MLB Free Agency Moves, Mattingly’s Future, Knicks Offense Rising? – The Michael Kay Show – 11/6/25

MLB Free Agency Moves, Mattingly’s Future, Knicks Offense Rising? – The Michael Kay Show – 11/6/25

Michael K is on the radio today and he ain’t afraid to say what he’s thinking. It’s the Michael K show on 880 ESPN radio [Music] and a good afternoon everybody. This is indeed the Michael K show. We thank you for joining us on a beautiful Thursday. It’s November 6, 2025 here in New York City. It’s me and you for two, the fastest two hours in sports talk radio. We’re glad that you could be a part of it. We got a great great guest list today. Dan Orloski will join us. Chris Sims will join us and Alex Rodriguez will join us as well. So today is a day that free agency begins in Major League Baseball where you could actually sign people. I don’t think it’s going to happen this quickly, but it’s out there. If you do have an agreement in place, you can announce it now. Couple of baseball things that we’ll start with. Number one is that Don Mattingley is leaving the uh the Toronto Blue Jays. And now, I had heard whispers during the season that this could be it for him. You know, Donnie has a 10-year-old son in his second marriage. He’s 64. uh wants to spend more time with his kid and I had heard that he might hang it up. So when I saw the retirement announcement, um I said, “Well, you know what? What I heard might be true.” But then John Haymon of the New York Post reporting that this is not a retirement, that he is open to other possibilities. There are still two managerial jobs that are open. I’m not sure that they would go the Mattingly route, but there were people that were close to Mattingley um that came to me and said, “Is there any way that the Yankees would be interested?” Because that’s that’s Donny’s first love. And I said, “Don’t ask me. I have no insight on that at all.” At all. I have no idea if the Yankees would be interested. But in a perfect world, which this certainly is not, we find that out every day, Don Mattingley finishing with the Yankees would be the right ending to the story. But the Yankees have a bench coach, they have hitting coaches, they have they have assistant hitting coaches. I’m not sure where Mattingly would fit. Maybe it would be a role like Andy Pettit, who’s not quite a coach, but he’s around the team a lot and he does help in coaching the pitchers. Again, I don’t know. I’m just throwing it out there, but people close to Mattingly uh came up to me and other people um and said, “Is there any way that the Yankees would be interested in him?” It wasn’t Mattingly. Swear to you, it wasn’t Maddingley, but um you know, people that know him well that think that that would be a perfect landing spot for him. And I I said, “Don’t don’t ask me. I I’m not part of the hiring process with the New York Yankees for sure.” So, um we’ll see where it ends up. Again, there are two managerial jobs remaining open. Uh I’m not sure Donnie will get that. When you look at what the business has become, you’re getting a lot of people, a lot of people that are getting jobs that are really young. Really young. Now, Walt Weiss, 61 years old, he got the Braves job, but he had been Brian Snickers’s right-hand man for about eight years. So, maybe he was next in line. Again, not quite sure how it’s going to go. If Mattingley would have an opportunity, why would he give up a a good situation in Toronto where Schneider, John Schneider, rever Don Mattingley, reveres him. He grew up with the Mattingly Hitman poster where he’s in the white pinstripe suit with the uh the Tommy gun. He had that on his wall in his bedroom and now he could turn toward Don Mattingley, you know, during a game and ask him his opinion on what he should do. So Donnie left that situation. That was a good situation for him. And again, I thought that might have been for retirement purposes, but John Haymon reporting that it is not retirement. He is up for other um opportunities. Now, one of the big stories yesterday is that the Mets watched as Jeremy Hefner, who they let go as the pitching coach, they uh watched him sign to be the pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves. Now, I guess if you’re the Mets and you don’t want the guy back, there’s not much you could do about that. You know, he’s going to he needs a job. The fact that he takes a job within the division where now you could have some of the state secrets become public. That’s a little bit concerning. But the thing that jumped out at me and I wonder if it did to you as well. Anton Richardson, by the way, great trivia answer or question. You’re at a cocktail party during Christmas and somebody says, “You got a good trivia question?” Yeah, I do. Who was the guy who scored against the Orioles when Don when um Derek Jeter got his last hit at Yankee Stadium? And the answer is Anton Richardson. Nobody will know it. You’ll be the hit of the party. The women will come over. They’ll flock to you. They’ll think this is the guy I want to be with and spend the holidays with. He knew it was Anton Richardson. So, mark that down for your big holiday party trivia question. Anyway, Anton Richardson was the first base coach for the Mets. He was also um the base running coach and under the toutelage of Anton Richardson, he added another tool to the toolbox of Juan Sto. He turned Juan Sto into a base stealing machine. And if you look at the Mets and their success rate in stealing bases, this guy knew what he was doing. But here’s where I’m confused. Wonder if you are as well. He wanted they wanted him back and he wanted to come back and he left because they didn’t value him the same way as he valued himself. What is David Sterns doing? You wanted the guy back and you lost him because you wouldn’t pay him what the Braves paid him. Now, the story that’s come out now is that they had a disagreement of value. He investigated other jobs. Braves offered him this job. He went back to the Mets. Now, they have already hired some coaches and they wanted him back. They couldn’t give him the pension because you could only give a certain amount of coaches the pension rights and they had already given that away. The Braves were giving him the pension rights. But why would you allow a guy that you wanted back who obviously impacted your team in a positive way for money? My my advice to David Sterns would be this. Your owner is Steve Cohen. He has $20 billion in the bank. what you pay a coach does not fall under any salary cap or anything like that or salary tax. Why would you ever lose a coach because of a difference in money? Now, you could say, well, if they pay him that, well, they’d have to give their coaches a really, we’re worried about tens of thousands of dollars. Steve Cohen probably has tens of thousands of dollars in the ashtray of his car. David Sterns has to realize he’s not in Milwaukee anymore. You don’t lose a coach because of money. It’s not a good look. It’s not a good look. So, that’s very, very confusing to me why that would have ever ever happened. Now, the Mets have bigger fish to fry and one of them is going to be Pete Alonzo. What do you do with Pete Alonzo? So, Pete Alonzo opted out of the second year of his contract, which we knew that he would. He had a really good year for the Mets, but he wants a six or sevenyear deal. He’s going to turn 31 soon. And as much as I like Pete Lonzo, and I know Met fans love him, if Scott Boris comes in and said, “I want a six or seven.” 67. 67. My kids will love that I brought that up. And I’m doing the hand gesture, too. 67 67. if he wants a six or sevenyear deal. Bye. Bye. Because at some point, Juan Sodto is gonna have to be your DH. And if you’re going to bring in Pete Alonzo, what does he have? One, two years left at first base, then you’re going to have to make him the DH for the last five years. No, let somebody else give it to him. Thank you very much for your service. We love you. We love the fact that you broke the home run record here. I’m not going that route. I’m not. Now, if you can come to a three or four year deal where he gets 30 30 a year, 35, then I do it. But if he’s insisting on 67 67 67, if he’s insisting on that, then you got to cut bait right away. You can’t let that stall your off season. And the Yankees have a decision coming up, too. Are they going to give Trent Gisham the qualifying offer, which is $22 million? And I told you yesterday, under no circumstances would I ever do that. None. I And I’ve heard I’ve heard the old adage, oh, there’s no such thing as a a bad one-year contract. Yes, there is. Paying a guy who has had a drastic drop off in the internal um analytics when it comes to defense, paying him $22 million is crazy. Crazy. I know he had 34 home runs. I understand that. The best year of his life. Was that the outlier? Or are you going to get into a situation the way you got into uh with Aaron Hicks? Well, you still have to pay for another year. And you can say, “Well, if you sign a one-year deal, you’re not going to Yeah. If you could go to um Trent Gisham and go, we’ll give you three years at 30 million.” And he says, “Yes, okay, sign me up. But one year at 22, no, no, no. I’d rather spend that money elsewhere. One other problem, if you sign Trent Gisham to the one-year deal and you offer because I think he would grab the qualifying offer and I don’t think the the the the the milk is worth the squeeze or the juice is worth the squeeze. It’s just not because the the the if if he turns down the qualifying offer, right, then they get a draft pick in the fourth round. Please stop. you’re going to you’re going to risk giving $22 million to a limited player for a fourth round draft pick. I’m out. But if you if you offer him that, I think he’s going to take it. So then he’s locked in. And then you try to sign Bellinger or Tucker, whichever one the case may be. Well, then your outfield is pretty crowded, isn’t it? Then Jason Dominguez has to go down to the minor leagues because why would you have a switchhitting 23-year-old next year be a bench player? Because you saw you know any bats he had in the postseason this year? one when he pinch hit for Vulpi in the last game against the uh the Blue Jays. He got a double one. He would be a non-person. You would be slowing down whatever growth that he has. He’d either have to be traded or be sent to the minor leagues. And Spencer Jones would be out as well. That’s why that $22 million offer I I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t do it. So, we start off with those baseball things that are in the air right now and now we go to the Knicks. You could see what Mike Brown’s trying to do and you can see it’s starting to work a little bit. They’re getting a lot of uh production out of their bench. They beat a really good Minnesota Timberwolves team. They have dominated their home court unlike, you know, their neighbors, the Rangers. And again, it’s going to take it’s going to take a while. That’s why I wasn’t jumping on Mike Brown, what he’s trying to do at the start. because this is going to take a while to institute this. He’s going to use the bench more. And by the way, nobody wants to hear this. The bench he has is so far superior to the bench that Tom Tibido had. Far superior. Better players. Better players. Tom Tibido didn’t have Clarkson. He had the Averelli. He didn’t. So, it’s a different bench. And Mike Brown is utilizing it. And this team’s a lot better when Josh Hart plays the way he did yesterday. And then you’ve got Mitchell Robinson on one of the days where he’s not load managing for his left ankle pulling down nine offensive rebounds in about 15 minutes. The the pieces are there for the Knicks. I think we saw that yesterday. They can be a championship level team and they’re going to shoot a lot of threes. They’ve done the math on that. We talk about analytics. They’ve done the math. They’re going to take more threes than almost any team. I think they’re third right now. And there was one game that threw everything out of whack in terms of the production. Um because there was one game that they were awful, awful shooting threes. It was against Miami and it brought all the numbers down. But if you take that out, they’re getting a lot more production from three-point and you know that’s that’s the specialty of CAT and OG Anobi is a good three-point shooter. Um Muel Bridges is a good three-point shooter. So again, a work in progress. I think the Knicks are going to be a good team this year. Let’s see how good they can be. And how about this? Congratulations to the Brooklyn Nets. They got a win. They found a team that’s worse than them, the Indiana Pacers. So, they get their first win of the year, and I’m excited about I hope you are as well. All right. Now, I want you to get excited. 1800 919-3776. Now, you know how to consume this show. I don’t have to uh illuminate you on this. Here’s how you consume it. ESPN New York app. Wherever you are, wherever you are, you could be in Beijing and you hit the ESPN New York app. You’re listening to the show right now. And while you’re on the app, all you have to do is click on the tile, the YouTube tile, subscribe, free, quick, whatever, right? And boom. I mean, boom, you have yourself the visual of this fine show. I’m wearing a great great sweater today, too. I think you want to look at it. And I’ve gotten rid of the beard for those that are wondering. And Bart Scott was just berating me. You know how great it looked. Chris Carlin said, “You know how great it looked.” My wife said, “You know how great it looked.” And I said, “I didn’t like the man in the mirror.” I was asking him to change his ways. No message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make that change. And I did. I shaved. And I think I look at least my age with the beard. I looked about 75. And that’s pathetic because I don’t feel 75. I don’t think 75. My birth certificate doesn’t say I’m 75. And I think that beard said 75. And I didn’t want anymore. Despite the fact that my wife liked how it looked, despite the fact that Barton Carlin liked how it looked, I thought it was time for change of the man in the mirror. 1800 919 3776. Go to Manny in Flushing. Manny, let’s start it off. Good afternoon, Mike. How you doing, sir? I’m great. How are you, Manny? Good. Before I would start smoking about the Knicks, I want to give my condolences to that um that c that that that cowboy player that who just dives recently. I just want to give my condolences to him and his family. Um it’s very tragic when I when I read about this, but um nonetheless, um great win for the Knicks. Um I like the ball movement. I mean, the B has a little bit improvement, but I like the fact that Mitchell Robinson because once he plays with him and Cat with the pivot, uh, nothing stoppable. I want to ask you this, Mike. I mean, I know that, you know, now baseball seasons is over with. Um, well, I’ll go do the baseball part later, but what are your impressions of this NBA this new this new version of the NBA on NBC, especially with the graphics? Well, I like it. I think their production is great. Obviously, they have a top flight announcer and Mike Taro. Their pictures look great. Um, I’m not a fan of uh the pre and postgame show being on the on the court. I think that that should change. I think the graphics are good. I love hearing Round Ball Rock. Uh, I’m I’m partial though. I think that Amazon’s done a great job. I think a uh NBC’s done a great job, but I’m partial to Mike Breen. This he’s one of my best buddies in the world. He’s a Hall of Famer, so I lean toward ESPN’s production. Also, I’m a company guy. 1-800 919-3776. That’s the number. Let’s go to Henry in South Carolina. Henry, Michael, it’s not like me to uh to kiss butt, but one of the reasons why I would get that uh trivia question right about Antoine Richardson is because of your call of that uh of that particular play. So, I’m just I’m just saying it might not be it might not be as difficult for some of us who spend way too much time on YouTube looking at old Well, you know what? Then you guys are going to be the guy, Henry. You’re going to be the guy who’s going to excel at the Christmas party. They’re all going to they’re going to be around you and you’re going to be telling these great little bone mos. I I do I do love a trivia. I do love Christmas parties and my useless facts light up a room. There you go. There you can tell. Yes. Yes, absolutely. Uh, Michael, real quick, I just to jump off of your free agency talk. I love Trent Gisham, but it does feel like it could be a 2017 18 Aaron Hicks situation. Just the words right out of my mouth. It would it I would worry about thinking that the 34 home runs is a fluke because it felt like that the whole season long. He became I feel like they relied on him way more than they ever intended. And I would hope that Bellinger feels like way more of a dynamic player even versus Kyle Tucker. Yankees Twitter and Yankees internet really want Tucker and they really want to make a run for Scooble. But I just think that moving forward, Bellinger feels like a Yankee to me. I don’t know about you. Well, I think he feels like he’s a Yankee, too. But when you have Scott Boris as your agent, Henry, you’re going to take the highest offer. So, I’m sure that Scott Boris is going to try to get him a 5-year deal. I’m not sure the Yankees would go to five years for Bellinger. We’ll have to see. It’s gonna have to be a price point that they both agree on. I would be concerned about that, too. Also, I don’t know if you’re as tuned in on Yankee content as uh as I might be. Again, useless facts, but I recently saw the newest Aaron Boone interview uh with John Boy and Jake, right? And um to make a long story short, he he basically the quote was that he feels that the Yankees might be one of the least analytical teams, which indicates to me that a lot of the decisions are coming, you know, from the heart and not from the front office game day, you know, dayto day. And I’m wondering how you could react to that. If you think that’s might might not be true. Is it contrary? I don’t know what to believe anymore. Well, um, to put me in a um an awkward spot, Henry, um, with all due respect to Aaron Boone, if they’re one of the least analytical teams in all of baseball, why do they have all those analysts hired? Why? Why do they have such a big analytic group? Why? I I don’t believe that. If they’re one of the least analytic teams, I I I I’d like to see the most analytic team. And I’m not saying they’re the most analytic team, but they are heavily analytic. for him to say that the least analytic show me how I I I since we’re talking about analytics, I need numbers. I need I don’t need the anecdotal evidence. I need real evidence. What What are all those people around? Why are they bringing down uh and comparing lineups that are put together by all the numbers and stuff like that? Why do you know about lanes and stuff like that? Again, I love I love Aaron Boone and and I love and you guys know how I love baseball, but baseball seems to be fighting the fact that they are heavily analytic. That’s all there is to it. We have Buster Only on uh and he was talking about um the young guy um that was hired. What which team uh hired the really really young guy, the 33y old? Um, no. The Giants hired Vetello, so he’s a college guy, but um, uh, it’s driving me nuts. Anyway, when you are a 33 year old, he he has no experience to be making by the gut decisions. None. It’s It’s all collaborative. That’s what it is. It’s collaborative. Why can’t I remember this? The Nationals. That’s it. Um, uh, the the Nationals. Well, you’re not hiring a 33y old guy unless it’s a heavily analytic team. And I think basically there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Why are we fighting the fact that it’s collaborative? I’m not saying that Aaron Boon doesn’t make some decisions by his gut. I’m not saying that Dave Roberts doesn’t make some decisions by his gut. We saw him do that in the World Series. But all of their decisions are influenced by the numbers that come down from up top. I’m not saying that there’s a big Wizard of Oz behind the curtain that tells them what to do, but to say we’re the least one of the least analytic teams in all of baseball. I would love Aaron Boon to come on here and give me real evidence that you’re one of the least analytic teams in baseball. When you bring in guys because of lanes, how do those lanes get established? Because of numbers. Because this is how he matches up against this player. That’s analytics. There’s nothing to be ashamed about to say that you’re analytically driven. I I don’t get it. Hey, maybe I’m completely in the dark, but all I know is there are a lot of analytic people around the Yankees. A lot. Why are they there? Why are they there? Why are they um with iPads videotaping or taping every swing during batting practice? Because they’re analyzing swings. Again, nothing wrong with that. That’s analytics. I need proof to tell me that you’re one of the least analytic teams in all of baseball. I I’m I’m stunned by that. I did not see Aaron’s interview other than the fact that they they said that he looked like one of the Blue Jays that he looked like was it Addison Barger or was it uh Clement? Yeah, Ernie Clement. That’s the part that I saw. I did not see the whole interview. So now I’m going to have to I’m going to have to listen to hear exactly how he says that they’re the one of the least analytic teams in all of baseball. Troy in New Jersey. Troy, hey, how’s it going, Mr. K? I’m good, too. I’m not sure. Cool. Um, I’m not sure who said the Yankees aren’t analytic. That’s preposterous. Like, they sat Jazz and um Oh, jeez. Who was it in the playoffs the first game for Boston? Jazz and um and Rice. Yeah, exactly. Not that’s that was 100% because of analytics. But anyways, I just wanted to ask um how high do you think they’re putting Bellinger? like how high do you think their want is to resign him? And do they have to wait until basically the start of the next season for um any Boris clients to be signed? I feel like that just puts such a hold up on what they want to do. uh being a Boris client is a little bit of an impediment, Troy, because he does want to milk the market and, you know, he probably wants to see Kyle Tucker come off the board first to set the outfield um template and then once Kyle Tucker’s off, then Cody Bellinger is probably the next uh most important and more valuable outfielder. So, listen, if I was dealing with it and I really want Bellinger, I would go to Scott and go, “Here’s the offer. we can’t wait and you got to tell us whether whether he’s interested or not and then we’ll move on and Scott would say then move on. It’s really difficult when you’re dealing with a Boris client. Really is. Now I give Scott credit because last year he did not wait that long with with Sodto. Sodto signed right at the beginning of the winter meetings and that opened up the floodgates for all the other talent to get their deals because the template was set. But um yeah, that that’s the complicated part of the Bellinger situation. It’s a Boris client and he’s going to want to get the market established by Tucker. Now, if the Yankees then establish the market by signing Tucker, then Bellinger is not going to be an option. They’re not going to sign both. And I’m not sure. I think the Yankees really want Bellinger. I think he’s high on their list of desire. But would that mean that they’re out on Tucker? No, I don’t think they’re out on Tucker. Bellinger’s a better outfielder. Tucker’s gonna have to play left field because I wouldn’t be moving Judge around. Um Tucker overall a better hitter and I think he would hit a lot more home runs at Yankee Stadium and Bellinger hits a lot more home runs at Yankee Stadium. If you look at the amount of home runs he hit at Yankee Stadium and the ones on the road, it it does it shows that he plays into Yankee Stadium. Now I think Tucker would as well. 1 800 9193776. Um let’s see. Ry just texted me the Boone quote. He said, “I think if you look at the American League East, the way I run a game, I’m not even saying it’s good or bad, but we’re probably the least analytical in-game team there is, and I’m positive of that. Let’s see. I think the Blue J I think um I believe that the Rays are heavily analytical. Um, I believe that the Red Sox have an analytic bent, but I think that Alex Kora manages the way he wants. I think that John Snder, there’s an analytic bent there. He manages the way he wants. The the Orioles are definitely an analytic team. Now, I can’t say who does it more or who does it less, but you can’t tell me that some of the decisions you make or most of the decisions you make are not influenced, are not influenced by numbers that are handed down from up high. Why? Why did Why the caller brought up a Why’ you sit down Jazz Chisum game one against the Red Sox against Crochet? Why? How about Rice? He almost lost Chisum because he was pouting. Why? Again, I’m not going to call the guy a liar. That’s what he feels. He feels that he’s, you know, he’s a wheeler and a dealer and that he does things from the gut. Okay. I I don’t know. I don’t know what that’s that’s the most frustrating. Don used to always say that. That’s the most frustrating thing about baseball right now. We don’t know who’s calling the shots and they’re all trying to obiscate. Those that have the the front office calling the shots, they don’t want it known. and the the managers don’t want to know because it makes them look like puppets. So, we don’t know. I can’t sit here and call them a liar, but I think they’re a heavily analytic team. Heavily analytic. Why do you think they love Joey Gallow so much? They loved all those strikeouts. No, because he fit into everything that they love. That was an analytic acquisition. Come on. Come on. I will come back. Dan Arloski will join us. We have Chris Sims at two. We have Alex Rodriguez at 2:30. It’s the K show. We are rolling till 3 at that time. Don Han and Rosenberg right here on ESPN New York. [Music] The H stock car racers are loaded with lights, sounds, and a powerful racing motor. Only at Toyt. Free shipping and batteries included. At Uline, the prevailing opinion is if you don’t live it, you don’t believe it. The people at Uline believe in hard work and they live it by being there 24/7 to answer your call. Having 41,000 items in stock and offering same day shipping from 12 locations across North America. Business owners, sellers, buyers, shippers, and packers believe it. Uline is the hardworking, dependable source for your shipping and industrial supplies. Visit uline.com. Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along. Which is why you should try Zip Recruiter for free at ziprecruiter.com/espn. Ziprecruiter doesn’t depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. Its powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of hay, Zip Recruiter finds you what you’re looking for. The needle in the haystack. See why four out of five employers who post a job on Zip Recruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Zip Recruiter, the smartest way to hire. And right now you can try Zip Recruiter for free. That’s right, free at ziprecruiter.com/espn. That’s ziprecruiter.com/espn. ziprecruiter.com/espbn The Association on Aging in New York is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act, which funds vital programs for millions of older adults. Services include meals, transportation, home care, Medicare counseling, case management, and caregiver support. Today, people are uncertain whether some programs remain available. We can help. To learn more about these essential programs and how to keep them, visit our website at agingny.org. org. Sponsored by the Association on Aging in New York. Listen up New York. It’s football season and you should be out there enjoying every play, every tailgate, every moment. But if you’re dealing with neck pain, back pain, joint pain, or sciatica, even getting off the couch can feel like a challenge. That’s where Dr. J. Shaw Samuel Pain comes in. He’s one of New Jerseys top pain specialist. Ivy League trained, double board certified, and dedicated to getting you back in the game. Here’s the difference. No surgery, no scars, no long recovery, no pain medication, just precise non-surgical imageguided procedures that get real results. Dr. Shaw treats everything from neck pain, back pain, migraines, nerve pain, and chronic joint pain. And he builds a custom game plan that’s right for you. Same day or next day appointments are available with offices in Woodbridge, Livingston, and Englewood. And yes, most major insuranceances are accepted. So don’t let pain keep you on the sidelines this season. Go to samwellpane.com to call, text, or book online. Relief is closer than you think, and it starts today. Hey bro, weirdest thing is happening at the game. This guy sitting next to me says, “You’re our good luck charm. Every time I crack a Bud Light, we score a touchdown. Now his entire family wants to buy me Bud Lights.” I think I’m some kind of a football prophet. Talk soon. The team needs me. Anything for Bud Light, the official beer sponsor of the NFL. Stock up today. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2025. Annheiser Bush, Bud Light Beer, St. Louis, Missouri. Veterans Day is a time for all of us to reflect on the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who’ve served our nation. It’s a reminder of the values that unite us. Honor, service, and commitment. Navy Federal Credit Union celebrates veterans of all branches today and every day. Their legacy is built on commitment and understanding. Proudly serving the military community for over 90 years. They serve more than 2 million veterans and many of their employees are veterans, military family members, and reservists themselves. That means they truly understand what service and support look like. This November, Navy Federal is partnering with Travis Manion Foundation’s Veterans Day of Service campaign, connecting veterans and families of the fallen with local volunteer opportunities that strengthen communities across the country. If you want to be part of a financial institution that honors, supports, and stands beside veterans and their families, join today at navyfederal.org/ veterans to all who serve and happy Veterans Day. Navy Federal Credit Union. Our members are the mission. Navy Federal is insured by NCUA. Well, game time is brought to you by Teldor Irish Whiskey because when it’s game time, it’s Tully Time. 7 p.m. the Devils host the Canadians at the Credential Center with Don LGrea on the call. Telm do the original triple distilled triple blended triple cash matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Teldu. Try the new Telmour honey during today’s action. Glass up to enjoying Teldu responsibly. We love this uh this time of the week. At 1:30 on Thursday, we get a chance to talk to our good buddy Dan Orlovski and he joins us now on the show. Dan, how are you doing? How’s life? Uh, I’m doing fantastic. Life is amazing. How are you, bud? Same thing. Same thing. Thanks for coming on. Uh, your thoughts? We didn’t uh talk to you the day it happened. Your thoughts on what the Jets did trading two of their best defensive players for what I call air. It’s draft picks. They have to make those draft picks click to make them matter. What are your thoughts on that on their deal? Yeah. Hopefully, you can get really good young, talented players and maybe one of them will become a defensive player of the year as a rookie. Um, I get I like, you know, like I I can understand it. Um and it always sounds great in that league to have picks. No question. Uh I think it tells me that they are in the long game with Muji and Aaron Glenn, which I can understand and appreciate. You’re not treating the way those players unless you firmly feel convicted that those are your leaders general manager and head coach wise long haul. Number two, the Jets do not factor into, you know, really relevant conversations until 2027 just because of the roster rebuild that is going to be needed. Uh, it puts all pressure on Muji to hit on picks. I don’t care how many picks you have. They don’t matter unless you have a really good front office. I believe that remains to be seen with this regime. And then lastly, I would say this. None of it matters until they get a quarterback. I remember four years ago they had all these picks and they drafted really good players and here they are. So un until those picks or unless those picks equate into a really good quarterback, they don’t matter and it doesn’t matter. All right. So talk to me a little bit about Gardner because I’m intrigued by him. Indianapolis saw so much in him that they gave up two first round draft picks. He’s considered one of the better corners. But then Dan, we know that he doesn’t intercept balls. He doesn’t love contact that much. So, when you’re watching film, are you seeing a great quarterback that’s worth those two first rounders? Um, from an offensive perspective, I would perspective, I would say no. I would tell you if I was watching Tape on Sauce in game planning, I would sit there and say really good at the line of scrimmage. He likes to get his hands on you. One, don’t fear throwing the ball his way because he doesn’t take the ball away. two, don’t fear throwing the ball his way because he’s top three in the NFL, I think, or top five in the NFL in defensive pass interference in holding and so there’s not a ton of risk when you push the ball his way and there’s oftent times what feels to be decent reward. Now, S’s a good player now. I mean, Sauce can cover. Will it in Indie, will they play him a little bit more off the line of scrimmage? They’ll play with vision. Will they allow him to play with on the line of scrimmage? But when I think of like corners you’re scared to throw against, as a as a quarterback, it was I don’t want to put the ball around him because I’m the fear of him taking the ball away. This is Richard Sherman. This is uh Nandi Aimwa. This is Derrell Rivas. Um you know, Sauce is really good, but two first round picks are steep for a guy that just doesn’t give your offense the ball. and and it seemed like uh the Jets got more for Gardner than the Cowboys got for Micah Parsons because not only did they get two first round draft picks that are probably going to be better um than the Packers. Maybe we’ll see because the the the the culture having a good year and they got a wide receiver that none of it fits for me. Yeah, AD is very talented. Yeah, AD he hasn’t been perfect, but he is a physically very talented young man. So, um, yeah, again, I don’t from a Jets perspective, I don’t think you you obviously like the the value that you got out of that player. Again, I would just reiterate, you now have to hit on be getting really good players. You those two players traded away are really good players. And so, everyone knows that you hope that you draft really good young players. Um, I’d always rather prefer to have the bird in one hand, uh, or bird in the hand. Um, and they had that. But we all know this, like we all know this is about quarterback like this. We all know that this gives them the ammunition to either draft the quarterback next year or package all those picks to see if you can lure another quarterback away from an established organization. Now, speaking of quarterbacks, with Indianapolis giving up those two first round draft picks, the the the thought process is, you know what, they’re locked in for Daniel Jones. They think he’s their quarterback. Do you believe that that that’s that is that right-handed to be that way? Yeah. Because you look at the way that Daniel’s performed over the course of this year, there’s no question he’s just played too good. And I know last week wasn’t his best week, and I was talking about it on First Tech this morning, like there is a reality. I can’t unsee what Daniel has been throughout his career. Um, but I I have to also give him credit that he’s a different player this year. Yeah. I mean, you know, Indie is obviously all in. They have publicly declared leverage doesn’t even matter to them because they don’t have leverage anymore either when it comes to Daniel. Yeah. Um, I wouldn’t be surprised if a new contract is signed by Daniel Jones before the season’s over. I mean, if I was India, I would want to get that done. Um, uh, and I don’t have any problems. This is an offense that wants a point guard. They’ve been desperate for a quarterback for what feels like five or six years now. And so it’s it’s hard to dispute the style or the way that Daniel’s played this year. All right. Now, you look at the Cowboys who made the deal for Quinn and Williams. And I’m wondering, Dan, we’re talking with Dan Olowski here on the Michael K show. Are they throwing good money after bad? Are they a Quinnon Williams away from being a playoff team? Of course not. They’re still not a playoff team. And here here’s the reality, too, Michael Lakes. This team right now as I sit here today is projected to be $78 million over the salary cap now that Quinn’s been adding because I think Quinnon’s salary is $22 million next year against the cap. So I sit there and I go, you got a nice player, really good player. You’re no question going to be improved. You’re still not a playoff team this year. Well Dan, the trades for the future. Okay, you’re 78 million over the cap. And guess what? The person who’s played the second best football on your team this year is not under a contract next year. And his name is George Pickkins. And if George Pickkins continues to play the way that he is, you’re not going to be able to resign him. That means you took a third round pick and you sent it to the Pittsburgh Steelers and you got a one-year rental and a non-playoff team. Does that make business sense? No. And so, can they go through financial gymnastics and restructure all these contracts and maybe cut some veterans? Sure. but you’re still in a situation where money is just in a very tight spot for you. And so I still don’t think they’re a playoff team this year. Um but I do think it makes their team at least I guess better, but they there’s also things that could make them worse because of the financial limitations. And Dan, what we are hearing here in New York is that Quinton Williams wants to redo his contract, too. He thinks he’s outperformed it. So that’s another fly in the ointment in this deal. They’re going to have to redo his contract at some point. question. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I I had heard that as well. So, I you know, you usually do not agree to to trades like this or okay with trades like this, certainly player and agent, unless you know that there’s something else coming down the road. And so, um yeah, that’s the Cowboys are just they are in a very difficult financial situation. All right. Darren Muji said when he was discussing the deals, you know, we’re still we’re still trying to win. And I think, you know, he’s peeing on our head and telling us it’s raining. Obviously, they they can’t win without two of their best players. If you’re a player in that room, Dan, how are you feeling to see two of your brothers, two of the most important players on the team, get traded, how do you make yourself go out there and play hard um against the Browns this Sunday? Yeah, because there’s 53 jobs. Yeah. Um Yeah. You’re not happy about it. You’re not But there’s 53 jobs. And there’s also a message from the organization, quote unquote, no one’s safe. And so it’s very clear that they are trying to re-establish what has been, you know, a really disparaging 10 years or so for the Jets. And so every player knows that’s your job. There’s not a ton of them. You’re not only playing for the Jets, but you’re playing for opportunity elsewhere. Everyone is playing for money, you know, and so you can not like it and you could sit there and go, “We’re not even trying to win.” And there might be two guys that are financially, you know, uh, stable enough on I mean, how many guys in that team are really playing on a second contract that they’re financially stable enough? You know, Justin Fields got paid, Gary Wilson got paid, uh, for the most part. Everybody else is looking for a payday or in need of a payday. And so, um, there’s going to be plenty of motivation for them to go play high level football. Uh, I I do worry about about one thing, though. the these draft picks, which you know, we both agree on the they got to nail them, but I’m not sure that I have the utmost faith in the the law firm of Glenn and Muji. I mean, they decided Justin Fields was their guy. He hasn’t been their guy. They paid S Gardner all that money saying it was a foundational piece. Eight games in, all of a sudden, he’s gone. Do we know if they have the evaluation skills to make those picks click? I don’t get it. I don’t I’m not confident, Dan. Yeah, that’s a TVD. You know, I think it’s still rich to and early to sit there and say there’s no question about it. I mean, the the the devil’s advocate, I would say, Michael, is like, man, Joe Douglas grie that that draft where they took those four young men in the first what, 35 picks, right? they were pillars and here Joe Douglas works for the Eagles, you know, and so um you know I I don’t I I think it’s too early to say whether on the table yes we believe in them or not but we all know that that reality of you are either going to pay this off and this will be a pivotal moment this will be the you know the Matthew Stafford Jared Golf trade or it won’t be um but I I don’t know if we have enough of body of work to sit there and say yep Um, either way, Dan, I know you’re really, really busy every day. Thank you for giving us this time on Thursday all this time. We appreciate it. I appreciate you, bud. All right, be good. That’s Dan Olowski. Great stuff from him. We’ll take your phone calls when we get back. 1800 919-3776. Time for the co-host. 2:00, uh, Chris Sims will join us. And then 2:30, get a chance to talk to Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod’s documentary, Alex Versus A-Rod, um, debuts tonight on HBO Max. We’ll talk to him about that and about the World Series that he was, uh, a part of with the Fox uh, pre and postgame show. All of that coming up on the K show right here on ESPN New York. This is an ad by BetterHelp. Shorter days don’t have to be so dismal. It’s time to reach out and check in with those you care about and to remind ourselves that we’re not alone. As seasons change and days grow darker sooner, can be a tough time for many. This November, BetterHelp’s encouraging everyone to reach out, check in on friends, reconnect with loved ones, and remind the people in your life that you’re there. BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. Short questionnaire helps you identify your needs and preferences, and our 12 plus years of experience and industryleading match fulfillment rate means we typically get it right the first time. If you aren’t happy with your match, switch to a different therapist anytime from our tailored recommendations this month. Don’t wait to reach out. Whether you’re checking in on a friend or reaching out to a therapist yourself, BetterHelp makes it easier to take that first step. Our listeners get 10% off their first month. Just call pound 250 and say the keyword timeout. That’s keyword timeout after calling pound250. Hey, it’s Alan Han. Let me tell you about my friends at Bath Fitter. They remodeled the bath by my pool. They converted a tub into a shower. The result is amazing. Bathitter offers all types of custom bath renovations, including their unique perma fit solution for a watertight fit. It’s done in one day, easy to clean, and durable with no demo or mess. And it costs less than a standard replacement, plus a lifetime guarantee. Right now, you get no money down, no payments or interest until 2027. So, start designing your bath today at bathfitter.com. There’s only one bath fitter. [Music] If you’ve been injured on a construction site, then you need a lawyer who knows New York’s unique labor laws. At the Parisman Firm, they have decades of experience handling construction accident cases and a proven track record of delivering huge results. Their team has already recovered nearly a billion dollars for hardworking New Yorkers. From scaffold accidents to slip and falls and equipment failures, they’ve got your back. Call the Parisman Firm now at 718 Workers. That’s right, 718 Workers. Because your case is their cause. Get the justice you deserve today. For over 100 years, Slowman’s has been your trusted partner in comfort. When it comes to home heating oil, we deliver more than just quality fuel. We deliver peace of mind with price protection, automatic deliveries, 24/7 service, and up to 30 days to pay your invoice. Our dedicated team is just a call away, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable all winter long. Slowman’s, New York and New Jersey’s largest heating oil provider, proudly serving our community for generations. Give us a call today at 866 get heat or visit oil.slmans.com. at slowman’s.com all the way over Barcel. New York Islanders hockey is back at UBS Arena and it’s time to bring the family and make some noise with more afternoon games this season. The Islanders have special kids themed games and activities for young fans. Play games pregame at the park and head inside for fun on the concourse and on the ice. Tickets for the 202526 season are on sale now. Get your tickets at new york islanders.com. Every aspect of your business will operate better and faster with artificial intelligence. AI is a race and companies that act first will win. Thrive managed AI is your advantage over all your competitors. Thrive partners with you on a smart, secure AI strategy for your business. Then they deploy and manage it for you. Be first and win the race with Thrive Managed AI. Start with a complimentary strategy consultation at thriveextgen.com/espn. That’s thriveextgen.com/espn. Jen has ordered a decadent seafood tower, king crab legs, lobster tails, and a waterfall of caviar. Pricey, you bet. But Jen worked with Empower on her savings and investment strategy and planned for splurges like these. She got good at money so she can be a little bad. Ooh, champagne. Empower. Invest well, live a little. Start today at empower.com. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investing involves risk. You may lose money. Advisory services are provided for a fee bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye by empower advisory group LC a registered investment advisor with the securities and exchange commission. Omg, those shrimps are really jumbo. Rich eyes in here for Sonos. The speakers that bring every game to life and my own house with studio quality sound. Sonos makes you feel like you’re right there in the stadium. Whether you’re cheering on your team, binging your favorite show, or listening to the hottest songs, Sonos fills every room with incredible sound. Setup is easy. Just plug in, open the Sonos app, and you’re ready to go. Want stadium quality sound at home just like me? Cuz I love Sonos. You will too. Explore sound bars, speakers, and more at sonos.com. Sonos. They look as good as they sound. In the city that never sleeps and never stops talking sports. ESPN New York is always on. Now you can live and breathe everything New York Sports wherever you are on your radio dial, on the ESPN New York app, and streaming live on YouTube. However you watch or listen, ESPN New York is always on for you. Hear us, stream us, watch us. This is ESPN New York. Hey, ESPN New York is giving you the chance to experience UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden on November 15th. One grand prize winner and a guest will score tickets to the ESPN New York suite hosted by Peter Rosenberg. Enjoy the energy of the garden, the comfort of a private suite, and worldclass UFC action alongside one of New York’s biggest, and I mean biggest sports personalities. That’s Peter. To enter, find the contest tile on the ESPN New York app to submit your entry. It’s brought to you by Bud Light. Proud to be the official beer sponsor of UFC. Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly. Anheart of Bush. Bud Light beer. St. Louis, Missouri. Now, the Knicks won yesterday, and we had been hearing throughout the off season that Mitchell Robinson was working on his um his free throw shooting, and it was much improved. And I don’t know if you watched the game yesterday, it was hideous. It’s not improved. I don’t know if the guy can shoot free throws. There are certain people that are just not good free throw shooters. Shaq wasn’t a good free throw shooter. That’s all there is to it. Some can be helped. I’m not sure that Mitchell Robinson could be helped. The first free throw he took, he shortarmed it and clanked off the front of the rim. And I, you know, Allen Han was doing the analysis on MSG and he said, well, you know, at least it was on target. I mean, you know, talk about pirick victories. He’s not a good free throw shooter. And when I sit back and I look at Mitchell Robinson, I realize what he means when he’s on the court. He completely disrupts an offense. He’s that good. And for him to grab nine offensive rebounds in 15 minutes of play, unbelievable. He had more offensive rebounds, one man in 15 minutes, than the entire Timberwolves team, the whole game. But when his contract is up at the end of this year, as good as he is when he’s on the court, I don’t know if I could bring him back, I I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if I would. First of all, he’s going to want a lot of money because he’s he’s a differencemaker, but he can’t stay on the court. He can’t. And when he’s on the court, the defense disrupts the offense, but the offense is then four on five. The Knicks offense. He’s not an offensive player and he’s easily fouled and that puts the Knicks at a disadvantage. So, I say take advantage of him this year. play him when you have to play him because he does make a difference. But in terms of resigning him, I’m not doing it. Not with that questionable right ankle. He missed the first four games of the season for load management. He can’t play backto backs. He can’t play the second game of a backtoback or the first game. He’s only going to play one. So there’s usually a team usually has what 14 15 backto backs. That’s 15 games right there he’s not going to play. And on top of that they missed the four first four game. I don’t want to pay in a salary cap sport that much money to a guy who’s essentially a 45 game player. I’m not doing it. Not doing it. I wonder what Spike would say. Spike, the question goes, are you bringing back Mitchell Robinson next year when he becomes a free agent? Unequivocally. And I’ll tell you why. Mitchell Robinson does. He’s a very interesting player. He’s the longest tenur Nick, by the way. Uh he put in the work and he used to go down and and then you never knew if he was going to play. Every time he fell, you held your breath. But what he did last night, that was the most enjoyable second half I’ve watched. If the Knicks play anywhere near, they scored 83 points in the second half. They’re not going to make a lot of stops, but this is the best roster they’ve had in 50 years. And I’ll tell you why. I’ll bring back Mitchell Robinson. I’ll tell you, obviously his problem is he’s a 46-minute player because in the last two minutes of the game, they’ll foul him unless you’re up four or five possessions. We’ve been down that road. But he can’t. But but one thing one thing, Spike, he can’t play 46 minutes. No, no, no. I’m saying he can only play up to the 46 minute mark. Gotcha. and and he’s probably going to only play 18 of those 46 minutes. I don’t I don’t care. He changes the whole dynamic of of the game. What he did last night on two consecutive plays, very few can do. He’s the best offensive play uh rebounder or one of the best in the league. Y he changes the dynamic of of of uh shot blocking. We know he’s probably the worst free throw shooter. Even though if you go back and look up Chris Dudley, who went to Yale and was a pretty good player, shot free throws at 19% one year. The game has changed, but I see what Mike Brown is doing. The players are playing fewer minutes. They’ve won at home. They’re protecting the home court. It was so enjoyable. They’re going to have to outscore the opposition. So, you have to manage Mitchell Robinson. And Papovich started this whole thing. And I understand he had the older players, but Mitchell Robinson brings two things to the team that no one else can do. I you can see it. And by the way, OG Anobi in the first eight games, seven of them he’s played all NBA first team. Absolutely. He has been brilliant. And I noticed with Towns, Towns is better playing the four or the power forward because I’m old. Uh his shots, he flicks it up there. He he shoots beautifully and when he goes to the rim and drops his shoulder, he’s like a freight train coming so no one’s going to get in front of him and I think the team is very well settled. I think the bench is much better. I’m not a Jordan Clarkson fan, but I’ll accept the fact that he’s contributed a little bit. He’s never passed the ball after he gets it. Uh but uh Mike Brown in the first year or two of his tenures, in the two tenures he was coach of the year, was let go the second and third year I believe of both tenures. I may be off by a year. The team’s very exciting and Mitchell Robinson when he comes on that court and I told you last week when when you gave me the first call of the year and you said some kind things about me which I appreciate. I told you Josh Hartz when he’s unleashed he’s gonna come out like a bat out of hell. and what he did last night too. Leave him open. He’s been taking 500 three-point shots a day practice I’m hearing. So he they left him open. What do he make? Four out of six last night. Yeah. So I I think and another thing, Michael, and thanks for the time. I love listening to you. I love this twohour format, too. The East is depleted. Look at the top three players in minutes played in the East are all on the the Sixers. the Edgecomb, the the rookie who started off well, Tyrese Maxi, and our old friend, uh, I forget his name. The other guard who we wanted to get and began. No, no, George is still out. The other guard, I just forget his name. You know, you know who he is. He’s all tattered up like Jay Osman. And the East, Milwaukee, here’s where I see in the East. I see Cleveland and the Knicks and Milwaukee. And Orlando is the worst team in the NBA at making three-point shots with a front line that I told you live on air. You can listen to the tape. I think they they may have the two starting forwards in the Eastern Team Allstar. They just But but we would agree, Spike. Everything is open up for the Knicks. It is. That’s why it was a It was a gamble to get rid of the coach that took him to game six of the Eastern Conference. Let’s see if Mike Brown makes them better. But you’re right, the East is wide open and Cleveland played a lot of games last year and they put the pedal to the metal during the season. So, they look like they’re a little tired as well. They’ve had some injuries coming out of the gate, but I think it’s going to be the Knicks and Cleveland that those are the two teams. And Milwaukee might be better than we thought. They might be better than we thought. My whole idea with Mitchell Robinson, you’re going to have to pay him. Are you going to pay a guy who’s so fragile, so injury-prone, that ankle’s still an issue? as much as he brings to the party, I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t know if I could commit funds to a guy that’s not going to be on the court that much. And when he’s on the court, boy is he a differencemaker. But he’s limited, too. He’s limited. 1-800 9193776. That’s the number to join in. When we come back, we’ll have Chris Sims on. And following Chris, we’ll have A-Rod on as well. The K show, we roll till 3 right here on ESPN New York. Is college even worth it these days? At Empire State University, it actually is. They are Sunni’s leading online university. Flexible, affordable, and built for real life. With more than 120 degree programs, you can study what matters most to you. And students agree they’re ranked number one in student satisfaction among Sunni schools. Whether you are finishing what you started or starting fresh, your goals are within reach. See for yourself. Visit sunnimpire.edu before the next term begins. Okay, girls. Ready to go? Yeah. Yeah. Mom, I’m hungry. Can I have a snack? Me, too. Mommy, you want a snack? Yeah. You got it. Children learn from our behaviors. Mommy, can you open this? All right. Hold on one second. Okay. Okay. Here. They learn what is okay from the adults they see. Mommy, are you on your phone? If you’re a distracted driver, chances are they will be, too. What kind of driver are you raising? Funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Hey, it’s Alan Han. Let me tell you about my friends at BathFitter. They remodeled the bath by my pool. They converted a tub into a shower. The result is amazing. Bathitter offers all types of custom bath renovations, including their unique perma solution for a watertight fit. It’s done in one day, easy to clean, and durable with no demo or mess. And it costs less than a standard replacement, plus a lifetime guarantee. Right now, you get no money down, no payments or interest until 2027. So start designing your bath today at bathfitter.com. There’s only one bath fitter. [Music] Hey, this is Mikaban. Hey, this is Adam Fox. Catch every Rangers game right here on 880 ESPN. WHSQ and WCBS FM HD2 New York. Listen up for at bet 365. Gambling problem. Call 1800 gambler 21 plus only. Must be physically located in New Jersey. TNC apply inapp only. Score or win this game day with Amazon Pickup. The MVP of package pickup. Need that new football jersey for the big matchup? With Amazon Pickup, you can collect your order from secure Amazon lockers or counters near you on your schedule. Whether you’re running from work or home or straight to the tailgate, Amazon pickup makes it easy and worry-f free at no extra cost. Don’t miss kickoff. Grab your gear and your packages when it works for you. Find your nearest Amazon pickup location at amazon.com/pickupp. That’s amazon.com/pickupm. At City Harvest, we believe no New Yorker has to go hungry. With your help, we’re on the road 365 days a year, rescuing over 77 million pounds of nutritious food and delivering it free to millions of New Yorkers. Transforming surplus food into sustenance, sustainability, and smiles, rallying thousands of New Yorkers to power a network of nourishment across our city. One day, one meal, and one New Yorker at a time. That’s how we feed good. Donate at cityh harvest.org. A SoFi personal loan is here to help you achieve something once thought impossible. Overcoming high interest credit card debt. Walk the tight rope of your finances with one low fixed rate monthly payment. No fees required and as soon as the same day funding. That’s right. Pull off your own debt defying stunt with a SoFi personal loan. Visit sofi.com/triick to learn more. Loans originated by SoFi Bank NA member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS696891. This college football moment is brought to you by Servepro. College football teams have moments they recovered from and made it like it never even happened. Like on September 24th, 2016 when Tulsa found themselves down 31 to nothing to Fresno State with 10 minutes left in the second quarter. Tulsa fought back to tie a game at 41 and then won 48 to 41 in double overtime. Surf Pro like it never even happened. Welcome back to the K show 202 here in New York City going till 3. Don Han and Rosenberg at that time 2:30 we’re going to talk to Alex Rodriguez. Right now it’s a Thursday at 2 o’clock. You get a chance to talk to NBC’s very own Chris Sims and he joins us now on the show. Chris, how you doing? I’m doing good, man. I’m glad I get to warm up the audience for A-Rod. That’s a special guy there. I want to do that. I mean, you know, I’m a, you know, I’m a Yankee fan. And actually, I do have a little history with A-Rod. Tell me when he was, well, when he was down in Tampa, right, I was the quarterback of Tampa. Not he was down in Tampa, but down with the Yankees in Tampa for spring training. And at the end of my, you know, I lost my spleen and now I’m not going to be on the Buccaneers anymore and go to the Tennessee Titans. He rented out my uh our town home that we had while he was in spring training one year. So yeah, and he lived in the town home in the years before that where he rented out very close to me. So I used to see him a lot and of course uh was always a big fan of his on the field. So the check didn’t bounce though when he rented out the place, right? No, no, the check definitely didn’t bounce. That’s right. It was one of those where I was like, damn, we probably should have charged more. He probably wouldn’t even said anything. That’s right. I I think he’s okay moneywise. Um, I think so. What What are your thoughts on on the Jets moves? Well, um, you know, there’s there’s a lot here. First off, I I I like them. I do I do I do agree with what what Muji says and the fact that they were too good to turn down, and I would agree with that. Now, yeah, we all know you got to make those picks work, and that that’s that’s going to be the big thing that solidifies all this, but I think there’s two things that jump out to me, and I think you’ve heard me say this a little bit. I don’t really think they have the personnel there that they want that fits the style of football they want to play. Aaron Glenn’s a little bit from that Bill Parcell school of coaching. They like big people and so they like big people. Quinnon Williams is not known to be a space eater. I take on double teams. I’m the run stopping guy, right? He’s really good, don’t get me wrong, but if you look at what Aaron Gladen had in Detroit, every D tackles 340, 345, 360, right? It’s that kind of guy. So, I think between that and the offer, they went, “Okay, whoa. Okay, wait. We we’ll we’ll take that offer.” Quinnon Williams is really good, but I think maybe probably on the downs slope of the prime of his career. And then they want to play manto man on the in the secondary. That’s what he did in Detroit. And he wants all around corners too that can tackle and be involved in that. Sauce Gardner is not the greatest at manto man, as we know. He’s he’s he was perfect for the previous scheme and the Seattle scheme where it was kind of a zone with some man principles. He didn’t have to cover a guy all over the football field and that’s the not what I think you know they want in a corner here in New York with the Jets. So I think between that two and then the offer they got from the Colts I don’t blame them and uh I kind of like it and I’m excited for what they can do with it. All right. So here’s where where I would push back on that. So, I hear everything that you’re saying, but yeah, they gave Sauce Gardner a big money extension at 30 million a year. They didn’t know what they had until they saw him play themselves. Now, I know it was structured that they could they could trade him and not take a big cap hit. I give them credit for that. But you did commit to him and say it was a foundational piece. So, did he expose himself? I I think a little bit. I think that’s exact. I think they made it and went, “Hey, wait, he’s one of the better players on our team, right? if he can do what we, you know, what we want him to do and play better in manto man, okay, perfect. We got something here. I think they also realize, yeah, he’s an asset in itself. Like you said, they planned within the contract itself to if they trade him, they’ll be okay. But I think it was one of those where they went, wait, we know he’s really good, so let’s lock him up and then let’s just evaluate to see and make sure that he really fits with us here. And again, I think if the Colts offer something that doesn’t I mean, when you Whoa. Two first rounders and and a second rounder and and and a receiver that’s pretty damn good that just can’t get on the field there in Indianapolis because they have good receivers and they don’t need them necessarily. I think all of those things just all kind of, you know, the stars aligned where they said, “Okay, let’s make the move.” I hear what you’re saying. What you said about Sauce kind of echoes what Dan Olowski said in our first hour. So he’s not all that. But my question then would be then why’ the Colts give all that capital up for him? What they see? I I hear you. So I think there’s there now the Colts and you look up Luan Rumo he the defensive coordinator in Indianapolis. He lives in zone right? So that’s where I think he looks at it and goes I like this better. And so within the zones too, like, hey, hey, we want you to play zone coverage, but you know, you don’t have to follow the guy if he makes an inside breaking move, right? Stuff like that. So now, okay, the sauce gardener will go, okay, I’m going to cut off the inside and not even let him go in there and block him off. But if he does get inside, I don’t have to follow him. Somebody will be there and, okay, I’m perfect because I’m I’m tall. I’m long. I’m not always the best at redirecting my hips and getting all my long legs and long arms going in the right direction, which is why you’ve seen a lot of pass interference calls from S Gardner over the last year because he’s been asked to play more man. So, I think within that and then there are certain man matchups that you’re going to like him in. You don’t want him against the great route runner that’s really quick, get off the ball and do that type of stuff. But, let’s say you’re the Colts and you got to play the Steelers in the first round. It’s DK Medaf. That’s one guy that he me he me he messes or matches up well with man-to-man, right? It’s not the intricate real jitterbug type of route runner or a Courtland Sutton who’s a bigger guy with the Denver Broncos and so he can do that a little bit as well where you go, okay, I trust him in man-to-man situations against those guys and now we can blitz and do other things and be creative with the rest of the guys on my team off of that. So, I think he gives him some flexibility and obviously Luenarumo had a liking for uh soft gardener skill set. Chris, it’s so uh interesting what coaches tell us because they they don’t always tell us the truth and I don’t blame him, but all these years that Salah was here and we used to bug Salah. He used to be on the show every week. Well, why don’t you have him like shadow the top wide re Well, that’s not the defense we played. And he’s he’s essentially telling us he can’t cover that guy without ever having said it. though what you’re saying kind of backs that up. Exactly right. That that you know I always Sgardner a hell of a player, don’t get me wrong, but do do I think he was a little overrated there early part of his career? Absolutely. Yes. You know, again, was it Derell Rivas or Dion Sanders or Champ Bailey in his prime? Absolutely not. Because you could tell those guys, hey, you go get that guy and just you got him and then we’ll figure out everything else. And there is great great value in that type of player. He can do that to a degree, but it’s got to be the certain matchup like I explained. All right. So, what we’re seeing with the Jets, Fields doesn’t seem like he’s their future. They’ve got two first round draft picks in 26, three in 27. Here’s what I don’t get. They’re not going to make the playoffs for the 15th straight year. I can’t see them making the playoffs next year. I mean, how much do you expect the fan base to take? I mean, did did Woody Johnson think it was going to be a real five-year plan with these guys when he hired him? Well, I I get you, but but we are in an era where we see teams turn it around pretty quickly, right? But with a quarterback, well, yes, but with a quarterback, and that’s going to be the thing that they they got to work on. Certainly, that’s going to be the one big bright spot here. We go, what are they going to do now? They got flexibility with all these picks to kind of make any move they want now at the quarterback position. But yes, we all certainly look at and go, “Yeah, I think we need to upgrade from Justin Fields no matter what.” Even if they don’t draft a quarterback in this next year’s draft, there’s got to be something better there. But I do think in the era we’re in right now, yeah, draft picks, your owner’s willing to spend a little bit money, which I think Woody Johnson is doing or are willing to do, you can see teams flip it around. Now, do I think they’re going to flip it around and be in the playoffs next year? No. But if they can flip it around and we go, “Oh, okay. Well, they ended up the year, you know, eight and nine or seven and 10 and we saw them stay competitive in some big games and oh, now we got more first round picks and money to play with and do that. That that’s where I think the hope is. But yes, this is going to be a little bit of a process here and you would think, yeah, it’s going to take two to three years to start getting results that Jet fans want. All right, so let’s shift over to the other side of Metife Stadium. I was at the game on Sunday and they looked awful. They they really did, Chris. they they couldn’t stop the run and that’s not a great running team. McCaffrey is a great player, but I think they’re in the 20s in terms of running and also I look at it I don’t know if you see it the same way. There’s nothing around Jackson Dart. He’s going to get hurt, right? I I I that’s what I worry about. I mean, that’s why I’ll pick the Bears this weekend. I picked the Bears with the logic of like, hey, Jackson Dart will make a few plays, but it’s just Jackson Dart making plays where the Bears, as you see, Ben Johnson’s a genius. They’ve got a what top five offense in football. They do have weapons. Their offense isn’t as talented as Detroit was, but their offense is performing at a better level than Detroit is right now. And that’s cuz he’s special there. But yeah, that’s what I worry about. I mean, you worry about like you started the conversation off there. The Giants defense, I mean, holy crap. I mean, M. Jones didn’t throw an incompletion to the first throw of the third quarter. Y the 49ers have stunk running the ball. Their interior O line has been below average this whole year. So for them to do that and then oh no now we got the Bears who have great balance they can really run the ball and the playmakers and then Jackson Dart who has no break pedal or break pad yet because it’s just he he plays every play like there’s two minutes left in the Super Bowl and which I love and respect but I just want to go please protect yourself for the betterment of yourself and the team and that’s what I worry about and that’s where yeah I I’m going to take the Bears this weekend in that one. And then I also wonder because of the things you said, I mean, Slayton drops a ball right in his hands. Oh, perfectly thrown. Johnson drops a ball as well. So, he doesn’t have weapons. Why didn’t the Giants go out and get some kind of weapon to just take some of the heat off this guy? I I I get it. But I I think they’re at a point where, you know, you’re two and six, you’re two and seven, and let’s just keep the big picture in in our mind here now to where we’re not going anywhere right now. Let’s continue to just bake it into Jackson Dart’s brain. Hey, we like you’re making plays, but like let’s not get a concussion over one extra yard and putting our head down. Let’s slide. Like when the pocket collapses, it’s okay to just go, it’s over. I got to throw it away or go down here. They just got to teach him that a little bit. But like as far as not making a move to get anybody, hey, they’re not going anywhere. Wide receivers are growing on trees in the NFL draft right now. So, just be patient, continue to grow him and preach the right message into his brain. And then they’re going to have to address some of these things you’re talking about that I’m with you with all the way there in the offseason. But here’s the interesting part and I think this is the conundrum with the Giants, right? You don’t want to you maybe Mara told him you’re not making any deals because I don’t know if you’re part of the future. They’re they’re in this nebulous state. I hope so. I hope so. I don’t want the Giants to leverage their future because oh Joe Shane and Brian Dball want to just say save their job. So that’s where I hope ownership is taking notes and being a part of this to for the overall betterment of the football team. It’s a little bit what I question like what we couldn’t trade Kavon Tibido. I don’t know. Are we keeping him because we’re trying to save Joe Shane and Brian Dball and Shane Bowen or do we really have a future plan here? Which I find it hard to believe because I go Kavon Tibido is not going to be as good as Abdul Carter. He’s not. And then of course we know Brian Burns is better already. So, you know, I I worry about those same things, Michael, all the way. All right. Now, last week you said you’re not that high on the Bills. Then the Bills kind of manhandle KC. Have you changed at all on them? Well, I the Bills are dangerous. That’s for sure. I know that. Now, the Bills are, as I said to you last week, they’re built to play against the Kansas City Chiefs. Y they really are. It’s a matchup league and they’ve built their team to stop Kansas City who never really runs the ball. Right. That’s the kryptonite with Buffalo. If you can run the ball, it changes them totally. If you can’t run the ball, Mcder is arguably the best pass game defensive coordinator in the sp the sport, right? So, you watch plays and I go, I don’t know what coverage this is, but damn, he’s got all his guys dropping exactly where Kansas City’s trying to throw the ball. And Kansas City, as you saw in that game, right, didn’t didn’t run the ball at all. Became pass happy. And I think that played right into uh the Bills hands, but I will say this, and maybe this is where I’m going to be wrong going forward. I mean, they’re going to be in the mix. I know that because Josh Allen first off, right? I mean, he we’re watching John Elway. I mean, this is one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. I hope everybody appreciates that. I know everybody needs to see him hold up a trophy to validate that. I don’t need that. We’re watching Elway right before he won the Super Bowl finally or Dan Marino. We’re watching an incredible one of the greatest talents ever. So, with him alone, he keeps him in it. But if they just continue to run the ball like they have since the by-week, that’s where I go, okay, that’ll help that defense out a little bit. And then you’ll see Josh Allen go 23 of 26 every week. And that’s where they’re scary. So like listen, I I I hear you. I’m not high on the Buffalo Bills, but I understand there’s a few avenues there that could shove it right up where the sun don’t shine on myself there and my take on that. Now you you said that you like the Bears against the Giants. How about the Jets and the Browns this weekend? How does that play out? And is Mile Miles Garrett going to be all over Justin Fields? I I’d expect him to. Yes, I do. I I love I mean the Browns defense. I have a man crush on the Browns defense. It’s a special defense. It really is. If their offense was just a little bit better to where they didn’t have to be on the field every fourth play of the game, right, they’d be the number one defense in the sport. I Yes, I I have with first off the Jets. This is what the other thing I take into account like how you feeling in the locker room this weekend this week, right? I think that’s part of this like the the organization’s given up on this year’s version of the team. So, the team feels that. So, I expect them to be a little down, let alone maybe a little relaxed because, oh, we finally won a game and all that. I’m taking Cleveland. I think Cleveland having a new offensive co play caller and Tommy Reese this week. I think he’s going to have a few game plan tricks ready and then yeah, I don’t trust the Jets offense against this Browns defense at all. Do you have any idea why they took Shadur Sanders? And I’m not one of these guys that’s saying, “Oh, you got to play him.” because I didn’t think that much of him in college. But why would you waste a draft pick when you’ve gotten terrible quarterbacking from Dylan Gabriel? They haven’t even thought about going to Sanders. What’s going on there? No, it’s it’s a crazy thing. You know, I think Dylan Gabriel, they like Dylan Gabriel obviously more from the start. And then if you talk to anybody that has any knowledge of that situation, Dylan Gabriel early in training camp, he really caught their eye. they were going to name him this they were thinking about naming him the starter from the get-go and then he got hurt in training camp and that’s what kind of disrupted their plans right but I also I know enough people there yeah that should Sanders is not impressed in practice and all that and made the coaching staff feel comfortable that he knows every little intricate detail of the offense as he’s doing those things so he hasn’t helped himself that way and then he doesn’t always help himself out with some of his actions and what he says into the microphone and everything along with that But why Cleveland drafted them? Be- because they’re the Cleveland Browns and they’re stupid sometimes. That’s the reason, Michael. Well, all you did was create a distraction, Chris. That’s what you did by taking Right. That’s what happens when you follow numbers and your analytics department makes the call on everything you do. That’s the problem. And you go, “Oh, the analytics say we’re getting a great value for a guy in round five.” Yeah, but how about the human aspect of it where it overtakes your locker room? And we went through training camp and we never talked about one thing on the football team. They got one of the best defensive players in the history of the world and the defense and all we talked about is are they screwing over Shadur Sanders? Yes. It was a horrible move by them. It’s a distraction for their team. It continues to be a distraction. And yeah, that’s where you got to have a little bit of pasta and meatballs and a gut and a brain to go wait this isn’t going to be good for our football team. Now, we had Paul, we have Paul Finebomb on uh every Tuesday, and he said um that Lane Keifin would probably be very, very interested in reuniting with Jackson Dart. Um it doesn’t look like Dable’s going to keep his job. Maybe they go off on a run. I’m not advocating for firing. I don’t do stuff like that. Do you think that Keifin would work when he didn’t work in the NFL when he was younger? I I I I I think I I question it a little bit. You know, I just feel like he’s he’s perfect for college football. You know, he’s he’s got a personality that’s great for young kids and recruiting and doing all that. You know, his offense is really good, but am I sitting there going, “Oh, I’m blown away and I think it’s going to take over the NFL.” Uh I’m not usually a huge fan of the college guy going to the NFL. It’s a different game. As you know, I study college football and do the college football pregame, you know, on NBC every week. You know, college defense is a good college defense runs like three defenses and they’re usually basic there. It’s just it’s a different world. The offense has to be even though you might be creative for college like a Chip Kelly, you see when he gets into the NFL and you go, “This is some basic kindergarten stuff you run. It ain’t good enough for the NFL.” Cliff Kingsbury. I mean, he went through, you know, the head coach of the Cardinals. It was like everybody knew his offense by the fourth week of the season. They were like, “Okay, yep. He didn’t add anything new. It’s still that same college crap.” So, yeah, I’m just not a huge fan of that thought or move alto together. Who do you like tonight? Broncos, Raiders. I’m I’m Broncos, of course. I mean, you know, I’m a believer in the Yeah, 30 to 17. I think this is a you know, Gino been loose with the football. Oh, this is a Broncos pick six. Set the offense up for a short field type of game. The Raiders defense is respectable, but because of their bad offense and all that, usually the damn breaks there. And I think, you know, the Denver Broncos are starting to feel themselves a little bit here. Why did Gino or why has Gino taken such a step back? I don’t think that Pete Carol thought this was the Gino he was getting. No, but I I think where Pete Carol messed up is he hired Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator. And I sit there and go, “Yeah, there’s three runs on their running attack. They they have three runs. That’s all they do. And the passing attack is just it’s below average. And then you couple that with like wait, other than Brock Bowers, who is even remotely scary on that offense? And then I think Gino who has got an aggressive nature at quarterback that I love. But I think yeah, that this where people aren’t open, your receivers aren’t that talented. I think he’s had some moments of, oh wait, I’m going to jumpst start us with a big play here. And you know, that can get you into trouble. I like Gino’s talent, but it’s a little bit bit too much gunslinger this year. Good stuff as always, Chris. I thank you so much for coming on, man. All right, buddy. Have a good weekend. Enjoy all the games, man. You, too. You, too. That’s Chris Sims. You can check out his podcast as well, which is extremely popular and he has three of them throughout the week. So, check that out. And he always joins us uh at 2 o’clock on a Thursday. Love, love talking to this guy. He breaks it down like you want it broken down, baby. That’s what you want. That’s what you want. We’ve got A-Rod coming up. Alex Emanuel Rodriguez tonight, the debut of his three-part documentary that’ll be on HBO Max. We’ll talk to him about that and also the World Series that we just saw that got record ratings. So, Alex Rodriguez joins us in just a moment right here on the K show. We roll till 3 on ESPN New York. Looking for the best internet deal? It’s just a fast phone call away. Only Optimum Fiber Internet delivers the fastest and most reliable fiber internet starting at just $25 a month. That’s right, lightning fast fiber internet at a price that won’t slow you down. Call 8884 Optimum today to lock in your offer in just a few minutes and see how you can also get the Disney Plus Hulu bundle and an unlimited mobile line on us. Don’t take slow for an answer. Call 8884 Optimum or visit optimum.com today. Terms apply. There he goes to the 20, 10, five. That’s a Jet touchdown. That’s a Jet touchdown. Jets fans, be there at Metife Stadium to see the New York Jets take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 9th at 100 p.m. presented by Verizon. Don’t miss your chance to experience the excitement of game day at Metife Stadium and cheer on your Jets. Lock in your seats at nyjets.com/tick and get ready to clear the runway. Hey bro, weirdest thing is happening at the game. This guy sitting next to me says you’re our good luck charm. Every time I crack a Bud Light, we score a touchdown. Now his entire family wants to buy me Bud Lights. I think I’m some kind of a football profit. Talk soon. The team needs me. Anything for Bud Light, the official beer sponsor of the NFL. Stock up today. Enjoy responsibly. Copyright 2025. Annheiser Bush Bud Lightbeer. St. Louis, Missouri. Friends, it’s football season, the best time of the year. You should be out there tailgating, cheering on your team and enjoying every Sunday. But if you’re dealing with neck pain, back pain, sciatica, or nerve pain, even getting off the couch can feel like a challenge. You don’t have to live like that. There’s help. Dr. J. Shaw at Samuel Pain is New Jerseys top pain specialist. He’s Ivy League trained, double board certified, and is dedicated to helping you get back in the game. Here’s what makes the difference. No surgery, no scars, no long recovery, no pain medication. Just precise non-surgical imageguided procedures that deliver real results. Dr. Shaw treats neck pain, back pain, joint pain, migraines, nerve pain, and sciatica. With a plan that’s customized for you, same day and next day appointments are available. And with offices in Woodbridge, Livingston, and Englewood, relief is always close. So don’t let pain keep you on the sidelines this season. Visit samwellpay.com to call, text, or book online. Most major insuranceances are accepted. That’s samwellpay.com. Relief is closer than you think, and it starts today. For over 100 years, Slman’s has been your trusted partner in comfort. When it comes to home heating oil, we deliver more than just quality fuel. We deliver peace of mind with price protection, automatic deliveries, 24/7 service, and up to 30 days to pay your invoice. Our dedicated team is just a call away, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable all winter long. Slowman’s, New York and New Jersey’s largest heating oil provider. Proudly serving our community for generations. Give us a call today at 866 get heat or visit oil.slman’s.com. Serving contractors, builders, and homeowners in the tri-state area since 1987. Brooklyn Window and Dooro is New York City’s largest stocking dealer of quality Anderson window and doors. The professionals at Brooklyn Window and Door will help solve any of your window replacement needs or applications. Visit Brooklyn Window and Door’s award-winning showroom to see the complete Anderson product line, including the 400100 A&E series. Anderson, built, backed, and serviced like no other window. Visit Brooklyn Window and Door at 18530th Street in Brooklyn or call 718 Windows. Thursday with Don Hot and Rosenberg. The Knicks have now won three straight and remain perfect at MSG. taken by McBride into the front court. Hart to the basket. A two-handed flush for Josh Hart. 1199. Are we starting to see their potential in Mike Brown system? I think we’re growing. We’re learning. Obviously, playing at home is a big factor. Don Han and Rosenberg today at 3 on ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube. If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you need a lawyer who knows New York’s unique personal injury and workers compensation laws. At the Parisman Firm, they have decades of experience handling all types of accident cases and a proven track record of delivering huge results. Their team has already recovered nearly a billion dollars for injured New Yorkers. From construction to car accidents and slips and falls, they’ve got you covered. Call the Parisman Firm now at 718 Workers, where your case is their cause. Get the justice you deserve today. You’re standing inside a secret prison. It houses the Nazi high command. I’m going to put Herman Garing on trial. Sony Pictures Classics presents Nuremberg Starring Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, Academy Award winner Rammy Malik, and Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon. Do you plead guilty or not guilty? Yes. Order. Order. Nuremberg opens only in theaters everywhere November 7th. Your ambition just met its match with Robin Hood. Trade stocks and ETFs, options, futures, and crypto all on one platform. Get started today at robinhood.com/youoney. Your money, your move. All investments involve risk, including loss of principle. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robin Financial LLC member SIPC. Future trading is offered by Robin and Derivatives LLC. Not FDIC or SIPC protected. Crypto offered through Robin and Crypto LLC. NMLS ID 1702840. Not FDIC or SIPC protected portfolio management offered by Robin Hood strategies an SEC registered adviser. Welcome back to the show everybody. Hope you’re having a good day. It’s a beautiful day out. A little chilly but you know what? It’s November. Supposed to be a little chilly. Waiting on Alex Rodriguez. We’ll get him in just a moment about his new documentary tonight which debuts on HBO Max. Uh and while we’re tending to getting Alex, we’ll go to the phones. Let’s go to Caleb in North Carolina. Caleb, howdy. How’s it going? Good. How you doing, Caleb? I’m doing good. What’s up? So, I just have a couple of questions for you. Go for it. So, one, how would you approach the Yankees off seasonason going into 2026? Would you like prefer like a Kyle Schwarber or would you want to go after Kyle Tucker or like how would you improve the pitching sort of things like that? Well, Schwarber doesn’t fit, Caleb. I mean, you’ve you’ve got Stanton for two more years. Doesn’t make sense to pick up a DH type. I I would make a run at Tucker. I think Tucker’s a tremendous uh talent. I would also go for a pitcher because you’re not gonna have Cole at the beginning. You’re not gonna have Rodon at the beginning. You’re not gonna have Schmidt um for at least the first four and a half months. So, yeah, they’re going to need a starter to throw in there as well to eat up some of those innings. Um but, uh in terms of Schwarber that it just doesn’t fit the Yankees as as long as Stanton’s there, Schwarber is really not a defender anymore. Never has been a great defender. So, no, I I wouldn’t go that route at all. Let’s bring in Alex Rodriguez. uh his uh his documentary debuts tonight on HBO Max. It’s a three-part documentary. Uh I was at the premiere the other night, the first one, and it is raw. It is honest. It is real. And I think you’re going to find out a lot about what Alex Rodriguez is about. And maybe we could even further that right now as he joins us on the show. Alex, how you doing? Hello, Michael. And thank you for uh hosting that panel the other day. My family was thrilled with it and uh and you were great. Well, thank you for having me. I I just want to start off with this. Having watched that first episode, you you’ve kind of cut yourself open. I mean, you’ve gone through this and now you’re going through it again. So, my question is, why would you put yourself through this again, Alex? You know, after watching it, I’m asking myself the same question, Michael. That’s for sure. It was definitely an emotional um roller coaster going back to those days. But look, like any big mistakes um with all the reflection I’ve done, all the therapy that I’ve done, I think it’s important to remind people of those mistakes and not forget them. It’s important for the young people, the next generation, that they understand that I made the mistakes that I made and hopefully they can learn from some of them and avoid some of the headaches that I put myself through. And same thing, I talk to my daughters all the time. Yeah, I was going to bring that up because, you know, people don’t see you with your daughters and, you know, do and Krod, I I saw you and it’s such a great relationship between a father and and these two young ladies and is this kind of like almost like uh a testament to them to show them this is what dad did. I screwed up a lot. Let’s not do this because it’s right there on the screen for them to see and they’re both adults now so they can really digest this. Yeah. Put, you know, as you know, Michael, we’ve talked about this in the past. I’ve had people talk to me about a book or a documentary the last 15 years to be quite honest. Um, and it was always a quick no. And uh, when they started again about 5 years ago, I just thought I still had a lot of work to do and I I hadn’t reflected enough to put a story together that that I felt good about. And and thirdly, I would not do a project like this with my girls being so young or early teenage years. And um it was important for me to talk to them, to talk to Cynthia, my ex-wife, my mother of my daughters, and also Jack, my partner. And we all uh signed signed in together. We both worked on it together. And my girls said, “If we’re going to do this, let’s do it right. Let’s do it raw. And let’s be let’s be as real as possible.” Because as you know, Michael, the market is also too too too savvy and they’re not going to go for any BS and I wouldn’t put up any BS. You know, one of the person that in in the documentary that doesn’t BS anybody is your is your ex-wife Cynthia. And you you have you have a very fascinating life to me. You know, most people get divorced and they hate each other. And you two seem like you have the greatest relationship and for her to agree to do this and really open herself up as well, that was pretty impressive, Alex. Yeah, it wasn’t easy. And look, she has her masters in psychology, something that she has enjoyed practicing, but I don’t think she enjoyed practicing it with us. And and with her being such a big part of it, but we we’ve all learned from it. Uh in many ways, Michael, the fact that I call myself the Hall of Fame, that part is on me. But the fact that I I was able to learn those lessons, go into intensive therapy, work on the rewiring of the brain, the back of my life, um, you know, if I was a Hall of Fame, I never got into that trouble. I would be unhappy, still under a lot of pain, and I would be a Hall of Famer, but it it would be quite hollow. Today, I don’t have the Hall of Fame. I have a wonderful relationship with my with my daughters. Uh, I’m involved with the symbols and the links, and uh, I have a I have a really good life that I’m that is full of gratitude and giving back. So after this thing is completed now and you know you were watching it there with all of us um earlier this week. Did you learn anything about yourself as you listen to people talk about you? I know it was very emotional for you to see Lu Panella actually say the things that he was saying. I know he was a father figure to you as well. Did you learn anything after this thing was all put together and then finally uh um you you watched the whole thing? Yeah. How dumb and dumber I am to put all that on a big screen. Um, for real, it was um, in all honesty, it was it was very, very touching. I mean, there was three or four spots that I almost broke down. Um, especially when you see someone that Lupinella that was so good to me and was my original professor. And I don’t think people fully appreciate um, a few things. Number one, from age 15 to 25, I had two managers. My high school manager was Mr. Christian was Rich Hoffman. And for those six or seven years in uh Seattle, I felt like it was Westminster University. It was just an extension of Coach Hoffman. And I was very protective. There was one line that I love that Lupinella said in the in episode one that the fans will be able to see tonight is that he said, “If Alex stuck with us for two or three more years, I would have protected him and and he would have been under our bubble.” and and I believe that to be true, but um you know, story is a story and history’s history. All right, so it starts tonight on HBO and I think one each week and it’s a three episode arc and I I hope it’s well received for you, Alex. I hope you’re happy with the way it came out. Me, too. Thank you, Michael. All right, so you were you were a big part of Fox’s coverage of the World Series. I I loved it. I mean, it was such a great World Series. And before we get into some specifics on the World Series, you know, a lot of people that are listening right now are Yankee fans and you follow the Yankees very closely. Um, how far away do you think the Yankees are from the Dodgers, from the Blue Jays? Yeah, I mean, I I I heard your piece yesterday with um Mike Lupa, and Michael was exactly accurate when he said the Dodgers just don’t beat themselves. They don’t make mental mistakes. They make very few physical mistakes. But they remind me of of the late 90s uh New York Yankees. I mean, they got outplayed in every category and somehow the LA Dodgers are world champions again. And that’s a trick from the old school Yankees, but what do they do well? They do so much well. And I think the gap, even though I’ve heard you say, Michael, that 94 wins for the Jays, 94 for the Yankees, I think that’s one of the most misleading stats you can read because the gap is quite quite far. And uh you know what the Yankees lack is continuity. If you look at the Dodgers, you look at Freddy Muki, Will Smith, uh Muny, uh Kiki Hernandez, Clay Klay Kersel, they’ve been there for five, six, seven years together now. And if you look at our team, what the Yankees I believe need to do, and there’s no bigger fan than than me. So I’m I’m a Yankee boy, but I wish I could say all great things. I think Jeter I I wish that Jeter and I during the Fox series we could cover nothing but you know great things about the Yankees. But the truth is there’s some things that are lacking and continuity is one of them. In 04 we had the heartbreak with the Red Sox. It took a full five years to come back and win in ’09. But in ’09 we still had exactly the same core. You know, if you look at the a guy like Aaron Judge who’s entering at age 34, there’s concerns that the window’s closing on one of the great all-time players. But in in the last three years alone, in the last three years alone, Aaron Judge has had 39 different leadoff hitters and 45 cleanup hitters. I had one lead off hitter and I had basically one or two cleanup hitters. one lead off which was either a combination of Damon and Jeter and I had Matsui uh pretty much my entire career behind me and the last five I had Ser. So it it was the epitome of of continuity that we had created there. And the last 27 championships, the only the 27 championships with the Yankees, the one thing they’ve had is continuity. There’s probably the Aaron Judge is the only starter if you go back five years on the roster. That is remarkable and is that anti Yankee way. I just hope and I believe that Cashman and company will get it right. But is it hard to keep a team together that’s not reaching the ultimate goal though? Don’t you have to change things up? Imagine if we would have broken it up in ’05. We don’t get 09, right? You So part of it is you have to pick the right Look, the Dodgers get a lot of grief because they they have now become the New York Yankees, the best and the baddest. And they’ve become now the evil empire that everybody’s chasing. And I saw it where everybody, it was the Dodgers against the world. Everybody was going for the Blue Jays unless you were a Dodger fan. And that was pretty cool to see. Um, but they have tremendous resources. The first team that’s ever gone over a billion dollars. There’s only two teams in sports, Michael, that have gone over a billion dollars in gross revenue. The Dodgers and the Cowboys, class of two. And that’s pretty impressive. But they not only get the resources, they deploy the capital and those resources in the right places. And if you look at that team, the part of the reason why we love that World Series so much is we knew all the characters, we knew the storylines, we knew the strategies. Uh, Dave Roberts pitched. I mean, he cemented himself as a Hall of Fame manager. And John Snder, boy, this guy’s going to be an un he had a tremendous series as well. Do you think the do we’re talking with Alex Rodriguez, his uh documentary premieres tonight on HBO Max. Do you think it’s good for baseball though to have a team that, you know, has repeated and has a payroll so much higher than even the Mets and the Yankees. Is that good for baseball? I mean, I would be as the Yankee and someone who loves the Yankees more than anyone. I would be the total hypocrite to say, “Wait a minute, somebody’s too rich. I mean, we’re the New York Yankees.” Um, we are supposed to be the biggest, the best, and the baddest. And and I laugh and I I know I share this comment with you, Michael, is that when you look at some of the the bad mouthing that a guy like how Steinberger gets, I think is highly unfair, the criticism because here’s a guy that’s spending over $350 million a year and when you include luxury tax and everything else, he is pl he’s doing his part to be a world champion. No, we got to take those resources and deploy them away that in five years, Michael, I hope that we have more than Aaron Judge as the only starter left because if it’s not, then that means your other eight selections weren’t that good. Let me ask you a specific Go ahead. I’m sorry. No, you just can’t beat Judge and nobody else and then you going to just, you know, merrygoround. Let me ask you a specific question about game seven which could have ended on this play and it’s it’s received a lot of analysis and I know you study the game like you know a PhD IKF there there’s video that’s come out of Carlos Febles the third base coach drawing a line and telling him exactly where to lead and now people are saying he didn’t lead enough. What what went wrong there? What was wrong with that play if anything? Well, there’s a lot went wrong with that play. So, there’s a few things to correct here. So, I’ve heard a lot of people say you go as far as a third baseman goes. Meaning your lead should if your lead if if he if the third baseman is seven feet away, you should be seven feet away. That’s highly inaccurate because think about this, Michael. If he was on the bag like he is at first base, then you wouldn’t be sitting on top of the bag, right? And at the same time, if he’s playing like closer to shore stop with a left-handed hitter, you shouldn’t be halfway home because that. So, you have to get a lead, a primary lead and then a secondary lead. The primary lead is not as important. What is but but you should be far enough where you feel that where you land with your secondary lead, you’re going to be able to walk home. So, that that that’s the first part. So, I don’t think he was far enough. And I thought the secondary lead was awful because that part he could have been a lot more aggressive on his step up and leaning forward and that’s definitely breaking at the point of contact. Now let’s talk about the the play contact play. There’s two plays there. One is a more conservative one where you let the ball go through meeting the line drive. The real intention of that play is called contact which means by the time you see the batter starting a swing your momentum is moving forward. As soon as you hear contact, you’re flying home. And if there’s a line drive, oh well, the Dodgers win the World Series. But the minute that ball is even that you have an idea, an ounce of an idea that you’re going to put that ball in play, you’re flying home. And that play is made exactly for Roas did. If he hesitates, he’s dead. There’s no way that he hesitates, almost falls down, recovers, and still gets you out by, you know, four or five inches or maybe two inches. So that was the problem with that. The secondary was not aggressive enough and he did not jump on on the point of contact as he should have. All right, two follow-ups. So you believe that they were spooked by the play that ended the the the previous game with Barger being double off a second. That’s why they they didn’t want to, you know, doubling up was so much in their mind. Well, one is a misdemeanor, the other one’s a felony, right? Um the KK play, he was flying in. It was very an unusual play. Mhm. But but this one is made for that play. If you get a if Ro has get the perfect ground ball and you get him out, you’re fine with that. But the fact that he almost fell over, you have to be able to go far enough that once the ground ball is made, you win the game, World Series game, step match. All right. And the second thing, should he have gone in standing up? Because slowing down, you know, when you’re sliding, friction is going to slow you down. Should he have gone in standing up? No. So, the reason why you want to slide, and I usually like sliding head first now, Michael, because now you have the the the rule that you cannot block the plate. So, the idea that you’re going to get hurt, that’s out the window. The reason why I like going head first because if a throw is a little bit offline and it throws him off to the third baseline and you’re standing up, he can easily grab it and grab your shoulder like you’re making it easy like a first baseman would, you know, um, tag a base runner. In this case, it was a perfect throw. So, you might be a little bit slower, but with your hand, you can actually maneuver where you can cash, where where you can grab the plate. And and that’s something that people didn’t bring up, Alex. By sliding feet first, your feet come up. If you slide head first to home plate, your hands stay down and you probably reach the bag sooner. Yeah. And that’s why with your momentum, you always talk about, you know, someone sprinting in in the Olympics, they don’t dive. Mhm. Um I if they were to dive, they wouldn’t dive feet first cuz that actually slows you down. But Ricky Henderson showed us all that you can kind of accelerate through your slide and it gives you more optionality. Plus, you’re no longer a target if the catcher is offline to to easily grab your should, you know, tag your shoulder. Have you ever seen anything like Otani in your life? And you think you ever will again? No. And no. I mean, I said I said this on the air. I mean, the best hitter I’ve ever seen in my life by far, head and shoulders, Barry Bonds. The best pitcher I’ve ever seen in my life by far is Roger Clemens. The best base runner I’ve ever seen by far is Ricky Henderson. And somehow this 6’4 Japanese stallion is all three of them. It’s unbelievable. It really is unbelievable. Good luck with the documentary, Alex. Great uh that you join me today. And uh I hope the three episodes are are very wellreceived. Thank you. All right, that’s Alex Rodriguez tonight on HBO Max. Hey, every NFL Thursday is your chance to hit the jackpot on FanDuel because with FanDuel’s Thursday touchdown jackpot, you can win a share of $2 million in bonus bets each week. To get in on this Thursday’s action, that’s today. All you have to do is place an anytime touchdown scorer bet before the game kicks off. And if your player scores the first or last TD of the game, you’ll win your bet plus a share of bonus bets. Just visit fanduel.com/k to take a shot at the jackpot. That’s fanduel.com/k for your chance to win a share of $2 million in bonus bets. Play your game with FanDuel, an official sports betting partner of the NFL. 21 plus physically present in New York. Optin required. Must apply profit boost token on select market. Prize pool to be split equally among all eligible participants who made the correct first or last TD pick. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets which expire 21 days after a seat. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fandal.com. For help with the gambling problem, call 18778 openy or text openy 467369. Make cancer screening a part of your annual healthcare routine. New York Presbyterian offers a full range of cancer screenings including lung, cervical, prostate, colurectal, breast, and more. Regular cancer screenings could save your life by detecting cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages. Screenings are available across New York City and Westchester. Learn more at ny.org/cancers screening. Stay amazing. New York Presbyterian. At Uline, they know going the extra mile takes hard work. For companies pushing to go further, Uline will go the distance with you. 24/7 they answer the phone to get you the shipping and industrial supplies you need. Business can move fast. Unexpected large orders, adverse weather, new safety guidelines, and changing economic trends. Uline works hard keeping 41,000 items ready to ship, minimizing detours on your way to the extra mile. Visit uline.com. Dave Rotheberg here to tell you about my friends at BathFitter. Now, they converted my kids bathtub to a shower and did an incredible, really an unbelievable job. They offer all types of custom bath renovations, including their unique permafit solution for a watertight fit done in just one day. Durable and easy to clean with no demo or mess and lower cost than a standard replacement and a lifetime guarantee right now. No money down, no payments, no interest until 2027. So start designing your bed today like we did at bathfitter.com. There’s only one bath fitter. 1877 cars for kids. K A R S Cars for Kids. 1877 Cars for Kids. Donate your car today. 1877 Cars for Kids. K A R S Cars for Kids. 1877 Cars for Kids. Donate your car today. Ready to get rid of that old car? Donate it to Cars for Kids. Call 1877 Cars for Kids to reach a friendly live agent. Donation is super easy and your car can be picked up as soon as tomorrow. Call us now. 877 Cars for Kids. That’s cars with a K to donate your car today. 1877 cars for kids. K. Cars for kids. 1877 for kids. Did you know you can donate real estate, too? Go to carsforkids.org. That’s carsforkids.org. [Music] Dampling problem. Call 1800 gambler 21 plus only. Must be physically located in New Jersey. TNC’s apply. Score or win this game day with Amazon Pickup. The MVP of package pickup. Need that new football jersey for the big matchup? With Amazon Pickup, you can collect your order from secure Amazon lockers or counters near you on your schedule. Whether you’re running from work or home or straight to the tailgate, Amazon Pickup makes it easy and worry-f free at no extra cost. Don’t miss kickoff. Grab your gear and your packages when it works for you. Find your nearest Amazon pickup location at amazon.com/pickupm. That’s amazon.com/pickupm. Clinton Yates here. The holidays are upon us and so are the savings at Total Wine and more. Discover thousands of wines, spirits, and beers like my favorite IPAs. Perfect for every celebration and every budget. From bold reds to sparklers, you’ll find the perfect wines to raise a glass this season. With the lowest prices for over 30 years, you’ll always find what you love and love what you find. Only at Total Wine and More. Curbside pickup and delivery available in most areas. See total Wine.com for details. Spirits not sold in Virginia and North Carolina. Drink responsibly. B21. From kickoff to cash out. ESPN Bet has the tools you need to score more on game days. Bet smarter. With stats at your fingertips. Get personalized parlays built just for you. And with your fantasy team synced right in the app, you can back your squad. Right now, new customers get 100 bucks in bonus bets when you bet $10. Sign up with promo code USL to get started. Must be 21 plus. Gambling problem. Call 1800 gambler. Terms and conditions apply. See app for details. Offer not available in New York. You live for this. The wins, the losses, the slam dunks, and the buzzer beers. The dream that this is your team’s year. Hope. It’s what keeps you coming back. So you represent with anticipation and with pride. Because when everything’s on the line, your support means everything. That’s why the NBA store is here to support you. Check out the largest selection of official NBA gear at nbastore.com. A fanatics experience. All right, so the uh the Padres’s have hired a new manager and that’s Craig Stamon. Uh he is 42 years old. This is his first job and that leaves the Rockies job open. That’s the the last one that I could think of that’s still open. Uh so a lot of these were filled by firsttime guys. One by a college guy, one by a 33y old. Uh now Stamman um um a 42year-old. A lot of young managers taking over. We’ll see how that works out. 1800 919 3776. You know, we talked about Jackson Dart and the lack of of support around him right now with the injuries and Dart was asked, uh, are you worried about getting injured? I never want to come out of the game if I’m up or down. You know, I played in my my bowl game last year and we’re up by like 30 points and, you know, I’m telling the coach like there’s no way I’m coming out. You know, I’ll stay on the field even if you try to sub me out. So, you know, I think just as competitors, you definitely you’re not going to be an easy out in those situations and you feel like you can get back in the game because if you’ve paid attention to to the NFL, like I mean, you can look at our Broncos game, you could watch the Bears and Cincinnati game, like even with what looks like a little time left, you know, you’re always still kind of in the game. So, you know, how I see is you play it 30 0. Now, Dable was asked, are you worried about Dart getting injured? We’ll just keep developing Jackson. Jackson’s a competitor. We’ll do the things we think we need to do. You never want anybody to get hurt. Opportunity every time you step on the field to do that. So, some of it is scrambling. Couple runs that we had on the outside, but let’s keep working with him and do what we think we need to do. Now, I know that was a lot of gobbly but the one thing that he said, football is, you know, people get hurt in football and you can’t put people in bubble wrap. You can’t wrap them in saran wrap. They are going to get hurt. If if it’s their time, they’re going to get hurt. Let’s go to um Andrew in Medford. Andrew, hello. Hello, Andrew. Hey, Michael. How are you? Good. How you doing? I’m good, thanks. Um, I want to talk about the Giants. And, um, in my view, the Giants need an experienced coach with a winning background that’s going to get the respect from the players. And right now, uh, the head coach, they got to get one that’s not going to tolerate this. You know, the Giants have a accountability problem. And honestly, I don’t think Dable’s the guy, you know? I mean, you got to get a leader in there who’s going to get the respect in the room, you know? How do you know he doesn’t have respect? How do you know he doesn’t have respect? Their eagles and stuff. Honestly, there’s not much to choose from out there this year. But Mike McCarthy, he does come to mind now because he’s an experienced coach. He won a Super Bowl. He played for two, you know, highly pressured organizations, you know, with the Packers 125 77-2 in 13 seasons and 4935 with the Cowboys. Now, he’s got flaws like everyone does in his area of game management. But he also can establish culture, he manages egos, and he develops quarterbacks. Those are three really important parts of the job. You think the Giants can use someone like him? But but I’m I’m asking you, how do you know that Dable doesn’t have respect? Well, I get it. Well, because look what’s going on right now. Defense. Well, I mean, but but okay. So, maybe the schemes aren’t right. Maybe they’re not doing the right things at the right time. Maybe he’s not a good head coach, but I I would fight you on the fact he doesn’t have respect. Seems like the quarterback absolutely reveres him. I think they play hard for him, but you know, when you throw out they don’t have respect, I never ever want to take that leap where I’m going to tell you what goes on behind closed doors unless I know what goes on behind closed doors. Not going to put that and pin that on the guy. And if I’m going to move on from Brian Dable, I don’t think I’m going to Mike McCarthy. I just don’t. Now, when you look at the Green Bay teams that he he coached, should they have won one more Super Bowl, two more Super Bowls with Aaron Rogers? Should it should they have and and the Cowboys didn’t do much with of anything with Mike McCarthy despite a very talented team. I don’t think that’s the route I’d take. I think I’d try another young guy who’s well respected and that that’s that’s a dangerous thing. The Jets are doing it, but I wouldn’t hire a defensive guy like Glenn. I’d hire an offensive minded coach. Coming up, Don Han and Rosenberg. Tomorrow we’re back again at 1:00 and that’s when we make our two pack for sure picks. Last week I was one and one but still having a pretty good season and I’ll give you those picks uh tomorrow. A lot of stuff to talk about as well. 1 800 919-3776 if you want to talk to Don Han and Rosenberg in just a moment. And in the words of Billy Joel, life is a series of hos and goodbyes. I’m afraid it’s time for goodbye again. See everybody. Talk to you tomorrow at 1. Hey bro, weirdest thing is happening at the game. This guy sitting next to me says, “You’re our good luck charm. Every time I crack a Bud Light, we score a touchdown.”

On today’s episode of The Michael Kay Show, Michael covers a packed lineup across New York sports: A-Rod joins to discuss his new documentary “Alex vs A-Rod” and why the Yankees need more lineup continuity to succeed. Also, Chris Simms and Dan Orlovsky join the show and talk NY Football.

Your home for all things New York sports — bringing you the energy, opinions, and insights that define the city’s sports scene.

Weekday Lineup:
DiPietro & Rothenberg — 6a-10a
Bart & Carlin — 10a-1p
The Michael Kay Show — 1p-3p
Don, Hahn, & Rosenberg — 3p-7p

#ESPNNewYork #NYsports #DiPietro&Rothenberg #BartAndCarlin #TheMichaelKayShow #Don,Hahn,&Rosenberg

Chapters:
00:00:00 – Don Mattingly leaving Blue Jays – could he return to the Yankees?
00:10:00 – Did the Mets let Hefner go over money? Yankees & Mets free agency decisions ahead
00:15:00 – Are the Knicks’ offensive struggles turning around?
00:20:00 – Caller: Michael’s thoughts on NBA on NBC Caller: Should the Yankees keep Bellinger?
00:30:00 – Dan Orlovsky: Jets’ moves don’t matter until they get a QB
00:45:00 – Can the Knicks rely on Mitchell Robinson?

01:00:00 – Chris Simms: Jets’ personnel didn’t fit Aaron Glenn’s defense
01:30:00 – Alex Rodriguez on Alex vs A-Rod documentary
01:35:00 – A-Rod: Yankees need more lineup continuity and talks about Game 7
01:45:00 – Caller: Giants players don’t respect Daboll, wants McCarthy