Hour 4: Alonso & Calls

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Episode Summary: Hour 4: Alonso & Calls

Release Date: April 7, 2025

In "Hour 4: Alonso & Calls," hosts Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the current state and future of the New York Mets, with a particular focus on star first baseman Pete Alonso. The episode expertly balances sports analysis with engaging listener interactions, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into team dynamics, player contracts, and fan sentiments.

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1. Introduction to the Mets' Current Season

Alan Hahn kicks off the discussion by addressing the ongoing Mets season, highlighting their upcoming series against the Marlins and the anticipation surrounding it.

• Alan [01:06]: "All right, 6:00 hour it is with Don McGurk and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hot 800 now. 193576 is the number. Last call crew and all will be coming up here, but so will Mets baseball at the bottom of the hour, pregame as they start a series with the Marlins."

2. Pete Alonso's Impact and Future with the Mets

The core of the episode centers on Pete Alonso's stellar performance and his potential long-term role with the Mets, especially in light of recent contract developments involving Vlad Guerrero.

• Alan [02:12]: "Who's hot? Pete Alonso. He is. He's gotten off to a great start."

• Alan [03:09]: "How much has that Guerrero contract suddenly changed the fortunes of Pete Alonso's future with the Mets?"

Peter Rosenberg and Alan Hahn explore the implications of Vlad Guerrero's half-billion-dollar contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, discussing how it impacts Alonso's standing within the Mets.

• Peter Rosenberg [03:24]: "The idea was, well, we don't need to sign Alonzo because we'll either be able to trade for Guerrero in 2025 or just sign him as a free agent when the season's over."

The conversation delves into the strategic decisions by Mets' management, specifically David Stearns and Scott Boras, regarding Alonso's contract and his potential as a "Forever Met."

• Alan [05:16]: "From the agent perspective, there's no way you want to tip off the Mets on that early."

• Peter Rosenberg [09:23]: "He's been great. And if the Mets win, then you're going to want to probably keep them because then he becomes a Forever Met."

3. Fan Sentiment and Player Popularity

The hosts discuss the strong connection between Alonso and the Mets' fanbase, emphasizing his popularity and the emotional investment fans have in his career.

• Alan [09:44]: "You saw when they introduced them on opening day that they introduced Lindor and they played My Girl and everybody, you know, they cheered. You know, they introduced Soto. Everybody was excited because it was Juan freaking Soto. Right. This is really a thing. But when Pete Alonso was introduced, they chanted his name."

• Peter Rosenberg [11:08]: "There's reason to keep him. Because I can totally read what they're thinking."

4. Comparisons to Legendary Players

The conversation transitions into comparing Pete Alonso to other legendary athletes, contemplating his potential legacy within the Mets organization.

• Alan [11:14]: "It's like Carmelo Anthony. You know, he started out as a Devin Dog, but everybody knows him as a."

• Peter Rosenberg [12:10]: "He's the guy. You would. All we ever ask is that it's genuine. And it just feels like that's him."

5. Listener Calls and Broader Sports Discussions

The second half of the episode features engaging caller interactions, expanding the discussion beyond baseball into hockey and basketball, particularly focusing on Aleksandr Ovechkin's standing in the NHL.

Caller Nestor from Arizona [14:26]: Asks about Ovechkin's ranking among all-time greats compared to legends like Gretzky and Orr.

• Peter Rosenberg [15:01]: "Gretzky's got more assists than anybody else has points. Okay? So Gretzky's won with a bullet nobody could touch."

• Alan [16:00]: "If Crosby is better, then that already knocks Ovi out of the top five."

Caller Joe from Newtown [19:28]: Expresses support for Alonso and discusses the potential strategies for the Mets' first base position.

• Alan [20:21]: "Does Alonzo see better pitches because they just pitched to Soto?"

6. Celebrating Listener Engagement

The episode concludes with a heartfelt birthday celebration for listener Griffin from Connecticut, showcasing the hosts' personable and interactive approach.

• Griffin [24:06]: "How old are we today, Griffin?"

• Alan [24:09]: "26 years old. Boy to go back to 26."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Alan Hahn [03:09]: "He'll leave them no choice. He'll leave them no choice. He will be probably the cheapest option too short term for first base."

• Peter Rosenberg [09:44]: "There's reason to keep him. Because I can totally read what they're thinking."

• John Frenchy Fuqua [15:56]: "It's a big hit. But he doesn't."

• Alan Hahn [16:38]: "I wouldn't put Ovi as an overall better player. I still think you got to put Patrick Waugh."

• Peter Rosenberg [23:00]: "It's a one dimension, but it's a hell of a dimension."

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Conclusion

In "Hour 4: Alonso & Calls," Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg provide an in-depth analysis of Pete Alonso's pivotal role in the New York Mets' current season and his potential future with the team. Through a blend of strategic insights, player comparisons, and enthusiastic listener interactions, the episode offers a rich and engaging exploration of sports dynamics, making it a must-listen for fans seeking a deeper understanding of their favorite teams and players.

Transcript

[Ann]

I was never really a runner. The way I see running is a gift, especially when you have stage four cancer. I'm Ann. I'm running the Boston Marathon, presented by bank of America. I run for Dana Farber Cancer Institute to give people like me a chance to thrive in life, even with cancer.

[Bank of America Representative]

Join bank of America in helping Anne's cause. Give if you can@b of a.comSupportAnn what would you like the power to do? References to charitable organizations is not endorsement by bank of America Corporation. Copyright 2025.

[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.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, she fell in love with the sex.

[Alan]

Han sauce was everywhere.

[Don Hahn]

And Rosenberg, if you want to stay.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Up, he's got the energy that matters.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This isn't North Dakota, this is New York.

[Don Hahn]

This is Don Han and Rosenberg. John Frenchy Fuqu on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app.

[Alan]

All right, 6:00 hour it is with Don McGurk and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hot 800 now. 193576 is the number. Last call crew and all will be coming up here, but so will Mets baseball at the bottom of the hour, pregame as they start a series with the Marlins. They just saw them. They're going to see them again.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Oh, like you dream about.

[Alan]

Like you dream about and only get them 13 times.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Take advantage of it while you can, man.

[Alan]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because after this, you know, then you only have them a handful of times the rest of the way. And I think the Marlins are going to be a bottom feeder. Washington.

[Alan]

I'd rather them later on. Right. Wouldn't you rather play. Play bad teams later because they already know they're bad. Then early in the season they don't know they're bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I guess. But I also want to. I don't want to have to go through. I went last year where I'm trying to make up all kinds of ground. I want to establish something here. Philadelphia is off to a hot start. I want to follow him. I want to take advantage of the Braves plight.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I feel you.

[Alan]

No, you know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

How exhausting it is for these players and the fans to have to just sit there and like make up all this ground and try to get hot later. It's okay to get hot early too.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

You know, you want to feel hot right now.

[Alan]

Well, you know who's hot? Pete Alonso.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, thank God for him.

[Alan]

He is. He's gotten off To a great start. Now, we talked about this earlier in the show, but for those who didn't hear it, with Vlad Guerrero getting a half a billion dollars from the Toronto Blue Jays to stay there for 14 years, it takes him out of the market. And for the Mets now, doesn't this kind of set up the obvious collision course of the Mets getting to that place of maybe Pete Alonso is the answer that we need at first base now, not 14 years, but for the foreseeable future. And Alonzo's making that decision easier for the Mets by having the start that he has had. He's been excellent. He's exactly the kind of piece you need batting after Juan Soto. He's making them pay when they pitch around Soto. And this couldn't have worked out better for Pete Alonso. So far, this is exact. Now, nobody's saying give the guy a contract in April.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan]

But if things carry the way that you could see it carrying and he has a season that honestly, other than last year, what's he done? He'll get you 30, 40 home runs a year like this seems to be his thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah.

[Alan]

So how much has that Guerrero contract suddenly changed the fortunes of Pete Alonso's future with the Mets?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, let's, let's think this through here for a second. The idea was, well, we don't need to sign Alonzo because we'll either be able to trade for Guerrero in 2025 or just sign him as a free agent when the season's over. And then we'll make Alonzo rdh in the last year of his contract and just move on after that. But they had to have a Stearns has to be in the know to realize whether that was feasible or not. Right. These things don't happen in a vacuum between Scott Boris and David Stearns. They probably both could figure out or ascertain the situation and say, I believe Guerrero is going to stay in Toronto. So now you've got Alonzo. Let's say he has a monster year this year. Does he then want to negotiate or does he want to test free agency and have another monster year in 26 and get the big deal? Probably not, because now you're talking about a 32 year old and you're not getting big money at 32, especially get a ton of years. Right. So the question then becomes, do the Mets ride the season with Alonzo and then give him more years or do they let him just finish out his contract and the Stearns now have a plan for what to do in 27 at first base with a younger player, Maybe a free agent. We're not thinking about that. He can plug in at first base. Money's not going to be an object. Get younger, you know, get. Get a better player with a different contract than. Than signing Pete Alonzo to an extension at the age of 31 at the end of 2025. Is this much ado about nothing, or is it an opportunity for Alonzo to cash in? That's what we got to try to figure out because we're thinking in real time. But, you know, Stearns and Boris are both looking ahead. Who's a free agent, who's available, what team's going to need a first baseman. That's what Boris is thinking, and Stearns is probably thinking, all right, can I do better when Lonzo's contract's up?

[Alan]

From the agent perspective, there's no way you want to tip off the Mets on that early. What you wanted was the market and the threat to Toronto of a big spending owner in New York that wants to bird dog your player in Toronto. Right, Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan]

Because you need that leverage to keep going back to Toronto to get your guy a contract that'll keep him there for the rest of his life. They were trying to use the Yankees, as you saw. That was the thing. Remember last year, all of a sudden, Guerrero no longer had this hatred for the Yankees. Now all of a sudden, he would remember that. He went from saying, I'll never play for them to now it's like, no, it's a business. Right. I can get over it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan]

So there's that. So that's why I don't think that was known early. So when the Mets were looking like they were ready to divorce from Alonzo during the off season to a point where their fans were booing the owner at their own fan fest in the winter, that's how much they wanted this guy back. The Mets were already ready to move on. You heard we have those quotes from that day. They spoke with no emotion in their voice about Pete Alonso. None. But then when Juan Soto was ready to sign and looked at the lineup, started to wonder, hang on a second. Who you got hitting after me? I'm not sure about this lineup. They start feeding the Guerrero thing because, hey, we can get this guy. I know you guys have a respect, mutual respect for each other. We could always bring him in. It'll take us, you know, it will just take us a year. But with this now off the table that now sets up for Boris, then to look to the Mets and say, and Again, I give all the credit in the world to Pete Alonso because last year it seemed like he played with that pressure of a contract year hanging over his head. How badly he wanted a long term extension to stay with the Mets. And right from almost the beginning, the day that Sterns showed up for the job seemed to say, we're not doing that right. He didn't hint it. He said it almost blatantly. Not interested in extension talks, not going to do it. We'll wait to the off season. So they made it clear. So for Alonzo, that was. He was dealing with that emotion all year long. So the fact that now he's had this new life and that he's had this great start, you got to tip your cap to him on that one. Came in ready. Even if even in this winter where he first there was this thought that his future was done in New York. Now he's back, he gets off to a good start. The fit with Soto seems to be seamless. Met fans love him. All he has to do now is the simple part, which is just do it the rest of the season and he'll leave the Mets no choice. He'll leave them no choice. He will be probably the cheapest option too short term for first base.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And just looking at the projected free agents for 2026.

[Alan]

What do you have? Give me some names.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Josh Nader. You know, most of these guys are all going to be in their mid-30s by the time they become free agents.

[Alan]

So what are we doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's the most attractive of the free agents.

[Alan]

And what do they have in the system coming up?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know. Off the top of my head. They could play first base. Now, obviously anybody can convert and be a future first baseman, but they obviously gave him the contract they gave him because they, they are, they, they must have a plan for 2027, right? I mean, so he's, he's this year and next year, and then we'll see. He's gonna be 32 years old. Give him flexibility, make him a DH. So they either have something in their system that's ready to go or they believe somebody will become available. And it wasn't Guerrero, because again, I had that. They, they must have known that he was going to resign with Toronto. Once, once the Mets locked up Alonzo, I think that knocked the Mets out of it. The Yankees, they got Goldschmidt. That secures them for this year and next year. So two of the biggest guns weren't looking for anybody. And that put Toronto in a pretty good position. So I think they all knew that that was off the table. Now, what they're. They get paid to know this. Both the agent and the general manager have to know that stuff. But no matter what it is, Pete's got to be motivated. This is not going to matter if Pete's awful. And so far he's been great.

[Alan]

He's been great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And. And if the Mets win, then you're going to want to probably keep them because then he becomes a Forever Met. They haven't won since 86. You know, Keith Hernandez still the job of the organization.

[Alan]

He's the guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because he's the guy that. Listen, no offense, he does a great job, but, you know, it helps. You know, Keith and Ronnie are forever Mets because they were on the 86 team. If the Mets win a championship in the next two years, Alonzo's now in that conversation.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Absolutely.

[Alan]

You saw when they introduced them on opening day that they introduced Lindor and they played My Girl and everybody, you know, they cheered. You know, they introduced Soto. Everybody was excited because it was Juan freaking Soto. Right. This is really a thing. But when Pete Alonso was introduced, they chanted his name.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's.

[Alan]

That's different. That's a beloved player, and that means something with these fans. And if he has a good fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There'S reason to keep him. Because I can totally read what they're thinking. Like, I got it. I said, listen, in Stearns, we trust, right? If he believes they're better off not keeping Alonzo, I'm going to trust him. But, boy, I'd like to keep them just because they don't have that guy. That's where the Ed Krampool rant came from. And I'm sure a lot of Met fans were thinking the same thing I was thinking when I gave that rant of we just don't have any Forever Mets. Even Keith was a Cardinal, won an MVP with the Cardinals. Gary Carter was on his way to the hall of Fame as an Expo Doc, and Daryl ended up going to the Yankees and winning the championship.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Well, and by the way, if this team somehow at some point in the next few years does something special, you'll have Pete as a Forever Met, potentially. But you also potentially have in Lindor. While he's not a Forever Met, because obviously he has an entire career in Cleveland prior to this, he could still end up being essentially what feels like.

[Alan]

When he goes to the hall of Fame.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

He's a Met, it's a Met.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But when his contract is up, that would be a decade plus. With the Mets.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

That's what I'm saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. So, like, and Soto will have spent 15 years as a Met in theory.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Right.

[Alan]

It's like Carmelo Anthony. You know, he started out as a Devin Dog, but everybody knows him as a.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Even more so, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jalen. Yeah, Brunson.

[Alan]

Brunson also. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Brunson was a maverick.

[Alan]

Yeah. Started out there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's not going to matter if he wins a championship in New York and the money, the discount that he gave the organization, all that stuff is going to matter. So I'm not saying you got to spend your whole career, but I'm just saying that it would be nice to have a guy, one guy. Who's our George Brad? Who's our Tony Gwynn? Who's our Alexander Ovechkin? You know, like the polar bear who.

[Alan]

By the way, if you think about it, with the ability to hit home runs, that is, that is still. That is also something I think that resonates with fans as well. It's not like he's just a guy. He's, he's does something that is special, which is hit home runs. Yeah, people love that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

As much as we joke about Pete being nerdy, he's, he's more than just like a home run hitter. Like, there's a personality. He's kind of goofy, but he's our goofy, you know?

[Alan]

He is such a met, isn't he? Like, if you think about that, what you just said, and this is not. I'm not trying to offend. Judge is such a Yankee because why Buttoned up, as Pete would say. Right, right. You always say buttoned up. Judge is a Yankee. True, like true blue Yankee. Because that, he fits that. Alonzo is a little goofy, a little different, a little off, a little funny, a little quirky. That's so Mets. Is it not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He hit the home run other day.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Oh, I know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he, he's smacking himself in the head.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

What was the head smack about?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He reminded me, remember Brian Cox when he was with the Dolphins, smacking the helmet against his head.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

It's like, what was he doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I, I, I don't. I'm sure there's some backstory to it that I just don't know, but that's him. That's our guy. You would.

[Alan]

It's just being Pete, but that's him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All we ever ask. And this circles back to the, the Russell Wilson conversation. All we ever ask is that it's genuine.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it just feels like that's him. He's not Putting on. And that's the thing with Judge. That's Judge. That's who he is.

[Alan]

Yeah. I don't think it's an ass.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan]

I think he's like that everywhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Buttoned up. Because the Yankees make him buttoned up. I think that's the way he is. Personality.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that's the way Jeter was like. And that's why the fans and more importantly, the players connect. Because I think if Pete was a sales guy here, he'd complete a sale. He'd run into the bullpen and smack himself in the head. Right. He's chest bumping people. Like there's. He's that guy. And then somebody tries to do it. That's not that guy. And it's like, oh, that's. Yeah, that's corny, man.

[Alan]

You're not being genuine. Right. You're just trying to be funny. It's time now for a tournament update. It's brought to you by Schweppes. It all comes down to this tonight. Florida Houston for the national championship. 850 is your tip off. And that's your tournament update presented by Schweppes. Schweppes offers above the rim refreshment and is a proud to sponsor. Is proud to sponsor the Big East Conference. Enjoy the madness. Take a break from the hoops action with a Schweppe Seltzer or Schweppes ginger ale. Mets baseball, bottom of the hour. Rangers Hockey on 10:50am Also bottom of the hour. You get down the Greco there. Let's finish up with some calls here. Fellas. Nestor in Arizona wants to bring back a conversation. We were talking about this earlier. Nestor, what's happening?

[Caller]

I have a question for John and one point, if I may real quick, go ahead. With Ovechkin being the all time goal leader, where does he rank for you? All time. And my point is. So I work in construction and all we do is debate and talk sports all day. A lot of people around my age say that Ovechkin is the goat. But I don't know if I have him ahead of people like Gretzky or Bobby Orr or even Mario Lemieux. But I kind of feel like it's the same parallel with people saying nowadays that LeBron is the go. Being the all time scoring leader over Michael Jordan. I just want you guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, listen, I am not going to know. First of all, Gretzky's got more assists than anybody else has points. Okay? So Gretzky's won with a bullet nobody could touch. Him, okay. He's another stratosphere. And you've got. Or you've got how again, I don't want to kill Lemieux, but he, he was banged up, he had a lot of issues. So we don't know where it would have all ended up. If I had to guess, he would have probably ended up with way more points and way more goals. But. But he didn't. Same with Mike Bossi. So that kind of kicks him out of the conversation. I'm sorry.

[Alan]

It's totally fair. You know, I think Sidney Crosby is closer to LeBron James in this era than Ovi is. If you're going to do like the whole.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Well, he's the more complete player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't want to say this is. This, this is pejorative. But he's kind of a, he's a, he's a one hit wonder. Right? He scores goals.

[Alan]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what he does. He does.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

That's beyond a one hit wonder, though. It's a very big hit.

[Alan]

It's a big hit.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

It's the most important hit.

[Alan]

He's Kevin Durant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's a one trick poem.

[Alan]

It's a great score.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a great score. But he doesn't.

[Alan]

That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He doesn't.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Kevin Durant is one of the great people consider one of the greatest players ever lived.

[Alan]

One of the greatest scorers in the history of the sport.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he's not asked to win face offs. He's not asked to kill penalties.

[Alan]

And you're not asking Durant to do things that LeBron like what Durant does is a incredible skill, but it's one. Right. Like that's it. It's a one dimension, but it's a hell of a dimension.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like the number one dimension.

[Alan]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If Crosby is better, then that already knocks OV out of the top five. Right. Because if we've got Gretzky, how or Crosby. So like put him at five.

[Alan]

I wouldn't put me was an overall better player. I still think you got to put Patrick Waugh. Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you want to start goal. He's Patrick Wa. I'm already wrote one goalie, you know, and if you want to really go back in time, you know, Maurice Rashard was first player to score 50 goals for 50 games.

[Alan]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So back when it was a lot harder to score goals.

[Alan]

But I, I think stick, you know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think that you could put ov in the top 10 and not embarrass yourself.

[Alan]

Top 10 is a given.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right? Absolutely. You know, but I don't think I'm Ray Bork, you know, Nicholas Lidstrom and there's a lot of. But Ovechkin's again, he's going to finish with like 950 goals. Right. That's probably logical. Right? He had 42 this year. He's got another year left on the top 10. Piled like a. You know what to get to the total he had. I mean, he played for nine different. I love, I love Jagr, but by the way. But he plays a lot like that.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

In his prime, he was still the man. I mean, he was, he was, he was really good. He was better than Malkin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was a level.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

He's. He's right there. He's very special, but he's not Sid, he's not Mario, he's not ov.

[Alan]

But he was special, but he could.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

What, hover around 20 yagur.

[Alan]

This my first year on the beat. The story that I was asked to do, and it was preseason 1999 and Gretzky had retired. The story was Jagr was the new face of hockey and that was it. Gretzky's gone. This, the sport has a face and it's Jagger. He's the best player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Scored the game winning goal in overtime. And Gretzky's last game, if you remember, it was almost like a passing of the torch.

[Alan]

Yes, that's. Yeah. And so I interviewed him. He wanted nothing to do with it. Yeah, wanted. He didn't like talking about himself. He wanted anything to do with all that stuff.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Yeah, the fun came with. Well, he wasn't comfortable with his English early too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. He just did.

[Alan]

But by 99, he. He was fine.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Like, we had a great conversation, but.

[Alan]

When I was trying to get quotes out of him, he was terrible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he just didn't want to do it because it's still early. McDavid's going to be there. Yes, Connor McDavid is going to be there eventually.

[Alan]

He'll be on the. The in the Mount Rushmore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's going to be in the top four or five players.

[Alan]

All those players combined into one us.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

But does anybody toss Hull around in the top 20 if you're going to do it with these guys?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, Brett, he was a. He's got to be. He was a one hit wonder.

[Alan]

Yeah, but Brett's Ovechkin.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

But that's my point. But if, if, if OV is going to be in that conversation. If. Yes, he's an all time great scorer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But drunkenly singing Gloria.

[Alan]

Definitely that just hit all of it.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

And not to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Some. Some people might rise, listen, but I don't. I think his dad was still better. He might have scored more goals, but in the era that his dad played, Bobby was.

[Alan]

Bobby was breaking noses because the glass was low behind the net. That's why the glass is so high behind the net.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was incredible.

[Alan]

He's one. Joe is in Newtown. What's up, Joe?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, guys.

[Caller]

Love the show. Alan, thanks for your work on the Knicks. Don. Same for the Rangers. With the Alonzo plan. I want to keep them. The young guy they have is Ryan Clifford. Left handed hitter, power hitter. They got him in the Verlander deal, I believe, but maybe he can be first base and Alonzo can be dh. But you know, I do want to keep Pete and we're off to a good start with him this year.

[Alan]

Again, thanks, Joe. I give him credit for how he approached this. The season came into the season, how he's embraced the role, having a guy like Soto. By the way, how much time does that help him? Does Alonzo see. Is it true? Like, does guys do Alonzo see better pitches because they just pitched to Soto like, is it better worth. Like that? That can change things for you. When you're batting with a guy like Soto that they don't want to pitch to, they're pitching to you instead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The whole idea is if Soto's gonna walk, he's gonna get on. There's no place to put Alonso. Right. That's the idea and that's what you hope. You know, they're gonna. It's gonna be tougher for Soto because Alonzo, if he's not hitting, but if he's hitting yet, it just makes it really difficult for everybody. Yeah, I'm just looking. Did you see just. You see the. The headline in the post about the Rangers because, you know, power plays referred to as pp.

[Alan]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The headline is Pee pee in the toilet.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

You know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's three.

[Alan]

You know what?

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

I don't always give credit, but every once in a while.

[Alan]

Nicely done. That's. You gotta love it.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Am I as speaking of great players where they rank all time.

[Alan]

Okay.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

I got eviscerated by some people on Twitter because I just told my truth. Don.

[Alan]

Oh.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Which is that we found out over the weekend that Superman Dwight Howard is going to the hall of Fame.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

I saw this and I never enjoyed his game. Didn't say he wasn't worthy of hall of Fame. I knew he'd go to the hall of Fame.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Not for me. Didn't enjoy it.

[Alan]

Okay. Dwight Howard, like, before 2010 was something to witness when he was Orlando Magic. Dwight Howard, Yep. Incredibly dominant player. I mean, incredible. Insanely dominant both ends of the floor. His rebounding ability, his shot blocking, but, like, he.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Incredible defender. And inside on offense, he's funnily special.

[Alan]

I mean, when he catch a lob, like, he could dunk the basketball.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

He had. It's weird. I'm just.

[Alan]

Then he got a little, like, into himself.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

No. Then he got. By the way, no fun. And by the way, you can save your dunk contest at seven feet tall.

[Alan]

I'm good, but I agree.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

But, like, I just. For me. And by the way, people get so offended. I didn't say he wasn't worthy. I'm not super into the just explosive 611 guy who jams on every possession, cannot shoot outside of 6ft.

[Alan]

Sean Kemp.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Sean Kemp's a little different, really. Just slightly.

[Alan]

Slightly. Literally the same type of game, although he's, you know, Dwight Howard's taller, but.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

That'S a big thing because the dunks are such a big part of the Shawn Kemp thing. And the dunks looked better not being. But even so, I don't put Shawn Kemp on.

[Alan]

Like, isn't it wild, though, how both guys kind of went off the deep end? Like, got so big, so popular, and then how fast they bought into their fame and. And everybody loving them, and then they just fell off.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

I think I'm just a guy who needs someone who can step back and shoot it, too.

[Alan]

Oh, you mean actual skill.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Yeah, like, the real skill.

[Alan]

Which is why anybody that thinks Carmelo Anthony should not be a Hall of Famer doesn't know what the hell they're talking about.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

You talk about great offense. We're talking about ovi. You're talking about great offensive players.

[Alan]

Melo. Melo is like.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Melo's kind of.

[Alan]

He's more. I think Brett Hull. Melo is like Brett Hull.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Yeah. The score.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pure score.

[Alan]

Pure, unbelievable score.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

But I would. But you know what, though? More skilled. Like Brett Hall. I'm not saying he was obviously incredibly skilled. Mellow's offense was more. It was beautiful to watch.

[Alan]

Prime one of the.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Like, it's one that he was an offense you dreamed of playing, like, as a kid. Like, he could do it all.

[Alan]

And when Melo was on a heater, there was nothing more fun to watch. Insane. He just had that way, that smile, the smirk. The three to the Brett was.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Bret Holt jammed it in the damn neck.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Somebody likes them. Like, were you shooting top shelf? He's like, I just. I just shoot the puck.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

That's what I'm saying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I shoot the puck at the goal, but misses him. No, he never gave any.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

He ripped it as hard as humanly. He just ripped it as hard as humanly possible. It wasn't pretty.

[Alan]

Let's take Griffin in Connecticut on a very special day for Griffin.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Happy birthday, buddy.

[I]

Thank you.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Oh, there he is. That's our guy right there.

[Alan]

How old are we today, Griffin?

[I]

26.

[Alan]

26 years old. Boy to go back to 26.

[I]

Yep.

[Alan]

How you feeling today? Good.

[I]

I'm feeling good. Especially after the UConn woman won the national championship yesterday, so.

[Alan]

That's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How many of the 12 do you remember?

[I]

The four in a row. This one. And the Maya. More one. I don't think I remember much after that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, that's not bad. More than half.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

How did you. How happy. How drunk did you get last night?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Alan]

Easy.

[I]

No, I didn't get drunk.

[Alan]

No, come on. What are we doing tonight, though, Real quick. So, big celebration?

[I]

No. Probably this weekend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is it?

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

So, what would a celebration tell? I'm glad you don't get drunk. Who needs it? But what would it entail?

[I]

I'm just going out to eat as a family.

[Alan]

There you go.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

What about. What about a little weekend in Dr. Maybe find yourself some lovely company. Really hit the strip clubs.

[I]

Oh, my God.

[Alan]

Right? It's a little family affair.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

I don't know what is happening before.

[I]

You guys let me go without.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We're gonna have to let you go now. I'm sorry. Happy birthday. But we're.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

No seconds.

[Alan]

We got heart out. It's hard out. Happy birthday, Griff.

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

Tomorrow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

God in heaven. I saved the show.

[Alan]

Like you're trying to do all this misogyny with him now. Misogyny wrong with you?

[John Frenchy Fuqua]

I'm just asking if he wants to, guy.

[Alan]

Have a great day, everybody.

[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan]

I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good.

[Don Hahn]

Hear more of Don, Alan and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.