Hour 3: Knicks, Yankees & Bands

Summary

Podcast Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 3: Knicks, Yankees & Bands
Release Date: July 2, 2025

Hosts:

• Don La Greca – ESPN New York's voice
• Alan Hahn – Sportswriter and Knicks broadcaster
• Peter Rosenberg – Hip Hop expert and WWE personality

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Knicks Coaching and LeBron James Speculation

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion about the New York Knicks' recent coaching changes and the speculative connection to LeBron James potentially joining the team.

Peter Rosenberg (01:35):
"We're not just looking for someone better than Thibodeau; we need a coach who can take us forward."

Alan Hahn (03:03):
"I love the theory, but I don't think LeBron James is actually part of their plans when they decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau."

Key Points:

• Mike Brown's Appointment: The hosts analyze the reasoning behind hiring Mike Brown as the new head coach, emphasizing his extensive experience and fit for the Knicks' organizational needs.
• LeBron James Connection: Peter Rosenberg proposes a conspiracy theory suggesting that Knicks' management, led by Leon Rose, might be positioning the team to attract LeBron James should he become available. Alan Hahn counters this, arguing that the coaching change was driven by internal factors unrelated to LeBron's potential move.
• Organizational Dynamics: The conversation explores how player complaints about Tom Thibodeau's coaching style led to the search for a new coach, ultimately resulting in Mike Brown's selection to stabilize the team.

Mets and Yankees Performance Analysis

Transitioning to baseball, the hosts critically assess the current performance of the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, highlighting significant concerns despite both teams' playoff aspirations.

Peter Rosenberg (05:54):
"The Mets have lost three out of their last 17 games, which is a troubling trend despite being a playoff contender."

Alan Hahn (07:36):
"Is this rock bottom? Because, I mean, could they play worse?"

Key Points:

• Mets' Struggles: The hosts discuss the Mets' poor offensive performance, particularly their inability to hit with runners in scoring position. Alan Hahn emphasizes that their current issues mirror past shortcomings that have hindered their playoff success.
• Yankees' Position: While the Yankees hold the first place, their bullpen instability and defensive inconsistencies raise doubts about their championship potential. Peter Rosenberg questions whether being in the playoffs is sufficient to deem them a "championship-caliber" team.
• Comparative Analysis: The conversation contrasts the Mets and Yankees with other MLB teams, noting that only a few are genuinely competitive, while many teams like the Tigers, Dodgers, and Giants are outshining others due to better performance.

Yankees Roster and Defensive Issues

A deeper dive into the Yankees' roster management uncovers significant defensive challenges, particularly concerning Jazz Chisholm's positional play.

Peter Rosenberg (14:55):
"Jazz is a second baseman, not a third baseman. It's unacceptable with a payroll over $300 million to keep asking players to fill positions they're not suited for."

Alan Hahn (15:26):
"Jazz Chisholm was told he's a second baseman all winter, but due to injuries and roster constraints, he's had to play third, leading to defensive inefficiencies."

Key Points:

• Jazz Chisholm's Positioning: The Yankees' decision to have Jazz Chisholm play third base despite his natural position at second has resulted in negative defensive statistics (Chisholm is -4 outs above average at third).
• Roster Management: The hosts criticize the Yankees for not adequately addressing roster holes despite having a high payroll. The inability to secure a consistent third baseman forces players into uncomfortable positions, affecting overall team performance.
• Impact on Team Dynamics: Alan Hahn highlights how positional inconsistencies disrupt team chemistry and performance, arguing that analytics are being overlooked in favor of roster flexibility.

Top Five American Bands Debate

Shifting gears to music, the hosts engage in a lively debate over the greatest American bands of all time, sparking strong opinions and listener reactions.

Alan Hahn (17:07):
"We've listed Eagles, Beach Boys, Van Halen, Chicago, and Aerosmith, but our list has sparked backlash from listeners."

Peter Rosenberg (17:07):
"People have strong opinions on Twitter. My brother called our list 'garbage,' leading us to re-examine our choices."

Key Points:

• Initial List: The hosts present their initial top five list—Eagles, Beach Boys, Van Halen, Chicago, and Aerosmith—but quickly encounter criticism from both listeners and within the discussion itself.
• Listener Feedback: Callers express dissatisfaction, proposing alternative bands like Doobie Brothers and Ramones, and questioning the inclusion of certain bands based on commercial success and cultural impact.
• Live vs. Studio Performance: The debate touches on the difference between a band's live performance prowess versus their studio-recorded work, with specific critiques of bands like Guns N' Roses and Chicago.
• Commercial Success vs. Cult Following: Peter Rosenberg argues that while some bands have passionate fan bases, lacking mainstream commercial success disqualifies them from the "greatest" list. The discussion underscores the importance of broad resonance and impact in defining a band's greatness.

Notable Quote:
Peter Rosenberg (19:12):
"They have their die-hard fans but lack commercial success. They might be great live, but to be called great, they need mass resonance."

Sports News and Signings: Deandre Ayton and the Lakers

Returning to sports, the episode covers the latest NBA developments, particularly focusing on Deandre Ayton's potential signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Alan Hahn (33:38):
"Sean is reporting that Deandre Ayton is going to agree to sign with the Lakers, originally targeted for the Bucks."

Peter Rosenberg (34:06):
"This move could influence LeBron's decision to stay with the Lakers, seeing the team addressing their center position needs."

Key Points:

• Ayton's Signing: Deandre Ayton being signed by the Lakers addresses a critical need for a center, potentially strengthening the team's roster and strategic positioning.
• Impact on LeBron's Future: The addition of Ayton may sway LeBron James to remain with the Lakers, as the team is making significant moves to enhance competitiveness.
• Strategic Implications: The hosts discuss how the Lakers' ability to secure Ayton reflects their broader strategy to navigate a challenging Western Conference and remain contenders.

Listener Interactions

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with callers who bring additional perspectives, primarily focusing on the music debate and sports roster concerns.

Notable Interaction:
A caller named Mike from Connecticut defends his favorite band, Fish, citing their sell-out records at Madison Square Garden but faces criticism for the band's lack of mainstream success.

Alan Hahn (38:02):
"Our list included Eagles, Beach Boys, Van Halen, Chicago, and Aerosmith. As for Mike's suggestion, while Fish has a dedicated following, they lack the widespread commercial hits needed for such a list."

Conclusion and Wrap-Up

The episode wraps up with a final exchange on the music debate, reinforcing the subjective nature of defining "greatness" in bands. The hosts reiterate the importance of both commercial success and cultural impact in shaping their top five list.

Peter Rosenberg (38:50):
"For Metallica, even though they're the Beatles of heavy metal, their reach doesn't span the general populace the way our listed bands do."

Alan Hahn (40:30):
"It's simply that not enough people agree to elevate certain bands to the 'greatest' status, regardless of individual opinions."

Final Thoughts:
Don, Hahn & Rosenberg conclude the episode emphasizing the ongoing dynamics in both sports and music, highlighting that debates and strategic decisions continue to shape their respective fields.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Peter Rosenberg (01:35):
  "We're not just looking for someone better than Thibodeau; we need a coach who can take us forward."

• Alan Hahn (03:03):
  "I love the theory, but I don't think LeBron James is actually part of their plans when they decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau."

• Peter Rosenberg (05:54):
  "The Mets have lost three out of their last 17 games, which is a troubling trend despite being a playoff contender."

• Alan Hahn (07:36):
  "Is this rock bottom? Because, I mean, could they play worse?"

• Peter Rosenberg (14:55):
  "Jazz is a second baseman, not a third baseman. It's unacceptable with a payroll over $300 million to keep asking players to fill positions they're not suited for."

• Peter Rosenberg (19:12):
  "They have their die-hard fans but lack commercial success. They might be great live, but to be called great, they need mass resonance."

• Alan Hahn (33:38):
  "Sean is reporting that Deandre Ayton is going to agree to sign with the Lakers, originally targeted for the Bucks."

• Peter Rosenberg (34:06):
  "This move could influence LeBron's decision to stay with the Lakers, seeing the team addressing their center position needs."

---

This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, organizing the key discussions into clear sections and highlighting notable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for listeners who haven't tuned in.

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

With a Venmo debit card, you can Venmo more than just your friends. You can use your balance in so many ways. You can Venmo everything. Need gas? You can Venmo this. How about snacks? You can Venmo that. Your favorite band's merch? You can Venmo this or their next show. You can Venmo that. Visit Venmo Me Debit to learn more.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can Venmo this or you can Venmo that. You can Venmo this or you can Venmo that. You can Venmo.

[Don La Greca]

The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp bank and a pursuant to license by Mastercard International, Inc. Card may be used everywhere. MasterCard is accepted. Venmo purchase restrictions apply.

[Chris Carlin]

This is the Dime Han Hat Rosenberg Podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Chris Carlin]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Alan Hahn]

I like when he holds it. All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mets lose the first game of their doubleheader with the Brewers 7 to 2. So they've won three games in their last 17.

[Alan Hahn]

This is a mess.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game 2 is at 7:00, right here on 8:80. The Yankees will be in Toronto to take on the Blue Jays at 707. Telemardu, the original triple distilled dribble, blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore do honey. During today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore do responsibly. Well, we started the day talking about Mike Brown as the head coach, and there's no sizzle to it. There's not supposed to be sizzle.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what Stephen A. Said. No sizzle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's about having a coach that you believe you can move forward with. It was never about better than Thibodeau. It was somebody that's not Tom Thibodeau. Right. That's why. But it does open the door for, hey, if LeBron James wants to. If they want to get something done, LeBron James is not going to be mad that Mike Brown's the coach. But I really. You never really told me whether you think there's any credence to this or not. My conspiracy theory, which is that Leon Rose did the legwork and he said, you know, LeBron James is going to possibly become available during the summer of 2025. I want to make sure I have all of our ducks in a row, just in case he might be available. And then you get to the end of this season and the players are complaining about Tibbs and they don't want to play for him or whatever, can't get us over the top. And you start thinking, hey, you know, LeBron might opt in, basically, exit strategy for leaving the Lakers. Would I be interested in making a trade for him? Yes, I would be. I've got to make sure that my next head coach is someone that LeBron James will want to play for, but also somebody that if I don't get LeBron James, I wouldn't mind being my coach. Do you think any time during the process of the firing of Tibbs and looking for the next head coach that LeBron James is on Leon Rose's mind?

[Alan Hahn]

I love the theory. I'm going to say no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think any of this was in their minds when they decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

I think the players, after the season, what they said, how the season was, went, as far as, you know, the bench concerns and the complaints that you were starting to hear. It started setting up to work against Tom Thibodeau to a point where I do think there were some people in the organization and perhaps at the very top of the organization that were just looking for a reason at that point. Right. And so after that, then you start to say, we want to get the best. So they have their list of coaches that they think, you know, would be a great fit in New York, and they go for guys like Kidd and Udoka because they know both guys had not gotten an extension yet, and they wanted to see would their teams let them go. So they make that the first part of the process. Meanwhile, the stuff in LA starts to happen. I don't think they are connected, but I do do think that they are now starting to run parallel. Right? So when you start to now think about who you want as a coach, Mike Brown becomes the best hire for several reasons. The first one is, well, he's the most experienced guy out there, right? That we could get that again, no. Michael Malone, he's not in the process. Jeff Van Gundy, not in the process. Because those two are also guys that you would say are perfectly experienced guys with connections to New York. This is a unique job. So that's why I would say Mike Brown, of the people they were interested in talking to in the end, ended up right because they talked to James Borrego, who's a Good. You know, a good coach. Taylor Jenkins is a good coach, but ended up being Mike Brown because it fit the best for everything that they're looking for. And it so happens to be that if LeBron James does reach a point that he thinks it's time to leave LA and he wants to finally come to Gotham, that. Okay, well, now at least we know we hired a coach that he'd sure love to play for because he already has before and he has a relationship with him. So I think, I don't. I think they're exclusive, but it doesn't mean that they don't have some connection. I think it just makes it easier now to say if LeBron gets to a point next week where he looks at the Lakers landscape and says, this ain't it and I don't want to go out on a team like this, I want to go to New York. He has to say it. And if he does, you just gave him one more reason to think the Knicks are his best option.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just to rephrase a different way of asking a question, if LeBron James retired at the end of the season.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would the. Would everything that happened with the Knicks go exactly the same way?

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think Tibbs fired.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Asking all the teams for permission.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think they're connected. I love the theory. I don't think. I don't believe they're connected. I do think that the firing Tibbs was sort of. And the reaction from players and all that stuff, I think that caught a lot of people off guard. And so I don't think they were. This was like a plan because they thought LeBron would leave. I think this was something that was going to happen regardless, unfortunately. Cuz I didn't agree with it. But. But now that you've made this decision, it does kind of like. I almost feel like it. What you're saying is this was a plan. What I'm saying is stars are aligning. That's what I'm saying. It's more that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's interesting. Well. 1-800-9193776. We got the baseball teams as well. Mets lose their 14th game in their last 17. That's crazy. Seven to two again, the bullpen exploit implodes. Garrett gives up a grand slam home run to Ortiz. Holmes can only give you five and a third, but he's the first starting pitcher in the last 13 games to record an out in the sixth inning. Met still not hitting. They had two hits today. Two. Now, the brewers are a good Club. But the Mets are in free fall right now. They're lucky because the Phillies also lost. So they're only two games out. But the Mets have now dropped to the second wild card. Now, we got a lot of baseball left to be played, but at what point do you say this is enough of a sample size to tell you that this is an issue?

[Alan Hahn]

Is this rock bottom? Because, I mean, could they play worse?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, they can't play worse.

[Alan Hahn]

This, I mean, this feels like it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not rock bottom only because you're right there, right? Like.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I mean, as far as the way they're playing, it can't get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can't imagine it would get worse. They can't hit with the runners in scoring position now. They flat out can' but everybody will tell you it's okay because there's still a bunch of games left and there are two games out of first place and they're a playoff team right now. And that's true. But guys, you can't let that be your gauge for both the Mets and the Yankees. Well, we're in first place, so the Yankees are okay. What are you worried about? We're first place. We're better than the Rays. We're better than the Blue Jays. We're going to win the division. Okay, I don't, I don't disagree. And the Mets are going to be in the playoffs, but the Yankees are coming off going to the World Series. Yeah, they lost one of the best players in the game, but they pivoted and got one of the best pitchers in the game. They added Bellinger, they added Goldschmidt, got off to an amazing start, but they've seen a seven and a half game lead shrink to one where there's no question they're going to the playoffs. But do they look better than last year? Do they look like a team that can win a championship?

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mets, the same thing. Mets were within two games of going to the World Series. They lost to the eventual World Series champions, they added one of the best players in the sport, and here they are as the second wild card more than halfway through the season. So both of these teams were looked upon as championship caliber. And the only reason they're still in it is because baseball's not in a good place right now. Basically it's the Tigers and the Dodgers and everyone else. The Giants make up play for Devers and, and they haven't won since. All right, The Padres don't look like they're a great team. Phillies got their flaws. The Braves got Off to a miserable start with their injuries, they might have buried themselves. There's not a lot of good baseball being played. So to say that you're in the running, to say you're in the playoffs doesn't really say much. When at the start of the season there was conversations about a parade in lower Manhattan. So I'm getting a little tired of hearing, well, Don, it's early Terry Collins telling me, well, wait a minute, but we had a miserable June in 2015 and we went to the World Series. Don, remember when you're saying sell in June last year and the team ended up coming, going to the league championship series, why should the Yankees worry? Remember how bad they were for like a 35 game span? How bad they were in June last year and still went to the World Series? I understood that. What you're telling me is turn the game off, don't listen, right, and wake up, get up on October 1st and say, oh, are they in the playoffs?

[Alan Hahn]

How are they looking?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good.

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But if I'm watching every day, investing time and, oh, by the way, getting paid to talk about baseball for a good portion of three and a half to four hours every day, I think you got a right to complain.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course you watch every day. You want to see your team play well, you want to see them win more times than not. Now, you understand there's going to be peaks and valleys of a season. We all know that. And that was what we were saying in the middle of June when it first started. Like, all right, so you had a couple of bad games, okay, the series didn't look like the Dodgers series. It didn't look, whatever it is, you didn't like what you saw, but you still had some other series that looked better, right? You were taking care of the bad teams. But now when you start to take the aerial view of what is now officially a half season, right, we're on the other side now. We're on the downhill, believe it or not, of the baseball season. Hard to believe, but we are. And when you now look at it from that aerial view, you look at their record against the division, which sucks. You see how they look against other good teams, not good. And you're also looking at the problems that seem to be the same problems of the past, especially in playoffs of the past when they have failed, they cannot score with runners in scoring position. They are really bad offensively. They become predictable offensively. And the bullpen can have issues as well. But. And that's when it goes to what you said. You said it earlier. And it's such a right thing to say. The numbers are numbers. And you can make numbers tell any story you want, but you listen with your eyes sometimes. And your eyes. To me, the eye test is everything. When you're a fan watching every day, I know the numbers tell me they're still in first place. I know the numbers say they're still one of the best offenses in the league. I understand that. But my eyes are telling me this ain't a championship team. That's what the eyes are telling me. So I see that. And that's the part that gets me the most concerned. And then I'm looking at what they're doing with their lineup and their players on defense. And you can't help but say that you let Gleyber Torres go because, A, you didn't want to pay him, B, you got Jazz Chisholm. And last year we were told he's going to play third for now, but next year he's going to be a full time second baseman. Jazz went into spring training with the mentality that I'm going to be the second baseman. That's what he is, naturally. But when he comes back from his injury, because of the injury to Cabrera, they don't have a third baseman now. They can't put D.J. leMayhue there because he's old and he can't move. He has zero range. So Jazz, hey, can you go back to third? He's a team guy. Whatever it takes. Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it. So his outs above average this season at second base plus three. His outs above average at third base minus four. That's not a good number. Right. If you like analytics, yeah. Why, that's seven.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why aren't they looking at that seven out difference?

[Alan Hahn]

Right. So there's already something that makes you concerned about it. And Boone has to say positive things because that's what they tell him to do. So, yeah, he's a great. He's. He's the great defensive player, good defensive player of wherever he plays. That's true. But where should he be? Second base. And he even has said, do we have sound from him from yesterday by any chance?

[Peter Rosenberg]

From Boone?

[Alan Hahn]

Because. No, no, this is actually. No, this is from Chisholm.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, no, we don't have.

[Alan Hahn]

This is actually to the athletic. So I think this was not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I don't think it was any chum.

[Alan Hahn]

This was not in front of media.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he got a quote, right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Okay. He said, everybody knows I'm a second baseman. And he said, now remember, he made the bad throw, which led to the three run home, which the whole game fell apart yesterday because of the bad throw. He said, of course I want to play second base, but whatever it takes to help the team win, if that's what the team chooses, that's what I gotta do. I don't write the lineups. You feel me? And then he said, I'm playing every day, so it's hard to be upset. Yes, I know I'm a second baseman. Yes, I know I'm better at second base. But at the end of the day, I still have to play third. I just have to deal with it. Does that sound like a guy that gets on the field fully confident in his abilities to be the best he can be?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. And you're trying to win a title and you can't afford to give up a run. You can't have an unearned run. You can't have a base runner on that doesn't belong there because of an error or extend an inning.

[Alan Hahn]

Can I point out, too, that Jazz also told the athletic that he only worked out at second base all winter? Why? Because the Yankees told him that's where he'd be playing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So now DJ came back. Yeah. So in June, you're told. Well, we didn't. Well, and again, to be fair, like, you didn't know Cabrera was going to break his ankle. Right. So you didn't know that was going to happen. But they had no other option at third base. Paraza, he's not a major league hitter. So while he's decent as a defender, he cannot hit. So, Jazz, this is the best thing, because we were all about offense. We only care about offense. So we're putting you in an uncomfortable position and asking you to be a pro, because we have no better way to do it. And so you're taking a guy that is now dealing with the mental struggle of not being in a place where he's confident, where he knows he's. I think that messes with your bat. I do. And I think for Volpe, I think the same thing can happen to him. I think it's the reverse. I think his bat has made him a worse fielder. That stuff does happen. You can't tell me, oh, they got.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To be tougher and all that stuff.

[Alan Hahn]

Stop it. It's a real life thing that does happen with athletes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You take at bat, at bats, to the field. You take a bad feeling to your bat. No question. It puts a lot of pressure on you, especially in New York, that's the.

[Alan Hahn]

Yankees right now, the left side of the infield. That's the issue now that. Is that the. Is that the overarching issue? No, there's relief. Pitching has been bad. They have not been great. They begin to have a ton of runs lately. But that's an example, though, of why the season turns on you, because you don't have a better plan. And now you're asking guys to play in positions that they are now. They are no longer fully confident in their ability.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also, the fact is, this is all accentuated by the fact that they're not a great offensive team. Judge is a great offensive player, but outside of Judge, they're not a consistent.

[Alan Hahn]

They have guys who historically have shown.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Back of the baseball card. You have two former MVPs, Boltzmann and Bellinger.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, yeah, think about it. You have four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Team in the lineup with Stanton there. But, you know, they have not hit. They haven't hit with runners in scoring position. So that makes every error, every brain fart that they have on the field that much worse. Also, we did the top five American Bands. I'm getting, like, eviscerated on Twitter.

[Alan Hahn]

I love it. I love it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

People have the Twitter muscles.

[Alan Hahn]

Let's see it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I didn't see this, Anthony. Apparently, my brother said it's a garbage list.

[Alan Hahn]

He said more than that. I just can't on the air.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Where did he say it?

[Alan Hahn]

I sent it to you. It's on. He sent it on Twitter. Oh, boy. Tagged us directly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know he's not a big Aerosmith guy, but let me see.

[Alan Hahn]

Tell him to call in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my blanking. Terrible list.

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now he put his real list.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's got number one, Van Halen. All right, Number two, Alice Cooper. The original. Because Alice Cooper, that's his name. But when the band first started, was the Alice Cooper Band.

[Alan Hahn]

Alice Cooper. No, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, but there was. Listen, we love Alice Cooper, but that's a solo act.

[Alan Hahn]

What are we doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Kiss? Aerosmith. He's got Aerosmith in there, in the moans. Here's the thing. Listen, I love the Ramones, all right? And I. And I know the lyrics to a lot of Ramones songs, especially in the beginning. 1, 2, 3. Every song. 1, 2, 3. No, I love them. Matter of fact, I had a top 100 songs that I did like 20 years ago and Joey for Christmas. Joey Salvia.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Got all them on CD for me. Burned them on CD for me, so I had to listen.

[Alan Hahn]

Burned them on cd, and so I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Had the KKK took my baby away it's one of my favorite songs of all. I love the Ramones, but their body of work is very small.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm going to give you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's small. It's too small.

[Alan Hahn]

Here's your greatest hits. This can't be, because these are Ramon's greatest hits. Yeah. You ready?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Blitzkrieg Bob. Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Love it.

[Alan Hahn]

Beat on the Brat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's good.

[Alan Hahn]

I've never heard of it. Judy is a punk.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. No, no. Judy is a punk rocker. Judy. Yeah. That's a good one.

[Alan Hahn]

Moving on. I want to be your boyfriend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, Sheena is a punk rocker. What's the name?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Judy is a punk.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, Judy.

[Alan Hahn]

Sheena is a punk.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sheena. I confused the song.

[Alan Hahn]

Then there's a punk rocker. Then there's Pinhead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Commando. Rockaway Beach. Like, that's. Okay. I've heard that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rock, Rock.

[Alan Hahn]

Rockaway Beach.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, they're a great band. They're in the hall of Fame.

[Alan Hahn]

But their body of work. Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Their body of work is just. It's very.

[Alan Hahn]

It does not line up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I like them. You can't have the Ramones. I'm sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

Does he not like Chicago? Because Chicago does sound a little soft rock ish later on, but garbage.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on. I had him on for an hour the other day.

[Alan Hahn]

This is what you get. This is what you get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he didn't even tag me in the post, the creep.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, his list, not great. Although Van Halen number one. I have to say.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Van Halen number one's fine. Listen, I love Alice Cooper, but you can't give me the Alice Cooper. They reunited. That's why he's all excited about it. And he's also friends with Alice Cooper. I kept. I kept the friendship out of it. No, it was a drop. Oh, drop for my brother. I see. Now I'm mad. I was in a good mood, too. And I'm gonna really get people upset, you know what? Because so what? Somebody was on hold. Green Day. Stop with the green Day Stop with the green day what's wrong with Green Day? Oh, I make my hair green. I'm a punk. Well, sorry. He can't be a big punk band. And then your song is closing out Seinfeld. Sorry. I know punk, okay? You wouldn't see Suicidal Tendencies do that, all right? Grum Suckers aren't doing that.

[Alan Hahn]

Who?

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. You wouldn't. You wouldn't stop. But listen, they're. They're a fine band. They're nice. Greatest America bands of all stop yourself. I don't even know why they're in hall of Fame. Stop it. Oh, and the other thing, too. Stop with your Guns N Roses. All right, Stop. They can't even show up to a show on time. Stop. I like a couple of songs. Rock Rocket's good. Rocket. Rocket Queen. Oh, yeah, that's a good song. Paradise City did one good album. Stop.

[Alan Hahn]

Wait a minute.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Stop it. The first album, Appetite for Destruction, was amazing. I get it. And then Heroin and just being a couple of good songs on it.

[Alan Hahn]

They were very good. Yeah. I'm not going to say that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not putting them in the top five.

[Alan Hahn]

One good album.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, now the top five that wasted their careers on H, they're number one. So stop yourself. All right, you want to say ccr, we'll have a conversation. I'll have a conversation with Bill in Florida. He's got a good one.

[Alan Hahn]

Go ahead, Bill.

[Caller]

Yeah, I have one. How about the Doobie Brothers as one of the two that I'm going to mention? Because first of all, they're two different bands. The Tom Johnson Band and Michael. Obviously the Michael McDonald. I love the new album out. All right, so that's one. Another one I have, which is very unusual in that if you're only going to go by top 40 hits, this would not apply. But if you're going to go by longevity and popularity in terms of crowds going through the 60s.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't say the 90s. Don't say it. I know what you're gonna say.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't say it's gonna do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't say it.

[Alan Hahn]

Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, Doug, say it.

[Caller]

I know, I.

[Alan Hahn]

Stop it. No, I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, I respect the Dead. How can you not respect the Grateful Dead? Serious.

[Alan Hahn]

We all should respect.

[Peter Rosenberg]

My sister in law loves them.

[Alan Hahn]

All right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they had a cover band. We went to go see him. I really. If I had a rope, I would have hung myself in the back because. Let's do an hour version of Fire on the Mountain. I get it that you enjoy it, all right? I. I get it. I get it. I respect it. They draw crowds, but they had one top 40 hit, Shades of Gray.

[Alan Hahn]

Shades of Gray. Good song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good song. But you got to stop, all right? They. They hit on something and if you've got to be absolutely fried to enjoy the music, that tells you that maybe sums up. So I do respect them. I do.

[Alan Hahn]

I got.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'm not putting the Grateful Dead in the top five. They wouldn't do it. Jerry Garcia wouldn't do it.

[Alan Hahn]

Can I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He wouldn't want to be on the list.

[Alan Hahn]

Can I go greatest heads with you on Guns and Roses real quick for those out there that are screaming at the radio in their app about Guns and Roses? You got it. Because you're. You're trying to act like they have, like, three hits.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I get it.

[Alan Hahn]

Welcome to the jungle, Sweet child of mine. Patience. Paradise City. Knocking on Heaven's Door cover.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait a minute. You realize I'm going to tell you something. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I'm in a grove.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm halfway good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Knocking on heaven's Door.

[Alan Hahn]

Great song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Might be the greatest song ever. Because no matter who does it, it's great. Like, they did it. It's great. The Dead covered it Great. Knocking on Heaven's Door is an amazing song. Like everybody. You can't screw that song.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, well, it's there, all right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they don't get credit for that. That's not their song.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a cover. It's a good cover.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And patience is a sin.

[Alan Hahn]

Is patience a great song. Civil War. Great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I like that song.

[Alan Hahn]

You could be mine. Great song. Don't cry. Great song. November Rain. Great song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I do like November.

[Alan Hahn]

Live and Let Die. Another cover.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Another cover.

[Alan Hahn]

Very good. Yesterday's Great song. Ain't a fun. Great song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

Since I don't have you. Great song for the devil. Another.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is it really that. Come on. You. That really it out, man.

[Alan Hahn]

That.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's peter down.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You started throwing great out the way I do every time. I don't.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't skip any of these.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like the great E.J.

[Alan Hahn]

Raddick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, come on. Like. Wait a minute.

[Alan Hahn]

How did EJ Radick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know.

[Alan Hahn]

Why is EJ catch. Getting a straight?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I sometimes throw great at. I think EJ's great. But if I was giving a list of, like, the, you know, the top five human beings of all time, you'd be like, really?

[Alan Hahn]

Ej?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I'm joking. I love ej. He's probably listening. He's gonna kill me. But, you know, listen, I just have a problem with Guns N Roses because when they came out, all raw metal were great. They lived on that first album forever. It took forever for the second album.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, they came out with Lies, which was all, like, acoustic live versions. Listen, Use your illusion. Took forever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just not. I just think they're way overrated. Way, way, way overrated. They're songs I like, but they're overrated.

[Alan Hahn]

These are good songs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're good. Oh, that's it. Good songs.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want a top five American bands of all time? Why? Why, Alan? Pray tell, why? Because they've got good songs. Oh, okay. I didn't know we did a top five good American bands.

[Caller]

Close your eyes. Exhale. Feel your body relax, and let go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of whatever you're carrying today.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh, my gosh, they're so fast.

[Alan Hahn]

And breathe.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order.

[Alan Hahn]

1-800-Contacts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you went on a road trip and you didn't stop for a Big Mac or drop a crispy fry between the car seats or use your McDonald's bag as a placemat, then that wasn't a road trip. It was just a really long drive at participating McDonald's.

[Don La Greca]

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[Chris Carlin]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Chris Carlin]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love this song.

[Alan Hahn]

There.

[Peter Rosenberg]

She's going to LA she never got found she never got found she never got found Next day and I'm a fan now. Somebody was killing me saying they were around for 20 years. Don says they don't have a box. The Ramones. I'm just saying that they have tons of great songs to you, but to the world, most of these songs are just for the fans. You know, Blitz Creek Bop is like their biggest song that people know.

[Alan Hahn]

You hear that everywhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You hear that a lot like, but I'm a fan. But, like, you know, the KKK Took My Baby Away is not something that most fans know. Sheena is a punk rocker, and then they had their time in the 70s. And the reason they're in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame is they complain completely Influenced the punk movement. A lot of the bands from England came over because of what the Ramones were doing here in New York, but then they kind of went quiet. People weren't paying attention to them until the Pet Sematary soundtrack. Remember Pet Sematary? So I'm a fan, but when I say the body of work. And also, tell me I'm wrong, Alan. Like, being around from, like, 1974-96, that is kind of a small body of work relative to, like, the Eagles body of work and the Beach Boys body of work. And. And Chicago, like, yeah, being around for 20 years as a band, that's not a long time, right? I mean, when you think about it, these bands are, like, around for, like, 50 years.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but how many albums are you putting out in that time? Or are you just still kind of living off the songs that were from the first five years? Right. Like, we've seen that. We've seen bands that last forever, but they haven't anything new they've done. No one really cares. Only the Die Hards are listening. Like, Pearl Jam put out an album recently, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They did, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Everybody still wants play, Jeremy. Like, you know. You know how that is, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Baby, listen to Diehard's gonna tell you they're great songs. But I'm just saying, when you're putting the greatest, you're not gonna put the Ramones in the top five. And again, I'm just showing you examples where I'm a fan. I'm not just disrespecting them because I'm not a fan. I'm a fan. Alex and Lynbrook, you're on ESPN New York. Go ahead, Alex. What do you got, buddy?

[Caller]

Oh, okay. Three quick things. You didn't mention Boston as one of the great bands.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but when you talk about Boston, it's only three albums, right? And they get the first two. And then that long hiatus before third stage, it's just. That's not enough of body work. And I'm, again, fan of Boston. Love the first. The first album is one of the greatest albums of all time.

[Alan Hahn]

Very good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Uh, Don't Look Back was tremendous as well. But you got to give me more than three albums. Yeah, go ahead.

[Caller]

Two. Honorable mention to the one of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time. Batter. Hell.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not a band. Meatloaf, I'll tell you, Batter to Hell, though, is one of my favorite. But it's albums of all time. But it's. He's Meatloaf. He's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not A band.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but go ahead, Alex.

[Caller]

And three. The last thing is that I hang up. You were cast away. You got to get rescued. But not for three years. What three albums would you have? I would have better Hell, the Grace Hits of the Doors and the Greatest Hits of Van Halen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. Well, that's. That's pretty good. I don't. When I. I got rules when I play that kind of game, like we talk about greatest albums or no greatest hits. That's too easy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's too easy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Greatest hits are too easy.

[Alan Hahn]

Too easy to go. Great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Finding an album to say. I love that out like battle to hell. No skips for me. I love every song. Here's the problem on that album.

[Alan Hahn]

If you're. They say if you're. Where are you, cat?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like cast Away. You're on Castaway.

[Alan Hahn]

So how you. How you listen to the music?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you ruin everything. You're Captain Literal Man. The one thing. Yeah, because. Again. But that's the. There was a hit show, Gilligan, Gilligan's island.

[Alan Hahn]

And so they were able to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All these things, but not make a boat. Whatever.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll play along. It's amazing. He wrote right? To get electric. To play the record. Right. To have the ability to play a record, what was it that he had to ride? Like a stationary bike.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they never lost the radio. Radio never died.

[Alan Hahn]

Somehow the batteries in the radio never did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They were close enough to get a signal. There was a radio station somewhere that wasn't that far away.

[Alan Hahn]

And somehow Ginger and Marianne just no one. Not. Not one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

At some point, he had three single men and nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At some point.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, seriously, nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And the one that would have gotten it done was the Professor.

[Alan Hahn]

Easily. He'd outsmart them. He's better looking smooth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What are you suggesting?

[Alan Hahn]

Outsmart them? Well, when it comes to, like, knowing what to do, I guess, you know, Gilligan's a clown.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just off the top of my head because there's like, so many good albums. The first Rage against the Machine album would be on that list. Wow. REO Speedwagon. I. Infidelity.

[Alan Hahn]

So you got to think now, if you're. If you're stranded, you can't have the same. Same music.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

You almost have to see to me it's through. I would have three different genres and. And one of them would have to be something chill, right? Because you just can't be just headbanging the whole time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. And that's why I wouldn't be. Because if I Oreo. Speedwagon is just A classic rock band.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, all right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

High Infidelity and Rage against the Machine.

[Alan Hahn]

Rage against the Machine, you're.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then I would have Bat out of Hell, which is another rock.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, then you have nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What would be mellow, though?

[Alan Hahn]

So it's a starlit night and you've got meatloaf like, what are you doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who am I? Who?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm alone on an island. Listen, I'll take care of my business. I don't need to romance myself.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not romancing yourself. It's just, you know, you just want to chill, go to sleep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, what would be the. What would be the softer? So, Well, I would have Dark side of the Moon.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, my God. I'm surprised that wasn't your first album because you just said before. Close your eyes, listen to this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, you'll float away.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm trying to think of would be a softer, like genre. Good. Well, Don McLean's American Pie albums got American Pie, it's got Vincent, that I probably would have that. So just for the, for your point of just having different type of genres of music. Okay, that's a good. That's a really.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a fun one, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's a really good call. 1-800-919-3776. Brian in the car, you're on. Don, Han and Rosenberg. What's up, Brian?

[Caller]

Yeah, what about Metallica?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I Listen, you know, I love Metallica. We just called them the Beatles of heavy metal. But it just. Unfortunately, metal doesn't have the broad reach to be able to have them be in the top five. Like a lot of people. Everybody knows Metallica. They know they're good. But how many average people, Brian, even rock fans, like, know the catalog of Metallica because they might not be into metal, Right. So that's. Maybe I'm. Maybe I'm being exclusionary. But as a metal guy, I'm telling you that that's, that's why I kept them out of it. But like I said, I think they're the Beatles of heavy metal. So, you know, I'm a fan. Go ahead. You said Aerosmith's on the list.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brian's a little confused.

[Alan Hahn]

We got him. So I know we got a break here in a minute, but. So it's amazing how things happen as quickly as they do in the NBA and how there's always sort of a trickle down to things. It's like a domino effect. So Seams reporting that deandre Ayton is going to Agree to sign with the Lakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

He was, I believe he was bought out by Portland, right. To become a free agent. Now, just so you know, Ayton was originally planning to sign with the Bucs when the Bucs ended up signing Miles Turner. Now, Ayton didn't have a team. The Lakers were back in play. So the thought was they were not going to get him and there were really no other centers left for them to get. They needed a center bad. So the, so the Pacers, by not. By letting Turner walk, did that put a stop or an end to any belief that LeBron would leave the Lakers to go to the Knicks? Because the Lakers with a center are going to be like, that was their biggest need, a center. Now Aiden's not a superstar, but he's not garbage.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. So just curious now to see how all this plays out. And does LeBron now go, okay, all right. I like that move. Right. Does he see something in that move that makes them feel like it's better for me to stay than to leave?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Because then it just comes down to, is that enough for them to navigate.

[Alan Hahn]

Through a very difficult West? They could be a contender in the west, or is it, hey, it's a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Step in the right direction, but more needs to get done.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, exactly. And remember, it's only, it's probably a veterans minimum, like a one year situation. So it's not like a long term deal. But I don't know, like that's something to be curious about. But if you wonder like something like this, do you trace it back to Miles Turner being allowed to leave Indiana? That, you know, caused the second thoughts now because remember, Rich Paul said, we're going to see what the Lakers do and see how they build the team and then assess it from there. So this is one of the last moves the Lakers can really make that they were missing a piece. And so just keep an eye on that. So Sean's reporting that that deandre Ayton, who's a center, is going to sign with the Lakers. And originally there was a belief that he would be signing with the Bucks and the Lakers would miss out on another center. But because of the Miles Turner thing that he signed with the Bucks, Ayton became available, the Lakers pounced on him, and now they have a center that they desperately needed.

[F]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Your burger is served and this is our finest Pepsi Zero Sugar. Its sweet profile perfectly balances the savory notes of your burger.

[Don La Greca]

That is one perfect combination. Burgers deserve Pepsi.

[Chris Carlin]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Chris Carlin]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

ESPN New York is your chance to score two tickets to a special E60 screening of Southpaw the Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott on Monday, July 7th at the Tribeca Screening room, including a special Q and A and meet and greet with Michael K And Jim Abbott. You can enter to win a pair of tickets on the ESPN New York app. Just find the contest tile and submit your entry. Brought to you by Bay Ridge Honda.

[Alan Hahn]

So Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Don't like it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nah.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Again, they're a good band.

[Alan Hahn]

But when I come around. Good one. Wake me up when September ends. Good one. All right, 21 guns. Very good. Good Basket case. Very good. Holiday. Very good. You know, they got. They got some stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

1-800-919-3776. You're just joining us. The list at 430 was the top five greatest American bands of all time.

[Alan Hahn]

And it pissed everybody off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It really did. I had Eagles, Beach Boys, Van Halen, Chicago and Aerosmith. And people are flipping out, including Mike in Connecticut. Who are you taking out? New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Who are you taking out? Mike.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, Mike.

[Caller]

Dude. Thank you so much, J. Michael. I love you guys, truly. I gotta say, the greatest band of all time is Fish. And let me explain why before you freak out. They are the number one most sold out band in MSG history. Except Billy Joel. The most of any artist. Let me also mention they're from Vermont. The University of Vermont. 1983, they formed. They have sold out every year since. They're still selling out in 2025. In five seconds. They're still selling out today. Their whole summer tour in five seconds. No joke.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All their fans are die hard but they don't have any commercial success whatsoever.

[Caller]

Why do you think that is though? Because they're the greatest live band of all time, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're a great live band. They found their niche like the Grateful Dead. They found their niche. The fans love them. Die hard fans. It's like hockey, man. Like I think hockey's the greatest sport in the world and the buildings are sold out. But for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to resonate with the masses.

[Alan Hahn]

Perfect way to put it.

[Caller]

Like matter like Dave Matthews Band has a cult following. Doesn't that matter in this conversation?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but you have to still have a body of work that resonates with the masses to be able to truly be called great. Like as far as a list of like the greatest bands, because again, there's no commercial Success, no top 40 hits, no albums that resonate with the general public. They have their Die Hards and their Die Hards, but Bob Washoisen loves them. Mike Brown sure loves them. But me, as a music fan, I'm not familiar with their work cuz it's never played on the radio. It's not something that's had any commercial success whatsoever. And I think they probably pride themselves on that, of course. And it's something that I think has led to how the fans really love them. But if I'm gonna put them on the top five greatest bands of all time. Listen, if Metallica had a residency at Madison Square Garden, I think they would sell out all the time.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I agree. Yeah, I'm with you. And they are incredibly successful. But it's the hockey comp is the best comp because it's a sport that is loved that they have, say sellout buildings. People are watching, people care about it. You and I might look at it as it's one of the greatest games ever. Right. But there's not enough people who agree with us. Yeah, simple as that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just doesn't relate to the masses for whatever reason. Yeah, Nick in Emerson. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Nick?

[Caller]

What's going on guys? How are you? Long time no talk.

[Alan Hahn]

What's happening?

[Caller]

Yes, I did. I got a little. I got a little crazy with you guys yesterday about the LeBron talk, but nothing wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I liked it.

[Caller]

Damn. So I'm sorry. I appreciate you guys, but no. So one I want to say, Don, I think the list is fine. I don't know why you're getting so much pushback. Guns N' Roses, I saw them a couple years ago and yeah, I get it. They're old. Not for the amount of money I paid. They did not impress me. Like it was not. Not great. Like November rain was really good. Like they had this whole thing, but.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know, I always is how they play is how they perform live though a part of what we're saying. Because it still has to be what Dom was just saying about Fish. Because, you know, Fish is live, probably unreal. Like, there's a reason why there's such a cult following, because you go to a show and you just fall in love with this. It must be great live. But if you're talking about Guns N Roses, if you just take the studio work, after all the editing and the production, it's still like they have produced a lot of memorable, impactful songs. So what they do, what they do on stage has to do with who they are as individuals. Especially with Axel, who is, as we all know, he's impossible to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'll tell you this. You know, a band that I think deserves some credit. They're in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

[Alan Hahn]

Who's that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But were a miserably bad live band that I saw. And they had a reputation for being awful lot terrible live.

[Alan Hahn]

Who?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The cars.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, they never moved. They had like, straight. It's just a very. They had no presence at all.

[Alan Hahn]

Song drives really good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, they've got a lot of. A lot of good songs in late 70s, early 80s. But saw them lie. I remember going with my wife. Boring.

[Alan Hahn]

You mean just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't. Yeah. Stood nothing. There was no. No presence at all. Very, very strange. Let's get back to the busy phones. Talk to Angelo. He's in New Jersey. You're on espn New York. What's up, Angelo? Angelo.

[Alan Hahn]

What's up, J. Lo? How you doing?

[Caller]

You know, I was gonna bring up Jerry earlier, but someone beat me to it, so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Definitely a good one.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller]

Two quick questions. One the Knicks, one the Nikes. I'll do the Yankees first, just to get that away. When going to opening day, I was very concerned about third base. And now that seeing, you know, that Jazz is back in third base and seeing lemayhu at second, it kind of drives me crazy a little bit. Because Jazz is a second baseman, he's not a third baseman. And as great of a player he is, he shouldn't be playing third base because DJ lemayhu is still on the team when, I'm sorry to say he should be in a retirement home now. And it's just ridiculous because if you go back to 20, 23, they never resolved the left field situation. And it's just what drives me crazy about this organization with the Yankees is that they always, like, they talk about like, team. The Mecca, baseball. If you remember what Cashman said when they got sold a few years ago and how you Say that when you still can't get a third baseman for like how many years now? It just drives me crazy as a fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It does. You should not have a payroll of over $300 million and yet still keep talking about an ill conceived roster where there are holes in the roster now, you can't have an all star at every position. I get that. But it's been years now. Players out of position, not having the right guys in the right spot, I think is inexcusable when you have a payroll.

[Alan Hahn]

I completely agree. And it's the plan going into this season, trying to find a third baseman. Unable to do it. There were opportunities to get one and both. Who was it he went to Red Sox from. I'm blanking right now. From the Astros.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. I did it to you. I did it to you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anthony Bregman.

[Alan Hahn]

Bregman, yes. Right. Didn't want it. Didn't want to pay him. They want to do it. Right. It caused all kinds of stuff up in Boston because Devers was the third baseman who's told no longer. But it's like that's the kind of those.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't like Bregman.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they didn't like him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you like Jazz.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the point is. So you're making decisions that aren't based on what's best for fielding a baseball team, but more or less what works with our numbers. And that's what they believe in. And they would rather have a minus defender at third.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The frustrating thing about that is you were just giving me analytic numbers to tell you that Jazz is way better at second than he is.

[Alan Hahn]

I told you, he's plus outs above average. When he played second base this season earlier on, before June 3rd, he was. He was plus three on outs above average. He's minus four. Yeah. But in the 25 games since he.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Went back to third, they'll dig some number up that'll tell you otherwise.

[Chris Carlin]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good.

[Chris Carlin]

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.