forward to that. Hanging with you. We've got to talk about a Tuesday. We got a list you read about on Wednesday. How did the list go without me last week? Oh yeah, I heard it was very, I heard it very basic. I didn't hear all of it. But you were talking about like household things you got to deal with when.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, because number one was a roof, which I agree, I've been dealing with this air conditioning nonsense. And so that was it. It was happening that day.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's good. Topical. When you, when you can bring the passion and feel what's going on, that's good. But we got so much to get into again. Two full hours coming up here like you dream about. 1-800-919-3776 is the way to participate in the program. But Anthony and Peter were getting into a discussion before we went into the break is like, you know, why did, why do these athletes feel like they've got to do all this extra stuff? Like it's football, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Everybody talks about.

[Don Hahn]

It's our national, it's our new national pastime. Ratings are through the roof. If you're a good football player, it's so easy to become a household name. So why do you have to do the extra stuff? Why does Cam Scatterboo have to do a backflip at Fanatics Fest? He's a New York Giant running back. The fans love him. The team is supposed to be better and contending now with a legitimate head coach. And John Harbaugh, If Cam Scatterboo is going to do the things that I think he's capable of doing for this team, he's not going to have to ever backflip again. But I just wonder, Peter. And it's impossible for me not to sound like the get off my lawn, because I'm 58 years old and he's in his early 20s. But I think these athletes are programmed to do more, that just being a professional athlete is not enough. They've got to do other things. They've got to keep their brand going, because football's not going to be there forever. As Cam found out last year, you can get hurt in the blink of an eye. So take advantage of the spotlight while you have it, man, because you never know. Tomorrow it could all be over, and you're going to look back and go, boy, I had a chance to do all these things, and now I'm going to do it. Nobody's going to care because I'm out of football. I got to take advantage when I'm in football. That seems to be the mark of this new generation of take advantage of it while you can. And. And maybe it's not a bad thing, like maybe appreciating and realizing how fragile everything is and not. And not go under the pretense that tomorrow is promised to anybody. And why not do today what you could have done in the past tomorrow? I grew up where just put your head down and play. And if you're great, everybody's going to know. Everybody knew Barry Sanders was great. Barry would just flip the ball back to the referee and jog back to the sideline. Everybody knew he was great. You know why? Because he was great. But since greatness isn't guaranteed, Peter, you got to do other things just in case you don't turn out to be great, right? And so if, God forbid, Cam Scatterboo goes out there, injures his leg again and never plays football again, we're going to remember him more than we would have otherwise because of some of the things he did. And maybe that's the way of looking at it, and maybe it's not wrong. It's not how I grew up. I didn't worry about that kind of attention. Just. Just do your job. And if you do your job, the attention's gonna come, the money's gonna come. Just be good at what you do, and everything will take care of itself. But I. But this generation, and maybe they're not wrong. Well, I'm sorry. None of that's Guaranteed. So I gotta do whatever I can to kind of up my profile. I'm given opportunities now because of social media. There was no. There was no fanatics fest back in the day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was not.

[Don Hahn]

You know, so why not take advantage of these things that we have just in case all of this football stuff doesn't work out?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I'll tell you what, Tom Brady is getting just like, I'm just going through. Just flipping through the Twitter here, and he is just getting crushed from people for. For doing this stuff like they are. People are not feeling it because.

[Don Hahn]

Let me give advice as the elder statesman on the show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And by the way, it doesn't have

[Commercial Announcer]

to be this way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, just to this real quick. Like Jalen Brunson and Kat and Tyrese Halliburton, they were all involved with WWE on Saturday. Everyone loved it. Played out great. There's. There's something about the way he's going about things that just doesn't be. It's not resonating with people.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, because did I know. I didn't see what Brunson did. Did he give the finger to anybody?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He did not.

[Don Hahn]

You know, is he being like, all in or was it just. Was it the fact that the Knicks were technically back at the Garden for the first time since their championship and they and WWE just kind of celebrated them. Right. And they were there for it as opposed to now trying to be a part of it, and it's not him. This is the advice I was going to give you. Whatever you do, be you. Because the second you're not you, everybody's going to notice it. What do we say all the time about Russell Wilson? Why was Russell Wilson awkward? Why was Russell Wilson not liked in his own locker room despite the fact he was helping the team go to the super bowl and win a Super Bowl? Because it's, hey, yo, Seattle, Mr. Unlimited. Come on, that's not you, man. You're. You're the dorky quarterback guy. That's you. Be that and then everybody will like you. But the second you try to be something you're not, everybody's going to smell it. They're going to sniff it out and they're going to turn on you.

[Caller or Guest]

Am I wrong?

[Don Hahn]

It's exactly how it is in life. If you're an ass, be an ass. If you're a student, be a student. If you're quiet, be quiet. But the second that you are something you're not, the world's going to notice. You're going to look like an awkward

[Caller or Guest]

D

[Don Hahn]

and people aren't going to like you because they're not going to trust what you are. I want to know who you are. I want to know you're coming. Don't be something you're not. And I give Cam Scatterboo credit. It looks like that's him. Cam Scatterboo. Sounds to me like if he was a lawyer at the pool party, when the lawyers would get together to celebrate, like, getting a big victory, he would do a backflip at the party. He looks like the guy that, if he was in radio, after a great segment, he'd high five you and then do a backflip. So that's just kind of how he is. That's why I never really got mad at Pete Alonso. Pete's Pete.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But by the way, I'm telling you, though, here's where I disagree with you. Cam's being Cam. That's just who he is. I want to do a backflip. I'm sorry. No, no, Don. What is he in Mensa? His whole way of playing football is I crash hard into person and they fall over. I'm sorry, He. No, Don. God bless the man. He. At least by all accounts, he looks like the ultimate meathead football player. So you're standing there, it's like, I'm good. I could do a backflip. Look, he's. I really. Now, there are other times when I think maybe he's brand building is giving him way too much credit. Like, even the whole thing on Twitch and stuff, he just likes doing that stuff. Now, I do think that can end up being a backup thing for him, is streaming and stuff like that. But I really. Yes, I'm mocking him and making fun of him. Sound like a meathead because he comes off that way. But on the. On the. On the flip side of that, I'll also defend him by saying, I don't think it's calculated. I think he's just up there and having fun now. I think you need to be smarter when they think you're going to be a really valuable part of this football game.

[Don Hahn]

It's hard to turn on and off.

[Caller or Guest]

Right?

[Don Hahn]

I mean, and also, let's face it, Cam Scatterboos kind of have a funny name. If he just played football and didn't do anything, would he be invited to Fanatics Fest? He played half a season, got hurt. Would he have been at that wrestling event when he was hurt if he wasn't Cam Scatterable? If he was just running back B on the New York Giants? Like, no, it's so that's what he's saying. So. No. Do I think it's performative? Of course. But I think. Is he wreaking financial gain from it to the point where he should risk injury? No. But you know what? We know a lot more about Cam Scatter Boo because he's this way than if he was the Barry Sanders way. He would have just been another running back that got hurt. That we hope he's going to be able to stay healthy this year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got news for you. Ain't nothing about Cam Scatterboo and Barry Sanders. Sin. But. But I hear what you're saying. Well, handing the ball to the ref, human being, that kind of guy.

[Don Hahn]

Right. If he had done that and no backflips, no showing up at wrestling events, would we. Other than having kind of a goofy name, where does he land on the roster for the Giants? You can make the case right now when neighbors hurt. He's like the second or third guy you mentioned and a lot of it's because of this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Although as I pointed out, and I know this is very harsh, you have to think about where he was drafted and where his actual talent level is. The reason he needs to be extremely careful is Cam Scatterboo is one stupid injury away. Don, there's nothing. I know that sounds really harsh, but I mean he absolutely has to be full strength and incredibly explosive to be effective in the NFL. He's not the single most skilled player

[Don Hahn]

you're going to have, but be honest with me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I will.

[Don Hahn]

If you, if you had to list Giants.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, he's right there.

[Don Hahn]

Where would he be? Third dart would probably be first for some people. He's two neighbors. Neighbor are you talking about? He's in the top five giants mentioned for sure. He played. He appeared in eight games last year. Year started five. He ran for 404 yards and two touchdowns. Yeah, but yet he's one of the second or third people you mentioned. I know the Giants stink, but people know who he is because of this. So how do you sit there if you're John Harbaugh, call him into the office and say, you got to cool this down, man. We got bigger fish to fry here. You know how hard that's going to be for him to do? Because now you're asking him to just be an ordinary Joe and then when he blows out his knee again, God forbid, it's not like the Giants are going to help him out. He's gone, he's out, he's out of the league. So as Much as it's not for me, how do I begrudge these guys, especially in football, when tomorrow you hurt something and now it's over. Now nobody's going to care to you doing a backflip. They care about him doing a backflip of fanatics fest because he's a giant, right? If he's working for Amazon, nobody cares. The Amazon guy that delivers your packages and does backflips be like starting to hit the sis. Just leave the package on the stairs, buddy, and get going. All right? The last time you did a backflip, you stepped on my dishes and broke them. Just take the picture and get in your little fancy van and get lost

[Peter Rosenberg]

your little mini car.

[Don Hahn]

So how do I tell them that? So that's why the Giants have to be kind of do a balancing act of, hey, Cam, tone it down a little bit. But also understand that this is how these young athletes are built.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But all I'm saying is. I'm not saying you have to tone down that much. Just don't do a backflip until we know you're fully.

[Caller or Guest]

Good, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not in the off season, but take your time. See Jalen. Jalen. Brunson got to meet Justin Bieber and that's something. He loves Bieber.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't know that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, Huge Bieber.

[Don Hahn]

What is there to love about Justin Bieber? Justin Bieber.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's got great record. Justin Bieber. Some great records.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, he does. I don't doubt he's a talent.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't know the song Love Yourself?

[Don Hahn]

I can't. Listen, I'd be a big fan, but I don't know the song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Play it. Play Love Yourself for him for a second.

[Don Hahn]

The theme sounds interesting, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And UConn is what the most recent hit was.

[Caller or Guest]

But.

[Don Hahn]

But I'm not making fun. I'm just saying that, like, you might know Love Yourself.

[Julian]

Let's see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he might know. Where have you been? You might know that one too. Isn't that what it's called? Where have you been? Trying to think which ones, but I think Love Yourself is the most likely potential.

[Don Hahn]

No,

[Peter Rosenberg]

not familiar at all. No, it's written by Ed Sheeran.

[Don Hahn]

I can't imagine playing it longer. Julian's gonna jog any memory, so. No, I just didn't think Brunson would be a fan. I look good. People might not think I'm a fan of Simon and Garfunkel, but see, exactly. So I don't. I don't mean to pigeonhole people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, Brunson's A big. I think he's a pop kind of guy and loves him some Bieber.

[Don Hahn]

I'm so out of modern music.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, yeah, Bieber's been what I just played. He was nine years old. If it's a day,

[Don Hahn]

what circles would I run in where that song would be playing? Honestly, your kids were too young.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, your kids are too young. So that's.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that's why I know the Taylor Swift stuff, because of Jalen and. But it's so out there. Like, her music to me was a little bit more available. Maybe her music was in movies. Well, she had the one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let me.

[Don Hahn]

Hold on. Secret Life of Pets. She had the Open to that. Hold on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe I got it wrong there. I'm going to try something else.

[Julian]

Justin, we know she was in the Lorax.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, we do, because everyone got invited from the cast. All right, let's see what's listed. I want to find one dog.

[Julian]

Now, when did Brunson become a fan? Because kind of like when I was young and he was young, he was like the young pop star.

[Don Hahn]

This isn't a zip tie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Give him a taste of. Give him a taste of. Sorry, that's.

[Julian]

How old is that, by the way?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Probably 12 years.

[Julian]

That's crazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's. Let's get turn up a little louder. A little more.

[Don Hahn]

I've heard this. I've heard this, but not this version from a movie. No, I think it was a K pop song. A K pop or whatever it is. The music that they. The kids sing on. The kids bop. Kids bop version. Not Kate. That's a completely different.

[Julian]

Completely different.

[Don Hahn]

But. But Jalen's into that too, because there's the demon hunter thing.

[Julian]

I can't believe they're still making kids bop records.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think, honestly, I think.

[Julian]

What volume are they at now?

[Don Hahn]

I think some of the kids that are singing on the songs right now are in their 40s with children of their own.

[Julian]

If they're using it when Julian and I were growing up, then. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And is it that far back now? They went that far back.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Julian]

What? Kidz Bop. Yeah, I used to hear about them, you know, dial the Number when I was watching Nickelodeon when I was like seven.

[Don Hahn]

All right. The kids kind of outgrew it, but I think I was listening recently. What's the band? What's the song with the. With the Applebee's?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The song with the Applebee's.

[Don Hahn]

You know what I'm talking about?

[Julian]

They've changed it a lot.

[Don Hahn]

But do you know what song I'M talking about probably if I heard it, something like, we'll share a shake and I got you.

[Julian]

Oh, fancy. Like Walker Hayes.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Julian]

He's a country singer that. That Walker Hayes. That. That's very old.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, yeah, but it was just on the other day.

[Julian]

Was it really again?

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

They recycle these things.

[Julian]

Yeah, well, no, I think the kids

[Don Hahn]

have refused to do them now because you know what they demanded to get paid.

[Julian]

That's fancy. Like by Walker Hayes. Yes.

[Don Hahn]

You know that song, Peter, you.

[Julian]

If you remember watching the commercial, you'd know the song.

[Don Hahn]

There are songs, Applebee songs that.

[Julian]

I think Applebee's on a date night. Bourbon Street Shake. Oreo Shake.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Julian]

Bourbon Street Steak.

[Don Hahn]

There are songs, Anthony, that I've only heard through Kidz Bop. And I have not heard the original version. You know. You know the one I think I told Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It.

[Don Hahn]

What the. What's it? The Astronaut in the Ocean. You know that song?

[Julian]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's that one?

[Julian]

I. It's. It's not bad. I think we probably have it in the system.

[Caller or Guest]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's.

[Don Hahn]

It's pure filth. If you play the original.

[Julian]

What you know about Roland? They sing that on kids.

[Don Hahn]

Bob. Down in the Deep and the Dee dee dee dee dee dee.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, I know nothing you people assume.

[Don Hahn]

Are you even into hip hop anymore?

[Julian]

It goes how it's not hip.

[Don Hahn]

What you know about rolling down in the deep when your brain goes numb. You can call that mental free.

[Julian]

This is not your hip.

[Don Hahn]

I have not heard this version. I only know the kid's pop version.

[Julian]

How is this a kid's pop song?

[Don Hahn]

Well, play the kids pop version. You can find it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's this called again?

[Don Hahn]

Astronaut. Astronaut in the Ocean.

[Julian]

I gotta remember.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

That's vaguely familiar, Masked Wolf, but no, I've never heard.

[Julian]

I don't think it's rap.

[Don Hahn]

That version, if I did hear it, was probably the last time we talked about this. And Jacob or Anthony played it.

[Julian]

He's a British rapper if that does anything for you.

[Don Hahn]

But I've only heard the Kidz Bop version. Have you found it yet, Julian? It's gotta be there. The kids. It's like a drug. It was like the first time Marco danced was to this song.

[Julian]

Oh, this is scary.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

This is the kids rapper.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is odd.

[Don Hahn]

You just heard the song, right?

[Julian]

The beat on the song's not bad. Not the kids.

[Don Hahn]

What you know about Rollin down in the deep when your brain goes numb?

[Julian]

This is. No wonder Don doesn't like pop music. If this is how he's consuming.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he's not getting.

[Don Hahn]

This is how I heard my first Taylor Swift song.

[Julian]

That's.

[Don Hahn]

This is how I heard my first Justin Bieber song.

[Julian]

How do we help him, Peter?

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the first.

[Don Hahn]

And then whatever. The yo yo band with the Applebee's.

[Julian]

Walker.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Julian]

It's one guy.

[Don Hahn]

It's the first time I ever heard Walker, Texas Hayes, whatever his name is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Walker, Texas Ranger Hayes.

[Don Hahn]

That's. That I. And it's only been kids singing it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. This isn't. Listen, I'm not saying.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, my. Is gonna get into this. Well, you have satellite radio, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but I'm not gonna play it for. Am I?

[Don Hahn]

Well, she's gonna want to hear. You're gonna want to put something on. And it's either this or there's still a Disney Channel someplace in the car

[Peter Rosenberg]

you want to hear. Want to hear it? I have a playlist called Maya Time.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I've been playing it to her since birth.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And when I. When she starts freaking out, we play her playlist.

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Here you go. Familiar with Billy Joel Lullaby?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I had all those CDs, like Metallica Lullaby, Slayer, Lullaby.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm gonna keep going. Hold on, Paul Simon, A little petty for you.

[Julian]

What I'm hearing is Peter won't allow kids pop in the house.

[Don Hahn]

Listen, I appreciate the effort. No, I understand. Cause it's a year and a half. Oh, this. This is terrific. I love this song. Dirty work, Dirty Work.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dirty Work Work works like she's into

[Don Hahn]

it, but she's a year and a half. But at some point, at three or four, she's gonna start to get taste and she's gonna start to talk to other kids and it's gonna. I'm telling you, you're gonna have to put kids about. Fight it all you want, but at some point, it's gonna be the only thing that's gonna quiet her down. And then she's gonna demand it. You know me. You know me. Like important. Like the games I'd have on the radio. Just let me finish this inning. And we want K Pop. I mean, we want Kidz Bop. We want kids, and you gotta put the Kidz Bop on. It's gonna happen. Cave Man. I love it. I played the Beatles all the time for them. Across the universe. Played all of it. But then at some point, I'm listening to the Applebee's. Yo Yo. With kids singing it. Because you're a father and you're a good father, and Maya's gonna Demand it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I gotta fight.

[Don Hahn]

What?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I gotta fight. You gotta listen. I'll fight.

[Caller or Guest]

Listen.

[Don Hahn]

You can fight all you want, man. I appreciate it. 300 was a movie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I may take the L, but

[Don Hahn]

you're gonna take the L. You don't know. The sooner the better, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why? Why? Why sooner?

[Don Hahn]

Because the cuz. The quicker they'll grow it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know.

[Don Hahn]

Eventually get sick of it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know if it's. Is that how it works?

[Julian]

The quicker.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, because then that. Then it'll open them up and then they're gonna want to hear the original song. Now the kids are totally into the Beatles and they've got their own stuff. You gotta let it mature, man. Don't force it. So I want them to be into dirty work too, but it's got to be natural.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was a mouthful.

[Julian]

53 Kidz Bops, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's it.

[Julian]

Albums, not songs.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but with serious radio now, you don't even need the albums. You just put it on. There's no commercials.

[Julian]

Unbelievable.

[Don Hahn]

And every once in a while, one of the Kidz Bop kids will promote like a concert in the area.

[Julian]

What?

[Don Hahn]

And at this point, they're all like, oh, come see my concert. It's gonna be over at the Trenton Art center coming up. Yeah, I could still dance. It's been 30 years since I recorded a song. But come check it out, kiddos.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that a thing?

[Don Hahn]

No, because. No, I'm exaggerating. I don't think they. I think they kept re rehashing New Kids and I think they eventually gave it up. Said, we got enough music. And I think the original Kidz Bop kid is probably 40.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're probably right now, right? It's got to be.

[Commercial Announcer]

If you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If these guys knew about Kidz Bop,

[Julian]

first Kidz Bop Julian said was 2001.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That's 25 years if it's a day. And they're like 10 when they do it.

[Commercial Announcer]

So.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, they're like 35 years old, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, you see the news last week about Stern?

[Don Hahn]

Well, down to one day a week. There's only one more. Only one more move now that's up

[Peter Rosenberg]

one day a week.

[Don Hahn]

What are we doing? What are we doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would rather. And isn't he from home most times?

[Don Hahn]

I think. I don't think he goes into this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I ask you question. Can I just ask you a question, though? And I know nothing that goes into his show. Now. I saw that they like cut a ton of producers.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Which. Which he was Paying them. He got his salary and then he paid, well, all of his people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He got his, he got his, I mean to say, call it salary is almost. Not just he got a gigantic sum

[Don Hahn]

of money every year, but some, but, but that was also. He had to pay his staff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But listen, hold on. But I love Howard, okay, I love Howard. But Don, are you telling me that at this point in time, given what he's made and what is still coming, even cutting down to one day a week, couldn't have just kept half of them on? I mean this is, this is. I just, I just feel for radio producers already. And by the way, and I wonder what they were making in the first place. Like you're cutting. I would love to see the numbers on this. And again, I know I'm being hard on one of my heroes, but like did you just cut a bunch of people to make 80 grand? And your deal is for like 50 million a year so you could go to one day a week. And also here's my question for Howard. Why not work from home and go to a couple days a week from like 10 to noon instead of, instead

[Don Hahn]

of working so early? He's got such an archive of stuff. Like I, and I enjoy it and

[Peter Rosenberg]

I, I listen, I celebrate the archive

[Don Hahn]

and you know, listen back in the day when I interned there in 1990 and I got to know the staff because I interned at Kroc, he was still like a 10 weeks vacation, but he'd always like, he didn't go on vacation and you know, Carol Miller filled in like that he would play his best of stuff and he's got like an incredible archive. You probably could listen for an hour and not realize it's from like two years ago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know that happens all the time.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. And I think it just got to the point where they're paying him for that archive because there's always got how many different channels on Sirius XM filled with content like you probably don't even realize when he's live anymore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no. The people, the people do.

[Don Hahn]

No, I know the people do, but the people they're trying to win over, they got those people, they're not going anywhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But what I guess we don't know yet. What we haven't heard yet is do we know what if his new. If the extension that he signed, when he signed it, do we know what level of reduction he got? Like, did they bring the number way down?

[Don Hahn]

No, I'm sure they did. And so that's why let people know that. But, but Even after there's going to be a time, there's still going to be a Howard Stern radio oh long after he's gone. So that's what they're paying for, basically. And some of that stuff is classic for sure. And then, and you go through, by

[Peter Rosenberg]

the way, some of it's got awful, but most of it's awesome.

[Don Hahn]

But they could go back to something 30 years ago that'll bring back a memory that I'll totally listen to for an hour.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You know, it happens to me all the time. So I think that's really what they're paying for. Not really anything. Because really, when was the last time he's broken any news or said anything that was controversial enough for people to care? Probably nothing since COVID Right. Because it's, it's, it's a different world now. But we're in the world right now. Nearly as much money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

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[Podcast Host]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Podcast Host]

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

[Don Hahn]

So my Howard Stern story. I think everybody that knows my backstory knows that in the summer of 1990, I interned at Kroc, which was the classic rock radio station. And it was like two days a week. And I take the bus in to the city, and I get to hang out with not Howard too much, but Robin and Gary. And it was fun. And one time, I'm on the bus listening to Howard going in, and my crush was Dana Plato from Different Strokes. Wow. Love Dana Plato.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Different strokes being the operative word.

[Caller or Guest]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And she's no longer with us. I know she's on. And the. One of the perks of the internship was that I'd get to meet some of the celebs that were there. And because one of my jobs would be sometimes to walk them to the elevator, get them down to the lobby in a cab, you know, I'm like, oh, my God, Dana Plato's there. Crestfallen. Peter, it was the best of. No, I was like, oh, come on, man. It worked out. It was a day. I was going to be there. I'm going to meet Dana Plato now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tell me the truth. Where were you with Nancy at this point?

[Don Hahn]

1990 were off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You were off. So it could have been on.

[Don Hahn]

Can you imagine? Maybe I could have saved her. Maybe she would have gotten a piece of dawn and figured, I don't need all that crack, but, you know,

[Julian]

Someone has to say something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can't. I can't say too soon because it's been a long time. I don't know. What year do we lose her? That's a good point. Like, gotta be 25, 30 years. No, it's been a long time.

[Don Hahn]

It's a great question. And listen, I say it affectionately because I loved her, but it got away from her.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I met Don. I don't need all that crap.

[Don Hahn]

I'm not telling tales out of school.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I could be as long as in the 90s, like early 90s. And she's been gone for a long time, I believe, which is really sad.

[Don Hahn]

99.

[Peter Rosenberg]

99.

[Don Hahn]

If it was a day, so she would have been 62 in November.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the worst. It's the worst. But I'll tell you what. I heard some really good. Howard, listen, I don't want to speak at a school. I do not know the situation. I just know that I was sad to hear a bunch of producers are getting let go. So the thing that always miffed me about Howard Don is in these recent years, he'll still do a few days a week, but he's still doing mornings. And as someone who did mornings for a long time, I'm like, why don't you just give up? The people will listen to you anytime. Why don't you just give up the mornings part? And you could. I feel.

[Don Hahn]

I just think that's so livable for you. Yeah, I guess. Remember, he started out in afternoons. When Imus was in the morning, I would go back to afternoons. I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And in la, you'd still be like, morning commute. Like, if he did noon East Coast, 9am or 11am East Coast, 8am LA, you could do it for an hour a day, and it would be like, nothing from home. I just. It's just interesting to me because here's what I don't like. I mean, Howard, I know, has activities he does. He likes his photography and chess, stuff like that. I just feel like he may get bored. I mean, look at Larry, our guy. Larry David quit Curb youb Enthusiasm and Don, within a year of being done with Curb, I start seeing Larry pop up doing all these live interviews, and I'm like, oh, my God. Do you know how bored Larry must be if he's doing live interviews? He doesn't even like interviews. That's how bored he is. I said, there's no way Larry's not coming back. What happens a couple years later, he's

[Don Hahn]

back on HBO, but that short, 79 years old, but Howard's 72. And to do daily radio, it's a lot. But at this point, you've accomplished so much. I guess it's just like the alternative is just to walk away and not do it anymore. And those guys are out of work anyway.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or maybe, I don't know, you know, the level of work it takes to be a Howard Stern. Because in my mind, I'm going with the team you have in place and the incredible sound he has from his remote studio. It would really be like a lot out of your day to jump on it from 11 to noon every day. Just hit people with an hour.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But what do we.

[Don Hahn]

Or just tape it and air it, you know, the next morning? I mean, if. As long as you keep it somewhat

[Peter Rosenberg]

evergreen, hey, we get together on Monday, we tape for five hours, and then we spread it out over the week. I Don't know, just seems like a weird choice, but again, we don't know the business of it.

[Don Hahn]

So, you know, you're not going to talk. A ton of Mets, they took two out of three from the Phillies.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, God, what are you doing?

[Don Hahn]

But the only thing to talk about is Lindor, and he has been terrific for this team down the stretch. He's finally healthy and he's starting to hit. And after the game yesterday in which the Mets won by the final score of 6 to 1 to take two out of three from Philly, how confident are you that you will see this version of you the rest of the way?

[Francisco Lindor]

Extremely comfortable. And there's no other option. I have to play to a higher standard. I have to play to the level that the organization wants me, and I have to play to the level that I expect myself to be at. So I'm putting in the work and the coaching staff here is helping me a lot. We have three hidden coaches and they're all sending me videos and they all put in the time and. And Kai, we all know Kai doesn't stop. So Kai and Leap, they've been amazing and just got to continue to play the game, play the game the right way day in and day out. And then there's been a lot of players around the league that have reached out and just, you know, I appreciate that.

[Don Hahn]

Now a lot of rumors that maybe he'll get traded away, you know, try to separate the whole Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor of it all. So Saturday, um, we're. It was the rainy day with all the thunderstorms and everything. So we were just getting the house ready for our next vacation when we go down the shore. So I was, you know, doing a lot of stuff and watching. Then the Mets were on in the background, and then the Mets got in the rain delay. So what S and Y played was kind of a documentary they did. Remember, Peter, the first game of the doubleheader against the Braves at the end of the 24 season, where they had to win that game to get into the playoffs. And that back and forth there they're up 6, 4, and then they blow the lead and they end up winning the game. And it was like, it was a nice reminder, like how big Lindor was in 24, how big he was in that game. He had the grand slam home run against the Phillies. I mean, he's not nobody in this organization. And I think the fact that he got neutered by Cohen and he can't be the captain because they didn't want to assault Juan Soto. Awful decision by Cohen. But the idea. Or trade it, because you're not going to get rid of Soto. You got to get rid of this rift that they have between each other. Why am I getting rid of a good ball player now? He's had his troubles. He's been hurt. He hasn't been as good a defender the last couple of years as he's been in his career, but he's still an A plus defender overall, and I think he'll get better at it. Peter, why am I trading him? But isn't baseball the one sport where you don't have to get along? Like, if Brunson didn't get along with Nick, that's a problem. He's the point guard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's. The whole thing can't work.

[Don Hahn]

You know, if my quarterback doesn't get along with my wide receivers, if the offensive line's not getting along with each other, if. If the center of my top line in the NHL doesn't like his wingers, that's an issue. And baseball, it's not an issue. Juan Soto is an outfielder. Francisco Lindor is a shortstop. They don't even have to speak to each other if they don't want to. I think they need to respect each other and they shouldn't try to show each other up. And I do think the locker room is fragile because they're not good. But at some point, I want this team to be good. And I think they've got a better chance of being good with Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto on the team at the same time. So to get rid of them and get anything back in return, worth anything, you're gonna have to eat most of his salary. Is that a good idea? When we don't know if there's gonna be a salary cap next year to have a guy not playing for you taking up millions of dollars in salary because of the unknown of the situation. Peter, am I wrong to try to make this work? I mean, the chemistry doesn't matter. We've got the Bronx Zoo. The yankees of the 70s hate each other. The A's of the 70s hate each other. Hear stories all the time of championship teams who didn't get along off the field. But, Peter, is it that big a rift that there's no way that they can make this work? Come on. And I gotta. I gotta trade away a known commodity for the hope of some prospects just because I can't imagine we could ever win with Lindor and Soto on the same team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, I'm with you. And I have never been on board with. That's the way to do it. If you're telling me you have to keep Soto because Soto's the better player and his contract's monstrous. Don, he's not that much. He's a much better offensive player, but he's not. But he's much worse defensive player. Right. So Soto's not that much better and his contract's not that much worse. They're both bad contracts. I kept saying this last week to Alan. I don't know if you saw. Rosenthal wrote the article last week. Rosenthal doesn't think he's moving. Not, not now, not after the year. There's no one who's need to deal. So Allen's then talking about, you know, relying on. On the new. The new collective bargaining agreement, changing the rules, and there'd be a way to handle it. You can't assume that. So let's assume how things are. There's not a team who's going to take on this deal. Lindor was also a guy, you know, when the list came out last week, the rumored list of who were the untouchables for the Mets and who was not. And Lindor's name is not listed as an untouchable. I'm sorry, Don. I really do believe. I know everyone's quiet right now who's a Mets fan, because people are just completely blown by this team. Don't. He loved being a Met. Like, he wanted to be here. He had bought in to be a lifer. It. It's a bummer to me that immediately after getting Pete Alonzo, which a lot of people now have had remorse about, you're telling me that just because Lindor can't seem to get along with Soto, who's been here for five minutes, you're also getting rid of Lindor? Like, who is the. Who are the people you care about on this team?

[Don Hahn]

You know what you need? It's a. It's an anti baseball move today. Make sure your next manager has got a backbone and go to the two of them and say, figure this out, because you're not. Neither of you are going anywhere. We're going to win championships and you're going to find a way to get along. And if you can't get along, you know what? Don't talk to each other, but do not bring the rest of this team down. Instead of bending over backwards for Soto. Oh, we're not going to have a captain because it'll insult Soto if he's not the captain. Or let's Coddle? No. Hey, play ball. If you want to opt out in five years, go, be my guest. But right now you're a Met. Lindor's a Met. We're better with you two on the field at the same time. In my batting order at the same time. They need to hire a manager with a backbone, but they won't do it because that's not baseball anymore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you know what? Then why'd you make the move in the first place? Because the whole reason you got rid of the manager in the first place, his biggest failure, in my opinion, the manager's biggest failure, was that he could not get these guys on the same page. If you bring in a guy who's supposed to be a players coach, young enough to relate to the players, to understand the culture, to be able to have a conversation, and you're telling me Mendoza couldn't go have a beer with these guys and say, hey, what do we do to make this work? There's no way.

[Don Hahn]

Excuse me, Peter. When did relating to a player mean bend over backwards and whatever they want? When did that happen? Relating to a player is being able to communicate him at a level which you can make him understand what you want. And I would think everybody wants the same thing. To win, I have to get along with each other. You just got to go play baseball. And I don't have to worry about Lindor and Soto on the field chemistry being harmed because let's face it, towards the end of his contract, Soto's probably going to be a dh. One's a shortstop, but we'll see if. If the Mets decide to go in that direction, I fear they will not.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Podcast Host]

by thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Podcast Host]

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

[Don Hahn]

SNY had tweeted out earlier that Carlos Beltran had turned down the Met job. Just didn't think it was the right time. Of course it makes zero sense for him to take over in the middle of a season. Wouldn't you much rather take over at the beginning of the year when you kind of know where you got all your ducks in a row and everything? Taking over this mess in the middle of the season is no way to put your best foot forward. So it doesn't surprise me. But I could I see Carlos Beltran possibly being the coach next year. That's the kind of big boy in the room you're looking for, right? Peter? Like even if Cohen and Stearns want a soft handed manager that's going to give the players what they want, he's been around. He's going to say guys get along with each other and I think that a Carlos Beltran is going to be respected enough that they'll both listen to him. It's a Hall of Famer, had success with this organization, so you would hope that that would be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But is it? Is it? And not just because their name are Carlos. But is it? I sort of feel like you're going for the same thing vibe.

[Don Hahn]

Wise?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. Youngish.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Relatable. Ish.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it going to be different?

[Don Hahn]

No, it will be different because you're talking about a guy that with a pedigree, a guy that played.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? Right. This is not a first time played

[Don Hahn]

in a World Series. He's in the hall of Fame. Like when he's telling you something. Because that's the one thing that I think gets lost in baseball is that when you've got somebody that played that had skin in the game, even if he's saying the same thing as the guy that never played, it's going to resonate more with a ballplayer.

[Caller or Guest]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

They all know who Carlos Beltran is. They all watched him play. They knew how good he was. And if he tells you something, aren't you going to listen to it? God love Carlos Mendoza and he's a good baseball guy, but is that going to resonate the same as a Hall of Famer telling you guys get along, this is how good we can be? If you just found a way to keep stuff to yourself, not saying you got to like each other, you got to go for a beer after the game, but just respect each other enough where you're not showing each other up or making comments or rolling your eyes, just go about your business. And I don't care how much money a player is making or how in good standing they believe they're in the organization. When a Hall of Famer tells you something, man, if that's not going to work, then nothing will. Honestly. Because I think these older guys, Peter, even if they accomplished a lot, I don't know how much that resonates with a ballplayer. As much as a guy that just played, that they saw play, not heard about played, not have to be told that he played, not to go look him up on Baseball Reference, that you know, you know who Carlos Beltran is, and he's telling you to do something, wouldn't you do it? And if not him, then, then there'd be nobody. Very, very difficult.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm with you.

[Don Hahn]

Let's see. Let's see what they do. 1-800-919-3776. Jack is in New Jersey. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Jack?

[Caller or Guest]

Hey, guys, what's up? Listen, I'm a longtime listener. I'm a longtime listener. Give me a, a 40 second rant here. I think LeBron, I think LeBron should go to Denver. They've got a culture in place already. They've got another unselfish star there. He doesn't have to change anything. They're ready. I'm so happy. Argentina lost what a classless win against England. What doing what? Doing so much. Doing as many wrong things as they could and then how dirty and rude they were. I'm thinking of Jack Tatum when this guy, Cheap Shot is a guy in a. Back in the championship game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Crazy.

[Caller or Guest]

Turning their backs on the winners who clearly the better team it was. You know, you guys were talking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's tough that I'll let you finish. I'm sorry, but you, you, you like, I feel if you're an Argentinian, I feel for you having to watch that as your team like they, they with the exception of Messi. Oh, and the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper and Messi can hold their head high. But like so many people were an absolute disgrace. They were manhandled and then they cried about it. I'm sorry. Continue, sir.

[Caller or Guest]

Yes, absolutely. Okay. Baseball player. You guys were talking last week about, about the baseball players, Mets in particular. Baseball players have become independent contractors. You know, was it Paul Mary? He was the first baseman, he's in the hall of Fame now. His attitude was, I have a good day, it's a good day. I have a bad day, it's a bad day. We win, we lose, who cares? I have a good day, it's a good day. That's what baseball players have become. And my last little bit. What if Tom Brady is just a good looking jock who was very good at what he did in sports, nailed a couple of good looking women and now we're trying to make him into more. More than he has the capability to be. Thank you so much for listening to me.

[Julian]

I love you guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's his name?

[Don Hahn]

Jack.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Write down Jack. We like Jack. That's a good, that's an interesting and quality call.

[Don Hahn]

I think sometimes we believe. I'm trying to think of a good example where a player was so good at what they did that we now expect there to be some sort of afterlife just because they were great.

[Caller or Guest]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Like why? Oh, well, Terry Bradshaw went on the broadcasting and you know, John Madden went on the broadcasting and what are other examples? Like Johnny Unitas was just this dignitary that I'm not exactly sure what he did, but he just, he carried himself a certain way. Like when you're done, you're done and he's got the broadcasting. But why does there always have to be an after a follow up? Especially if it doesn't fit Peter and it doesn't seem to be fitting. Like the broadcasting didn't fit. But I give him credit. He worked at it, got better, and now he's on Fox and he's doing a good job.

[Buster Olney]

Sure.

[Don Hahn]

So why does he feel he needs wrestling? Like, come on, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And again, I'm telling you, it's not. I don't want people to get caught up in the wrestling of it. Because I'm telling you right now, you guys can make fun if you want. You can tell me wrestling's this or wrestling's that. Plenty of people have done WWE stuff and it's awesome. They do it in the middle of their career. Jalen Brunson did it Saturday and no one's saying anything about it except that was cool. He's just stopped doing cool stuff because he's not doing it. It doesn't feel organic, but it's not

[Don Hahn]

organic and it's not on brand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The brand was so polished. But also, I want to have a little empathy for him.

[Francisco Lindor]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because it is hard when you've done nothing but be like this polished, dominant, obsessive competitor and you can no longer compete. You know, what is he. Is he just supposed to become like a, you know, degenerate golfer freak who never stops playing golf and I have to get good at that? Or some of them. Floyd Mayweather, some say Jordan, you know, crazy with the gambling. But there's a lot of places people go that are worse than what he's.

[Don Hahn]

No, I get that, but how is this competitive?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not. Maybe it's. That's why. Maybe he's lost because he doesn't know what to do with his competitive juices. So he's trying to figure out other ways to be entertaining. You know what the funny thing is, though, and I know there are people who disagree with me on this, I think he has gotten better and better at being the color guy in football. Well, that's why I'm saying I think

[Don Hahn]

it's pretty good that competitive people thought he couldn't do it. He got the job just because who he was, and he got better at it. And he's worked with Burkhart and it seems like, isn't that a win? And if you want to be competitive, go open a business or something, invest money. That's competitive. That's very competitive.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Anthony was telling me he owns a card shop down the street here. He does have some. I mean, that's obviously a small business, but.

[Don Hahn]

No, but I mean, he's got the money making $35 million a year, just doing football once a week. That if you wanted to invest money, if you really wanted to see competitiveness, I would think that would come out in him. Jack had some really good stuff. Oh, by the way, want to mention Brian Hoch is reporting Giancarlo Stanton isn't close to returning, though Stan has resumed his running progression after a recent calf strain. Yankee manager Aaron Boone said Monday there is no timetable for Stanton to play in minor league games. He's been out since April 24th. Here's my take before we go to Enn if he's ready for the postseason, I'm good because that's where they're really going to need talking about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Playoff G. Yeah, well, guess what?

[Don Hahn]

You only need playoff G in the playoffs. In the playoffs, that's what you need.

[Podcast Host]

Playoff G. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the

[Podcast Host]

sausage is made, but I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

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