Hour 3: Mets, Judge & Football

Summary

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Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast — Hour 3: Mets, Judge & Football

ESPN New York | September 9, 2025
Hosted by Don La Greca, Alan Hahn & Peter Rosenberg

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Episode Overview

In this lively third hour, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg dissect New York’s pressing sports topics: the Mets' playoff struggles, the Yankees' lineup and Aaron Judge's health, and the Giants’ quarterback situation. The hosts balance analysis and humor, covering playoff probabilities, player performances, organizational decisions, and fan expectations across baseball and football. The segment includes spirited debates, personal anecdotes, and classic New York sports banter.

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Mets: Nail-Biting Playoff Race & Young Pitchers Emerge

Struggles Down the Stretch

• Don highlights the Mets’ 1-0 loss to the Phillies as a microcosm of recent frustrations: decent pitching wasted by an anemic offense ([00:57]).
• McNeil’s pitching effort is praised despite a nail issue – fought through 5 1/3 innings, one run allowed, but gets hung with the loss ([01:40]).
• Alan:

  “He battled, man, he battled like an ace.” ([01:40])

• Missed opportunities: runners left on second and third in the 9th, poor base running by Mauricio, and uncompetitive at-bats by Alvarez.

Playoff Picture: Perilous but Hopeful

• Mets have fallen to the third wild card, barely ahead of the Giants and with the Diamondbacks surging ([03:43–05:26]).
• Don sees the upcoming homestand as “make or break.” Remaining nine home games will determine destiny before finishing with tough road games at Chicago and Miami ([09:05], [10:06]).
• Don:

  “This is not what we banked on here...the Mets have the third wild card and have not been able to give themselves enough breathing room.” ([04:37])

Looking Ahead: Silver Linings

• Alan posits: if the Mets end the season with three young aces developing, does that soften the blow of a disappointing postseason? ([07:08])
• Don agrees but notes the transition is bittersweet: “Disappointing with a bullet because now you’re going to be able to rally around...three quality starters” ([07:24]).

Analytics & Odds

• ESPN Analytics: Mets at 83% to make the playoffs, ~6% to make the World Series ([12:06–12:13], [12:31]).
• Don: “The most likely scenario...Mets making it as the last wild card.”

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Yankees: Lineup Decisions, Judge’s Arm, & Chasing the Division

Judge’s Health & Lineup Implications

• Buster Olney reports Judge’s throwing arm is an issue; speculation Judge will play left field at Fenway due to the shorter throw ([16:29–17:27]).
• Alan:

  “Is it their best lineup offensively and defensively?” ([17:57])

• Debate over balancing offense (keeping Stanton’s bat) versus optimizing defense, particularly in late-game situations.

Volpe’s Struggles & Shortstop Debate

• Volpe’s recent slump and head-scratching at bats discussed; lineup decisions have become daily for Aaron Boone ([15:42–16:29], [19:31]).
• Don points to “Sanchez vibes”—Yankees determined to stick with Volpe, similar to their lengthy patience with Sanchez ([20:07]).

Division Race & Analytics

• Yankees two games back in the AL East, but analytics heavily favor Toronto (67% vs. Yankees’ 25%; [14:01–14:23]).
• Alan: “Do you find that hard to believe that the Blue Jays are at 67% to clinch the division? The Yankees are 25%? It’s a two-game difference with still plenty of baseball left…” ([13:55]).

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Football: Giants, Jets, and New York’s Gridiron Passion

Football Overshadowing Baseball

• Hosts marvel at how football dominates media attention, even with big baseball games in progress ([39:27]).
• Don: “It is crazy. As big as baseball is in this town, [it] gets gobbled up by the football on Sunday.”

Giants’ QB Situation & Fan Impatience

Should Jackson Dart Start?

• Callers and hosts debate starting rookie QB Jackson Dart over Russell Wilson after a sluggish Giants start ([44:47–46:15]).
• Don warns: “That’s not the environment that’s going to help a quarterback grow...it literally ended David Carr’s career...” ([45:51]).

Fan Apathy vs. Long-Term Planning

• Alan cautions against giving in to fan apathy by rushing Dart, distinguishing this situation from last year’s Tommy DeVito story ([46:15]).
• Alan:

  “This is what you hope to be your quarterback for the next eight to ten years. You don’t throw them out there like it’s just here, give them the slab of meat so they have something to feel good about...” ([46:37])

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Memorable Quotes & Banter

• Alan (on Mets’ silver lining): “Disappointing with a bullet because now you’re going to be able to rally around...three quality starters.” ([07:24])
• Don (on Volpe): “It kind of does have Sanchez vibes, Volpe, doesn’t it?” ([20:07])
• Peter (on Giants post-‘boat trip’ record): “There is actually a Twitter handle called Boat Trip Record. Love it. Updates it every game.” ([34:39])
• Don (on Dave Rothenberg's football fandom): “Dave is like Van Gogh cutting off his ear for football...Stalking. He stalks football.” ([35:27])
• Peter (on analytics): “The only person we ever mention is Victor Cruz.” ([48:57])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mets’ Loss & Playoff Anxiety: [00:57]–[07:24]
• Yankees Division Race, Volpe & Judge Arm Debate: [12:06]–[19:04]; Buster Olney on Judge ([16:29])
• Football’s Ascendancy in NYC: [39:27]–[41:07]
• Call-in: Giants QB Debate & Fan Perspective: [43:28]–[49:41]
• Quirky Banter: Giants ‘Boat Trip’ Curse & AI Stats: [29:35]–[35:36]
• Retro TV Nostalgia: [41:20]–[43:22]

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Tone, Energy, & Chemistry

• The hosts’ dynamic is equal parts banter and incisive analysis, with Don’s old-school gravitas, Alan’s measured optimism, and Peter’s comic relief.
• The show is both a passionate sports roundtable and a celebration of New York fandom, never straying from relatable, conversational language.

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Final Thoughts

This episode captures the pulse of New York sports: passionate, reactionary, and relentlessly analytical. Baseball’s playoff drama, the Giants’ never-ending quarterback search, and a city that worships football all get their due—with the hosts keeping it real, entertaining, and very New York throughout.

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Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans. Send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets. Mom 60th and never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn [e-mail] this is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don La Greca]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

It'S tele time. It's tele time.

[Don La Greca]

Whoa, that's a new one.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a new one. Or it's an old one that we haven't used before?

[Don La Greca]

That's the first time I've heard it. Mets continue their series with the Phillies with coverage immediately following us on. 880 at 6:05. And the Yankees host the Tigers at 7:05. And the Liberty are home facing the Mystics at 7. Tullamore due the original triple distilled triple one did in triple cast matured Irish Whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew, honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. So The Mets lose one nothing. What a tough way for McNeil to lose his first game, right? He didn't, he didn't have great stuff. He, he had a nail issue that really, I think was messing up his curveball. So he fought through it and he gave you five and a third and he gave up one run. Lost the game one nothing. It just, it really was so disappointing.

[Alan Hahn]

He battled, man, he battled like an ace.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, that's like, you're really starting to.

[Alan Hahn]

See him continue to evolve. And there's a toughness about him that just, it, it, it's, it's giving off ace, right? Like he's got that about him, which is, which is, hey, you're trying to find positives. That's what I would find watching that kid pitch.

[Don La Greca]

And the Mets just, you know, three hits until they get to the ninth inning and then they get runners at second and third with one out and you're thinking, oh, at least they're going to tie the game. McNeil's got a really tough at bat, but he strikes out on 102 mile per hour fastball. And Alvarez Gave you a non competitive at bat, three curveballs, missed them by a foot and the Mets lose the game. I don't know how much you saw the game or saw this moment, but Alonzo gets a hit. So they pinch run Mauricio and he doesn't get that big of a lead, doesn't attempt to try to steal to get him running in scoring position. And then the hit is a, is a clear. I don't know, I, it would have been tough to score, but it didn't look like he was even motivated to try to score. Right. And it was like no speed there. Got an awful jump and then he gets stranded at third. So I don't want to beat him up. But you know, Alonzo could have gotten the third.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

You know, so I mean, you bring him in for his speed. So it was really disappointing to get second and third and one out and not be able to least tie the game.

[Alan Hahn]

That, that to me doesn't. Because I, I wouldn't think he's being lazy there. I, I just think it's a bad read.

[Don La Greca]

No, I don't. I think it's a bad read.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, he knows the moment. I mean, he's had actually some big moments this season. At times I think he, it's like an IQ thing, like baseball IQ thing. I just don't think he had. Whatever, Whatever was going on in his brain right there was not in the moment. Yeah, I wouldn't look at it as lazy. I've heard some people try to say that he was late, always taking his time. I just think he, I just think his awareness factor was really low in that moment and it can't be, but it was. Young players is what happens sometimes.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, but you, you, you're into pinch run and listen, Alonzo's slow and you don't know there's a poker that you're going to be able to get the extra innings to lose the Alonzo at bat. You're just looking to tie the game, do whatever. And I just thought there'd be a little bit more aggressiveness there. Listen, if you can't steal, you can't steal. All right? But I just think you get a little bitter league. At least give the third base coach a chance to maybe challenge a throw. When they showed it, it's like, God, he's only at second. I thought we'd have a little bit more action there, but I didn't care at the time because like, all right, second and third, you got, you got two cracks at it or at least get A sacrifice fly. Tie the game, see what happens. So it was so disappointing. Then the Giants beat up on the Diamondbacks and don't look now, San Francisco's only three back. The Mets are three back of the Padres for the second wild card and they're only three ahead of the Giants. So right now I still think they're going to make it just because of the fact the Giants have a very difficult schedule. The Diamondbacks are a good team, but be careful. The Diamondbacks are only four and a half back. So the Diamondbacks like win the next two games against the Giants and the Mets lose. It could be the Diamondbacks crawling up your back here. Let's three game lead with 18 to play. The Giants have to have two more this series and another series with the Diamondbacks in Arizona. And they've got two series, I think seven games with the Dodgers left. So Giants have a very difficult schedule. But guys, this is not what we banked on here, that we're sitting here on September 9th and the Mets have the third wild card and have not been able to give themselves enough breathing room to feel safe that you're even making the playoffs. Listen, we'll see what happens and maybe they can make the playoffs and go on a run. But this is not what we signed up for here, guys.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, no, not especially after the series you had against the Phillies the first time around. Right. Like let's. In between that series and this now meeting for the second time, you know, it has gone terribly wrong. And a lot of it had to do with obviously the bullpen, but the offense has kind of gone away again as well for this team. But, but the inconsistence, look, the young starting pitching, you're getting something out of that. The next three now this year, veterans, the next three here with mania. I think it's Clay Holmes after that and then Peterson. So I think you're. The changes that Stern's made to the bullpen obviously have not worked out. I mean, I think that. Yes, yes. Yeah, yeah, like that's true. But I believe he only threw one pitch. Right. I don't think he changed up anything. So how do you tip pitches when it's the same pitch?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, but he got, he got a big strikeout, so I'm not. Yeah, no question we're going to grade it differently because it's him, but I get it.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's that and the offense kind of, you know, going by the wayside again. Have been, have been to again, once again, major issues here. But Don, if I could Tell you now again, I know you probably hate playing this, but I'm gonna do it anyway, if I could tell you that. Okay. Cause they still have a high percentage. I think they're in the 8.86percent chance to make the playoffs. Yes. Okay. So the, the likelihood is they're still going to get in somehow some way. They'll probably have to fly to the west coast and play three games though, which sucks, but they're still going to get it. But if I told you in exchange for a somewhat disappointing sputtering to the end of the season, you know, going into next season, that you have three young aces as part of your staff going forward and each one of them you can believe in.

[Don La Greca]

Oh yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Is the season a total loss? No.

[Don La Greca]

I could hear what you're saying if you knew that both could be true. Right. All right. Disappointing season, but disappointing.

[Alan Hahn]

But you'd still be optimistic for next year. Like 26 suddenly has a little bit of a silver lining.

[Don La Greca]

It's disappointing with a bullet because now you're going to able to rally around the fact that we've got three quality starters and Sprout only had the one game, but we got lost in all the football. But he was, he was really good. He was good in that game. Very good Tong, you know, not as great the second time around. But obviously McNeil looks like he's a keeper for, you know, quality starts. Basically not the first one was, you know, only five, five and a third. I get not technically a quality start, but good enough to be four and oh, right now, which is. Which is something. And no Met ever started his career 3, 0 and he could have very easily be 4, 0 right now. So I'm really happy with the way that he's performed and I think the Mets are future wise in good shape. But still this year where once upon a time they had a four and a half game lead on the Phillies for first place in the division and now you've just painted the picture of if they make it, and I agree they will, it's either a trip to San Diego or LA for three games on the road. And by the way, two of the three young kids are going to be starting, so they're going to get experience in the postseason, but it's still not going to feel great. Guys, after you go to game six of the league championship series last year, you go out and acquire one of the best players in baseball and you end up being the third wild card and not get out of the first round. And listen, is it possible they can make a run. Sure. Anything's possible. We didn't think last year was possible, but that's not what I want anymore. Where, hey, maybe we sneak in and make a run. I'm tired of runs. I want to build something here. So to your point, maybe they are. You'll go into next season with three really good quality young pitchers going into the year, but it's going to probably come at the expense of not doing very much in 2025, and that's kind of going to stink.

[Alan Hahn]

They've lost seven of 11 since the Philly series that they dominated. And at the end of this, you still got three games left. Keep in mind. So, okay, you lose the first one, you're on a three game losing streak, but you still got to find a way to get to whatever it is out of this. Okay, then you're home for the next, what, six in a. No, it's more than six. God, it's got to be nine, right?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

This has been nine straight before. Yeah. And. But then you end on the road. Three in Chicago, three in Miami. So the homestead coming up is kind of going to be your make or break as far as getting into the postseason. And it's Padres, by the way, who you could see, and the Rangers who are fighting like hell. And then it's the Nationals who you kind of. Oh, so again, this stretch coming up. This stretch coming up will tell you a lot about them as well. Can they get it right? But that, that bullpen is the scariest thing about this team. Now getting to Diaz is the scariest thing about this.

[Don La Greca]

Now the scary. The other scary thing is I think they're going to be able to make it based on the Giant schedule here over the next couple of weeks here. But get, get some separation if you can, Met fans, because the last six games for the Mets, all on the road at Chicago and at the Miami Marlins, that team, those Marlins, you do not want to have to play meaningful games against them. It never seems to work out. And the Giants are going to play the Cardinals and the Rockies at home. Now the Cardinals just took two out of three from the Giants and they're not that bad. But if you're hoping for the Giants to lose and they've got three games against the Rockies who are going to be like north of 110 losses by then, I'm not going to be looking for any help against the Rockies where the Marlins, we know the history. So just make sure you got a little margin for error by the time you go to Those last six games because the schedule works for the Giants and it doesn't work for the, for the Mets. Now maybe those games are meaningless for the Cubs. Maybe they locked up the first wild card, aren't going to care. But to me, that's more of a football thing than a baseball thing.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to have, always want to have rhythm, right? Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

So, so you've got now and as far as trying to get those, you know, to get out of the last wild card, not that it really matters, but like you've got three games with the Padres at home. But really, if I had to bet on the Mets going to fall out of the playoffs or catch the Padres for the two seed, they're probably going to fall out of the playoffs. Padres right now are eyeing the Dodgers. Yeah, who better start to wake up here?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, they are, though. I mean, they just, I mean, I know they, they blew both of them, but they just had no hitters going the last two games. They did, but they're starting to turn. You know, that's a team. You always wait just, they're going to flip the switch, they'll lock in and then. And the next thing you know, they're the team to beat once again in October. How much do either of you buy into ESPN Analytics?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Depends on the analytics, but what do you got?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, because we have, we have all the playoff probabilities.

[Don La Greca]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

So in the National League, the mets are at 83% to make the playoffs.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay. The division is pretty much out of the question according to the analytics. Yeah, 83%. So the Giants are the only team that they're keeping in the conversation. And the giants are at 10%. So the most likely scenario, as I just said, is pretty much the Mets making it as the last wild card. That's what it seems to be. They are at 31% to get to the division round, 14% to get back to the NLCS, and 6% to make the World Series. Their numbers, by the way, are the lowest of any of the teams now in the National League. I think that would be a. I believe that scenario was much different about two, three weeks ago. So it is amazing what a stretch of 7 out of 11, 7 losses out of 11 games can do to the outlook the later you get into the season. But they, they compared to now again, to flip it over to the Yankees, I find it amazing that the analytics are saying the Yankees, even though they're two games out and it looks like the American League east winner is probably going to now end up with the number one seed because the Tigers have really fallen off. Yeah, but they're going to. They got the division on lock. Winning that division is critical for the Yankees and they are at 25% to clinch the division. Do you find that hard to believe that the Blue Jays are at 67% to clinch the division? The Yankees are 25%. It's a two game difference with still plenty of baseball left to play.

[Don La Greca]

I would think because they're in the same division, the schedule is probably the same. I'm looking right there.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought the Yankees have the easier schedule left.

[Don La Greca]

Well, they do because they've got those last games against the White Sox and the Orioles.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

But the right now looking at the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays have seven games left with Tampa. All right. Now they have three games with the Red Sox. They're at home. They've also got three with the aura.

[Alan Hahn]

So once they get past, going to matter.

[Don La Greca]

Well, here's moving day for the Yankees because I'm not in love with Detroit. We'll see what the Yankees can do against Detroit.

[Alan Hahn]

They still have pitching while the Blue.

[Don La Greca]

Jays are home against the Astros. But once that's over this weekend, while the Yankees are in Boston to take on the Red Sox. Right. Yeah. The Blue Jays are home against Baltimore. Then they go to, then they go to Tampa for four, Kansas City for three. So if you, you're. It's going to be tough to make up ground during that span.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know this is deep, but the analytics people actually looked at their schedules also.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Crazy.

[Don La Greca]

And that.

[Dave Rothenberg]

No, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They went ahead and looked forward, said.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what, I think that's, I think that's. Then that's the disparity in the percentage is Yankees and Red Sox play each other, one of them's canceling the other one out. Right. And so it'll be. Unless one of them sweeps. That's the only way to either keep pace with Toronto or somehow pass them. Right. Right. One of them has to sweep this weekend because they're both right on their heels two games back. So that's what makes this weekend even more important. It's almost like two out of three gets nothing done. You need a bad team, then you need a bad team to beat them.

[Don La Greca]

Right now the Blue Jays right now have a half game lead on Detroit for the one seed.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

In the American League with the Tigers having played one more game and that game being a loss. So that, that's where we stand. So it's good. And Volpe's in the lineup and a Lot of people are in a way about. Are you. In a way, the Volpe's in the lineup against the righty?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, only because his numbers tell you that he shouldn't be. You know, that's what I think is. Is the concern is that he's. He's actually hit better against lefties, but he has gone into such a tailspin. You talk about bad at bats, too. You talk about the Alvarez at bat. Volpe's at bats yesterday were just. I mean, not yet. Two days, two nights ago, they. They were bad. He looks confused again. It sucks, but it's a reality. And. And Boone really. They have held Dominguez accountable and used other players. They have held Wells accountable and especially Rice is hitting like you got. You got to keep him in a lineup and he can catch. I also. Buster said something this morning with the guys that really caught my attention. I was actually texting him. We have it about Judge.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You want to hear it in this series this weekend? Go ahead.

[Don La Greca]

This is Buster on Judge. Ability to throw.

[Dave Rothenberg]

It is what it is. I think that that's pretty apparent. You know, he had the throw on Sunday where he cut loose a little bit. And then, you know, the. I was watching the Toronto broadcast in that moment. They were talking. Dan Schulman, Buck Martinez were talking about how there was some discomfor and Judge was demonstrating that.

[Don La Greca]

It was almost like, okay, let's see.

[Dave Rothenberg]

How this feels if I throw a little bit harder. Their perception was it didn't feel good. This is why this weekend, when they're in Fenway Park, I would not at.

[Don La Greca]

All be surprised if Judge plays left field.

[Dave Rothenberg]

He's in front of the Green Monster, as you guys know, a significantly shorter.

[Don La Greca]

Throw because left field in Fenway is.

[Dave Rothenberg]

The smallest outfield spot in the majors. Right field, on the other hand, in Fenway is the biggest outfield, you know, biggest spot. I know the Yankees have been talking about it, what to do, but it makes sense. I mean, I think it's pretty clear that the ref of the year, that his throwing arm will be a liability.

[Don La Greca]

Now, let me ask you this question.

[Alan Hahn]

How about that?

[Don La Greca]

It's another decision. The Yankees and the Yankees are very consistent with this, that offense is more important than defense, and they don't want to lose Stanton's bat. But let me ask you this, Alan. Do they want to not lose Stanton's bat because of the offensive ability, that they're a better offensive team with stands in the lineup, or, hey, he's our best postseason player and I've got to make sure that he plays.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that too. Look, the numbers tell you that when Judge and Stanton are in the lineup, historically now, since, since they both have been teammates, they are exponentially a better baseball team. Like, like you don't. The record, they're off everything. Those two guys in a lineup together, the Yankees, two out of one a two to one win games. So that's why you want him there. But I also agree that there's probably that other thought of you want him out there because he's your best, he's your clutch performer. He's the guy that comes through when it matters most. And we know that Judge still hasn't proven that enough in the postseason, but that you also. Is it their best. I keep asking this question, is it their best lineup offensively and defensively? And I wonder later in games if you have a multi run lead, do you take Judge out defensively and do what, you know, like whatever it is, a double switch, make him the DH and take Stanton out of the lineup?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, well, you probably have to because there I know that offense to them is more important than defense, but as we saw in the World Series last year, you know, you can't just throw away defense.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you're going to see, you're going to see. Never mind. You're going to see teams. You think Alex Cor is not doing this, you think he's not. They are, they're. Every time you hit it out to him, they're going to force him to throw it and throw ahead and see if he can do it consistently enough. And who knows, maybe it impacts his ability to do that. Maybe it messes with his head. Whatever it is, that's going to be a factor in the postseason. There's no question about it.

[Don La Greca]

The other thing was Volpe and he's in the lineup tonight. Aaron Boone today is. Who plays shortstop A daily decision.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I mean it's literally a daily decision.

[Dave Rothenberg]

But look, I, I mean Anthony I.

[Alan Hahn]

View as our shortstop man, but Caballero.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Is a really good player and you know, I'm aware of that and feel.

[Alan Hahn]

A lot of confidence anytime I put him in there.

[Dave Rothenberg]

And obviously he's gotten some more opportunities.

[Alan Hahn]

Here of late where I have said.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Anthony, and we're at a time of.

[Alan Hahn]

The year where we're obviously, you know, we're playing for a lot right now. So I look at it as all.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Hands on deck every day and try and do what's best for the team every day.

[Don La Greca]

Kind of does have Sanchez vibes, Volpe, doesn't it? Oh, man, you know, I'll do everybody. Everybody is subject being benched and handled, but you know, Volpe, we're going to give the benefit of that. And it was the same thing with Sanchez until there just was no rope left. But they did trade for Caballero, so it's not like they didn't realize that this can still be an option. But I really thought we were going to see him tonight. And the fact that we didn't, you know, it looks like they're looking for any reason to make it work. And you're hearing the same vibes. Like, we still think the best baseball's in front of Volpe. Like all the stuff like they're, they're gonna, they're gonna die on the sword with this guy. They just are until it just becomes untenable. But they're winning, so there's probably no reason to make a drastic change. They just beat, you know, Toronto two out of three. They just be Houston two out of three.

[Alan Hahn]

No, they've won again. As we said, they're on pace to get to the eight wins that we thought was the least amount of wins you need to get. Think about they're 10 away from 90. So like they're, they're on the pace. We said they need to be, but there's still half halfway to go. A Tiger team that has kind of was handled by the Mets and you still need to handle. And then of course, this weekend is the showdown because that's the team that owns you and you got to go up there and beat them.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. The Tigers have won just four of their last 10 games. As I said, they didn't. They lost two out of three to the Mets. They did that. They don't. They look like literally a paper tie girl because of their name. You know, they just, they don't feel like a real threat.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. But it's like a first time run for them. What do we think the reception will be for Glaber, if anything at all, who's had a bit of a renaissance there? I mean, he's not perfect, but for them he's been very good.

[Don La Greca]

Interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What do you think?

[Alan Hahn]

What kind of, what kind of response does Glabor get? It didn't end well.

[Don La Greca]

It didn't end well.

[Alan Hahn]

People couldn't wait.

[Don La Greca]

And the Yankees are playing well. Like if the Yankees weren't playing well and they're hating on Brian, then maybe they're, they'll, they'll almost cheer labor in.

[Alan Hahn]

You think they like Jazz better than him at this point? Like they prefer Jazz.

[Don La Greca]

I, I think it'll be, I don't think it'll be overwhelming. I don't think either way kind of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A matter feel like a smattering.

[Don La Greca]

It'll be a clap kind of like, yeah, acknowledge he's back. I don't think it'll be anything over the top negative or stat bat little.

[Alan Hahn]

Bit of just, you know. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Because Jazz has been a nice pivot.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

And the Yankees are playing well. So I, because I do think sometimes the reception for the guy is more about who replaced him and the state of the team. So. But the guy that replaced him has been good and the team is playing well. So I think that'll take a little of the sting out of anybody that's got a problem with labor. And nobody's going to use this as a way to kind of vent against Boone or Jazz. Doesn't make sense because Yankees are playing well and Jazz, it was a nice pivot. As you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Granger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by. This episode is brought to you by State Farm.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Checking off the boxes on your to.

[Don La Greca]

Do list is a great feeling. And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person or.

[Dave Rothenberg]

On the phone, or using the award.

[Don La Greca]

Winning app, it's nice knowing you have.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Help finding coverage that best fits your needs.

[Don La Greca]

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back.

[Don La Greca]

So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it turns out that's very illegal.

[Don La Greca]

So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of network's busy taxes and fees extra see mintmobile.com.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to The Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don La Greca]

Get ready for a new Monday Night Football experience with the ESPN New York Couchcast. When the jets take on the Dolphins for the Week 4 divisional matchup. Settle in on the couch and join the old cast with all of your favorite ESPN New York personalities. For instant reactions, unfiltered commentary, and behind the mic banter, stream live on our YouTube page. From kickoff to the final whistle, grab your snacks and watch the game with the pros. It's the ESPN New York Couchcast, presented by Calandra's Bakery. They're fabulous. We love them. And we also love Ford because it's driven by the All American Ford Group, the number one Ford auto group in the Tri State area. Shopallamericanautogroup.com that's Monday, September 29th, starting at 7pm on the ESPN New York YouTube channel. So check it out. We're gonna have. I'm looking at it right now out the window of our studio. It's a really nice couch setup. So Rick DiPietro, Michael K, Alan Hahn, Don Legreca, Peter Rosenberg, Chris Carlin, it's going to be there. And Jake Aspen is going to swing by as well. And we're just going to. We're going to talk about the game going on now. You can make a part of what you do and listen. Everybody watches games with a phone or a computer on, so it's no different. So just swing by our YouTube channel. This is important, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you said swing by our YouTube channel.

[Don La Greca]

It's important.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you're listening right now, whether on your phone or near your computer, you go subscribe to the ESPN New York YouTube channel. Because A. Yeah, because the couch cast that we're talking about and B, cause now we're finally active in this channel. Shorts are getting uploaded every day, so you want to make it a part of your algorithm. So wherever you consume your YouTube, go look for ESPN New York hit, subscribe, and that's it.

[Alan Hahn]

Be it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Be a part of what we're doing over there. It's gonna be a time, by the way.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, this thing's gonna be completely off the rails.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And it won't take long. And that's like, Don doesn't like people around when he's watching. But a lot of people when you're watching the game, jets game, you want to have. You want to have like if you're sitting home because It's Monday night and you're watching it. But you, you know, like Sundays, maybe, you get together people on a Monday night, it might be a little bit harder, but now it's like watching with your boys. You're just watching us act up and say crazy stuff. And one of you, you know, anybody who cares about the jets will be on the edge of their seat most of that game. And those who don't care about the jets will enjoy needling those people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I only have one regret.

[Don La Greca]

What's that? That you only have one life to give for your country.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I wish that it was a Giants game and that somehow they could force Dave to be a part of it.

[Alan Hahn]

You wouldn't get him there. I don't think you'd get them there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, that's the question. Here's the thing. You think Dave would say yes if, like, he'd have the number one spot in front of the couch the whole time? No. All he has to do is be on camera.

[Don La Greca]

No, no.

[Alan Hahn]

He's already upset that the second game might not be on a television. Yeah. And it has nothing to do with the Giants.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, he's upset because there's a second Monday Night Football game that.

[Alan Hahn]

The double header.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And let me guess, it's. It's the Browns versus a team we haven't heard of yet, a team that's not even in the league yet.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know who it is.

[Don La Greca]

Los Angeles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's. It's an expansion team, a third Los Angeles club.

[Don La Greca]

I believe there was.

[Alan Hahn]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Anthony, but I believe there was a time when Rick and I were on at night. Dave was after us, and it was a Giants Monday night game. And Dave, the game had started and you could hear him through the glass screaming at the television. It's probably accurate.

[Don La Greca]

It was.

[Alan Hahn]

It was that he was just out of control.

[Don La Greca]

That was a. Yeah, that was. It was a Monday night game.

[Alan Hahn]

We were stunned. Like, we could hear him because that soundproof glass and waltz in our old studio and it was. It was jarring.

[Don La Greca]

I got to experience Dave in all his glory in 2016. September 2016, take you back. I was doing the World cup of Hockey because I just started here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was pretty new.

[Don La Greca]

And full disclosure, we did it off the monitor in Bristol.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, now you tell me.

[Don La Greca]

So it was a Sunday afternoon, one of the games we had to do, and it was up against Giants and then Redskins. Now, Dave, if you remember, did a national show on Sundays that would lead up to the games. So I guess it was Like a ten to one show. And he made an agreement. He had to be in Bristol for it because this is pre Covid. No working from home. So he had to go to Bristol to do the national show. He only agreed to do the national show that they would give him access to a studio to watch the Giants if they had a one o' clock game, because he would not be able to get home in time for the start of the game. Because God forbid, if you listen to the game for the 45 minute drive.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Home, no, it might be 90.

[Don La Greca]

So they set him up in a studio like a caged animal, and he loved it. So I'm calling the play by play of the World cup of Hockey was like Team Europe versus Russia or something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I remember that game.

[Don La Greca]

Listen, that's what I do, okay? I have to bear through your garbage. All right?

[Alan Hahn]

What.

[Don La Greca]

What did I do?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, my.

[Don La Greca]

I enjoyed that. It was. I was doing national games for espn. They wouldn't let me do it on a bet. But back in 2016, they actually cared about me. And I did it with Dave, and we did a great job.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don La Greca]

It was supposed to be D. Pietro, but he had, I guess, his second child. And so Dave filled in. It was great. All right, all right. So between periods, I was on with the Giants. I was caring about what the Giants were doing, but, you know, I also had a career to cultivate. So during the intermissions, I went in, like, literally, it was like he was pacing back, and it was like I was looking at a tiger. But I went in. I wouldn't go into the tiger cage, but I went to the cage there. And there was, like, actually a moment where, like, the Giant screwed up. He, like, threw the chair, hit my knee, and I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna go watch the Giants in another room because this is dangerous. I was like, a voyeur.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was, like, looking at him and imagine this. This. The year was 2016.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The year of our Lord 2016. Was that. Was that the.

[Alan Hahn]

Was that McAdoo or Shermer in 2016?

[Don La Greca]

That was it. That was a playoff. Giant team that was at 11 and 5.

[Alan Hahn]

That was McAdoo.

[Don La Greca]

McAdoo's first year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, McAdoo's first year.

[Don La Greca]

Yes. But I believe they lost that game. It was Giant Stadium.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you mean the game you're talking about?

[Don La Greca]

The game I'm talking about.

[Alan Hahn]

That was. Wasn't that the banana boat year?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They lost 2010 to the commanders.

[Don La Greca]

Well, they were the Redskins at the time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm Just reading the website.

[Don La Greca]

Right. Yeah. That was the. That was the boat.

[Alan Hahn]

The boat boat. Yeah. How'd that work out?

[Don La Greca]

Well, it's still working out poorly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's still were as we speak.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

What's.

[Alan Hahn]

What's their record since that?

[Don La Greca]

Oh, I could tell you. Well, they lost that. Well, they. Well, think about it. They lost that game to the Packers.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

Right. So. So, so that's a loss.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a loss.

[Don La Greca]

All right. And so they had the. What do they win, three games last year? So what does that. So they were what, 3 and 14.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's not a lot of wins.

[Don La Greca]

But you're saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it's where you're going here.

[Don La Greca]

That's the point.

[Alan Hahn]

11, 19 and 1.

[Don La Greca]

That's not good.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what. That's what Google AI is telling me.

[Don La Greca]

God.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They lost.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sorry. Wait a minute. No, no. 11, 23 and 1. Sorry to shortchange them.

[Don La Greca]

11, 23 and 1 since the boat trip.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. Kind of a curse, I would think. But they did go to the playoffs, won a playoff game. So let's extend everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

This is why you don't trust AI, because as more I read it, the more I really like the kids. Don't trust AI.

[Peter Rosenberg]

1123.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. That's not enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's like two seasons.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what they're saying eight seasons. Again, I'm doing this to help everyone else.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you. I appreciate this is.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm making this sacrifice. You have to do it for everyone to know that. Don't trust AI, because what they're calling banana boat incident is in 2023, which is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's correct. Well, it's crazy.

[Don La Greca]

All right, well, it gets big, so. All right, let's get ready. All right. So Owen won because they lost to the Packers. After the boat trip, they followed up in 2017, going 3 and 13. Right. So that. So that is 3 and 14. In 2018, they went 5 and 11. So that's 8 and 25. All right, follow me. 8 and 25. This is riveting. In 2019, they went 4 and 12.

[Alan Hahn]

Are we 40? 93 and 1.

[Don La Greca]

So that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds closer to right?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One hundred and thirty games.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Yeah, man. Trust. Don't trust AI.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Kids, when you ask a I Damn. I, I.

[Don La Greca]

Why would they think the boat trip was 2013?

[Alan Hahn]

Bad information.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It does. It. It's really crazy. Like, it will. It will come up with things on basic ass that you're like, what information could you even be pulling this from?

[Alan Hahn]

Don't Ever trust it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't have a paid version, do you?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, is that what it is to give you better?

[Don La Greca]

Well, this is really promoting it. Well, to get paid for. It's been that bad. I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't work for ChatGPT. But, yeah, if. If you don't pay, it's worse. If you're not signed up, it's worse. Blah, blah, blah. It hasn't been good, is the point, though. It has not been, Bob.

[Don La Greca]

But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. And Dave is an actual maniac is the other. Like, you know, I just. I love the sport. I wish you love the sport like I do, but I. You know what? I wish, guys, And I'm telling the truth. I'm going to say it to you guys. You're my friends, and we tell the truth. I wish that I loved football still the way John Winthrop or Dave Rothenberg does, because I do. I really. It's my favorite game, and I don't love it. Guys, close to as much.

[Alan Hahn]

This is now legit. There is actually a Twitter handle called Boat Trip Record. Okay. I love it. Updates it every game. Love it. September 7th.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, here we go.

[Alan Hahn]

Is the last post, as we know. That was Sunday, 4194 and 1.

[Don La Greca]

Whoo. That's not good.

[Alan Hahn]

And the previous post by this account was January 5th, 4193 and one somebody created.

[Don La Greca]

I love it. I love fans.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's commitment.

[Don La Greca]

I love it when they get bitter.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, this is unreal.

[Don La Greca]

Now back to Peter's point.

[Alan Hahn]

It has a picture of the guys on the boat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course. What else would it have?

[Alan Hahn]

All right, does it deserve a follow or not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes, following.

[Don La Greca]

Everybody should follow. If you're a giant fan, you should follow.

[Alan Hahn]

God bless you.

[Don La Greca]

Now there's loving something, like, we love football. Like. Like saying you're in love with a woman, you marry a woman. That's loving football. Dave is like Van Gogh cutting off his ear for football. Like, that's the level.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes. That's a great.

[Don La Greca]

But I love her, man. That's it. You know that's right. That's the character Van Gogh. What was. What was the character in every somebody. La la la. Something about Mary. Couldn't get it out. You know the pizza delivery boy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

That broke his back with a bat so that he can go see her. And he was pretending to be English. That's. That's Dave Rothenberg's love of football, like, to that level. Stalking. He stalks football.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

If football had the ability to call the police on Dave, they would.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's Exactly. Whereas we're like, no, no, listen, I love it. It's a great relationship. I really care for them. Dave's like, I want to kill myself to show you what? How much I love you.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, calm down, Dave. Dave loves football to the point where football is tied to the bed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'm telling you, it puts the.

[Don La Greca]

Lotion on the skin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It puts the lotion on the skin.

[Don La Greca]

What movie character is Dave? Is he the pizza delivery boy from Something about Mary?

[Alan Hahn]

Or is he.

[Don La Greca]

Or is. No. What was. It wasn't Hannibal Lecter, but it was the other guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, the whatchama.

[Don La Greca]

He's Buffalo Bill.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's Buffalo Bill for football. But I'll tell you right now, underrated. Winthrop's right there with him. I mean, he's right there.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Not.

[Don La Greca]

Although.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no. He also has, though, football does compete with Disney.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Don La Greca]

The serial killers don't have two loves.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it does not. Wow. Anthony Quick John has taken early flights on Sunday mornings away from Disney to make sure he doesn't miss a kickoff.

[Don La Greca]

Of football, even with his team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Keep in mind, his team has been irrelevant for the entire time.

[Don La Greca]

Children alive. Is this.

[Alan Hahn]

Is this the order his wife allows that?

[Don La Greca]

Is it. Is it football, Disney, kj?

[Alan Hahn]

Geez, man.

[Don La Greca]

Or is it football and then Disney and KJ are tied?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, she's intertwined with the Disney.

[Don La Greca]

That's why she also loves. She's football's one.

[Alan Hahn]

Kel's made a an industry of Disney. I'm not comfortable making that decision for him. Wow. We could just make observations, but that's the observation. Say possibly yes.

[Don La Greca]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don La Greca]

One app, one shot, one champion. Download the ESPN fantasy app and sign up to play ESPN fantasy football today.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don La Greca]

Don Anna Rosenberg up until 6 o' clock and then it's Mets baseball, Mets and the Billies. So you're keeping an eye on the Giants. They are home against the Arizona diamondbacks. They got a 9:45 start. And the Yankees are home against the Detroit Tigers. So it's really interesting, guys, how baseball, as big as it is, completely gets devoured by football. Now, if the jets and Giants continue to lose and the Mets and Yankees are playing meaningful games in the postseason, that won't necessarily be the case, but. And it was opening weekend and all that, but it's just crazy how it kind of gets swallowed up and then the attention kind of goes back on them during the week. Yankees were off yesterday. So, you know, obviously tomorrow's gonna be a big baseball show, depending on, you know, what goes on and all that. But it is crazy. As big as baseball is in this town, this gets gobbled up by the football on Sunday.

[Alan Hahn]

October will change, I think. Look, if you. Now, again, there's some people that are crazy, but you're not going to have a one o' clock World Series game or even LCS game. But if the jets or Giants are playing on a Sunday night and the Yankees or Mets are playing a playoff game on a Sunday night, your first screens, the playoff game.

[Don La Greca]

Well, not for everybody, but for us it will be because that's the topic.

[Alan Hahn]

But if you care about the team, right, yes, it. That's. That's your first screen. But baseball's slow enough that you can kind of bounce back and forth real easy.

[Don La Greca]

Peter's heard this story before, but 1986, if you remember, game seven of the World Series was rained out on Sunday. I've heard it played on Monday. I hate him now. I just got to let everybody know that I repeat myself.

[Alan Hahn]

That was a verbal eye roll.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what that. I heard all about it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was the other one?

[Don La Greca]

I said? I forget.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I forget, too. There's another one.

[Alan Hahn]

It can't be as good, but at this.

[Don La Greca]

And so that Monday was Game 7, Mets, Red Sox, World Series, and that went up against Giants, Redskins at Giants Stadium on the Night Football. My father wheeled out the black and white and game seven got the black and white tv.

[Alan Hahn]

Ooh.

[Don La Greca]

My father made it very clear that the Giants were more important. So there are people that'll be that way that are football guys. Dave would probably be that way.

[Alan Hahn]

Wheeled out the black and white is something that you said in a phrase that we all understand, but there's an entire generation that when you said wield out the black and white, they don't know what the hell you're talking about. Don.

[Don La Greca]

It was a black and white television on a cart that was basically in my life from the first time I ever knew what television was, because it was in our bedroom. And I think it didn't die until I left for college. All right. And the thing about this black and white tv, and this is before cable. So there was never any cable hooked up to it. I might have hooked up the Atari to it a couple of times is that. And I don't even know if Peter, because he knows it, because he's heard the story, but he can even remember that there was a time I'd have to turn it on and then, you know, go to the bathroom, do some things. It would have to warm up before the screen would finally pop on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, it takes a second.

[Don La Greca]

It'd be this little white dot that would appear as soon as you turned it on. And then eventually it expand into a picture.

[Alan Hahn]

You had that little. That little. Little sound. But. But it. We all had them. There was a cart, like a silly little cart that you put the TV on. Yeah. It was like a little TV stand, but a TV cart. And because all you had to do was unplug the TV and move it to another room because you had the rabbit ear that's on top of it, essentially, that's all you had to do.

[Don La Greca]

That's it. And there would be a little rack underneath it for the TV Guide or some magazines or whatever. And that was. You consumed sports at the time. So in 86, it was still very much part of my life. I'm 18 years old at this point. So, you know, on the way to college, it was still there. And I don't remember when it died. I really now that I wish I kept it.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Just to be able to show people what it looked like. It was just a mess.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I feel the same way about my parents. 13 inch black and white that we always had in the kitchen. The other day I was fighting with my parents. Like, you never had a black and white tv. I said we did in the kitchen.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they were like, oh, okay.

[Alan Hahn]

In the kitchen, on the countertop, like just in the corner.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the corner. There was a little shelf.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And this and the shelf just held. They still have it. They have a small. Now it's a small, like flat screen television.

[Don La Greca]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

But mom had a program. She had her soaps in the afternoon.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Oh, of course. The World Turns is on there.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, that was her. Go to hell. Yeah. My mom loved. I think it was short lived Santa Barbara.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I remember it yesterday.

[Don La Greca]

That was a good one. Let's go to Moose in Jamaica. You're on ESPN New York. How are you, Moose?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, boy.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I'm doing well. How Are you fellas fantastic? Don't ever stop what you're doing. You've been doing this for nearly 25 years. You're overqualified for your position. Don't ever question your ability. I know it's all Joseph, you know, bleeds and giggles, but you're great, man. You got the devil shop. I. I know it's been rough these past few days and that's what I want to talk about with the Giants. The season is going according to how I thought it would based on one everybody knows Andrew Thomas is the lynchpin to any success offensively. You can move the ball forward. If you can't win the battle. The line of scrimmage, he is the architect for the rest of the offensive line play. That being said, with him in the lineup, also coming back from Liz Frank As a 330 pounder, we don't know how he's going to play when he does come back. I've been saying we needed to start dart from the beginning because the amount of times Russell Wilson, I was listening to the game on the radio, I wasn't watching it because I'm in class and I just heard over and over again Russell Wilson running for his dear life. And I feel like with Jackson darts ability to move better than anybody else on the roster, it would have gave us a better chance.

[Don La Greca]

But how does that help him.

[Alan Hahn]

For his life?

[Don La Greca]

I think about it, Moose. All right. Yeah, he probably can make a few plays. Like I don't know if you were listening earlier in the show where the play that at the goal line where if Wilson was a little younger and acted a little quicker, he might have been able to roll to his left and get to the end zone dart probably scores there. All right. So yeah, I will, I will, I will give you from an athleticism standpoint, he might be able to extend some plays, make some things happen. All right, but how does that help his maturity? Literally running for his life all season long, having to try to create something out of nothing every play blowing up in front of him, getting hit after the throw, like I guess it can be a learning experience for him, but that's not the environment that it's going to help a quarterback grow. That's not the way it literally ended David Carr's career getting sacked in Houston the way that he did. I'd wonder what kind of quarterback he would have become if it like historically didn't get sacked his first couple of seasons in the NFL. So see that what Moose is doing, guys, is what Alan was saying. Listen we would all be more entertained if Jackson Dart was playing. We'd all be excited about it. But is it really best for him and his long term growth? And the answer is no, absolutely not. I know you want to entertain your ability.

[Alan Hahn]

That's again, that's why I said, what I said at the very top of the show is this is not the time to listen to a fan base that is bored, that is feeling apathy, that after one game is already saying it looks the same. And all the frustration that is all accurate. This is not the time to listen to it. This is not the time to say I'm worried about losing my fans. This is not the time.

[Don La Greca]

You're not gonna lose.

[Alan Hahn]

This is not Tony DeVito like the Tommy DeVito last year. They threw Tommy out there because it just got to a point where everyone was mad. They didn't want bags over their heads. Give them something that makes them happy. And Tommy DeVito story made everybody happy. So they just kind of went with that. This is not that. This is what you hope to be your quarterback for the next eight to 10 years. You don't throw them out there like it's just here. Give the, give them the, the slab of meat so they have something to feel good about. No, this is not the time for that. And you don't want him running for his life. You don't. You want Russell Wilson running for his life until you can get your offensive line, some, some stability there.

[Don La Greca]

Let's go to Chris and Wanta. You're on espn New York. What's up, Chris?

[Dave Rothenberg]

How's it going, guys? Listen, I'm taking this from a Jets. You guys can handle, right?

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Okay. So as a Jets fan, I've been on your guys take the whole time. Everyone's. Take that, take that. You know, you play Russell and then you go to dart when you. After a couple times. But the reality is that situation changed the moment the preseason started. Because this isn't a situation where you have Alex Smith playing at an MVP level the moment preseason game started. And this is coming from a guy who's not invested in the Giants. That guy looks like he could play right now. And that's what happens when who looks.

[Alan Hahn]

Like he could play right now? Hang on a second. Who looks like it.

[Dave Rothenberg]

You're gonna dart looks like the best quarterback on the Giants roster.

[Alan Hahn]

Dart played in the. In all due respect, he played in a preseason game against vanilla defenses.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

And I'm not, I'm. I'm saying that, I'm saying I'm Taking myself and putting myself in the, in the situation of the other players in that locker room, okay, who see this guy and know what they just saw last week was Russell Wilson is not giving us the best chance.

[Don La Greca]

But that's. But then the head coach, Chris, that's a made up story because we played sound from Slayton yesterday that said that they've got Russell Wilson's back. Now, I do agree, at some point, if they continue to lose the players, they're going to want to see somebody better play. But maybe it's Winston and not dart. Please. Have we not learned anything about how completely meaningless preseason games are for everybody? For every Victor Cruz, there's hundreds of players that improve, that never make it because it's a completely different speed. He didn't play with ones, he didn't play against ones in the preseason to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The point that the only person we ever mentioned is Victor Cruz.

[Don La Greca]

That's it. Because that's the only time it actually mattered. Otherwise, they're meaningless games. Maybe he is the better quarterback and he was elevated to the number two. But don't base it off what we saw in meaningless preseason games where nobody plays, nobody cares. Stop it. They were debating it yesterday about like, what's better playing your starters. Some teams didn't even play in. Minnesota didn't play anybody. So he lit it up in a preseason against number twos, with number twos in completely meaningless games. And that means it's gonna, it's gonna work in Dallas or home against Kansas City or home against the Chargers when the games mean something and you very.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well may have something there, but you can't say you know it.

[Don La Greca]

Now. There's too much at risk to be wrong. Chris might be right and all the people, all the experts might be right, but if you're wrong, it could be absolutely devastating. Mets baseball is up next. Talk to you tomorrow at 3 here on Don Hanna Rosenberg, ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the 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 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.