Hour 3: Michael Kay Talks Yankees

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 3: Michael Kay Talks Yankees
Release Date: July 7, 2025

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Introduction

In the third hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg, along with special guest Michael Kay from ESPN, delve deep into the current state of the New York Yankees. The episode, released on July 7, 2025, offers a comprehensive analysis of the team's recent performances, managerial decisions, and broader implications for the franchise.

Knicks Coaching Updates

Early in the episode, the hosts briefly touch upon the New York Knicks' latest development.

• Mike Brown Named Head Coach
  • Peter Rosenberg [01:20]: Announces, "The Knicks just officially named Mike Brown the head coach."
  • Alan Hahn [01:28]: Comments, "I thought they congratulated Don on the Devil," highlighting slight confusion before clarifying the news's specifics.
  • Discussion Points:
    • The recent signings of Jordan Clarkson and Gershon Yabaselli were confirmed as official, setting the stage for Mike Brown's tenure.

Yankees’ Performance and Roster Challenges

The core of the discussion centers on the Yankees' ongoing struggles, particularly focusing on their pitching, roster construction, and managerial strategies.

• Pitching Concerns

  • Don Hahn [02:23]: Raises critical questions, "Is it just as simple as the pitching isn't good enough or why is Jazz playing third?"
  • Alan Hahn [03:15]: Analyzes, "If it wasn't for Goldschmidt, he would probably have five more errors," referring to Jazz's defensive challenges at third base.
  • Peter Rosenberg [08:19]: Expresses frustration, "I would tear up the clubhouse if that was my stat," in response to Mark Leiter’s poor performance.

• Roster Construction Issues

  • Alan Hahn [16:31]: Highlights, "There are three guys each day that should be starting that are on the bench," pointing out the lack of depth in the Yankees' roster.
  • Peter Rosenberg [17:29]: Suggests, "You can't move again," emphasizing the difficulty in trading key players like Grisham.
  • Don Hahn [18:02]: Notes, "Anybody is to blame, it's Cashman," referring to the general manager's role in roster decisions.

Manager Boone’s Leadership and Communication

A significant portion of the episode critiques Aaron Boone's management style and his communication with fans and players.

• Positive Messaging vs. Reality

  • Don Hahn [04:07]: Criticizes Boone’s approach, "Don't talk to him like they're morons. I mean, really, after everything that happened..."
  • Alan Hahn [07:34]: Discusses bullpen needs, indirectly pointing to Boone's challenges in managing the pitching staff.
  • Don Hahn [29:12]: States, "He’s treating the fans like they don't even...," emphasizing Boone's perceived condescension.

• Fan Reactions and Expectations

  • Alan Hahn [14:11]: Reflects, "They went to the World Series last year, but then they come back with, well, but they didn't win."
  • Caller [43:07]: Shares frustrations, "You don't want to hear that culture...," echoing the hosts' sentiments on Boone’s communication.

Bullpen Struggles and Player Performance

The Yankees’ bullpen is under intense scrutiny, with specific players highlighted for their underperformance.

• Mark Leiter’s Poor Stats

  • Alan Hahn [08:19]: Points out, "Any pitcher in baseball minus 10," referencing Leiter’s defensive run save statistics.
  • Peter Rosenberg [08:43]: Labels Leiter’s performance as, "Insane."

• Garrett’s Unexpected Save

  • Don Hahn [20:08]: Comments on Garrett’s six-out save, "That was really unbelievable that he did."
  • Alan Hahn [21:36]: Criticizes the decision-making, "They didn’t have to give him a sacrifice."

Roster Moves and Contract Issues

The episode delves into the complexities of the Yankees' roster moves, especially concerning high-value contracts and their impact on team flexibility.

• Louis Severino’s Contract

  • Alan Hahn [13:38]: Expresses dissatisfaction, "He couldn’t handle him. He was garbage."
  • Peter Rosenberg [14:05]: Questions the contract's sustainability, "That's the one issue that I have... is how the money's being spent."

• Grisham’s Potential Trade

  • Alan Hahn [17:53]: Discusses Grisham's value, "He has a $5 million contract," pondering potential trade options.
  • Peter Rosenberg [18:00]: Reflects on Lugo’s trade prospects, "Would you tell me like that’s a pipe dream?"

Audience Engagement and Callers’ Perspectives

Throughout the episode, listeners call in with their opinions, providing a mix of support and criticism for both the team and the hosts.

• Jay from Newark [41:52]: Criticizes the Yankees' culture, saying, "It's disrespectful...every year we have to pay more."
• Another Caller [45:00]: Accuses Don Hahn of being a "fraud" regarding baseball commentary, arguing that the hosts focus too much on negatives.

Special Highlights and Player Spotlights

Amidst the critical discussions, the hosts also acknowledge standout performances and memorable moments.

• Aaron Judge’s Historic Season

  • Peter Rosenberg [47:50]: Praises Judge, "Aaron Judge is having another historic, spectacular season. He is the MVP."

• Jim Abbott’s Inspirational Story

  • Alan Hahn [24:23]: Celebrates Jim Abbott, "He never looked at himself as disabled... one of the great sports stories."

Concluding Remarks

In the final segments, the hosts wrap up the discussion by addressing heartfelt messages from listeners and reaffirming their commitment to providing honest and critical analysis.

• Barbara from Florida [48:35]: Congratulates Don Hahn, expressing emotional support.
• Don Hahn [47:42]: Responds with appreciation, "I love you, Don, and we love you."

Notable Quotes

• Don Hahn [02:23]: "Is it just as simple as the pitching isn't good enough or why is Jazz playing third?"
• Alan Hahn [03:15]: "If it wasn't for Goldschmidt, he would probably have five more errors."
• Peter Rosenberg [08:19]: "I would tear up the clubhouse if that was my stat."
• Don Hahn [04:07]: "Don't talk to him like they're morons."
• Alan Hahn [14:11]: "They went to the World Series last year, but then they come back with, well, but they didn't win."
• Don Hahn [29:12]: "He’s treating the fans like they don't even..."
• Peter Rosenberg [47:50]: "Aaron Judge is having another historic, spectacular season. He is the MVP."

Conclusion

This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" provides a robust and candid examination of the New York Yankees' current performance woes, managerial strategies, and future prospects. Through insightful analysis, listener interactions, and expert opinions, the hosts offer a nuanced perspective that challenges both the team’s leadership and its fanbase. Whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan or a casual listener, this episode delivers a thorough exploration of one of baseball’s most storied franchises in a moment of significant scrutiny.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

Have you ever spotted McDonald's hot crispy fries right as they're being scooped into the carton?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And time just stands still.

[Michael Kay]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Michael Kay]

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

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

I like when he holds it.

[Don Hahn]

That note is longer than who's playing tonight. Because here it is. No locals in action tonight, but the NBA Summer League is underway.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

[Don Hahn]

The Thunder take on the Sixers in Salt Lake City on ESPN at 7 o'. Clock.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Defending champion Thunder although.

[Don Hahn]

And we get to see the process with the Sixers. Tell them more. Do the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore do or try the new Tullamore Do. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore do responsibly. Michael was here to congratulate me on the Devil's gig. But you're here. You can join in the baseball conversation quickly.

[Alan Hahn]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just to throw. Just again, just some business. The Knicks just officially named Mike Brown the head coach.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought they congratulated Don on the Devil.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Knicks. Not yet. No. That's still coming. That's pending. But that just. The release just went out. Mike Brown named Knicks head coach. So that's official. The Jordan Clarkson signing is official. The Gershon Yabaselli signing is official. All that's official. So now we'll see when it's official that they will actually introduce him. Mike Brown, that is to the media.

[Alan Hahn]

You think you guys have him on the show?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I'm on it. I'm already working on it.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Don Hahn]

Maybe jealous.

[Alan Hahn]

Would I be jealous? No. The afternoon drive show should happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Should. Did you guys get Thibodeau?

[Don Hahn]

Never.

[Alan Hahn]

We got it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, when he got. When he got it.

[Alan Hahn]

Remember we talked about how he sounded like Barry White?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you guys definitely had Thibodeau.

[Alan Hahn]

That wasn't when he got introduced. He was a coach for a while, I believe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I remember I was hate listening at that moment.

[Don Hahn]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Damn it. How do they get them? I can't get them. But no, I'm working on. Hopefully we'll see.

[Don Hahn]

Now we were talking about just what's happening with the Yankees right now. Is it just as simple as the pitching isn't good enough or why is Jazz playing third? Why is Dominguez playing left field? Why does a team that have north of a $300 million payroll have to fit square pegs in round holes? Why does it seem like every year we have the same conversation around the same time with this team?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know why Jazz is playing third. And I've heard convoluted reasons behind the scenes, but you're weakening two positions. So I keep hearing how great he was last year when he came over from the Marlins at third base. And he was. But he has not been great this year. He's under zero. So he's minus three defensive run saved. And although his glove could play third, his arm is not as accurate as it should be. And if it wasn't for Goldschmidt, he would probably have five more errors.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Alan Hahn]

So, you know, he's a good second baseman, really good second baseman. And I don't think that LeMayu has the reins to play second anymore. So have him play third. And he's got the glove for it. He doesn't have the range anymore, but he's going to make strong throws and accurate throws. I do not understand why they won't do it. I think they're being obstinate. And one of the things I've heard behind the scenes, well, when we don't want to switch them back and forth, especially if we ended up getting a second baseman. And my answer is, you play Cody Bellinger in a different position every day.

[Don Hahn]

Every day.

[Alan Hahn]

Ben Rice in a different position every day.

[Don Hahn]

You're a flip flopping judge, center field, right field. You've played so many different guys at different positions. And you brought up, you brought up Boone with the comments. This is what I really want to know is that I think the fans are getting tired of it, that don't talk to him like they're morons. I mean, really, after everything that happened, I guess, I guess he made the comment either Friday and Saturday with everything that's going on with his team, we're still the best team in baseball. Stop.

[Alan Hahn]

He didn't say that publicly. He said that behind the scenes to the team. And Jazz just doesn't know how to tell a lie. So he just told him. He told everybody what he said.

[Don Hahn]

But it's even the Persona in the post game. Everything's fine. Like Kevin Bacon.

[Alan Hahn]

That's not changing. I brought that up on a broadcast, by the way.

[Don Hahn]

But it's true. It's the quintessential quote from a movie like all is well and then he got trampled on. Don't talk to the fans like they're stupid, Michael. I mean, the Yankee organization. And I don't blame Boone for it, because I think they want him to be this way. Don't talk down to your customers. They're smart enough to understand what they say. They may not be as smart as you. They may not have all the analytic numbers, but they follow the game. They watch every pitch. They know. They know when they're being fed lies. Don't treat them like they're children.

[Alan Hahn]

What's the lie he fed them every.

[Don Hahn]

Day about, oh, he's getting better rap. He's starting to barrel up the ball like, no, if the team's playing poorly, just be honest with it instead of always.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think what.

[Don Hahn]

Everything is coming up roses all the time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think what you're getting at, and I think Michael more directly, it's not lying because he's probably said, you know, yeah, he's making good contact. It's not a lie if that's how he feels, what he's seeing. I think it's more like every now and then, especially during these types of times. I understand that what you want to do is always look like you're in complete control. We're not panicking. We know what's going on. Oh, this is. These are corrections. These always happen. We know what's going on. We're in full control. And sometimes, every now and then, when you look as bad as you can look at times when the pitching has been as bad as it has been at times as well, and sometimes the fielding, every now and then, just that. That is pounding the pulpit kind of frustration is okay, he's done that.

[Alan Hahn]

Every now and then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Every now and then. But we.

[Alan Hahn]

But Ken Rose.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This stretch right now, though, this is 20 plus games now. Where this stretch has been bad is waiting for that sense of, you can't just keep acting like everything's fine. We're fine. You all are panicking, but we're fine. You shouldn't be fine with this.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's Ken Rosenthal's on a. On a, you know, a regular guest on Val Territory podcast. And he just said. And I actually retweeted it because people don't believe it when I say it, because I'm Yankee boy. The days of a manager criticizing his team, it doesn't exist. Show me a manager that doesn't know what. You wouldn't have a job. Joe Giordi criticized Gary Sanchez without a work. I mean, it's just the way it is. The rules of engagement are you're not criticizing the players, players are too sensitive. They just are. Now if I knew what he was doing behind the scenes, then I could be more critical if he, if he's, you know, everything's great. I didn't like when he, when it came out that he said we're the best team in the league. And I open my show with this. No, you're not. The Tigers are better and the Astros are better. And right now you can't just say things are going to turn around. In other years, I thought they turn around. They're three pitchers. They're at least two pitchers short starting. They need two relievers. Their relief pitching is shot right now. And they need a right handed hitting third baseman. That's a lot to pick up before the trade delivery.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're not like to me, they're not getting all like. You just named three areas of concern. Out of the three, would you, would you agree with me or am I right or wrong to say third base is the least priority? Because pitching that, you know, you're not getting anything back. Now you have to find a starter because you need two and a half at worst to win a playoff season.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, if you said to me you have to have one of the three things you just said it would be a relief pitcher.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really Relief overly. Who are you starting?

[Alan Hahn]

You know what, you're gonna have to, you're gonna have to piece it together. I mean, look, Carlos Mendoza's been piecing it together without a starter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's true. Well, but that's, that's their way though. They're already prepared to do that.

[Alan Hahn]

But they burned out the book.

[Don Hahn]

But you said even if you go out and get a start, like you said, if they bring Lugo in, unless he's gonna go seven, eight innings, you're gonna get nine, possibly 12 outs every single night. You can't do it. It's not sustainable.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But don't you always get relievers at the deadline?

[Don Hahn]

Anybody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You always pick up a reliever.

[Alan Hahn]

If you look at what they were, I mean, Ian Hamilton last year, we throw the slam bio for a strike. Jonathan Lewisik is not the same. Yeah, he throwing hard, but he's not getting people out the same level. Mark Leiter pitches him.

[Don Hahn]

Really bad luck.

[Alan Hahn]

Really bad luck. Really? Yeah. I mean there's statistics because the defensive run save when Mark Lighter is on the mount is minus 10. For every other pitcher on the Yankees, it's plus four. Wow. And the minus 10, this is for a relief pitcher who pitches one to two innings is the highest of any pitcher in baseball. Any pitcher Any pitcher in baseball minus 10.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Insane.

[Alan Hahn]

So that's a problem if Weaver doesn't straighten out. I don't know if. I don't know if they could do it. Even if they pick up two relievers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would tear up the clubhouse if that was my stat.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, it'd be unbelievable.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would tear up the club.

[Alan Hahn]

He's such a tough dude. Like, he's, he's like all grit and grime. He's never going to complain. So I mean, he got a little bit of payback yesterday when Bellinger made that unbelievable play behind him. That has not been the case. So everybody wants to kill him, but he's not the issue. They were all overused. The injury to Schmidt is gigantic killer. He's the third starter on the team. Gigantic. Will Warren. You're asking him. He's a year ahead of where he should be. You're asking him now to be your fourth starter. And your third starter couldn't even make the rotation out of spring training. That's Marcus Stroman.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So they've got holes, man.

[Don Hahn]

No, they did. It's a real. It's a real problem. And you know, the Blue Jays have won eight in a row. I don't know how sustainable that is. But now it's a three game deficit and you kind of suck the Red Sox back into the conversation. In the race, it's. I think they're going to be okay in the sense of they could still win this division, make the playoffs, but I don't see a champion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're putting the Red Sox back in the conversation. They played.500 ball since they made the trade for Devers.

[Alan Hahn]

They're only six and a half out. I mean the Yankees are closer to the Red Sox than they were to the Blue Jays.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but you know what I'm saying though, like they, they. The Red Sox aren't doing anything that make like at least Toronto's gone.

[Don Hahn]

Here's Red Sox have played sort of Treadmore. Yeah, but that's baseball, everybody. That the one good news is who Allen always brings up. They don't look like a championship caliber team.

[Caller]

Who does?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's fair.

[Don Hahn]

I mean the Dodgers, but I'll believe it when I see it. Okay, well, every year there's that team that gets hot. We'll see if they can actually stand in the playoffs. Now you got to give the Dodgers their due, but they just apparently were tipping pitches the other day and gave up 18 runs. All right. They're a flawed team too. They were a flawed team last year. That the Yankees couldn't take advantage of because they were obviously flawed. I mean, the Mets are flawed. The Phillies not that long ago lost 8 out of 9.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no perfect team.

[Don Hahn]

There is. No. That's the point is that. That's why I kind of get on Allen for being worried. Although I think there is reason to be worried. But Major League Baseball is not going to let a team like the Yankees fall out of it. They're going to have plenty of time. Meaning none of these teams, the Blue Jays aren't good enough.

[Alan Hahn]

Ten game leads, six games in a month.

[Don Hahn]

A.

[Caller]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

And they'll give it. They can give it back because they're not that great of a team. You got all kinds of crap for saying they're not a first place. They're not.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, statistically they're not. On the field they are.

[Don Hahn]

I'm telling you, it doesn't matter the sport. I remember when the NHL put in the shootout, Neil Smith told me, look at goal differential. That's going to tell you how good a team really is because all these things are going to happen. But goal differential is going to be able to tell you. Run differentials, the same thing. Point differential. In the NFL you can kind of see if a team's fugazi.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Totally agree, but they're four.

[Don Hahn]

If they're plus four and the Yankees are plus 150, Yankees are a better team. They might be playing better now, but.

[Alan Hahn]

The Yankees should have five more wins and they should achieve. And the Blue Jays have overachieved. And also there have been teams that overachieved for a year. The Diamondbacks were minus 87 and they made the World Series. So it happens.

[Don Hahn]

I understand. I understand it does happen and maybe it does happen again. But history is going to tell you Yankees will make a move and I think they'll be okay. But as far as saying this team's going to win a championship, live up to the expectations, I think you should genuinely be concerned about that. But I don't. But I don't think the teams around them, especially this division, is going to be able to take advantage of it. It took an eight game winning streak for the Blue Jays. Would you be shocked if they dropped 6 in the next 7?

[Alan Hahn]

I'd be surprised because they have good pitching. I worry more about the Blue Jays than I do the Rays and I'm not knocking the race because the Rays have so much going against them where they play most of the rest of the schedule on the road and when they play at Home, it's going to be in humidity, rain delays. So they've got a lot going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We noticed that. So July, August, for them, the hottest, the worst time to be in Tampa. Weather wise, they're on the road a ton.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So not that the. Not that baseball did that for them, knowing this was happening.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, they did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I thought the schedule came up.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no, no. They changed it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They did.

[Alan Hahn]

They front loaded all the home games.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

That's what we said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I said that originally. We were corrected saying, no, that schedule came out before the storm did.

[Alan Hahn]

No, they're wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So when they played, what teams they played came out, but in terms of who was at home and whatever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, then it worked out for them, which is. It was the right thing to do.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course it did. But now I could come back and bite them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It would.

[Alan Hahn]

Because they're on the road all the time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but I mean, for them, is there really home field advantage? Like, they weren't going to have it anyway. What does it matter?

[Don Hahn]

Have you been able. I'm not going to count Yankee games there because Yankee fans represent in Tampa. But how did that. How is it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, other people come out.

[Alan Hahn]

They sold out. They've sold out most of the games.

[Don Hahn]

Because. Because I'll tell you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's the cap? What's the cap?

[Alan Hahn]

Just a little over 10.

[Don Hahn]

Because.

[Alan Hahn]

Because baseball is going to have to, like, move them to another place if they get to the alds.

[Don Hahn]

And where do you think they'll go? I don't.

[Alan Hahn]

I keep hearing Miami. But then they'd have no advantage at all because nobody would go, hey, it's.

[Don Hahn]

Interesting watching, watching this weekend with the Giants and the A's. Like, there's an atmosphere in the minor league parks. It's not a sustainable thing all season.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, one thing I hate that's gone on there, I like Louis Severino. He's a good guy. He took $68 million for three years from them, and now he's complaining about how he knew what you. You knew what you signed up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. What are you complaining?

[Alan Hahn]

And now he's just. I mean, he's trashing it. So he's trying to get traded. That's just not right. I mean, they gave him a lot of money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the only way out. How else are you getting out? Be a good guy. They're going to keep you.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but you know what? When you're putting up terrible numbers, who's assuming the remaining $40 million of that contract?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

One other thing I keep hearing from Yankee fans, I heard on my show and also on social media, Boone's got to be fired.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

So my point in all of this is they went to the World Series last year, but then they come back with, well, but they didn't win. Okay? They're one of the last two teams standing. And if you want to consider the job that Boone did, his left fielder, his everyday left fielder and his everyday first baseman cannot get a job in the big leagues. And he took that team to the World Series. But he's the. He's the problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's amazing. Verdugo's no longer. But he just got DFA'd, right?

[Alan Hahn]

He's on a job.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Rizzo didn't get off well here. You could tell he's physically. He's just not able. But I'm with you on the Boone thing. I will never get on that train of he's got to go. The approach thing that Don and I talked about in the post game, that's a choice. We don't agree with it. It's New York. Sometimes you got to just give them their pound of flesh. Just let the fans know. Oh, sure, we're frustrated by saying it with a little more, you know, severity, but I still will keep going back to the same thing. I also, when I see fans going after Hal Steinbrenner and I see this sell the team crap that you always see, and I laugh. The guy writes one of the biggest check in the checks in the sport. I don't have a problem with that. What I wonder about is, is the money being spent wisely? Because how do you have holes and players playing out of position if all that money's being spent the right way? You can. You can point to the fact that a $300 million pitch is not available. I get it. But after that, I can't understand it. That's the one issue that I have that I'll always have, is how the money's being spent.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, yeah, I mean, you look at the last two years, the last three years of lemayu's contract. I mean, what is that time?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What happened that, though?

[Alan Hahn]

Give him whatever he wants.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's it.

[Alan Hahn]

Me and Don were on the air together. That's all they said. You got to give him whatever he got. Blank check. And also remember to call the guy cheap. He had a $760 million offer for Juan Soto on the table. He's not cheap. Now, if he doesn't want to go over the Cohen tax, I understand the.

[Don Hahn]

Biggest fallacies are that it's Boone's problem and it's Hal's problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

Not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's in between.

[Don Hahn]

Anybody is to blame, it's Cashman. Now, I'm not saying, you know, fire Cashman, although I don't think you should have a job for life.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why can't we reconsider the approach I.

[Don Hahn]

Always got on you, Michael. Like when you're talking about the roster being fired, flawed, that's a shot at Brian. He builds the roster.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I, I said it today on the show. I'm sure the Yankees aren't thrilled, but you got to tell the truth. Yeah, it's a very clunky roster.

[Don Hahn]

It is.

[Alan Hahn]

There are three guys each day that should be starting that are on the bench. And it's up to Boone to pick one who. And he's always going to get criticized. It's right there. It's a second guessing lineup. Oh, why isn't Dominguez not playing? He had two good games. Goldschmidt. Why is Goldschmidt not playing? Just had two hits. Why is Ben Reisner. Every day there's three guys that are legitimate starters that can't play because they don't have legitimate bench players that are accepting the role. Like a Bellinger in the old days. Not Cody, his dad, Homer Bush. There aren't those kind of players. So you've got guys that are stars. Now you had that with the Yankees, with Strawberry and Reigns, but they knew what they were. They knew what they were. They were these tail end and they were still good players coming up the bench. But now Goldsmith probably thinks he should play every day. Rice thinks he should play every day. Stan thinks he should play every day. Dominguez should be playing every day. At 22 years of age, Grisham thinks he should be. I could go on and on. It's clunky. It's a clunky roster. And your three catchers are all left handed. So there's no perfect way for Boone to do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you can't move again. I'm going to my NBA brain working here. You can't move some of that to get more of like bench and just like lock in on who. All right, these are our main guys, these are our bench guys and that's it. And everybody understands it. Is it because the contracts are just, well, Stan's untradable. He's untradable. That's fine. But he, when he's healthy, he's your dh, right? But he's your da. We all Know this crap out of the hole.

[Alan Hahn]

I think Grisham has a lot of value. He has a $5 million contract.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's having a good year.

[Alan Hahn]

He's having a very good year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wouldn't this be the time to move it?

[Alan Hahn]

But if you trade him like say for a reliever, which is what they need, well, then that team's in it if they want. If they're getting a guy on the last year of his contract, what are you getting transgression for? Unless you're in it? So they're not going to be trained. The parts are very hard to move. I think. I think Cashman's going to have to be very creative and change this roster.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Because again, two relievers, a starter and a right handed hitting third baseman. That's a lot to ask.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Am I way off on Lugo? Would you tell me like that that's a pipe dream? Because I feel like when you think of the market, the pressure, experience, wouldn't that be the right hand?

[Alan Hahn]

Would be great for the match or the Yankees?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's my point.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what? Kansas City not out of it yet.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no.

[Alan Hahn]

I think there's nine games, nine teams within like striking distance of walking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. They want to do that before we get out. Well, they're not going to pay him. Right. So they'd kind of like he's going to walk probably. Right? Who, Lugo?

[Alan Hahn]

They might. Kansas City. Pace. Yeah, every now and then now, thank.

[Don Hahn]

God we got to see local TV throughout the entire week. I was telling.

[Alan Hahn]

First time in 15 years.

[Don Hahn]

I just, I despise this kind of series on the fourth of July week. I, no offense to you, I had to listen. You know, there's barbecues, there's things going on. I mean, if it's any other typical weekend, I might be able to carve out the time to watch it. But fourth of July weekend was tough. But I had Howie on and I was able to listen to the methods.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think he'd have a TV by the indoor pool.

[Don Hahn]

You would think, but not so far.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, he's got the phone, right? You can look at the phone.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, no. I consume a lot of bass.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There is a yes app through all that. He used to be on.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, it's the Gotham sports app which he's going to be on now.

[Don Hahn]

I will. That's right. One of the teams. But the Mets are not on the Gotham sports. But I could have watched you. So you got a chance to see the Mets for three days. What was your overall impression? Getting to See them live.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought winning two out of three with the pitching they had lined up was extraordinary.

[Don Hahn]

Two openers.

[Alan Hahn]

The top of the lineup is really tough and stout and they work the count. Bottom of the lineup is a big question mark. They have a third baseman either who can hit or can't play defense. They have a center fielder who can't hit at all. Good defender. So I think those are two things you have to look at. And I think they're bullpen short too. I don't have a problem with their starters because they're getting them back, right? They're getting back Maniah, they're getting back Senga. Those are your first two starters in the rotation. So I don't think there's that desperate to get another starter. I think they got. They have to build that bullpen back up.

[Don Hahn]

That the most spectacular thing for me over the weekend was that Garrett was able to get a six out save on Saturday.

[Alan Hahn]

Unbelievable. That was, that was really unbelievable that he did. And like he was asked, you know, was that your plan? He goes, no, that was not my plan. They said, well, what was your plan? He just started laughing. He had no plan. Santa couldn't pitch. The only thing that Mendoza did that I didn't understand the whole weekend. You got a six run lead on Saturday. What are you bringing in Diaz because.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They had him warming up, right? He was already warming up. Because it wasn't.

[Alan Hahn]

Because you couldn't use him yesterday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It wasn't a six run lead when he got up. And once he, I felt like once he started throwing pitches. How do you make him sit down? You're right.

[Don Hahn]

Because I said Saturday event Friday, because you couldn't use Diaz and you Garrett. And you used Garrett on Friday. So now you had Diaz. And I'm thinking, boy, this would be great if you can get, you know, two days off out of him. He got a six run lead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but you could see when he got up.

[Don Hahn]

But there's certain moments it's still different. But, but Alan's right. The fact that he got up almost like, well, he got up my first pitcher. The whole idea was not to get him up, but you had to at that point. Cause Stanek was losing the plate. And now you don't want to have to rush him into a situation where all of a sudden maybe it becomes a two run game. The circumstances weren't great.

[Alan Hahn]

They definitely need help.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It didn't end up being a moment that mattered, but in the moment it felt like the most stunning thing that happened on the weekend. You Know what I'm talking about?

[Alan Hahn]

The balancer catch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, because that was that factor.

[Alan Hahn]

Soto Bunting on Friday. Unbelievable.

[Don Hahn]

The weekend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did that blow your mind?

[Alan Hahn]

I said on there, I said, what is he doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Everybody was.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And then like, even Mendoza laughed about it. He go, well, that's part of the show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What, what does that mean he did on his own? He went rogue.

[Don Hahn]

Thank God it didn't end up not being slam. But that wasn't part of that plan.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, first of all, what you're paying him. Second of all, he's such an extraordinary hitter, he can't be bunning there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

And then the explanation is, while he was bunning for still not good enough, I hit the ball out of the.

[Don Hahn]

First of all, it didn't look like that.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it didn't.

[Don Hahn]

And he just wanted that back.

[Alan Hahn]

Jazz did the same thing in Toronto.

[Don Hahn]

When he moved Georgia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I remember that ridiculous move. And he went, he went rogue on that.

[Don Hahn]

Now is that just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was thinking, when was the last time the Yankees had to sacrifice buns?

[Don Hahn]

The only explanation, and it's not the right answer, is that I don't feel like I can hit him.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, he's not as good against lefties as he is against righties, but I heard behind the scenes that Boone pulled him aside and saying, that's not what we need then. That's not what we need.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But now when I see it's a cleanup hitter.

[Don Hahn]

But when Soto did it, I just think, you know what? I, I can't hit him today and I'm not feeling it. I'm not seeing the ball, so I'm just going to bunt.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I mean, I could see him thinking about Freed. I mean, Freed kind of really handled them well.

[Don Hahn]

But who was on the road on. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

It was Rodon. I mean, come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he was.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, I'm a big Rodin fan.

[Don Hahn]

Again, I know his numbers weren't great against Rodin.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

But it wasn't like he was over 100. It was, it was, it was mind boggling. It really was. But, you know, they were, they got away with it and they ended up winning the game. But I was like, what do you. And Howie made a great point on the broadcast. They didn't have to give him a sacrifice. I wouldn't have gave him a sacrifice.

[Alan Hahn]

They do automatically, because that makes no sense, right? No, it makes no sense to sacrifice in the first inning.

[Don Hahn]

But if they thought he was doing it for a hit, would they. They wouldn't just give him the Sacrifice. Because it moved the runners. They do have discretion to say no.

[Alan Hahn]

They don't have to, but they usually do at home.

[Don Hahn]

But at that point, I'm like, dude.

[Alan Hahn]

But I'll tell you what. We know how he. Carping forever. Great guy. Does a great job around the league. Official scoring is an embarrassment. The amount of hits they give out to the home team for no reason. I mean, the ball's dropped by a shortstop, thrown over the head while base hit. Come on.

[Don Hahn]

Well, thank you for this, Michael. I saw you're sitting there because you've got. You got something tonight with the Jim Abbott.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And you were nice enough to come on earlier to congratulate me, but I'm like, why wouldn't we talk baseball? You don't mind?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, isn't it unusual actually hear baseball out of this seat?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, I was saying to my left is kind of like a baseball wasteland.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And, you know, the whole time the phone stayed down. Not.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I didn't even look at the phone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn't even pick it up.

[Don Hahn]

That would not have been.

[Alan Hahn]

That was impressive because my. I'm living in the moment where my feet are. As. As the kids say, I'm where my feet are.

[Don Hahn]

Is that what they're saying?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they're saying I'm where my feet are.

[Don Hahn]

Well, Michael, I love you.

[Alan Hahn]

Love you. Congratulations again.

[Don Hahn]

Tell Jim Abbott we said hello. He seems like a really nice guy.

[Alan Hahn]

He's a terrific guy. The. The best thing about Jim Abbott, he never looked at himself as disabled. Never even considered it.

[Don Hahn]

That's awesome.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, didn't say, wow, this is unbelievable. What I'm doing. This is what I do. I mean, he didn't know any other. It's not like he lost his hand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he was born that way. Born this way. He used to it and this is how I do it.

[Alan Hahn]

And he had that kind of, this is my life. But he never bemoaned. Gee, if I had. I mean, it's one of the great sports stories. I believe it is of all time.

[Don Hahn]

It's terrific.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It is one of the great. Yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Pretty amazing.

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[Michael Kay]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Advertiser]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Michael Kay]

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

[Don Hahn]

ESPN SportsCenter is coming to New Jersey for their 50 States in 50 Days tour on Saturday, July 12, when the Somerset Patriots take the field at TD Bank Boys park in Bridgewater, New Jersey at 7pm we'll have ESPN merch for the first 1,000 fans in attendance and a chance to meet SportsCenter host Ryan Smith. Check out ESPN.com 50states50days for details on when and where SportsCenter is hitting every state this summer to celebrate fans and sports forever. Myself and Chris Carlin did a little thing for the 50 and 50. Oh, so that'll be on social media very soon. Okay, we rank our top five diners in New Jersey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Top five diners.

[Don Hahn]

What two better people to do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh my God.

[Don Hahn]

And the two people that enjoy to partake in some diners Jersey guys. 1-800-919-3776 Berkey and Belmar Bernie, ESPN New.

[Caller]

York how we doing fellas? Don, congratulations.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, thank you, sir.

[Caller]

I just want to say that I completely agree with your points on Boone and these corporate responses are just really getting disrespectful.

[Don Hahn]

I can't agree more. I just don't talk down the fans. Now Michael makes a good point that, you know, he does show emotion on occasion and the comment about being the best team in baseball was not to the media. But what that does back up Berkey is that he's positive to the to the team in the room. Remember, the defense would always be, well, that's what he says to the media. But what is he saying behind closed doors? Well, you just got a sense. So let me put he's saying behind closed doors he might be pumping up their we know it's a different balloon there too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a different world and we all are covering these sports now in the modern athlete, the modern era, right? And we know there was a time, I remember a team I covered where a player came out of the locker room after the coach went in and just tore them up, like, absolutely ripped them. The game was over and they were bad. And he goes, be careful, his spit's all over the walls. Right? Like, and that's basically letting you know he ripped into everybody.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And sometimes back then there was this sense of they needed it. And the players even say, hey, you know what we needed? We needed that kick in the ass. We needed it. This group, this era of athlete, they'll never say we needed that. That's just not how they are. They approach it differently. So I, I, I think Boone doing that is his way of making sure that players don't start to then get uptight that get the now, oh, everybody's down on us. And you want that sense of, we got you. We're going to be, we're going to get, we're going to get through this. Stay positive, stay confident. And you leave it up to the athlete to decide whether you're going to sink or swim.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. But you could also make the case that maybe this is a team that needs to be told, you aren't the best team in baseball. Let's get on track here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Would you really want to hear that?

[Don Hahn]

Well, it's, sometimes it's the wake up call you need.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What you want to say is, we're supposed to be and we're not playing like that right now.

[Don Hahn]

I'm saying, but unfortunately, as Michael was describing, in the 21st century, especially in baseball, it's to be able to pump up the egos of these players. Managers are always going to err on the side of, everything's great, everything's rosy, but sometimes you want to be told, hey, if all I do is get compliments and no one ever criticizes me, at some point I'm gonna think everything's great. I'm not doing anything wrong. I am the best. I'm gonna start to read my press clippings. That's just human nature. Every once in a while you need to be knocked down at the knees and say, you know what? You weren't good today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the reality check has to come from somebody you trust. Right? Yes. Right. That's, yes, that's that you trust and believe in and not somebody that might be, oh, he's worried about his job or any of that, or he's trying to cater to the media. That's the delicate dance that Aaron Boone plays in that clubhouse is that if he all of a sudden goes out of character and goes rogue and starts calling guys out, how do you think that plays in the clubhouse now? It's like, whoa, that's not you. I've never been like that. Now. So you're gonna do this? Oh, what are you panicking now?

[Don Hahn]

But that's the. That's the problem I have with with Boone sometimes is we.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He.

[Don Hahn]

He's a third generation major league baseball player. Right. I saw his dad play. I've seen him scream at umpires and lose it. I know he can be emotional savages in the. I heard him when he did Sunday night baseball and he was critical of players. So when it's overly positive, I don't know that that's him necessarily. Or is it the organization saying this is how we want you to conduct, but so publicly when talking about the team. And I do think that sometimes it gets a little much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Does he have to call out players by name or can't he just simply, when a game is over, give you the we sucked. Like we sucked as a group. We sucked, you know, well, what area? All of it. All of it sucks. It's not good enough. Just show that little bit of fire without naming names and just keep it clear. Like, you know, we are the best team in the league, but we are not playing like that right now. We got to get right.

[Don Hahn]

And I don't want to pick on Boone. I got to be honest with you. There are times because Mendoza's cut from the same mold he came from the Yankee organization. I feel the same way about him. Sometimes it's all rosy, it's all good, it's all fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He never does it. And you're not going to get it from Aaron Judge either. Not often. You're not going to hear him well, because he's talk about how we got to get right. He's going to lead by example and do it his way and figure out steady as she goes and everybody else start playing to the back of their baseball court.

[Don Hahn]

I just think that I understand how this is how baseball does it market I sports Donnie. I know, but give me the guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the NFL that does this. Who. Who in the NFL will go to the podium and shred his team?

[Don Hahn]

No, but I think you could see when Tomlin speaks after the game that he's upset with the performance. Nobody is asking you to go to all of a sudden become Bobby Knight. I know those days are over, but it wouldn't be so wrong every once in A while to just admit that we're garbage right now and it's not gonna be tolerated.

[Alan Hahn]

Can I say one thing?

[Don Hahn]

Please?

[Alan Hahn]

Patrick Waugh called one of his players terrible, right? And now he's apologizing. It doesn't work anymore. The guy, he lost the guy for the remainder of the year.

[Don Hahn]

I know, but that's, that's okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He couldn't handle him. And by the way, he was garbage. Was no one who disagreed with him.

[Don Hahn]

I know, but he disagreed with him and. Yeah, and he apologized. But that's Patrick Waugh as a former player, as a legendary saying that this can't be tolerated, this kind of play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A fellow Frenchman.

[Alan Hahn]

But the guy went away. He left the team.

[Don Hahn]

He couldn't handle it. Couldn't handle it. But you know what? It's probably good because maybe that's somebody you don't want on your team. But he had to apologize. I get it, but that was over the top. Nobody is asking you to call out players by name or, or start throwing podiums and ripping players because they're not going to be able to handle it. But at the same time, if you just constantly pump them up. I don't want to listen to it anymore. That's why I don't really watch post games anymore because it's all just passed shot at you.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan, you do post game, don't you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sometimes.

[Don Hahn]

I'm just talking about hearing Curry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I brings good analysis to his.

[Don Hahn]

Post game, but I'm not talking about the Currys or the Hans or the Zerbiax.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes. I'm talking about the interview.

[Don Hahn]

I'm talking about the players and the coaches who are just reading from a script because they're treating the fans as if they're, they don't even. They can't possibly understand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're talking about the post game sound that you're hearing, right?

[Don Hahn]

I don't want to hear from players, I don't want to hear from coaches because it's all just garbage. Very rarely do you get something genuine like you got from Patrick Juan. And when it's up happening, he ends up having to apologize.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, you remember the old days, Michael, as a writer, like that was the best part. When a team was bad or going through something, you always knew somebody's going to say something.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it was that. Get him the rip. Get him the rip. You knew who to go to. You know, a corner of the locker room to go to. You always had that. I don't think that exists anymore. I don't even what do beat writers do at this point? Like, they don't get that anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I. I think guys save the best stuff for their podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Podcast after the season. Oh, you know what really happened? Like, I love when the season's long over and they go to something from early in the season. Well, you know what really happened there? And then they tell you the story there, and you're like, why didn't you say this then? Oh, it's maddening.

[Don Hahn]

1-800-919-3776.

[Alan Hahn]

I think Alan wants you to break early because I told something Alan before the break, and he's interested in knowing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Itching. Itching.

[Don Hahn]

I'm interested in knowing more and doesn't even involve me. Let's go to Earn in Brooklyn. You're on espn New York. What's up, Earn?

[Caller]

All right.

How you doing?

Love you guys. I got two points. One in baseball, one in NBA. And I'm gonna say. Cause you're gonna call me a fairway fan. I'm a Knicks fan, but I'm also a New York fan, and I like my New York teams to play. The Knicks, they made a horrible choice in Mike Brown, and I got two reasons why. One, he's not a good head coach. He's a good assistant coach, but he is not a good head coach. Why? Because he always has a plan A. The team goes great. I followed him in Cleveland. I followed him with the Kings. He always has a great plan, but after halftime, it's like he doesn't have a plan B or the other team makes adjustments. He can't do it. He's horrible. He's just horrible. That's my other plan now. My mlb, the Yankees, everybody keeps ripping the Yankees. I'm a Met fan, by the way, but the Yankees, it's not. It's their culture. They've been bred to only hit home runs. That's their DNA. It's home run or bust. They always do good in the regular season. But then when they get elite pitching, they don't know how to run bases. They don't know how to bunt. They don't know how to like us to run them. Run the players move the runners over. They just don't know how to do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We have talked about this, but we have. We have. We have discussed this. It is. It is. Their mentality is that they. They want to hit home runs. They want to hit for power. That's been their approach for. For the last 20 years.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's been.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just been who they approach of.

[Don Hahn]

A lot of teams in baseball and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It really has become.

[Don Hahn]

That's the way the game has become. But I think the thing that you should be more critical of with the Yankees forget if you don't know how to bunt, you'd last thing you want to do is see a guy bunt. The camp on all right is find other ways to score. Just situationally, you know, get a base hit with runners at second and third. They're not both of these teams, the Mets and the Yankees aren't great hitting with runners in scoring position. Yeah, home runs are great but there's got to be other ways to score runs. You can do it with doubles and triples and singles. Sometimes a broke a bat single up the middle score in two runs can be good instead of fishing for the three run home run that you don't get. And it happens all the time. And there's no and that's the other thing in pitching wise too, there's. There's no adjustment. I when I was Michael might be able to back this up too. When I was growing up and even up until like 20 years ago, you know how rare it was to see a home run on an O2 or 12 pitch and you see home runs all the time on two because the pitcher I'm still going to throw my 96 right down. I'm going to blow them away. Instead of like, you know, working, taking advantage of that, you're up in the count. And the same thing with these ball players. They're owing to they're hitting a home run because they're not taking the approach of I'm going to choke up, I'm going to hit the other way. I'm just going to make contact. No, they're going to swing just like it's three zero. There's no two strike approach anymore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Without knowing the numbers, I actually think there's probably been more three straight strikes for a strikeout now in these days than there was in the past. Because also adjustment to the oh to work the count like things like that that I just don't know if you see that same amount. But it also could be the approach on the other way quickly on Mike Brown.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean I understand he, he feels like he doesn't do well with adjustments and stuff like that. The guy's won 450 games in his.

[Don Hahn]

NBA head all without knowing what he's doing.

[Alan Hahn]

Crazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I don't know if we want to go that insane about how it's a horrible hire. It's not a horrible hire. It's the right hire for right now.

[Don Hahn]

Very well said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's a slogan.

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[Don Hahn]

You can Venmo this or you can Venmo that.

[Caller]

You can Venmo this or you can Vemo that.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

See mintmobile.com thanks for listening to the.

[Michael Kay]

Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Advertiser]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Michael Kay]

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

[Don Hahn]

Don Hun and Rosenberg gave you up until 7:00. And then it's Pat O' Keefe filling in for Dan Grasso who is filling in for Rick D. Pietro. We heard from earlier. It hit different when DP called to congratulate me on my cell on the air.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, well he was on vacation. It was nice that he took the time out.

[Don Hahn]

You know what happened? He's probably listening on the app. And because he's on the app.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course he is. That's everybody that's listening on the app these days. And by the way, everybody you can get ready to swing big at the ESPN New York Tee it Up Golf Challenge that's presented by Jake's 58 Casino Hotel. It's all happening Monday, July 21st. That's coming up. Donnie and I got it. I got to drag the clubs out of the shed, dust them off, and maybe take a swing or two.

[Don Hahn]

The old wrenches, right?

[Caller]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, July 21st, as I said, it's a Monday at Colonial Springs Golf Club. That's Farmingdale, New York. That's Long Island.

[Don Hahn]

That's our spot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, A lot of our good work, by the way. Last year, it was fantastic. Beautiful day, too. Team's gonna battle it out for amazing prizes and bragging rights. So lock in your foursome now on the ESP New York app, the aforementioned app we just talked about, that you should have on your phone. And if you don't just get it now, there'll be all kinds of people here, including myself and Don and Rick. You mentioned Rick DiPietro. He's there. Dave Rothenberg, Bart Scott, and Chris Carlin. We also have special guests like Larry Johnson, John Starks, Justin Tuck, and more. All proceeds support the Garden of Dreams foundation, which is a very important thing at Madison Square Garden, really, here in New York. It's the ESP New York Tee it Up Golf Challenge, presented by Jake's 58 Casino Hotel. It's brought to you by London jewelers, Verizon and Infinity. For more details, find the Tee it up tile on the ESP New York app.

[Don Hahn]

All right, let's get back to the busy phones. Talk to Jay in Newark. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Jay?

[Caller]

What's up, fellas? What's up? Thanks for taking a call. I'm a bit annoyed about this whole Yankee situation and the way they're speaking to us, primarily because every year you ask us to pay more to come see your team play. So if we traditionally, and this has always been since I've been buying tickets, if every year we have to pay more, and that's. That's quote unquote, a tradition, because our economics are what they are, then at the very least, we should be able to say our team is going to try, and we're not going to get this presser saying, well, you know, the season is long, or whatever he feels like selling us. You know, it just. It's disrespectful you know, you put you shell out so much money every year, more and more you want to see a team that's going to try and going to have some sense of urgency. Because I have a sense of urgency at work. I got to put in 11, 12, 13 hours sometimes to make sure that I could do the things I like to do. I want to see the same thing from your team. I don't want to hear anything about that culture. Pat Riley just told Jimmy Butler, shut your mouth if you're not playing a couple of years ago and shut them off. That man hasn't changed in 30 years. So you're going to tell me that you, the franchise of all franchises in sports, now we have to sit there and deal with the team that doesn't seem like they even care. Like being on the field.

[Don Hahn]

But here's not right. Here's the thing, Jay, you're 100% right, but here's what they would say to you. We just went to the World Series last year. You know, we're still a team that's going to go to the mentally.

[Caller]

It was embarrassing watching you play.

[Don Hahn]

I know. I get it, John. I'm not. And I'm not. I'm not mad at you for having that opinion. But they're going to tell you we just went to the World Series. We haven't finished under.500 in over 30 years. What are we giving you? The building is still full.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You want to go root for the Mets, who was having a good year and had a good year last year, but lost 90 games the year before. All right. Look at the Diamondbacks. They went to the World Series two years ago, missed the playoffs last year. They're under.500 this year. Even the Dodgers have had their bad years. The San Francisco giants, they won three championships in six years, but between that they had under 500 seasons. We don't do that every year. We're a winner every year. We're in contention. Just about every year we go to the playoffs. Last year we went to the World Series. How's it working out? That's what they're going to tell you. That's why I keep trying to repeat the mission statements different. You're holding them to the standard of World Series or bust. How much more evidence do you need from this Yankee team that that's no longer the mission statement? Because they have not won a World series since 2009. And in that span of time, only one manager lost his job. General manager, not lost his job. Players Pampered players constantly complimented. No one's ever held accountable for anything. 26 game losing streaks this year. It's all rosy, it's all great. We're going to turn it around. We're the best team in baseball, yada yada yada. So you're holding them to a standard they don't even hold themselves to anymore. Paul in Florida, you're on espn New York.

[Caller]

Don.

Huh?

[Don Hahn]

Hey, what's up, baby?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gotcha.

[Caller]

Hey, what's up, Don? I just want to say I'm a big fan. Before I throw these allegations at you, you're the reason why I listen to this show.

So.

But I got it. I gotta call it what it is. I just feel like you're a fraud, you know, baseball fan. Every single time you talk baseball, it just seems like it's this negative connotation about how the pitches don't last, the hitters don't hit. I mean, you might as well just come out and say, hey, I hate baseball. The only reason why I'm watching is because of my job nowadays.

[Don Hahn]

Well, what, what am I, what am I saying that's incorrect?

[Caller]

Well, well, there's a lot of good things going on at baseball nowadays. You got a guy out of Seattle, he switch hitting catcher whose nickname is after the size of his butt. He has almost 30. He was before the All Star break. There's just a lot of good stories happening in today's game. I know what I'm saying is more emotional than logic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Talk about him, but we're not going to talk about him because Seattle.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. My job is not to go prop up the good stuff. First of all, it's not a baseball show. It's a local sports show in which I talk about the Mets and Yankees and the fact that pitchers don't pitch more than five innings. It's all about launch angle, home run, walk or home run, walk or strikeout. I can't be critical. Sometimes when you love something, that's when you're the most critical of it. So no, I'm sorry, if you think I'm a fraud, then redefine the definition. You're obviously a fan that it's always going to look for all the positives to promote the sport. It's such a wonderful sport. I'm a guy whether it's my team, whether it's my favorite sport. I'm going to call out the warts because I think they should be changed. And right now baseball is going through some major problems. Everybody's got bullpen issues because no pitchers Give you length. They had to go to a pitch clock because the game was too long. All right, nobody's moving runners over. Everybody's trying to hit home runs. And guess What? There's parity 7. How many more years? We haven't had a Repeat champion since 2000 in major league Baseball, you go from winning the World Series like the Texas Rangers to being below average the next two years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the problem, right?

[Don Hahn]

So there's. There's parody. There's no great teams anymore. So, look, I love baseball. I've loved it longer than you because I've been on this earth longer. But I'm sorry, I don't work at the MLB Network where my job is to wave pom poms every time somebody does something great in the game of baseball or Winter national pastime, and everybody's supposed to love it. I love it. And I'm gonna call it out when it's a problem. Just like I call out hockey when it was a problem during the dead puck era where everybody was left wing lock in traps and nobody could score. It was boring. They had to change it, and they did. And I'll call out football if I don't like it, and basketball if I don't like it. I'm sorry. I'm in the world to analyze what's happening. And if you think I'm a fraud baseball fan, grow up. Is that all right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right on the money. I mean, what are you supposed to do when you don't like what it looks like? You talk about it.

[Alan Hahn]

That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When something great happens, you talk about it.

[Don Hahn]

Take it as it comes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you got it. You can't tell me that watching both the Mets and Yankees this season, you're just sitting back going, wow, this is glorious. You know what's glorious? Aaron Judge.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Aaron Judge is having another historic, spectacular season. He is the mvp. Yes, I get it. Cal Riley's having a great year as a catcher, and. And maybe you can make the argument because of what he does defensively, he should win the mvp. But what Aaron Judge has done now over the course of the last four seasons is one of the best runs you'll see from a player who is clean. Yeah, I think in a long time.

[Don Hahn]

I don't want to keep her on hold for too long, but she's one of our favorite people. Barbara in Florida. You're on espn, New York. Hey, Babs, how you doing?

[Barbara]

Hello there, guys. Sorry I haven't been in touch. But, Don, you don't know how happy I am for you. This couldn't have happened into a better person.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, thank you.

[Barbara]

You deserve this.

[Don Hahn]

I appreciate that.

[Barbara]

Congratulations.

[Don Hahn]

That means a lot.

[Barbara]

I had tears in my eyes when I heard you say this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, Barbara, how about this? Michael K. Choked up on the air.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't want to call it.

[Caller]

I know.

[Barbara]

I was listening. I listened to all you guys. I just can't call in. I can't. I sat on hold for over an hour and I lost the call.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sorry.

[Barbara]

So I called back and fortunately got through, but I had to call and congratulate you because nobody deserves this more than you do.

[Don Hahn]

Well, it means, you know, I love you, Don, and we love you. And I'm sorry that we lost the call before. Thank you so much for your kind words.

[Michael Kay]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Michael Kay]

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.