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- [00:00]
Don Hahn
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- [00:31]
Peter Rosenberg
This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast. That sounds like heaven to me. Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers 601 of the big city. It's the Don show on Don Hahn and Rosenberg. All three of us will be back together coming up after the Met preseason game, which is coming up on Monday. I guess technically it's the exhibition game the Mets are playing. So when that game is over on Monday, we'll be on our air altogether. Peter was on assignment, of course. Allen's got to go run and cover the Knicks and the Cavs, which will be coming up on our air coming up at 6:30. So let's close out your calls at 1-800-919-3776. And always a pleasure to welcome in Richard in Manhattan. How are you, buddy?
- [01:17]
Richard
Hi, Don. Don George's greatest accomplishment, he bought the Yankees in January. In 73, 10 months later, November, he was knocking down the old, old Yankee Stadium and renovating it. That's unbelievable. That's unbelievable. When you think back what he did as far as hockey. You know who got me into hockey? 1964, Marv Albert. Man, I couldn't believe that guy when he was doing the games. You know how he did it? They didn't do the whole games on whn. He threw the last two minutes of the first and second periods and then the whole third period. I'll never forget that. And one day you got ask Kenny and ask Kenny if he thinks that mob's first love was hockey, even before basketball. But he was unbelievable. And you guys, you, Kenny and Dave are carrying it on. Boy, New York hockey to listen on the radio is still the best. Now, Don, as far as yesterday's game, I loved it. I loved the. But you know, I don't get. I'm not a big, big hockey fan. I'm a hockey fan mostly because I'm a New York fan. So I root for all three of the teams, mainly the Rangers, but I root for the Islanders and the Devils when they're doing good. But you know, I don't hate the watching the game yesterday. So, you know, when I watch playoff hockey start and I can go back to. I mean, you know, the best one I ever saw was the 74 playoffs with the Flyers when their legend grew with all those tough guys. Man, we hated the Flyers and before that we hated the Bruins and the Canadiens. So there was hatred. I'm watching the game yesterday, Don. I don't hate the Canadians. There are a lot of Rangers, Islanders and Devils on those teams. So how can you hate. So I watched the game. I enjoy it. I like the fact that more people are watching the game because of that. As far as hype, the greatest hyped exhibition ever hype was definitely the Billie Jean King Bobby Riggs tennis match. That was the biggest hype because they were talking about that for weeks and weeks and weeks. So this just came about this hockey tournament, you know, the last few days. That's what made it such a big thing. So they could not generate the hype that. That event. That was in September of 73. And that's all people were talk talking about for a long time.
- [03:33]
Peter Rosenberg
It was a battle of the sexes.
- [03:35]
Richard
That's it. Correct. At the Astrodome. That was huge.
- [03:38]
Peter Rosenberg
Listen, I don't think anything Richard, and thank you for the phone call and have a good weekend. Could match what happened back in the 70s when we didn't. We had seven channels and there wasn't a lot of alternatives of things to do. I don't think anything will be hyped like that. But we kind of conceded yesterday when we were talking about. Let's leave out individual exhibitions like boxing and tennis, things like that. But from a team sport, this, that, that's so interesting about the Four Nations. Even if it had been a World cup or Olympics, like these are. Things have been around for a while for this to. To not even really be a thing for a lot of people, including hockey fans, until we got close to it. We heard about the Four Nations. We had Gary Bettman on. We were at the NHL store, remember that? And he talked about it as being an appetizer. He. That's the way he described it. An appetizer for the Olympics next year and the World cup the year after that. Well, that was no appetizer, man. That was a main course. So this even shocked the NHL people that this gained the traction that it did. But it's like, why is a song a hit? Why does a movie become a hit? Yeah, sometimes because the artists are just so good at what they do. It can't help but be great. But every once in a while there's a song or a movie. That's who knows why? But it just captivates the imagination of everybody. And that just seemed to be this. There is no way anybody in a boardroom of the NHL thought that we're going to get a four nations championship game between the United States and Canada that will generate close to 10 million people watching. No way. They were hoping that they would get, you know, a lot of attention and people might care about it and just give the hockey fans something to do instead of a boring All Star game. And it exploded. Do we know if they did this again next year? Say there was no Olympics and they decided to do the four nations again. Would it be the same? Even if it was Canada of the United States, would it still be the same? You know, there's a very good chance it could have been Finland and Sweden and this whole thing would have been a dud. So it ended up being just an absolute perfect storm, which is cool. 1-800-919-3776 Matt, he's over in Jersey. You're on ESPN New York.
- [05:44]
Don Hahn
How you doing, Don, thanks for taking the call. Real quick. I want to sneak in a point about the four nations. And before I get to the Yankees, I think you said it best. It was a perfect storm. The all the political stuff that went on, the booing, the fights, it just really amped up everyone's anticipation for what happened last night. And then it was a great game. If it was like a 5 nothing shutout going into the third period, I think a lot of people would have turned it off. But you get an overtime game. It just was as built going into the Yankees. You know, you had mentioned before about, you know, it's going to cost him a free agent. It kind of did with Brian Wilson. He said he would never sign with the Yankees. And I think he was at the peak of his game at that time and everyone wanted him. But, but realistically, you know, in addition to moving forward with the times, you got to look at these players, you know, all these players now, you know, they look like GQ models with the beards and they're all well trimmed and everything. And then you have Carlos Rodin and Nestor Cortez and Tyler Wells and they look absolutely ridiculous with these 80s mustaches that were cool in the 80s, like when Mattingly had it. But they look like they're 45 year old guys and they're less marketable because of it. And I think the Yankees really had to have some internal discussion about that. And I think going back to your point, when are we going to stop making the comparisons to George? You know, the Yankees are the one ones who keep saying this is a fully operational Death Star and they're using this championship or bus language and they're acting like, you know, you know, they built this statue of George in Monument park and he looms large over the franchise. And you know, even if they sell the team at this point and Hal has no more association with them, as long as Cohen is across town looking like George and acting like George rather, you're never going to see that comparison.
- [07:41]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, probably not. Because again, it's, it's Hal's son sitting there. I mean, it's George's son Hal sitting there. So it's an easy comparison. But actions speak louder than words. So they're fully functioning Death Star and they're the evil Empire. And it's, it's not about championship, it's about championships and, you know, second place is first loser. That's all. That's all just to kind of draw you in. But they just extended. Aaron Boone hasn't won a championship. Brian Cashman isn't going anywhere. He's been here for 25 years, hasn't won a championship since 2009. One championship in the last 25 years. He continues to get extended. Nobody gets fired. No, no players are ever called out on the carpet, released or cut or traded because of their play. So doesn't the actions tell you that they're not this thing, this hype that George created when it all costs, like, so that's what I follow. I follow the actions more so than I follow the words that they say. Because if this was a fully functioning Death Star, even though I would disagree with it because I think Aaron Boone's a really good manager, he wouldn't still have a job. Brian Cashman might be showing the door for not having won a championship since 2009, but we, we know better. The dirty little secret about the New York Yankees is behind closed doors, they're probably exceptionally happy with where they are. They just went to the World series. They're averaging 41,000 fans a game. They're relevant constantly. They just had a press conference about facial hair. You jumped their fans say how high? You're not going anywhere. You'll hate on them. You'll call and complain about them. But you love them and you watch them. They're still the most relevant sports franchise in this country despite the fact that they have not won a championship since 2009 and have won just one since 2000. So I'm sure behind closed doors, they're giggling, saying, aren't we great? Now, publicly, they're going to tell you how disappointed they are they didn't win. And of course they're disappointed they didn't win. Who wouldn't want to win? But are they disappointed at the level that you are? No. Do they think this is a mess? Do they think this is dysfunction? Do they think they're failing? No, they don't think they're failing. They think they're succeeding at a great, great lengths. So that's the disconnect. Let's go to Howie and Mayor Pack. You're on ESPN, New York.
- [10:16]
Howie
Hi, good evening. Thank you for taking the time to listen.
- [10:21]
Peter Rosenberg
Always for you. Can you hear me? Oh, easily. Crystal clear.
- [10:26]
Howie
Okay, great. Yeah. Just one thing I want. You were talking about the. The possibility of judge. They were wearing all this jewelry and they may have been robbed. Well, I'm retired Supreme Court officer. I worked on 161st street by Yankee Stadium. I was in that building for over three decades. And I gotta tell you, I seen many. Well, I seen athletes, singers, fashion guys, top of the line guys, jammed up. And I got to know the attorneys really good. And they would always tell me how these guys are cheap and they're dumb and dirt. I said, what do you mean? He said, howie, these guys are millionaires. Why can't they just hire a couple of security guys whenever they want to go out and party? Because just about all these security guys are retired law enforcement. They have gun permits of weapons. And it's one less headache for these people to worry about. But these actors and these athletes, for some reason, they don't want to pay security. They'd rather carry a gun themselves, whether they can do it legally or not. Why would you want to do that? I'm just little. And this is. This is coming from the lawyer's mouth. And this is coming. I, I had a front row seat on some of these cases, you know, and it just amazes me that these guys want to go out and drink, have a good time, wear all the jewelry they want. Why can't you just hire a couple of security guys?
- [11:57]
Peter Rosenberg
Because, I don't know, I think it's all. Howie. About looking cool, and I think that maybe it's cooler to pack a weapon. I just. All I know is, even if it's hiring security guards, if I've got to Go out and show so much jewelry that I need two guys following behind me to protect me. Maybe I dial it down a bit. That's just me. But you know, these guys want to show off their wealth, they want to show off their money. I guess they're entitled to do that. But coming with that is going to be the possibility of getting robbed or calling attention to yourself or putting yourself in harm's way. It wouldn't be worth it to me. Apparently it's worth it to them. And if they feel safer with a gun or feel safer with security, then they're good. I, to me, it wouldn't be worth it. But I was never a big jewelry guy anyway, so I'm probably the wrong person to talk to. Sham Sarania tells us that OG Anunoby, who's been out since February 1st because of the toe injury, will be in the lineup tonight against Cleveland. So that's good for the New York Knicks. They won't be shorthanded. They get OG back and I assume he'd be available on Sunday afternoon as well. So that bodes very well for the New York Knickerbockers. Douglas in Peekskill. You're on espn, New York. Hi, Doug.
- [13:08]
Douglas
Hey, Don, how are you? I just wanted to tell you just a couple quick things. First, nobody covers hockey like you do. And we are so fortunate in this area. In the Tri State area, we have three NHL teams. And it's. I find it unfortunate that hockey is still the least talk about of all of the major sports here. But you know, you cover it. We have ice picks. I love that you and I come from the same jersey background. We started the Same way in 82. I don't know if you remember how we picked that name, which was, I think it was the Bergen Record. Ran like a full page ad and you had to cut out and mail in like a ballot with the name. And I remember stealing like 50 newspapers from like 7 11, cutting them out and running them down to Hackensack to deposit them in the box with that devil's name. But nonetheless, we're like the same age and I do a show with you at the Starland Ballroom anytime. Same taste in metal. But my question to you is, what do you think? What do you think the NHL is going to do moving forward with the, you know, like with this All Star break introduction? Because you know as well as I do, if this ended up a little differently, like say, let's say Sweden, Finland. Okay, Nobody's watching. You'd watch, I'd watch But. But it would have nowhere near the cachet that, you know us.
- [14:43]
Peter Rosenberg
True. But I will say this, Douglas, I do think that if it had been Sweden, Finland, it would do a better number than the All Star Game would do. But as far as where we're going, there's going to be an All Star Game next year, UBS that's going to lead us into the Olympics. Then we're going to have the World Cup. So that seems to be the way they're going to do it. All Star Game, World Cup, Olympics. Because they're well into the national, the international game now. The players demanded it. They're going to work out the new cba. It looks like that's all going to get finalized and they're going to work all out. Remember, the reason they did four nations was because they couldn't put together a World cup in time. So they wanted to have something with an international flavor and hopefully the IHF will change their mind on Russia and we'll see what happens with the war with the Ukraine. It's over my head, but that's what they've decided. And hopefully if Russia gets involved and you get the Czech Republic and now you can round out, have a nice healthy six nations in the World cup, maybe eight, depending how they want to break that down. So the All Star Game is still going to exist, but it's not going to be the go to every single year that it's been. It's cool that it's going to be at UBS next year, so it'll be have a local flavor to it. That should be fun. Hasn't been at the Meadowlands, I think since 84, so hasn't been in Jersey, hasn't been at the Rock yet. I think the last time I was at the metal ends was 84, if I'm not mistaken. And the last time I was at the garden was 94. So it's been a long time since it's been local. So at least next year there'll be hype around it, get into the Olympics, then the World cup and, and that's, that's what we're going to be looking at for the foreseeable future. Let's talk to Steve. He's in Middletown. You're on ESPN New York. Hello, Steve.
- [16:19]
Don Hahn
Don. When the Pope dies, you should take his place.
- [16:22]
Peter Rosenberg
That's how good you are at hockey. You know, that was ill timed. He's not, he's not feeling well, so. No, eventually.
- [16:29]
Don Hahn
But anyway, you mentioned in passing in.
- [16:32]
Peter Rosenberg
The conversation earlier with Alan mls and.
- [16:34]
Don Hahn
I would just like to call to.
- [16:35]
Peter Rosenberg
Everyone'S attention that MLS, the 30th season.
- [16:39]
Don Hahn
Kicks off tomorrow and you've got New York Red Bulls in Cincinnati. They're the only professional team in the area to make the playoffs every year since 2010. And the blue team is playing Lionel Messi tomorrow night. So folks, should, should check it out. Just like, you know, I gave, I watched the, the Four nations final. I don't give a crap about hockey.
- [17:00]
Peter Rosenberg
Loved every second of it.
- [17:01]
Don Hahn
And I've also been thoroughly enjoying all the hockey talk on the fan lately just because it's something different and I feel soccer could be the same way.
- [17:11]
Peter Rosenberg
Like open things up a little outside.
- [17:12]
Don Hahn
Of Aaron Rodgers and, and let's have some fun.
- [17:16]
Peter Rosenberg
We're, we're, and I appreciate the call, Stephen. That's, that's the thing about this show and I, it's, it's still very early. Don Hahn and Rosenberg. It started on January 6th. So we've been doing this for just about, you know, going on six weeks. And we got off to a little bit of a tough start because of some, you know, family things that happened with Alan losing his sister and then of course, the birth of Maya for Peter Rosenberg. But now we're all in. And this show with the three of us, the one benefit of having three guys that are all three equal partners is we all have our interests and should be able to cover everything. Now, MLS is a little bit behind the eight ball as far as the other sports are concerned, but when it's a story, we're going to cover it. We're not above anything. We want, we want this show to be for everyone. And if we're not Talking about it, 1-800-919-3776 don't call and complain. We don't talk about it. Call and talk about it. That's always what bothers me about hockey, man. Why don't you talk more hockey? I don't know, Call and talk hockey. And you know, at least two of the three guys on the show love the sport and Peter knows it too, because he's a big Penguins fan and apparently a big Canadian fan now. So we're not, we're not going to disrespect anybody. But we are also paid to play the hits. So MLS is probably going to lag behind some of the other sports. But hey, Steve, you're free to call to talk about NYC fc. You're free to talk about the Red Bulls. Harvey Cruz, one of our great board ops here at the station. That's his number one team and I love the man, so I will do anything for him. 1-800-919-3776. Always a pleasure to talk to Griffin in Connecticut. How are you, sir?
- [18:56]
Douglas
I'm good. How are you, Don?
- [18:58]
Peter Rosenberg
Good.
- [18:59]
Douglas
Disappointing end to the yesterday's game, but it was, it was a fun, phenomenal tournament. Unfortunately, it just didn't end the way we wanted it.
- [19:08]
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah, but it was still good. It's still, it was still fun. And I think that if you're a fan of the usa, you could be proud of the effort for sure.
- [19:16]
Douglas
Yes. Yes. Because they fought and even with the, some of the injuries they had, they fought through them and they kept fighting. And that's, that's what you should be very proud of. I'm going to talk about the St. John for a minute. When you said that you think if they win the Big east, there's they, they might get a number three seed?
- [19:36]
Peter Rosenberg
No, they're a top 10 team now. Right. So they're 10. They were nine before they lost to Villanova.
- [19:43]
Douglas
Yeah.
- [19:44]
Peter Rosenberg
So I'm not guaranteeing it, but I think it would at least be a talking point.
- [19:49]
Douglas
I just, the one reason why I think St. John's might have trouble getting a three seat is the SEC is dominant this year and so is the Big Ten. And I just don't know if St. John's will get a lot of opportunities in the Big east to rack up enough quality wins because I feel like after UConn, the conference is a little bit down this year.
- [20:14]
Peter Rosenberg
Okay, then why are they in the top 10? That's what, that's what I, you might, you might not be wrong, Griff, and I appreciate the phone call. You might be dead right. But if they're ranked 10 right now, and listen, math was never my strong point, but you've got four brackets, and if you're telling me that they're not going to be a one or a two, which I agree with, then that takes up eight spots. Right. Two in each bracket. So now we're getting down to a three seed. So you need four, three seeds. That takes us to 12. Well, if they're ranked 10 right now, and if they win, the Big east could possibly be ranked as high as 9 or 8. Why wouldn't they get a 3 seed? Because if somebody else is more deserving of a three seed, like a Big Ten team or like an SEC team, then why aren't they in the top 10? So why would somebody that's on the outside of the top 10, leapfrog them and get the three seed, that. That would be my logic. If you say they don't deserve it now, if they don't win the Big east, if they get upset and they get knocked down to where they're like 16th in the nation at the. For the final poll at the end of the regular season before we hit the dance, well, then I think that you would say it would be a long shot. But if they end up being ranked in the top nine, then wouldn't the math then tell you? And. And if you're going to disrespect the Big east, which I get, it's not a strong year. UConn's not a great team. SE whole was God awful. If you want to tell me that it's. It's a down year for the Big east and why are they in the top 10? What. What exactly is the top 10 for then? Rick and Neptune. You're going to close it out here on the Don Show. Hey, R. All right. That was something. All right. We were hearing from Hal Steinbrenner before, but also some former Yankees chimed in about the. The beard policy. Clay Holmes talked about the Yankees changing the policy. Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, something that was always talked about there, obviously, and he always kind of imagined it being changed someday, but that day kind of felt far away. So I think it's somewhat surprising just because of how long the rules been around. But, yeah, I mean, it's a cool thing for the players. It'd be fun to see who grows a beard out. All right. And the manager of the New York Mets, former coach for the Yankees, Carlos Mendoza.
- [22:40]
Don Hahn
I saw it.
- [22:41]
Richard
What do you think?
- [22:42]
Peter Rosenberg
Good for them. Yeah, I mean, it goes to show you that they're willing to make adjustments. So, yeah, they felt that that was probably something that they needed to do, and they did it. That's what it comes down to, right? Something they needed to do, and they did it. They got out in front of it. Good on Hal to get it done. I think most people think this is a really, really good idea. You're gonna get some people that don't, because it's what we call that guy. There's always gonna be somebody that is against anything that's done, but I think this was the right move. And our great long national nightmare is now over. All right, let's turn our attention to the Knicks, Knicks and Cavs. OG Is in the lineup to learn more about that and everything. Knicks, Cavs. Dan Gross is coming up next. I'LL talk to you again on Monday. And I'll also talk to you again coming up tomorrow at 5:00 for the Rangers pregame, all on 880 ESPN. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers. Hey, if you've been thinking about going back to school, here's your shot. National University's year of you scholarship can get you up to $6,000 a year on your bachelor's or master's degree. And don't worry, their flexible online courses fit your schedule so you can stay in the game while you study. Plus, you'll get free tutoring, career counseling and a lot more. Make this your year and apply by February 20eigth@nu.edu. terms and conditions apply. Check out the site for details.