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Don Hahn
When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans. Send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom 60th and never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn more@WhatsApp.com 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 Tulla or do Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, guys.
Don Hahn
It'S taller time.
Rosenberg
It's Tully time. I swear to God. I think they replaced that with actually Fred Flintstone scream. Yeah, I never sounded like Fred Flintstone before. Now it's almost identical. Did you guys mess with that drop?
Don Hahn
It's AI do.
Rosenberg
You AI'd that drop, didn't you?
Don Hahn
Yeah, it's Fred Flintstone saying it's Tully time, isn't it?
Rosenberg
Well, it's two different drops. I just, you know, I like to alternate between the two.
Don Hahn
Yeah, that was a good one.
Rosenberg
Something's going on, but you know, we digress. Yankees will try to avoid elimination in game two of their series with the Red Sox coming up in an hour, six o' clock on 880 right after us. Earlier today, Cleveland stays alive. They even their series had won with the Tigers a 61 victory and the Padres are up 3 nothing on the Cubs in Chicago in the top of the six. The Padres looking for more. They get runners at first and second with one out. So they've got a chance to even that series up. And that game can be heard on 1050. But tonight here on 880, you'll be able to hear the Yankees and the Red Sox Tullimore due the original triple distilled triple one den and triple cast matured Iris Whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore due or try the new Telemore due. Honey, during today's action, glasses up. To enjoying Telemore Due responsibly. We'll continue with your phone calls on how it went last night. As disgusted as you are with the Yankees and you're facing elimination and the pressure that comes with that. I still like the matchup tonight, right? I know Rodin doesn't have a great history, but he's had a phenomenal season.
Don Hahn
Yep.
Rosenberg
And you've got the regulars back in the lineup. Jazz is back in the lineup tonight. So you feel good about that, that this is the team that you want to go to war with. And in case you missed it, Grisham's batting first, Judge Bellinger. Rice back in the lineup. He'll be at first base. Stanton, it's going to drop the fifth. Chisholm's back in the lineup with Wells, Volpe and McMahon back in the lineup as well. So this is kind of what you're used to.
Don Hahn
Well, you're right, you're facing a righty, right.
Rosenberg
You've got your 18 game winner on the mound. You've got an excellent chance here. And there is pressure on the Red Sox. I understand there's pressure on the Yankees because it literally is win or go home. Right. So it is a must win for them. Their season could be over and that will not look good after you thought you pivoted off a Soto and you end up going out without a win in the postseason. That'd be bad. So there's pressure, no question. But the Red Sox probably feel some pressure too. They've got an opener tomorrow because Giolito is out. He's not on the postseason roster or at least the first round roster because of injury. So they probably feel like if they don't win tonight, they're in a, they could be in a world of hurt here. So they're, they're going to feel the pressure of winning tonight to win this series. So I don't think the Yankees are dead by any stretch of the imagination.
Don Hahn
No, not at all. I mean, again, it's, it's. They won the game that you would think that's the one you're most confident because of crochet, like that's the one you had to get because it was him, right?
Rosenberg
Yes.
Don Hahn
Like if there was one, you knew you gotta get that one. And then at 1, nothing late, you know, you're getting through that game. You know, there was some nerves until they finally were able to break through once they got to the bullpen, but they got the one they had to get. Now it's a matter of can they get one tonight against Rodon, who has had a great season. But last year in the playoffs, we saw he, you know, he was not money, he wasn't terrible, I guess, but he, he wasn't money. And you think about it, he got, he got a big win in game one against Cleveland. Actually he got two in that series. But you know, the Dodgers at that game too, that felt like that must win.
Rosenberg
Yeah.
Don Hahn
You know, like that game, not Great.
Rosenberg
I think, again, to say you feel good, you're facing elimination. And. But I still think there's an avenue in which they can win this series. Now, because you're facing elimination and the Red Sox are not, you may be forced into making some very interesting decisions tonight because there is a. You may reach a point of no return. Right. Like, so, how you use the bullpen, how long you use certain guys because you have no choice to win this game could maybe affect you the next day. Again, there's no day off. There's no travel day. There's. All these games are. Yankee Stadium, they're playing tomorrow. So could you get into a situation where you got to go deep into the bullpen because you can't afford to have Rodin give up another run, and then you've. You've completely killed your bullpen going into tomorrow. That there's a. There's a scenario in which you could win, but it could come at the expense of tomorrow. But I still like the situation that they're in.
Don Hahn
I'll flip it. If Rodon is pitching well and feels good, there's no way he's giving the ball up.
Rosenberg
I agree.
Don Hahn
He won't let him take the ball, but he's got that person.
Rosenberg
Let me ask you this, because I think this, this. This is important. One of the things I loved about El Duque, there were some big games. Yeah, some. I remember Oakland, where he'll give up three runs in the first inning, and you're like, oh, he doesn't have it. And the next thing you look, he's. He's pitching into the seventh inning and didn't allow anything else. That's what's great about him. Like, he would fight through it facing. Let's say Rodon's got a bad first inning and he gives up. He gives up three runs.
Don Hahn
He gets rattled.
Rosenberg
Not only that, but would they have the confidence to let him continue to pitch, or would they pull the plug right away and then start, you know, start going to the bullpen because they. It's trust because you just don't want it to get too out of hand. Like, let's. Let's pull the plug on this, because I don't want three nothing all of a sudden become six nothing. We can't win the game.
Don Hahn
Well, it's trust. Right? That's all it is, is how much do they trust him versus whatever the hell else they could take out of the bullpen? What's your trust factor there? That's kind of how you have to look at it. What is the level of trust that you have? If it's out of 10, how much do you trust Rodan? Would you say a seven?
Rosenberg
I would trust him because.
Don Hahn
Is it a seven?
Rosenberg
Yeah, I think. Listen, he's an 18 game winner.
Don Hahn
That's what I'm saying. But you also know he does kind of get. He does melt down sometimes. He does get a little rattled if that happens. But we'll see if he gets through. But if he's looking a little shaky, I still have him at a 7. Who in the bullpen is any higher than a 7 or even a 6? Who. That you would bring in the.
Rosenberg
Nobody.
Don Hahn
No.
Rosenberg
And who's gonna, who's gonna go that. Not only that, but if, God forbid, you had to go get him in the second, first or second inning, like, who's giving you any length? Right. Who's gonna give you a ton of innings?
Don Hahn
Oh, you're going to lighter, you're going to hill. Like you're going there.
Rosenberg
You got to piece it together. And again, maybe you piece it together and you come back, you win the game. But then like, all right.
Don Hahn
Oh, think about Will Anthony said Will Warren. I'm thinking, I think they're holding Will Warren for tomorrow. For the. If there is a game three because you don't know what you're getting out of Schlitler or are you saying we can't worry about tomorrow?
Rosenberg
If that's what I'm saying, you can't worry about tomorrow.
Don Hahn
So you're going to Will Warren, like, God bless him, I mean, he had it for a rookie. But this is, this is where your season is lying.
Rosenberg
No, but that's what happens.
Don Hahn
How about this? How about at home the offense does more than score one run. How about that?
Rosenberg
It's so interesting. Let's get to that crazy concept. We're not getting a lot on that, though. We end up focusing so much, with good reason, on the pitch because he took Freed out.
Don Hahn
Right.
Rosenberg
That you don't focus on what has been the perennial issue for this team throughout all the judge years. No offense in the playoffs.
Don Hahn
What we saw with bases loaded, nobody has never happened before because it doesn't.
Rosenberg
Make sense what you are trying to do. And again, I'm critical of taking Freed out as well. But what we're saying to you is you're trying to win that game.
Don Hahn
One nothing. Yeah.
Rosenberg
You know how hard it is to win a playoff game. One nothing. I mean, that's, that's tough to do. I mean, the Red Sox are a pretty good offensive team, they ended up scoring three runs. All right? Not only did they score the two in that inning, if you believe in the fallacy, the predetermined outcome, they would have. They would still tied the game in the ninth anyway. Right, because it would have been a different situation, different picture. But the point is they scored three to year one and really was the first inning, and then it was the last inning. Bases loaded, nobody out. How do you not score? But to Peter's point is, you're asking the Yankees to win a game. One nothing. That's. You could do it, but it's really hard to do. We're not having this conversation if the Yankees, you know, put up a five spot in the first inning or if judge. If Stanton hits a grand slam home run, where our conversation all day today is going to be. Stanton, is that the. The punctuation to a Hall of Fame career? And we're starting to fantasize about the next round because the Red Sox are dead. How do they blow that game? We're not even talking about.
Don Hahn
You've led baseball in home runs and runs scored by the margin that the Yankees have. When it's one nothing in a playoff game, you can't. Like, that's why I'm not killing Boone. It's just. To me, you aren't saying to yourself, I'm winning this game one nothing. You're expecting at some point our bats will come through. I know it's Garrett Crochet. I get it. He's very good. Probably going to win the Cy Young. But it doesn't mean that I. I also have, like, a great offense. We got to break through at some point. We got to put pressure on them. We got to make it work, which they did early on. Like, that's got to happen at some point. It never did. And the only thing that gets you mad is that you ask yourself this question. Was that their best lineup?
Rosenberg
No.
Don Hahn
No. That's the part that pisses you off as a fan, right? Is that your offense could only scratch one run and you didn't play your best.
Rosenberg
All those decisions were to score runs, and you scored one.
Don Hahn
Thank you.
Rosenberg
Now, the other good thing is I still believe for sure that Chapman can be had. I. A lot of bad things happened with him. You had that second disengagement that moved Volpe to scoring position that could have tied the game in the eighth inning. And then he gives up three hits on three consecutive pitches in the ninth. You know, listen, he got. He got out of it. Give him credit for that. Because he still, he still has great stuff, but he looked like a guy that was just waiting to be had and the Yankees didn't do it. So if I got to face him again tonight, I'm, as a Yankee fan, I'm going to feel like we can get him.
Don Hahn
It's one thing Judge said. He said the one good thing is we got to see him. Like, we all got to see him. So it's good. Like, there's no, there's no mystery. Do you like Judge's approach in game one that he like. Cause Stanton was jumping out of his cleats trying to hit home run. And I totally understand it. Judge almost looked like, I'm just going to take what I'm given instead of chasing a long ball.
Rosenberg
But he was. But the hits, both hits came on.
Don Hahn
First pitch because he probably knew I'm not getting pitches here. There was one, I think there was one at bat that he struck out that he and Crochet kind of had a back and forth and he even smiled at the end of it because Crochet threw him. Trying to remember what he threw him, but it's like he even kind of grinned like, all right, he got me. But it was a pretty good battle. But I feel like he wasn't looking to hit it out of the park.
Rosenberg
Dress how good a hitter you have to be like just an athlete. You have to be to like have that recognition of like, here's a pitch. I can't hit this out, but I know I can put this. I just play. No problem. Let's get on base.
Don Hahn
Just keep it moving.
Rosenberg
Like he's like, that's. That's Tony Gwyn. Like, that's crazy.
Don Hahn
That's why our whiteboard Wednesday is kind of embarrassing.
Rosenberg
Yes.
Don Hahn
Man, I love Jake, but I had to tell him when I went out there. For those who don't know. So we do a whiteboard Wednesday every week here and they're usually pretty interesting. It is on social media, so you can see it ESPN New York. But it asks a simple question. Who is the greatest right handed hitter in the 21st century right now? There should only be one photo and everybody should have their name right.
Rosenberg
You want to throw pool, Holtz up just because. Respect. Respect.
Don Hahn
But it's like, I could not believe Manny Ramirez. People put their name under his picture. Yes.
Rosenberg
No. Who did?
Don Hahn
I mean, Barras for people who did this?
Rosenberg
Yel Cabrera is up. I mean, you can put the guys up there, but.
Don Hahn
Oh, Mike Trout.
Rosenberg
But to take. There was a time. Can we take a Little pressure off of Jake. All right, he put it up there. But there were people that voted for Pujols and Manny and a lot of people, including Chris Carlin, you know, voted for Trout.
Don Hahn
Trout. There you go. Yeah.
Rosenberg
So I'm not mad at Jake. You can be mad. The only way you'd be mad at Jake is if everybody voted for Judge. What are you doing?
Don Hahn
There's six of them. So here's, here's the one we forgot to mention. A rod.
Rosenberg
Well, a rod's a reasonable end. It's okay to have the conversation but if people start voting, there's a name.
Don Hahn
Harvey under the name. Is that Sir Harvey?
Rosenberg
Sir Harvey. Who else is that?
Don Hahn
Sir Harvey.
Rosenberg
How many Harveys could we have?
Don Hahn
All right, he's banned from the show. He would never work on the show.
Rosenberg
No, no, no.
Don Hahn
Put his name under a rod.
Rosenberg
You hate that. I mean it's an all time player though.
Don Hahn
Aaron Judge has had seasons in the last four years that have never been had or the last time they were had. It was the 20th century. It was almost the 19th century. That's how long ago it is since people have done what he's done without PEDs. 50 home run seasons.
Rosenberg
It can't be that outrageous if it isn't unanimous. I mean there's quite a few people that voted for other guys.
Don Hahn
First of all, there's also, you know, the Yankees.
Rosenberg
I'm just saying you could clear those people hate. I don't doubt that. But Carlin don't kill. Now the only way you could kill Jake, who put it together, Jake Montgomery is if everybody voted for Judge be like what are you doing?
Don Hahn
Who's Mike? Because Mike put his name under Manny Brownshire.
Rosenberg
No, it wasn't. Brownsher voted.
Don Hahn
Brownsher's too smart for that.
Rosenberg
Of course he did because Brownshire's from St. Louis and Paul. He's a Hall of Famer. He's a great player.
Don Hahn
Yeah, but again he literally is the greatest right handed hitter of the 21st century. He might be the greatest right handed hitter in the history of the state.
Rosenberg
But if he just decided, let's say the Yankees win the World Series and says you know what, I'm good, I'm going to pull a Ken Dryden, I'm just going to retire out of nowhere. Barry Sanders then that 10 years from now he's not going to get as many votes on that list. You're going to give it to the guys that did it longer. Right. Alex becomes a more reasonable. Holtz becomes more reasonable.
Don Hahn
Okay, we're not in ten years from now. This felt like a trick question. This was like the easy bonus question on a test that everybody should have gotten right.
Rosenberg
The Yankee boys. But somebody just hold my beer.
Don Hahn
Settled down, overthought it. My God.
Rosenberg
I don't. I don't. I don't want to get in Jake's pocket, but he doesn't have a, you know, mansion in Bergen county off of this. You know, he's just easy.
Don Hahn
This is not Jake.
Rosenberg
He's trying to get by.
Don Hahn
This is not Jake. This is. This is.
Rosenberg
You don't know.
Don Hahn
Carlin. This is Kevin, Carl, Atlanta. Charlie Harvey, Julia. What are you doing? This is unbelievable.
Rosenberg
Call these people out, man. I love it.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Rosenberg
Let's go to Jim in Largemont. You're on espn, New York.
Caller
Hey, guys. How you doing?
Rosenberg
Good, man.
Caller
Love the show.
Rosenberg
Thank you. Thanks, friend.
Caller
A great chemistry.
Rosenberg
Oh.
Caller
I want to do. Yeah, thanks. I want to bring up about. When you talk about taking the picture out, that he should have fought and not, you know, and not just surrendered like that. I mean, I agree with that. I would have loved to have seen.
Don Hahn
Him make a case.
Rosenberg
Right?
Don Hahn
Make a case. It wasn't like it was Matt Harvey going into the ninth inning where you had a closer and, you know, like, that was a tough decision, but you wanted to believe in your pitcher. And obviously it backfired on the Mets back then. But this was like, you're in the sixth, seventh inning, and it's. It's a. It's a one nothing. Like, I don't. I just don't understand. If he said I could have gone as long as they wanted me to go, then why not tell your manager I got this.
Caller
Yeah, but the fact that he said that, that tells me that maybe getting back to the whole culture of the Yankees from the front office down, that it's about analytics. Well, we know analytics say one gun.
Rosenberg
Jim.
Don Hahn
Jim, one question. If that were Garrett Cole, you think Garrett Cole's given the ball up there, or is he telling Boone? No. No way.
Caller
I was trying to think of it. Have you. I know you mentioned earlier that he. That he's done that, but I don't know that I've seen Cole do that. Have you seen him stop the manager on his way out?
Don Hahn
Well, he doesn't show him up, but he lets him know they're like a lot of. Because I've seen Boone come out and have a conversation with guys and let them talk me, you know, talk me out of it.
Rosenberg
Well, I also remember Cole, wasn't it with Devers, a Couple of years ago.
Don Hahn
Yeah. You let him walk.
Rosenberg
I think what. I'll say that was a regular season. What I. What I think about these pitchers, I think they're all in on it. I think they all know at 100 pitches, you're probably going to be taken out, even if they disagree with it. I think it's so ingrained in these guys in their careers, that's just kind of the way that it is.
Don Hahn
Well, then don't do what you did in the post. If Freed could pitch more, you should have put up a fight. If you really couldn't. And you're just saying it because you want to, like, make yourself seem like I'd be there for my team if they need me. Don't say it like that because you made your manager look bad. If you were. If. If you were on. If you were. If you agreed with the decision, then you shouldn't ever. You said no. That was it. So I had. I had. And leave it there because all you did was open up Pandora's box for your manager, who is already on the grill. He's already on the grill, and you just turned up the heat on him by doing. I just made no sense.
Rosenberg
Because we are. We were all brought up to fight through it. Don't succumb to injuries. Work through it. That's just how athletes are. But this day and age, I think they all. They've all been taught, don't be a hero. Once you get to 100 pitches, the manager wants to take you out. It's not what it's about. You know, your effectiveness is not the same. You're not helping the team by giving it the old college try. Like, if you're. If that's ingrained in you in the minor leagues all throughout your career, then aren't you going to take the fight out of it? I'm going through this as a parent. All right? How I was old school. Like, if I. Like, my dad was always my coach in baseball and football and all that. When I got hurt, my father was like, walk it off. Like, he rubs him down. He never got upset or he never, like, oh, my God, are you okay? He's like, what's going on? I twisted my ankle. Let me see you walk. All right, you're fine. Get out there. And that's kind of how I grew up. You fought through the pain. You didn't complain about it. You didn't go tell your coach, take me out. You begged to stay in. And now when Marco gets hurt, I do it. And Nancy's like, what are you doing? He fell down. Like, get up. Come on, get up. Walk. That's probably not the right thing to do, but that's how I was taught. And so far, he hasn't been seriously hurt. But you know what I mean? Like, my instinct is always, come on, get up. You're okay.
Don Hahn
You want to hear something funny? So Stephanie was playing. She was softball, obviously, but when growing up, she played baseball with the boys. She was very good. My father in law, Big Al, he coached the team.
Rosenberg
Okay. We love Big Al.
Don Hahn
Right? So she slid into second base and got on a play, and she felt something, and she was in a lot of pain. She might have been 12 years old, right? And now she's laying there crying on the field. He goes out there and starts yelling at her, stop crying. Get up. You're fine. Get up. He makes her get up. She's crying. She's limping off the field. Broken leg.
Rosenberg
Wow. See, that's what I broke is gonna happen. That's. That's. She.
Don Hahn
She tells him about it to this day. To this day. You made me walk on a broken leg.
Rosenberg
But. But that's.
Don Hahn
But he was like, you're playing with the boys. You can't show this, right? You can't get emotional.
Rosenberg
I came from a good place, but every once in a while, you know what? I can't get up. I can't. I can't walk at all. Like, your dad wasn't a sports guy? No. Like, so you probably didn't go through this, but, like, the classic line. I know it's been in every sitcom, but my dad used to always do it all the time. It's like, what's the matter, dad? My elbows rub some dirt. Huh? It's like, why is there. You know? You know, it hurts when I. When I do this. He's like, well, don't do that.
Don Hahn
Don't do that.
Rosenberg
And sometimes I'll be like, show him the bruise. And he'd go there, and he'd, like, put his. He put his, like, thumb on it. It's like, oh, does that hurt? Yeah, it hurts. Yeah. All right. You didn't scream loud enough. Go back out there. Like, that was just the instant. And so growing up, it was like, don't say anything. Don't come. Don't use injuries as an excuse. It's just that that's the way that you're brought up. That's not how athletes are done today. You know, they are told, when you get to 100 pitches, don't be a hero. They actually think they're helping the team. I'm looking at by letting themselves come out freed postseason.
Don Hahn
By the way, his last couple years supposedly had not been good, but pitch.
Rosenberg
He's living off of 2021.
Don Hahn
Well, 21. Think about it. He didn't even get his. The most pitches he threw in a game in that run was 90. He doesn't get past the sixth inning. He pitches six innings and he's done. That's his. I'm looking at it. His most success, he never pitched more than six. Yeah, you have to go back to 2020. He got to seven innings in 2020 in the wild card game. One wild card, one nothing. By the way, win. Sound familiar?
Rosenberg
Oh, yeah. I've seen that before. So that would be the only reason I would take freedom.
Don Hahn
It looks like 78 pitches.
Rosenberg
Well, then it wasn't even in question. So that's why I would take him off the hook because I just think that they're told.
Don Hahn
So he's not.
Rosenberg
Don't be a hero.
Don Hahn
He doesn't do this. He just doesn't go the distance. That's wild. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
Rosenberg
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
Yankees coming up at the top of the hour, so let's crush the calls. 1-800-919377. Crush the calls. I know. Subscribe. You got to move on, Yankee fans. I understand the complaining, and a lot of this is the narrative that is always where this team has been as we continue. Alan, you're next. Hitting the cup on the microphone. It's really fun. I did it. Peter just did. Oh, you're. I think you hit yourself in the face. No, no, I just hit the mic. I didn't hit myself in the face. Well, we have these metal cups and it's awesome, but, you know, they just. All right, there we go. We got the hat trick going. Yankee fans, I get. Because that looked eerily similar to every last playoff game. Here's the thing. Last night was not the last playoff game. All right? I understand you're facing elimination, but you're not done by any stretch. You got to shake it off, move on to today. And I think you got the better pitcher on the mound. You. You got your true lineup out there. Even this series and go get them tomorrow. I mean, you just can't. A lot of the conversation feels like post mortem of a season that still is very much alive. Now, if they lose tonight, have at it tomorrow for sure, because then it's done. But you're not done. And again, I'm not going to sit there and blow smoke to say you're in a good spot, but I don't think it's over. You should be able to win tonight. It's not that crazy to think. And then they've got an opener tomorrow. And Schlitler has been a really good pitcher for the Yankees. He's got an run average under 3. Now, I understand he's never pitched in the postseason before, but they're going to have an opener and now they're going to be facing elimination. So I understand, you know, fire Boon Cashman, same old, same old Yankees. You still have a pulse. So let's. So let's focus on that. 1-800-919-3776, A.J. in Tennessee, you're on ESPN New York. What's up, A.J.
Caller
Hey. Hey, guys. How are you?
Rosenberg
Good, Good.
Caller
I agree with you. Yankees still have a shot. It ain't over till it's over. But I just had a. I want to get your thoughts on a quick, interesting Yankee stat that I assume the Yankees have since they're so analytical. In the eighth inning this year, Luke Weaver had a 278 ERA, a 2 in the ninth and a 686 in the seventh. So I don't know why they put him in the seventh. Just wanted to hear your thoughts on that.
Don Hahn
That's. That's awesome.
Rosenberg
Those are deep numbers.
Don Hahn
That is showing that. That's really like. That is taking the numbers and shoving it right in their face. But because that was the lanes they had set up, it was going to be Weaver, Williams and then Bednar. Like that. That was, that's, that's, that was the plan. You get freed through seven and then you go to those three guys one after the other. That was supposed to be the plan. And Weaver as you. That's very funny. The seventh inning is like his worst inning.
Rosenberg
But you know what's interesting.
Don Hahn
Hilarious.
Rosenberg
Is that if it's four nothing, then I can understand about the lanes thing, but it's one nothing. Even if you pitch to the best of your ability. One mistake, the game's tied.
Don Hahn
Yep.
Rosenberg
We were just talking about Crochet, how amazing he was. He made a mistake. The Volpe. Volpe hit the home run in the first inning. So you've got these lanes. Doesn't everything change if the game is.
Don Hahn
Tied at one deep twice to the close to the track or track they, they. They were close on a couple.
Rosenberg
But my point is that's your lane at one. Nothing.
Don Hahn
Yep.
Rosenberg
Let's say Weaver was brilliant, but makes one mistake because he's got to face three batters. Right? So, all right, maybe he. And he walks. Somebody makes a mistake, and it's one and the game's tied at one. Now. Now what are your lanes? Because that was your lane at 1. Nothing. But lanes change at 1 1. It's clearly the lanes changed because Cruz wasn't in the any lane, and all of a sudden you're down to one.
Don Hahn
That changed it.
Rosenberg
So I can understand you get a little bit of a margin for error, but giving up a run doesn't mean that you. You were awful. One mistake in that ballpark. Right. So it just.
Don Hahn
It's.
Rosenberg
It's crazy to see how they got to score. Well, got to score again. This isn't even a conversation. If Stan hits a grand slam home run, we're not even bringing up free being taken out of the game. You know what I mean?
Don Hahn
Like, you don't talk about it, but it happened.
Rosenberg
Yeah. Just a single ties the game.
Don Hahn
I just didn't. Like I told you, the game was the game. Like, there were things you could see, the reasons you understand the Yankees do what they do. I just, I have to reiterate. It's. To me, it's what the clubhouse sounded like after the game bothered me. They were ticked off between what Freed.
Rosenberg
Said, what Jazz said, or didn't say.
Don Hahn
Yeah, didn't love it.
Rosenberg
No, you don't love it.
Don Hahn
Like, they're like, oh, they trust the numbers more than they trust us.
Rosenberg
Now you hope if you're a Yankee fan, they take their frustration out.
Don Hahn
Yes.
Rosenberg
And you know what would be cool? Wouldn't it be cool tonight in this spot to finally see, like, the energy.
Don Hahn
The anger, the player saying, like, something, take the notebook and rip it in half and throw it out.
Rosenberg
And just like I want to see standing in the dugout, I want to see pounding fists like, your season is on the line. It ended up being a really good season for this team, and it could be over that quick. I wonder how that affects the crowd. Tonight. You're facing elimination. There's going to be nervousness. You're sitting there going, this could be the last time you see the.
Don Hahn
You give up a run in the front first inning. There'll be groans and there'll be. And then the Boston people. Which, by the way, would it shock you if it was even louder?
Rosenberg
Oh, yeah, because they'll smell Blood where.
Don Hahn
There'S some Yankee fans that are like, I'm selling, I, you think you, how could you do that? I'm just saying it's one game.
Rosenberg
You win what you win today.
Don Hahn
It's all if it's something loud for game one.
Rosenberg
It was loud though. I, I, they really think better than I thought.
Don Hahn
Like, think about what this could sound like tonight.
Rosenberg
Well, the Yankee fans are going to be into it early, but you're right, the energy could be, the plug could be pulled early if they give up, Rodon gives up a home run early or they get a couple of runs. Getting off to a good start is always important. But you know, keeping that crowd engaged because they're going to come in nervous, they're going to be excited. But you know, facing elimination this quick, you know, that's the thing about these wild cards. It's not like it was one and done like it was a few years ago, but God, usually you make the playoffs in sports, Right. Knicks, Rangers, you got a best of seven. You know, as bad as a game one loss can be, hey, we're a long way from being done. All of a sudden you go from where the hottest team in baseball, eight game winning streaks, 48 hours later, we're facing elimination. Yeah, crazy.
Don Hahn
Cleveland answered.
Rosenberg
Yep. And let's see. And it looks like the Padres are answering here. Up three nothing in the top of the eighth inning. Nick in Woodbridge, you're on espn, New York.
Caller
Hey guys, thanks for taking the call. Oh, so you know, there's a lot, there's been a lot of people calling in today, crushing Boone for, for taking Freed out when he did, but I wouldn't exactly say was, you know, dominant in, you know, at that point in the game.
Don Hahn
Right.
Caller
Like he was laboring a bit. And at some point you do have to be able to trust your bullpen. Now where I, where I will, where I will kill Boone is going to Weaver in that spot. I thought the last caller made a great point. Like his era in the month of September was 9. So where are you justifying putting him in? In that spot.
Don Hahn
Well, who are you putting in at.
Caller
The end of the day?
Don Hahn
Who are you putting them in? Like that's the problem. You like your trust factor of people in that bullpen is very low.
Rosenberg
Yeah. Because you really only have Williams for one inning. Right. So you probably, if you brought Williams in, then who's pitching the eighth? Like you're not going to have Williams come back to pitch the eighth inning unless you're going to tell me you're going to have Bednar for a six out save. I think that's a lot to ask. So you're going to have. So we was at last week we did the whole circle of trust. Like who's. Who is in your circle of trust? I don't think we had Weaver in that circle. We actually had Williams in the circle but Williams isn't getting more than three outs and because of the fact that if Weaver had done his job he didn't have to come back with Weaver in the eighth.
Don Hahn
We did.
Rosenberg
Weaver was in your. You had him.
Don Hahn
We had. We had Bednar, Weaver and Williams. Yeah. That was in our circle. That's the only guys in our circle of trust. Warren with the other. With the other starters.
Rosenberg
But you know he'd be out now I guess, right? Yeah, for sure. Let's go to Will in the car. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Will?
Caller
How's it going tonight, gentlemen?
Rosenberg
What's up?
Caller
I just want to say your list was excellent but I would replaced Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann with Butcher Grass and Kenny Payne.
Rosenberg
Kenny Maine. Kenny Maine, you mean. Okay.
Caller
Yes.
Rosenberg
No, Patrick and Oberman are iconic.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Rosenberg
It's a different level. It is because.
Don Hahn
Welcome to the big show because like.
Rosenberg
You said earlier, Don, it's about what. What SportsCenter was when they were in their prime as great as Butcher Gross is. John Anderson, whoever, whatever. No, they're all great. All a later version. That still wasn't the.
Don Hahn
But they late 90s those guys were And I'm actually copy because it's. But that that the format was set by guys like Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann and and them they kind of set the tone of what a SportsCenter anchor was going to be.
Rosenberg
And there was that moment. Excuse me.
Don Hahn
Bless you. Oh.
Rosenberg
Where if you're a certain age you watch the Sunday Sports center like you had to watch the Sunday Sports center because they had the Sunday night conversation and you'd be red hot if it was somebody you weren't interested in. And it was must watch if they had like somebody big and they were right in the. In the wheelhouse of that.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Rosenberg
Like I said, Dan Patrick is an amazing talent. He's got amazing radio show. He's still getting gigs in Adam Sandler movies because he was a God on SportsCenter and there's a generation of fans that still remember him from that.
Don Hahn
Yeah.
Rosenberg
Now Keith Overman's very opinionated and a lot of people don't like him anymore for his politics. But you cannot deny, when he did SportsCenter, those two, he was the top. Listen, I'm a big Butcher Gross fan. As a hockey fan, how do you not like Butcher Gross? I love Steve Levy. All these guys are great. But Dan Patrick and Keith Overman, that was it. And then Stuart Scott and Rich Eisen, those four had to be on the list.
Don Hahn
I agree.
Rosenberg
Danny on Long island, you're on ESPN New York. Hi, Danny.
Caller
Good afternoon, gentlemen. Interesting conversation in regards to your dad. You know, my father did two years in the infantry and 26 years in a rescue truck driving around the city, taking people out of court. Can you imagine how he would react to a minor injury on the ball field? He would never overreact to anything. But he would say things to me as an adult, saying, you know, when you were growing up, I was never really concerned about your feelings too much. I was trying to make you into it, into an adult. And there's a book out now called Bad Therapy which basically said that everything we do today is 100% wrong. And what the way your manner in which your parents and grandparents spoke to you was correct to tell you that everything's gonna be okay. You know, you felt, oh, it's tough, you know, I landed in Normandy, let's go. Keep moving. You know, basically pushing you back into the arena. And that we spent entirely time now worrying about kids feelings as opposed to, I'm worried about making you an adult. That's the key destination, not what you want to have for dinner. It's a very interesting read and I think anyone with young children should read it because I think other older, older generations get a knock when in reality they did have it right. And I think it'll come a parent, you realize they had it right.
Rosenberg
Well, the funny thing is, Danny, we won't know. The unfortunate part is the results won't be in for some time on what is happening right now with this sort of style. Right?
Caller
Like correct. You all know I work in a school now, by the way, also, as far as sprinting is concerned, very healthy for you. Everyone should incorporate on a treadmill as fast as you go for 30 seconds. I work in a high school now. I read an article about how good this is and that they're concerned that this generation of Americans, less people playing organized sports, will go their entire life without having ever done a wind sprint. And now in the gym, walking the track is considered the exercise. So imagine going your entire life and you never once heard a whistle running from the 40 to the goal line or back and Forth. It's just, it's again, because we don't want to cause anyone to have any discussion.
Rosenberg
Still, don't recommend a wind sprint out of nowhere in your 50s, Danny. Work your way there. Sure, yeah.
Caller
100%. Right. I'm on the treadmill. I do up and down, keep the car, and then I'll put it on eight miles an hour. I'm not saying I'm Carl Lewis, but eight miles an hour, you're not going to.
Rosenberg
Thirteen minutes, for God's sake.
Caller
It's gonna right now, as far as the game's concerned. Listen, obviously perception is a big thing in the world. And we watched all the pitches in the afternoon and even into the Yankee game, all go into the eighth inning, pitching beautifully. Scroble was not coming out of that game. Okay. And then all of a sudden the Yankee game came and we, and we saw the Red Sox guys not coming out. And the Yankee guy, he was coming out. Boone jumped out of that dugout like he had the winning ticket at bingo night. He was not going to be, you know, you know, convinced not to take him out of the game. And now we, we all knew, oh, God, why so early? And you got the result immediately. Sometimes the result happens three innings later because you keep, you get into this thing in baseball now where you're rolling one guy out after another, well, somebody's going to crap the bed, you know, at this time, it happens immediately. But tonight is when he has to show some restraint and not start going to this pen. Like you said, guy gives up a couple runs in the first inning and. And now you're in the 60s sailing along. Let him go. Let him get to 120. As long as he hasn't given up a run in two or three innings, he's doing well. Now you have to, now you have to make sure you don't overreact. You don't have to overreact to what happened.
Rosenberg
It's a good thing you pointed out and thank you for the call because there may be a game today when you do have to jump the gun and bring in as many people as is needed. Don, what's so frustrating about yesterday is that wasn't the time. You didn't need to rush after six and a third, but everyone knows there can be. If you're facing elimination, if you need to use eight pitchers, you're using eight pitchers. But it wasn't yesterday. Well, if you go back to Sunday, the Mets last game, they were down four nothing. And in the fifth and sixth inning, they Brought in Diaz because they just couldn't afford to allow another run to score. They weren't scoring. And if that begin became five, six, nothing, forget about it. End up being forget about it anyway. But if you wanted to keep it at 4, nothing, that's the decision has to be made. And the only way it's good or bad is based on how the pitcher pitches. Listen, if Weaver does the job, there's no complaining. It's a real. I don't want to like sit here and support the decision that was made. But decisions are made all the time. If the players execute, it's not talked about. Every play in football is designed to work. Why doesn't it work? Sometimes the defense figured it out. Sometimes a player of the 11 on the field didn't execute the way they were supposed to and the play didn't work. But what did the fans all do? Offensive coordinators got to go. Did you see that play? What a brutal play that was. Was it a brutal play or if everybody did their job, it would have been a brilliant play. All right. Boone coming out, taking out Freed would have been praised had Weaver done his job and he got the two outs, bottom of the order. And then williams comes in 1, 2, 3 in the 8th, banging comes bednar win the game one nothing. What are we saying? We'd be complaining about the offense not scoring, but would be any complaints about Boone?
Don Hahn
No.
Rosenberg
No.
Don Hahn
But you just guess what, the variable changes when you keep replacing pitcher.
Rosenberg
That's it. Yeah. Eventually your luck's going to run out, right?
Don Hahn
Somebody's going to have a bad day.
Rosenberg
Well, you don't believe in hot and you don't believe in streaks and you don't believe in luck. I mean these numbers are not going to ever tell you. They're all robots not to do something.
Don Hahn
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
Rosenberg
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
All right, let's get the the vibe of the fan base. You're heading over to the stadium, you're listening on the app, walking to your seat or just getting ready to sit down in front of the TV or the radio to consume game two. We got you. 1-800-919-3776. Should be a good time. And we'll be here tomorrow no matter what at 3 o'. Clock. I guess we're saying no matter what.
Don Hahn
I don't know.
Rosenberg
Well, wait a minute.
Don Hahn
I don't know how I'm gonna feel.
Rosenberg
Wait, we just, we do have to. Anthony. Right. We do have to lay. Get the lay of the lamp. Follow social media because this is a bad thing to ask.
Don Hahn
Oh no, I just don't know.
Caller
I can't give.
Rosenberg
You don't know because what the schedule is going to be for the games tomorrow is really going to depend on what games there are. Right. So we know there's going to be a Guardians Tigers game and it looks like there's going to be a Padre.
Don Hahn
That's a 308 Padres.
Rosenberg
Done. That's already done. Yeah. Because they, because they know there's a game three for that and they haven't probably announced anything after that, right?
Don Hahn
No, no, no. Let me see. We don't know the time. I can't give you guys the times of anything. Cleveland Detroit is a 108.
Rosenberg
Already done. Okay.
Don Hahn
The Padres, they're not done yet. No, we don't know ninth but that's scheduled for 308 tomorrow. So Yankees would be 608. No. If the Dodgers win tonight which can.
Caller
We all agree that that's the chance that that happened.
Don Hahn
That's.
Rosenberg
That's what the way I would bet.
Don Hahn
Let's.
Rosenberg
Let's say the Yankees win.
Don Hahn
Let's say. Yeah. It would be Cleveland, Detroit at 230 the Cubs and San Diego at 430 and Yankees Red Sox at 7:30.
Rosenberg
Right. That would give you guys a full vehicle no matter what.
Don Hahn
Peter's not a part of it.
Rosenberg
Well, I'm not here tomorrow. Right, exactly. But either way that is.
Don Hahn
I'm sure Peter would love to know.
Rosenberg
Well yeah, because you know it's. I feel better about missing a 7:30 a full show than I would about missing I guess, I guess the fact that we've got games early because I guess there was a scenario where we the only games were Yankees and Dodgers that the Yankees would have been a 3 o' clock first pick.
Don Hahn
I have a funny feeling no matter what happens tonight now you guys are having a show tomorrow.
Rosenberg
Yeah. So, but, but so you don't have to worry about it. So we will be here with you some way shape or form to either previewing a game three or talking about what went wrong. Are you proud that on a day that has so much importance for New York baseball. I haven't once mentioned that Jaden Daniels is a go for Sunday one time. Don't be proud of it. It just. That's New York radio.
Don Hahn
I also think that kind of counts now. Yeah. He couldn't get five more Minutes.
Rosenberg
Listen, I was participating. Should I be patting myself on the back that I didn't mention that Luke hughes Got a seven year contract worth $9 million? Actually, maybe job. Maybe it's more appropriate than yours.
Don Hahn
You think?
Rosenberg
Because we're at least in the metropolitan area. That's correct.
Don Hahn
Or did I mention that the Knicks preseason begins tomorrow morning?
Rosenberg
That's right. And you got time.
Don Hahn
Abu Dhabi. 11:12 o' clock is tip off.
Rosenberg
By the way. That was worth it. I'm going to say this. I'm going to say this and nothing more. Don't even speak after I say it.
Don Hahn
Oh, boy.
Rosenberg
Allen is doing the game and will be right next to me when the game is over. Think about that. And so you're worried about your travels. How about this guy? How about this guy? Commitment. Hello.
Don Hahn
You know what I mean?
Rosenberg
Wow. And if you don't know how that works, you do the game.
Don Hahn
TV magic.
Rosenberg
He's doing the game. Still will be in studio.
Don Hahn
I'm hosting pre and halftime. On a camel? Yeah, on a camel.
Rosenberg
Is that gonna be a. An MSG vehicle?
Don Hahn
Yes.
Rosenberg
Yeah. Beautiful.
Don Hahn
Yes.
Rosenberg
Who they playing?
Don Hahn
The Sixers.
Rosenberg
Like you dream of. It's like it's Christmas day, you know, it's like it's noon on Christmas day.
Don Hahn
So many players missing from them. They're not even the 76, just the Sixers. Just be called the Six.
Rosenberg
The Sixers are taking the process across the world. It's a worldwide process. Wonder if it hits different out there than it does here. Let's go to Bobby and Dalmore. You're on espn, New York. What's up, man?
Caller
Hi. How are you?
Rosenberg
Good.
Caller
This is the fifth time in the last three years. I don't know if it's Cashman boom combo or bad cool catcher boom by himself that they have blown a bullpen. Damn. I mean they 2022 Cleveland in two games against Houston. They put Schmidt or Vino instead of Homes. They take out Coles early. And you know what happened last year and with the World Series, they treat these games like regular season games. It's ridiculous.
Rosenberg
Yeah, because the analytics don't know the difference between a regular season. But Bobby, is it just taking Freed out or would you. Do you want somebody else to come in but Weaver?
Caller
No, I will let Free go until he get up ahead. I mean, I love going the eighth inning. Let him go. I mean, what you got? 115, 20 pitches. He threw 111. He took more pitches in five regular season games than he did last night. Does that make any sense?
Rosenberg
Well, because, again, it doesn't make sense. Bobby, we're all with you, but if Weaver retires the batters, then this is not a conversation. So let's not take the players off the hook, all right? They're not robots. Right? So they're. They're in there to do a job. And if Weaver does the job, then. Did Boone screw up? No. Now, he screwed up because Weaver couldn't. Couldn't get it out, and they gave the lead.
Don Hahn
I'm not blaming Boone.
Rosenberg
It's the organization.
Don Hahn
Freed history in the playoffs is he doesn't go beyond. Like, there's a lot of pitches for him, and he never goes that deep in the playoffs. I don't love that. I would have loved to have seen if he. He's saying, like, I'm matching crochet. I'm going. I'm going pitch for pitch with this dude. He's not out pitching me. Like, that's kind of what you wanted to see. I didn't see it. Okay, fine. But then you go in the post game acting like, I could have pitched another inning. Oh, yeah, come on, dude. You're right.
Rosenberg
You can get on him for that.
Don Hahn
Is that a car?
Rosenberg
That was. That was borderline car.
Don Hahn
That was borderline.
Rosenberg
We almost lost him.
Don Hahn
That was close. Did you get that?
Rosenberg
I'm continuing to speak. Don't you. If you replay that, I swear.
Don Hahn
No, I think we need to.
Rosenberg
No, I'm. I said. I said no. Well, what do you mean? That's not how drops work. No, it's how drops work. No, it's not anything, you know, hilarious. Went down the wrong way. I didn't have it. I didn't. I got back. You're sure that I got back. You're sure that won't be funny? No, I don't. We're not going to know. I'm going to refuse it to be played. I hope we find out in the next 75 seconds. What if it's great, Don you to fight greatness? It's not going to be great. I have something you're never going to know. It was guttural.
Don Hahn
It felt great.
Rosenberg
And by that, I mean I worried when I heard it. I went, is he all right over there?
Don Hahn
Especially when he turned.
Rosenberg
But why? I was trying not to be heard, but I couldn't get to the microphone in time. But when. When is it okay to just say, you know, how about these players just do a better job? How about just doing your job?
Don Hahn
Oh, we're not allowed to do that. But I agree with you.
Rosenberg
You want to get on Freed for, you know, demanding, not demanding the ball or whatever, but I'm gonna just weave or get a couple of outs. Well, he has 52, 60 hitters.
Don Hahn
He has not been good.
Rosenberg
No. So, you know, but he's there and everybody's expected to be a part of it, you know, so it's, it's frustrating, but you'll feel a lot better with the win and you'll be in. I think they'd be in the catbird seat if they win tonight.
Don Hahn
I've got, I've got the anxiety of somebody who will probably be standing watching this game.
Rosenberg
No, I can see that.
Don Hahn
Like, I will not really be able to sit down. Last night, game ended and it's like, you know, I love Jack Curry. I am not watching the postgame because of a loss. But obviously, if they lose tonight, you got to watch it for the post game.
Rosenberg
Yankees, Red Sox, coming up next. We'll talk to you again tomorrow at 3 right here on ESPN New York.
Don 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.
Episode: Hour 3: Yankees Expectations
Date: October 1, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Network: ESPN New York
In this third hour, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg dive deep into the New York Yankees’ current playoff predicament after a frustrating postseason loss to the Red Sox. With the team facing elimination, they discuss the decision-making behind pitching changes, the ongoing issue of lackluster playoff offense, expectations for Game 2, and the weight of analytics on modern baseball. The hosts also banter about the “greatest right-handed hitter of the 21st century” and engage directly with passionate callers, capturing the tension and hope felt across the Yankees’ fanbase.
"Who in the bullpen is any higher than a 7 or even a 6? Nobody." – Don Hahn (06:53)
"You’re trying to win that game one-nothing. You know how hard it is to win a playoff game one nothing? ... We end up focusing so much on the pitching... No offense in the playoffs." – Rosenberg (07:46)
"They've all been taught, don't be a hero. Once you get to 100 pitches, the manager wants to take you out... It's so ingrained in these guys in their careers, that's just kind of the way that it is." – Rosenberg (16:45)
"To me, it's what the clubhouse sounded like after the game bothered me. They were ticked off between what Freed said, what Jazz said or didn’t say." – Don Hahn (26:39)
"Aaron Judge has had seasons in the last four years that have never been had or the last time they were had... since people have done what he's done without PEDs." – Don Hahn (13:03)
"Luke Weaver had a 278 ERA in the eighth and a 686 in the seventh. So I don’t know why they put him in the seventh." – A.J., caller (24:04)
"If Weaver does the job, there’s no complaining. That’s a real... but decisions are made all the time. If the players execute, it’s not talked about.” – Rosenberg (35:40)
"You’ve got to shake it off, move on to today. And I think you got the better pitcher on the mound. You got your true lineup out there." – Rosenberg (22:05)
Trusting Rodón:
"If Rodón is pitching well and feels good, there's no way he's giving the ball up." – Don Hahn (05:11)
"But you also know he does melt down sometimes... he does get a little rattled if that happens. But we'll see." – Don Hahn (06:34)
On Yankees Playoff Offense:
"We end up focusing so much, with good reason, on the pitch... No offense in the playoffs." – Rosenberg (07:46)
"How about at home the offense does more than score one run. How about that?" – Don Hahn (07:34)
On Modern Pitcher Management:
"They've all been taught, don't be a hero... Once you get to 100 pitches, the manager wants to take you out. ... That's just kind of the way that it is." – Rosenberg (16:45)
Generational Perspective:
"My instinct is always, 'Come on, get up. You're okay.' That's probably not the right thing to do, but that's how I was taught." – Don Hahn (18:05)
Analytics Frustration:
"They trust the numbers more than they trust us." – Don Hahn (26:47)
Clubhouse Vibes:
"Wouldn't it be cool tonight ... to finally see, like, the energy. The anger, the player saying, like, something, take the notebook and rip it in half and throw it out." – Rosenberg (26:57)
Classic Banter:
"Who is the greatest right handed hitter in the 21st century right now? There should only be one photo and everybody should have their name right." – Don Hahn (11:58)
"Aaron Judge has had seasons in the last four years that have never been had ..." – Don Hahn (13:03)
The hour channels the tense mood swirling around Yankee Stadium and among Yankees faithful—part dread, part hope—as the team faces a season-defining Game 2. Hosts Don, Alan, and Peter blend sharp analysis and passionate frustration over old wounds: questionable hooks, silent bats, and the ever-growing shadow of analytics, all while keeping plenty of space for humor, banter, and fan engagement. If the Yankees can pull off a win, hope will return; if not, expect the postmortem tomorrow to be as lively (and cathartic) as ever.