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Don La Greca
Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with.
Peter Rosenberg
A message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month.
Don La Greca
Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments.
Peter Rosenberg
But that's weird.
Don La Greca
Okay, one judgment anyway.
Peter Rosenberg
Give it a try.
Don La Greca
@Mintmobile.Com Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month. Required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full terms@mintmobile.com this is the Han.
Peter Rosenberg
Han at Rosenberg podcast.
Rick DiPietro
That sounds like heaven to me.
Alan Hahn
Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New.
Peter Rosenberg
York app and your smart speakers. The big 5 o'clock hour here at the Tap Room in Rockville Center, Long island is Don Han Rosenberg 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app. And I mean, we can peel him away from his adoring fans.
Don La Greca
It's hard. It's hard. He's so long.
Peter Rosenberg
Is scheduled for a 5 o'clock appearance.
Don La Greca
He's close.
Peter Rosenberg
Battling his way through the.
Rick DiPietro
Come on, guys.
Peter Rosenberg
Look at him.
Don La Greca
He's just, he's only seconds away.
Peter Rosenberg
And you were denying the idea that what I just said about him being.
Don La Greca
Oh, yeah, no, there's no question. He pales next to.
Peter Rosenberg
Don't you think so?
Don La Greca
Oh, yeah.
Rick DiPietro
I'm honored that I was in the comic.
Don La Greca
I don't even, I don't even think.
Rick DiPietro
I was just happy to be nominated.
Don La Greca
I don't even think. I don't even think Rick would fight back on it.
Peter Rosenberg
Honestly, I'm just.
Rick DiPietro
All right, so we're giving up on having him as a guest.
Peter Rosenberg
Look at him.
Rick DiPietro
Why are you talking.
Peter Rosenberg
He's got to come up here purposely.
Rick DiPietro
Stop talking to him. He's got to come up here.
Don La Greca
They can't stop.
Rick DiPietro
It can't be more rude.
Peter Rosenberg
Yes.
Rick DiPietro
You just can't be. If you try. Honestly, read the room. Take a look. Still can't. All right, super.
Don La Greca
I've never, I've never, I've never seen.
Peter Rosenberg
That around the way.
Don La Greca
Hold on. Rick was about to come to us, saw me and said, I have something for you and walked away and he's gone.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don La Greca
I hope it's a signed. I'm sure it's a signed puck for Maya. An Islander. An Islander's puck that you can chew on with no teeth.
Rick DiPietro
He's going to try to recruit early. Man, you got to do it for the Islanders. It's great because I, I, unfortunately, my video game life Is different.
Don La Greca
Yeah.
Rick DiPietro
Marco got sick of playing NHL 94. So I found an old hockey game from 2009 that I've been playing with Marco.
Peter Rosenberg
Okay.
Rick DiPietro
And he wants to be the Islanders and DP save DP and they got his picture there and everything. He works with daddy. He's not impressed. He doesn't care as long as he wins the game.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, that's. Yeah.
Rick DiPietro
And he's won.
Peter Rosenberg
Gives up a goal. He sucks.
Rick DiPietro
He's won every game as an Islander. So.
Don La Greca
Thanks R. You're welcome.
Cassie
Because I'm not a real friend.
Don La Greca
Cassie did this, didn't.
Cassie
No, I did it.
Don La Greca
You really?
Rick DiPietro
Yeah. What is it? What did he give you?
Cassie
A baby gift?
Don La Greca
Some sort of. Sweet. I'm not going to open it because.
Cassie
It looks really wrapped on like that. Disgusting.
Don La Greca
Well, no, as a. That was a wonderful gift.
Peter Rosenberg
No, it was very crude. It was very crude.
Rick DiPietro
Stapled it.
Don La Greca
Yeah.
Cassie
It looked like he got it outside of Columbus Circle. That guy that talks to himself on the corner.
Peter Rosenberg
I might have. I might not have. It was a last minute thing.
Cassie
Right. I borrow your suitcase. I got to put a present in it.
Peter Rosenberg
I got. I did use hockey tape.
Don La Greca
No, no, no. Literally, it said MJ on hockey. Oh, you saw the picture.
Peter Rosenberg
It's.
Don La Greca
But the gift itself was beautiful. Chef's kiss.
Cassie
That's cuz Stephanie's the best.
Don La Greca
That's what I.
Cassie
She also gives him sexy time in the afternoons.
Rick DiPietro
Yeah. How about that?
Don La Greca
How about that?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. That's why this. This time slot has worked out. She was.
Rick DiPietro
She was not happy.
Peter Rosenberg
Her break's at 11:30. I'm like, wait a minute. I don't leave till one.
Cassie
Car doesn't. Car doesn't get it. Well, literally he can't even see his.
Don La Greca
Oh, but why are you.
Rick DiPietro
What did I say?
Don La Greca
Why you going after my.
Cassie
What did I say?
Don La Greca
Chris.
Cassie
There's nothing. That's not true.
Don La Greca
Chris is already dealing with a lot. You heard him almost die on the air for him.
Peter Rosenberg
It's a rumor. It's there, but it's a rumor.
Cassie
It's a rum.
Don La Greca
How are you, Rick?
Cassie
I'm doing fantastic.
Don La Greca
The show sounds better than ever.
Cassie
I appreciate that. Well, I work with Dave, you know, Dave's the best.
Rick DiPietro
No, your guys show is really.
Peter Rosenberg
Can. I want to do this? Because I haven't had a chance to do this on the air and I mean this wholeheartedly. I'm dead serious because I've listened a lot as I have over the last couple of years and especially more recently. And I. I'm saying this not to be patronizing. I'm saying this not to make a scene. I'm dead serious. I want to say it on the air. I'm incredibly proud of you.
Cassie
Thank you.
Peter Rosenberg
Because of the first day we started all those years ago. I dragged you out of the basement.
Cassie
You did.
Peter Rosenberg
And you might have been 110 pounds, maybe, right? Hair down to your shoulders. Like, really. And it was just one of those things where it was an instinct. And I just think there's something there and it's going to work. What you have turned this into, which was a hey, do you think I could come back tomorrow? Is literally what he said to me. We did one show.
Cassie
That's it.
Peter Rosenberg
And then he's like.
Cassie
For him, we started doing his show.
Peter Rosenberg
That's how I. Dave's show. That's right. We were filling in for Dave Rothenberg. He was on at night. I was filling in, and I saw Rick at a golf outing. I'm like, why don't you just come in tonight? And he came in and he was phenomenal. And it was just literally what started as. Do you think I can go back tomorrow? And I just said, just keep coming back till they tell you you can't. And now he's. How many contracts later? And all the millions that he's making.
Cassie
In a Mini Cooper.
Peter Rosenberg
It's a true story. I was already in the city. He's coming in. He's like, I'll pick you up. I said, all right. Third Avenue, I think we were. And I'm. I'm there. And I'm like, all right. Well, where are you? I'm parked over here in a Mini Cooper. I'm like, sure you are. Yeah. Like, no, you're not. He goes, no, I really am. He flashes the lights. I'm like, I can't. And I'm in this Mini Cooper. So I'm like, in the Mini Cooper.
Don La Greca
Alan can barely.
Peter Rosenberg
I'm sitting like this. On the way home, we hit a pothole. I swear, the whole bottom of the car fell.
Don La Greca
Well, whose Mini Cooper was?
Cassie
It was mine.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Cassie
It was my wife's.
Don La Greca
And you were just like, you know.
Cassie
Oh, it's going to the city.
Rick DiPietro
And Buttle did a jet pregame in a Mini Cooper.
Cassie
That doesn't shock Greg.
Don La Greca
Bottle probably did a lot of things.
Peter Rosenberg
I was gonna say, it's probably more.
Rick DiPietro
When he played for the Yankees. Was Randy Johnson. No, no, that's Michael.
Cassie
That was his masseuse's name.
Don La Greca
Yeah, yeah. Cooper.
Rick DiPietro
You know what I. I remember.
Peter Rosenberg
That's good.
Rick DiPietro
You would do Shows after, when the Rangers made the run to the finals. And you would do shows with Rick after the game.
Cassie
Yeah, we do post game shows.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Rick DiPietro
And I remember, I still laugh about it. I wish I had the sound. Maybe they can find the bag of the station. Rick Nash scored a goal in the conference final against the Lightning. And I went like, rick Nash. And then you played it to flash. We did it. It was like, Nash.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Alan Hahn
Oh, that's right.
Cassie
That was the best part about doing it, though. These two idiots doing post game. We're both Islanders fans. I played in the honors. We were doing post game Rangers.
Peter Rosenberg
It was hysterical. So we just tried to have fun with it. We made songs. We took any type of sound and turned it into something. And. And like I said, just to put a bow on it. I'm very proud of you. Congratulations. What been a great career and what's a fantastic show that you and David.
Cassie
Well, listen, you started it. Someone asked me today, like, how did you get into this? And it was. It's no joke. I was sitting in my car, like, as depressed as you could, like, possible. My career was over. They paid me not to play anymore. Which is like, Dave jokes about that. I steal money, but it's like, for an athlete. They're paying you not to play is.
Don La Greca
Like, it doesn't feel great.
Cassie
No, it doesn't feel great. And I'm like, I have no idea what I'm gonna do. And it's no joke. It was an NHL question that you got asked. And I was like, oh, I actually know this. The answer to this question. So I text him and the first thing he said is, he's like, you gotta come try this. I was like, no. I was like, I. I purposely don't listen to sports talk radio because I can only imagine what Islander fans are gonna say. Ranger fan. Like, I'm not doing it. And he kept peppering me. He's like, come in, come in. Finally, I did. And then for what, like, six months, we did it. I didn't get paid.
Don La Greca
Nope.
Cassie
He actually went to Justin Craig, who was our PD at the time. And Justin's like, he played hockey. Like, why would we put him on the radio? And I was like, well, he played professional sports. He's like, yeah, but it was hockey. He's like, no, no, I think they gave me the job. And we've been doing it.
Don La Greca
How long is it? Ten years now.
Cassie
Ten years?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Rick DiPietro
And the thing that blows me away, and I listen all the time. There isn't, you know, everything you watch everything you read everything.
Don La Greca
It's almost weird.
Rick DiPietro
How do you balance being able to watch all the games and still be able to do the show so early in the morning?
Cassie
How do I balance it? I just try to use my time the right way. Like, I just. I mean, I listen to you guys if I'm. If I'm at practice, I'll have you guys in my ear. I'll listen to you on the way there. I'll have you guys in my ear. I'll watch everything. I'll tape it, watch it in the morning. I'll wake up early to watch.
Don La Greca
I just.
Cassie
I always, like. I think Alan was probably the one that told me this is. You can't fake it here. Like, there. I'm sure there are plenty of markets in the country where you can kind of fake it, like, just go, you know, kind of wing it. We didn't watch it. But you kind of read a summary and you can just get away with it here. There's no chance.
Don La Greca
Well, the local stuff is too important here. You can do it nationally because there's no one there to call you out. But if you didn't watch the Yankee game, they know you didn't. Believe me, I've heard. Believe me, I've known when I didn't watch the game.
Peter Rosenberg
But. But two things I know two things are important. Number one, retention is important and ability to retain, which he's very good at. Number two, true fan, true Mets fan, true jets fan. Like, real. It's not a fake thing. And I think a lot of athletes have a hard time being a fan. Yeah. They're not really comfortable doing it or they don't know how because their whole lives people have cheered for them.
Don La Greca
Right.
Peter Rosenberg
But I think that's one thing with Rick with his Mets, with his jets, is he's just. He's all in. And I think that's something that is. Is it? Definitely.
Don La Greca
But are you sleeping? Are you getting actual. No, no. Honestly, what's.
Cassie
I don't get any sleep.
Don La Greca
So what hours are we talking about?
Cassie
I say I probably go to bed at 10 and I wake up at 2:30.
Don La Greca
You're getting four and a half a night, maybe.
Cassie
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don La Greca
2:30 is a tough alarm.
Cassie
Tough wake up, buddy. It's a tough.
Don La Greca
That's a tough.
Alan Hahn
It's awful.
Cassie
Doesn't get any easier Monday, feel great by Tuesday. Wednesday, it's.
Don La Greca
No, that's a nightmare.
Rick DiPietro
So just your general feelings on Alonzo?
Cassie
I'm happy. I mean, I just. I thought the entire time it didn't feel Like David Stearns necessarily wanted him back or wouldn't have been, you know, gutted if he left. But for Pete, I think him as a Met is more valuable than going anywhere else on a short, short term deal.
Rick DiPietro
Right?
Cassie
So I mean we get what we want, he gets what he wants. He makes 30, he's the highest paid guy and we get him to hopefully have a great season and he can opt out if he wants.
Rick DiPietro
And these guys think I'm reaching. And I'm not saying it's the whole reason, but I'm sure they were looking at what happened to the Giants and their fans with Saquon, a very similar situation. I've always had the parallel non cap sport, cap sports, not apples and apples. But. And Saquon is a better player than Pete Alonso. But still there's something to having a forever player walk out, especially with the Mets. That was my whole basis of the Ed Crane pool rant is they never get to keep their forever guys.
Cassie
No, but I mean I think what, what you saw in Hard Knocks, which turns out to be worst case scenario for the Giants and Joe Shane is John Merrill wanted Saquon Barkley. So the way I read it today was Steve Cohen wanted to face the face. He said to humanize this thing is to sit at a table in front of Pete Alonso, say hey, we want you back. So he actually stepped in and said, hey, I'm the one that wants you back. John Mara didn't do that. He left that to Joe Shane and now it's bit you right in the ass because Seiko and Barkley may win Super Bowl MVP just to cap off one of the worst seasons in the history of the New York Giants, probably the worst.
Rick DiPietro
Now they like not making the hole.
Peter Rosenberg
It's an awful, it's just been a bad time. But that's exactly what you just said though is the trouble when you're an owner is knowing when to step in. John Mara, that was the time to step in and tell Joe Shane not, oh, I won't be able to sleep, just we're not doing this. Same thing that House Steinbrenner did with Aaron Judge. It got to a point where Brian Cashman went to a certain number and then said, well, that's it, we're going to lose. And House diamond couldn't stomach the idea of losing Aaron Judge over money. Pulled over, made the call and called him direct. What is it going to take? Let's get this done. Those are the things that as an owner you have to know when because there's also times when the owner steps in and it was the biggest mistake. Don't do that. And I think for John Mara, he was so worried about being criticized all the time for times he did step in and do things, especially the whole idea of the draft, hey, we want to get one more out of Eli. Let's make it up to Eli. Instead of going for a quarterback, take Saquon Barkley. This was the time he should have stepped in and told Joe Shane, not this guy. There's a lot of people we can move on from. We can't move on from him.
Cassie
Well, what's so. I mean, what's so backwards about the whole thing? And Dave and I talk about this all the time and he's like, is dead inside. Is. If you were gonna let Joe Shane make that decision and Joe Shane wasn't going to bring Saquon Barkley back, why the hell didn't you trade Saquon Barkley? Because that was the decision that you made. We're not trading them because we want to be competitive. Well, why in a year when you're trying to get Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, Drake May you want to win more games or like, for example, why would you prioritize a game against the Indianapolis Colts when you have the first overall pick and celebrate it? Yeah, because you watch the way Brian Dabel coached in week 18. He was not coaching to win that game. But that one game that cost you the first overall pick was why he keeps it. It's just. It's so stupid. It's so stupid. I mean, it doesn't make any sense.
Peter Rosenberg
No. And that's what you've been talking about when it comes to the Giants and the owners. It does start at the top with the Giants.
Rick DiPietro
Yeah, it is. It is an absolute. The Marin name still resonates for all.
Cassie
Name a decision that he's made that's been a good decision.
Rick DiPietro
Well, I. I said it earlier in the show, like, when Wellington passed away in 2005, his fingerprints were still on the teams in 07 and 2011. But once it's all been his team, the decisions have been awful. And it's really put them.
Don La Greca
Even his instincts within the same storyline has been wrong.
Peter Rosenberg
Right.
Don La Greca
So, like you take the end of Eli, for example. They built the team for Eli, still fighting to get him another title, but then allowed him to be bench for Geno Smith. So, like, even in you're trying to honor Eli, you got it wrong. They just kept fumbling every little thing.
Peter Rosenberg
Fumble's a perfect word. I've had. I've been spending the last week and a half with these two.
Cassie
Yep.
Peter Rosenberg
Trying to talk Super Bowl. Now the NBA stole some of the headlines away. The Eli Manning hall of Fame story has also been a distraction.
Cassie
Oh, by the way, did you read the text that I sent you?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I did. It was a little too late when I read it, though, but, yeah, that does make a lot. Well, you were wondering what happened, the explanation. Right. Well, so go ahead, explain.
Cassie
Well, Deion Sanders was adamant that it's too easy to get in the hall of Fame. So they had changed the rule. Used to be 15, 10, 5, and you would just vote on 5. It would be 50, but now it's 49. Would vote on the 5. So it was much easier to get the 80%. So it's something like all five would get in. Needs to be more exclusive. So now they went to 7. And this happens to be the least amount since 2005.
Peter Rosenberg
So no coincidence Gary Myers was telling that story. So Deion Sanders last year brought up something a lot of people talk about with the Pro Football hall of Fame, which is, boy, there's a lot of guys in here and there's the greats and then there's a lot of guys who are hall of Famers that really don't belong in our level. Like, there should be an upper top floor where our busts are putting so we're separate from everybody else. And he thinks that that got into everyone's brains and thought, okay, well, we'll show him. And they made this a lot tougher.
Rick DiPietro
We had Sal on yesterday. He obviously knew, but he couldn't tell.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, but he was pretty clear.
Rick DiPietro
You could kind of tell that it wasn't going to happen. My problem is not necessarily. He didn't get in the.
Cassie
It wasn't close.
Rick DiPietro
It's not close. Which means there are people in that room that flat out do not believe he's a Hall of Famer.
Cassie
Gary was on with us.
Peter Rosenberg
You listen to the others do it. He was great.
Cassie
He actually, because I believe this, I believe that the Manning name was a part of this. And he said it got to a point when he was hearing people go at like, we're arguing against Eli, that he was like, is there something going on here? Like, is there an anti Manning sentiment going? Like, he could feel it, that he had to say it.
Peter Rosenberg
Like, we just don't like this.
Rick DiPietro
Yeah.
Cassie
Like, yeah. It's like everything's been given to him. So we're gonna make him.
Rick DiPietro
Yeah. It goes back to what happened with Archie and San Diego and all that. But like I was looking at Troy Aikman and Troy Aikman.
Cassie
No, don't look at those stats, those regular.
Rick DiPietro
And again, I understand stats are different, but he won One Super Bowl MVP. Didn't win an MVP. Didn't throw for 4,000 yard.
Cassie
No.
Rick DiPietro
Didn't have 30 touchdowns. And he had hall of Famers all around him.
Cassie
Yeah.
Rick DiPietro
And listen, I'm gonna argue till I'm blue in the face. There's people that are really like, he does not belong. And I. And listen, I know I'm a Giant fan. You want to call me biased? I probably am.
Cassie
I think he's the quarterback of one of the great teams all time.
Peter Rosenberg
Yep.
Cassie
That's what happens.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Cassie
And he's a Dallas Cowboy because you're right. I mean, because like Santiago, you know, who does our show, is a huge Cowboys fan. And he like, he'll not jokingly, but serious will say Eli Manning and Blake Portals are the same quarterback. And Dave Head will explode because he just wants to start a fight. And he's like, he gets mad today because we brought up Troy Aikman. He's like, he was a Pro Bowler six straight years and you look at.
Don La Greca
The stats, he's like, the stats are nothing.
Cassie
No, he threw for 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Was a Pro Bowler.
Peter Rosenberg
Like, I mean, Drake May is a Pro Bowler.
Rick DiPietro
So you're telling me that the Cowboys wouldn't have won if Eli Manning was their quarterback?
Cassie
No. Probably. I think. See, I'm with you. I think he should be a Hall of Famer. I just think that it was a. It was a confluence of events with what Deion said. They want to make it more exclusive. And they decided for the first time where it was just going to be three guys. So the least since 05. So they're gonna make him win. I think now all of a sudden you're gonna start to see that being a first ballot hall of Famer is an important thing. There's not one first, pal. Like, don't you think Vinateri is the greatest kicker of all time?
Don La Greca
That's an interesting one. We all agreed was the biggest no brainer on the list, which is crazy because he's a kicker.
Peter Rosenberg
But I had to get Eric Allen in, though.
Rick DiPietro
But the thing is, I feel bad.
Don La Greca
That you keep taking shots at Eric because he's been sitting there for 19 years.
Peter Rosenberg
If it took 19 years, that means you're really not that sure.
Cassie
Now all of a sudden, 19 years to get laid and look at him now.
Peter Rosenberg
You know what?
Don La Greca
Good for him to make fun of about me.
Peter Rosenberg
That's what matters. All right, so hang on. Yeah. Because these guys have also kind of pushed at me about how this Super Bowl. No sizzle. The Eagles are not likable. They hate the dynasty chief stuff. Yeah, they both are. Just taste it is. It is Chiefs fatigue for both of them. And I'm looking at. I love greatness. I love watching greatness. I love seeing history. And I want to see three in a row.
Don La Greca
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
I want to see it happen. Are you. I mean, you love football. You love the super bowl just for the event. But how are you on this? Are you like, yeah, you know, this is not the same as past Super Bowls.
Cassie
No, I'm with you. I know it's a matchup that. I mean, I've heard you guys listen to the show all the time. You guys are doing a great job. It's. I want to have the ability to tell my kids, who aren't necessarily into it as much as I would like. I mean, Don, I'm not sure you go through the same things. This will be like, they'll sit for five minutes, come back down with, you know, jerseys and helmets on, and we'll be playing tackle football. As I'm trying to watch the super bowl, like, that's how this is.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, yeah.
Cassie
That's what it's going to turn into. But like, hey, we were a part of something that's never happened in the history of the NFL. I get to watch Patrick Graham's. The Chiefs win three straight against a team that you would say right now, if you just strictly look on paper and take Patrick Mahomes out of this, you'd say the Eagles are definitely the better team, but because of the greatness of Patrick Mahomes.
Rick DiPietro
But I hate hard to bet against them. And again, I appreciate.
Cassie
Well, why don't you go after this animal when he starts rooting for the Eagles?
Don La Greca
I backed off.
Cassie
Oh, yeah. You gotta be you, Pete.
Don La Greca
I was emotional.
Cassie
It's embarrassing now. Look at how you were in a jersey.
Rick DiPietro
I'm just. I'm just. They're irritating. They're at a Macarena. I'm sure that those positions were very talented.
Peter Rosenberg
What do you think of that take?
Rick DiPietro
I could song. I can't play an instrument. The Macarena is irritating to me. So I'm not. But I've. But I've been fortunate.
Cassie
How many people have said the mark, you know, Marcarena, one of the great songs in the history of music.
Rick DiPietro
But it's Irritating, but.
Don La Greca
I know.
Rick DiPietro
But it's to the level of.
Don La Greca
But Rick's point is you gotta find. You got to pick something closer to the Chiefs that are truly seen as great. And also irritating. It would be more like saying, like, you know Thriller. Like, I hate that. I'm sick of the album Thriller by Michael Jackson. It would be closer to that. I'm God, I apologize for comparing the Chiefs to Michael Jackson. I hate the Chiefs. I love my.
Peter Rosenberg
You know what? It actually.
Don La Greca
It has to be greatness.
Peter Rosenberg
But it actually is ironically in pop culture is people that are just tired of Taylor Swift.
Don La Greca
But by the way, that's part of it too.
Peter Rosenberg
But that's why I said it's ironic because it's. She's connected. But if you take it separate two different worlds, there's a lot of people that are just like, enough with Taylor. Enough.
Don La Greca
But.
Rick DiPietro
And also right to the greatness point. Hey, teach their own. I'm very fortunate. I'm gonna be 57 next week.
Cassie
I saw the hour 63.
Rick DiPietro
Yeah, that was terrible. And you know, they all listen.
Cassie
He makes grandma happy.
Don La Greca
That was very fun.
Peter Rosenberg
You need to get.
Cassie
We played all the clips.
Peter Rosenberg
You've got to get them on.
Don La Greca
They don't need it, though. They have all the best stuff.
Cassie
The fact that you can run around with your kids. No cartilage.
Peter Rosenberg
Just imagine him and Rick together.
Rick DiPietro
But I'm lucky. I get to see. I got to see Jordan. I got to see Gretzky. I got to see the Islanders four championships. I got to see the Yankees win four out of five. I'm good.
Cassie
Stop.
Rick DiPietro
You stop it. I like what I like. How dare you.
Don La Greca
No.
Cassie
Do you like Connor McDavid like greatness? Stop it. You're trying to be. They're trying to be that guy.
Rick DiPietro
But Connor McDavid isn't irritating because he won't say boo.
Don La Greca
But also he's the one who sits there, takes a picture when somebody took a brain. I could keep getting shouted down. I could keep getting shouted down by the Alan Hans.
Peter Rosenberg
Thank you.
Don La Greca
I'm sorry. You watched this year. We watched this whole season all. Yeah, Mahomes is not playing like Jordan this year. He's not fine, but so I don't. I'm tired. We had to literally hear who. Who said it to us on the air this week. Greenie compared him to Jordan. At this stage, he's not playing what Jordan was doing at 31 years old.
Peter Rosenberg
But what's.
Don La Greca
Jordan was literally unstoppable.
Peter Rosenberg
Right.
Don La Greca
But what's most important, stoppable.
Cassie
He was 15 and one during the regular season.
Don La Greca
I get it.
Cassie
What the stats look like.
Rick DiPietro
I get it.
Don La Greca
And by the way.
Cassie
And it's.
Don La Greca
And the head coach in football is more important than a coach in any other sport.
Cassie
Agree.
Don La Greca
And they have an offensive. A brilliant guy who we're going to downplay with the Eagles. We're with McNabb. He made that team defensive. Yeah. And exactly.
Peter Rosenberg
Who coached Jordan?
Don La Greca
The greatest.
Peter Rosenberg
Phil Jackson.
Don La Greca
The greatest.
Peter Rosenberg
And then you can say, well, who won without each other? Phil Jackson went on and won more championship. Jordan done.
Rick DiPietro
Andy Reid's better than Phil Jackson.
Don La Greca
Wow. Now you're having a conversation. Now.
Rick DiPietro
He'S got hot takes.
Cassie
You put his name first. All over the place.
Peter Rosenberg
It's all right. He said the Chiefs can be had. He's been saying this September, I got one last shot.
Don La Greca
I pray you're right.
Rick DiPietro
I got one last shot.
Don La Greca
I'm picking the Chiefs, but I pray you're right.
Rick DiPietro
But Andy Reid went to four straight championship games with the Eagles, went to a Super bowl with Donovan McNabb, and then he goes to Kansas City and he's able to win. Phil Jackson had Jordan and Pippin, and then he went to Kobe and Shaq.
Don La Greca
It's true.
Cassie
Yeah.
Don La Greca
Well.
Rick DiPietro
But you go to the Nets with Otis Bird Song and see if you want.
Cassie
There you go.
Peter Rosenberg
There you go.
Don La Greca
Otis Bird Song is what you were waiting for.
Peter Rosenberg
Otis Bird Song.
Cassie
You need great players.
Peter Rosenberg
All right. We're here at Rick D. Pietro. So, as you all know, over the past three weeks, we've been giving our listeners boxes for the big game. You know, the Super Box Bonanza 6. You get a chance to win 250 in the first and third quarters, 500 at halftime, and a final score payout of $1,000. We are now going to reveal the numbers for the afc. Oh, nice, Rico.
Cassie
Yep. What do you want to do?
Peter Rosenberg
I think you're supposed to reveal.
Cassie
How am I supposed to reveal them? What I supposed to do?
Peter Rosenberg
Dave brought out a deck of cards and just started.
Don La Greca
Oh, you got it. You gotta. You gotta reveal a number somehow.
Cassie
Have you guys seen the Mentalist over here?
Peter Rosenberg
That's. That's my guy.
Cassie
That's your guy?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, he's on. He's unreal.
Cassie
He just.
Peter Rosenberg
Hey, we need to be on tv, John.
Cassie
And he's like, oh, you know. Oh, is the Mentalist.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Rick DiPietro
Who takes things away.
Cassie
I go over there and he does this card trick and then he goes, John. I'm like, john, he's doing our next event. You got to see this.
Peter Rosenberg
He's so Good.
Cassie
Take John. Look at your cell phone. He. Exactly the name that John was looking on the cell phone. No.
Peter Rosenberg
You have no idea.
Cassie
Michelle.
Rick DiPietro
Beat.
Cassie
It's the craziest. He pulled this card out. My card out of his mouth.
Don La Greca
Why don't we do something with this guy? What are we doing for the next hour?
Cassie
You guys got to do something. This guy's.
Don La Greca
All right. Let's bring him on. Alan, this guy's very appealing.
Cassie
Nose rings.
Rick DiPietro
We got to get these numbers.
Don La Greca
All right, John, we need numbers. We doing the numbers Rick needs to call.
Cassie
How am I supposed to do numbers?
Peter Rosenberg
John, John, what are we doing with the number?
Cassie
Dressed as Grimace with no numbers.
Don La Greca
He's the. He's famous.
Peter Rosenberg
Did you know that Grimace has an uncle?
Cassie
Yeah, that's the green one. Did you hear about this?
Rick DiPietro
Grimace or whatever.
Peter Rosenberg
They had to send him away for a while, though, because apparently he was connected with the IRA and they allowed him back. He did his time. He's back.
Cassie
Shamrock shake. It's back.
Peter Rosenberg
So how do we. How do we want to do this?
Cassie
Look who showed up. Oh, that's great.
Peter Rosenberg
I'm.
Cassie
This poor guy.
Peter Rosenberg
I'm going to make him just walk.
Cassie
Around the camera all the time.
Peter Rosenberg
Jake's happy to have a job. Come on.
Cassie
Poor guy.
Don La Greca
He's.
Peter Rosenberg
He's working his tail off this. Do it.
Cassie
He works, too.
Don La Greca
All right, we're getting. We're trying to pull.
Peter Rosenberg
What do you want me to do here?
Don La Greca
Shuffle all the cards and how many numbers he pull.
Cassie
Show me again how many. How do you want me to do that? Show me again. Show me again how many. How do you want me to shuffle those?
Don La Greca
Shuffle them up, man. Shuffle them up.
Peter Rosenberg
Now what I just.
Cassie
What I do. Just pull one out.
Don La Greca
I think it's all.
Peter Rosenberg
He's.
Don La Greca
He's dropping them all down, one after.
Rick DiPietro
Another, one after another. Say. And say the number as it goes.
Don La Greca
All right, so, Sam. All right.
Cassie
First one.
Don La Greca
Two.
Rick DiPietro
Two.
Cassie
Two.
Don La Greca
We have a two.
Rick DiPietro
Brian Leech.
Cassie
Two.
Peter Rosenberg
Ah, there you go.
Cassie
Next one.
Peter Rosenberg
Five. Five.
Don La Greca
Jane Daniels.
Peter Rosenberg
Jenny Poppin.
Cassie
It's not a great one.
Rick DiPietro
David Wright.
Peter Rosenberg
Seven. Seven.
Don La Greca
Boomer.
Rick DiPietro
Three.
Don La Greca
Johnson.
Peter Rosenberg
Nine.
Rick DiPietro
Gordy Howe. Maurice Rashard, six.
Peter Rosenberg
Six.
Rick DiPietro
Joe Tori.
Peter Rosenberg
Four.
Don La Greca
Kevin Hatcher.
Peter Rosenberg
Bobby Orr.
Don La Greca
Yeah, there you go, Don.
Cassie
What's that? That's a one. Relax. All of a sudden. All of a sudden, you're Minnesota fast.
Rick DiPietro
10.
Peter Rosenberg
10.
Don La Greca
Robert Griffith III.
Cassie
Phil Hellmuth, 8.
Peter Rosenberg
Cal Ripken Jr. And there they are.
Cassie
Is that it?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, those are the numbers.
Rick DiPietro
All right.
Don La Greca
All right.
Peter Rosenberg
Numbers for the NFC and the afc. Now you have your chance to win, everybody. Good luck to all that participated.
Rick DiPietro
That could have gone better.
Peter Rosenberg
You think so, by the way?
Don La Greca
No, it couldn't have. Let me tell you.
Peter Rosenberg
That went.
Don La Greca
I've been, I've been at the station for nine years. This is the worst bit in the history of radio. We, we have a live audience. People aren't. There's 30 people connected to this and we're reading random numbers to hundreds of thousands of listeners.
Rick DiPietro
We getting at the Mentalist on.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, I'm going to work on that now.
Cassie
Blow your mind.
Peter Rosenberg
By the way, why does the Mentalist.
Don La Greca
Sound like you're Jim Nance promoting a show on Sunday night after the game?
Peter Rosenberg
Hello, friends.
Don La Greca
Coming up at 9:00, a new episode of the Mentalist.
Cassie
Anyway, how about when the comedian was on to it? Don's like, he's like, well, I take karate. I do.
Rick DiPietro
I can't defend myself, you understand.
Peter Rosenberg
We kept him on for another 20 minutes because it was just so good. Anyways, Superbox Bonanza, all brought to you by Tullamore Do Irish Whiskey Slowman Security Security Dodge Shop 24 7@securitydodge.com during their President's Day sales event. For full contest details, go to Superbox Bonanza. Rick D. Pietro, everybody give it up.
Don La Greca
For Rick D. Pietro.
Peter Rosenberg
What do we have coming up? What are we getting into next?
Rick DiPietro
What do you say, the Mentalist?
Don La Greca
I say, I say we talk about the Super Bowl.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, a little Super Bowl.
Rick DiPietro
I got lots to say.
Peter Rosenberg
We have to do. Eventually we're gonna get to our picks, right?
Don La Greca
We got Weekend Warrior. We gotta get picks in 15 minutes. We might talk to the Mentalist. New episode coming up later on cbs and so much more.
Peter Rosenberg
All right, so stay with us. John Hatton Rosenberg 880 ESPN ESPN New York app. Alan, tell me about cars. And I got to, I got to tell you about Infiniti here real quick. Can I introduce everybody please to a SUV where everything for everyone. If this just, just scroll for me, I could. There it is. Every passenger feels just right. The all new 2025 Infiniti QX80. Infinity's most luxurious full size 3 row SUV full of customizable and advanced features. Individual audio easily isolates calls or directions to the driver's seat. So when you have to take a private call, it's easy to keep your business personal. 64 customizable shades. You can set the interior to match your mood. Plus it has two rows of heated and cooled massage seats for the ultimate in relaxation and luxury. That's just a few of the many amazing and new features available on the all new Infiniti QX80. Discover your just right. Visit InfinityUSA.com to learn more about the all new Infiniti QX80. Availability of features may vary by trim level, packaging and options.
Rick DiPietro
TaxAct can think of a million things.
Peter Rosenberg
More fun than filing taxes. TaxAct is going to name some now. Sitting in traffic, folding a fitted bedsheet.
Rick DiPietro
Listening to your co worker talk about his fantasy team digging a hole. Digging an even larger hole next to that original hole.
Peter Rosenberg
Unfortunately, TaxAct's filing software can't make taxes.
Rick DiPietro
Functional, but TaxAct can help you get them done. TaxAct let's get them over with when.
Alan Hahn
You think about businesses that are selling through the roof, like aloe or Allbirds or Skims. Sure you think about a great product, a cool brand and brilliant marketing. But an often overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business making, selling and for shoppers, buying Simple. For millions of businesses, that business is Shopify. Nobody does selling better than Shopify, home of the number one checkout on the planet and the not so secret secret with Shop Pay that boosts conversions up to 50%, meaning way less carts going abandoned and way more sales going. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed, and everywhere in between. The secret's out. Businesses that want to grow, grow with Shopify. Upgrade your business and get the same checkout untucket uses. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.comshop all lowercase go to shopify.comnetwork to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.comnetwork Every idea starts with a problem.
Don La Greca
Warby Parker's was simple. Glasses are too expensive. So they set out to change that. By designing glasses in house and selling directly to customers, they're able to offer prescription eyewear that's expertly crafted and unexpectedly affordable. Warby Parker glasses are made from premium materials like impact resistant polycarbonate and custom acetate, and they start at just $95, including prescription lenses. Get glasses made from the good stuff. Stop by a Warby Parker store near you.
Alan Hahn
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
Don La Greca
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
Peter Rosenberg
Catch the show on demand whenever you want.
Alan Hahn
Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcast.
Peter Rosenberg
All right, we are back live at the Tap Room in Rockville center on Long island, getting you ready for the super bowl and a big sports weekend here in New York. It is Don Hahn and Rosenberg, 880 ESPN, ESPN, NY app. What a great crowd we have here at the Tap Room. It has been fantastic. As we said, this is our first outing. It's the first time we've gotten out. And it's great to see the place packed, people coming in and out, saying hello, well wishes and everything else. You guys can all say you were here at the very beginning. We appreciate.
Don La Greca
This is a big deal.
Peter Rosenberg
This is a bit. No, this.
Don La Greca
This is how fresh are born.
Peter Rosenberg
And you know what? I'll say this. I'm saying it to Don because I've gone. I've gone to the previous shows, outings. I've seen it.
Don La Greca
Yeah, sure.
Peter Rosenberg
And when you have all the TV cameras and the lights and the crew, it separates you from the people.
Don La Greca
Yeah, that is true. That is true.
Peter Rosenberg
I mean, they're just right up at the desk.
Don La Greca
No, you know what I had.
Peter Rosenberg
I think they could reach out and touch you.
Don La Greca
I hadn't really thought about that.
Peter Rosenberg
I think it's great.
Don La Greca
It is really neat. I like that, too. I might. I might have a cold beverage before we leave. We had our drink. I might have a beer. A light beer. So I don't often do beer. No, but when you do, I might have a cold. Well, no, no. I'm. I'm very weak when it comes to beer, to be honest with you. I'm a light beer kind of guy. I don't do any sort of, like, dense lager.
Peter Rosenberg
Can we get this man a beer? Can we get this man a beer? We got to get this man a beer.
Rick DiPietro
Get him an ass.
Don La Greca
I need something light and crisp.
Peter Rosenberg
Get him. Get him a natural light. Get him a natty.
Don La Greca
Do you.
Rick DiPietro
There you go.
Peter Rosenberg
Get him a nanny.
Don La Greca
I don't want a natty light.
Peter Rosenberg
He does. He needs one.
Don La Greca
Do you guys have anything like apple? I got like, a citrusy kind of situation.
Peter Rosenberg
You want a shandy? You want to go on a little.
Don La Greca
That sounds nice.
Peter Rosenberg
It's delightful. You never had a shandy?
Don La Greca
That's like an appley thing, right? I'm a Sarah Jessica Parker fan. Oh, my God. There it is. Oh, my God. Thank you.
Peter Rosenberg
Joe Namath brought you a beer.
Don La Greca
Thank you, dude.
Peter Rosenberg
Well done, by the way.
Don La Greca
He started urgently yelling at the bartender.
Rick DiPietro
He needs a beer.
Don La Greca
This is a Friday. Thank you, man. Cheers, guys.
Peter Rosenberg
Cheers, everybody.
Don La Greca
Thank you, guys, for being with us.
Rick DiPietro
Of course. He's not.
Peter Rosenberg
That's a sip. And the pinky was up. The pinky was up, by the way, on this.
Don La Greca
Let me tell you something, guys. When you don't take a sip of alcohol through high school or college. You cannot get peer pressured at 45 to chug. I survived through four years of high school peer pressure, four years of college peer pressure. I'm unbeatable at this point.
Rick DiPietro
You didn't even flinch.
Peter Rosenberg
You're a winner.
Don La Greca
No, I didn't.
Peter Rosenberg
I kind of winner.
Don La Greca
I kind of regret it. I had less good times as a result. But it was, there was principle.
Peter Rosenberg
How's it working out for you now?
Don La Greca
Yeah, it's turned pretty good, Al. I'm here with Don Han and Rosenberg, right at the Tap Room super bowl weekend. I got to hang out with Rick D. Pietro. New episode of The Mentalist tonight, 9:00 on CBS. There's a lot happening here, too.
Peter Rosenberg
Game time, by the way. Everybody is brought to you by Tullamore. Do Irish whiskey. Because, Don, when it's game time, it's tele time. It's telet time. Rangers and the Penguins tonight. And that coverage immediately follows us right here on 880. No Sydney Cross, 6:30. Yeah, no, but he did skate, I heard, with the, the Penguins this morning.
Don La Greca
Right.
Peter Rosenberg
So in the lineup tonight, getting closer. Nets in the heat at 7:30, Islanders and Jets at 8. They are in Winnipeg because there's nothing like Winnipeg in February.
Rick DiPietro
I enjoy Winnipeg.
Peter Rosenberg
People crazy.
Rick DiPietro
I was talking to one time, I was talking to Jacob Truman, I said, you know, I, I enjoy Winnipeg.
Peter Rosenberg
That's not a draw.
Rick DiPietro
And he's like, Chris. Paul Crider, he's like, chris, come over here. There's a guy that actually likes Winnipeg. I, I enjoy Winnipeg.
Peter Rosenberg
What else do we have? Oh, oh, what else do we have? The headliner, St. John's Yukon, 8 o'clock. Who's watching that tonight? Who's got. Who's in for St. John's Yukon tonight is college basketball getting lit here in New York City.
Don La Greca
Now, speaking of college basketball, we have not talked about the drama at UMass.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don La Greca
Now, Don, I don't know if you've seen this. There's a big story making its way around the Internet.
Peter Rosenberg
Huh? Good. That's a good. I'm glad you brought that up because there is a happy ending.
Don La Greca
Yes. UMass Dude, Noah Lee had one of those opportunities where you have a timer and you got to make a free throw. You got to make.
Rick DiPietro
Oh, yeah, I did see that.
Don La Greca
You got to make a layup, a free throw, a three pointer and a half quarter. He hits the half quarter. And they tried to say his foot was on the line and, and not give him the 10 grand.
Rick DiPietro
Oh, no.
Don La Greca
Layup, free throw, three pointer, half cut, half court shot.
Peter Rosenberg
Excuse me.
Rick DiPietro
All.
Don La Greca
That's right. All under 30 seconds. But then was informed by an insurance company the following day that his foot had been over the line.
Peter Rosenberg
Ridiculous.
Don La Greca
Apparently now though, we have gotten a happy resolution and it has been worked out and he's going to get the $10,000.
Rick DiPietro
I don't know why you'd even bother bother to check maybe if he's like a foot inside the three point line. But like, if you're talking about like.
Peter Rosenberg
A foot, this isn't Kevin Durant versus the Bucks in the playoffs, man.
Rick DiPietro
Are you really?
Don La Greca
But isn't that how these insurance companies operate?
Peter Rosenberg
Absolutely.
Don La Greca
These places pay the insurance companies hoping they'll never have.
Peter Rosenberg
Imagine being the guy that watched the video back and was like, no, no, no, no, we don't have to pay this. His foot was on the line.
Rick DiPietro
But you're.
Peter Rosenberg
Imagine being that guy, Peter, where a college K this big celebration and you're gonna wet blanket that whole thing. I'm proud of you.
Rick DiPietro
They do what they got to do, but you do these things for PR and what could be worse, Public. Public relationship. Take the money away from the kid.
Don La Greca
The whole reason you do it is for the PR of it. And then someone hits it, you don't give them the money and get terrible. So the end result is he's getting the $10,000.
Peter Rosenberg
He's getting the money now.
Rick DiPietro
Is the insurance not paying for it? Is you mask all right?
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. And they're giving him a whole bunch of other stuff too, because obviously from.
Don La Greca
All the UMass had originally offered Lee a number of UMass related prizes as makeup. How many. How many Minutemen sweatshirts does it take to make up for $10,000?
Rick DiPietro
Yeah, I had a bad relationship with insurance companies back in the day because I had a couple of accidents when I first got my driver's license and I was paying through the nose. So what I did and I got away with it. How was when I would write the check in the memo, I would write nasty things about them in the memo like, you piece of garbage. You choke on it. You filthy animals. You really just cashed every check. They cashed it all. Oh, because they're animals.
Don La Greca
Wait, you think the insurance company was going to read the note and go.
Peter Rosenberg
You know, somebody didn't. Somebody probably like was taking.
Don La Greca
I'm sure it's.
Rick DiPietro
Hey, somebody made a copy of it.
Peter Rosenberg
This guy's a lunatic. That is game time. Brought to you by Telemardu the original triple distilled triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore do or try the new Telemore do, honey. During tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Telemore Do. Responsive.
Don La Greca
You guys also see, for the occasion.
Peter Rosenberg
I'm sorry, I thought we wanted to go a little mentalist with Kevin.
Don La Greca
Oh, we have him.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, Kevin's right.
Don La Greca
Oh, no, I do, I do, I do.
Peter Rosenberg
You want to bring him in?
Don La Greca
Yes, please bring in the Mentalist.
Peter Rosenberg
I thought he left. You didn't leave.
Rick DiPietro
I don't think I. I don't think I could be broken. I. I think my mind's too now.
Peter Rosenberg
It's hard to do what he does on radio. We almost have to describe it. Right, but you can.
Don La Greca
Good thing we have several people who can do play by play.
Peter Rosenberg
Bring Kevin over here.
Don La Greca
All right. Give Kevin a headset.
Peter Rosenberg
Kevin Nicholas, modern mentalist on Instagram.
Rick DiPietro
The Mentalist.
Peter Rosenberg
He blows my mind every time, Kid too. Handsome young man, isn't he? Yeah.
Don La Greca
Can you turn Kevin's headset on, please?
Peter Rosenberg
Make sure he's. He's turned up.
Don La Greca
Kevin, check one, two. Oh, there you go.
Rick DiPietro
He should have known it wasn't on, right?
Peter Rosenberg
Well, he's not clairvoyant. I don't know.
Don La Greca
Kevin, before we get into this. Sorry, we. We just tell us.
Peter Rosenberg
Us.
Don La Greca
How does one discover that they are meant to be a mentalist? I'm curious about this.
Peter Rosenberg
Very good.
Kevin Nicholas
You get cut from the baseball team.
Don La Greca
I was cut from the baseball team. I'm not a mentalist.
Kevin Nicholas
Right, well, you get cut from the baseball team. You're like, how else will I ever meet a girl in high school? Let me learn some magic tricks. That doesn't help either.
Don La Greca
Okay.
Kevin Nicholas
And then you go and start doing car tricks and still do it, and then pay your way through college doing it. And then you realize you travel, travel the world doing it. And then you're like, oh, wow, I'm quite good at this.
Rick DiPietro
This.
Don La Greca
I'm a mentalist now.
Kevin Nicholas
I'm a mentalist.
Don La Greca
It's happened.
Peter Rosenberg
It literally travels on. Like, seriously.
Rick DiPietro
It's funny because I've been called a mental patient.
Don La Greca
Even just mental.
Kevin Nicholas
Well, like, anything. Like, 10 years ago, everyone was a DJ. Now you're a producer. It's just a sexier name.
Don La Greca
Yeah, that is. That is true. Well, by the way, people lie about the title dj, too. Wait, so are you saying Mentalist is a magician?
Kevin Nicholas
Very similar. They're similar entities to that.
Rick DiPietro
That.
Peter Rosenberg
Okay, okay, so what can. Because we only have, like, a couple of.
Kevin Nicholas
Okay, we got, like, A second.
Peter Rosenberg
What can you do that will blow Don's mind?
Kevin Nicholas
I brought a fork and a knife from up there.
Peter Rosenberg
All right. Fork and knife.
Kevin Nicholas
Can you take out the fork? Okay, I just want to explain this.
Peter Rosenberg
All right, I'm gonna do the play by play.
Kevin Nicholas
Yeah, you're gonna. You're gonna be the play by play.
Peter Rosenberg
So there's. As you get at most restaurants, it's like the napkin.
Don La Greca
It's called the roll up.
Peter Rosenberg
Fork and roll up.
Don La Greca
Okay. Right.
Peter Rosenberg
And now it is a. It's. It's a stainless steel fork.
Kevin Nicholas
A stainless steel fork. This is actually happening. I'll take it.
Peter Rosenberg
So Dom is holding it Now, Kevin.
Kevin Nicholas
Now let's explain that like, you know, you ever do this with like a pencil where you could bend it and it looks like it's bending? It's not optical. Yeah, well, if you can actually just shake it that way, you're going to start noticing that it's actually just going to start bending.
Peter Rosenberg
Now, Don.
Kevin Nicholas
Now Don's lies just lit up right there. So I know Don looks scared now that time just completely just bent in front of them. But it gets even a little crazy.
Peter Rosenberg
Just watch.
Kevin Nicholas
Actually just start completely melting.
Peter Rosenberg
His hand is underneath it like he's Luke Skywalker and he's force bending the fork right.
Kevin Nicholas
Now, wait, it gets even a little better. You get to hold out your hand.
Don La Greca
Okay, that's enough.
Kevin Nicholas
Now look, I have Peter's hand holding out.
Don La Greca
My hand is out, and he's twisting up the.
Kevin Nicholas
Hold out your hand straight. Close your hand tight. Now, I could touch here. I could touch here. I can't touch what's in your hand until I stab my fingers. And then you're gonna actually open your hand, and that's completely twisted.
Rick DiPietro
Wow. What the twist is in his hand?
Kevin Nicholas
That. I know. It's.
Don La Greca
The fork just keeps changing.
Rick DiPietro
It's just.
Kevin Nicholas
It's just changing waves.
Rick DiPietro
Did you feel anything in your hand?
Cassie
No.
Peter Rosenberg
No, no.
Kevin Nicholas
Yeah, and then we did bring out.
Peter Rosenberg
By the way, tap room. You're down a fork. Yeah. You're not usable now.
Don La Greca
Sorry.
Peter Rosenberg
We apologize.
Kevin Nicholas
I know, I know. It's so visual on.
Don La Greca
No, it's. That was interesting. All right. What do you do with these cards?
Kevin Nicholas
Oh, right here.
Peter Rosenberg
It just. A deck of cards just came out of Kevin's mouth.
Cassie
Right.
Peter Rosenberg
I don't know how, but it did. Only Dave was here to use those cards after they came.
Kevin Nicholas
Yeah, that's true, though. My. My mom is so proud of my talents. You have no idea. By the way, Peter, I'm just leaving this right here. Name a card out loud. Don't even say it out loud.
Don La Greca
Name a card out loud.
Kevin Nicholas
Any playing card right now. Yeah.
Don La Greca
Jack.
Kevin Nicholas
Jack of.
Don La Greca
Oh, Jack of diamonds.
Kevin Nicholas
Let's see if this actually works. Probably not. I'm just gonna actually give Peter the entire deck of cards. Peter, look for that jack of diamonds. I bet you disappeared if I look.
Don La Greca
For the jack of diamonds.
Kevin Nicholas
Yeah, yeah, look at it.
Don La Greca
We get. We're.
Kevin Nicholas
We're on. We're on time right now, so see.
Rick DiPietro
If you can find it.
Don La Greca
All right, well, right now I haven't seen any jacks, period. Yeah, that's jack of hearts, jack of spades, jack of clubs.
Peter Rosenberg
Yep. The only one missing is. Where the hell is it?
Kevin Nicholas
Wait, wait, wait.
Don La Greca
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Cassie
Let's just.
Kevin Nicholas
Let's just end this on a great note. Okay?
Don La Greca
That's great. I mean, am I a dumb. That's crazy.
Peter Rosenberg
Hang on.
Kevin Nicholas
Don, would you just take one card?
Don La Greca
Card.
Kevin Nicholas
Now we're gonna actually. Alan, where's the. Play by play, buddy?
Don La Greca
Yeah. By the way, he's just marveling.
Peter Rosenberg
Just so caught up.
Rick DiPietro
I have taken the car.
Peter Rosenberg
All right, what happened is that Don now has taken a card out of the deck.
Kevin Nicholas
All right, here we go.
Rick DiPietro
I'll take it. Okay.
Kevin Nicholas
All right, now wait, we're ripping it now.
Don La Greca
He's ripping the card.
Kevin Nicholas
It doesn't matter what the card is.
Don La Greca
Two of hearts. It was a two hearts. He ripped the two of hearts torn.
Peter Rosenberg
Up and being put back into the deck.
Rick DiPietro
Here we go.
Don La Greca
So the ripped two of hearts is in there now.
Kevin Nicholas
Let's see how this goes.
Don La Greca
And now he's shoving the deck at his mouth. He's taking it out. Kind of gross. Putting it back on the dirty ass table. That's neither here nor.
Peter Rosenberg
The torn piece of the card now in his fist. And it is now gone.
Don La Greca
It has disappeared.
Peter Rosenberg
Nope.
Don La Greca
I just saw the piece of the card. I'm closest to it. I was staring at it. It just disappeared.
Peter Rosenberg
It was in his hand.
Don La Greca
But now you're chewing it in your.
Rick DiPietro
Mouth and it's probably the whole card.
Peter Rosenberg
Let's see.
Kevin Nicholas
Oh, no card.
Don La Greca
It's the whole card. I don't understand it, bro.
Kevin Nicholas
No, no, no, no, wait.
Peter Rosenberg
Hang on a second. It's.
Kevin Nicholas
That's.
Peter Rosenberg
No, it's the other part.
Rick DiPietro
The rest of.
Peter Rosenberg
Where's the torn part that disappeared?
Kevin Nicholas
Oh, right. Allan, would you hold out your hand? Come here. Bring it a little closer.
Don La Greca
Put it in his mouth. I'm sorry. No, no, different kind.
Peter Rosenberg
No, we. That was. That was in college.
Kevin Nicholas
That was a different show.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Kevin Nicholas
All right.
Don La Greca
He's sticking his. Allen. Sticking his hand.
Peter Rosenberg
My hand is out. Out.
Kevin Nicholas
Roll up your sleeve just for a second.
Peter Rosenberg
Roll up my sleeve Right here for everybody.
Rick DiPietro
Here.
Kevin Nicholas
Close your hand tight.
Peter Rosenberg
Yep.
Kevin Nicholas
Watch. Alan, open your hand. There's nothing in there.
Peter Rosenberg
Nope.
Kevin Nicholas
Peter, say the word.
Don La Greca
Stop.
Peter Rosenberg
What?
Kevin Nicholas
Stop right there.
Don La Greca
Yeah.
Kevin Nicholas
Turn your hand over. Look underneath your watch, bro.
Rick DiPietro
It's there under his.
Peter Rosenberg
Bro.
Rick DiPietro
No way.
Peter Rosenberg
There's the other part. There's the two.
Don La Greca
I don't understand it, bro just keeps.
Kevin Nicholas
Changing my highlight moments.
Rick DiPietro
He's the devil.
Don La Greca
The modern pencil.
Peter Rosenberg
Modern mentalist on Instagram. You got a follow. He's unbelievable. That was awesome, dude.
Don La Greca
I do not know if it made good radio, but it was very entertaining right here.
Peter Rosenberg
That's why you have to come to the show live. You got to see things like this.
Don La Greca
Everybody give it a round.
Kevin Nicholas
I'm gonna be on retainer soon for you guys. Thank you guys so much.
Cassie
Dude, thank you.
Peter Rosenberg
That is crazy. Oh, man. All right, well, I don't know if it's magic, but we do have our picks to make on this Super Bowl. That's coming up. That's coming up next. And of course, our weekend warrior picks it well at six, but. Peter.
Don La Greca
Oh, I have something. That's why you're pointing at me.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. You know, So I am very interested.
Don La Greca
Yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
In upgrading one of the bathrooms in my house. Okay. And I've heard so much about Bath Fitter, I need to know more.
Don La Greca
Oh, well, perfect. My friends over at Bath Fitter take care of you. They remodel my bat. Did a great job. Customized it for my needs. Process was easy. One expert installer done in a day. No demo, no mess. And it's a permanent, high quality solution with a lifetime guarantee. 3 million happy customers like me lock in 2024 pricing at 0% interest for 30 months. Start designing your bat today like I did@bathfitterdesign.com there's only one Bath Fitter. This episode is brought to you by Love Hurts. Ki Hui Kwan has had quite a.
Alan Hahn
Career, from childhood roles in Indiana Jones.
Rick DiPietro
And the Temple of Doom and the.
Alan Hahn
Goonies to a recent Academy Award win for Everything Everywhere all at once. But now Kee finally stars as a leading man in the film film Love Hurts. Love Hurts is the perfect date night movie with its mix of over the.
Rick DiPietro
Top action comedy and a ton of heart.
Alan Hahn
Love Hurts only at theaters February 7th. Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.
Don La Greca
I didn't listen to anything you just said.
Peter Rosenberg
Catch the show on demand whenever you want.
Alan Hahn
Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
Rick DiPietro
Show me something. Alan, show me something.
Peter Rosenberg
Don, Han, and Rosenbergs. Pick them all.
Don La Greca
I mean, give me the three.
Peter Rosenberg
All right, it's time for the big one. We got to make our picks for the Super Bowl. Now. Update the standings. Anthony, is this. This is it, right?
Rick DiPietro
I think it's over.
Peter Rosenberg
Is it over? Yeah.
Don La Greca
Well, the battle is between.
Peter Rosenberg
It's Alan and Peter. It's Peter and I. It's. We're. It's a one. Is he up? One game, One point? I think it's just one point, but it doesn't. It really just comes down to if.
Don La Greca
You guys both pick the same, Peter wins.
Peter Rosenberg
If you don't, the winner wins.
Don La Greca
And I think we did. And I think it's over.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, then how do we do this, though?
Rick DiPietro
Because if we didn't come up with a punishment, it doesn't matter.
Peter Rosenberg
We'll.
Rick DiPietro
We'll reconvene next year.
Don La Greca
No, listen, all I'm gonna do is celebrate.
Peter Rosenberg
Once you pick, I'm gonna have to pick the other team.
Rick DiPietro
You know what? I was so bad after the. After on Monday just kicked me in the cubes. Both of you. Wow. 3:15, bang.
Peter Rosenberg
Right? All right, I'm in. Listen, I'm just happy I have to pick against you. I have to because it's the only way I have a chance to win.
Rick DiPietro
Yeah, but that's not the way it goes.
Peter Rosenberg
What do you mean? It's not the spirit. Winning. I want to win.
Rick DiPietro
Text, text. And it's already done.
Don La Greca
We already gave our picks.
Peter Rosenberg
We did? Yeah, we did. I don't remember giving my pick. When did that happen? Who has the pick? Do you have the pick?
Don La Greca
Anthony, you have my pick.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, you mean because you gave it to Jake?
Don La Greca
That's right.
Rick DiPietro
Oh, you can't do it, Alan. We gave it to Jake. It's gonna go public. The Pixabit, Jake.
Peter Rosenberg
Delete it.
Rick DiPietro
No.
Peter Rosenberg
Delete it. Jake. I.
Don La Greca
Listen, the bottom line takes the fun.
Rick DiPietro
Out of it for people who don't know, know. You know, Jake is in promotions, and we're going to send out our winner.
Peter Rosenberg
Yep.
Rick DiPietro
And. And. And I. I score winner.
Peter Rosenberg
Score mvp.
Rick DiPietro
And mvp.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Rick DiPietro
So if you stray, you're gonna look bad.
Don La Greca
Well, Don. Don, go first. You're. You're. You're the loser for the playoffs. You had a great regular season. You poop the bed in the playoffs, which, by the way, is weird because Don had a masterful season. I always find the playoffs be a bit easier. And. And Don str. Struggled in the Playoffs.
Rick DiPietro
Listen, I got by.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, he's a Giants fan, so I'm.
Rick DiPietro
It's been a really difficult football season, for sure. Well, I've been saying it really from the very beginning. I think the Chiefs can be had. And I've got one last chance for the Chiefs to be had. And that, of course, is in the Super Bowl. I tell you what, I think this defense is similar to what we saw the Buccaneers do to Patrick Mahomes a few years ago. Go get at him. Get him. Go to horizontal. Don't let him cross the line of scrimmage. Don't get beaten by the legs. And you're at south, even though Spags has not allowed a 100 yard rusher in the postseason since taken over as D coordinator back in 2019. And no running back at 100 yards at all this year. Lamar Jackson at 100 on opening day. But he's a quarterback, last I checked. But I think this Philly defense can get at it. I think the Chiefs can be had. They've been playing with fire too long, man. And I, as much as it pains me to say, because I'm sickened by it, I'm going to go with the Eagles winning this game 24:20. And I've got Hertz winning the MVP because as we talked about it with Sal, I think that he's going to have to make some throws if they contain Barkley. So I think he will make those throws. They always itch to kind of give it to the quarterback anyway, so. I hate the Eagles. That's why I just. I'm torn with this Super Bowl. But I. I've been saying it all year, they can be had. This is my last chance. I'm going Philly.
Peter Rosenberg
So for our purposes, That's Philly plus one. Philly plus one. Right?
Don La Greca
Philly plus one. You have a score there, Don.
Rick DiPietro
I gave it 24.
Peter Rosenberg
24, 20.
Don La Greca
Sorry about that.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, good. Missing a good show.
Don La Greca
All right.
Peter Rosenberg
I guess I have to go next since I'm second.
Don La Greca
That's right.
Peter Rosenberg
Right. And so I have to stick to my guns. I have to stick with what I've been believing this whole time. And I am going to lay the point and take Kansas City. This is going to be a three peat. This is going to be a dynasty, A true dynasty. This is going to be history, Everybody. You're going to sit on Saturday and you're going to feed your fat face and you're going to see something that no one has ever seen before. And then you're going to go to history of the Super Bowl.
Don La Greca
Wake up and watch the super bowl on Sunday.
Peter Rosenberg
I'm just saying that's what you're going to see. And so the Chiefs, they are built for it. Mahomes is built. God gotta help you. If he's got the ball in the last possession, don't let it be a close game. You know what's going to happen there. The one thing I worry about is if the Eagles do have the run game that then we know they can have is do they dominate time of possession? Do they limit the possessions for Patrick Mahomes? That's a bit. That was a big part of the story in the previous one. Remember the previous meeting in the super bowl, that second half. He had to be epic in the second half half. Yep, he had to be. And it was all because he had a ton of possessions in the second half. Anyways, so Kansas City is my pick. The score I'm close to done now. You can check the record. I said this the other day. 24, 21 is what I'm looking at here. I do think we might have a game winning field goal again like we did the last time. And my MVP is going to be Patrick Mahomes because this is always his show.
Rick DiPietro
Ready to go out on a list. Him.
Peter Rosenberg
Alan. I know. Really, really went shocked.
Don La Greca
It's not, it's not sexy, but it is a pick that I understand. I will proudly walk away the champion of this. Pick them all. Because I am also going with the Kansas City Chiefs gutless. I don't want to go with the Kansas City Chiefs gutless. I also agree they can be had.
Peter Rosenberg
But why you hate them. You've talked down, you're sick of them, all that stuff. How can you not pick the Eagles?
Don La Greca
Because this is every year. Every year we're in the same spot and the Chiefs end up in a close game and there's going to be some defensive holding and a first down.
Peter Rosenberg
And then they're going to go to.
Don La Greca
The field and they're going to flags. We're throwing flags and the Chiefs are going to win. 24:17.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh wow.
Don La Greca
Yeah. Full touchdowns.
Rick DiPietro
Wow.
Don La Greca
That point heartily. I'll say this though before we get all excited and drunk on the Eagles. My commanders threw that game away. They literally dropped the ball on the ground over and over again.
Peter Rosenberg
Correct.
Don La Greca
Up until then, guys, the Eagles had really not impressed me in this playoff run. I mean it's kind of easy to forget it now because they put up a 50.
Rick DiPietro
The Rams and the packers did the same thing.
Don La Greca
They put up a 50 burger on the commanders. So now everyone's all high on them again. If you really look at what the Eagles were down the stretch, it was not as impressive as they were when they ran off whatever it was eight or nine straight during the regular season. I hate to say it, the Chiefs are going to win. I'll get sexy with a random tough odds MVP pick and go with Chris Jones, a defensive MVP for the Kansas City Chiefs in the three peat. We'll be sick to our stomach watching Taylor Swift Brittany Mahomes celebrate on the field under confetti.
Peter Rosenberg
Three straight, and then Travis gets down on one knee and he proposes. I'll be throwing up everything we did.
Rick DiPietro
When that clock zeros out. TV's off.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. Click.
Rick DiPietro
Oh, click. I'll look at our text messages on who won the MVP and all the. I'm not watching.
Peter Rosenberg
Shut it.
Rick DiPietro
My obligation is the 60 minutes of football.
Don La Greca
This is a. Is this a CBS vehicle?
Rick DiPietro
There's a Fox view.
Don La Greca
A Fox. Oh, it's a Brady.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. Yeah. Big time.
Don La Greca
Yeah. It's not gonna feel big time, though, because I don't believe that the Burkhart Brady team feels like a one. I said it. I'm sorry.
Peter Rosenberg
He put it. It's out there. Can't there be a thing like if. If I get the score closer than you get the score, I win or something? This is so lame that you just win because you picked the same thing I picked.
Rick DiPietro
Wouldn't it just be lame if you went against your bet?
Don La Greca
Well, by the way, you win and by the way, you're at. Oh, for the record, you're acting as if we're tied. I am up. Like, I. I've done better than you. I. I won.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, you were winning, so it's over.
Don La Greca
You got to take it. Take the knee.
Peter Rosenberg
You know what? When.
Don La Greca
Bend the knee.
Peter Rosenberg
When his voice gets chirpy like that, like you ever notice. Like, it's real chirpy.
Rick DiPietro
Very chiefy. Yeah.
Don La Greca
What do you mean, chirp?
Rick DiPietro
Clank. Why won't you click?
Don La Greca
I. I'm just. I'm explaining how it is you keep complaining.
Peter Rosenberg
Apparently we're still on the air and apparently we have to go to a break.
Don La Greca
It's our last break of the day.
Peter Rosenberg
Last break of the day, everybody. Last call, crew. We'll have. Coming up right. We'll do that. We can. Warrior in person. Last call, crew. Line up. Let's line it up right now. And before we do all that, to say goodbye to everybody, Peter, something about lids.
Don La Greca
Oh, I love lids. The Big game is almost here. You know what that means. It's time to rep your favorite football team in style. You can head to Lids for the best selection of headwear and apparel barrel and show your team pride like never before. Whether you're cheering from the couch or the stadium, Lids has the perfect fit for you. All right, you want to make it extra special? Customize your hat with your name on it or your favorite player's autograph. I got an amazing one for Maya Mets Annie Ike's hats with a little with her little name on the side. It's pretty awesome. It's your game, it's your style. It's your hat. So don't wait. Visit the newest Lids location. It's on 42nd street in Times Square between 7th and 8th. And gear up up for the big game.
Alan Hahn
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
Peter Rosenberg
I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.
Alan Hahn
Hear more of Don, Alan and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.
Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 3 – Rick DiPietro Joins LIVE
Release Date: February 7, 2025
In this lively and engaging episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, the hosts—Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg—welcome former NHL goalie Rick DiPietro to the live show. The episode is packed with humorous interactions, insightful sports discussions, player spotlights, and a captivating live performance by mentalist Kevin Nicholas. Below is a detailed summary capturing all the key moments, notable quotes, and overarching themes of the episode.
The episode kicks off with an amusing attempt to bring Rick DiPietro on air. The hosts engage in playful banter as they try to coax DiPietro onto the show, highlighting his enduring popularity and the challenges of securing his presence live.
Peter Rosenberg (00:57): “Look at him. It’s hard. He’s so long.”
Peter humorously comments on Rick's delayed arrival.
Don La Greca (01:10): “Oh, yeah, no, there's no question. He pales next to…”
Don teases about Rick’s attempt to join the conversation.
Despite their efforts, Rick's appearances remain sporadic and humorous as the hosts joke about the difficulties in having him as a guest.
A heartfelt segment features Cassie, who reflects on her journey to becoming a part of the podcast. She shares her initial reluctance to engage with sports talk radio and how persistent encouragement from Peter Rosenberg led her to join the team.
Peter Rosenberg (04:09): “I'm incredibly proud of you.”
Peter openly praises Cassie's contributions to the show.
Cassie (06:35): “What you have turned this into, which was a hey, do you think I could come back tomorrow?”
Cassie recounts her first tentative steps into the podcasting world.
This segment underscores the supportive dynamic among the hosts and highlights Cassie's dedication and growth within the team.
The conversation takes a critical turn as the hosts delve into the complexities of sports ownership decisions, using the New York Giants as a primary example. They discuss the challenges of balancing team legacy with financial constraints and the impact of these decisions on player careers and fan sentiments.
Rick DiPietro (09:26): “There are people that are really like, he does not belong.”
Rick expresses skepticism about certain Hall of Fame inductions.
Cassie (11:35): “Why in a year when you’re trying to get Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels, Drake May you want to win more games…”
Cassie critiques the Giants’ strategic decisions regarding player acquisitions.
The discussion highlights broader issues in sports management, such as the influence of ownership on team success and the subjective nature of accolades like Hall of Fame inductions.
Adding an element of mystery and entertainment, the episode features Kevin Nicholas, a modern mentalist, who performs live tricks that baffle and amuse the hosts. His demonstrations include bending a fork and making playing cards disappear, creating an interactive and engaging segment.
Kevin Nicholas (37:09): “I brought a fork and a knife from up there.”
Kevin introduces his first trick, setting the stage for his mentalism act.
Don La Greca (40:13): “The torn two of hearts is in there now.”
Don reacts to Kevin’s card manipulation, heightening the suspense.
Rick DiPietro (41:56): “That's the cruelest part.”
Rick humorously reflects on the disappearance of the card piece.
Kevin's performance captivates listeners, blending entertainment with the show's interactive format and leaving the hosts and audience intrigued by his skills.
As the episode progresses towards its climax, the hosts engage in spirited discussions and make their picks for the upcoming Super Bowl. They debate team performances, player capabilities, and strategic advantages, culminating in their final predictions.
Rick DiPietro (44:42): “I'm going with the Eagles winning this game 24:20.”
Rick confidently predicts the Eagles' victory and selects Hertz as MVP.
Peter Rosenberg (47:07): “Kansas City is my pick. This is going to be a three-peat.”
Peter positions the Kansas City Chiefs as champions, anticipating a dynasty.
Don La Greca (49:12): “The Chiefs are going to win. 24:17.”
Don echoes confidence in the Chiefs, aligning his prediction with Rick’s initial stance before switching to support them.
The segment showcases the hosts' deep knowledge and passion for sports, offering listeners expert opinions and fostering a dynamic debate over the Super Bowl's outcome.
Throughout Hour 3: Rick DiPietro Joins LIVE, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg deliver a blend of humor, insightful sports analysis, personal stories, and captivating entertainment. From the playful attempts to secure guest appearances to the intense discussions on sports management and Super Bowl predictions, the episode encapsulates the vibrant energy and camaraderie that define the show. The live performance by Kevin Nicholas adds a unique twist, further engaging the audience and enhancing the overall listening experience.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
This episode is a testament to the engaging format of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, offering listeners a comprehensive and entertaining insight into the world of sports and beyond.