Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Big Series Debate (August 21, 2025)

Overview

This episode centers around a high-energy debate about sports priorities in New York right now. Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg spar over whether tonight’s Yankees vs. Red Sox showdown or the Giants’ preseason football game is more crucial to New York fans. The discussion digs into how much this Yankees-Red Sox series means for the playoff race, the psychological state of the Yankees, and shifts in fandom priorities. They also touch on broader topics—parenting, sports broadcasting, and a splash of wrestling—but always circle back to the urgency and symbolism of this Yankees-Red Sox faceoff.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “First Most Important” Yankees vs. Red Sox Series

• Series Context:
  • Yankees have won 8 of 10, hitting 14 home runs in the last two games.
  • Red Sox have stumbled and are now two games behind the Yankees; Yankees chasing the Blue Jays for the division.
• Importance Debate:
  • Rosenberg: Initially claims Giants preseason is bigger news; not buying the "season-defining" hype for this series.
    • “To me, good Lord, that is more exciting than game one of a four game set between the Yankees and the Red Sox.” (03:00)
  • Hahn: Firmly sees this as a turning point for the Yankees, both for the standings and team psyche.
    • “This is the first big series left in the season of a couple. But this one's big. You prove that things have turned… Now you have a chance to smack them around a little bit, keep them reeling, put them in the rear view and then let the Blue Jays know we're coming for you.” (03:27)
• Psychological Impact:
  • Hahn emphasizes not just standings but the need for a “psychological dominance” after the Red Sox embarrassed the Yankees earlier this year.
    • “I think it's important for the team psyche … I think there's got to be some sort of a psychological dominance coming out of the weekend that makes this team and its fan base feel like, okay, we had some dog days of summer, they're behind...” (06:32)

[Key Segment: 03:15–09:16]

2. The Case for Giants Preseason and Jackson Dart

• Rosenberg’s Football Focus:
  • He tries to steer the show towards Giants preseason and rookie Jackson Dart, positioning it as the “story of the day”.
  • Anthony Pusick, producer, says he’s not interested in watching preseason football, calling Yankees-Red Sox “the bigger game”.
• Fan Priorities:
  • A playful ranking of Anthony’s fandom: Rangers, Yankees, Giants.
  • Discussion on what truly gets New Yorkers excited: meaningful late-season baseball or even preseason glimpses of football hope.

[Key Segment: 04:39–11:16]

3. Parenting & Letting Go

• Personal Moments:
  • Alan Hahn gets candid about the emotional tug of sending his son, Zach, off to college sports camps and college.
  • Peter relates, recalling his own “scaredy cat” childhood and never returning to sleepaway camp.
    • “When I went to sleepaway camp once, I cried for two weeks, came home, never went back again.” (13:13)
  • The conversation explores how parenting styles shift between sons and daughters when dealing with growing up and moments of independence.

[Key Segment: 11:16–15:10]

4. What Would Make This Series Telling?

• Possible Outcomes:
  • Hahn: Anything less than winning three out of four would be disappointing; sweep nearly impossible but would provide a “psychological breakthrough”.
  • Key factors: Team’s response to Red Sox aggression on the bases, Yankees’ improved running game, emotional and strategic “juice” in the rivalry.
    • “Can Luis, heal give you… that indication of him finding himself and setting a tone in the series?” (15:52)
• The Need for “Juice”:
  • Reflecting on when “the juice wasn’t there” in May, Hahn wants this series to restore animosity and urgency to Yankees-Red Sox.

[Key Segment: 15:30–20:53]

5. WWE Moves to ESPN & Media Landscape

• Wrestling Crossovers:
  • Rosenberg shares excitement (and surprise) about WWE’s move to ESPN, with the first premium live event “Wrestle Palooza”—and his own confirmed involvement.
  • The hosts marvel at the blurred lines between traditional sports, pro wrestling, and ESPN’s growing reach.

[Key Segment: 21:54–22:42]

6. Broadcast Booth Praise: Joe Girardi's Analysis

• Yankees Broadcast Talent:
  • Hahn notes Joe Girardi's growing confidence as an analyst, praising his “insightful” commentary and ability to explain the subtleties of managing and catching.
    • “I think he's fantastic as a game analyst. I think he's really insightful. He's very good.” (25:42)
  • Additional shout-outs to Jeff Nelson, who’s scheduled to appear later in the show.

[Key Segment: 25:42–29:39]

7. Sports Nicknames and Traditions

• Fun with Names:
  • Banter about calling ex-players and broadcasters by their nicknames (or avoiding them out of respect).
  • Comedy over Buster Olney’s real name:
    • Rosenberg: “Your name is Robert Stanberry. Only the third. You basically are a character in Game of Thrones. And then you go, you know what? Why don’t I just knock my name down to being the family dog?” (32:47)

[Key Segment: 31:07–33:26]

8. Listener Call: Yankees Optimism

• Graham in Yonkers:
  • Calls in to echo Hahn’s positivity and excited energy for the Yankees.
  • Discusses how aggressiveness, especially on the bases, has built his confidence—that the Yankees may have turned a corner.
    • Hahn: “I want to turn over a new leaf. I don't want to be that guy that is just the wet blanket negative. Everything terrible. I don't want to be that.” (36:16)

[Key Segment: 33:26–36:59]

9. Don La Greca’s Acting Debut

• Commercial Spotlight:
  • Discussion about Don’s New Jersey Devils commercial, poking fun at his “hammy” performance.
  • Jokes about the marketing of Don’s tattoo and “Wolf of Weehawken” vibes.

[Key Segment: 37:10–41:17]

10. Playoff Format & Competitive Balance

• Listener Steve's Suggestion:
  • Calls for MLB playoff reform—fewer teams, more meaningful late-season games.
  • Hahn acknowledges that the league prefers more teams involved, creating “parity” and a “crapshoot” in October.

[Key Segment: 45:00–47:56]

11. Closing Sound: Players and Managers on Series Importance

• Clips from Aaron Judge and Aaron Boone:
  • Judge: “Just stay locked up in on that and do what we can do and control. We can control and… take care of business.” (48:13)
  • Boone: “We've never lost confidence. You know, even through some really tough times and some dark days... So, you know, we got to keep it going, though.” (49:11)

[Key Segment: 48:12–49:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Series Importance:
  • Alan Hahn: “This is the first most important series left in the season. That's the best way to describe it. But that says that there's a lot of emphasis there when you say it that way.” (21:22)
• Sports Priorities:
  • Anthony Pusick: “I’m probably not even putting the Giants on. I mean, it’s preseason football. I could catch the highlights…” (09:45)
• On Hosting Styles:
  • Alan Hahn: “I want to turn over a new leaf. I don't want to be that guy that is just the wet blanket negative.” (36:16)
• On Nicknames:
  • Peter Rosenberg: “[Buster Olney’s] name is Robert Stanberry. Only the third. You basically are a character in Game of Thrones. And then you go… Why don’t I just knock my name down to being the family dog?” (32:47)
• On Don LaGreca’s Acting:
  • Alan Hahn: “We need to, like, get some critiques on it. There’s a couple of good one liners. I’m sure if we throw it on the page, like him on the phone with people is just fantastic.” (40:57)
• On Yankees Playoff Picture:
  • Alan Hahn: “If you come out of it losing three out of four, I feel like the win comes out of the sails. Of the 8 out of 10...” (21:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Yankees vs. Red Sox “First Most Important” Debate: 03:15–09:16
• Giants Preseason vs. Yankees Red Sox Fandom: 09:37–11:16
• Parenting & Letting Go: 11:16–15:10
• Psychological Stakes of the Series: 15:30–20:53
• WWE to ESPN & Wrestling Crossover: 21:54–22:42
• Joe Girardi as Analyst: 25:42–29:39
• Nicknames & Sports Lore: 31:07–33:26
• Caller Graham’s Yankees Hope: 33:26–36:59
• Don La Greca Devils Commercial: 37:10–41:17
• MLB Playoff Format & Call-in: 45:00–47:56
• Player/Manager Clips on Series: 48:12–49:11

Conclusion

The opening hour delivers a rapid-fire, banter-filled exploration of why this Yankees-Red Sox series matters—both in the standings and emotionally for the fan base. Hahn and Rosenberg’s tug-of-war over what’s sports “headline” material in New York is both comical and insightful, showing just how multi-layered the sports landscape is at this point in the season. Through listener calls, inside-broadcasting stories, and riffing on sports traditions, the show sets up the weekend’s tension and drama while maintaining a signature blend of levity and serious analysis.