Hour 3: Yankees & Knicks

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Yankees & Knicks

Release Date: June 4, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the current state of New York's beloved sports teams—the Yankees and the Knicks. Skipping over the initial advertisements, the trio jumps straight into vibrant discussions, providing listeners with expert analysis, spirited debates, and noteworthy insights.

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1. Knicks’ Head Coaching Situation

Timestamp: [00:39] – [02:30]

The episode kicks off with an intense conversation about the New York Knicks' search for their next head coach. Alan Hahn speculates on the potential timeline for the announcement, suggesting that it might not coincide with the NBA Finals to avoid overshadowing the event.

Notable Quote:

Don Hahn: "We got the Knicks and who the next head coach is going to be. You have any idea of a timetable at all?"
[00:39]

Key Points:

• The possibility of a swift coaching announcement if the NBA Finals conclude quickly.
• Discussion on the optics of announcing a new coach during or immediately after the Finals.
• Consideration of the Knicks’ draft position and lack of immediate draft picks reducing the urgency.

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2. Mets vs. Dodgers Game Recap

Timestamp: [02:30] – [03:57]

Transitioning seamlessly, the trio analyzes the recent Mets game against the Dodgers, highlighting the Mets' competitive spirit despite losing a substantial lead.

Key Points:

• Mets surrendering a 5-4 lead but showcasing resilience.
• Mike Soto’s impressive performance with five consecutive extra-base hits.
• The competitive nature of the Mets against a formidable Dodgers team at Chavez Ravine.

Notable Quote:

Don Hahn: "Soto's got a big three-run home run. He's got an extra base hit now in five consecutive games. So it looks like it's starting to warm up."
[02:58]

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3. Yankees’ Closer Conundrum: Devin Williams vs. Luke Weaver

Timestamp: [03:57] – [12:02]

A significant portion of the episode centers on the Yankees' pitching staff, specifically debating whether Devin Williams or Luke Weaver should serve as the primary closer. The hosts critique Williams' performance under pressure and discuss Weaver’s potential as a more fitting closer.

Key Points:

• Devin Williams’ struggles when thrust into the closer role, including blowing a save and pitching numerous pitches in high-stress situations.
• Luke Weaver’s suitability for the closer position, emphasizing his composure and consistent performance.
• Brian Cashman’s handling of the situation, with Hahn and Don expressing skepticism about relying on Williams.
• The impact of New York’s high-pressure environment on pitchers' performances.

Notable Quotes:

Alan Hahn: "I think Williams is not the right fit for the closing role in New York."
[07:22]

Don Hahn: "Are you ready for New York? ... You're going to be compared to the greatest closer in the history of the sport."
[08:12]

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4. MLB’s Star Players: Aaron Judge vs. Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout

Timestamp: [16:43] – [24:16]

The discussion shifts to Major League Baseball’s marquee players, particularly Aaron Judge of the Yankees, and how his visibility compares to stars in other leagues like Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

Key Points:

• Aaron Judge’s prominence due to playing for the Yankees, a team with massive media coverage.
• Shohei Ohtani’s dual-threat capability as both a pitcher and hitter, yet limited exposure outside championship series.
• Mike Trout’s exceptional performance overshadowed by playing for the Angels, a team with less national attention.
• The importance of market and team success in elevating a player’s profile.

Notable Quotes:

Don Hahn: "Baseball's got to realize what they have right now. They've got two of the best players in the sport... One's in New York and one's in Los Angeles."
[23:59]

Alan Hahn: "If you are a Yankee fan, you probably saw Ohtani during a World Series and... you've seen so much of Aaron Judge."
[23:48]

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5. Listener Interactions and MVP Debate

Timestamp: [27:30] – [32:37]

Listeners join the conversation with questions and comments, including a debate comparing Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge for the MVP award under identical performance conditions.

Key Points:

• Discussion on whether a historic performance like a 50-50 season (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases) would sway MVP voters.
• Debate on the subjective nature of awards and the potential impact of extraordinary statistics on voting outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

Alan Hahn: "Nobody's ever done 50, 50."
[30:05]

Don Hahn: "I feel that would sway some voters."
[30:09]

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6. Knicks Player Exit Interviews and Team Dynamics

Timestamp: [33:13] – [39:29]

The hosts examine exit interviews of Knicks players, particularly focusing on internal team dynamics and communications with head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Key Points:

• Josh Hart’s public comments about pushing for lineup changes and increased bench involvement.
• The collective sentiment among players about the coach’s methods and team strategies.
• The potential brewing discontent leading to coaching changes, amplified by recent playoff outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

Alan Hahn: "Josh Hart was public in saying that he went to Tom Thibodeau to push twice to push him to make the lineup change."
[34:06]

Don Hahn: "This was a result of a season where the FR reached a boiling point and the loss just magnified it."
[39:29]

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7. Brief Advertising Breaks

Throughout the episode, listeners are briefly interrupted by advertisements for brands like BetterHelp, Shopify, LinkedIn, Tullamore Dew Whiskey, Mint Mobile, and Uncrustables. These segments are seamlessly integrated but do not detract from the main content.

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8. Light-Hearted Banter and Book Discussions

Timestamp: [41:03] – [49:02]

As the episode progresses, the hosts engage in humorous exchanges about reading habits and discuss the book Raekwon Criminology, showcasing their camaraderie and lighter side.

Key Points:

• Personal anecdotes about reading routines and preferences.
• Playful debates about the merits of specific books and humorous critiques of each other's reading habits.

Notable Quotes:

Peter Rosenberg: "I ran out. I have the Angels Ohtani jersey in the closet. He is a jump off the page the second you see him play."
[22:22]

Don Hahn: "I have to read it on my back."
[32:44]

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9. Conclusion and Final Remarks

Timestamp: [50:32] – End

Wrapping up, the hosts encourage listeners to subscribe and tune in through various platforms, ensuring that fans stay connected and informed about upcoming episodes and sports events.

Notable Quote:

Alan Hahn: "Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts."
[27:06]

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Key Takeaways

• Knicks’ Coaching Search: Potential timelines and strategic announcements to avoid overshadowing NBA Finals.

• Mets vs. Dodgers Analysis: Mets showing grit despite losing leads, with Mike Soto’s standout performance.

• Yankees’ Closer Debate: Ongoing discussion about Devin Williams’ suitability versus Luke Weaver’s steadiness in high-pressure roles.

• MLB Star Visibility: Aaron Judge’s elevated profile due to the Yankees’ media presence compared to other elite players like Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

• Team Dynamics: Insights into internal team communications and potential coaching changes within the Knicks.

• Listener Engagement: Active participation through listener calls and debates, enriching the discussion with diverse perspectives.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg masterfully balances in-depth sports analysis with entertaining banter, offering listeners both substance and enjoyment. Whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan, a Knicks enthusiast, or someone who appreciates insightful sports commentary, this episode provides a comprehensive look into the current landscape of New York sports.

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For more episodes and to stay updated with the latest in New York sports, be sure to subscribe to the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app, or your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

That sounds like heaven to me. Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3.

[Alan Hahn]

On 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Don Hahn]

We got the Knicks and who the next head coach is going to be. You have any idea of a timetable at all?

[Alan Hahn]

I, I gotta feel like the NBA Finals draft. Yeah. Oh yeah. The NBA Finals tips off Thursday. Thursday. There is three days between I. So this doesn't feel like a rushed deal unless the guy that they are targeting finds a way. You know, like all that stuff just happens. But I don't think you announced this during the NBA Finals. So this doesn't happen during the NBA.

[Don Hahn]

So let me, let me just do the math here. No offense to the Pacers, but there's a very good possibility of the Thundersweep them.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. It's.

[Don Hahn]

Now they do bat the bunny. I get it.

[Alan Hahn]

So it's possible they always lose one.

[Don Hahn]

But the way if a sweep were to happen, so correct me if I'm wrong, it's Thursday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. Right. So Thursday would be game four in Indiana.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Knowing how MSG works with their major announcements on a Friday, is it possible that or is that throwing too much shade to whoever wins the NBA Finals that you've got like a major announcement, can't do it. So I, you're, you're probably a couple.

[Alan Hahn]

Of weeks away and you got to do it and you got to do it before the draft, which if this series goes quick, you'll have plenty of time. You don't want to again, you don't, you don't want to overshadow the draft either. Now there's no rush. The Knicks have one pick and it's not in the first round. It's the 50th pick. So it's not as if, you know, they're doing all this hardcore prep for the draft.

[Don Hahn]

The optic isn't great.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not like you need a coach before the draft.

[Don Hahn]

I, I know, but the optic of you're going into the draft with no.

[Alan Hahn]

Coach, what does it matter?

[Don Hahn]

I, you know, the 50th pick is.

[Alan Hahn]

A two way conference.

[Don Hahn]

But if you Know who it is, then you probably want to announce it before the draft. If you don't know, I'm not saying you got to.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, but it's got to be two days before the draft. It can't be the day of the draft. And with the draft Thursday, it's a Wednesday.

[Don Hahn]

Thursday, Wednesday, Thursday. So, yeah, I guess you could have it a. If the NBA finals were to end on a weekend and you want to come back on Monday. I don't know. I think we're a couple of weeks away from having an announcement. The other thing on the table to talk about, Mets lose a tough one last night. Diaz not available. They blow the 54 lead. Muncie hits his second home run of the game, ties that they lose in 10. But it's amazing how competitive the Mets are against the Dodgers.

[Alan Hahn]

It's Freeman by the way, also. Yeah, he has a big double that almost looked like it was going out. Yeah, that felt like it was going out.

[Don Hahn]

But I just like the fact that The Mets are down 4 1. They fight back, they take the lead. Soto's got a big three run home run. He's got an extra base hit now in five consecutive games. So it looks like it's starting to warm up. I understand nobody wanted to give him credit for the extra base hits against Colorado, but these are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chavez Ravine, so that's not nothing. Still two games left of that series. And the Yankees, they get a win against the the Guardians again led by the home run. Right? That's kind of. That's their mo. The back to back home runs from Jazz and Volpe win the game 3 2. But the story of this 1 9th inning, Devin Williams, because of the Weaver injury is back to being the closer all of a sudden. Allen 31 becomes 3 2, tying run at second. He throws 30 pitches, gets the save. But you sweat it out. It's going to be a high wire act until, you know, he's not anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

Or is it always going to be a highway? Like, like, honestly, like that's what, that's what I'm trying to figure out because like what was he. Was he. He was with Cleveland or was. Where was he?

[Don Hahn]

Brewers. He's the Milwaukee.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm sorry, Alonzo. Right, that's. I knew it was one of the teams in New York played what. I don't know what he was there, if he was a high wire act there, but it feels like he doesn't do well under pressure, which to me is. Goes against everything that a closer is supposed to Be about like you're supposed to, right? The low blood pressure kind of guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's, it's, it's. There are two jobs in sports. You truly don't want to be overly affected by pressure. I would go ahead and say it's the closer and the field goal kicker. Those are people you do not want to fold in important spots. And that's, that's a problem.

[Alan Hahn]

I can't help it. Now he gets through this one. I understand, but. And maybe that's what he's got to get through, is to go through situations like this, give up one run, leave two on and still get out of it. And the more that happens, maybe the more he just starts to get confident and comfortable. I don't know. But I'm not going to feel confident with him in the closing role. And they're going to force that because that's why they signed him. They're going to force that until they realize that it's a mistake. And Luke Weaver, to me, he's the one that seems to have the closer type mentality and approach. And the hamstring thing now is going to keep him out for a little while. So you've got to, you got to get through it somehow, some way. But I still say Luke Weaver's your closer. I don't think Devin Williams is your full time closer, no matter what they want to force to.

[Don Hahn]

And I know the whole thing is. Well, Mo made it look easy. But you know what? It just can't be this. It just can't be this. And you hear the murmurs like, he gives up that run and they're on him, and that's the way it's going to be. Of course, like, so to Peter's point, if it's a pressure situation, it's not like the Yankees are going to give him any leg up here. They're going to be on him. So every walk, every hit that he.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gives up, Is it me or does this Yankees organization, with the exception of very obvious ones like Garrett Cole, which doesn't even count, let's just not even count. They do not assess pitching talent very well over the last couple years. There are a lot of botches here.

[Don Hahn]

Well, that was always the problem with Brian Cashman. Did they develop pitching outside of Andy Pettit? You know, you go and you bring in Cole. Yeah, they got Cole someplace else, they got Messina someplace else. Wells, Clemens. Like you go over the list for.

[Alan Hahn]

All those names, though, we can also come up with some other names that they did get right. And again, is Pitching a major issue this year. Carlos Rodone, by the way. Seven. Oh, his last nine stars.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, no, it's almost like he is.

[Alan Hahn]

And I've been his biggest crit, but he has been as rock solid as you would need him to be. And he was supposed to be your number three.

[Don Hahn]

Right. But they got him elsewhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They almost got that wrong, too. They almost stumbled into that one. That one turned out better than they thought.

[Alan Hahn]

But it's still. But, you know, they have had. They've had a decent bullpen for the most part. I think finding a closer every. Everybody tries to find a closer. I don't think everybody solves that problem.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Devin Williams was the best closer in the sport, I believe, last year. But, like, it made sense that he comes here. But I just think certain guys, in certain stages, it just doesn't fit. And he's not right.

[Don Hahn]

But my issue with Brian has always been we know how good a closer Williams is, but if there literally is an issue with him not having the stomach for New York, that's on Brian.

[Alan Hahn]

You gotta move.

[Don Hahn]

You've got. You've got to know that you've got some part of the evaluation has to be.

[Alan Hahn]

I agree.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. The stats show me that you're a good closer. Analytically, you seem to fit in what we do. But are you ready for New York? Because not only are there 50,000 people in the building every night, not only are you supposed to go out there, win us a championship, and theoretically be the guy that throws the pitch that wins us the championship, but are you going to be used to all of the media that's going to be all over you, on top of you, and on top of that, you're going to be compared to the greatest closer in the history of the sport who went into the hall of Fame unanimous.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And every time you blow a save, you're not mo. You're not mo. Like, are you ready for that? And then when he says yes, I'm going to ask again. And then I'm going to do whatever I can wonder, like, test whatever to kind of like.

[Alan Hahn]

I agree.

[Don Hahn]

I just wonder if. If that due diligence. Because the analytic people tell you there is no such thing as pressure. Like, what are you talking about? There's no such thing as clutch. It's all the numbers, which is ridiculous. So that's why I throw so much criticism at Brian for it, because they're so analytic by the numbers. Do they even think it's a thing? Oh, I can tell you it's a thing. Because I saw Doug Sisk, I saw Sonny Gray, I saw the history of these guys that just can't handle being in New York. And I don't know if that's Devin Williams, but I do know that he made a comment about, wow, there's a lot of reporters in here. And so far he hasn't been able to really feel like he's comfortable with it. But let's wait and see.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Aaron Boone had this to say about his confidence in Devin Williams as a closer a ton.

[Don Hahn]

He's been throwing the ball really well, really for the better part of a month. And I don't expect that to change now with the role changing a little bit. Again, this is a guy that's the role he's in tonight is what he knows. I think he's got a lot of confidence going and you know, even though they, they got a run off him tonight, I thought his confidence and his conviction on pitches help throughout the outing.

[Alan Hahn]

I like. And to tell me that it's not going to change because the role changed. Absolutely. Your mentality, your approach, everything changes when you're the guy coming in the seventh inning versus the guy coming into the ninth with a two run lead trying to protect it and take and get a win.

[Don Hahn]

I really like Aaron Boone and I hate how much the fans get on him. But the one thing that just frustrates me so much is the BS artist stuff that comes in these postgame press conferences.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tell me conviction.

[Don Hahn]

Are you listening to what you're saying, Aaron?

[Alan Hahn]

Throwing the ball.

[Don Hahn]

Well, take the month of him pitching since he lost his closing job and wipe with it. It's not closing. You lost the closer job. So go pitch the seventh, go pitch the eighth, be brilliant. It's not the closer spot. And then he finally gets a chance to close and he gives up a run and throws 30 pitches. You're confident? You're BSing me? How could you be confident? You were the one that made the decision. You're no longer the closer. Everything he's done since then basically has been in the non closing role. So what do those numbers matter? Right? We know he's a good pitcher, we know he puts up good numbers, but he. So can you at least give me. I like the way he's looked, but let's wait and see. I'm confident he's gonna get it done. But to tell me like where, where is this coming from? You know what I want when he didn't do it.

[Alan Hahn]

And what I want also is sometimes as a manager, this used to be More of an old school way. You want to protect your player, and I get it. So protect him. But here's how you protect him. You protect him from himself. So you're trying to pump his tires all the time, when really the thing you got to do here is say, you know what? He was finding himself in the setup role. Let's just keep him there. Let's not mess with him. Let's keep him there.

[Don Hahn]

Well, he needs a closer now with waiver.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, well, somebody else can do it, but like, like, like, I can't just keep jerking him around.

[Don Hahn]

But I. I'm okay with you giving him the job back because he has looked good in the other spots, and now you don't have a closer. He was brought here to be the closer. This seems like the natural opportunity to give him his job back. But at least give me an honest assessment to say, let's wait and see.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

All right. He lost his job. Because what's gonna happen, Allen, if he struggles again and Weaver comes back? Like, you're gonna get called on your BS if you keep propping the guy up. And then when Weaver comes back, Weaver's the closer again.

[Alan Hahn]

And can you afford this time that he doesn't get the win and he does blow the save? And then what happens there? He didn't have much to say to. This is a short response to returning to the closing role.

[Don Hahn]

It's the job that they need me to do now, so just try and do my best to help the team.

[Alan Hahn]

He hates talking to the media, but.

[Don Hahn]

I like what he said. Like, it's about the team. This is what they're asking me to do. Because listen, he. Yeah, but now he traded for him. He could have been. Listen, we've seen these guys be snots before, right? Like, I should have never lost it in the first place.

[Alan Hahn]

Or how about just saying, like, yeah, like, this is why I'm here. Like, like I. This is my job. I'm going to be whatever it is. Instead, it's like, oh, you know, this is what they need me to do. I don't love that response. I don't love how short he was about it. I think he's hyper aware of the criticism.

[Don Hahn]

This is where I'll get on Brian again. It seems like the media is a thing. I don't think he enjoys that. I don't think he. And that's fine. It's just bizarre. But listen, he is in Milwaukee. I'm sure they probably have two or three beat guys that he probably knows pretty well, and I'm not saying they're not professional, but you know how some of these smaller markets you want to get in, I'm sure they're not destroying them. The fans are probably not destroying him, right? Well, he was good, you know, and every Sunday, the Packers playing, it's like the brewers don't exist. I think there's certain markets where it's just different, man. And I'm not saying it's fair, but that's how it is in New York. The. Mike Soto's going through it now, and all these players go through it. You. You have the media that was around his locker after he gave up the home run to Pete Alonso is. Is probably still less than what he sees every single day.

[Alan Hahn]

Amazing.

[Don Hahn]

As the Yankee closer.

[Alan Hahn]

I think you're right.

[Don Hahn]

And I'm sure it bothers him. It bothered Mike Messina. Why bothered him?

[Alan Hahn]

Why are all these people here before the game? Every game it's like this.

[Don Hahn]

He was a kid, and he played in Mara, you know, in Baltimore. And there was. Listen, baseball's popular, but it's not New York. I remember. And I. I used. When I worked at the Fan, I used to fill in for Sweeney. Like, Sweeney Murty was the Yankee guy, all right. And Sweeney go on vacation. They'd have me fill in. I wouldn't travel. I would just go to the home games and usually the day games, because I always had gigs at night. So I'd go to the games and I cover, you know, get the sound or whatever. And I remember being in the locker room after Mike Messina pitched, and there is a bunch. What you do is, it's. It's like a semicircle around his locker. And then as he approaches, you know, especially if it's a day he pitched. And obviously, you wouldn't talk to him unless it was a day he pitched. PR would bring him over, the C's would part, and he would. He would go into the. Into that hole and talk to the media. But for whatever reason, we didn't see him coming, so he had to wait, like, a second. So instead of saying, excuse me, or the PR director say, hey, guys.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, guys, he's ready.

[Don Hahn]

He's ready. Messina's here all of a sudden, and I'm unfortunately, one of the yo yos that is in the way. And because I didn't know where to put myself. You're not there all the time, right? You don't know where you put yourself.

[Alan Hahn]

It's true.

[Don Hahn]

And all of a sudden, I hear move. And I turn around and It's. It's Messina, and everybody kind of scattered like. Like cockroaches. And then he went in. It's like he just didn't have the greatest demeanor. That.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That, by the way, that is someone who needs to get punched in the face one time.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm really surprised that. I'm really surprised. No one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No one. No one said anything. There are a few Yankee beat people who I feel like would have something to say about that.

[Alan Hahn]

Probably didn't do it to them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not cool.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sure they probably looked at it like, he wasn't talking to me, but you got a job to do. Like, I. I never get caught up in that stuff because at the end of the day, I just got to get the sound to get out of there. Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

If you're not a regular, you don't say anything.

[Don Hahn]

You just keep it moving then, like.

[Alan Hahn]

But when you're a regular beat writer and a guy treats you that way, you definitely have a minute with him. But you have to.

[Don Hahn]

But I would.

[Alan Hahn]

You gotta put. You gotta be like, hey, hey. By the way, not that tone. Don't do that. It's just a place of work for me, too.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't use that tone.

[Don Hahn]

Absolutely. And I'm sure.

[Alan Hahn]

I get it, you're frustrated, all that stuff, but just don't use that tone.

[Don Hahn]

He probably saw that the people that were in the way were people that were not going to give him.

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly. Exactly.

[Don Hahn]

And I'm not judging the guy. I'm just saying he hated it. But you know what? He's a Hall of Famer.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And more times than not, he came through. But there are some guys that just don't like it. But you better have the stomach for it. And that's the. That's the homework that I wish that the Yankees would. Would give. But who knows? He might turn out to be the greatest closer of all time. But right now, it's probably the only really negative thing you can say about the Yankees. Start right now. Everything's looking great for them, so we'll see how it goes.

[Alan Hahn]

Judge getting a little quiet, but that's all right. But, dude, I know he's. He's not going to. I love using this phrase. Now, Peter, he's not going to be on a toot all season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He can't be on a toot.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what I mean?

[Don Hahn]

No, but, you know, like, basketball, it's humbling. Right?

[Alan Hahn]

He's going to have a day. Yeah. He's barely under 400 now.

[Don Hahn]

And I will Say this too. We all know how good he is, but when Ohtani starts pitching again and if he starts pitching well, he, he's in the conversation with Judge as far as like the best player in the game just because he pitches well. He, he's not, he's, he's hitting.288. So he's not like close to.400.

[Alan Hahn]

Friggin.

[Don Hahn]

Ohtani's good. Like he is scary. Like I, I, I just, I just feel like sometimes in baseball we just throw it out there. But just because that's, because it's out there. But you watch the World Series didn't do it justice. He injured his shoulder. Yankees pretty much closed him down before that. But like watching him, because I got, got such a hunk of him here because the Mets have played him so much.

[Alan Hahn]

We've seen him a lot because you saw that. Yankees, Mets.

[Don Hahn]

Damn.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me tell you something. How many players are in baseball right now that you would say every at bat I Want to watch?

[Don Hahn]

4. It could be him. It would be Judge. Judge. I mean, who else you got?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Soto's a hell of an adventure.

[Alan Hahn]

I know he's not, he's still in that bat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, right? Well, right now you're watching for different reasons.

[Don Hahn]

There's some really good players, but I'm just saying where you're going to stop and go, I got to watch this.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, hang on. I got like if you know how you have red zone for the NFL, right? If MLB had like a red zone, but just like for superstar at bats every night, every time one of these guys got that's fun, they just cut to the at bat. Judge for sure. Like I've always said, like, if I have the game on in the house, but I'm ill and about when judges coming up, if he's on deck, I'm gravitating to the room with the tv. And then when he's at bat, I'm sitting down. I would do the same for Ohtani. I'm not leaving the room. I'm not changing the channel. Wait, Ohtani's up in the next inning. I'm not changing the channel. Right. That's. You're getting like Soto was like that last year. He hasn't gotten there. But of course once he goes on a little heater, so well, it'll be the same story. He's like that too. Bryce Harper used to be like Harper.

[Don Hahn]

Used to be that way.

[Alan Hahn]

He gets like that at times in Philly. Like that building with him. It's special.

[Don Hahn]

I just.

[Alan Hahn]

But that's not right now. But is there really. Are there really. Give me a brand name guy. Don't give me like Cal Raleigh, like, I need somebody. Although he's again, but. But he's not a guy.

[Don Hahn]

Home runs.

[Alan Hahn]

You know, this is the, the Sosa McGuire thing where you were watching every at bat. It's. You don't want to miss something.

[Don Hahn]

That's the thing. Like, I guess it was a couple of days ago we talked about this. Like one of Michael's first callers the other day, like literally said, I'm watching all the time. He's good and kind of. Michael made fun of him. But hear me out. Like, you do have to realize that there are people and the. Where baseball is right now if he's not on your favorite team. If you're like a Yankee fan, you probably saw Ohtani during a World Series and again, he was compromised. And then you see him now, it's like, it's not like people are watching Dodger baseball unless their team's involved in it. That's the, that's what basically done. Like, how do you not know who he is? But we talked about Mike Trout. Like how many the people know Mike Trout. They know he's great. But really, if you're a Yankees fan.

[Alan Hahn]

And you don't know Shohei Ohtani is good, then you're not a Yankees fan.

[Don Hahn]

No, no, no, no, no. I'm not saying you're a casual fan. He's good. But when you watch him for a sustained period of time, like, you know he's good. Flashes. Yeah, I saw that at bat and I saw him strike out Trout in the World Baseball Classic or I did see a highlight on SportsCenter one time. But to sit there and watch like 12 of his at bats in a three day period, that. That's like the most you've seen of him. Like, people got to. It's a regional sport, right? So you're watching your team, you don't see these.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then the playoffs, you see some and.

[Don Hahn]

Right. But if you watch. Because some people don't watch the playoffs unless it involves their team. And like I said, you saw them in the World Series.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, in New York you got to watch him twice.

[Don Hahn]

And that's why I'm saying like with, with the, with Connor McDavid. Like he's watching Connor McDavid during the course of the regular season. Unless they're playing the Rangers or Devils. If you're a hockey fan, but you watched him in the Stanley Cup Final and if you watch him again, there might be people like, wow, I heard about this guy. But watching him for over four or five straight games, like, wow. Like, not. Not like Michael's got to realize. And I got to realize not everybody watches hockey like I do. Not everybody watches baseball like Michael does. Like, the casuals need to be drummed over the head by actually seeing him over a sustained period of time.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. And then for them, it's like a discovery.

[Don Hahn]

Like, they're.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me.

[Don Hahn]

Let everybody know how many. Like, just. I'm not going to get on you, but, like, how many games have you seen Mike Drought play?

[Alan Hahn]

Me, personally?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Not a lot.

[Don Hahn]

Right. And you're a baseball fan.

[Alan Hahn]

I watch baseball.

[Don Hahn]

And you're a talk show host.

[Alan Hahn]

But I don't. I. I feel like he's so off the radar. That's the problem.

[Don Hahn]

Exactly. So when these guys are on the radar, it's like, whoa.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

It's like looking at an attractive woman in the shade, and all of a sudden she stands in the sun for like, five minutes ago. I didn't know you were that hot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, Don, I heard you were hot.

[Don Hahn]

You looked hot from a distance.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's funny.

[Don Hahn]

You walked in the room, all of a sudden, wow. Stunning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's full circle to something Don said to me earlier related to that very topic. Don said I said something recently that was one of the greatest takes I've ever had since he's known me. Don, don't forget another one. I ran out. I have the Angels Ohtani jersey in the closet. He is a jump off the page the second you see him play. I haven't seen this before.

[Alan Hahn]

Box office.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is why.

[Don Hahn]

Because he pitched and hit. But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But if you watch him, it's not.

[Alan Hahn]

Just that way he does it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the. It's the physical ease with which he does everything. And I always pointed this out, too. Him being a monstrously tall Japanese player, he jumps off the screen. You're just like, oh, I've never seen a dude.

[Alan Hahn]

He looks like a superhero.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I've never seen this guy before.

[Don Hahn]

But. But like, comparing him to, like, LeBron James and you being more of a basketball fan than a baseball fan, you've seen a hell of a lot more LeBron James and Steph Curry than you've seen Ohtani or Trout.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Don Hahn]

But, but, but. But that's the level that these guys are on. But LeBron was able to hammer you over the head because he was in the finals every year. Watch the playoffs. He's constantly on television. Mike Trout played in the playoffs once.

[Alan Hahn]

It's why, Judge, because the whole country has seen him a ton of times. Why he's always on Sunday night. Baseball. Right. He finally played in a World Series, but the Yankees are in the playoffs all the time. You have seen so much of Aaron Judge. You know, his, the stature, the power, the numbers, the records. It's the Yankees. He has that. And that's why he's become this player that when you say, oh, he's the best player in the sport, you're not getting much pushback because he, everybody's seen him when, when people used to be told, you know, Mike Trout's the best player in baseball, but if he was in Times Square, nobody would know who the hell he is.

[Don Hahn]

Baseball's got to realize what they have right now. They've got two of the best players in the sport, two of players that may go down in history as the greatest to ever play the game. I might be in that conversation.

[Alan Hahn]

No, it's not. It's very fair.

[Don Hahn]

One's in New York and one's in Los Angeles. I mean, come on. Yeah, you can't, you couldn't have planned it better. And then they just played in the World Series.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, they need to play again.

[Don Hahn]

So Major League Baseball, you kind of got it going on right now. So let's see if you can make it work.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business. Powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout. The one that makes buying so incredibly easy. That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify is the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at Shopify. Shopify.com Network Go to Shopify.com Network Shopify.com Network does it ever feel like you're.

[Alan Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Don Hahn]

We'll even give you a $100 credit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

Get started at LinkedIn.com results.

[Alan Hahn]

Terms and conditions apply. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don Hahn]

Game Time is brought to you by Tullmore New Irish Whiskey because when it's game time fellas.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It'S Dolly time. It's Tolly time.

[Don Hahn]

The Mets continue their series with the Dodgers coverage immediately following Ty Butler right here on 8:80 at 9:30 and the Yankees face the Guardians the at 7:05. Also game one of the Stanley Cup Final tonight in Edmonton Oilers and Panthers Telemardu. The original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris Whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore do or try the new Tullamore Dew honey during today's action Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew response.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm watching tonight. I mean again, we were just talking about it if you are somebody that doesn't really know Connor McDavid, if you're somebody that doesn't really follow hockey, tonight's the night you put that game on. Watch the atmosphere in Edmonton.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Watch him play and tell yourself. All right, I can, I could, I can get into this because I, I think you'll, you'll see your eyes will be drawn to 97. It's hard not to. He's a fit. He is done. I have always said that. I think he's a combination of some of the greats of the past all into one player.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

The size of Lemieux. Right. The smarts of Gretzky, like just the speed of, of what Fedorov give me, give me somebody that was like a.

[Don Hahn]

I'll just say superstar Fasti. Like he just can.

[Alan Hahn]

All the, yeah. All the things that, that you look for, you put it all together. That's what he is. He's something to watch and I, I'm looking forward to tonight.

[Don Hahn]

And you've got a team that's, you know, trying to win back to back cups Stanley cup final for third straight year in the Florida Panthers, who are a terrific hockey team. So it should be a lot of fun. And NBA Finals will start right here on our network ABC 8:30 on Thursday from Oklahoma City. All right, let's go to Adam in California. You're on espn New York. My guys, thank you so much for taking the call. Always. Yeah. So before I get to my point on the who you taking out book, I would love for you guys to settle a heated debate I was having with a co worker of mine. All right, here we go. Doctors fan. So let's say Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have the exact same seasons as they did last year. Put them in the same league who's winning MVP last year. Last. Yeah, last season they had the exact same seasons that they did. Geez. I'm trying to remember they're in the same league. I did the thing, remember last season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't remember how they matched.

[Don Hahn]

No. I guess you're talking about the, the with the stolen bases. Right. But, but judges the better defender. It's a great, great question, but nobody.

[Alan Hahn]

Nobody's ever done 50, 50 of the 50 for 50.

[Don Hahn]

Knowing the league the way I do, the 50, 50 thing would probably put.

[Alan Hahn]

Some over the top. My opinion, you do something historic like that, I think the writers would vote for you.

[Don Hahn]

I feel that would end up being, that would sway some voters. Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Fair question.

[Don Hahn]

All right, fair enough. I asked the question. I Got the answer. Thank you so much. Now, as far as the who you thinking out book, you guys need to make this happen because, full disclosure, I hate to read. I hate books. But to rewrite this book.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hate books.

[Don Hahn]

Not. Not only, not only would I buy this book and read it, I'd have to read it on my back. So. Oh my God, you know what? Can. Yeah, that's an excerpt that's on the back of the book.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's on the book. A book so good I have to read it on my back.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Really?

[Alan Hahn]

That's, that's like, you know, on the back like, like the reviews that you get. That's what he is with the stars. Like that has to be on the back of the book right there. Adam California. So good. I'd have to read it on my.

[Don Hahn]

No offense to Adam from California, but if we were to get somebody of significance to say that, like if, if, if we were able to get Stephen A. Smith to say, right, this book's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So great, I had to read it on my back.

[Don Hahn]

Stephen, just do me a favor, just say this into this recorder.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he'd say, you know what he'd say? He'd say, don and them boys did a hell of a book.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Don Juan and them boys.

[Don Hahn]

I told you. My friend Tim Reed worked at mtv and one of his claims to fame is that he got to review something about Mary and he said in the review that it was the funniest movie of the 90s and they put it on the poster. That's pretty cool.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

To be on the post. Yeah, it's a great thing. Cuz they. That's why he did think it was. And it is one of the funniest movies of the 90s. So can we. Michael K. Wouldn't say it because he knows what it means. Maybe trying to get somebody because you might know, you know, who would say it and mean it. Who would probably be svp.

[Alan Hahn]

Mm. He loves lists. He loves lists.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And saying a book so good I.

[Alan Hahn]

Had to read it on my back.

[Don Hahn]

I could see him doing that and I don't think I'd have to twist his arm.

[Alan Hahn]

He'd do well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you can't force someone to make their quote. You don't want to write.

[Alan Hahn]

Can we have him on and just ask him?

[Don Hahn]

I wouldn't force him. I would just say, how do you feel about the book, Don? I think the book's terrific. Would you put it into these words? Like, would you have to read it on your bag? I think he'd be Comfortable with that? No. You know him well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know him well. Well enough.

[Don Hahn]

You know him as well as I do, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. It certainly seems like he wouldn't find it inappropriate. What do you want to put on the back of a book? I don't know.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know. But, you know, it doesn't hurt to ask.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it can hurt.

[Don Hahn]

But you know what? If all else fails, we've got Adam in California who actually said it.

[Alan Hahn]

I like it.

[Don Hahn]

Joe and Chappaqua, you're on ESPN New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See if you can follow up.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, guys, thanks for taking a call. Actually, I think Michael K. Would have to read the book naked. Well, you know, good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I have to read it new with a pizza.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? I wonder if he would say that if he enjoyed the book. Michael, would you be comfortable saying you read it naked?

[Alan Hahn]

So good. Yes.

[Don Hahn]

So good.

[Alan Hahn]

I read it naked. Yeah. Reaction, by the way, via social media about how this book needs to be done.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, well, listen, you have to tell me twice. What do you got, Joe? So regarding the Knicks player exit interviews, so I'm wondering, you know, the. Which players are the ones that had issues with dibs?

[Alan Hahn]

Because I find it hard to believe that.

[Don Hahn]

That, you know, Brunson and Hart, who love the guy, would have anything bad to say about him. And if that's the case, why are you making decisions based on players that have been here one year if they had bad things to say about tips? Well, but here's the Everybody thinks it's bad things, Allen. Could it just be, do you think we can win a championship with Tibbs? I love Tibbs. I think he's a great guy. I didn't ask you that. Yeah, I asked you, do you think you can win a championship with Tibbs? And maybe they said, I think we could do better.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, we lost the caller, but I wanted to tell him how he brought up Josh Hart. Josh Hart was public in saying that he went to Tom Thibodeau to push twice to push him to make the lineup change. Also publicly said about playing guys off the bench, getting guys more involved off the bench, opening up the rotation. Josh Hart was public with this, letting you know that the players were imploring the head coach of things that they felt like they needed to do. So, yes, he loves Tom Thibodeau, and there's no doubt in my mind, but that doesn't mean that there's also a part of him that felt like, man, Tibbs has got to listen to us. Like, you Know, like, that two things can be true in this Don.

[Don Hahn]

Right, Absolutely. I love that we'll just.

[Alan Hahn]

And I. So I never suggest that Josh Hart, like, oh, he. He turned on him or any of that stuff, but it doesn't mean that. And I believe some of the reports say that the players. It wasn't as if he was getting blasted. It was just a consistent message of feeling like, you know, well, that's just what he does. Well, you know, this is where we are. This is what we do. This, the confusion over roles, the uncertainty and stuff. That's enough collective things to say, well, you know what? Like, if we just keep doing this, guys doesn't feel like guys are gonna be happy collectively.

[Don Hahn]

We've probably worked in radio collectively close to like 70 years. It's a lot of years. 75 years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a lot of years, for sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sure we've all worked with. Had bosses recently. I love that guy. But if somebody were to ask you, do you think you could. Do you think we can do better? You'd be like, yeah, I think we could. Oh, and both are true. Listen, I love that guy. I would go to bat for him. But at the time of like, we could hire. You could work with somebody better. Hire somebody. Yeah, I think we could. I think down to that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Both want to play a game. Next segment.

[Don Hahn]

Definitely.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We just go through our list of colleagues at whatever jobs and just say, we all vote whether or not we could do better than that person.

[Don Hahn]

That's not fair. Yeah, I'm nice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're going to lay out.

[Don Hahn]

That's a bad. That's. Only a bad person would come up with that idea. But, but you're. But you're. You're kidding.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I am kidding. But the point. But the. But the point is the reason we couldn't do it is, is because, yeah, of course, that there are always going to be people who are like, yeah, they were good. Did you guys see the clip moving around earlier today? I saw someone post and said, well, I think of this clip a lot differently now given what's happened.

[Don Hahn]

Yes, I did see that. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The moment at the end of game one when the lead whittled down to five and there was that little blow up on the bench where the. Everyone was fighting. Basically everyone, but Brunson was basically fighting and Brunson was kind of trying to calm everybody.

[Alan Hahn]

You mean the. The towns and OG back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

OG Back and forth. Bridges looks frustrated and at the time, Tibbs comes up and sits down in front of them to Start, like, preparing for the next defensive play or whatever, and just doesn't seem to have any. He's not weighing in on it at all.

[Alan Hahn]

And then there was. Was it in la, the Clipper game, Josh Hart in that timeout, also back and forth with Tibbs, if you remember. And that was right after the Bridges, or right before the Bridges comments about players.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We need to play more players.

[Alan Hahn]

So, you know, that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Man, that Bridges thing ages so different.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course it does.

[Don Hahn]

Do you think guys consciously knew that this was it? Well, do you remember the one before the meeting, like. Like during the series saying, if we lose this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, no, but even beyond that, if you think the answer maybe is in the Bridges thing, because you remember when the Bridges thing happened, we all talked about it and we're kind of like, yeah, but Bridges, who are you?

[Don Hahn]

Who are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I got into a Stephen A. About it because Stephen A. Is like, well, you know, listen, there's a guy who plays 45 minutes a game. This is a guy who has respect from his teammates. And I'm like, yeah, but it's not Brunson and it's not Cat. Maybe now he was speaking for everybody else. And it just didn't seem appropriate for Brunson to be that guy. Bridges was the new guy. It actually was more comfortable for Bridges to be the guy to say.

[Don Hahn]

I tried to look through. There was a text thread after. What was the loss? Game four. Who was it? McBride. Somebody, like, described what happened and I sent you the text back saying, he's basically saying, we got our coach. Yes, there was. I forget what the comments were, but something to the, like, all the things that went wrong sound that was after game six. Okay. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

All. All the thing in this year, all the things that, like, everything that we had, that we have problems throughout the season were exposed. Yes.

[Don Hahn]

And that. That's.

[Alan Hahn]

That's early again. Third quarter starts, turnovers.

[Don Hahn]

Like, I think that's gaming on the coach. And so I think. I think you're right, Peter. I think things started to start to trickle out because I, you know, we all look at this and go, oh, Saturday's loss. They all got together and decided, you know what? This isn't the coach. This has probably been brewing for a long, long time.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no question. This was not a result of the playoff series. This was a result, a culmination of a season where the FR Reached a boiling point and the loss just magnified it.

[Don Hahn]

McCrispy strips are now at McDonald's. I hope you're ready for the most dippable chicken in McDonald's history. Dip it in all the sauces. Dip it in that hot sauce in your bag. Dip it in your McFlurry. Your dip is your business. McCrispy strips at McDonald's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with.

[Alan Hahn]

A message for everyone paying big wireless way too much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Please, for the love of everything good.

[Alan Hahn]

In this world, you stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month.

[Don Hahn]

Of course, if you enjoy overpaying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No judgments.

[Don Hahn]

But that's weird.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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

[Don Hahn]

Payment of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month. Required intro rate first 3 months only. Then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See full [e-mail] it's the Smuckers Uncrustables.

[Don Hahn]

Podcast with your host, Uncrustables. Okay, today's guest is rough around the edges. Please welcome crust. Thanks for having me. Today's topic, he's round with soft pillowy bread. Hey. Filled with delicious PB and J. Are you talking about yourself? And you can take them anywhere. Why'd you invite. And we are out of time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you really cutting me off?

[Don Hahn]

Uncrustables are the best part of the sandwich. Sorry, crust.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

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

[Don Hahn]

Okay, now what's behind this, Jake? Or just you were feeling it?

[Alan Hahn]

Just one of those feelings.

[Don Hahn]

I went with it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just wanted some.

[Don Hahn]

Nobody born, nobody died. I don't hate anniversary release. What is this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is Raekwon Criminology.

[Don Hahn]

I like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

As you should. Because you know why? Cause it's Wu Tang.

[Don Hahn]

I sense it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And again, you could just say it's Wu Tang even though it's Raekwon. Okay, it all fits.

[Don Hahn]

And I don't know if you feel the same way, Alan. Like, I feel like he challenged me on that book. Like I don't know if you want it in your home. I now want to read that book cover to cover and like it and stick it right to you.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep, right at it.

[Don Hahn]

Okay. If you want to lend it to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, no, no. Then buy it. Then you should buy it.

[Don Hahn]

I'm going to buy. Yeah, because you know what? Don't lend me a book because I'll flag it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was going to say that. Yeah, it's a flag. It's in the toilet.

[Don Hahn]

It's going to get flagged. I mean, I'm just telling you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Should I buy it for you? Maybe I'll buy it for you.

[Don Hahn]

You don't have to go.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you mean flagged mean?

[Don Hahn]

You take it to the toilet. That's where I do 80% of my. Well, no, I do 50% of my reading.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what flagged means.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I thought you mean Seinfeld from Flag. I thought you meant just fold down the top.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, I don't do. I respect books.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't do that with a book you own.

[Don Hahn]

No, I got a bookmark. What do you think, I'm an animal? I want to keep these things.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You fold pages or.

[Alan Hahn]

No, Completely fold pages.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, me too. I would never do that.

[Alan Hahn]

Bookmarks fall out.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, that's bookmarks right in the toilet.

[Alan Hahn]

If you're done, do you take the COVID off the book?

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he respects the book.

[Don Hahn]

I respect the book. You're like a woman.

[Alan Hahn]

Those are useless. That's all it is, is an advertisement. You take that out, you get rid of that. There's nothing like that. There's nothing like the bind of the book. Put it on your shelf. I never keep those.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's happened to me. I've done it. Because it gets messed up sometimes.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't need it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If it starts getting messed up, like.

[Don Hahn]

You know, get rid of it. I treat books with respect.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that is respectful. The book itself is the bind. That's the book. The true essence of a book is the hardcover.

[Don Hahn]

But I. Unless I'm on a plane.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I can't read on a bus or a car. Makes me nauseous, really move.

[Alan Hahn]

I understand.

[Don Hahn]

But I can read on a plane. But most of it's bathroom. And before I go to bed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How much can you get done in the bathroom in one day?

[Alan Hahn]

What are you doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And this guy's knocking out books in a week.

[Alan Hahn]

That's a lot of bathroom time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's. How long is this guy on the.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you go numb? Do you sit and eventually you're like, oh, I can't feel my ass.

[Don Hahn]

All of a sudden. You can't feel the legs? You got to get up.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's. Yeah, you got to get up. It's a few pages circulation.

[Don Hahn]

Get it going. But most of my reading is done. Like, I'll go to bed and I give myself like a 20 to 30 minute. I'm gonna read.

[Alan Hahn]

That's before bed is in bed, right? Yes. Okay. That's actually very good for sleep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, for me, it means three minutes of reading and sleeping. That's the problem. That's why I'm a bad reader. I'm just being honest. I. I'm not proud. I'm actually embarrassed. I wish I was a good reader.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In almost every setting where I think I'm going to read now.

[Alan Hahn]

It helps you sleep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just fall asleep.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I can see that. I can get that too. If you get real comfortable.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Even on a plane. I read a few pages on the plane. I put my head.

[Don Hahn]

I wish I could sleep on a plane.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can't sleep on a plane, Don.

[Don Hahn]

Sleep on a bus. Out. Sleep in a car. Like, backseat out, out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But not on a plane.

[Don Hahn]

That's weird. Do it on a plane. Don't know why that's interesting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The plane's easier than the bus or the train.

[Alan Hahn]

No chance on a bus.

[Don Hahn]

But like the car, see the plane.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no way you can miss a stop. The plane is like, nothing to think about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When we're done, it's gonna. Yeah, it's gonna lose. Scare you out of your sleep.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know what it is, but. But car service. Like, we pull out of the. Off the tarmac in Westchester. I'm out.

[Alan Hahn]

Out cold. Somebody else driving. You're comfortable enough to fall asleep.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I've been told that's a mistake. Very big mistake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can do that, but not all. I'd have to be completely beat.

[Alan Hahn]

I. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's rare occasions Don see again. You learn more every day. He can't see. Now it makes sense as to why Don's not putting up any major fusses to him and Nancy not really going anywhere along. If I couldn't sleep on the plane, I don't think I'd want to go anywhere.

[Alan Hahn]

Crazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm going to France in a few weeks. I need to be able to sleep on the plane.

[Don Hahn]

That red eye back from Vancouver, I'm like, I gotta sleep because it's the red eye I got. Otherwise, I'm not going to sleep by the time I get home and I'm going to. I got to go.

[Alan Hahn]

Nothing.

[Don Hahn]

Not that I ended up watching Apocalypse Now.

[Alan Hahn]

What? Well, maybe that's why you didn't sleep.

[Don Hahn]

But I gave myself a good like.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, give yourself something a little bit.

[Don Hahn]

Tamer than Apocalypse myself. Like a half. I was exhausted.

[Alan Hahn]

This guy's trying to sleep. He's got the bloodiest Vietnam War freaking movie you can find.

[Don Hahn]

I've just done a game by myself. The game I did by myself in.

[Alan Hahn]

Vancouver because, Dave, you must have Been mentally exhausted.

[Don Hahn]

I was exhausted. I'm like, I'm going to give myself. I'm like, I'm definitely gonna sleep.

[Alan Hahn]

Were you in a pod? Did you get a pod?

[Don Hahn]

No, it was basic. First class is the JetBlue first class, which is basically just in the front of the plane, which means you die first. If it's a mountain, you don't give you anything. That's all you get. It even says it on the ticket. You'll die first.

[Alan Hahn]

You get the easy way out, pilot, then you won't feel it.

[Don Hahn]

And so. So it wasn't that, but I was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can't believe.

[Don Hahn]

Maybe if I'm in the pod where I can make it into the bed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're wasting. You're getting in a pod and still not sleeping.

[Don Hahn]

No, it's like people are paying $7,500, so five and a half hour flight back from Vancouver, I'm like, all right, I'm gonna give myself like a good hour to fall asleep.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So I'm like an hour in. I'm wide awake. So I put on Apocalypse Now. That killed three hours.

[Alan Hahn]

Apocalypse Now. Of all things, I gave up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now you're like, put in a little.

[Alan Hahn]

Bit of, like, quiet meditative music. No screen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you try getting, like, a little old fashioned first little beverage.

[Alan Hahn]

That might help, too. Little red wine will help.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. How about a glass of red wine? You sip it, you read a little bit, you put your head back.

[Don Hahn]

You're out.

[Alan Hahn]

It's all done.

[Don Hahn]

Next time. This is an interesting call. Mateo in New Jersey wants to go after Peter. You're on espn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Don Hahn]

I do? I don't know. Let's find out. Hey, Mateo. Hey, guys. What's up? Hey, guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hi. Hey, what do you got?

[Don Hahn]

Peter's got to retire the Freddy Kitchens. I can't do it. Oh, yeah. It gives me bad vibes. I don't.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't like. It bothers me.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, the whole thing, it's just not funny. It's like one of those things. It's not fun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm gonna be honest. Maybe. Maybe your taste in what's funny is not good.

[Don Hahn]

Do you have relatives in the South?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's your favorite movie? Like, what's your favorite comedy? We should start there.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, let's. Let's dissect this. You want to know the truth? It's kind of funny.

[Alan Hahn]

You said that.

[Don Hahn]

Something about Mary's right up there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay. What. What else, though?

[Don Hahn]

That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's kind of everybody.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I mean, it is kind of everybody. I'm a Big Cheech and Chong guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Alan Hahn]

I just saw was.

[Don Hahn]

That was pretty good, actually. I don't know. Not too many people talked about it, but it was. It was pretty good. I'm a big fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who's your favorite stand up?

[Don Hahn]

How about that favorite stand up?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gotta go.

[Alan Hahn]

Richard Pryor promonts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's pretty strong.

[Don Hahn]

He's got a pretty solid sense of humor, Peter. Yeah, well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So what is it about Freddie Keegan? Because there's an odd disconnect if you hate it. And every person I've worked with, unless they're humoring me, but I know they're not because I've worked with three people now at this radio station that have no problem staring at me in complete silence if they're not amused.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Particularly Michael and Don. Michael would literally just stare holes through me if he didn't care what I was saying.

[Don Hahn]

Michael would call me Don.

[Alan Hahn]

Don doesn't fake laugh.

[Don Hahn]

Never ever.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To the point where you're like, hey, buddy.

[Alan Hahn]

And we have video proof that Don was laughing hysterically during that last segment. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So what do you think it is that you're so anti the Kiki?

[Don Hahn]

You know, it's not even the accent. I don't know. Maybe it's just what you're talking about. It's just a combination. I've never been down with the Freddy Kitchen. Maybe the first time. But when he said, let me ask you this and I'll let you go. When he said Rocifer. That you didn't laugh. That's okay. All right, maybe I chuckled a little. Seifer. That's one of the funniest things.

[Alan Hahn]

The fact that you came up with Rose Seifer, the fact that his father.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Played basketball with pieces of a deer carcass doesn't entertain you at all.

[Alan Hahn]

You can't.

[Don Hahn]

You can't bat a thousand. Peter. I get it. Of course not.

[Alan Hahn]

Everybody's gonna love you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they're never planned. They're never planned.

[Don Hahn]

This wasn't the most typical politically motivated shade at Peter. No, I just think he just legitimately doesn't find it funny.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, what can you do?

[Don Hahn]

Get right. But I think He's. He's the one out of 10.

[Alan Hahn]

I wouldn't worry about it. You still. Your average is good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What I expect to be called ball coach.

[Don Hahn]

This is.

[Alan Hahn]

This is good, though, for the station. I wanted to point this out. So. A Martino55 tweets. Been listening to different frequencies since before Alan brought Rick on. I drive and listen on Long island three to four hours every day.

[Don Hahn]

Nice.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what he'd like to report.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's that?

[Alan Hahn]

880 reaches Greenport, Southampton, Riverhead. Coram Shirley base in Ronkonkoma. Here's why that's important.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go ahead.

[Alan Hahn]

Greenport in Southampton. You're getting EEI there. You're not getting. Like you weren't getting us there. You were getting more Boston radio than you could us. I've been out there. You can't get it. You just get nothing.

[Don Hahn]

But they're getting 880 getting us, that's all.

[Alan Hahn]

Listening to it loud and clear.

[Don Hahn]

But again, this is a big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What about when we're randomly preempted and we have to listen beyond 1050?

[Alan Hahn]

I'm not sure. I'll get back to you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's why you still.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll get back to you. But the fact that 8. This is why it's important. Summertime comes, boys.

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Alan Hahn]

Why is that important? A lot of people are going to be out that way, of course. And they can still hear us as they trek out to the Hamptons.

[Don Hahn]

I like it. But I still want you to download the app, of course.

[Alan Hahn]

That's the easiest thing to do, just.

[Don Hahn]

In case you forget your phone or you drop it in the Ocean. You got 80 out there in the Hamptons.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Here, more of Don, Allen and Peter.

[Don Hahn]

Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8.

[Alan Hahn]

80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.