Hour 3: Yankees Important Stretch

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Yankees' Important Stretch

Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: ESPN New York

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Overview

This episode zeroes in on a pivotal stretch for the New York Yankees as they face a gauntlet of upper-tier teams, with consequential implications for playoff positioning and fan perception. The hosts engage in an animated, insightful debate about the meanings behind wins and losses at this point in the baseball season. The segment also features lively sidebars on the Mets' struggles and colorful listener call-ins, all in the show’s signature blend of sharp sports analysis and New York attitude.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Yankees’ Critical 12-Game Stretch (04:45–13:00)

• Optics vs. Reality:
  The Yankees, coming off a strong run (14 wins out of their last 19 games), now enter a critical sequence: Astros, Blue Jays, Red Sox—no soft spots. The question: Does beating bad teams mean anything if they don't win against real contenders?
• Don: “If the Yankees go back to losing against good teams, then everything that they've done over the last 19 games feels like it's fruitless.” (04:45)
• Alan: Stresses that this “block of 12 games” is a litmus test for whether the Yankees are peaking at the right time or destined for mediocrity.
• Importance of Direct Rivals:
  More weight is given to games against the Blue Jays and Red Sox—they're “four-point games” in the standings.
• Best vs. Worst Case Scenarios:
  • Best-case: Yankees run the table, potentially grabbing the AL’s top seed.
  • Worst-case: Flop into a wild card slot—echoing season-long doubts of their big-game viability.

Notable Quote:

• Alan: “This block right here…this could optically tell you a lot, but also record wise could set you up for something that when you were six and a half games back of the Blue Jays...was unthinkable the way they were going.” (06:25)

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2. The "Ideal" Record and Importance of Division Games (08:41–22:06)

• What Record Would Satisfy Fans?
  • Don proposes: 8–4 over this stretch is tolerable, but only if the losses are not against the Blue Jays or Red Sox.
  • Alan & Peter agree: Prioritize wins over division rivals, even if it means dropping games to the Astros or Tigers.
  • The conversation features a colorful, somewhat heated back-and-forth with a caller, Ruben, who argues about the “math” and reality vs. ideal scenarios.
• Fan Psychology:
  The guys highlight that, optically, 8–4 may seem okay, but if the Yankees lose crucial head-to-heads, it’s a problem both in tangible standings and belief.

Notable Quotes:

• Don: "With Houston, it's optics. Detroit, it's optics. But Boston and Toronto, we're talking about territory, we're talking about positioning." (10:15)
• Peter (to caller): “We understand what you're saying, but in the divisional games, if you lose, it doesn't matter what else happens, it's two every time.” (20:04)

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3. Mets’ Hopes and Pitching Issues (13:47–16:49)

• Mets’ Only Hope is the Kids:
  The hosts lay out the dire state of Mets pitching, where young, untested arms are now their best shot.
  • Peterson's struggles, Senga’s uncertain status, and the possibility of Sproat getting called up.
• Juan Soto’s Grand Slam:
  First HR with more than one baserunner all year; a much-needed offensive spark.
• Skepticism:
  Despite some bright spots, there's little faith the pitching will hold up for October.

Notable Quote:

• Alan: "If I'm telling you, Don, that your ace is struggling, but it's not physical and it might be just mechanics…are you more optimistic…or is it more concerning?" (14:12)
• Don: "You're running out of time here." (15:08)

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4. Fun Anecdotes and Listener Calls (23:14–38:40)

• Shortest Home Run in MLB History:
  The hosts marvel at a wild Red Sox HR that deflected off a glove and the foul pole (23:13).
• Funny Listener Interactions:
  • The “Mateo’s” story—a lively in-person run-in with a diehard Yankees fan (31:46–37:34).
  • Banter over patience with callers fumbling on the line—mock frustration and inside jokes abound.
  • Quirky sidebar: chat about Neil Diamond, "What about Bob?" film references, and a random actor obituary sequence.

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5. Ticket Prices and Fan Behavior (42:45–47:53)

• Jets Tickets Debate:
  • Fans question the ethics of selling tickets for profit vs. supporting the team.
  • Some nostalgia about the days of $4 tickets at Giants and Jets games.
  • Hosts agree: For the average fan, if you're offered exorbitant resale prices, you can’t be blamed for selling.

Notable Quote:

• Don: “As much as I love football... if somebody's going to offer me, you know, 10 times what a ticket's worth…I’m going to be like, ‘Marco, we're going to go to the next game.’” (43:40)

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6. Closing Thoughts and Loose Ends (47:53–End)

• Sports as Life:
  Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg wrap up with more lighthearted takes on food, restaurants, the joy (and pain) of being a NY sports fan, and plans for future ESPN NY events.
• Program Note:
  They remind listeners that tomorrow's show is app-only due to a daytime Mets game.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Alan on Yankees' critical stretch:
  “We've been told all season their best baseball is ahead of them…it's right here in these 12 [games].” (06:25)

• Don on prioritizing division games:
  "Make sure that you get the wins against Toronto and Boston, that’s way more important because that’s who you’re battling." (10:15)

• Fan call math argument (Ruben):
  Don (exasperated): "No, but Ruben’s wrong because...you do have a margin for error if you lose to Detroit and Houston. You have zero margin for error when you lose to Boston and Toronto." (19:11)

• Alan on playoff odds:
  “I think they’re at now about 96% certainty to...at least make the playoffs.” (11:19)

• On ticket prices (Steve in Middle Village):
  “I want to buy the ticket for $4. Like it was a box seat, Yankee Stadium. Then the guy looked at me, said, ‘Okay, kid, you can go in.’” (46:14)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:45 | Yankees’ stretch: Why it matters, optics vs. results | | 08:41 | What record is “acceptable” for Yankees in coming games? | | 13:47 | Mets’ pitching woes; Soto’s grand slam | | 15:51 | Senga's mechanics, hope in young pitchers | | 23:13 | The shortest home run in MLB; fun Red Sox story | | 31:46 | Listener Pete’s Yankees story and in-person meeting | | 42:45 | Jets tickets and resale ethics; nostalgia for cheap tickets |

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Tone & Style

• The episode is lively, debate-driven, and full of characteristic New York sports humor.
• The hosts seamlessly blend sharp baseball analysis with locker-room banter and relatable fan frustration.
• Frequent teasing, pop culture references, and call-in stories give the show a distinct, authentic voice.

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Final Takeaway

This episode captures the anxiety, hope, and endless math that define a New York baseball September. If the Yankees want to silence critics and inspire real October dreams, these next dozen games—especially against division rivals—are going to say it all. Meanwhile, the Mets’ only hope for a postseason push looks to be a trio of rookies, and the moral calculus of sports fandom (including selling tickets) is as complicated as ever.

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For anyone wanting to catch up on why this span is do-or-die for the Yankees—or just to listen in on the best kind of sports radio debate—this hour is essential.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[A]

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

[B]

Game time is brought to you by Tull Mordu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, it's Tully time.

[C]

It's Tully time.

[B]

The Mets continue their series with the Tigers with coverage beginning right after us here on 8 80. At 6 o', clock, the Yankees are in Houston to face the Astros at 8:10. And the Liberty are out west take on The Valkyries at 10. Tullamore. Due the original triple distilled triple blended a triple cast matured iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the Tullamore Dew honey. During tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly.

[A]

No enn.

[B]

No enn. But I tell you, Peter Bright made a great point. It needs to be discussed and it needs to be discussed. And we take our laundry to the air. I don't care. Is that we also have this dilemma on Friday at 6 because the Mets are in Cincinnati. They got a 6 41st pick.

[C]

Cincinnati to you.

[B]

We have to do some kind of ENN on Friday. It's a football Friday. Now that Michael's gone, I think all three of us embrace the. The announcer schedule.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

How do we not do week one Announcer.

[A]

Some of my favorite things you guys do.

[B]

Michael hated it, which made us even want to do it more. But have all three of us on board is even better. So we got to do something. So would you be cool with the last segment being ENN or do you want to do it at 5?

[A]

Could we adjust the schedule? The 5 o' clock is not a bad idea.

[C]

I was thinking.

[A]

I was thinking 5:30 and go a little longer with a short goodbye.

[B]

Can we do that? Yeah.

[C]

What about can we do that?

[A]

We can do whatever we want.

[B]

Can we mess with the. The break schedule, the clock? Do an do an elongated ENN at 5:30 and then say goodbye and then combine those last two breaks before the top of the hour.

[A]

You guys want to Mess with the clock.

[B]

Yes, actually, yeah. I just want. Listen, I know it's easier to just do it, not ask for permission, but we're trying to be nice, trying to be professional. What do you think, Jacob?

[A]

Why start now?

[C]

You're good with that?

[A]

Jacob, listen, we get Ian and I'm fine.

[C]

You gotta have it though, on that day.

[A]

I agree.

[B]

Especially on a. Yeah.

[A]

First football bet.

[C]

And like it's. So normally the argument here and the.

[B]

Announcer schedule's gonna be short cuz Thursday and Friday will already be over. Right.

[C]

So it's a little short now. There's some people here. Well, some aren't here anymore, but there are some people who have had strong feelings about ENM before. And I think one of the issues they had about ENN was that since it's about other stories sometimes besides the main New York stories, they didn't like it in primetime. I would argue though, guys, that on a. And by the way, just so people don't know, five o' clock is considered the peak of prime time, the 5 o' clock out. I would argue that save something insane happening on Thursday, the start of the NFL season, which is what ENN will be that day. That's prime time five o' clock stuff this Friday. So I think it makes perfect sense.

[A]

You also have to make your picks too.

[C]

Here comes football.

[A]

That could be in enn.

[C]

Yeah, maybe it's that. Maybe. Maybe that's what we do. We do. We do announcer lineup and picks for ENN on Friday at 5:30.

[A]

That's the ENN.

[B]

Now Friday's football heavy because the Mets will be coming off an off day and they will be going into their series with Cincinnati. But that's more preview than review. And then the Yankees will finish up their series of the Astros. They are starting with the Blue Jays. So there's other things going on. But you know. But wait a sec. Sounds right.

[A]

I like it. If I may.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

Yankees Blue Jays is a pretty big deal this week.

[C]

No, of course there's something going on.

[A]

I mean that's.

[B]

But going into week one of the NFL season is also a big deal.

[A]

No, no, no. Totally understand. I don't want to sweep Yankees Blue Jays under the rug.

[B]

But all the more reason if we. If we're Yankee Blue Jay heavy early.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

To do even more football at 5 o' clock in Enn with the announcer schedule and all the other stuff that we're going to like, you dream about.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I think it's a. All right, so we're good. We're all in. We got scared.

[C]

We're doing it.

[A]

Ready to go.

[C]

Let's talk through it. We did it.

[B]

We talked through it. We're here now and we opened the show with it. That this is a big series against the Astros and Yankees because optics are important. And if the Yankees go back to losing against good teams, then everything that they've done over the last 19 games feels like it's fruitless. Right? They've won 14 of their last 19 games. However, outside of that win against the Red Sox, you know it's been mostly against bad teams, Right. They won three of the four games against the White Sox. They were able to sweep the series against the Nationals. They've been taking care of business against bad teams. And now you're taking on a first place team in the Astros. And then you got the Blue Jays and then it's on, right, because they're only two and a half games back. But my point to Allen, who thinks, you know, this is a Big 12 games, they're not bigger than the six they'll play against the Red Sox in Toronto because that's what it's all about. Because even if they stumble against the Astros, I'll agree with you, the optic will be bad because again, losing a series against a good team. But if the Blue Jays stumble against the Reds, which is possible, they already lost the game against the Reds last night. And if they were to, and if the Red Sox stumble against the guardians, who are a.500 team, well, then you might not lose any ground. But against the Red Sox and the Blue Jays, you're going to lose ground if you lose and you don't want to have to start a series of Fenway if you're going to settle for the wild card and if you have any chance of winning this division, you're going to have to beat the Blue Jays. So I, Allen, I get the optics of it all, but Houston and Detroit is all optics. Blue Jays and Red Sox, it's on. Like you can't lose those games.

[A]

Understood. But all of it combined in one stretch. Like that's. I think the point I'm trying to make is it's not like they're playing the White Sox, then the Blue Jays, then they'll play, you know, like another bad team by the Orioles, right. And then Boston. Like it's the fact that this is a, this is a team that all season long has been criticized for the fact that it, it is mediocre against good teams and it pounds the bad teams. And this reach recent stretch of 12 out of 16 that they've won is what are they doing? They're pounding the bad teams. And so I feel like 12 straight games with no, you get no respite, you get a day off in the middle, but that's it. You're not getting that soft three game series against the Nationals in the midst of a. You are playing game after game after game against all playoff teams. And how are we to judge if we've been told all season their best baseball is ahead of them? We've been told all this stuff. This block right here, whether it's optics or that's just reality, I think gives you a pretty good indication because you know what the best case versus worst case is in this 12 block, this block. Best case, they could come out of this with the top seed in the American League in a season that they've had where in the middle of June it went off the rails and has never really caught back on rail again. That would be unbelievable to suddenly walk into October with the number one seed and no need to play in the first round. That is the best case changes. Every worst case is you stumble into wild card because of the softness of your schedule and you're out immediately because as you've proven all year, you're not good against the good teams. So that's why this matters. As a full block, this could optically tell you a lot, but also record wise could set you up for something that when you were six and a half games back of the Blue Jays just about a week or two ago was unthinkable the way they were going. But now you could start to say to yourself, it's still there for them. And as crazy as we make Boone out for saying our best baseball's ahead of us, it's right there in front of us. Technically, he's still right and it's right here in these 12.

[B]

But, but the crazy thing about baseball, even if they stumble over these next 12, they, the final 13 are layups that can get them right back into the conversation again. But optically you won't believe, you'll never buy because you're not facing any of those bad teams at the end of the season in the postseason. So what do you take? What, what, what would you tolerate as a fan, a record over these five. All right, so I think eight, four. My whole reasonable to ask, and my point is if you're going to go 8 and 4 and you're good with that 8 and 4, have the four losses be against Detroit and Houston.

[A]

Well, that means, again, that's sweeping, basically.

[B]

Right. But I'm saying, wouldn't that as disappointed as you would be, they lose two out of three against Houston, see another.

[A]

Good team swept by Houston, lose one to Detroit even in that. In that rate. Because if you start this, see, the.

[B]

Other thing you have to worry about taking care of business against Toronto and Boston makes you feel better.

[A]

Not matter against Toronto. If you lose three to Houston, you're now suddenly no longer in ra. Right now you're in over the division.

[B]

That is possible. But I'm saying you're going 8 and 4. Take those four losses against Houston and Detroit.

[A]

I understand.

[B]

Because forget optics, it's also about position.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You want to be ahead of the Red Sox. So if you don't win the division, you get those three wild card games in Yankee Stadium. Not Fenway.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

If you want to win this division and you sweep Toronto, you're going to be in excellent position to be able to win the division. So I get it.

[D]

You.

[B]

You're saying 8 and 4. Hey, listen, you'd rather go 12 and.

[A]

Oh, of course.

[B]

But if you're saying 8 and 4, you understand this, Peter. Right. Then have the four losses be against Houston and Detroit.

[C]

I agree.

[B]

Make sure that you get the wins against Toronto and Boston, that's way more important because that's who you're battling. With Houston, it's optics. Detroit, it's optics. But Boston and Toronto, we're talking about territory, we're talking about positioning, and this team's got a heck of a better chance of going to the World Series as a division champion and possibly, possibly being the one seed. Because right now, if the season, and Toronto's got 79 wins, Detroit 80, Houston 76. You can catch Detroit, you could definitely. But here, but here you go. But even if you don't catch Detroit and you win the division, you've got the second best record. Right. You still put yourself in a much not having to play the Walker. That's what you want to do.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

All right. I don't want to have to play a best of three series. And if you're a Yankee fan, you're hoping I don't have to waste Max Freed on the last day of the season to lock up. I want to have all my Ducks in a row win the division, rest, get my rotation in order.

[A]

Yeah. You want Ryan Yarborough starting the last game of the season. Meaning it didn't. It didn't matter. But I'm telling you, Don, that we have said since June, despite All the struggles that the Yankees have had, that was a terrible stretch they went through right before they finally got on track. Beating the bad teams going 12 and four is. Oh, it's a long season. Oh, it's too early. Oh, there's a lot of time left. It's September. No, you're in the burr months now. There's no time left. It's, it's, it's now or never. And while wild card is, you know, the most likely, I think they're right now Baseball reference when they do all of their, when they do all the, the probabilities every day, I think they're at now about 96% certainty to or 98, I think to, to, to at least make the playoffs.

[B]

Well, yeah, because you could feel pretty.

[A]

Confident they're going to be in there. But when. Look, as most Yankee fans feel, whether it bothers you or not, it's. You got to the World Series last year. This year the sense is how do you get back, get back and win at this time. And we have seen there's a lot of parody in Major League baseball. You want to have some tangible reason to say I think they can win it, but if they have, they stumble through these 12 games and still struggle against the good teams. How could you in your right mind put the Yankees in the conversation as a team that can win a championship? You can't.

[B]

It's hard to. The Yankees have six games up on the loss column on Texas who's on the outside looking for the wild card. Now Texas won six in a row and they won nine of 10, but there's still six back in the loss column. So the Yankees are making the playoffs. Mets, the same thing. All right, the Mets pitching has completely gone south. They're a mess. But The Mets are 4 up on the Reds. Now Reds are taking on the Blue Jays. So obviously if you're a Yankee fan, you're rooting for the Reds. The Mets, you know, continue their series with Detroit today and tomorrow. Tomorrow's a day game. Then they get a day off and then they take on Cincinnati. So the Mets aren't out of the woods. You know, they lose a game here and they go into that series in Cincinnati with only a three game cushion and get swept, which obviously is not something that you can't put on the table the way their pitching has been outside of the kids. Mets aren't out of the woods, but you still feel somewhat comfortable. Cincinnati is only three and seven in their last 10, although they have won a couple of games in A row. So the Mets aren't out, completely out of the woods yet. But we talked about the beginning of the show, guys. The Mets, the Mets best hope is going to be with these kids, isn't it?

[C]

The only hope really?

[B]

It feels that way. Peterson was their all Star. Got shelled on Saturday. Give up five runs of the first inning, eight earned runs overall. Mania has been awful his last three starts. Senga I don't even think is going to get another start right. It feels like Sproat's going to get called up and make that start on Sunday. The way Mendoza was talking, it doesn't sound like Senga's gonna get another opportunity.

[A]

He said we've got to get him right. And he said we've had, we'll have some discussions about what's next for him. I mean, read into that, what's next for him. And it's been a struggle. We'll see what's next for him. That's twice he says that and then been trying to fix him for quite a while now. Those are alarming things for the manager to say in September about a guy who was supposed to be your ace this season, who, who by the way is back, is healthy, says there's nothing physically wrong with him, that he feels fine. It's mechanics right now that they've got to fix. So if you're, if I'm telling you, Don, that your ace is struggling, but it's not physical and it might be just mechanics and they're trying to fix it, are you more optimistic that, well, you know, they could just figure it out one bullpen session or is it more concerning? Because I'd rather think that he's hurt than that he just can't throw hurt.

[B]

You can't do anything about it. Right. The mechanics thing. But he said we've been working on him in a while, so they haven't been able to figure it out. So, yeah, it's better if it's mechanics driven, but the fact that they can't find it is a problem. And you're running out of time here.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

So we're looking, if Sproat comes up and pitches well, we are looking at the possibility of these three kids being your best avenue to making a run.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

Now, Soto hit a grand slam yesterday. Why is that significant? It's his first home run this year with more than one guy on. He had not hit a three run home run or a grand slam home run at all in the previous 35 home runs. And he needed that because that looked like they were. It felt watching that game yesterday they were going to lose.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

It just. Because they just, they were going to run out of time and they end up holding on. They win the game 10, 8. The offense comes alive. Six RBIs for Soto. But you can't hide bad pitching, man. And you can't Expect to score 9, 10 runs every night to get you out of the bad pitching. So they're going to have to figure something out. I think Peterson will be okay, but I have no faith that any of these guys are going to give you more than five decent innings as a ceiling. So you got to hope that these.

[C]

Kids all do the job.

[A]

And McClain's been an innings eater. Right. He's been a guy that has given you length and he gets to start today. And he's been good. But, you know, he's still, he's still new and he's, you know, you're waiting for. I guess it's one of those. You're waiting for the see which team has enough scouting on him now to know, okay, this is what we got to do against him. But he's been so good, it's almost like you expect now he's just going to keep giving you good starts. It's just three starts that he gave you that have been real. And each one of them seems to be getting better.

[B]

Well, that's the thing, is that you figure every outing is more information than more. You can scout on him. First game, five and two thirds. Second seven, third, eight. So he seems to be getting stronger. Now. I'm not going to expect him to be brilliant every start, but he's by far been their best pitcher. And as crazy it is to say if they make the playoffs, he might be my game one star. Let's go to Ruben in New Haven. You're on espn, New York. What's up, Ruben?

[D]

Gentlemen, slight flaw in your logic, Don, and I hate to sound like a crazy person, but, you know, let's just say, let's just say the Yankees sweep Boston and Toronto. I mean, obviously I don't expect that, but let's just say for the argument. And they only go, say 2 and 4 against Houston and Detroit. If Toronto goes 4 and 2, those same, those same series, whoever they're playing against, they could sweep Toronto and end up exactly where they are today.

[A]

True.

[D]

Not only do they need to win these games, they need some of these. They need help. They need.

[B]

I agree, but there's no way. But you have to agree, the games against Boston and Toronto are Bigger because those games are worth two in the standings. It's possible. It's also possible that you could lose tonight. Blue Jays lose, Red Sox lose. No harm, no foul. But when you're taking on Toronto and you want to win the division, every time you lose to them is a strike against you winning this division. So I agree you want to win every game you play, but the games in division still are more valuable than the games outside the division. And if you. If you could live with eight and four, then you want those four to be against Detroit and Houston.

[D]

It's. It doesn't work that way though, that all the games count. So it's not your AL east record that decides the division winner if they lose all those games against Houston and then Toronto wins the games they have that day. We just lost three games in the sand.

[B]

You're.

[A]

But you're picking the worst case scenario right now.

[B]

But there is an alternative to not losing ground if you lose. But that's not an alternative when you're playing Toronto. You lose to them, you lose ground. Nothing else you can do.

[A]

We're all talking about the same thing, which is basically like the importance is just getting as many wins as you can. And you're saying the importance is the more. The majority of the wins you get need to be against your division.

[B]

So it's not fraud.

[A]

You're both right.

[C]

But.

[B]

No, but Ruben's wrong because of the fact you do have a margin for error if you lose to Detroit and Houston. You have zero margin for error when you lose to Boston and Toronto.

[D]

But you would be counting on.

[A]

You're right.

[D]

I think that's what you're saying, which is a reach. You know, you're depending on someone else. They got to win as much as possible.

[B]

But Ruben, under. Under. Under the. Under the guise of 8 and 4, you don't want any of those four losses to be against Toronto and Boston.

[C]

Because it's automatically losing. That's the point.

[B]

So wouldn't you agree that make sure if you're going to lose four games and you're cool with losing four games, that those four games come against Houston to Detroit.

[D]

Unless. Unless Toronto wins their four games.

[C]

Let me try. Hold on, let me try.

[B]

Ruben.

[A]

Ruben, listen, I get what he's saying.

[C]

I know, but Reuben, here's the thing that don't. Yeah, but here's the thing that Don saying. Yes, we. We understand what you're saying, but in the divisional games, if you lose, it doesn't matter what else happens, it's two every time. @ least if you lose out of division there's a chance it's no harm, no foul. There's no chance of that when it's in division.

[D]

So it's. It's one every time. It's one full game if they lose to Toronto. If Toronto doesn't have a game today and they lose today, it's a half a game. So you're right. The losses against Toronto are a full game. But if they lose tonight and Toronto wins tonight, they lost the full game.

[B]

But we, but Reuben, we were already agreeing so I got to let he's not understand if you accept now, I guess Ruben's not accepting anymore. You got to go 12 and oh we agree you'd rather go 12 and.

[C]

Oh that's but sounds great.

[B]

But if you're going to live with 8 and 4 then logic tells you then the 4 have to be yes against your non division rival.

[C]

None of these things are going to happen of course it's all just us talking about what's ideal.

[A]

He's getting lost in the math and the idea that. But what but it does. Like I said if they get swept by the Astros you go into Toronto series and you could be less. It could be a five game deficit now sweeping Toronto. So all you do is get back.

[B]

To where you were the answer.

[A]

So that's what made what I think his brain can't wrap.

[B]

So what his answer is and what your answer is Allen, if you're following what Ruben is saying is that 8 and 4 is not good enough that you want to go 9 and 3. You want to go 10 and 2 because you. But, but I'm saying it but I was just responding to you said you would take eight and four if you're going to take eight and four. Those four losses have to come somewhere. Don't have them be against Toronto or Boston. Sounds like Ruben and you. You know what, just don't. Don't I have to go 12 and up. But that's unrealistic. 9 and 3, 10 and 2. That seems to be a little bit more realistic. And even in that scenario the two losses are better coming against Houston and Detroit.

[A]

I can promise you this, if you go nine and three you're probably going to have the number one seed. Like that's you want to run like that. Now the belief factor in you becoming a true contender like back into true contender status. That's the proof you need.

[B]

Now that's 93 or better. Now now using Ruben's logic. Well what if Toronto wins?

[A]

I understand all Right. I get it.

[B]

Well, what if you get swept? Or what if you win all three games against Houston and Toronto and Boston sweep their series? Well, guess what? You didn't move. And now three less games on the schedule, like it could work. Peter said it right. There's a margin for error. There's no margin for error when you're going up against the teams that you're chasing. And right now, the most important thing. I understand optics are important, but the most important thing for the Yankees right now is positioning head finish ahead. At least finish ahead of the Red Sox. That if you got to play in the wild card, get those games at home and then try to catch Toronto, which is doable. You're only two and a half games back, but so is Boston. And I don't know if you've been paying attention to Boston. Freaky things are happening. Did you see the story home run yesterday?

[A]

No, I didn't see the home run.

[B]

It is the shortest home run in the history of baseball. I forget who the right fielder was. You know, the pesky pole? I do, in fact. All right, so if you wrap it around the pole, then it's. It's a short home, probably the shortest home run in baseball. But it, but the angle's really tough. So the ball's going foul.

[C]

I'm watching it, right?

[B]

It hits the outfielder's glove, touches the pole. So it didn't even go the distance for a home run, but it still counts as a home run because it touched the foul pole. The thanks to the help of the glove of the outfielder. Oh, wow.

[C]

Now was it going to hit me?

[B]

It literally. It literally. They showed that. They showed the stat, you know, when there's like a home run. And this would only be a home run in one or two ballpark. It literally was a home run. That would be a home run in no ballparks in major league baskets.

[C]

Now I'm watching it over and over again. Don. It is interesting to me. If he doesn't make it there, I feel like there's a chance it still hits the pole. Maybe it looks very close.

[B]

Like it's, it's, it's.

[C]

But it's nothing. It's a, It's a. It's a foul ball.

[B]

So. So you're starting to see the Red Sox like, it's, it's funny just some of the. It. It's crazy because I, I saw your. One of your favorite fashion guys out there, Lee Goldberg, at flick the other.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And he's like, I'm having so much fun with the Red Sox. They're such a fun team. They have the same record as the Yankees basically, and Yankee fans hate their team and they think the team's awful. And Red Sox fans are loving this team, so there's not that much pressure on them. So it'll be really interesting to see. I'll believe the Blue Jays when I see it, but the Red Sox because of how well they played against the Yankees and Toronto too. But Boston's got more of a history, I think, in Toronto of getting the job done. Save big during Labor Day at Lowe's get up to 40% off select major appliances plus buy more to get up to an additional 20% off shop even more savings with three stay green, one cubic foot vegetable and free flower garden soil bags for $10 this Labor Day. Take care of your home for less. It loaves. We help you Save ballot through 93 soil offer excludes Alaska and Hawaii. Selection varies by location. Select locations only while supplies last. See lowe's.com for more details.

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This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on the phone or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is.

[A]

There.

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[A]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

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

[B]

All right, let's see if we can figure out Jacob's logic for Love on the Rocks, therefore Just a While by Neil Diamond Is it Neil's birthday today? Did we lose him?

[A]

No.

[B]

Please say it ain't so.

[A]

No, we didn't lose him.

[B]

I'm just keeping on September theme.

[A]

No September morning, first day of back. You said love on the ruts.

[B]

It's not walled. They kind of sound the same.

[A]

Love on the rocks begins with him saying love on the rocks.

[B]

That's why. That's what I got thrown. September.

[A]

This is September Mor.

[B]

September mourn.

[C]

September mourn. Do you remember?

[A]

There you go.

[B]

He's. He's a treasure.

[C]

I. I'm not. I don't. Neil diamond is such a gap in my life. Like, my parents didn't listen to Neil diamond, so there's nothing. Like if my. If. If you're my age and your parents.

[A]

Didn'T listen to Neil diamond, you're not going to hear nothing. That was right. Like at the end of me listening to my parents music as a kid, right?

[C]

And it was playing right at the.

[A]

End and from there forward it was like, nah, I'm listening to my.

[C]

Do you remember him? What about Bob? When he goes, are you married? And he goes, divorced. And he goes, why? And Bob says, well, there are two kinds of people in this world. Those who listen to Neil diamond and those who don't. My wife loves him. And he goes, so you're saying that as Dreyfus says to Murray, so you're saying that even though you have nearly crippling anxiety and this, that, this, that, and this, the reason you left your wife is because she likes Neil Diamond? And he goes, are you saying that I didn't leave my wife, but she left me? And then he hits the.

[B]

Ow. Ow.

[C]

Falls on the ground.

[B]

That's such an underrated movie.

[C]

Oh, it's the.

[B]

Now, this is a weird moment. Like, I. I'm. I'm the manager of Declan and Marcos. Minor league baseball team.

[A]

Minor league. They're not there yet.

[B]

And listen, I. I applied to be a show. I applied to be an assistant. And now next thing I'm managing. So it's. There's a lot going on.

[C]

By the way, Don might end up on. Congratulations. Played yourself tomorrow.

[B]

So one of the. So I get to one of the practice, but I got to get there late because I had work. What kind of manager are you? I know, but I told him I'd be an assistant. Who are you?

[C]

Aaron Boone. Gallivanting at UNC football on a Monday.

[A]

Absentee.

[B]

So one of the guys that were helping one of the coaches looked a lot like Graham Green. Graham Green was in Die Hard With a vengeance.

[C]

Yeah. Which one? Which guy is it?

[B]

He was one of the cops. Here's a picture of him. Can you see him there?

[C]

I'm putting my glasses here.

[B]

Right there. He looked just like Graham Green. Well, he's been in a bunch of stuff, but that's the one I Remember? I remember him. Sure. Yeah. And he was in. He was in the Green Mile. Dances with Wolves. She was one of the Native Americans. Look just like me and my sister in law was at the game. Agreed. We didn't know his name was Graham. She looks up on IMDb this is Friday. Graham Green.

[A]

Mm.

[B]

Sunday dead. Died Sunday. We just never hadn't talked about him, thought about him since like the last time I watched Die Hard with a vengeance was like maybe two years ago.

[A]

Whatever.

[C]

That's.

[B]

I bring him up like less than 48 hours. He's gone 73.

[C]

That is so weird.

[B]

That is weird, right? The random, you know, Very.

[C]

That's a. That's a weird one. I hate to say this. I think he killed him.

[B]

It's on the table. Like why I didn't. But I'm just saying I can understand.

[C]

You thinking that cuz like it's such a random one. Graham Green.

[B]

It's so sad what's happened over Bruce Willis too. I mean that's the worst 70.

[C]

But it's.

[B]

That's not that old.

[C]

Well, no, he's been. He's been sick for years.

[B]

I know, but now that he's in a facility and like he apparently has no memory of any.

[C]

It makes it very like whenever see anything related to him, it's obviously. It's all you can think about.

[A]

It's just.

[C]

It's tragic. Bumps me out.

[B]

Man 1 800-9193776 let's go to Pete Out Long Island. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Pete? Pete?

[D]

Hello? Hello?

[B]

What's up, baby?

[D]

Can you hear me?

[A]

We got you, Pete.

[B]

Yeah, what do you got? All right, goodbye. He said he ran into you at Mateo's.

[A]

You just hang up on Pete.

[B]

Yeah, because he couldn't get the concept of communication. When you ran into him in the.

[C]

Mateos, did he just keep going?

[B]

Hey. Wandering off the street or something?

[A]

No, he. No, he was sitting. He was sitting at a table.

[C]

All right.

[A]

Thought I told you this, Tom.

[C]

I'm excited to hear this.

[A]

He was weird.

[B]

Hello.

[A]

We had met.

[B]

Was I wrong to hang on, I don't know.

[C]

Keep going. No, you were right.

[A]

Yeah. You know what I told you that he was sitting with his family. I guess he had his wife there. And then he has a couple of friends. And I. My Stephanie and I walked in with two of our friends, Chris and Carol, and they were waiting for us at the bar. So Chris was finishing up his tab while Carol, Stephanie and I went to our table. They took us to our table. So there was a seat open. So Pete was staring at his table, and they're pointing and all that stuff. And I'm like, all right, fishbowl moment and please. He then gets up and starts to, you know, talk to me about the Yankees. So he listens every day. Then he sits down in the empty chair, which was for Chris, who was still at the bar. Pete was there talking and just really engaging, and he was really nice.

[C]

You never met this guy before?

[A]

No, no. He's from the Bronx. Fdny. Big Yankees fan. And he just had a lot to talk about, and we were having a grand old time. So Chris ended up sitting in his seat at his table, waiting for him to be done with us.

[B]

Hi, guys.

[A]

He was very personal, very funny, very energetic. He said he calls all the time. It can never get through. Wow. So I said, call.

[C]

What was I supposed to do? Oh, no, no.

[A]

Like, give the guy a minute.

[B]

A minute.

[A]

No putting out five.

[C]

I love that. That's not fair.

[B]

He.

[C]

Don, didn't know that part.

[A]

I was trying to tell you, but.

[B]

But how long do I go?

[C]

No, listen, it's.

[B]

Hello. Am I on? Hello? How many?

[C]

Well, let me put it.

[A]

How many to talk that. I felt like I was like, you gotta call it a lot of fun, Don.

[C]

If we found out. If we found out that Anthony booked a call, we're previewing the White Sox series with President Obama, we would have given him a few more. I'd say give him another 10 seconds. See if the president could figure it out. I think in the case of Pete, he gave him a good five seconds.

[A]

He gave him two hellos.

[B]

Now, if I had known. If I knew about the fda.

[A]

I don't think Pete's giving you two hellos before he kicks it off.

[B]

If I knew the whole story that.

[C]

He just told you would have given along.

[B]

I might have given him one more.

[A]

I told you the story on Friday, but I don't.

[D]

So who's this?

[A]

Mateo.

[B]

All right, listen, there's a couple of lines open. Pete, if you can call back.

[C]

But you gotta talk when we say hello.

[B]

When I say Pete in. What was it? Where is he?

[A]

Long Island.

[B]

Pete. Long Island. That's you, baby. Let's go. Call back 1-800-91-9377.

[C]

There's a line open. You get in right now.

[B]

Dear God. Rick and St. James, you're on ESPN New York. You're a saint away from being Rick James, by the way.

[C]

All right, give it to us, baby.

[B]

What's up? All right. This is a work right. This is.

[A]

What is this?

[B]

This is a goof on Rick.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah, see?

[C]

Go ahead, Rick.

[A]

He's out on the island. He. The signal's a little iffy.

[D]

I apologize.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

All right, you know what?

[C]

Calm down, Don.

[B]

I'm a calm. But.

[A]

But I did.

[B]

I did disconnect. Come on, how much?

[C]

What kind of show?

[B]

The guy did a solo show. What was the show? Hello? Hello? Hearing yourself back. Hello. We don't give up on any calls here.

[A]

The guy's sitting in traffic, he's trying to focus on the road. The guy's like, oh, that's right.

[B]

Nobody's forced him to call. Peter, I'm gonna look at you.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

Peter.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Did anybody force Pete or Rick to call?

[C]

No.

[B]

How much patience am I supposed to have with people? When I heard myself back, I was like, we're gonna say goodbye.

[C]

That was enough.

[A]

A little bit.

[C]

Now this, this will amuse you guys. All this will change things up. And am I just got a text from Ebro in the morning blue version, which is the group chat that I have not been in for a month.

[B]

And a half, right?

[C]

And now I see the last thing is what I said to them last. The last thing I said. If you want to compare, this was on Monday, July 30. I got the first thing in the morning, which is Griff sends us a screenshot of who's on the phone lines 6:43am who's online for lore, never loses. And then DJ John sent a stupid Rick Ross thing and I responded, sorry, guys, I love you all. And I'm leaving the chat for a while.

[B]

Hard left the chat. Peter's back.

[C]

Peter.

[B]

All right, Peter.

[D]

Okay, you guys get me now.

[B]

Yes. Oh, yes.

[D]

Fantastic. Listen, guys, I've been listening to you guys forever. It's a Michael King, die hard Yankee fan. I met the most handsome guy in the world over there at Mateo's, Alan Hahn. Very good looking and very good looking. And his wife's even better looking, but that's another story.

[A]

Agree.

[C]

All right, Pete.

[D]

It was. It was a pleasure. It was a pleasure. I told him a funny story about when I worked in the Bronx with Paul o'.

[C]

Neal.

[D]

We gave him a sweaty shirt and for signing a 8 by 10 glossy that we put. Put in our sitting room with all the Yankees. And it was a funny story when, when, when he gave. We gave him the. The sweaty shirt. Long story short, he hits two home runs that night. And the guy who he gave this took the shirt off of till his day. He Believes that o' Neill said, listen, I hit those two homes. I was wearing the fireman shirt to this day. This is almost 30 years later.

[A]

This guy's life made this guy's life. Like, he. He believed because they had shirts they were giving away, but they ran out of shirts. And this guy had it on, but he was sweating. It was the summer.

[D]

Yeah. We just gave him a small.

[A]

Take your shirt off. Just give it to him. Take your shirt off. So he took his shirt off. So o' Neal hits the two home runs, and they're telling him, oh, o' Neal was saying after the game, wasn't for your shirt. That's why he hit the home runs. Made the guy's life.

[B]

That is.

[A]

So you told me the story over dinner. It was great.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, I ran into. Also, I didn't. I told you. I ran into Wally Sobiak at Hatch. I just said hello. Cause he was in the middle of eating. I would never interrupt if you were eating. No, that's what you just said.

[C]

If it's moments before eating. We had just conversation.

[A]

Well, then. Then. Then my friend Chris sat with your family, and he. He had a grand old time talking to your friend. So it was. It was. And that band that was sitting behind us. Listen to this, Don.

[B]

There was a.

[A]

There was.

[D]

Listen to this.

[A]

A rock band sitting at a table next to us.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And you could tell, like, long hair, the whole thing. Pete gets up and goes over. He's like, you guys must be a rock band. Like, starts talking to them. Turns out they're Don Jovi cover bed.

[D]

Yeah. Well, when you see guys in their 50s with hair down to their ear, chances are.

[C]

Okay, Pete.

[A]

God bless, man.

[C]

Thank you.

[D]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for that.

[B]

Okay? There was fun. That's. That's cool, man. Thanks for your service.

[A]

Like a butterfly around the whole.

[C]

You know what I can tell.

[A]

Unreal. Unreal.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Imagine walking up this whole. What do you guys do? He's. I'm telling you.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I can't see. And you got to do it this Friday.

[A]

This was. This was last Thursday.

[C]

Last Thursday. And then you got to run the whole thing back today. Look at you.

[A]

You know, what is it?

[C]

You're lucky.

[A]

You know what? What? The guy. This is salt of the earth.

[C]

That's a beautiful thing. That's what I'm saying.

[B]

It's a beautiful thing. I don't know that. And I didn't know how long I'm.

[C]

Supposed to give him two hellos.

[A]

The fact that it was Don Jovi just.

[C]

That is Don Jovi.

[D]

That.

[C]

That could be the end of the. That could have been a good future for you, Don. Because we know you love performing with bands. You're from New Jersey. If you had started a band now, were they doing all Bon Jovi?

[A]

Mostly?

[C]

Mostly.

[B]

I would think so. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Playing the Palladium, they said.

[C]

Good for them.

[B]

That's nothing.

[C]

Wait, which Palladium?

[B]

The one here.

[A]

I mean, I would think so.

[C]

The one in Manhattan. Yeah, that would be. That's pretty good. That used to be Best Buy Theater. That's like. That's where we had the anniversary show.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

It's a big room. Like 2000.

[B]

Yeah, that's a big. That is a big room.

[A]

These guys legit.

[C]

Wow. Don. Joe.

[A]

It was something. It was quite the night at Mateo's in Huntington.

[B]

You know, Was that where we went. Where did we go after.

[A]

Oh, no, that was Rock. That was Rockville Center. No, this is Huntington.

[C]

A little further out.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Where do we go?

[A]

Trying to remember the name.

[B]

Don't.

[A]

Don't do that to me.

[B]

It was good food. First time I've ever shout out.

[C]

So.

[B]

Yeah, it was right. We. After the super bowl show. I think Peter had to go.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And I hung out and we had a nice time.

[A]

It was fantastic, in fact. Yeah. And they invited us back and I'm trying to. I know it's in Rockville. It's a fantastic place. I got to just remember off top my head.

[B]

All right. 1-800-919-377-6-Last Call Crew because we're off at 6:00 clock because Mets baseball here on ESPN New York.

[A]

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One, it's $15 a month.

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Two, seriously, it's $15 a month. Three, no big contracts. Four, I use it. Five, my mom uses it.

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Are you.

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Are you playing me off? That's what's happening, right?

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Okay, give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront.

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[C]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[A]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. So it's the George Martin in Rockville center that we went to and I, it just took me a minute to recall it because, you know, we were. We've gone to a bunch of different spots, a lot of them in Jersey. But they were so thrilled that we were there. They want us to come back. Of course. So next time we do something on the island, we have to make sure to make the George Martin am and I think we will priority.

[B]

We've got what a great spot. Events coming.

[A]

The food was unreal.

[B]

No, it was really. That was a good time.

[A]

Great time at the park.

[B]

What did you have to do? You had to. Would you have a wrestling? You had to leave, I think right.

[A]

After anything else to do that night.

[C]

This past year's Super Bowl.

[B]

Yeah, we did the show.

[C]

Yeah. My baby was like three weeks old. I think it was just like it might have been that I'm just not staying out late.

[A]

It felt like scooting. Yeah.

[C]

Well, I don't know if that's how I describe it. I think it was keeping my trap at that point stuff to a minimum.

[B]

No, I got it. No, I remember it was something on.

[A]

A nice meal with your new show friends.

[C]

But you know what? I did feel a little fomo, though. I'm not gonna sit here lying.

[A]

I gotta be honest with you. The food was good.

[C]

Missed a hell of a meal.

[A]

Real good.

[B]

It was good. Let's go to Ian or I'm not sure which one in Cranford. You're on espn New York. What's up, buddy? How are we doing, guys?

[A]

Good.

[B]

How are you?

[C]

Good.

[B]

Thanks for sneaking me in.

[D]

So I just wanted to make a.

[B]

Comment about jets fans selling their tickets.

[D]

Now, my mother, God bless her, birthed.

[B]

Me into this miserable franchise. So I try to take it to a game at least once a year.

[D]

Right.

[B]

I go on secondary market and they're not that bad. But then I see that the jets are doing something. They'll waive the fees if you bought them from them directly.

[D]

I go there, get two tickets for.

[B]

140 each, which really isn't that bad from the Jets. I'm not a season ticket holder and I'm not reaching anybody's pocket. But if $300 really gonna break you, if you think that there's a culture change going on, don't you want to.

[D]

Be there for it?

[B]

No, but it's.

[C]

It's not that.

[B]

It with the qu. That maybe that speaks to why the game wasn't sold out. But you bought these tickets, taking your mom, somebody offers you a grand for the pair, you're not gonna take it?

[D]

Yeah, I mean, I guess I would.

[B]

But, you know, if you already have.

[D]

Season tickets, you know. Yeah, I guess.

[B]

Yeah. I think that's. That's all we're talking about. I want to go to the game and luckily I make a nice enough living that I don't like, live paycheck to paycheck. But listen, there's going to be a. There's going to be a certain amount of movement depending on what the money is. And as much as I love football and as much as I love to take family to the game, if somebody's going to offer me, you know, 10 times what a ticket's worth or what I paid for it, you know, there is going to be a line where I'm going to be like, you know what, Marco? We're going to go to the next game. We're not going to.

[A]

I think the point though is, is if you're. If you can afford PSL and season tickets, I think.

[C]

Right.

[B]

You've already.

[C]

You've already spent so much.

[A]

Yeah. You're not living like. You're not Scrounging for pennies?

[B]

No, you're just saying.

[A]

But even I'm going to get some money back on this because I'm going to lose on this investment this year because later in the season this team's going to be bad. I'm not going to sell these tickets for a profit, so I might as well do it while I can.

[B]

I. Like I said, I wouldn't do it. You wouldn't do it, Peter. Maybe it wouldn't do it, but I'm not going to kill somebody that would decide to do it. But as Ira said, the game wasn't even sold out anyway, so you probably could have gotten into the building without having to pay an exorbitant amount of money. But who knows? I don't know where people are sitting and all that. Moss in New Jersey, you're on espn, New York. What's up, Moss?

[D]

Yes, listen. So my brother, big time Giants fan, he loves Russell Wilson. My wife loves the Jets. You got Justin Fields. Which quarterback will have the bigger year, Justin or Russell? Let me know.

[B]

Well, I would say from a statistic standpoint, it likely would be Wilson because if the jets are going to do nothing but run the football now, find bigger only statistic. Well, I mean, Fields could rush for 1,000 yards maybe, and that could.

[A]

Wilson could only play for five weeks.

[B]

That's true.

[A]

You never know they're going to make that transition that you anticipate they're going to make.

[B]

But you're talking about a quarterback.

[A]

So what's that bigger mean?

[B]

Would even with Russell Wilson being on the back nine, he's probably, he's probably playing on 17 or 18.

[A]

Probably.

[B]

Yeah, I think he's a better quarterback than Justin Fields. Could you agree with that?

[A]

Is right now you could.

[B]

Who's got more weapons?

[A]

I mean, the Steelers thought so, right. They wouldn't go back to Justin Fields. They played Russell Wilson the rest of the season.

[B]

Who. Who's got more weapons? Oh, I mean, neighbors is the better neighbors.

[A]

And Wilson. Yeah, but.

[B]

But just. You made a great point. You know, Justin Fields is probably, barring injury, going to play in all 17 games. Yeah, you know, he'll probably. Even if he threw for 3,000 yards, he might rush for another thousand. His numbers, Wilson could be done by week five.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So you're probably going to bet Fields. But if both, if Both quarterbacks played 17 weeks, I think Wilson would be the better quarterback. Let's go to Steve in Middle Village running SBN New York. What's up, Steve? Steve?

[D]

Hey, guys, thanks for taking the Call about the Jet fans who can sell their tickets. Do it. I mean, you know, if you're a middle class family, et cetera. You already said it, Don. I completely agree. To give you some historical facts about in the ancient times when I went to my first two football games. I went to a Giant game in 1968. I thought, you know, I was about 15 years old. I went by myself to the subway to the Bronx, and I thought I could get in. Well, maybe, maybe the prices are a little bit more expensive. I thought I could buy tickets at the game. Long story short, it was like five minutes before kickoff. Guys were outside who had tickets, but people weren't showing up. I want to buy the ticket for $4. Like it was a box sheet, Yankee Stadium. Then the guy looked at me, said, okay, kid, you can go in the ticket. I must have had a dollar left to go back home. But that's how cheap it was to go in there. I told a friend of mine who was a Jets fan. A couple of years later, he and I went to a Shea Stadium to see Al Woodhull be quarterback with the Jets. It also cost about five or six dollars because they had people who had, who had extra tickets and they were seasoned ticket holes and they didn't want to waste the money. Of course, it's a. I'm talking about a completely different world.

[B]

Yeah, I just wonder when it changed because I, I remember going to games 30 years ago. There weren't four bucks, but they were a hell of a lot more affordable. When. When did it happen? When did the turn come where.

[C]

When it started?

[B]

Outrageous became outrageous.

[A]

The 90s. The tickets really went crazy in the.

[C]

90S, but then they went crazy again 10 years ago.

[B]

I gotta bring. Because when I first started going to concerts and games. I'll bring it in tomorrow. I got like a photo album of old tickets and you'll see like the price on the tickets. It's crazy and it seems a long time ago to some people, like Jacob or Anthony, but for me it didn't seem like that long ago. Maybe 30, 40 years ago. But it's, it's a lot of money. Let's do this again tomorrow. Sh back, baby.

[A]

Why not?

[B]

Vacations are over. It's on.

[A]

We're locked in.

[B]

Yankees, Astros. But coming up next on our air, it's the Mets and the Tigers. Game two of the three game set. Quick reminder, tomorrow app only because the Met game is going to be on during the day. So we won't be on 880 until the Met game's. Over, so make sure you got your downloaded app to go at 3 o' clock to be able to listen to Don Hahn and Rosenberg. Mets and Tigers are up next. Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday. We'll talk to you Again tomorrow at 3:00' clock here on ESPN New York.

[A]

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 speaker.

[E]

This isn't just another ESPN fantasy football.

[B]

Season, it's your shot at greatness. With a refreshed design, the ESPN Fantasy App is sharper than ever, so you can draft like a pro and dominate your league. And introducing Gridiron Gauntlet, a new game mode where the best compete to be crowned the number one fantasy football player of 2025. One app, one shot, one champion. Download the ESPN fantasy app and sign up to play ESPN Fantasy Football.