Hour 3: Soto v Judge Narrative

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Soto v Judge Narrative

Release Date: May 1, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosted by Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Don McGregor, the trio delves deep into the ongoing narrative surrounding two of baseball's rising stars: Juan Soto of the New York Mets and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. The discussion centers on the perceptions, pressures, and media-driven stories that shape the performances and public opinions of these athletes.

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1. The Emergence of the Soto vs. Judge Narrative

The episode kicks off with Alan Hahn setting the stage for a high-stakes discussion about the potential Game 6 between the Knicks and the Pistons, but the main focus soon shifts to baseball.

• Alan Hahn highlights the significance of the Soto vs. Judge narrative, emphasizing that both players are mega-stars in the same market. He states, “[...] when you have both fan bases engaged, you have two superstars, megastars” (06:10).

• Peter Rosenberg counters by questioning the validity of this narrative, arguing that it’s largely media and fan-created to stir interest. He remarks, “You’re creating a narrative that you automatically will win because Judge is the better player” (40:36).

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2. Performance Under Pressure

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Juan Soto's performance with the Mets, especially in comparison to Aaron Judge's achievements.

• Don McGregor observes Soto's early season performance, noting, “He always has” (04:43), referring to Soto's consistent ability to hit homers despite the team's loss.

• Peter Rosenberg challenges the notion that Soto is under undue pressure, citing Soto’s lack of complaint about contract-related stress: “I don't have any pressure at all” (02:49).

• The discussion further explores whether Soto's early successes or struggles are influenced by expectations. Peter Rosenberg asserts, “I'm not going to sit there and pump my fist. He had two home runs in a 4, 3 loss. I want to see this team win” (04:44).

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3. Media Influence and Fan Perspectives

The hosts debate the role of media in shaping the narrative around Soto and Judge, and how it affects fan perceptions.

• Alan Hahn emphasizes the importance of stories in engaging fans, stating, “I root for the story” (06:10). He believes that comparing Soto and Judge adds an exciting dimension to the baseball season.

• Peter Rosenberg argues that much of the narrative is constructed by Yankee fans and the media to create a compelling story, even if it doesn’t align with reality. He mentions, “The narrative has to be, well, he can’t take the pressure” (04:18).

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4. Team Performance and Historical Context

The conversation shifts to the Mets' performance and their standing in the league despite Soto's inconsistent start.

• Alan Hahn points out that the Mets are leading the league with one of their best starts in franchise history, irrespective of Soto's performance: “The Mets are still in first place” (09:44).

• Don McGregor and Peter Rosenberg discuss the implications of having two strong teams in the same market, comparing it to historical rivalries like Jeter and Piazza in New York.

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5. Listener Engagement and Real-Time Reactions

The podcast incorporates listener calls, offering diverse perspectives on the Soto vs. Judge debate.

• Caller Emmett supports the idea that the narrative started in the offseason and continues into the season, emphasizing that Soto's signing was a significant boost for Mets fans (30:07).

• Juan Soto himself joins the conversation, defending his performance and highlighting the importance of winning over individual statistics: “The success of this person. Right. But as a Met fan... we have not won since '86” (34:31).

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6. Broadcasting Changes and Future Implications

Alan Hahn introduces a segment on the impending changes to NBA playoff broadcasting, discussing how regional sports networks will no longer broadcast first-round games starting next year due to new TV deals.

• Alan Hahn explains, “starting next year, with the new TV deals, with Amazon and others kicking in, NBC regional sports networks will no longer be allowed to broadcast their own games in the first round” (42:54).

• Peter Rosenberg expresses concern over the impact this will have on local fan engagement and the authenticity of game coverage.

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7. Concluding Remarks and Final Debates

As the episode wraps up, the hosts continue their spirited debate on the Soto vs. Judge narrative.

• Alan Hahn reiterates the significance of having two superstars in New York, suggesting that it revitalizes interest in baseball: “That's what I'm rooting for” (19:57).

• Peter Rosenberg remains skeptical, emphasizing that team success should take precedence over individual rivalries: “I care about trying to win games, and I want Soto to do well so my team can win” (18:26).

• Don McGregor aligns more with Peter, questioning the legitimacy of the constructed narrative: “Soto's career so far” (16:11).

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Key Takeaways

• Media and Narrative Construction: The podcast underscores how media and fan narratives can shape perceptions of player performance, sometimes overshadowing team success.

• Individual vs. Team Performance: There's a clear tension between celebrating individual achievements and prioritizing team victories, reflecting broader debates in sports journalism.

• Impact of Star Players on Fan Engagement: The presence of two high-profile players in the same market is seen as both a boon for fan interest and a source of contentious debate among enthusiasts.

• Broadcasting Evolution: Changes in sports broadcasting rights are impacting how fans engage with playoff games, with implications for local and national viewership.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.” — Alan Hahn (00:29)

• “I don't have any pressure at all.” — Juan Soto (02:46)

• “The Mets are still in first place.” — Peter Rosenberg (04:44)

• “That's what I'm rooting for.” — Alan Hahn (19:57)

• “I care about trying to win games, and I want Soto to do well so my team can win.” — Peter Rosenberg (18:26)

• “starting next year, with the new TV deals... regional sports networks will no longer be allowed to broadcast their own games in the first round.” — Alan Hahn (42:54)

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Conclusion

The Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast provides a lively and insightful exploration of the Soto vs. Judge narrative, highlighting the complexities of media influence, fan expectations, and player performance in shaping the landscape of New York baseball. Whether you're a die-hard Mets or Yankees fan or simply a baseball enthusiast, this episode offers a nuanced perspective on one of the sport's most talked-about rivalries.

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Timestamps

• Introduction: 00:29 – 02:27
• Soto vs. Judge Narrative: 02:44 – 05:44
• Performance Under Pressure: 05:44 – 10:47
• Media Influence: 10:47 – 16:27
• Team Performance: 16:27 – 20:34
• Listener Calls: 20:34 – 36:50
• Broadcasting Changes: 36:50 – 44:55
• Final Debates: 44:55 – 45:50
• Closing Remarks: 45:50 – 45:50

Note: Timestamps are indicative of major discussion points and may not cover every detail.

Transcript

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[Alan Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers. All right, the big five o'clock hour. Here we are with Don McGregor, Peter Rosenberg, I'm Alan Hahn. The nerves starting to kick in? I think a little bit. A little bit. Little bit. Game six tonight, Knicks and the Pistons, they are in Detroit. And we have your full coverage right here on 880 starting at 7. It's a 7:30 tip. So right after our show takes you right in to the pregame coverage. And it is again, it feels like that urgency of you do not want a game seven. I mean, that's the most obvious take about tonight. You don't want a game seven. So we'll have a lot of talk on that. Your calls on at 800 now. 193776. You are already making a face. What happened, Peter?

[Don McGregor]

It's Lee Goldberg's glasses.

[Alan Hahn]

I just.

[Don McGregor]

I just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is it with you and Lee? He's a friend of the show.

[Alan Hahn]

He is a friend of the show.

[Don McGregor]

I know. I mean, I don't know him as well as you guys do. I don't really know him at all. I'm sure he's a lovely man, but like they're just. The glasses are so over the top today. They're green today.

[Alan Hahn]

It looks.

[Don McGregor]

Today it's intense.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, you remember up the movie up?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure. True.

[Alan Hahn]

The old man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don McGregor]

Beautiful. I cried in the first 30 seconds.

[Alan Hahn]

It doesn't. It looks like in like 20, like if he stays with that look.

[Don McGregor]

Well, that's how you know it's an ironic.

[Alan Hahn]

The gigantic.

[Don McGregor]

Because they're gigantic. You do you remember what he's got.

[Alan Hahn]

Scuba gear on right now. That was a very large.

[Don McGregor]

You know what else it was on Curb? Larry David's dad's glasses. Do you remember that Don, Larry David's dad had the huge, like they're like fishing a fishbowl glasses. Like, it's just so crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

Anyways, so you were distracted by Lee, we love Lee, we lovely. But meanwhile, the Mets lose today for two to the Diamondbacks. However, is the day saved at all, Don, by the fact that Juan Soto did go yard twice, although they were solo home runs. Well, you can't hit a home run with people on base pay, all that money. But still, here's Juan Soto talking about the home runs having a two home run day. And maybe does it take some pressure off that you've been feeling lately?

[Juan Soto]

I mean, what pressure?

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, I don't have any pressure these guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, Mendoza has been really clear.

[Juan Soto]

With me to make me feel comfortable and going out there and play.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't have any pressure at all. So it's just two homers that weren't.

[Juan Soto]

Enough to get the win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So whatever.

[Alan Hahn]

What pressure? You see that contract, not me.

[Don McGregor]

What do you mean?

[Alan Hahn]

See that contract that you have pressure, but you really.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is where you're Yankee boy more though, more so than you know, Nick's boy. You're way more Yankee boy than Nick boy. What did I do? Because I do think you want this to just be a disaster for the Mets. And your pressure. He says he's under no pressure.

[Alan Hahn]

Would you be 800 million in the bank?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I understand that, but you know, there wasn't pressure last year to join the New York Yankees, where you know that you're in the last year of your contract.

[Alan Hahn]

That's pressure, all right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a lot of pressure knowing that everybody's looking at this as well, you better win the World Series. You just traded for Juan Soto, so you better win the World Series. And you know that how you play is going to determine how much money you're going to get in free agency. We saw Pete Alonso fold under that pressure. I think the reason he had a poor season last year was because he knew all the contract and the constant conversation about it and he was costing himself money week after week of not hitting. Now, I don't know if Juan Soto would have lost that much money because he had such a pedigree, but still, it would have had a lot of people wondering if he was the fold under the pressure of the Yankees and what that comes with and what the expectations were at what the age of 19 was playing in a World Series. So I know there's probably some pressure on him to live up to the contract, but I don't think that's affected him. I just think he was in a bit of a slump. But the narrative has to be, well, he can't take the pressure. Boy, the Mets are going to regret signing him because if he folds up in year one, the pressure is going to continue to mount. Keep rooting for that to happen. This guy is going to hit to the back of his baseball card because he always has.

[Don McGregor]

He always has.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what? And this is a perfect example of what am I supposed to be excited to hit 2 home runs, Mets lost. I'm happy that he hit 2 home runs and hopefully this will get him going. But you know what? I'm not going to sit there and pump my fist. He had two home runs in a 4, 3 loss. I want to see this team win. And they lost a series at home for the first time this year, but they're still in first place. And I think he's going to hit. But Peter, don't you hear it? Like, I think a lot of this just comes from Yankee fans and media just assuming, oh, it must be the pressure. He must miss going, you know, leaving the Yankees and all that. The only thing he did, the only misstep, was even bringing up the Judge stuff. But it was a fact. Nobody could protect him in baseball than Aaron Judge. You saw the start, you gave the stats, Allen, the start that he's off to. It'd be ignorant not to think that that protection is going to be missed in some way, shape or form. Should he have said it? Probably not. But he was stating a fact at least. Well, so the idea that all these things are coming up, a lot of it just comes from a lot of people hoping he falls on his face.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's. No, no. Now, let me be clear. While I like to tease you with this stuff and the Yankee boy stuff, I like to tease you. You know, I'm always about the story, right? Come on. Like, if you know me now and you know all the years I spent again as a sportswriter, I look at the story anybody ever tells me, like, oh, do you root for the. No, I root for the story. What's the best story? That's the one I'm rooting for. Because you do lose fandom when you are covering a team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I get it.

[Alan Hahn]

And so what is the best cover?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Baseball?

[Alan Hahn]

No, but, but I still, right now, this is like covering baseball. We have to talk about it on a daily basis. So what do I root for? I'm not rooting for Soto to be a failure so I could just laugh at it. No, I told you what I was predicting from the beginning when you were mocking me about how back pages don't matter, but they do. I am looking at a city that is going to have a long, hot summer because it's going to be Judge versus Soto. Sexy song, and I love that. I think when you have both fan bases engaged, that you have two superstars, megastars. We were just talking about Judge a half hour ago, Don, were we not? And I was rattling off the numbers that he has done that are historic when it comes to the start of the season that he's had, all the stuff that he's done. And I can repeat him in a minute for those who are just joining us, please. But I'm telling you, he's already setting it. He's already setting the table for the summer because he has emerged with the fast start that says I'm the best in town. Now, he doesn't say it because he doesn't need to say it here. Aaron Judge, he's locked in, right? This is Aaron Judge talking about himself, which he rarely does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You just got to go up there with confidence no matter what. You know, I felt the same even when I was hitting, you know, 170 last year. And you guys are asking me all the questions about when are you going to turn around? So it's just I can't focus on results. You got to focus on the process and trying to get a job done. You know, if you do that for 500 basket, things are going to happen.

[Alan Hahn]

See what he does, he always reverts to, remember when I sucked and you guys were asking me when I'm going to be good?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

He reverts that because he doesn't have to talk about himself. Everybody else does. So he's already set the table. Don and now Soto, he's the opposite. He stumbled out of the gate and now we're like, can he catch up? Is he going to do it? He hits two home runs today and he's smart. He's like, yeah, well, it wasn't enough for us to win. Pressure. No. And like you guys said, he knows it, too. I'll eventually get to my numbers because I always do. Confidence doesn't need to say it. These two guys, by July will be. They'll set this city on fire. That's what we need, and we haven't had it in such a long time. I think it will rejuvenate the sport in this town. It might even help the entire league to have two megastars in the biggest market. That's what I'm rooting for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that still could be the case if as long as the Mets and the and the Yankees are both in first place and maybe a collision course to a subway series. And what. It's going to get brought down because maybe Soto isn't having the year that people expected him to have. Like, I went off on the fans yesterday that are, like, upset that Soto's off to a slow start, but I never said or believe that that's the majority of people. I think it's just a very vocal minority. But the narrative has been set by Yankee fans and by the media. All the Met fans are going to boost Soto. No, they didn't. When he came to Citi Field and had that awful road trip, did they? Boom. No, they didn't. And for the most part, he has been. Been fine. Oh, you could see his body language. You could see. We had a caller yesterday. You could see that he's. He's upset about the way he's playing. He's bringing down the other players on the team. No, he's not. Not at all. I mean, but there is this feeling because the Yankee fans are so powerful and the media always skews negative that are maybe trying to create something that isn't there. You say the story isn't. The story. Isn't the better story the fact that despite his slow start, the Mets are still in first place, off to one of the best starts in franchise history?

[Alan Hahn]

That's part of the story.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's the story.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Part of the story that the media wants to. That doesn't feel that's gonna sell enough papers. It's gonna get a reaction.

[Alan Hahn]

Because, Don, that's a. October.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The winning story for October. No, because you didn't expect to be a story in October.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a real story right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, later.

[Alan Hahn]

It's about the winning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no. The story is that here is Juan Soto, the guy that they spent a billion dollars for in the off season. That's off to a slow start, but yet the Mets still won more games in April than they ever have in franchise history. And they're in first place. And the last I checked, the best record in baseball. Though that might have changed over the last couple of days with the losses. So, yeah, ultimately, October is going to decide for everyone who's the big one. But. But the fact is that here's a guy off to a slow start and the Mets are still winning. So imagine what's going to happen when this guy begins to hit. But no, that doesn't sell papers, and that doesn't get people going. That doesn't drive the phone calls. So let's create A narrative of he doesn't want to be. I'm not creating for Aaron.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not creating an outreach just for the record. Dodgers by percentage points because they're 21 and 10. The metro now after today's lost 21 and 11. So we're just talking percentage points difference when it comes to best record in the sport. I am not creating a narrative. That narrative was written the day he signed with the Mets. That was written because it is. It is an unprecedented moment in the history of New York sports, which is a really rich history and that is a great story. And what goes on from here, as they chose separate paths instead of together is the judge and Soto was all last year. That was a story all last year. What can these two do together? And what it was was the Eminem boys. That's what it was. It was Gehrig and Ruth and that was special. Now it's separate paths. Which guy emerges as the best? That's your story. That gets us through a season and then when we get to September and October, the winning becomes part of the story too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but I think the winning is always part of the story because all the games still count and still an evaluating where the team is to say, boy, he's not hitting yet. The Mets have 21 wins and eventually he's going to start the hit and that's going to be even better.

[Alan Hahn]

But why can't you recognize the fact.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That part of me that's just something that you want to create, this judge versus Soto and all that. I don't think it's about watching my team win games and try to go to the playoffs. Only twice in the history of this franchise have they gone to the playoffs in back to back years. So I'm hoping that now it could be a third time and that it leads to a championship.

[Don McGregor]

But you don't think so?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, there's things that are being created, but there's also the fact, Peter. And the fact is they're in first place and they've been winning without him hitting. So you want to create all the other stuff of judge versus Soto and oh my God, he's miserable. His body language is terrible. He's longing to go back to the Yankees. What a mistake the Mets made. That's all just garbage that's created to make people that don't love the sport be interested in it. But for the people like me that care about the Mets and care about the story, the only thing that matters to me is that they're in first place.

[Don McGregor]

But you don't you think it's an Allen or media created story that a top five player in baseball who is fantastic and helped lead the Yankees to the World Series opted to go across the street, play for the Mets? Now they're both, both teams are playing great. And you don't think there's any story about the two star players who were together?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know why you don't recognize the fact that these are. When have we had this two of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The behemoths of the sport in the same market? I'm just saying it's not the story because. Well, let's say they were both going at it and both teams are out of it. Well, then you would need that to kind of get you through. But the fact is, you know, listen, it's great. Appreciate Judge. I'd like to see Soto hit better. But you know, some also appreciating Alonzo being back and playing well and Lindor and the kind of season that he's having as well.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, this isn't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't need all the other ancillary stuff. Yeah, there's stories, they're fun. They'll write a book about it someday. But ultimately, what's it going to matter unless the teams go out there and play well. And so far both teams are in first place. I think that's the fun story. How many times we sit there and watch an entire football season where the two teams that represent New York are completely unwatchable.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then we've got two teams in basketball, one people care about and the other one they don't. Same thing in hockey. One team they care about, two teams they don't. But here we have two teams that people care about. Maybe not equally because there are more Yankee fans, but it's a hell of a lot of Met fans. And we've got two teams that are in first place. And in the summertime, before camps open and before July 1 with free agency, we're going to have nothing but baseball to talk about and how cool is it? We're going to have two first place teams, maybe two teams with the best records in baseball playing. I don't need to create a story on what Judge and Soto are doing. Yeah, it's fun. We'll keep an eye on it. But ultimately the story should be that the two teams representing New York are both battling for the same real estate, being the best in baseball. That's fun to me. That's cool to me. That's something that should drive interest in something that doesn't have to be created.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not created. It's part of it. Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the only place.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't know why.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, forcing a narrative that's a real conversation, driving it as the.

[Alan Hahn]

Just wait. No, it is part of it. Now, they weren't in the same market, but you're going to tell me that bird magic wasn't a thing. Boston versus the Lakers, that was the entire thing. It changed a league. Why? Because people cared not about, oh, the Boston Celtics win a lot of champions, so the Lakers. No, nobody cares about that. What they cared about was the compelling story of two guys that would just the best at what they did. And it was the argument of, who are you? Who's your guy? And I was not alive for this, but I have relatives who have told me that that's what New York used to be. Right, Willie, Mickey, the Duke, who's your guy? Who is your guy? And you argue why your guy's better, your teams are better, you argue that that's great. The team success is nice, but part of that is stars of those teams.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's where you lost me. That's where you lost how the team stars.

[Alan Hahn]

And the teams are also all for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The other garbage that might move the needle for everybody else. It's too long, Willie. Mickey. And the Duke was because the Yankees won every year. Dodgers beat them once. All right, well, Giants and Dodgers were.

[Alan Hahn]

What's changed? What's changed? What's changed? How many. How many champions?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, what's changed is, you know, over the last 20 years, it's, it's been pretty even. You want to go. You want to go back to the Jeter years? You want to go back to the DiMaggio?

[Alan Hahn]

I'll go back to the last one the Mets won. Let's just go back to the last one the Mets won. How about that? Let's just go back to that one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, you want to play that game. But I'm just saying we've got two teams here that are battling for the same real estate. And the Yankees have won one championship since 2000, and the Mets haven't won any. But the Mets have gone to a couple of World Series in that span. Both of them were in the playoffs last year. Both made it to the Final Four last year. Both lost to the same team last year. The one thing we could actually share is are we going to be able to get by the Dodgers, the Mets in the National League, the Yankees in the World Series? That's A story to me. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You know when that's a story?

[Peter Rosenberg]

October, all the other people that don't have a dog in the fight. Yeah, that'll drive the needle. But right now, my team in first place is more than enough for me. You think I'm going to get any satisfaction if Juan Soto ends up being better than Judge? Yeah, come on. That's an impossibility because Judge can't be touched. So what are we even. Even having the conversation for? Even if they were going back and forth, Judge is still a better player. And with Soto's start, he's probably not going to be able to catch up with Judge with the start that he had. So what are we even talking about?

[Alan Hahn]

All right, so clearly you. You're not interested at all, then, in the fact that your franchise gave a guy almost a billion dollars and that was supposed to be a win.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tweak me all you want. It makes for good radio, man. No, it's mad. I care if he bats.200, doesn't hit another home run, the Mets win the World Series, I'm going to be happy. I'm not going to think about all the money they wasted.

[Don McGregor]

But you, you have overstated a bit. Like, I'm not. Of course, if the Mets win the World Series. Yes, you're not going to cry if. If Soto isn't.

[Alan Hahn]

But that's not. You talk about in April.

[Don McGregor]

But you would.

[Alan Hahn]

There.

[Don McGregor]

It will. I agree with both. I agree with number one, There is a conversation to be had.

[Alan Hahn]

It's too long a season to be fixed kind of winning.

[Don McGregor]

I also don't buy it from Don when he says, I understand the day they win the World Series. Of course you're not going to care. How Soto do.

[Alan Hahn]

I completely agree with.

[Don McGregor]

But a month later, are you gonna be going. So, hey, what's up with Soto?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was awful all year.

[Don McGregor]

We're stuck with him for 15 years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not counting that because, Peter, I'll tell you, if he continues to struggle, they probably won't be winning at the clip. Eventually, it's going to come back to haunt him.

[Alan Hahn]

That's true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because he's too important a piece. So. No, I agree. It's something to probably be concerned a month, two months from now if he's not hitting and the Mets start losing games. They just lost the Series, you know, so, yeah, it can become a issue. But him saying that this whole thing, I'm supposed to get excited or be disappointed that Soto is behind Judge. I don't care. I care about trying to win games, and I want Soto to do well so my team can win. Do you think it's going to be any consolation prize to me if the Mets finish in third place and Soto, for some reason, has a tremendous second half of the season and surpasses Aaron Judge's 2025, is that going to be a nice consolation prize if the Yankees are playing in the World Series and the Mets are out of it? Well, at least Juan Soto had a better year.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, of course not.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. All right. Again, what I like about some of these discussions is that none of us are wrong. You feel that way. That's how you feel. But to tell me that I'm wrong, that I am compelled. When you have in this town two superstars, which we don't really get a lot of that anymore. Superstars like this. Like, the closest thing I could think of was Jeter and Piazza in the same city at the same time. I can't think of another time where it was something this level, but it might even, like, this is definitely higher than even that. Like, you know, Dom Mattingly, Keith Hernandez. I remember having that argument on the bus with my friends when I was a kid who was better. That's what we do. It's fun. And that's what gets you through a baseball season, in my opinion, Don, this gets you to it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We both know our teams are good. See, that's.

[Alan Hahn]

But we already know our teams are good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's where we're different, man. You're from. And I'm not saying you. But you're coming from the argument of. Of a casual. You know, I'm not a big baseball fan. It's not my favorite sport. It can get kind of boring. I don't watch every day. But this is something that can move the needle for me. Like Peter. Peter's a perfect example. Something that you just said can be something that motivates Peter to watch more baseball. Be a little bit more interested. But you know what getting me. I don't have to get through a baseball season if my team's in first place. I'm getting through just fine. So I think that's where our argument.

[Alan Hahn]

We all love to have our debates. Why do we do this? We love to have our debates about what's better. You're interested to. Hey, your team's good. So is mine. Hey, good for you. I'm happy for you that your team's good. No, you know, it's like, it just has a little extra something to it where it's like, all right, we have both teams are good but I got the better player. What do you mean you got the better. I got this guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This guy does this like it turns.

[Alan Hahn]

Into it's fun again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to speak for everybody and that's why we have a phone number 1-800-919-3776. I've never been that kind guy that where I'm going to hang my hat on wall. You know, at least my team's more popular so my team had the best player right now.

[Alan Hahn]

Brodor vs Richter never affected you whatsoever. You never ever wanted to argue with a Ranger fan that Brodeur was better.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But most of it came from Ranger fans after they missed the playoffs again to say, well, at least we oh, we've got the money goaltender we beat bro 94. He beat in 97 quick. I was a consolation Ranger fan, wanted to hang on but you know. Meanwhile, Brodeur had three cups to Richter's 1o.

[Don McGregor]

Oh, seeing it come out, huh?

[Alan Hahn]

Does this sound a little familiar now?

[Don McGregor]

Yeah, it sounds like something.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, my job is done.

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right, we need to get the calls on this 800 now. 1937-76-Mets lose 4 2. But Soto does get two solo home runs. That's good. The Yankees, we'll see them tomorrow against the Rays. And so we'll see if Judges continue. He had an unbelievable start season. Now he goes into May and can he continue the deal. And as I've said, and Don hates this and I'm sorry Don, but you know the newspaper guy and me the back page guy, the Soto Judge is another story this year like it was last year. Instead of being Soto and judge, it's now Soto versus Judge. And I'm sorry you don't like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's a real thing because it's made up. And Rick, Rick brought up a great point as he text me, I'm going to punch this up right here, right now.

[Alan Hahn]

And Rick the Mets fan, correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Judge is better than Soto. There is no argument. They're just trying to spin this into Soto made the wrong choice and is unhappy and that's why he's struggling.

[Alan Hahn]

I love it. They it's not about the struggle. It's about the fact that they are now separated and in the same market and they're both mega stars. And the expectation is Soto is going to eventually be Soto at some point. And you know what? It could happen. Don, how about this? Picture this. They play each other later this month in Yankee Stadium. Let's say Judge continues to absolutely dominate and Soto still goes through like you know, meandering through the start of a season, but they play a series and Soto absolutely just hits smokes the Ball in Yankee Stadium a couple of times. And Judge has a nine strikeout. You know, series where he's just whiffing, he's just not hitting the ball or whatever it is. Do you think that's not going to be a story coming out of it? Well, you don't think the fans are going to react and feel a certain way that the first time they meet against each other? And there's this sense of playoff pressure, even though it's only May, but you know, the building will have juice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's the result of the series?

[Alan Hahn]

Doesn't matter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Donna, let's stop arguing because that's where you're wrong.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you mean up to where I'm wrong?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because whoever wins the series, wins the series. Like so what is it? So what would it matter if Soto Rakes goes 4 for 4 in all three games?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he's 12 for 12, six home runs, huge story. And so. And Judge strikes out every single time.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the Yankees sweep the Series. Okay, so then what does it matter?

[Alan Hahn]

You're telling me that that's not, I.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Guarantee, made up newspaper garbage?

[Alan Hahn]

It's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

White people don't buy newspapers anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

Still in business though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Barely.

[Don McGregor]

You're both almost there. Like, like, don't let the people talk. Don is wrong in his. Is in his saying that the whole thing's made up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it is. You're wrong.

[Don McGregor]

No, it's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. 2 stars made up because Judge is the better player anyway.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, he's still is total not a star. Superstar.

[Don McGregor]

Let me, let me jump in here. I got a tweet about that too. Someone being like, this isn't even a conversation because they're not even close. Stop.

[Alan Hahn]

That's ridiculous.

[Don McGregor]

They are close.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes. It's not.

[Don McGregor]

Let's, let's, let's all, let's all stop glazing Judge to the point of no one's in the conversation. Judge is better than Soto. But Soto's career so far.

[Alan Hahn]

Is he a top five player in the league right now?

[Don McGregor]

100%.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, then by the way, done.

[Don McGregor]

The one thing Judge can't get close to doing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Win a championship.

[Don McGregor]

Playoffs and won a championship. So let's not completely write off Juan Soto because if that guy starts playing the way he does, they are in a similar conversation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. Yeah, but the debate that Allen's trying to have is that I, Is there ever going to be, Is there ever a season, Can Soto have a season that Judge have the season where at the end of it, we're going to go, boy, I'd rather have Soto than Judge. No. So that would make the debate unfun because what was great about Willie, Mickey and the Duke and let's face it, no offense to Duke Snyder, they only threw him in just for the symmetry of it. He was never in the conversation. You know, know Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, that's a conversation. All right. That's a debate. Who would you rather have? This is not a fun debate because you know you would take judge 10 times out of 10.

[Don McGregor]

But I'm let me just push back one more time because we are being prisoners of the moment on those season, during those seasons when Judge is randomly gone for 30 games and those do happen like 40% of his career, he's gone a bunch during our season. Soto never misses games. You can't say that it's such a no brainer that you 10 times out of 10 and don't forget, by the way, Soto is still much younger than Judge.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but you're bringing up things that aren't going to be quantifiable in a three game series, Peter, unless Judge got hurt. But the point is that if, even if Soto rakes and Judge doesn't, you're not going to walk out of the stadium going, well, we got the better player. If you do, you're a moron if you think it's Soto. And this is coming from a Met fan, but I'm going to walk out of the series. If the Mets swept the series, no matter what the two guys did, I'd be happy happy that they swept the series. Nothing is going to supersede what the result is on the field.

[Don McGregor]

And see, that's where I go side with you and not Alan because ultimately you are right. I don't think there's a conversation.

[Alan Hahn]

I never denied that.

[Don McGregor]

So you realize so regardless of the results are going to matter.

[Alan Hahn]

The end result of the winning is the last statement you have in any type of argument about that moment. But all I'm talking about is the compelling thing that we don't get too often here. Our football teams suck. There's no stars on either team, but it's like they don't play each other. There's nothing real at stake between either one of them. You said it yourself, Don, the basketball stuff, it speaks for itself. We used to have this in hockey, many, many, many, many, many years ago. And it was really fun. But we don't have it anymore. And so baseball, it used to have it also a long time. We don't so we get to have this. All I'm saying is it's a real thing. It goes beyond the teams and the success. These are two of the top players in the sport that play on separate teams in this market. And you're right, that's a real thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I, and I think that that's a real thing for the casuals.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you know what? Casuals are customers, too. Let's get some calls. 800-919-3776. Emmett is in the car. Emmett, you start us off.

[Caller Emmett]

Hey, what's up, fellas? I'm just calling in. First time caller. Sean, I had to call in. I feel like you're getting two on one right now. I can tell you're ready to lose the plot and you need to do it. Han, you are. You said yourself you're, you're a newspaper guy, you're amazing basketball guy, but you're casual when it comes to baseball.

[Alan Hahn]

I am not a casual when it comes to. Emmett, Emmett, stop you.

[Don McGregor]

He's definitely past casual.

[Alan Hahn]

He's a real, for real. Don't, don't, don't ever call me a casual.

[Don McGregor]

I am a casual. All right. Allen is a real baseball.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll take that real personal.

[Caller Emmett]

He's comparing, so I understand what you're saying. Back in the day, Brode or the Rangers, those teams are playing in the same division judge. What he's doing on the Yankees is phenomenal. It's unbelievable. But it does not affect the Mets until the Subway series when we play them. And if we were to meet them in the World Series, that's why it's not a thing. If he was doing this and we're in the same division and the Mets and the Yankees are chasing for this playoff spot, the winner of the division, then that's when it's more of a story. It will be a great story the weekend of the Subway series when they do play each other and they're competing. But at the end of the day, it's going to matter. Like Don said, if Soto goes 10 for 10 with 25 RBI and the Mets get swept, I could not care less. The same way today he had two home runs. Great to see. Hopefully that's what gets him going. But we lost today and the same way. Yeah, it's not great. The press, the press conferences he does and everything like that. Like you want to see him, like he did a great job today saying, essentially, yeah, it was nice seeing them, but we lost. It doesn't matter what the Yankees do and what judge do because it's not affecting the Mets directly until we either play them or meet them in the playoffs. And that's why it's. You guys are spinning a story. Like Don is completely right here. It doesn't matter.

[Alan Hahn]

Did it matter that Soto signed with the Mets to you that he left the Yankees, did that little party. Did you enjoy that? That he chose the Mets over the Yankees?

[Caller Emmett]

I enjoyed that. We got one of the best top.

[Alan Hahn]

Five players in baseball and there was no. So. So if he would have come from the Padres, he would have felt exactly the same. Not a little bit better. Better not enjoy that a little bit.

[Caller Emmett]

No, of course, maybe a little bit.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what I'm saying. So it does affect. There is an effect. Even though they don't play in the same division, they still play each other in the regular season. That matters.

[Caller Emmett]

That's more off season stuff I would rather call than actually expecting during the season.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's still. And Emmett, thank you for the call and please don't ever call me a casual. But that I just, I'm just telling you, I think the story started in the offseason. It carries into the season. It just, it's a real thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. But I also don't think it's real for me because it wasn't really taking Soto away from the Yankees other than the fact that the Mets had the money. This wouldn't have happened if the Wil Ponds on the team. So this wasn't him choosing the Mets because of their history and because of their fans.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but that's the whole thing. You got the owner that was able to do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How does that not celebrate it when it happened? Okay, but if you know anything about me, it's like I hate this.

[Alan Hahn]

I guess, I guess I'm learning that. But I'm trying to explain that this to me is always going to be part of the story. Stars are always part of the story. Always. Yes, the team success matters and I completely agree. But the stars and what they do and who shines brighter, that is also part of the story because what they do in those moments and how they carry the team and all that stuff, that also does lead you to say to yourself, I think this team win a championship because that guy, that's a real thing. Let's go to Kevin in Queens. Kevin.

[Juan Soto]

Hey, what's going on, guys? Thanks for taking. Hey, so I'm address. I'm addressing our comments with my comments. So one, as a methane, it absolutely matters that we got Soto. Right. And as a meth fan and I Have siblings that are Yankee fans. I have good friends that are Yankee fans. There's definitely a back and forth that goes, goes on. And there was definitely a little bit extra for sure as a Met fan that we got Juan Soto and he could have went to the Yankees, learned how close it was. So there's definitely something extra in that as a Met fan. But at the end of the day I was right. It matters about winning because you know what Yankee fans say. 27. Right. There's nothing that a method could say to a Yankees fan.

[Caller Emmett]

Right.

[Juan Soto]

So there's a little thing here with Swan Soto and yet there's a little dig with how slow he's starting and the backstories are getting a little bit tired because it sounded like Yankee fans missed out on like they're still hung up over their ex your type of thing. Right. Judge is a better player, but Hwan Sold is way younger, has way more to go, is way more durable, plays, you know, plays a lot more percentage of games than Judge does. But Judge is the overall better player. But it comes down to like, like Don said, the story that I didn't like today was coming, that's happening a lot. Like Cross Soro is like the main story and then the Mets winning and losing is a backstory. Right. Case in point, like Emma just said, that has.

[Alan Hahn]

You're saying, Kevin, coming out of today's game, the bigger story is Soto hitting two home runs, not the Mets losing. Is that what you're telling me?

[Juan Soto]

The big, the biggest, the biggest story since we signed Long Sodo's Ron Soto and I get it right. And, and all due respect and we wanted him, I want him. I'm glad he's here. I hope he stays here forever. Right. Or whatever. The contract doesn't opt out, but the story should be about the Mets and yes. Mars photo. Right. The success. He's our biggest free agent. I mean anytime you have a big free agent, anybody, any market, anytime you sign a big free agent, that's gonna be your story, right? The success of this person. Right. But as a Met fan, as a long suffering Met fan, right. We have not won since 86. So like that's where it starts and ends. That's it. That's the end of the conversation. And we're wait, we're working our way towards that. I know there's steps only one team could win it. Don says it's every year. Right. So I love what we've been the past few years, especially with Coh and Sterns. I have have faith in his front office. But Don's right. And Han, you're right, too. There is a side, there is a backstory.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is.

[Juan Soto]

Is not necessarily made up, but I think Met fans, Yankee fans, is a little big. It is the first time that Mets fans have really been able to say, we got this superstar with this success.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the whole idea of having that superstar, like you said, is it will help the Mets win. Soto having an MVP season on a team that doesn't make the playoffs is not going to make me feel better that I've got Juan Soto. It's going to make me feel disappointed we didn't take Advant having this great player. I pump my fist in the air when Soto signed with the Mets, not because we beat out the Yankees, not that we got a superstar that's going to fill the building or give or entertain me every time I turn on SNY or listen to our radio station, it's that it's a piece that's. That hopefully is going to help my team win a championship. And that's what I'm hoping for.

[Alan Hahn]

And that's what we all hope for in the end. But as I think Kevin said it the best, I think we're both right, Don, in what we're saying. I think we both just. I think you don't like what I'm painting, and I understand that. That's fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But no, I.

[Alan Hahn]

You can't say it doesn't exist. I certainly does exist.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but I think it adds to the fun. I think it gets me. It gets. Forget about the media, because the media is going to stir stuff, and we're. We're members of the media.

[Alan Hahn]

We're supposed to entertain people with this stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I do think, coming from a Yankee fan, is that, you know, you're creating a debate. Alan, believe me, I'm a. I. I debate. I know I do for a living. All right. And you're good. You know, Ranger stuff. Jet. Pre. Ultimately, what I do is I debate, I argue. Peter will tell you I do shows when I'm not on the air all day. I argue. And what I argue is that you've created a narrative that you automatically will win because Judge is the better player. So you're trying to create an argument that at the end, and I cannot possibly win. So you've created this Soto vs Judge, knowing you've rigged it, knowing that judge is going to win. And that's why I think a lot of Yankee fans hang on to that, because then it doesn't matter about the chip, and it doesn't matter about who finishes with the better record or how they do against each other in the in interleague, it's ultimately is who's the better player and you are going to win that 10 times out of 10. So you've created an argument that you.

[Alan Hahn]

Can'T lose 10 out of 10 and.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That'S what frustrates me.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll tell you what, as we go to break, I'm going to tell you this. I even disagree with that take.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan Hahn]

I don't know if you knew this but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail] 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 fee full [e-mail] thanks for listening to the Don, Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don McGregor]

Alan and I were also talking during the break having ourselves a chit chat and I let's not waste time because the phone lines are jammed up and I want to talk to people before you get in but like the way that in order to support this argument Don and others are sort of making it like this no brainer like soda was pretty good but he's not like that.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, this is what I'll say because I said it to you Peter.

[Don McGregor]

It's a bit of an over you.

[Alan Hahn]

Saying 10 out of 10 times Don is crazy talk.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

It is crazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's in a stud. Listen no who you'd rather have because of the age Because Judge gets hurt. But we're saying when you're talking about the better. Right now you're setting up an argument. Judge versus Soto in 2025.

[Alan Hahn]

You act like I'm creating this just so I can win it, which is insane.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, but I'm just talking about the general you in the sense that, oh, it's Judge versus Soto. Well, you know what? You won because Judge is going to win the MVP and Soto's not going to win the mvp.

[Don McGregor]

But that's only a month. I mean, we're a month into the season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But honestly, it's. It's a rigged election, Peter. Why? Because you know what? He is a top five player, but this is an all time player who's going to get. Unless he gets hurt. Now, again, we can have the debate about who you'd rather have like the Jeter and Judge debate right now. Jeter brings up and maybe Soto can be more of a winner and accumulate rings the Judge doesn't get. But who the better player is going to be. Judge is the better player. He's off to the better star.

[Alan Hahn]

Hang on. But again, again, that's part of the story. That's what makes getting to October so exciting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Stories. I just think the whole thing's a joke. All right. Take some calls.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. You hate it. Game time. Brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Totally time.

[Advertisement Speaker]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

He's done. I've ruined him.

[Don McGregor]

He's. You broke him.

[Alan Hahn]

He's so mad at me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but you can't break me.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he's unbreakable. I didn't think you'd break.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm just saying you're dumb. I'm trying to be focused. When we're. We're done playing games.

[Alan Hahn]

He's so dumb enough to raise the game playing Mets lose 4 to 2. Soto hit two solo home runs. That's the big story. Pretty good for a Gibraltar.

[Don McGregor]

Pretty good for a bump.

[Alan Hahn]

Not bad for a guy who sucks. Yeah.

[Don McGregor]

For a guy who's pales to anyone. Great.

[Alan Hahn]

Speaking of sucks, the Knicks look to close out the community. Following us on 880. Right here on 880 at 7. I only mean sucks because we didn't want to be in a Game 6, but we've got to play it. So let's see what happens. Telemar do the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore or try the new Telemardu Honey during today's Action glasses up to enjoying Telemardu responsibly. I do want to add, though, speaking of game six tonight, Knicks and the Pistons. It's on MSG Networks now. Once again, I'll remind people this could be the last time we broadcast a playoff game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, you. You brought that up. Can you give a little bit more detail on that? Because I was even taken aback by it.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, here's the thing. Now, we'll still do pre and post like we always do in the playoffs, but regional sports networks always were allowed to broadcast first round in the NBA. In the NHL, you can't do any of it, but in the NBA, you can. You can call your own your home playoff games. Like again, I did game three with Mike Breen. We have done them. You'll have Clyde and Breen tonight on the call. Our hall of Famers. They're in Detroit. Sorry.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The NHL does the first round, too.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I didn't. Oh, I thought they. Okay, so, so. But then after the first round, you can't. But starting next year, with the new TV deals, with Amazon and others kicking in, NBC regional sports networks will no longer be allowed to broadcast their own games in the first round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that'll be. That's official.

[Alan Hahn]

That's official. So it is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what. I didn't know. I heard about that.

[Alan Hahn]

But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, and it's sad, but it's, it's. It's been part of the new deals that they gave these national networks that said we don't want competition with local broadcasts, so don't let them do it. And the league said, fine. And so that's it. So this could be. If the Knicks win tonight, the last time Clyde and Mike Breen call a Knicks playoff game. Which is incredible when you think of the history of this network. By the way, pregame show, 7:00 tonight. Me, Wally, Bill in the studio. Monica will be on the radio call Tonight here on 880 with Tyler Murray. But Monica jumps on with us in the pregame and the post game. We have an hour long post game, of course, on msg. So when the game is over, you do not turn it off. You keep it rolling with us. And if the Knicks advance to the second round, we'll continue with our pre and post coverage. But yeah, it's kind of sad, Don, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's not kind of sad. It is sad. And I took exception to something John Butcher Grass said.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A couple of weeks ago about, listen, if you want higher ratings nationally, then they're going to have to get rid of the regionals in the first round. And I don't think he meant anything by it because it's. I do think it affects the national rating that you've got a game where it's blacked out by the local markets and because it's a regional sport. Yeah. Of course, Devil's Hurricanes isn't going to get a big number because outside of Carolina and New Jersey, not a lot of people are going to care about it. If TNT or ESPN or ABC was able to get those two markets, their ratings would be higher. But I just felt like it was a little insensitive because I think it's important to fans that at least for the first round, they get their local announcers.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. And that's important to fans. Mike Breen, who obviously does the national calls as well, he spoke out about it. He talked to Neil Best about it and he said he doesn't like it. He doesn't like the fact that the league did ask. Acquiesce and take it away because there is still something pure about having your local team, your local coverage, your regional sports networks that already were struggling around the country, letting them at least have that first round that's in playoff. But again, pre and post, we're still with you, but we have the whole thing tonight, start to finish, 7:00 on MSG networks, on TV, and of course right here on 880 ESPN. Speaking of MSG, I gotta run because I got stuff to do down there. I gotta get uptown to the studio. So Peter and Don will take you for the rest of the way, which includes ENN coming up next. Don, I know you hate me right now, but I still love you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't hate you. I love you a long time.

[Don McGregor]

Well, that's an interesting way to close out the hour.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. 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.