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Alan Hahn
Get yourself ready for a trip through McDonaldland. There's fake shaped volcanoes. You'll even find a french fry patch. Now just turn around and see if you won't find a hamburger patch as you're heading for.
Michael Kay
Order the McDonaldand meal today and get the Mount McDonaldland Shake with your very.
Peter Rosenberg
Own character souvenir kit.
Don La Greca
This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
Michael Kay
That sounds like heaven to me.
Don La Greca
Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.
Peter Rosenberg
Hey, the Rascal Flats Life is a Highway tour is coming to UBS arena on January 29th and Prudential Center January 30th. Of course, that's 2026 to you and me. ESP New York has your chance to score tickets to the venue of your choice on the ESP New York app. Just scroll down to contest. Submit your entry. It's brought to you by Live Nation. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am@ticketmaster.com.
Richard
Listen, I love that we're giving away Rascal Flats tickets. Great band, no question. But, but, but, you know, I hate to lift the curtain, but I've done it before, so I'll do it again.
Peter Rosenberg
Okay?
Richard
I'll just drag you into it. God bless country music. But why is it the only genre? We practically ever give away tickets?
Peter Rosenberg
Why?
Richard
It doesn't match. It doesn't match the feel of the station at all.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, we have to talk. Discuss that with Live Nation and the.
Richard
Account wants to tell them, like, hey, guys, you do a lot of shows? Yeah, maybe we don't just get. We'll take them. Don't know if it makes sense.
Peter Rosenberg
So you, you want to mix in some other. Some other acts into the.
Don La Greca
That sounds like country music. That sounds like country music. Ed Ogeron would go to that concert.
Richard
I think I forgot. That's my Ed Ogeron. That's quite the impression.
Peter Rosenberg
That's a long time ago. Oh. Oh, no. Is it already time?
Richard
My time is done. Damn. Passed. Because once you get to mid August, we call it Kiki time.
Peter Rosenberg
We do?
Alan Hahn
Oh, yeah.
Peter Rosenberg
I don't remember that.
Richard
There's too much heat. You gotta get out to Kiki. And if there's not enough heat, you gotta call to Kiki.
Peter Rosenberg
What if it's just right? Like 70 degrees? Then what? Like if it's just right.
Richard
My pa used to say once it's.
Peter Rosenberg
7, you have door neck. You don't need keisha.
Richard
Doordash. My pa used to say once it was 70 degrees. That means it's squirrel hunting season. And we go out, we hunt a squirrel. I caught me a fat one named Larry. Shot him right in the thorax.
Peter Rosenberg
How'd you know everything was Larry if you shot him?
Richard
I shot him. I named him after I shot him. City slicker. I, I, he Larry. So delicious. I, I ate the bullet. I swallowed the bullet intentionally because it was seasoned delightfully by my mama. So sometimes in the Kiki family, we not only ate the squirrel sandwiches where you take one piece of whole wheat bread, you take the entire squirrel carcass, and then you take another piece of bread. Then on top of the second piece of bread, apply mustard, ketchup, ham, and possibly a pickle skewer. And then a third piece of bread. If you haven't appreciated the crunchy, delightful taste of pickle mixed with squirrel guts, you have not lived, my friend.
Peter Rosenberg
Khee.
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Richard
Some people think nature is like this, but actually it's like this. That's why Columbia engineered everything we make.
Peter Rosenberg
For anything nature can throw at you.
Richard
Columbia engineered for whatever.
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Richard
Let's go to the phone line, shall we? I think after hearing from I Don't even know. After hearing from Freddie Keegan, I think it makes sense to go to Richard.
Peter Rosenberg
No.
Richard
Okay, Richard, what are your thoughts on what Keegan had to say?
Alan Hahn
Oh, no. Peter Alan, Aaron Boone after the game said, you know, he was amused how putting the ball in play won the game for them. Yeah, we've been saying this in the last five years.
Peter Rosenberg
Bellinger's the only one. Bellinger's the only one that does it where he'll situationally hit and change what he's doing, especially when it comes to the count. Bellinger is the one guy that you can count on that will. All of a sudden he won't just always try to swing for the fences or always try to hit with power. He will place the ball and then keep the, you know, just. Just keep the cycle going. He's the one guy that does it. But they can do it. They can run the bases. They can do all these things.
Alan Hahn
They're stealing like crazy. Last 10 games, I think they're averaging two steals. Again, they've got 20 stolen. But what I'd like them to add to the arsenal is the occasional bunt. That's the surest way.
Peter Rosenberg
So bad at it, though.
Alan Hahn
I know, but.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, you got. The problem is, though, have you seen a couple of these bunt attempts? They're.
Alan Hahn
I know, I know. The best way to put the ball in play and to depend and rely on these teams. Just muffin over the weekend.
Peter Rosenberg
They had an opportunity with a runner in scoring position to bunt towards first and he ended up button towards third. And they got the guy like it was like, it just was painfully bad. Painfully bad.
Alan Hahn
No, I agree. You know, Devin Williams, I think you can reinvent this guy now. He's good in the fifth, sixth inning. Why don't we use him for two innings? He's a big strong guy. Instead of a one inning, take him out. Let him feel. Feel good. Let him feel good. Ick with the feeling good. You don't have pressure on him in the fifth, sixth, seventh inning. He can be a bridge to your closest to Weaver and Bednar, you know, or De los Santos. I would like to see this guy as a middle relief, long relief reliever. You know, he's a big guy. Why not let him reinvent himself instead of just saying, no, he can't do it.
Peter Rosenberg
Here's why. Well, it's too late in the season and he's a. He's gonna be a free agent. You can't invest any more in them. Just get what you can out of him and keep it moving.
Alan Hahn
Alan, you don't think that this guy may be worth signing? If he, if he produces a middle.
Peter Rosenberg
Relief man, somebody will give him closer money.
Alan Hahn
And that's the only way to make big money is closer money.
Peter Rosenberg
Closer is going to make more money than a, than a long relief guy. He's, he's going to, he'll sign somewhere smaller market as a closer.
Alan Hahn
Mark my one last, one last thing. If Milwaukee wins it going away, who's the MVP of the American League?
Peter Rosenberg
If. Wait, wait.
Alan Hahn
If who wins Milwaukee wins it going away by 10 games better than the Yankees. 10 games better than Seattle. 10 games better than Boss.
Peter Rosenberg
Any team Milwaukee.
Alan Hahn
Who would be the MVP in the American League? Oh, I'm sorry. In the National League. I'm sorry. In the National League, would it be Ohtani or would it be Schwaber or would it be Alonzo? But if Milwaukee by 10, well, who else would it be in the National League?
Peter Rosenberg
I wouldn't put Alonzo in that conversation.
Alan Hahn
You would you give it a Yellich.
Peter Rosenberg
Wouldn't be.
Alan Hahn
Wouldn't it be Schwarber over a guy in Milwaukee with a 10 game deficit? If Milwaukee is 10 games better than Philly, 10 games better than Mets, 10.
Peter Rosenberg
Games better than the Dolphins, who's having the runaway year?
Alan Hahn
Nobody run away.
Peter Rosenberg
But yeah, just because he's been good. You can't give the MVP to the best player in the best team. It doesn't work that way. It's who's having the best season. Like Cal Raleigh is going to win the MVP in the American League. He's running away with. It's done, it's over. Right. He's, he's locked it up because he stayed healthy and he's going to break the record for home runs by a catcher. So that's why you give it to him no matter what. The, the Mariners might not win that division, but it doesn't matter. He's having a great year. So you give it to having a great year. Shroover's been unbelievable.
Richard
So my opinion, 47 home home runs for Ali.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. No, no. He's going to have the record for a catcher and he like. And they're not like they're, they're good. Not great team, but he's been special this year. Yeah. The Milwaukee thing had me confused.
Richard
I hope we get to hear again when I just tried to say something to Richard and he went no.
Peter Rosenberg
Right. When you were trying to ask him about Freddy Kitchens and he had no clue.
Richard
I always try to ask him about the Previous thing to see if he'll ever. And he. It just. He can't. I mean, unless it's. We would have to do a topic specifically in his wheelhouse for him to ever make reference to it. Otherwise, it's dead. It's only. What, Richard.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, I don't think he's listening currently. I think he waits for his name and then he just jumps on.
Alan Hahn
Take it off. Take it all off.
Richard
That. When I got back and heard that, Alan, that was my favorite thing that I heard.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah. Imagine if you do. Imagine if Richard did a snowball of creatine.
Alan Hahn
Oh, yeah.
Richard
Imagine Richard showing up to Sue's rendezvous in the Bronx, getting, Getting. Getting a lap dance from one of the lovely ladies. And when he gets her alone for the lap dance, saying to her, take it off.
Alan Hahn
Take it all off.
Peter Rosenberg
All, all off.
Richard
It's the greatest. It's one of my favorite drops of all time.
Peter Rosenberg
You remember what he was talking about there, right?
Richard
I wasn't here.
Peter Rosenberg
Oh, he was describing two beautiful women died. Yeah, there was. On a day, there was the death of two women.
Richard
We have a drop about that too, don't we?
Peter Rosenberg
And he describes like these two women that you've never heard of, but in back in their time, they were gorgeous.
Alan Hahn
Beautiful women died. I'll give you quickly.
Richard
It's such an insane drop also.
Peter Rosenberg
Right, right. By the way, that's. That. That's. That's Sergeant Richard Manhattan and he's describing a murder scene. And this is him talking to the media.
Alan Hahn
Yeah, two beautiful women died. I'll give you them quickly.
Richard
But why did he get to take it all?
Peter Rosenberg
That was the summer of Sam. Like he was.
Richard
Yeah, the summer of Richard.
Alan Hahn
Why?
Richard
Why?
Peter Rosenberg
One of the actresses most famous lines. Yes, right. That was.
Richard
Oh, he was repeating her line. Yeah, yeah, take it off, take it off, take it off.
Don La Greca
Those came from the same call.
Peter Rosenberg
That might be the best call we've ever. It was. Yeah, that was. That was in Richard's heyday. That was. That was definitely the peak of Richard.
Richard
Well, we all love Richard's peak.
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Don La Greca
Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.
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I didn't listen to anything you just said.
Don La Greca
Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
Richard
1-800-919-3776. We'll talk to you on the way out here.
Peter Rosenberg
Come on now. You gotta. You gotta let Sting go here.
Richard
Sorry.
Peter Rosenberg
King of Pain. It's like being a New York sports fan. Speaking of which, game time, by the way, is brought to you by Tullamore du Irish Whiskey. Because, Peter, when it's game time.
Alan Hahn
Yeah, it's.
Richard
Time. It's tolly time.
Peter Rosenberg
I always like it when Michael J. Fox just chimes in at the end. No locals in action tonight, but ESPN has Monday Night Football preseason, the Bengalis and the Commies, and that's at 8.
Richard
That's right.
Peter Rosenberg
Telemardu, the original triple still triple blended triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemardu or try the new Telemurdu. Honey. During today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Listen to Aaron Boone after the Yankees get a weekend sweep in St. Louis. The booster and he's talking a little momentum.
Aaron Boone
Look, it's definitely come to shake hands every day. You know, that's what we're working so hard to do. So got a long way to go in this and, you know, it's always, always really good, obviously getting a sweep and heading into an off day. But they're just, we got to keep going and we're not a finished product yet. And you know, we, we know we're capable of a lot, but we got a ways to go.
Peter Rosenberg
But was it. Doesn't he sound like somebody that when he's asked about, hey, you got a sweep, you're on a roll, you feeling momentum. And he's like, no, I'm not. No, no. Right. There was not a great amount of enthusiasm.
Richard
No.
Peter Rosenberg
In his voice there. He knows that we are. We're playing bad teams and we're beating them like we're supposed to. But we're not going to get too crazy about this. Yeah. And that's why the remaining part of the schedule. Peter, there's so much fool's gold on this schedule right now. It is. I'm afraid it's going to be so deceiving to some fans. And I think you've got to see what this team is. You got to believe what you're. They're going to beat bad teams because bad teams late in the Season, they ain't playing for anything. They're shipping the cars. They're going home. They can take advantage of it, and they could. Could they win the division? There's still an outside chance. It's five games. You can make up five games. But it's. It's just really hard for me to get back into this after they lost me in June. They lost me in June.
Richard
They don't deserve you, is what you're saying.
Peter Rosenberg
Well, it's deserve versus earned. Like I said, it doesn't look right. And when it doesn't look right, you know what. What looks right? What looks like a winning team, and they just don't have that look.
Richard
Speaking of looks right, Michael wants to get into our physique conversation from earlier. Michael, what's up?
Michael Kay
Hi, Peter Allen. How are you?
Peter Rosenberg
What's up, Mike?
Michael Kay
All right, guys, so listen here. Here's the deal. We can't have Big Gene Outfield at all. And the truth is, you're talking about the physique. That's a problem. But it's a bigger problem than that. It's a philosophical problem. It's a problem that we've had for so long. There's a quote about athletes. You want to be faster than the lifters and you want to be stronger than the runners. I'm not saying we need a team full of athletes, which you need them, but we can't have a team full of beefcakes either.
Alan Hahn
All right?
Michael Kay
And the problem is I got this competitor bat from 2019 when we won the. We had all the most home runs by a team in a season. That bat stays in the closet because that same season we got knocked out of the playoffs in the first or.
Peter Rosenberg
Second half because you couldn't have.
Michael Kay
You cannot build a team this way.
Peter Rosenberg
Right.
Alan Hahn
It's just impossible.
Peter Rosenberg
But they're not that team. You remember, they had, like, a lot of the. Those, you know, the. Like Luke Voights and all those guys, right? Like, they. They did that, and it was too. That wasn't the way to go. They got more athletic this year, and they did it even at the deadline, too. Caballeros made them faster, more athletic. Like they. They have become a better balanced team that way. I still think the approach sucks.
Michael Kay
I agree with you. We have gotten more athletic. And what Richard said about Belly. Belly can put the ball where he wants it. That's because he was not raised in this organization.
Peter Rosenberg
That's correct.
Michael Kay
You look at a guy like Volpe, he should be our guy that's getting on base. I Want a guy like Stephen Kwan.
Alan Hahn
Those guys still exist?
Peter Rosenberg
Yes. Yeah. Because you know why they're annoying? Because they put pressure on you and they put pressure on a pitcher. They just. What have you noticed about the base stealing lately? You're catching pitchers off guard and they can only throw twice.
Alan Hahn
Once.
Peter Rosenberg
They throw twice that. Third time. You know, you can go. Most catchers can't throw anybody out. You know why catchers can't throw anybody out of second base? Because they're in a new position. They're on one knee. They can't bounce up and throw the ball like. Like so running. So stealing bases should be part of the plan. And getting on base and having quick guys that can still. Bases should be part of the plan, but it's not.
Michael Kay
I think. I think that is the Yankee fans biggest issue.
Peter Rosenberg
Yep.
Michael Kay
Sure, we can make it to the playoffs. Sure, we might win the division. It doesn't matter. Because you cannot win a World Series with bats alone that are just hitting home runs.
Peter Rosenberg
That's correct.
Michael Kay
You're going to face pitching that is going to be better than yours. Anyway, I just wanted to say Han Solo got me through a lot of long days. I really appreciate it. Just want to say thank you. I'll let you guys finish.
Peter Rosenberg
Thanks, Michael.
Richard
That's nice to.
Peter Rosenberg
You got me through a lot of long days, too. It's true.
Richard
And created some long days for you also.
Peter Rosenberg
Yeah.
Richard
All right. Yeah, We've seen this every year with the Yankees. The expectation that, like, don't worry, we'll just mash. We'll just mash.
Peter Rosenberg
You know what it is, though? It can be entertaining during a season when you're winning 93 to 95 games, then you get to October and then you realize every game's a grind and you're not going to match because pitchers know where to pitch you and the better pitchers, because you're in the playoffs, you're going to see better pitching staffs. They know and they can put it where you don't want it. And you have to adjust. It's. That's been the problem. But I know. And this is Don's thing, but they're in the black every year. They don't have a. They have a winning record every year. All that stuff is supposed to be the new. That's the new success at the Yankee standard. And I have fought down on this tooth and nail saying, no, I am not accepting that as the new standard. I do. I think when you have a $300 million payroll and you're the New York Yankees you should every year be playing for a championship, and that means ALCS or World Series. You should be in something like that because you're spending way more than everybody else and you're the freaking Yankees. And when there's a cap coming and which we all, we all think it is, then you really got to be beyond the money. You now have to be smart. You have to develop well. And none of that seems to be apparent with this franchise right now. So I hate it. But it's a reality that I'm in. By the way, Peter, I have a question for you. I have some homework for you as well.
Richard
All right.
Peter Rosenberg
Because I think this is a good question for you and for you and I. This week when I was away, one of the, one of the drinking conversations we had around a bonfire was, what's the song of the summer? Every summer there's a song of the summer. And we actually all called our kids, each one of us. I called them all and asked them, and they didn't have an answer. None of the kids have a song. They can't come up with it. I don't know what the song of the summer is. So do you know of one? Or do you think this is a summer that lacks a song of the summer?
Richard
Most people believe there's no song of the summer this summer.
Peter Rosenberg
Who's, who is the hot artist of the summer? Is it Tate McCray? Like, who was it that really, that blew up this summer? And if there is, you know, like, Taylor obviously dominated, you know, two years ago. But it's just an interesting question. I figured let's leave the listeners with that.
Richard
But we're also so disjointed in music now. It's like there's so many.
Peter Rosenberg
But pop always gives you one.
Richard
You think so let's talk about maybe tomorrow. We'll figure it out. We will do it again at 3pm right here on 8 80, ESPN New York.
Don La Greca
Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.
Peter Rosenberg
I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good.
Don La Greca
Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 880 ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.
Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca
Summary prepared for: Anyone looking for a lively (and tangential) New York sports talk with a side of music and culture
The “Last Call Crew” edition of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg is the quintessential late-hour hang, blending New York sports, offbeat humor, and cultural riffs. This episode swings from ticket giveaways and playful radio banter to deeper hand-wringing over the Yankees’ offensive philosophy and the perennial “song of the summer” debate. The trio, with regulars like Michael Kay and Richard chiming in, is in peak form—honest, irreverent, and unfiltered.
00:43–02:03
Ticket Giveaway Rant:
The episode opens with promo banter for Rascal Flatts concert tickets. Richard playfully questions why the station mostly gives away country music tickets:
Light Mockery:
The crew jokes about country music’s mismatch with the station’s vibe, with Don adopting a “country” drawl and an Ed Ogeron impression.
02:19–04:04
06:06–09:58
Putting the Ball in Play (Not Just Homers):
The group discusses Aaron Boone’s amusement at “putting the ball in play” actually winning the Yankees a game. They bemoan the team’s reliance on the long ball and wish they'd bunt more—though Alan and Peter agree the team is “so bad at it.”
Reliever Roles & Reinvention:
Alan lobbies for reinventing Devin Williams as a versatile two-inning reliever, while Peter argues it’s too late with impending free agency.
MVP Debates:
The hosts debate potential NL & AL MVPs if Milwaukee dominates:
10:22–12:46
Meta-Radio Humor:
In a self-referential stretch, the guys riff about Richard’s inability to keep up with prior segments unless prompted (“I think he waits for his name and then he just jumps on.” –Peter, 10:55).
Classic Drops/Memorable Moments:
The group replays and jokes about favorite radio soundbites:
15:00–19:15
What’s Wrong with the Yankees’ Roster Build? Michael Kay calls in to rail against the Yankees’ “Big Gene Outfield” (all-muscle, no athleticism) philosophy:
Balance and Change:
The hosts note the team has gotten more athletic, with better balance via additions like Caballero. But issues persist:
Base-Stealing Game:
The panel lauds aggressive base-running as a new weapon, noting rule changes have made it even easier.
19:08–20:40
20:40–21:51
Seasonal Soundtrack Oddity:
Alan poses a “homework question”: What is the song of summer 2025? Neither kids nor hosts have an answer—leading to an existential music talk:
Disjointed Music Landscape:
They theorize music’s fragmentation has ended the monoculture of “the song of summer.”
Richard, on Country Only Ticket Giveaways:
“It doesn’t match the feel of the station at all.” (01:31)
Richard, on Family Traditions:
“I caught me a fat one named Larry. Shot him right in the thorax.” (02:51)
Alan, on Reinventing Devin Williams:
“Why not let him reinvent himself instead of just saying, no, he can’t do it.” (07:34)
Peter, on Yankees’ October Reality:
“Then you get to October and you realize every game’s a grind…and you’re not going to mash because pitchers know where to pitch you…” (19:15)
Michael Kay, on Roster Philosophy:
“We can’t have a team full of beefcakes.” (16:59)
Peter Rosenberg, on New Standards:
“I do. I think when you have a $300 million payroll and you’re the New York Yankees you should every year be playing for a championship…” (20:22)
Expect a uniquely New York blend of sports frustration, irrepressible humor, and sidewinding cultural commentary—from why the Yankees’ approach drives die-hards nuts, to why nobody knows this summer’s signature jam. If you want opinionated, engaged, self-aware sports content with a radio crew that feels more bar room than news desk, this episode is a classic.