Hour 3: Schlittler's Back

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Schlittler's Back

Date: February 12, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg | ESPN New York

---

Overview

This lively hour finds Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg discussing the start of MLB spring training (with particular focus on Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler’s minor back injury), the intensity and quirks of baseball media coverage, and the evolving culture in pro sports — especially around player motivation, work ethic, and generational differences. The hosts riff with their trademark sarcasm and warmth, segueing from sports analysis to light-hearted hygiene debacles in Canadian hockey arenas, and field spirited calls from listeners on topics ranging from LeBron’s legacy to NBA culture.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Olympic Hockey and NHL Updates

• The show opens with light banter about the U.S. vs. Latvia Olympic hockey game, noting Brock Nelson scoring twice and Jack Hughes' key assists.
• Provides small insights into sports broadcasting and player/family connections, with in-jokes about mispronunciations (“Huggis” instead of “Hughes”) and the generational divide on names and fandom.

Notable quote:

“You got a fourth line consisting of Brock Nelson and Jack Hughes. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.”
— Rosenberg ([01:58])

---

2. Yankees Pitcher Cam Schlittler’s Back Issue

• First substantial Yankee injury news emerges: Cam Schlittler sidelined briefly with back inflammation.
• Manager Aaron Boone’s update: it's minor, just “inflammation in his mid-back,” and they're “staying ahead of it” ([03:46]).
• The hosts reminisce about how baseball players arrive at camp in great shape but can quickly add weight during the season due to constant feeding and little aerobic output compared to other sports.

Notable quotes:

“I have never... remembered a time where a player in training camp had a back issue and then by August no one remembers. Things like that tend to linger.”
— Don Hahn ([04:06])

“Baseball’s the only sport where you come in shape and can get fat during the season.”
— Rosenberg ([04:30])

---

3. The Scrutiny of Baseball Media Coverage

• The trio lampoons how even minor injuries are covered with relentless intensity, compared to NFL secrecy.
• Points out massive access and hyper-vigilance by beat reporters during spring training, including the “dumpster diving” for news, and the relentless demand for fresh content.

Notable quotes:

“Baseball is not the most popular sport in this country. It’s football. But nothing gets covered like baseball. Nothing.”
— Rosenberg ([07:18])

“Each newspaper has their own dumpster dweller.”
— Alan Hahn ([09:37])

• The overkill in coverage is attributed to tradition, mass media inertia, and an “older generation” of consumers who still crave daily stories.

---

4. Player & Management Interviews: Rituals and Clichés

• The hosts poke fun at the rote, almost “hostage-video” quality of player interviews, especially Yankees, where the message is always “it’s about winning.”
• Alan, Don, and Peter create comedic translations of athlete-speak, suggesting that the real meaning is “you guys are all tools” or “the check still clears” ([14:41]).

---

5. Generational Change and Player Motivation in the NBA (Listener Calls)

• Callers weigh in on LeBron, KD, and the changing attitude of NBA stars toward things like the All-Star Game, loyalty, and competitive “grit.”
• The hosts and callers reminisce on 1980s/90s intensity, contrasting it with today’s brand-building and media-savvy athletes.
• Points raised on how franchise strategy and analytics now drive load management and less player “buy-in” for regular seasons.

Notable quotes:

“Sorry to sound like the old guy on the porch, but that's what it feels like. The grit. That's why we respect MJ and that whole era — because they took no days off.”
— Caller Ray, Connecticut ([24:21])

“Maybe Michael Jordan could have been a little better... if he didn't play all 82 games and 43 minutes a night.”
— Rosenberg ([27:43])

• Discussion extends to payer compensation and the resulting difference in hunger and effort across leagues (NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL).

---

6. Springtime Weather and Baseball Seasonality

• A classic sports radio digression: predicting when spring will “really arrive” in NYC/NJ area.
• Banter about the cruel New York springs, cold baseball, and the elusive day when “you smell spring” ([37:08]).

---

7. Oshawa Generals’ Fan Hygiene Email: Hockey Hilarity

• Alan shares a viral email from Canadian junior hockey’s Oshawa Generals asking fans to shower before games!
• The guys riff on fan BO being so severe it warrants “pandemic-level” organizational messaging, and joke about the infamous stench of hockey bags.

Notable quotes:

“Normally it's your team stinks. No, we're telling you: you stink!”
— Don Hahn ([48:12])

“You ever like honestly — hockey bag, in the summer, left in a car? Fans, you smell worse than that.”
— Don Hahn ([48:34])

• Comedic discussion of athletic gear odor and DIY attempts at cleaning (dryer sheets in boxing gloves, Lysol, etc.), with plenty of self-deprecating asides.

---

Listener Calls & Interactive Moments

• Ray from Connecticut and Derek from Harlem on generational changes in sports, work ethic, and player branding ([24:13], [29:55]).
• Moose from Jamaica presents a baseball prediction game ([32:36]).
• All calls are met with riffs, warm banter, and good-natured gripes, maintaining the show’s distinct blend of nostalgia, sarcasm, and local flavor.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “You got a fourth line consisting of Brock Nelson and Jack Hughes. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.” — Rosenberg ([01:58])
• “Baseball’s the only sport where you come in shape and can get fat during the season.” — Rosenberg ([04:30])
• “Baseball is not the most popular sport in this country. It’s football. But nothing gets covered like baseball.” — Rosenberg ([07:18])
• “Each newspaper has their own dumpster dweller.” — Alan Hahn ([09:37])
• “Normally it's your team stinks. No, we're telling you: you stink!” — Don Hahn ([48:12])
• “Fans, you smell worse than a hockey bag.” — Don Hahn ([48:34])

---

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Hockey & Olympic update: [00:52]–[02:35]
• Yankees’ Cam Schlittler back issue: [03:39]–[07:06]
• Media coverage & baseball journalism parody: [07:07]–[12:29]
• Player interviews & clichés: [13:01]–[14:41]
• Generational debates & NBA culture (callers): [23:18]–[32:36]
• NYC spring weather banter: [34:26]–[38:53]
• Oshawa Generals’ hygiene email & hockey odor tales: [44:38]–[51:26]

---

Tone & Style

The show is unapologetically New York: rapid-fire, sarcastic, literate, teeming with both sports insight and effortless comedy. The hosts needle each other and their audience, riff on the news, and use sports stories to detour into cultural observations.

---

Conclusion

This episode is a microcosm of what makes Don, Hahn & Rosenberg essential for NY sports fans: sharp insight, humor, communal nostalgia, and pointed cultural commentary — all while never taking themselves too seriously. Whether skewering obsessive baseball writers, debating what really signals the end of winter, or lampooning Canadian hockey fans' hygiene, the trio keeps sports talk human and hilariously relatable.

Transcript

[Michelle]

Kids, they grow up so fast. One day they're taking their first steps, and the next, they don't fit into the tiny sneakers they took them in. You blink your eyes, and their princess dress is two sizes too small. And their dinosaur backpack isn't cool anymore. But don't cry because they're growing up. Smile because you can profit off of it. For real. There are a bunch of parents on depop looking for the stuff your kid just grew out of. Download depop to start selling.

[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Rosenberg]

Game time is brought to you by. Tell Mordew Irish Whiskey Bee.

[Don Hahn]

Cause when it's game time, it's Tully time.

[Rosenberg]

Everybody's off. When I mean everybody. I mean every pot. But. But we do have latvia and the U.S. in Olympic hockey. And U.S. is up 4 to 1. Brock Nelson, former Islander, has a couple of goals in the game.

[Don Hahn]

Jack Hughes playing.

[Rosenberg]

I didn't even look.

[Don Hahn]

Gracie said he has a point. Dak Hughes playing.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, yes. If he's. She wasn't talking. It wasn't Quinn. But she knows the difference between Quinn and Jack.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know, but she just said Jack Hughes first point. I mean, but maybe she saw Hughes.

[Rosenberg]

Doing a show, so it's kind of hard. I'm checking right now, but, yeah, double check. I know, I know. Quinn's in. Quinn had a goal disallowed, I think.

[Don Hahn]

I think. I think she's ahead of herself here. She's ahead of her skis, as you would say.

[Rosenberg]

So that's what we have going on in sports.

[Don Hahn]

Jack Hughes does on Brock Nelson's goal. He actually has two on both. Brock Nelson goes. That fourth line is playing pretty well.

[Rosenberg]

That's it.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a second.

[Rosenberg]

Both.

[Don Hahn]

I don't have. Oh, there's the other one. That's pretty good.

[Rosenberg]

You got a fourth line consisting of Brock Nelson and Jack Hughes. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

[Don Hahn]

She texted me back, girl, I'm positive.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, wow.

[Rich Eisen]

Wow.

[Alan]

Little sass, right?

[Don Hahn]

She's a little angry.

[Rosenberg]

It is a kind of a disrespectful question.

[Don Hahn]

So now I'm saying to her, but it's actually two points. Catch up, Grayson.

[Rosenberg]

You know, not just looking at. Oh, Hughes scored.

[Don Hahn]

It's also Huggis. Yeah, she's got to learn the pronunciation.

[Rosenberg]

Charlie didn't ask me. Charlie was in studio today. Matter of fact, he was in studio all three days. Didn't bring up Huggus to me at all.

[Alan]

What was the.

[Rich Eisen]

Did he.

[Alan]

He was a Hughes fan at some point.

[Rosenberg]

I think he still is. And he pronounced it Huggis because you know what, he respects the English language and. Or I should say he respects what letters sound like.

[Alan]

Well and he's Captain Literal boy.

[Rosenberg]

And the English language just destroys the meaning of letters.

[Don Hahn]

Unnecessary use of letters.

[Rosenberg]

Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew and try the Tullamore Dew honey during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Get back to the busy phones. But not ideal news for the Yankees. You thought they were good because pitchers and catchers opened up so every manager and general managers talking about all the guys that weren't feeling it got hurt. This guy's got a ham made bone that's got to get fixed and this guy's back's bothering. This guy's a lot of stuff. So nothing from the Yankees until today.

[Don Hahn]

Oh no.

[Rosenberg]

Cam sore back Schlitler is not ready. Here's the update from the manager, Aaron Voone.

[Caller/Guest]

Cam Schlitler's got a little inflammation his mid back so I keep him off the mound for the next few days at least. He's gonna continue to throw. No issues there. So he'll, he's continuing with his throwing program. Just something we're trying to just stay ahead of.

[Don Hahn]

Well, it's February.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, no, listen, it's February and but.

[Don Hahn]

Still I have never, I never remember a time where a player in training camp had a back issue and then say August went up to the player and went hey, by the way, what happened to that back issue you had? Like things like that tend to linger.

[Rosenberg]

They do tend to linger.

[Don Hahn]

But the inflammation, Peter, the lymph lamaish.

[Alan]

Oh yeah, we hate inflammation.

[Rosenberg]

But the thing about baseball, the reason guys report to camp hurt is because that's where they do all their work in the offseason. You get fat during the season. Like baseball's the only season in which you have trouble keeping up while playing because all they do is they play and they stand there for the most part. And then after the game there's a huge spread of food. They eat. They eat on the plane. Right.

[Don Hahn]

They lift though. I think do lift in the morning.

[Rosenberg]

Listen, I'm not saying that they become morbidly obese, but I remember being a Met fan. Sid Fernandez every spring would come in, rail thing come in. He worked out the whole, the whole off season. Everybody talked about how much weight he lost. By the time he got to May, he was like. He was a Weeble wobble. Remember the Weeble Wobbles? Remember the Weebly Wobble? But they don't fall down. And.

[Don Hahn]

Because I thought you were going to say Orson Wells, it's the only one.

[Rosenberg]

That'S a dead bat. But once the season starts, it's different. Like when you play basketball, hockey, or football, you got to be in condition during this, but it kind of gets away from you because the sport you play isn't really as athletic as the other sports in the moment. And there's a lot of downtime. And I'm telling you, we get to see it. They just feed you, man. They feed players. All sports do. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Tons of food.

[Rosenberg]

Because like on the charter, Peter, they, they feed. They feed everybody on the way home.

[Don Hahn]

It's catered.

[Rosenberg]

It's midnight.

[Don Hahn]

It's unreal.

[Rosenberg]

You're flying home like 11:30 at night to feed you. Why? Because, you know, you need carbs.

[Don Hahn]

But also the players, you don't eat for a couple hours before the game, so that after the game you're starving.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

So you, you gotta. Yeah, you gotta take nutrients.

[Rosenberg]

Right. But that's a sport where you probably lost 10 pounds. Those skating up and down, running up and down or whatever. But baseball, you might have been standing there, went 0 for 4, got caught looking all four times. You literally, the whole game was basically jogging your. To your position and then back to the dugout.

[Don Hahn]

That's your cardio.

[Rosenberg]

And then after the game, a spread that. Like a wedding.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, like you dream about.

[Rosenberg]

Right. And yeah, literally. And then. And then that happens. So. So anyway, Cam, level of concern about your back.

[Don Hahn]

Zero, I'd say. You know, again, like, it's early. You know, I've been dealing with it for a little bit, so I just want to make sure I'm on top of it and ready for opening day. And that week in San Fran. I just like mid back and just like minor inflammation, you know, getting more, you know, lat as well. So just making sure I'm staying on top of that next few days and get ready for games. He's young. I trust him.

[Rosenberg]

It's so interesting. I don't even know how to take this. Whether you want to take it as a compliment or being disrespectful, I don't. I don't know. I don't even know what I mean. But you'll understand it when I say it.

[Alan]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

Baseball is not the most popular sport in this country. Anymore, it's football going away. And in a lot of pockets in the country, it's being challenged by basketball. Okay, but nothing gets covered like baseball. Nothing. It is, it is amazing. As newspapers are laying people off, you've got teams that, like, nobody travels. That covers the team. Baseball will have 160 people on the beat because the knee jerk reaction is the players got zero concern. Who the hell's going to know he's got a bad back?

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Rosenberg]

Right. You don't even have to tell anybody. It's not like he's, you know, there's any swelling. It's not like he's wearing a cast. He's not in traction.

[Don Hahn]

But, Don, it's February 12th.

[Rosenberg]

But the reason is, is that there's literally 106 people that are probably rummaging through receipts in hospitals to see if he's got an X ray. They're gonna find out, so they gotta tell you.

[Don Hahn]

Actually, that was so low key. It's February 12th. Like, he just throws it out there. But, but, but, Don, like, think about it. What other sport gives you that much access? They really do give you a ton of access. You're talking to players like, spring training is the place. First of all, it is vacation for sport directors. You get out of New York, you get down there, warm weather, you're hanging around the ballpark like that's your day. You're there all day and all you're doing is just talking to players constantly. And you just get you filling up your notebook. It's like, no other league does this, but you have that much access.

[Rosenberg]

I know, but it is kind of crazy. Like, football is amazingly popular and it's covered by a bunch of people. I'm telling you, in football, they wouldn't even tell you.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, no.

[Rosenberg]

They wouldn't tell you, and you wouldn't.

[Don Hahn]

Find out and you wouldn't know because you can't watch the game.

[Rosenberg]

But baseball, because it's so well covered and these guys are so good. So I guess ultimately I'm calling it a compliment. But the coverage is probably overboard because it's not as popular as football. But it is popular. But, like, these guys are so thorough, they're gonna find out. And then the Yankees will look back like, why didn't you tell us about Cam's back? How did you know about Cam's back? Well, I was rummaging through the dumpster outside his hotel and I saw that it was a prescription for this and it's only used for backs. And I talked to six doctors who said, it's usually the middle of the back. Like, dude, how did you find that out?

[Alan]

Each newspaper has their own dumpster dweller.

[Rosenberg]

But it's. It's not all the President's Men.

[Don Hahn]

It was a thing, right?

[Rosenberg]

Like sports. Baseball's the only sport with a deep throat. Like they've got people that are going to privately tell you Kim Pack is bad. And where most people turn around, well.

[Alan]

How bad is it? Well, that's not bad at all.

[Rosenberg]

Then who cares? But no, we're going to. But he's. What's the level of concern? He says zero. He's lying. Let's do seven pages on it. I'll write a book about it. You do a 30 for 30. We'll meet back here tomorrow.

[Alan]

But serious question, who are the. Who are the. What's the crowd that's reading these articles? Because it feels pretty neat.

[Don Hahn]

You do it 30 for 30 and we'll meet back here.

[Alan]

Who is reading this besides Michael?

[Don Hahn]

Right, Right.

[Rosenberg]

Well, it's. I guess an older generation just thirsts for information.

[Don Hahn]

Look, if no one else wants newspapers, old people like us do. But so right for them.

[Rosenberg]

God love them.

[Don Hahn]

God love for them.

[Rosenberg]

But it's like.

[Alan]

I know, it's like this is.

[Rosenberg]

This literally is a non store. But the Yankees can't because again, they'll crucify. I think they'll go to like the Union and complain that Boone didn't tell him.

[Don Hahn]

Well, what you don't want is at some point right before or when the. When the spring training games begin. When's camp pitching? Oh, he. He's not yet. He's just back throwing on a mound. What do you mean back Throwing them out like you don't want to. You know what I mean? Like. So we'll tell you now and we'll tell you it's no big deal. You guys can go crazy about it. Look stupid. When in a week from now he's back throwing on the mound and he is throwing in the first spring training game. But that's what we do. We need content.

[Rosenberg]

But. Right, but if you're the arbiter of the content, you'd be like, well, how bad's the back? Yeah, well, here's what we know. Boone says it's no big deal. The guys whose back is hurt says is zero concern. And it's February 12th.

[Don Hahn]

It's the equivalent of sports ambulance chasing.

[Rosenberg]

Right, but otherwise, what do I have.

[Don Hahn]

Right?

[Rosenberg]

I gotta have a. I've already done the run it back column. Right. I've already done the column that Brian Cashman looked like a homeless person the other day when he showed up to meet the media. The audacity to have a baseball. Peter, he had a baseball cap on. The general manager of the Yankees. My God, man.

[Don Hahn]

Who's bald?

[Rosenberg]

He dressed like he was going to go see corn.

[Alan]

What business does a man whose entire life spent in baseball have wearing a baseball?

[Rosenberg]

What are you doing? Show some respect.

[Alan]

What kind of sick freak even wears a baseball cap?

[Don Hahn]

Baseball cap. Yeah, we're gentlemen here, right?

[Alan]

Yeah. We sell the cap to the moron. Right?

[Rosenberg]

Right. Yeah. The caps are for the morons, man.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Yes, the morons. The players and the fans, they're the moron.

[Alan]

You're the executive.

[Rosenberg]

What's the matter with you?

[Alan]

What do you watch, Fear Factor?

[Rosenberg]

Come on, stop.

[Don Hahn]

That's too far. Too far. Can we talk about the sport everybody loves?

[Rosenberg]

You don't want to hear Max Free. Oh, I didn't know there was no Max. Max Freed spoke.

[Don Hahn]

Max Freed spoke about Cam's back?

[Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, he did?

[Rosenberg]

I don't.

[Don Hahn]

Listen, I don't know if it's funny.

[Rosenberg]

If it's any more important than that.

[Alan]

This can't be serious.

[Don Hahn]

Does he have a scratch on his arm?

[Rosenberg]

What? What did you learn after your first year in pinstripe?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, wow.

[Don Hahn]

First year in pinstripes. At the end of the day, it's all about winning. You just got to make sure you go out there and win baseball games, and the end goal is to win a World Series. And if you don't do that, it's not a good year. So, you know, the standard is. You know how hard you have to work and kind of there it need to go throughout the year and just keeping that.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, you know what? You know what's funny?

[Don Hahn]

He tried, though.

[Rosenberg]

You know what's funny about. It's. It's. It's almost like a hostage video. Like, you listen to him. It's all about winning here.

[Don Hahn]

And if you don't win, it's.

[Caller/Guest]

It's.

[Don Hahn]

It's not a good.

[Rosenberg]

Holding up the newspaper with today's date. They haven't fed me in three days. If you don't win, the season's meaningless. Are we. Are we done? Can we.

[Alan]

Yankee pride. Yankee pride.

[Don Hahn]

What did I learn? The way he opened that. What I learned. He pauses. Well, that's funny.

[Rosenberg]

Like, was it. Like, did he learn that? Like, that to me, sounded like, yeah. What I learned is you guys are all tools. You guys and you. And you don't give us any respect unless we win a chance. Like that's the way I kind of tell you, right? Like, Yankee fans can look at it.

[Don Hahn]

And go, oh, that's what I love about him, man.

[Rosenberg]

It's all about the winning. And I think he meant it like, no, you guys. Dude, relax, Chill.

[Don Hahn]

What did.

[Rosenberg]

You must chill. It's like, you must chill.

[Don Hahn]

You do that part, and then you do the. What he's really thinking. What I learned is you guys are all tools. Take this stuff too seriously.

[Rosenberg]

Translating like, this is what you have to say. You're. You're a Yankee. You spent a year here. What do you say? It's like with your kids. What do you say, Marco, thank you. You say.

[Don Hahn]

Do you think like. Like they'll go to Pete Alonso, you know, a year as an Oriole. What have you learned? You know?

[Alan]

Tell us what it.

[Rosenberg]

What does it mean?

[Don Hahn]

What does it mean? What have you learned about being a.

[Alan]

Baltimore seafood is popular.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. What I learned. Check still clears. Like what? Yeah, but again, only franchise that you asked that question February 12th. Max, you healthy? Yeah. Oh, God.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, you sure?

[Don Hahn]

Not anything. What did you learn?

[Rosenberg]

I've got seven more pages on my pad here. It's so true, what we got.

[Don Hahn]

I've been there. It really is a panic. Panic situation.

[Rosenberg]

No hangnail.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, gee, doesn't have a toenail.

[Rosenberg]

Do you not have a toenail? Any thoughts on the immigration policy? Ice, maybe give me something. I got seven pages to fill you.

[Don Hahn]

I need to be on the back page. There's no we got papers for a week, right? I need something. Otherwise, they're gonna put the Mets on page.

[Rosenberg]

I am. I, I, I, I just see Luke. I'm not mocking.

[Don Hahn]

Did you see him?

[Rosenberg]

I am not. I'm being serious. And I have all the risk because these guys are amazing at what they do. I don't know how they do it, but it's like, given the Yankee beat, is like. It's like. It's like they're sending you to Ukraine to cover the war. Like it's that level. It's that level.

[Don Hahn]

Where are you going?

[Rosenberg]

I'm going. I'm going to Ukraine. Where you go? I'm going to Tampa.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, dear God.

[Rosenberg]

Boy, do I'll say a prayer. Please, can I call you to Ukraine, please? Because it's February. I don't mind covering this team on opening day, but, like, pitchers and catchers.

[Don Hahn]

No, give me.

[Alan]

If it's like this. Now imagine. You guys must remember. Well, what it was like. What it was like.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, it's not even close.

[Don Hahn]

I think about this like Stanton tweeted something at 3am and your editor calls you because it's all over the. It's all over the place. And it's like, what were you doing? I was sleeping. What are you doing sleeping for?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You know what I mean?

[Guest]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

That's literally what it is. To cover the Yankees, K would tell.

[Rosenberg]

The story like they'd go to spring training when George was alive. And the game, the game's over.

[Alan]

All the players left, but George's car is still in the parking lot.

[Rosenberg]

They couldn't leave. Like, George is probably messing with him. He was probably watching Dallas or he was home. And it's like, yeah, exactly. It's like, let's see how long these clowns are going to stay out.

[Alan]

It's 12 o'.

[Rosenberg]

Clock. They're still like mulling around because you, God forbid, Georgia might come out and say, blank the Mets if we weren't there.

[Don Hahn]

Because that has happened.

[Rosenberg]

I know. So believe me, it's much. But God love these guys that cover the team. They're so good. But it's just amazing the content that is expected out of baseball, that is not expected out of the other sports. And it's not even really about the level of popularity. It's just because there's so many games and there's just an expectation that's been set for so many years that this sport has to be covered with a fine tooth comb.

[Don Hahn]

So funny, you know what I'm saying?

[Rosenberg]

Like, it's.

[Alan]

I'm glad for the people who have jobs, but it's.

[Don Hahn]

It is. So how you feeling? Good? Oh, crap, sure. What'd you learn as a Yankee? Like, you didn't know where to go next? I had no follow.

[Rosenberg]

I just.

[Don Hahn]

He got the run in that back question too.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. Oh, what's he done to run it?

[Don Hahn]

Did he say run it back? He didn't say it.

[Rosenberg]

You know what? It's 48 seconds. I just don't have.

[Don Hahn]

Worth it. You don't think it's worth it? You could play it out halfway through. Yeah, let's see if work. I personally think that our group is, you know, good enough talent wise to compete with anyone in the game. That's it, huh?

[Rosenberg]

No, it's just his tone is so. I don't want to be. I love being a Yankee. I can't wait to pick, but please.

[Don Hahn]

He does sound aloof, doesn't he?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, well, he's that way.

[Don Hahn]

Our team is, I guess, good enough to compete with anybody.

[Rosenberg]

I thought. Wasn't that like two weeks ago, man, you're going to have to ask everybody.

[Don Hahn]

Run it back. No, we have a new team. No, you don't.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, they should ask a player and a player. See, I'm really surprised to be here. I thought they were.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know if there's media availability tomorrow.

[Guest]

Let's.

[Don Hahn]

Everybody. I want everyone to guess. All right, we'll start with Peter. And nobody could duplicate. Okay, Peter, which Yankee will be asked the run it back question next? We've already got Chisholm, Freed, Boone. I think that's it. Who gets it tomorrow?

[Alan]

Well, it's got to be Judge then.

[Don Hahn]

Judgy. Yeah, see, I tend to agree, man.

[Rosenberg]

You can't be both.

[Don Hahn]

They asked Bellinger. When they asked Bellinger, he also had to answer that. Don, who do you think?

[Rosenberg]

Well, because they. Because they literally ran it back by bringing him back. I need. I need Paul Goldschmidt's opinion on it.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, that's a really good one. That's a good Trent Grisham. Trent Grisham's a good one. You know, Grish, you did pick up your. Your qualifying off that. That means you wanted to stay here. How about. How about running it back? What did you think? Let's run this back. That's literally how you word it to him. Because what you want to do is you want to first kind of build them up. Like, clearly you wanted to be here. So did you say, I want to run it back because you want him to say yes? Because then you're like, yeah, run it back. See, one player did agree. I want them to ask Weathers who wasn't there, and go, but I'm. I wasn't here. I'm not running anything back. I was a marlin. All right, all right.

[Advertisement Voice]

Here's some breaking breakfast news as we start the new year. Everybody's talking resolutions, eating better, staying on track, and this one's actually easy. Kodiak frozen power waffles and flapjacks are a quick win, heat and eat. No prep, no excuses. They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving, a good source of fiber and crafted with 100% whole grains, not refined white flour. You've plenty of options, too. Classic buttermilk and vanilla blueberry chocolate chip. Even gluten free. And it doesn't stop there. They've expanded their roster to include French toast sticks, flapjack puffs, and brand new breakfast sandwiches. So whatever your game plan is, there's something that fits. Breakfast that works. Snacks that work. Resolution friendly. Find Kodiak frozen waffles. And flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. They're the ones with the bear on the box. And a proud partner of U.S. ski and Snowboard.

The following is a paid advertisement for the wellness company.

[Michelle]

Today we're talking cancer awareness and I want to bring in someone with a really unique perspective. Dr. Kelly Victory. She's a board certified emergency medicine physician with over 30 years of experience who serves on the chief medical board for the wellness company. And most importantly, she's a cancer survivor. Dr. Victory, thanks so much for being with us.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks very much for having me, Michelle.

[Michelle]

We've been hearing a lot lately about cancer rates rising, especially in younger adults, which is obviously pretty alarming. What are you seeing?

[Rosenberg]

Without question, cancer rates are rising across the board.

[Don Hahn]

And concerningly, we are seeing more aggressive cancers in people even in their 20s and 30s.

[Michelle]

That's scary for a lot of people. Is there anything that can be done to help alleviate that fear?

[Rosenberg]

That is what led me to develop.

[Don Hahn]

The new product shield because it is.

[Rosenberg]

A group of more than 12 well studied, scientifically proved supplements that help to.

[Don Hahn]

Supercharge your immune system. The first line of defense against cancer.

[Michelle]

To learn more, visit victoryagainstcancer.com and use promo code SMALLS to save $25 on SHIELD.

[Advertisement Voice]

Always consult your doctor to determine if this product is right for you guys.

[Guest]

Quick psa. Forgetting Valentine's Day flowers is not the move. Trust me. This is why I go to the Booqs company every time Booqs delivers modern bouquets fresh to her door. Plus, with my code Canty, you get 25% off. Boox flowers are cut fresh from the best farms in the world, so you get bigger, brighter blooms that last way longer. They've got incredible flowers, even roses grown on the side of a volcano. And the best part, Boucks makes it easy. Pick the bouquet, the delivery date and you're done. No last minute panic. That's why booqs has over 50,000 5 star reviews and listening. Even if she says don't get me anything, that doesn't mean no flowers, flowers still score every time. Valentine's Day is February 14, right after the big game. So don't fumble this order. Now go to boox.com, use my promo code Canty for 25% off. That's b o u q s.com promo code Canty Boox Promo code Canty.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Rosenberg]

Let's get back to the busy phones. 1-800-919-3776. Why don't we talk to a Mr. Ray in Connecticut? You're on ESPN New York.

[Don Hahn]

What's up, guys?

[Caller/Guest]

How's it going?

[Guest]

Good, man.

[Rosenberg]

What's happening with you?

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, doing well, doing well. Thank you. Thank you for taking the call. Just wanted to piggyback off Peter's take about LeBron and, you know, more in general, the modern star. I kind of take a little offense to KD always trying to make people feel dumb, you know, and. And saying the old heads. But all I remember is that when they were the young heads, they still didn't care about these type of things, you know, and the All Star Game in more, you know, to me was, if you recall, in the 80s, that's really what made the popularity grow even more. Seeing Jordan versus Dominique, seeing the biggest stars doing these events, and they never cared to do it. And just imagine if LeBron would have.

[Caller]

Would have done that a couple of.

[Caller/Guest]

Times or seen him face Kobe. These things would have been classic matches. And I really feel it was a shame. And. And that's what it is. There is no loyalty. There is no, you know, sorry to sound like the old guy on the porch, but that's what it feels like. The grit. That's why we respect MJ and that whole era, because they took no days off, literally, but just mentally to having that killer instinct, you know, having respect for each other, but not wanting to be your buddy at the end of the day. So just wanted to say that.

[Rosenberg]

Love you guys.

[Don Hahn]

Have a great day. That's one of the reasons why they wondered if the Dream Team would work. You know, they didn't know. But what, like, what you're. What he said about, like, KD, LeBron, like, that era when they were younger is very accurate. And it was almost like they were too cool for school. Like, they were too cool for that. The old guys being all competitive and, you know, bravado and all, like, man, chill. Like. Like, we're all for. Like, this is a business. Like, we're all in the business together. Like, we want to see each other succeed. They did a lot of that kind of talk, and there was a. It was a good way to unify, and I understand that was good for players to have that. But they did kind of look at that old school mentality of toughness and grit and competitiveness and some of that bravado, and they looked at it as if it was like, extra. Like, I, we don't need to do that. Like, we're above that. And that. That was that era, man. Like, it was. They laughed at that stuff. They joked about it, how it was, like, silly almost to act like that.

[Rosenberg]

Maybe too much the other way, too. You can find a happy medium, for sure.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that's the problem is it always swings. The pendulum always swings. You try to just put it in the middle, and we aren't there right now.

[Alan]

But we were. We were having a conversation before the show, and John Winthrop was. Was making his, you know, case for how the NBA is disappointing in this approach at times. And it did make me think it would never happen because there's too much money involved and we're never going to go back. But based on all the stories that I've heard about what the NBA was before I was of age to know what the NBA even was, it sounded like the attitude that exists now is the only thing that could eventually, slowly, over time, get the league back to being that. Meaning in the 70s, when the league was complete chaos, people had checked out. They didn't take it seriously. The whole thing was like a goof.

[Don Hahn]

Yep.

[Alan]

And obviously, again, it'll never go back to that because too much money involved. But this would be the attitude that would bring it back to that. Like, well, why do we have to care about regular season games? We can play for the championship. Besides that, we go out and have a good time.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that again, if you remember, if you look up what the late 70s in the NBA was like, you know, there was a drug problem, there was a partying problem. That's when money started to become a thing, even though it's nowhere near what it has become. But there was a lot of that going on then, and the league was not in a good place. It's clear they had to get it right. And that's when David Stern took over. So, you know, maybe that. And it always takes one generation that just decides that whatever's going on right now, this ain't it and we're going to change it. And it's usually it's the generational type players that do it.

[Rosenberg]

And a lot of times, too, I usually use this defense in baseball, but I'll use it in basketball, too. Is that a lot of this is coming from the organizations. I don't want you playing it. Yeah, no, you're right, because the analytics have come in, it says, you know what? Maybe Michael Jordan could have been a little better. Believe it or not, if he didn't play all 82 games and play 43 minutes a night. Somebody did the math and said, maybe he would have been a better player. Maybe all these guys would have been a little bit better. Maybe if the Bulls didn't go for the record every year and wins, maybe they would have won eight championships instead of like, that's the logic that gets used all the time. And I think then that's what happens with baseball. That's why Lou Gehrig's record never broke. It makes sense to play 162.

[Don Hahn]

You know why the. The Bulls dynasty ended?

[Rosenberg]

Well, because of the relationship with.

[Don Hahn]

Well, but Kraus, the gm.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Was basing it off of time. And his whole thing was. And it wasn't analytics, but it was along the lines of thinking that way is rather than say, I have the best team in the history of the sport and we're just going to keep feeding the beast and win as many as we can until we fall off the face of the earth, which is what they did in Golden State. But he said, this is going to crash. I want to be ahead of it.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And so let's get out from under some of this and reset.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. The branch, Ricky. It's better to get rid of a player. You're too early.

[Don Hahn]

And Kraus. And Krause was overthinking it. It was just. He. He. It was too soon. And everybody thought it was because he was mad about how they disrespected him. He just saw a decline was clearly coming. Scotty wasn't happy anymore. He wanted to get paid more. So he saw this misery there. Phil was impossible to deal with. Always trying to angle away to go somewhere else to get more money. And Michael was getting older, and so his thinking was, that's why it's the last dance.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Because he let them all know this is it. We're not gonna keep doing this because this isn't sustainable. And that's what's crazy, is maybe it would have gotten another year, stayed a little longer. Maybe they would have gotten more.

[Rosenberg]

It would have came to an end. But.

[Don Hahn]

But they. They never had a chance.

[Rosenberg]

Derek in Harlem. You're on espn New York.

[Alan]

Derek.

[Caller]

Hey, what's up? What's up? So I was having this conversation with my brother, and it's a society thing, too. People, younger people just don't have the same work as older people. They don't want to work the same as we do. They don't want to get up early. They don't want to be at work.

[Don Hahn]

On time. That's a broad brush. I know plenty of young people.

[Caller]

I'm going to give you some example, okay? Like, I work in the music industry and Peter, you know this. There's a lot of people who just go in the studio, they play around with a record and they don't put anything behind it. They're not trying to make music. They're just trying to get a hit. They're just trying to make like a quick lick. And it's the same thing that's affecting like all the sports. Like the guys, they're coming in and they're a brand. They're making the tiktoks, they're making their podcasts because at the end of the day, they want to control their narrative on their brand. They don't want you, Alan, to write about them and control the narrative.

[Rosenberg]

They.

[Caller]

They want to control the net.

[Don Hahn]

That's true.

[Caller]

So everything is about how can I control my brand? Okay, If I got a sneaker deal, I don't need to play in an all star game because I don't need to make my brand bigger. I'll just do my own podcast or I'll do this. I don't have to do that on the game. So all those things kind of affect the NBA right now. And maybe Don you tell me this because I look at the hockey, like, the minimum on the hockey is what, like 800,000, where the minimum in the NBA is like two plus a guaranteed contract. So that's why they play a little bit harder. Because even if you go back to Europe, you only make it 300k over there. And that's not even US dollars. So they're going to play a little hard here just so they can make that money and stay safe. In football, if you do 52 men on the roster who's not guaranteed, you're going to try to get a check. We're in the NBA, I'm guaranteed to make whatever. If I'm a vet minimum, I'm making 400 no matter what. If I'm a rookie on a regular contract, I'm making a million no matter what. Only the G League are making like 95,000. So a lot of that stuff is just like, where's my incentive to play hard?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

And even like. And I always felt, especially the American built in, but should be, but I always felt like with the hockey player, especially American board, like, it's not easy finding a place to skate and sometimes you got to practice at like midnight and you pay your dues, you know? So by the time you get there, maybe you appreciate a little bit more than a, you know, that a kid that was so good that he didn't even have to go more than one year in college or not go to college at all, and. And dominated. 18, 19 years old. There's a few in the NHL, 18, 19 year olds that play, but their journey is a lot, you know, different. And so maybe they appreciate it a little bit more. I don't. I just think it's. It's what you can get away with. Honestly. I think there's a lot of different. There's never one reason for anything, but I just think it's really affecting the regular season in the NBA.

[Don Hahn]

It is.

[Rosenberg]

Let's go to Moose in Jamaica. You're on espn New York. What's up, Moose?

[Caller/Guest]

Evening, fellas. What's good?

[Don Hahn]

What's y' all on?

[Caller/Guest]

So, yeah, I have an over, under and a little. They won't they cut for two New York baseball players because it's a contract year and it's time to get the money regardless of the collective bargaining. So will Freddie peralta have an era over or under 3 flat? Meaning will he be twos or will be in the threes? And will Jazz, if this is. If they play the entire season, no health problems. Will jazz go 40?

[Rosenberg]

40.

[Caller/Guest]

Thanks for taking my call.

[Rosenberg]

Well, I will tell you, Jazz is.

[Don Hahn]

Not going for not going 40, 40.

[Rosenberg]

And I under three, that would be spectacular. I'd bet the old new team 270 last year. That's dead. To do it again new team.

[Don Hahn]

What's the team have to do with it?

[Rosenberg]

I don't know. You gotta make an adjustment, right? You're coming to New York.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but we've seen.

[Alan]

We've seen things change when people come here.

[Rosenberg]

What would you do? Would you bet the under then?

[Don Hahn]

Well, the easy play is the over. Well, that's what you tell me what's like.

[Rosenberg]

Well, I'm just saying he's. We've seen before. Look at Devin Williams. His adjustment.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Took like half a year to adjust from going from Milwaukee to New York.

[Don Hahn]

Freddie's Dominican. He's home. A little different, but I'm comfortable here.

[Rosenberg]

You would bet 40, 40?

[Don Hahn]

No, no, I'm more. I'm curious about Jazz this year and what. What he's going to be. You know what I mean?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know what to expect.

[Rosenberg]

I'm just looking at mayor of New York doing a promo, trying to get lifeguards for pools and beaches.

[Don Hahn]

It's funny with snow all Around. He's walking in a park of snow.

[Rosenberg]

And I don't think he did it today. He probably did it when it was, like, 4 degrees outside. Can we get to that point where we need lifeguards? Please, God, do I need the spray?

[Don Hahn]

It'd have been hilarious, though, if he was so bad and there's snow all around him on the beach.

[Rosenberg]

But that would have been worth doing, right?

[Don Hahn]

That would have been hilarious. Hey, in a couple months, it's gonna be warm. You're gonna want to go in there, right? And we need people to protect the people that go in there.

[Rosenberg]

Do you see this iceberg? It's not an iceberg. It's a lifeguard stand. You could be sitting in this. Just a couple of short months.

[Alan]

What do you think's the chance? What would you guys predict is what week in what month do we get to. The weather feels nice. I'm not saying hot. Saying the weather feels comfortable this year. Yeah, like light. Jack, let's go sit up. Let's go sit on the roof.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, sit on the roof.

[Alan]

The week and month.

[Don Hahn]

Peter's never going on the third week, April.

[Rosenberg]

And what's interesting is, like, baseball starts March 26. So we're saying that could be playing a week of baseball before. Before we feel like it's nice.

[Alan]

No, no, no, Don. But, Don, that's. That's been the case. It's been a month of cold baseball. Every year.

[Rosenberg]

We will get just a rogue, gorgeous day, like somewhere in the March 20th.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Alan]

We don't mean a rogue day, though. We don't mean a rogue day, because.

[Don Hahn]

What happens is, is it doesn't sustain. And by the time we get here, it's already cold again. You know what I mean? Late afternoon. That's already like.

[Alan]

Or Alan, it's one day, and the next day it's gone. I mean, it's. I mean, we're on the path.

[Rosenberg]

First night we're on the path, you play baseball.

[Don Hahn]

So you remember how those. In the spring, you'd go out after school, and it was warm all day at school. Right. And then you're out on the field. By the time practice is over, you're freezing.

[Alan]

Well, not only that, baseball. Your guys baseball season started March 1, right?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, it was March. I don't know if it was March.

[Alan]

1St, but yeah, mine was March 1st. And mine was March 1st. And the first two or three weeks, practice was almost always in the gym because it would be raining or snowing.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, awful. And even if it was nice, it rained the day before. So we couldn't go out on the field.

[Don Hahn]

But you remember how it would be like warm all day and you felt like, oh, it's gorgeous out. And then you'd go out. I'm wearing shorts to practice today. And then you're out there. And then by the time it gets about 4:30, you're shivering.

[Rosenberg]

Let me ask it this way, because this is how it hits me, guys, that one day where you walk out and you smell it. You smell spring. Like you just. There's that sense of we've. It's officially nice. You can.

[Don Hahn]

The morning do.

[Rosenberg]

And I think that's not going to be until like May, April 10th.

[Don Hahn]

I'm going 18th.

[Rosenberg]

Because it's usually around. I'll be honest, it's usually around when the hockey playoffs start. That's usually when you start the field. It's a little different this year because of the.

[Alan]

Yeah, but here's why. Here's why. Don's all wet, in my opinion. Second time this week. Just like the list. Because. Wow. April 21st is the first day of spring, right? No, March 21st.

[Don Hahn]

Vernal equinox is March 21st. March.

[Rosenberg]

It's not April 21st.

[Alan]

March 21st.

[Rosenberg]

Did I dry up?

[Alan]

You're saying April.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Alan]

No. So you're right. So you're saying April 18th. I'm gonna go over. I'm going April. I'm going over on that.

[Rosenberg]

Give me 27th. I'm gonna say April 10th.

[Don Hahn]

I got April 18th.

[Rosenberg]

April 18th for Alan. April. Would you say 27th? 24. 27th. So we're all in April, but we've. We're spread out all over April.

[Alan]

And for the record, this means how many days do we need? Like, does it have to be that? Because it can't be.

[Rosenberg]

No, but when. The day I'm talking, when you smell it, then there's no turning back. So I'm a little. I'm a little going. April 10th is a little aggressive.

[Don Hahn]

I think you can. I think you're right. I think you'll smell it earlier, but you won't sustain it.

[Caller/Guest]

That.

[Alan]

That Allen. That's what I think. I think you smell it. You go, yes.

[Don Hahn]

And then.

[Alan]

And then two days later, you're wearing a parka.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's rain cold. Because there's nothing like the April snow. Like, you'll get the thing about April snow, if you get it, it's rare. Is there could be a lot of it. And then it's 70 the next day and it's gone. Not like this snow. It's like hanging around forever. It might be April 10th before we say, I saw my last bit of snow.

[Don Hahn]

I was looking great.

[Alan]

When is this snow gone? Great question.

[Don Hahn]

Walking the dogs this morning after get up, got home dogs. And I looked at like, the path, my path. And I'm like, when am I going.

[Rosenberg]

To see that, right? Like, what am I going to. How about this? When am I going to be able.

[Don Hahn]

To take my Christmas decorations, my lights?

[Alan]

Tell me. Tell me the last time you remember this. I'm looking at on the weather app at the next 10 days, okay? We finally have a bunch of things above freezing. In fact, highs above freezing every day for the next 10. However, in spite of the fact that next Tuesday they're calling for a high of 49. The next precipitation we see next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the only precipitation list is snowflakes. When was the last time you just saw rain in the damn forecast?

[Don Hahn]

And you guys know tomorrow I won't be here. Grace. I'm taking Gracie to the Capital Classic. Volleyball.

[Rosenberg]

I didn't know.

[Alan]

You bet your ace.

[Don Hahn]

And we're gonna be down in D.C. and so she sent me the weather there. And you will love to know that on Saturday it'll be 52 in sunny.

[Rosenberg]

I think it's gonna be 48 here.

[Don Hahn]

Alan, how about this? Delicious.

[Alan]

Alan, how about this? Well, I'm supposed to be in D.C. this weekend.

[Don Hahn]

What?

[Rosenberg]

Oh, you know what?

[Don Hahn]

Volleyball.

[Rosenberg]

You know, if you don't get together, then there's a disrespect level.

[Don Hahn]

She's in the AM wave, which means pm. We're free.

[Rosenberg]

What?

[Alan]

That means in the. In the PM On Saturday and Sunday, you're free.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know about Sunday yet. It depends on how they do.

[Alan]

You guys got a break Saturday free.

[Don Hahn]

Saturday evening is a great Italian place right by. It's the next day, isn't it?

[Rosenberg]

Is it Saturday?

[Alan]

No, Saturday's Valentine's Day. But Saturday, the reason is the reason we're going. We're having a birthday dinner for my niece and nephew.

[Don Hahn]

You're all. You're good.

[Rosenberg]

Good. Well, you just.

[Don Hahn]

I don't.

[Alan]

You show right up. You got your. Your family.

[Rosenberg]

Why can't you swing by for dessert?

[Don Hahn]

Because I'm with. Because I got Gracie.

[Rosenberg]

What does she take? She eats a lot.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's that she's gonna affect the bill. She's a teenager. Who would be like, I'm not going there.

[Alan]

Well, yeah, I know. You know how awkward it is, the idea of Gracie showing up to hang out with two other teenagers at their birthday she's never met.

[Don Hahn]

I mean it's a nightmare dominating the volleyball court this weekend.

[Rosenberg]

You want to show off? Flex a little maybe.

[Don Hahn]

By then I hope she's exhausted and we're just going through all the college offers, you know, flying by Daddy's too much, flexing God's ear.

[Rich Eisen]

Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it and you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way, you hand everything off and then silence. Days pass, weeks pass. You start wondering, should I send another follow up email? It feels like you're chasing updates and getting nowhere. But now taxes are different because your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full service expert. With Intuit TurboTax, you can match with your dedicated tax expert and hand off everything right in the app. And while your expert checks for every deduction, you'll see real time updates on your phone. So you always know exactly where things stand. Suddenly you're not refreshing your inbox, you're going for a run, grabbing a coffee, scrolling anything other than a just checking in message because your TurboTax expert is handling it and keeping you in the loop. So this tax season, get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real time updates only in iOS mobile app only available with TurboTax full service experts if you're ready for an oil change, trust the professional parts People at O'Reilly Auto Parts to recommend the best products for your vehicle. Right now, get five quarts of Valvoline, full synthetic motor oil and a Wix filter for 3599 and receive a fifteen dollar O'Reilly gift card. After rebate, upgrade to a WIX XP oil filter for just $2. More limits apply. See Store for details Stop by your local O'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online@o'reillyauto.com watching someone close go through loss.

[Advertisement Voice]

Really changes your perspective. You see how quickly grief can turn into financial stress, and it's something no family should have to deal with during an already difficult time. Experiences like that make people think differently about planning ahead and protecting the people they love. Life insurance isn't about expecting the worst, it's about being prepared and knowing your family will be supported if something unexpected happens. That's why life insurance through Ethos is worth considering. They make the process fast and easy. Everything is 100% online so you can get a quote in seconds, apply in minutes, and even get same day coverage. There's no medical exam, just a few simple health questions. You can get up to $3 million in coverage, and some policies start as low as $30 a month. As of March 2025, Business Insider named Ethos the one no medical exam, instant life insurance provider. And Ethos has 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with over 3000 reviews. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos now by going to ethos.com sports. In as little as 10 minutes, you can get your free quote and up to $3 million in [e-mail] sports. That's E T H O s.com sports ethos.com sports application times and rates may vary.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Rosenberg]

So we got a nice little group thread with text message.

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Rosenberg]

And I give. What is this? What's what? What? The music. You're. You're gonna mobb deep. I don't know that.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sorry.

[Alan]

Don't know the song. Don't know who they are. Both.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, no, I know who they are. I don't know the song. Yeah, but I know who they are.

[Alan]

You like it, though, don't you?

[Don Hahn]

Beat is sinister.

[Rosenberg]

It feels pretty good. Right? There we go. Now I'm losing confidence in who sent the text message.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, no.

[Alan]

Okay. I didn't know where you were going.

[Rosenberg]

No. Because I got. No, so I. It was from. It was an email that the Oshawa General sent out to their fans.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

That was you, right? Okay.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

I don't know if you saw this, Peter. No. So. And I give Anthony credit. It's like the first text comes at, like, quarter to eight in the morning. And, you know, he's up until three watching, you know, Goodfellas and rewatching Rangers Classics on msg.

[Alan]

Anything but Boys in the Hood.

[Rosenberg]

All right. Which he was. Which he was asked to do. And the assignment now that USA has already been played and there's literally nothing else going on.

[Don Hahn]

Nope.

[Rosenberg]

If you don't watch it tonight, it's the equivalent of spitting in our faces tomorrow.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

So if you're ready to do that.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? If you watch it tonight, you're doing what the Seahawks did at the podium after the parade.

[Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Don Hahn]

That's what you're.

[Rosenberg]

That's exactly what you're doing. And you know what? But we're not going to. We're not Going to pixel it out. No, see it.

[Don Hahn]

Want to let everybody see it now.

[Alan]

I guess I missed what happened at the parade.

[Rosenberg]

Just. Yeah, you'll see it in.

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Rosenberg]

It's good that you just proofread it before 6. The email from the Oshawa Generals, which is a. A hockey team, a junior hockey team, and obviously Oshawa, if you're looking at relevancy, it's a team that Eric Lindross played. We're thrilled to have you with us each and every game and appreciate the energy you bring to the are to help ensure a clean, comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone. We kindly ask for your cooperation with a few simple hygiene practices.

[Don Hahn]

Hygiene.

[Rosenberg]

Please make use of the hand sanitizing stations located throughout the arena. Cover coughs and sneezes and be mindful of personal cleanliness while sharing our space with fellow fans.

[Don Hahn]

Personal cleanliness.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

If you're feeling unwell, we encourage you to take care of yourself and cheer us on from home when possible. If you went to the gym or did something that produces body odor, please shower before attending the game.

[Don Hahn]

What?

[Alan]

Oh my God.

[Don Hahn]

Wait a second. So they have a problem with fan stink?

[Rosenberg]

They have an issue. They have a smelly o. Issue.

[Don Hahn]

Smelly fans. Oh, they little bo.

[Rosenberg]

Little body odor.

[Don Hahn]

So the. Oh and ash, listen, we're not talking.

[Rosenberg]

About one or two people. If you're sending an email. This is two season ticket holders.

[Don Hahn]

This is a pandemic.

[Rich Eisen]

This is.

[Rosenberg]

This is a major problem. Okay, well, I guess it got a reaction because the Osawa Generals had an official statement today that they sent out. Hey, Jens nation. We took a penalty on that last one. It's not our place to overstep like we did. We are sorry. And hopefully you can wash this one off.

[Alan]

Wait, was that a pun intended?

[Don Hahn]

Yes, clearly.

[Alan]

Okay, got it.

[Don Hahn]

So they basically have told their fans we're stay fed up with the stink.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Normally it's your team stinks. No, we're telling you stink. You stink.

[Alan]

You actually stink.

[Don Hahn]

You literally stink. Like take a shower stink. Hockey bags smell worse than any smell in the history of the world. Facts, fans. You smell worse than that.

[Alan]

Yeah, you smell worse than a hockey bag.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, you ever like honestly hockey bag in the summer left in a car in a parking lot in the baking.

[Alan]

So open that car door and the.

[Rosenberg]

Only thing you can do like it's. It's because I. Alan and I have been around, you know, dressing room.

[Don Hahn]

Oh like that you only can do.

[Rosenberg]

You put a fan on it. Like they just. They have fans Going like there's nothing you can do. You just try to dry it up, just. But, but, but you know what? If they go. But if they go to a game, they shouldn't smell that way, right?

[Don Hahn]

Like, don't forget what's going on in osha. Nobody wants to shower.

[Rosenberg]

Right? I mean, if you've run into J.T. miller at the theater, you don't expect that stink on him.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, he showered, I promise.

[Alan]

Yeah, but why can't the fans of the Oshawa Generals?

[Rosenberg]

What. What is the.

[Don Hahn]

What is.

[Rosenberg]

What's going on? I've never been to Oshawa.

[Don Hahn]

I haven't either.

[Rosenberg]

It's what's in Ontario.

[Don Hahn]

It's in Ontario?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's probably. Is it a suburb of Toronto, the.

[Don Hahn]

Eastern anchor of the Greater Toronto area?

[Alan]

So would you still love being Canadian?

[Rosenberg]

But I'm just saying, like, is a bunch of farmers. Is it a working class?

[Don Hahn]

It's a town.

[Rosenberg]

It's a town of what?

[Don Hahn]

It's. It's on the Lake Ontario. Sure, it's right on Lake Ontario. They could go bathe in the waters of Lake Ontario. They could cleanse themselves.

[Alan]

Like. Like in Lake Wintonga.

[Don Hahn]

I was trying to get the proper word. Butchered it.

[Rosenberg]

You got it. If they smelled like fish, you'd say, all right, maybe they didn't clean up after, you know, being in the water or whatever. But no, he. They're saying you stink and they give you the credit like this.

[Don Hahn]

It's the automotive capital of Canada.

[Alan]

How do you like that?

[Don Hahn]

So it's not like farm. It's not like where they're dealing with cattle or pigs or something where you can understand, like, you know, these poor people working out in the fields all day. They're coming to the game. Give them a break. No, they're regular people. Take a shower. That's all they said. They said, hey, you know what? Our team doesn't stink. You do. Take a shower.

[Alan]

Don, you remember in my illustrious career as the most, you know, as the single most diverse sports fan who ever lived, you remember I had a period of. Of playing pickup hockey.

[Don Hahn]

You did?

[Alan]

And. Oh, yeah, I had a pickup hockey period. And let me tell you something, Even at my level of limited hockey, that bag stunts.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. No, it's. It's a thing. Well, it's.

[Alan]

It's.

[Rosenberg]

You know what I have trouble with and the kids call me out. I don't know what to do about. Is my. The boxing gloves from kickbox.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, well, that's. Again. It's bacteria. Yeah. Sweating bacteria.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, I. I don't know what to do about it. Yeah, I was told to try to, maybe when I'm done, put dryer sheets in them overnight. I was told if it's a nice day, you know, leave them outside, maybe for a day, but nothing seems to work.

[Don Hahn]

You gotta. You gotta spray it with Lysol. Kill the bacteria. Okay, That's. And then dry it.

[Rosenberg]

Filth.

[Michelle]

Flarn.

[Rosenberg]

Flarn. Filth.

[Alan]

That's the problem. It's the filth.

[Rosenberg]

Florn. Flarn. Yeah. Yeah. The hands sweat during the kickboxing, so. Oh, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Don't dream, even though you're like.

[Rosenberg]

You don't. That you don't dream about the runs. Yeah, you could dream about that. No sweaty palm.

[Alan]

I had diarrhea.

[Rosenberg]

Like a dream. Tried to clean it up.

[Don Hahn]

Prefer not.

[Alan]

But remember, that was Quiches. He's a different kind of cat.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, you don't know what goes on there.

[Don Hahn]

You know, Sean Avery's from.

[Rosenberg]

He's from Oshawa, apparently. Never struck me as Mars Bonfire.

[Don Hahn]

Who is that from? Steppenwolf?

[Alan]

Someone hit straight.

[Rich Eisen]

Really?

[Rosenberg]

Really.

[Alan]

I need stranger poles.

[Rosenberg]

That's a strange.

[Don Hahn]

I'm trying to find some.

[Rosenberg]

Is he still with us?

[Don Hahn]

Standby.

[Rosenberg]

That feels like somebody that would have died young.

[Don Hahn]

Mars, still with us. 82.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, look at that.

[Don Hahn]

80.

[Caller/Guest]

Good for you.

[Alan]

He's still stepping.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to Badon, Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter, weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers from 30 for 30 podcasts.

[Caller/Guest]

Did you say someone got shot?

[Rosenberg]

Brian Pata, senior defense of lineman from Miami, gunned down. The key to this case.

[Don Hahn]

It's Brian.

[Rich Eisen]

An hour before he died, he was.

[Don Hahn]

On the phone arguing with somebody. This might be a hit. You want the truth? They just want a conviction.

[Rosenberg]

Being placed under arrest. We had a killer amongst us.

[Rich Eisen]

Murder at the U.

[Rosenberg]

Listen now.