Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 1 – Baseball Frustration & Fauxnatics Fest

Release Date: June 25, 2025

In the inaugural episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," hosts Don La Greca, Peter Rosenberg, and Michael Kay delve deep into the tumultuous current state of Major League Baseball, focusing primarily on the New York Mets and Yankees. Additionally, they introduce the exciting upcoming event, Fauxnatics Fest 2025. The episode is packed with insightful analysis, heated debates, and engaging banter, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the baseball world.

1. Fauxnatics Fest 2025 Unveiled

The episode kicks off with a surprising announcement about Fauxnatics Fest 2025, a major event poised to rival established gatherings like Fanatics Fest. Michael Kay shares his enthusiasm for the festival, highlighting its star-studded lineup and exclusive VIP packages.

• Michael Kay (02:22): "Fanatics Fest 2025 is here. Who needs people like Tom Brady and LeBron James when we got Brock Ward."

Peter Rosenberg adds humorously to the announcement, emphasizing the uniqueness of the event's lineup.

• Peter Rosenberg (02:40): "Michael Rubin, Don Han and Rosenberg have the real Rolodex."

Don La Greca further elaborates on the impressive roster, mentioning notable personalities and expressing excitement about the festival's potential.

• Don La Greca (03:17): "Phonatics Fest 2025... It was worth the wait. I'm very excited now."

The hosts also touch upon the unfortunate passing of Sidney Partier, dedicating a moment to honor his legacy.

• Don La Greca (03:19): "Don, did you tweet rest in peace to Sidney Partier?"

2. Mets and Yankees: A Tale of Two Struggles

The core of the episode revolves around the current struggles of the New York Mets and Yankees, with the hosts dissecting various factors contributing to their underperformance.

a. Mets’ Struggles Against the Braves

Don La Greca expresses frustration over the Mets’ inability to secure a winning record against the Atlanta Braves, a division rival with a dominant history.

• Don La Greca (08:45): "Since 2000, the Mets have a .435 win percentage against the Braves. The last time the Mets won a season series against the Braves was back in 2017."

He predicts an ongoing trend of losses, highlighting the Mets' diminishing chances of overtaking the Braves in the division.

b. Yankees’ Bullpen Woes and Hitting Challenges

The Yankees are under scrutiny for their bullpen's inefficiency and the hitters' inability to perform in critical situations. Don criticizes the reliance on the bullpen due to pitcher fatigue and overuse.

• Don La Greca (07:32): "We're so concerned about making sure our pitchers don't get hurt, which they get hurt anyway. And then we go to the bullpen and we don't seem to care how much we have to go to the bullpen."

He points out the Yankees' poor performance in extra innings, attributing their losses to ineffective hitting with runners in scoring positions.

• Don La Greca (05:58): "They are the worst team in Major League Baseball in extra innings, 2 for 36 or something."

Michael Kay probes deeper into whether these issues are mental or structural.

• Michael Kay (07:35): "How much now is about all of the issues you're speaking about? ... What percentage is mental now?"

Don responds by emphasizing the structural flaws over mental setbacks.

• Don La Greca (07:58): "I don't think it's mental for the Yankees because this is kind of who the Yankees are."

3. Pitching Fatigue and Managerial Decisions

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the overuse of pitchers, leading to fatigue and ineffective performances. The hosts debate the management's handling of pitchers like Carlos Rodón, who was forced out of a game due to exhaustion.

• Don La Greca (12:35): "But the bullpen has got to be able to come through and protect the lead at home... You can't constantly rely on your bullpen to get the job done every single night."

Michael Kay questions the adherence to pitch limits and managerial flexibility.

• Michael Kay (15:08): "Where do you draw the line of quality start, Don?"

Don argues for more realistic expectations regarding pitch counts.

• Don La Greca (15:12): "The quality start is supposed to be three runs or less over six innings... Now it seems like just give me a hard five and we're good."

4. Umpire Controversies: Jazz’s Ejection

The episode touches upon the controversial ejection of Yankees player Jazz Chisholm, sparked by disputed calls from umpire Wagner.

• Don La Greca (15:35): "When you see the pitch chart of that at bat, it's disgusting... Jazz can't allow himself to get thrown out of the game in that situation."

He critiques both the umpire's consistency and Chisholm's reaction to the contentious call.

• Michael Kay (16:15): "If it's a mental cost, you're getting tossed."

The discussion underscores the impact of umpire decisions on game outcomes and player behavior.

5. Fan Reactions and Team Expectations

Don and Michael reflect on the heightened expectations for the Mets and Yankees, given their storied histories and championship aspirations. They express disappointment over the teams' inability to meet these expectations midway through the season.

• Don La Greca (22:47): "The Mets were ripped by people, including myself, last year because they were coming off a season in which they were finished under .500 and didn't make the playoffs."

Michael Kay shares a fan's exasperated sentiment, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction.

• Michael Kay (21:26): "I spoke to someone yesterday, huge Mets fan. And when I wrote, I texted him and said, this is unbelievable. His quote was, bleep them. I've moved on."

Don emphasizes the lack of historical success to grant the teams the benefit of doubt, reinforcing legitimate frustration.

• Don La Greca (23:16): "I'm allowed to be concerned because what have the Mets done in their brief history together with this team to say that they're going to be okay."

6. Brief Segment on NBA Draft and Other Sports Updates

Before transitioning to lighter topics, the hosts briefly mention upcoming NBA Draft coverage and recent trades affecting the Eastern Conference.

• Don La Greca (24:07): "We've got Enn at 6. We're going to check in with Alan Hahn at 4. About the draft, there was a big trade, the NBA again last night further devaluing your team."

7. Light-Hearted Banter and Personal Anecdotes

The latter part of the episode features casual conversations about weather, unique food experiences, and personal stories, adding a relatable and entertaining dimension to the show.

a. Watermelon Variety Debate

Don and Michael discuss the surprising discovery of yellow watermelons, sharing their reactions and emphasizing the novelty.

• Michael Kay (44:19): "I have to tell you, I enjoyed it."

• Don La Greca (45:21): "But it did feel like there was a slight difference. I can't put my finger on it."

b. Dubai Chocolate Shake Experience

Michael introduces his experience with the Dubai Chocolate Shake at Shake Shack, prompting a playful discussion about its taste and calorie content.

• Michael Kay (46:24): "The Dubai chocolate bar is known for its unique combination of Belgian milk chocolate... and a filling of pistachio cream and kunafa."

• Don La Greca (48:14): "If it was a wonderful experience, then it was worth every calorie."

8. Audience Engagement through Callers

Throughout the episode, listeners engage via calls, sharing their frustrations and seeking insights. Topics range from pitcher performance to team management decisions, reflecting the audience's investment in the teams' fortunes.

• Caller (29:21): "Is Stant Stanton still locked up?"

• Don La Greca (30:00): "What's locked up for what's. Who's locked up for the next couple of years?"

These interactions provide real-time perspectives, enriching the hosts' discussions and offering diverse viewpoints.

Conclusion

"Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 1 – Baseball Frustration & Fauxnatics Fest" offers a compelling blend of in-depth baseball analysis and vibrant discussions about upcoming events. The hosts' passionate insights into the Mets and Yankees' struggles, coupled with engaging listener interactions and light-hearted segments, create a well-rounded and informative episode. Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or someone looking to stay updated on the latest sports news, this episode provides valuable perspectives and entertainment.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Kay (07:35): "How much now is about all of the issues you're speaking about? ... What percentage is mental now?"

• Don La Greca (15:12): "The quality start is supposed to be three runs or less over six innings... Now it seems like just give me a hard five and we're good."

• Don La Greca (22:47): "The Mets were ripped by people, including myself, last year because they were coming off a season in which they were finished under .500 and didn't make the playoffs."

• Michael Kay (46:24): "The Dubai chocolate bar is known for its unique combination of Belgian milk chocolate... and a filling of pistachio cream and kunafa."

Timestamp Highlights:

• 02:22: Introduction of Fauxnatics Fest 2025
• 05:58: Discussion on Yankees' performance in extra innings
• 07:35: Inquiry into the mental aspect of team struggles
• 15:12: Redefining the concept of a quality start in pitching
• 22:47: Reflection on historical performance impacting current expectations
• 44:19: Discovery of yellow watermelons
• 46:24: Experience with Dubai Chocolate Shake at Shake Shack

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and highlights from the first hour of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," ensuring listeners are well-informed about the episode's content without having listened to it.