Hour 3: Yankees Win Home Opener

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 3: Yankees Win Home Opener

Date: April 3, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca

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Overview

This episode dives deep into the New York Yankees’ strong home opener victory against the Miami Marlins and the remarkable start to their 2026 season. The hosts draw historical comparisons, discuss pitching excellence, the overall outlook for New York sports teams, and explore issues of competitive balance in Major League Baseball. The show also features candid banter, listener calls, and broader discussions about fandom and sports economics.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees’ Home Opener Victory and Historic Start

• Game Recap: Yankees defeat the Marlins 8-2, improving to a 6-1 MLB-best record. Both Ben Rice and Aaron Judge hit home runs.
• Pitching Dominance: Yankees’ starting rotation allowed two or fewer runs in each of the first seven games—a feat achieved only once before in franchise history, in 1911.
  • “Their starters have allowed two runs or fewer in the first seven games. That’s the second time it’s happened in franchise history. The first time was 1911.” — Peter Rosenberg [01:11]

Historical Perspective and Significance

• The hosts contextualize the Yankees’ early-season stats, tying the fewest runs allowed (eight) through seven games with the '02 Giants and '93 Braves.
  • “Fewest by a team in its first seven games ever. Tied with the ‘02 Giants and the ’93 Braves.” — Alan Hahn [01:49]

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2. Rotation Depth and Expectations

• Potential of the Rotation:
  • The Yankees are thriving without injured stars Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon; their eventual return is expected to make the rotation even more formidable and deepen trade deadline options.
  • “This rotation is only going to get better with the return of two high level starters, which gives you so many options.” — Alan Hahn [02:50]

Comparison to Past Teams

• Hosts compare the current staff to the legendary 1998 Yankees rotation and bullpen (Pettitte, Wells, Cone, et al.), raising the question of whether this year’s staff could be better.
  • “This rotation potentially could be better than that [1998 rotation].” — Peter Rosenberg [08:35]
  • “But I think that this could be a better rotation. [Though] it’s hard to be a better bullpen when you’ve got Mo [Rivera] there.” — Peter Rosenberg [09:58]

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3. Yankees’ Winning Formula: Pitching > Hitting

• Emphasis on Pitching: While the Yankees’ offense is expectedly solid, the pitching is “the real story.”

  • “Usually there’s always something to complain about. With the Yankees ... But if you’re a Yankee fan right now, what is bothering you?” — Peter Rosenberg [04:10]
  • “Knowing that if Cole and Rodon come back ... you’re going to have every night a really good to great starter—how do you not win?” — Peter Rosenberg [06:00]

• Offense: Judge is slugging, but not hitting for average—“but when he makes contact, half the time it’s going out.” [04:30]

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4. The Pirates, Prospect Deals & Small-Market Woes

• Connor Griffin’s Debut:

  • 19-year-old Pirates phenom Connor Griffin makes his MLB debut with a $140M/9-year contract, drawing comparisons to Soto and Harper and sparking a broader discussion about small-market challenges.
    • “He’s the first teenager to make his major league baseball debut since Juan Soto in 2018.” — Alan Hahn [14:21]
  • Griffin walks, gets an RBI in his debut; the Pirates lead the Orioles.
  • “Some prospects, they just have it, right? … A walk, a hit, an RBI. Tremendous.” — Alan Hahn [28:24]

• Retention Challenges:

  • Recognition that small-market clubs like the Pirates often lose homegrown stars before they reach free agency.
  • “His chances of staying in Pittsburgh beyond 26 or 27 are slim because they’re not going to want to lose him as a free agent.” — Peter Rosenberg [29:20]

• Trade Rumors & Yankees:

  • Discussed rumors that the Yankees tried to acquire pitcher Paul Skenes, but the Pirates rebuffed all offers [16:25].

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5. CBA, Salary Cap, and Competitive Balance

• Imminent Labor Uncertainty:

  • Hosts predict a lockout at the expiration of the CBA (Dec 1), noting MLB’s chronic balance problems and need for a salary cap and spending floor.
  • “Baseball and basketball are two sports that are incredibly top heavy ... That’s not a real thing in baseball.” — Alan Hahn [31:42]
  • “In the NBA, you don’t have to worry about drafting a forever talent and then having to move that talent because you can’t afford to pay them ... but in baseball, I can draft the next Aaron Judge and I’m pretty much guaranteed to have to get rid of them." — Peter Rosenberg [33:09]

• Revenue Sharing Debate:

  • Listeners and hosts debate if revenue sharing could work as in the NFL/NBA; hosts argue only a true salary cap plus a floor will prevent small-market decay [46:05].

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6. Listener Calls & Classic NY Sports Talk

Iconic Fan Dilemmas

• Dual-Fandom “Fraudulence”:
  • Caller asks if it’s “fraudulent” to root for both Yankees and Mets (an issue tied to NY's MLB history).
  • “Pick a team and live with that team. ... If all of a sudden you root for the Mets when the Yankees are out, ... you don’t know the pain of winning and losing.” — Peter Rosenberg [37:13]
  • “That’s all I’m asking… that you’re a die hard Yankee fan. That’s the only team.” — Peter Rosenberg

Music and Marital Trivia

• A fun segment questions the plausibility of Dan Fogelberg’s "Same Old Lang Syne" (how long could you be gone for whipped cream without your spouse calling?) [44:03].
  • “My question to three three married men. How long would you be gone to get the whipped cream in the cell phone world before your wife called you and said, where the hell are you?” — Danny [44:43]

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7. Memorable Moments & Quips

• On replacing pitchers:
  • “If you could turn, like, it’s like Will Warren, you could turn him into Gerrit Cole and ... keep Freed and keep Schlittler; think about that for a minute. That’s not nothing, as you would say, Don.” — Alan Hahn [02:50]
• On TV coverage of first pitches:
  • “[You] have to air Jack Hughes’s first pitch. ... Commercials to sell. It’s the first pitch. You’re the Yankees.” — Peter Rosenberg [25:37]
• On fandom:
  • “It’s like, listen, I’m having a problem with my wife today ... so I’m going to go over to the girlfriend’s house ... That’s what you’re doing.” — Peter Rosenberg [37:14]
• On small-market despair:
  • “Pittsburgh to me is the cautionary tale ... to sustain greatness, it’s almost impossible.” — Peter Rosenberg [33:21]

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8. Lighter Banter & Behind-the-Scenes

• iPad hijinks:
  • Repeated interruptions as Peter’s son’s friends FaceTime during the show, leading to a discussion of “Do Not Disturb” settings [11:26].
• Doppelgängers:
  • Peter insists Adam Ottavino resembles Matt Martin, sparking laughs and skepticism [03:37; 24:33].

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9. Other Local Sports

• Knicks, Mets, Nets, and Islanders:
  • Knicks vs. Bulls and upcoming call assignments for Alan Hahn.
  • “Nobody wants to listen to that. … This is Knicks Bulls.” — Alan Hahn [23:05]
  • Fun banter about the perceived relevance of various NY teams and radio games.

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “Their starters have allowed two runs or fewer in the first seven games. That’s the second time it’s happened in franchise history. The first time was 1911.” — Peter Rosenberg [01:11]
• “This rotation is only going to get better with the return of two high level starters, which gives you so many options.” — Alan Hahn [02:50]
• “How do you not win? Because you’re not going to be able to hit. Hitting goes into slumps. ... but your pitching shouldn’t go into slumps.” — Peter Rosenberg [06:00]
• “I find it very difficult to believe that the Pittsburgh Pirates can compete with the Yankees and the Mets and the Dodgers and the Phillies when it comes to salaries.” — Alan Hahn [30:10]
• “In the NBA, you don’t have to worry about drafting a forever talent and then having to move that talent because you can’t afford to pay them ... but in baseball, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have to get rid of them.” — Peter Rosenberg [33:09]
• “Pick a team and live with that team. ... you don’t know the pain of winning and losing.” — Peter Rosenberg [37:13]
• “It’s like, listen, I’m having a problem with my wife today ... so I’m going to go over to the girlfriend’s house ... That’s what you’re doing.” — Peter Rosenberg [37:14]
• “Pittsburgh to me is the cautionary tale ... to sustain greatness, it’s almost impossible.” — Peter Rosenberg [33:21]

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• Yankees Home Opener/Stats & Pitching Discussion: [00:30] – [10:57]
• Rotation Comparisons, 1998 Yankees: [08:21] – [10:15]
• Pirates/Connor Griffin/New Prospect Contracts: [14:01] – [18:12], [28:24]
• Salary Cap & Baseball Economics: [29:01] – [34:22], [46:05] – [48:52]
• Listener “Fraud” Call/Dual Fan Debate: [34:22] – [38:14]
• Dan Fogelberg Whipped Cream Song Trivia: [44:03] – [45:51]
• Revenue Sharing/Competitive Balance Call: [46:05] – [48:52]

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Final Takeaways

• The Yankees are off to a historic start, powered by strong pitching and depth, with much-anticipated reinforcements due soon.
• Comparisons to the 1998 dynasty evoke optimism but also invite measured skepticism.
• Rapid prospect promotions and huge contracts, like the Pirates’ Griffin deal, drive home MLB’s small-market pains—fueling spirited debate over whether a new economic system (salary cap, floor, revenue sharing reforms) is overdue.
• Interspersed with classic New York banter, the show blends hard sports analysis, nostalgic fandom, and the realities of sports business, making it a lively listen for Yankee fans and sports enthusiasts alike.

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This summary captures the spirit, content, and candid energy of Hour 3—the day after the Yankees’ 2026 home opener.

Transcript

[Alan Hahn]

Protein is now at Starbucks and it's never tasted so good. You can add protein cold foam to your favorite drink or try one of our new protein lattes or matcha. Try it today at Starbucks.

[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Alan Hahn]

Deep to left field, Derek Garcia. A long home run for Judge and The Yankees lead 2 to 1.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Opening Day at the stadium is a good one for the Yankees. They cruise to an 82 victory over the Marlins, who were 5 and 1 themselves coming into the game. So they. It's not nothing. I don't know how good the Marlins are going to be this year, but at least coming in they were hot. And the Yankees cool them off. Best record in baseball at 6 and 1. And how about this stat?

[Unidentified Caller]

Wait, wait.

[Don]

Best record in baseball at 6 and 1. You know, it's a special record, Don.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don]

It's a holiday. We should all celebrate.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a big Milestone. We know, 6 and 1.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right, Don. 6 and 1. Their starters have allowed two runs or fewer in the first seven games. That's the second time it's happened in franchise history. The first time was 1911.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Don]

Wait, say this stat one more time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Starters allowed two runs or fewer. The starters. Starters have, in the first seven games, for the second time in franchise history and for the first time since 1911,

[Alan Hahn]

11, two runs or fewer. Yeah, the starters. Starters have been excellent. So Warren, Warren, who gave up the. The run in the first inning but ended up having a good outing. But how about this? Overall, though, they've only allowed eight runs for the whole season. Well, yeah, fewest by a team in its first seven games ever. Tied with the O2 Giants and the 93 Braves.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's the starters now. Overall, you know, allowing runs, they've allowed.92. That's the second lowest in American League history. The 2018 Red Sox through first seven allowed.86. I'm not mistaken. That Red Sox team went on to win the World Series.

[Alan Hahn]

Pretty good team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know it's early, but how I hate that. Are you thrilled? Well, no, because I'm just acknowledging fact. But I'm not gonna like not. I'm not gonna poo poo it and just say, oh, it's early. Who cares? No, 6 and 1. Best record in baseball. And if you've watched this team, they can get better offensively. Judge has us, you know, three home runs.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But Cole and Rodin haven't pitched yet.

[Alan Hahn]

That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And they're off to an amazing start.

[Alan Hahn]

See. Okay. That's why I'm excited. If you were going to say, like, it's, it's only seven games, all that stuff, you know, what is there to be excited about? That part. Because this rotation is only going to get better with the return of two high level starters, which gives you so many options. Now you're expecting, of course, the high level starters who are coming off injury to play at a high level. But I'm just saying, like, if you could turn, like, it's like Will Warren, you could turn him into Garrett Cole and keep Freed and keep Schlidler, like, think about that for a minute. That's, that's not nothing, as you would say. Don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep. Is Otovito on your screen right now?

[Alan Hahn]

I turned it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's on mine because I think I have a doppelganger for Adam Otovito. Okay, Matt Martin,

[Alan Hahn]

now you're motivating me. Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I figured I would take a look when they show a close up of him, the jawline, there's something to it.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Of course they're gonna go to commercial,

[Alan Hahn]

so I'm way ahead too. So I'm warming up. Yeah, they're already going to commercials, but

[Peter Rosenberg]

you know, keep an eye on it. I wonder if anybody else agrees.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But no, it's, it's, it's getting, you get. You can't not be excited about it. Usually there's always something to complain about. With the Yankees, somebody's not doing something, something's irritating you. But if you're a Yankee fan right now, what is bothering you? A lot of times and everything has been spectacular a lot of times early

[Alan Hahn]

in the season, it's, it's generally, you know, if like last year, the whole story was of course, the Torpedo bats and the offense and how this, this offense was, you know, going to be overwhelming. It's again and every year they are one of the best offenses in the sport. Right. And you're spoiled by that. And I don't think the story's the offense this year. They get timely. Rice hit another home run. By the way, Judge has what, six hits and three of them are home runs. Right. He's not exactly, he's not exactly hitting a high percentage average, but it's, it's the fact that he is at least when he's making contact, half the time it's going out. But I'm talking about pitching, which we've talked about with this Yankee team for how many years where it wasn't something that Cashman wanted to invest in that much, but he would try. He would try to get arms and sometimes it was swing and misses, no pun intended, on some of the pitchers they've brought in. And then you're looking at the potential of having a rotation at least four aces. The potential of four aces on your ro. On your pitching rotation. It's exciting to think about the possibilities of knowing the offense is going to be good and looking at the potential of having one of the best pitching staffs in the sport, which has not always been the case. So that's why I'm excited about this is the case.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because the one thing if you want to go back to the last time they won, which is 2009, which is not yesterday, but it's not that long

[Alan Hahn]

ago, but it's long enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pretty significant period of time for the Yankees. Yeah, hitting has not been the problem. It's been a problem the postseason, but the regular season has really not been about offense. They've never had pitching like this that I can remember. And knowing that if Cole and Rodin come back to the way they're supposed to be, that you're going to have every night a really good to great starter, how do you not win? Because you're not going to be able to hit. Hitting goes into slumps. Hitting. You get to certain points in the year where for whatever reason they're not finding holes and you just struggle offensively. Of course, you usually don't struggle with your pitching. Like your pitching shouldn't go into slumps. They may not pitch to the back of their baseball card every five days, but there's never a time where we're just not getting any pitching this month like with this rotation the way that it is. Yeah, Cole may not have it. One night gets batted around, you still might win the game because you're a good offensive team. But there's not going to be where you go through the whole rotation and nobody's giving you anything and you lose five, six in a row, like when everybody comes back and they're healthy, you're going to have quality every night.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that feels already good.

[Alan Hahn]

That feels like the late 90s. I hate to do this, but there was a time in the late 90s where every time a starter took the mount, other than Arabu, of course, but there was just. It felt like every night your starter you had, unless he was just gonna have a bad night, which does happen, but it just felt. You never felt like well, you hope he can get through the first three or any of that stuff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

And again. And Warren's been good. He hasn't, you know, like, I don't want to take away from what he's been. He was good last year. Not great, but good. But again, if you're replacing him as a righty with Garrett Cole, and if, you know, like Radon, like, whether's just someone you brought in, you sign, you have great expectations for, he turns into a fifth starter. Let's not forget about Clark Schmidt either. Like, there's options that not only are who can we go with as a rotation, but who is somebody that. At the trade deadline, when teams are looking for starting pitching, can we get something in return for.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, this is your rotation in 98. All right. I guess that's the recent gold standard. Oh, yeah, of course.114 wins during the regular season.125 total, counting the playoffs.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

El Duque, Andy Pettit, Hideki Arabu, David Cohn, David Wells. This rotation potentially could be better than that.

[Alan Hahn]

And Arabic that year wasn't terrible. Right? I thought. No, he was bad, I think. Was it. I'm trying. Everything's a blur. But I know he was. He was pretty good in one of those years. But still, that's. That's a solid. That's a solid rotation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you're talking about, you know, Pettit 16 wins, Wells 18 wins. Cohen was a 20 game winner that year. Yep.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Wells and Cone, Robu 13.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hernandez was 12, 12 wins. But we know how good he was in the postseason. Yeah, but a lot of them, like, still, Pettit pitched to over a four earner on average. So did Arabu. You know, they all were three and a half or higher in the rotation, so they gave up their share. But they also scored a ton.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And of course you had, you know, a bullpen of Rivera, Mendoza, Stanton, Nelson, Lloyd. I'm just saying that if you start comparing yourself to the 98 Yankees, you're in pretty good shape. Now we'll see if Cam continues to pay the way he's doing Warren. How long will it take for Cole to get back to where he needs to be? Rodan wasn't a perfect pitcher when he was here, so there's still potential there. But with. With Freed at the top of the rotation, Schlittler, Cole. Yeah. You're comparing it now? Would I compare the offense to the 98 Yankees? No, but I think that this could be a better rotation. It's hard to be a better Bullpen when you've got Mo there. I mean, I'll tell you why.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not Mo, but Bednar's better. I'm only comparing it to last year and really two years ago. Two years ago got to the World Series. Last year was another 90 plus win team. And I'm looking at it already saying that you have a better closer to start the year. Now, I know they got Bednar later in the year, but he's now a full year as your closer. That's as good a closer that you've had. Deval's had a good start over the last time out. He had a little shaky. Cruz has been good. He'll, you know what you're getting, what you're getting from him. You know, like, I, I like this bullpen better if they get something out of Jake Bird, who was a disaster last year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure. I'm just having fun with, like, this is how good this team could be.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller or Listener]

Well

[Alan Hahn]

done. Where do you go?

[Anthony]

I don't. I. I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm right here. No, I don't know what to tell you.

[Anthony]

You know, I don't know where you're going.

[Don]

You've been, you've been gone all.

[Anthony]

All day for the last 30 minutes. No seconds.

[Alan Hahn]

It's almost like you're just pressing a button that turns off your camera randomly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know.

[Alan Hahn]

Look at you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm gonna tell you why, and it makes me sick.

[Anthony]

Okay. Listening.

[Alan Hahn]

Don't. Patiently.

[Peter Rosenberg]

My son's friends are calling on the iPad.

[Anthony]

Do not disturb.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can I do that?

[Anthony]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How do you do that? You tell me how to. How to do that.

[Alan Hahn]

You have to take the iPad, swipe.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Smack it against my head.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Don]

And you swipe down from the top right. There'll be a little moon across. You can tap the moon.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes.

[Anthony]

Let me. Let me see if I'm. Let me see if I'm.

[Alan Hahn]

Says focus.

[Anthony]

Let me just make sure. I'm gonna talk to you, Alan and Peter, just to make sure that I'm.

[Don]

And we know this is a hard

[Anthony]

day for you for two hours and 15 minutes.

[Don]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

The reason that Don is cutting in and out is not because of the Internet in his basement.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Anthony]

Not because the iPad's dying.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Anthony]

Because Marco's friends are calling the iPad.

[Alan Hahn]

Anthony. When you have children and, And Peter, give it time. When Maya is older and has friends, you will see that this is a thing they just. It's. And if you don't answer, they just keep calling. Someone answers.

[Anthony]

I'm gonna Take a walk. Jacob. Can you handle the next, like, six minutes?

[Don]

He needs a minute.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Unidentified Caller]

Yeah, that's fine.

[Alan Hahn]

Poor Anthony. He'll never have. Anthony will never have children.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, no.

[Alan Hahn]

Where'd he go? Where's Don now?

[Don]

I think we don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just wanted to. Oh, there he is.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, Don's back.

[Don]

Did it.

[Alan Hahn]

Did it seem to work?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don's back. But we lost Anthony.

[Alan Hahn]

Anthony?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why did he walk away? Why?

[Alan Hahn]

Because he realized that you never hit the focus button before the show started, as a gentleman would, and now he's had enough.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I didn't think I had to until all of a sudden. Because all these kids are all from school.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right. And that's all they do. And if you don't answer. Have you noticed this? If they don't answer the first FaceTime call, they just keep calling.

[Don]

And I think it's beyond that. I think that with these face times, when people come in and out, it rings again. It just keeps ringing.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like Swingers with, you know, Jon Favreau just kept calling the answer machine.

[Don]

Now, have we. Has there been any consideration to maybe there being a separate iPad that the kids use? Not Dad's iPad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We do.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you mean? But it's. It's the account, though, Peter. It doesn't matter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He just likes.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't have his own account.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he's not having his own.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not giving him an account at 8 years old.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it's all fixed. I put the do not disturb. I didn't realize it had to be a thing.

[Alan Hahn]

There you go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wasn't up on all that. I thought maybe if I did that, that would mean I wouldn't be able to use the iPad as a camera, but I found out. You know what? The old man can learn a few things. Look at that. The old dog can learn a few new tricks.

[Alan Hahn]

We're so proud of you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But we broke Anthony in the process.

[Alan Hahn]

He's lost. Do you guys know that? Speaking of, like, I don't know about old, but young, but something tonight in baseball is actually pretty special. So Pittsburgh, which has been a doormat of the league for so many years, not only has Paul Skeens, but Connor Griffin. Do you hear about this kid?

[Don]

No. What's going on with him?

[Alan Hahn]

Four years, $100 and what? $140 million contract that he signed. Nine. I'm sorry, nine years. What am I saying? Four. Nine years, $140 million contract that he just signed. He's 19 years old. He's the first teenager to make his major league baseball debut since Juan Soto in 2018. First Pirates teenager to suit up since 1998. He is the number one prospect in the minors like by a mile. His shortstop, 6, 3 big body, runs like the wind. Amazing athlete who can also just hit the hell out of the ball. And they decided to do this right before today's home opener. Very smart by the Pirates. Pack the place, get some excitement about your team. But like think about they gave him $100 million contract. That's wild. So that's happening today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

And it's again there's a for. For a franchise like that with already rumors about Skeens and what his future is going to be and no one believes he's going to stay there. Not only he's not the only phenom they have. They've got this other, this kid Griffin people think is just going to be the next big thing. Like this is what, like Bryce Harper, Soto, who else came into the league as a teenager?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like it's a too many.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's a big deal. And this is what the Pirates have to do because that's the feeling, right? Is oh, he won't be here long. The second he becomes a free agent, you know, when that nine years are up, he's gonna be gone. So take advantage of it. We're gonna have to trade him a few years in because you know we're not going to be able to afford

[Alan Hahn]

to give him a nine year contract.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but listen, they're obviously drafting well with all this bad baseball but they want to be able to know that they can hold on to these guys. And the fact that like just people just waiting for schemes to get dealt and I give Pittsburgh credit, they don't seem to want to do it. Seems like the rest of the league believes it's a fait accompli that they, but they, they're sticking to their guns but they're gonna start winning.

[Alan Hahn]

Did you see the story? So the Post had a story that the Yankees were close I guess to getting him. They're like four of their top prospects were gonna go and they were gonna get him. And then I think Klapich completely just dumped water on it and said that's not true. That teams called seeing if the Pirates were would be willing to move on from Skeens. He's that good and you'd be willing to give up anything for him and that no one, you know, nothing came of it. And the Pirates just said no, but it feels like you're right. It does feel like at some point. And I guess there's also that other story about Skeen saying that his destination would be the Yankees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, we'll see. You know, there's going to be a salary cap after the lockdown.

[Alan Hahn]

That changes everything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Change everything.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yankees right now don't need them the way they're pitching. And Warren pitched today, did well. Five and two thirds, four hits, two runs. Aaron Boone talked about his performance. Go ahead, Aaron.

[Alan Hahn]

He sure did.

[Aaron Boone]

I thought he handled all that comes with this day very well. He was, you know, I think having fun very much in the moment and calm and under control. And I think the experience he's gained over the last couple years have served him well to know how to navigate these spots where, you know, you have a tendency to be a little charged up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he talked about the Yankees offensive approach against the Marlins.

[Aaron Boone]

Obviously we ended up putting eight on the board late, but I loved our at bats all day. We couldn't break it open, couldn't break it open for a while, but I thought everyone up and down, I thought the bottom of the order did a really good job of controlling the zone. Perez is really good and we made him work. You know, we're able to kind of manufacture a couple runs. We got the running game going a little bit, but it was our patience today that you know, really served us well and I think did allow us to kind of really ultimately break through there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the end, you know, the only home runs or the only runs the Marlins scored were solo home runs, including Xavier Edwards in the top of the first inning. That gave the Marlins the one to nothing lead. And Will Warren talked about bouncing back after giving up that home run in the first.

[Aaron Boone]

I mean, solo homers aren't going to beat us. I think if we attack early, the

[Peter Rosenberg]

odds are in our favor.

[Aaron Boone]

We got good defense behind us to make some plays and so just getting back in there and, you know, attacking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Good first day. Good first day for the Yankees at home. Good start to the season, winning six of their first seven. And you got to feel good.

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Earn more.

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[Rich Eisen]

Rich eisen here. The April 15 tax deadline is coming fast, but don't worry. Hand off your taxes to a TurboTax expert today. You know how April feels. Everything speeds up, Games matter more, hoops and hockey schedules tighten, your phone won't stop buzzing, and somewhere in the middle of it all there's that quiet little reminder.

[Alan Hahn]

Taxes.

[Rich Eisen]

You'll get to it tonight or tomorrow or after the weekend. And if you handle it the old way, you're refreshing your inbox like it's breaking news. Waiting, wondering, hoping. Everything's squared away. That's a lot of mental bandwidth with Intuit TurboTax Expert Flight Full service, you can match with a dedicated expert who understands your specific tax situation and handles your taxes for you start to finish. You can do it all online or meet in person at one of their new tech enabled store locations, have your tax forms imported directly into the app and hand everything off to your Turbo tax expert while they work to get you every dollar you deserve. You can go about your normal routine, giving you time back to focus on what actually deserves your attention, like rooting for your team to make the playoffs. April 15th is not waiting people. Visit turbotax.com and hand off your taxes to a TurboTax expert today.

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[Don Hahn]

thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game time is brought to you by Tumble Deweyer's Whiskey because When it's game time, fellas.

[Rich Eisen]

There you go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yankees beat the Marlins 8 2. Judge of Ben Rice with home runs coverage of Knicks bulls starts on 10:50 at 7:00'. Clock. Alan Han will be all over. A television wise.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I will be on the radio call.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You gotta be kidding me. How was I not alerted to this?

[Anthony]

How do we find this out now?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why now?

[Alan Hahn]

Like, is it my job to promote myself?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

The station doesn't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's on, It's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's on the manifest. I'm on the call with time with Tyler Murray. Yeah, we are doing the call. I'm also doing pre and post as well on TV because there's no one available. Everybody's at the final four. I'm the only one left working, so it's just. You're gonna get way too much of me. You'll be sick of me by the end of the game.

[Anthony]

This is gonna be good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Actually.

[Alan Hahn]

It's good take.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right. That's really gonna be in the car driving to get my drink on.

[Alan Hahn]

So why AM I on 1050 tonight? What is this?

[Anthony]

Well, there's a little problem. First of all, because I'm gonna show everybody.

[Caller or Listener]

We're gonna show it now.

[Anthony]

It says, it says. It says right there that Alan's on the.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, it does, doesn't it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, where am I?

[Anthony]

That's a me issue.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't look at.

[Anthony]

Second of all, of course we have the Mets and the Giants tonight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. Mets and Giants.

[Alan Hahn]

Nobody wants to listen to that.

[Anthony]

Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

This is Knicks Bulls. You realize the Bulls are a team

[Anthony]

that play in the NBA.

[Alan Hahn]

They are technically. Stop it, all right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're playing like a hot water heater with a Bulls jersey on.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a fair point. It is the last team with a losing record with a. No. It's really funny though. That's actually very funny. It's the last team with a losing record. The Knicks will play for the rest of this season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, there you go. How about that?

[Alan Hahn]

How about that Fact.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're teasing you. But despite Allen's comments, the Mets and the Giants in San Francisco will be on right after ty Butler on 8.

[Alan Hahn]

Nobody cares.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Islanders, just kidding. On the island at 7 and the Nets host the Hawks at 7:30. If nobody cares about Giants Mets. What are you saying about Nets Hawks?

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not fair.

[Don]

That's not even a thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not, it's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's that. What? What? What is Wearing a Nets jersey in this scenario. If, if the Bulls. It's a hot water heater.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's. It's. If the hot water heater broke and you've got, like, a pool of water and then there's a net jersey.

[Alan Hahn]

I thought you'd say, like a plunger with a Nets jersey on it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that would be something. That would be the original triple distilled, triple blended, and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore do or try the new Tullamore do, honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore do responsibly. Now, Anthony can't not see it. I don't know if you've seen.

[Alan Hahn]

What is it with seeing it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Matt Martin. Oh, Adam Otovito.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, I don't have Adam. I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. But at least you know, because Anthony's a friend and he wanted to check it out after I said it. Oh, well, Anthony stepped out the room.

[Alan Hahn]

He left again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes. But I did Google Matt Martin when Don mentioned the Adam Ovito.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Striking resemblance.

[Alan Hahn]

Really? All right. Striking. That's strong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't throw these things out.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I understand.

[Don]

Really?

[Aaron Boone]

Nilly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, exactly.

[Don]

He's a professional.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, listen, there's holes all over this argument as far as people killing me for saying I have an agenda. And it's true. I can't argue that. But that. That still doesn't. It shouldn't diminish my point. This is coming from a devil guy, and it's also ripping a network I used to be on that I'm not on anymore.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay?

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you can accuse me of saying, oh, Don wouldn't say this if he was still doing the Rangers. Oh, Don wouldn't say that if he was still on. Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you know me, I would. But I. I can't argue with you.

[Caller or Listener]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'm sorry. Yes. You got to air Jack Hughes's first pitch. They didn't. And I. And I know they're gonna say, if Michael were here. Well, you don't know the logistics. Don't. We've got commercials to sell. It's the first pitch. You're the Yankees. I know. The Yankees don't own all of yes. Anymore, but they could still coordinate and say, we're going to time this out so it ends up on tv. And why would the golden goal for God.

[Alan Hahn]

Why wouldn't yes. Want that? Why wouldn't you want that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly. And I'm sure they could work it out now.

[Caller or Listener]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did obviously tape it and air it during the course of the game.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't completely ignore it. And I'm sure there's logistics, but you've known. Listen, it wasn't out there, but it was known by the Yankees and by the Devils that Jack Hughes was going to throw out the first pitch, probably new for over a week. So they could have figured it out, the timing, so it could be on tv so that everybody can enjoy it, not just the people that are in the building.

[Don]

How often.

[Alan Hahn]

But tell me this, though.

[Don]

When do they show the first pitch?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because it's not the. It's not the executive of star Insurance throwing out the first pitch.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but.

[Don]

But short of. But short of like a World Series game where it's like something massive. How often do they do that?

[Alan Hahn]

They never opening for you for your home opener. I think. I think you'll see that right again. Yeah. I'm a little surprised.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Bush after 9, 11. I'm crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but you still. It's not. Thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, Right Thing.

[Don]

Couldn't find it.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, keep looking. But honestly, I'm with Don, though. This is a little different because it's a pretty special guest. It's a special kind of connection. He's there. I could see you. I could see you saying, like, let's. Let's send it down to the field or something like that, but they chose not to. And then they did show it eventually. But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I wanted to get the re. I knew it was gonna be overwhelmingly positive, but, you know, are there Ranger fans that might boo?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, the crowd.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just thought I wanted to see it. And I'm sure, again, I'm sure if Michael, if we called him, he would talk about the logistics of. I get it. Nobody shows anthems anymore. Right. The national anthem is not used because, again, that's. That's two minutes that they can use for ad time. Yes, but the Yankees could have coordinated the first pitch at a point.

[Aaron Boone]

I'm not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Yankees aren't blameless in this either. Let's make it work. So it's on tv.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I get it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Nobody. Again, it's not George Bush after 9 11, but it's still a big deal.

[Alan Hahn]

It's your home opener and it's the. They're showing it actually right now. He's called. It's the Prevagen Yankees memorable moment. And they're. They're just showing it right now. So. By the way. So just to follow up on the Connor Griffin thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

The kid already has an rbi. His first major league hit. Drew a walk as well. Pirates are up four nothing in the fifth against the Orioles, like some people, some, some prospects, they just have it, right? They just. It's just there. It's crazy. A walk, a hit, an rbi. Tremendous.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's. I want these teams to be able to hold on to their prospects.

[Alan Hahn]

He's 19 and he's not even rattled a little bit. That's impressive.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he signed a nine year contract, right? Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

140 million bucks to you and me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he's 19.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, established.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So he is gonna be prime, is strong, but he's gonna be 28 years

[Alan Hahn]

old when he's a free age, ma'.

[Danny]

Am.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're pretty much in his prime still. And if the current economics of baseball don't change drastically, his chances of staying in Pittsburgh beyond 26 or 27 are slim because they're not going to want to lose him as a free agent. So they're probably going to trade him when his values high, when he maybe has a year or two left on his contract to get as much back as possible. You're chasing your tail, right, that you get these prospects, they're great, and just as they start to come into their own and it's time for them to get paid, you end up trading him away as salary dumps because you can't afford to keep them.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I hope in his contract there are accelerators because if he's who he's supposed to be, within three years, he'll be grossly underpaid. 140 million sounds like a lot, but over nine years, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

So. So at some point he's going to have him. If he ends up being the player that you're saying, he's going to have a monster MVP type of season and he's going to want to renegotiate the contract. That is, you know, at that point, depending again, what the economics are going to be, right? Not the value, not even close. If they. And then they're going to be taken out of it. That's why at with this labor, there's going to be. Michael has outlined it. December 1 is when the CBA expires. They're going to be locked out immediately. It doesn't. That's just the way it works. And eventually they're going to have to negotiate before the start of the season and we may see time taken away from the game. I hope they resolve their issues and hopefully it'll be a salary cap because I think that's ultimately how you resolve it. Otherwise you're going to have to keep revisiting this. You can't have teams that do the right thing. Now, if you tell me Pittsburgh's hiding money, hoarding money, not spending money, well, then they don't have a kick coming. Yeah, but I find it very difficult to believe that the Pittsburgh Pirates can compete with the Yankees and the Mets and the Dodgers and the Phillies when it comes to salaries. Because it's Pittsburgh Steelers good every year. Right. Penguins. You know, Penguins have won a bunch of cups in the NHL, Right. Post salary cap.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep, yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, but in baseball, you're, you know, that kooky little team that every once in a while makes a wild card, but for the most part are just in existence to supply talent to the big market team.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no. Baseball and basketball are two sports that are incredibly top heavy. And the problem in baseball is that the bad teams are just bad and end up being. Just keep recycling, you know, the next, you know, young players taking a stab at, you know, one or two veterans. But for the most, nobody wants to play there. And it just becomes a wasteland, some of these places. And then the NBA, it's the fact that a third of the league isn't even trying to win and you get these awful games like we're seeing now at the end of the season. It's bad for the product. But these are two sports. They're so top heavy that it's great for the teams that every year are really good and have a chance, but it's bad for the overall idea of everyone having a chance to win. That's not a real thing in baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Difference. Because the NBA has a salary cap.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If the Memphis Grizzlies or the Nets say figure it out draft, well, they've got a fighting chance to keep their players. Now, those players may not want to play for the Grizzlies or for the Nets. Oh, the Grizzlies, that's a different story. No, the Grizzlies afford to keep them.

[Alan Hahn]

The Nets. The Nets can certainly spend their owners, one of the richest owners in the sport. Right. So the Nets don't have a money problem. It's just what they decided to do when they bailed out of the KD and Kyrie. Thing is, they've pivoted to we're going to just stink and collect draft picks. But Memphis Grizzlies got one of the best players in the draft in John Moran. They built a really nice team and then their culture just failed miserably and

[Peter Rosenberg]

they had to just start. Yeah, yeah, they were poorly run, but they don't. You don't. In the NBA, you don't have to worry about drafting a forever talent and then having to move that talent because you can't afford to pay them, that you might have to move them because he doesn't want to play for.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't want to be there.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a different story. Yes, but, but in baseball, I can draft the next Aaron Judge and I'm pretty much guaranteed to have to get rid of them or pay him and be on a lousy team because I can't afford to pay anybody else. At least with a cap they get a fighting chance to keep him. And there'll be a floor so that these teams who don't want to spend money will have to spend money because there'll be a floor. So a team that thinks I'll just get away with a 35 million dollar payroll tank for picks, well, no, the floor is 100 million. So now you're gonna have to go out and find a way to find some players and spend $65 million and be at least have a chance to be more talented team. So I hope they figure it out. But Pittsburgh to me is the cautionary tale of if you don't figure it out, will they ever have a chance to be good any given year? Yeah, it can come together, but to sustain greatness, it's almost impossible. Stephen Queen drawing SPN New York Wow.

[Caller or Listener]

Thank you for taking the call. I appreciate it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No problem.

[Caller or Listener]

Excuse me. First off, Peter. Yeah. I love your idea about Instagram. I'm a big fan of, of the competition and all that stuff. I love the drops, but I didn't vote. And if you added Instagram or, or if you can add other social media sites that aren't, you know, that would work for you. That, that would be great.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Caller or Listener]

The other point I want to bring up and get your opinion on is I want to know if I'm, if I'm really a phony or not or I'm a fraud. Because, because I, I lived through the Dodgers leaving and the Giants leaving. I was only four years old then, but I became a fan of all four teams. Well, really not the Dodgers, but the other three teams because my grandfather was a Giants and a Yankees fan. And even today, if the Yankees don't play the, if the Yankees don't play the Mets, I'll always root for the Mets. I'm one of those people. I think you'll probably don. I think you'll probably call me a fraud, but I could be a victim of circumstance based on when I was born. I'd like to get your decision on that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Go ahead. I would say your circumstance. I thought there was another special circumstance.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. So I thought he's gonna, he's gonna be.

[Unidentified Caller]

No, no, no.

[Caller or Listener]

I mean, I mean I'm a victim of circumstance because when I was born, all the people around me during the late 50s and early 60s, there was so many morose if they were National League fans in the city, especially in Brooklyn. Yeah, if, if, you know, based on the teams going. My grandfather was a Giants fan and then he became a Yankees fan when Babe Ruth came in. So he, I know he was a fraud, but he brought me up as a. But he brought me up as. I mean, according to your rules, he, he was a fraud. But he brought me up as a Yankee fan. He made me a baseball fan. So I don't know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I talk too long. Anyway, basically the whole fundamentals of fraud, good effort is pick a team and live with that team. If, oh, I love all the New York teams, well, then that means when the Yankees are out and the Mets are in, oh, I can. In 86, I can feel the joy of a Mets World Series. And in the 96, when the Mets aren't very good and the Yankees, oh, I can enjoy. Well, then you're not a fan. Like you don't know the pain of winning and losing. You just all just onto the other team.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I agree. There is something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's all I'm asking is that, that's the thing, is that you're a die hard Yankee fan. That's the only team, if you're going to all of a sudden root for the Mets when the Yankees are out, well, then, you know, it's, it's like, all right, listen, I'm having a problem with my wife today. We got into an argument, so I'm going to go over to the girlfriend's house and spend the week with her. No, that's kind of what you're doing. I'm still married to her, still have a ring, still have kids. But you know what? She really bothered me. So I'm gonna go spend the weekend with the girlfriend. And I don't have any kids and she doesn't bother me. And then when I get bored with her, I'll go back to the wife. That's what you're doing.

[Alan Hahn]

From a sports perspective, yes, but it's not as immoral.

[Peter Rosenberg]

True.

[Alan Hahn]

That sports. Immoral.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That sport. Right, Yeah. I said fraud. I've never said. Peter, you know, all the years you've known me, I've never associated fraud with bad guy.

[Don]

No, no. You can love someone who's a fraud. You have friends who are frauds.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I have family friends that are frauds. Fred families. Fraud families.

[Don]

Fred and Fred families. We love Fred family.

[Alan Hahn]

Who doesn't love a Fred family?

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[Peter Rosenberg]

So good, so good, so good.

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[Caller or Listener]

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[Alan Hahn]

Cause there's always something new.

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Don Hahn]

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

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don out in Rosenberg until 7 o'. Clock. Then it's going to be Ty Butler leading you into the Giants and the Mets. Now if you're a Knick fan, Knicks bulls coverage at 7 on 1050. Here, the dulcet tones of Alan Hahn with Tyler Murray.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't know that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know. I work with you every day. I know. Dr. Max April.

[Don]

Oh, love doctor.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Basically the doctor of the show.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Says I sound terrible today.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no, no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think he sounded himself for not listening earlier in the week. Because I think you'd have a different opinion if he heard me on Tuesday and Wednesday when you say, well, that.

[Alan Hahn]

Why do you sound. I don't think you sound terrible. It's just you. You don't sound you. Which is gonna happen when you. When you have. You know, and whatever you got going on that you just can't shake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a sinus infection.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm on my antibiotics, and so we call it.

[Alan Hahn]

All right. So you're doing all the things you need to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, just. I'm getting there, baby.

[Alan Hahn]

But I don't think he sound terrible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he said I sounded terrible. He's a doctor.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe if I get my doctor, then I can tell you if you sound good or not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the way life works.

[Don]

I will tell you. He has. Dr. April has. Has, you know, correctly gotten my health stuff right just based on hearing me on the show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. He would ask me to speak, and then he could tell what's wrong, how I should remedy it. No, he's good. Big Islander fan.

[Alan Hahn]

I'll be there. Oh, well, now I like him. Never mind.

[Don]

There you go.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, he's right. I would listen to him, Don. Okay. Because he clearly has a head on his shoulders and knows what he's talking about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you ever see the Adam out of. You know, or.

[Alan Hahn]

He just moved on it now I. I don't know what they're showing now, so I never got to see it.

[Don]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I think they're. They're in a. They're. They're. The programming has ceased for the day, so you had your chance.

[Alan Hahn]

It's basically like the version of Color bars, only it's just a show that they're running that, you know, that's like

[Peter Rosenberg]

a prospect show or something down on the farm. Whatever. It's. It's good. And then the Israeli basketball today will be right after.

[Don]

Oh, I love it.

[Alan Hahn]

No, let's go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not lying.

[Alan Hahn]

You need an update?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's go to Danny on Long Island. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Danny?

[Danny]

We love the Israeli basketball show. It's what I live for. Listen, Don, a couple of quick things before I have to ask three married men a question. One, the Pittsburgh Pirates have. Pittsburgh Pirates have to be part of Major League Baseball. Ralph Kine and Roberto Clemente. You know, when you're my age, I was 15 years old when Willie Stardge hit the home run. They beat the Orioles. So that was a classic king with a classic uniform. Going back from my childhood. There can be no major league base. They have to figure it out. It's one of the great out.

[Alan Hahn]

It's one of the great hats in baseball. Would you agree? No.

[Danny]

They got, they got cursed by the baseball guards because they started being some fugazi team which had 37 different uniforms and you never knew what you were looking at. But the organization into history. Roberto Clementi. It's, it's sad that, you know, the Yankees and the Dodge, the Dodgers are like, you know, sign anybody. It's, it's just, it's just not right. It's not good for the competitive balance.

[Alan Hahn]

This kid, this kid they brought up, by the way, first at bat, rbi, double like, I mean, come on. Yeah, yeah.

[Danny]

I've been watching the Yankees because they played late and I, I am absolutely confident that this is going to be at least 100 win season for the Yankees. The pitching is all about pitching. And the pitching, they're grinding out each day without their two best starters even having taken them out yet. They're going to get fresh troops in for June is absolutely impressive. And I really think that without going overboard because I know the week first, I like to let the season breathe three or four weeks before whenever it say something like that. But notwithstanding the record, the manner of the pitching they're getting has been very, very impressive. And the Mets not so much. Now, a quick question for three married men.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, Ready. Okay.

[Danny]

Three weeks ago, Don said his favorite song, one of his favorite songs was oh Langsai by Dan Fogelberg. Yeah, I looked up the song. It's based on a true story where he was home visiting his parents.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Caller or Listener]

Sent.

[Danny]

They sent him to a store to buy whipped cream in the Christmas season. He runs into his married ex girlfriend and they spend two and a half hours in a car drinking a six pack with one can of whipped cream apparently.

[Alan Hahn]

And it.

[Danny]

And they reminisce about old times. My question to three three married men. How long would you be gone to get the whipped cream in the cell phone world before your wife called you and said, where the hell are you?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, I've always wondered about that. The other part of it was of course they bought a six pack and sat in the car drinking it while talking. And then it's like, then what'd you do? Drive home?

[Danny]

Well, what would the whipped cream make at home? That's the next question.

[Alan Hahn]

Never mind.

[Danny]

It was interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean,

[Peter Rosenberg]

five years later, let's see.

[Danny]

The only thing he changed in the song was the occupation of her husband and the color of her. Of her eyes. So no one allegedly would know. And five years later, she was driving in the car when the song came out, and she said she almost crashed. She didn't say anything to anybody until after he died.

[Alan Hahn]

First of all, by the way, big time G move by him. I love that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, that is very good. I was always. Wait a minute. You get open liquor law, open bottle law, right?

[Alan Hahn]

You just can't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can't be just drinking beer in the corner.

[Alan Hahn]

And then he drove home and he came back and he smells of beer. And she's like, did you get the whipped cream?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we suspend disbelief for just 2 minutes and 30 seconds?

[Don]

We're going full Captain Literal man on this song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean.

[Don]

I mean, listen, Danny's a cop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don]

You know, he's breaking it down.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But the fact is the cops couldn't see the beer because the windows were all fogged up because he was going,

[Alan Hahn]

oh, well, we all know that's really what went down. You're not talking. Who's talking? For two hours. Who's talking? Who's really talking? After a while, you're like, listen, I gotta get back. Are we doing this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, quickly, let's bring in Sal in Connecticut. You're on espn.

[Don]

Hey, Sale.

[Unidentified Caller]

Hey, guys, thanks for taking call. This competitive balance issue will not be resolved in baseball by a salary cap or salary floor. What's going to resolve it and what worked in other leagues is revenue sharing. So the Green Bay packers and Oklahoma City Thunder can compete because of revenue sharing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, baseball has revenue sharing worked a little bit, but. But how? Does not help.

[Alan Hahn]

It doesn't work a little bit because most of these guys put the money in their pocket. That's the problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can't force them to spend something about it. But. But sales. If I can't take skiings away if I don't have room in the cap to get them, so if I manage my cap well, then I can fit in free agents. But if I'm the Yankees and Red Sox, we're all working from the same pool of money, then I just can't. Do you think it makes sense that there's teams with a $50 million payroll and teams with a $90 million payroll?

[Unidentified Caller]

Don, I totally agree. But if you have revenue sharing, then your competitive edge becomes how smart of an organization.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they have revenue share. They share revenue. There's only a certain amount of money on international money. And it's not working.

[Alan Hahn]

It's not working.

[Unidentified Caller]

They don't, they don't share the TV revenue, which, as you know, is the big, the biggest factor.

[Alan Hahn]

What TV though? What TV revenue?

[Unidentified Caller]

Yeah, that's the thing, the regional TV revenues.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you're, there's no regional TV.

[Alan Hahn]

They don't have any regional networks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like 10 of them are being propped up by MLB.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, there is no, there's no revenue there on the regional network is none.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, but the thing is they share revenue, Sal, and thank you for the phone call in the NFL. But they're all only allowed to spend a certain amount of money. So, yeah, Green Bay can compete with New York because at the end of the day, no matter how much money, more money New York makes than Green Bay, I can only pay the players a certain amount of money. Yeah, but, but here's the thing that I would tell Major League baseball players. The NBA and the NFL have a cap. And yet Patrick Mahomes can make $60 million a year. LeBron James can make $70 million a year. The big time guys can still find a way to make money, but with a floor. You won't have these teams not spending their money. They'd have to spend it. And what would they spend it on? On the players. Come on. All I would just say is this. The other three sports make it work. What makes baseball different than basketball, hockey and football? What's the difference? Why are you the outlier? So we'll see. Hey, listen, they're going to be arguing about it, but here's the difference. A team like the New York Yankees are like, yeah, let's get, let's, let's have a cap because the Dodgers are still spending way more money than they.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, yeah, we want to spend, we

[Don]

don't want to spend like that.

[Alan Hahn]

Right, right. Because you know, you know, not everybody's going to be at the cap. A lot of still the lower teams aren't going to be anywhere. They're going to have to create a floor to make sure some of these teams actually spend, though. You gotta have that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, Enn. Up next, Don Juan Rosenberg, ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you know, guys, with Xfinity, you already enjoy ESPN as part of your TV lineup, right? With live games and daily sports coverage and expert analysis. But now the ESPN Unlimited plan is available at no additional cost. It gives you access to additional ESPN content in, get this, the ESPN app, including more must see action like WWE Premium live events, all on demand programming and originals. To explore, visit xfinity.com your subscriptions to activate ESPN Unlimited access. Then start watching in the ESPN app. More from ESPN all in One Place

[Don Hahn]

thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to know how the

[Alan Hahn]

sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good.

[Don Hahn]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8. ESPN the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

[Unidentified Caller]

Hey sports fans, the ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional cost. Visit Activate ESPN.com to learn how to access your account or sign up. Then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now.