Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Hour 1: Captain Lindor?

Release Date: June 19, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Duration: Approximately 49 minutes

1. Opening Remarks and Personal Greetings (00:53 - 07:07)

The episode kicks off with Don La Greca wishing listeners a happy Juneteenth and addressing the unpredictable weather conditions affecting their area. The hosts engage in light-hearted banter about birthdays and personal anecdotes, setting a relaxed and conversational tone for the show.

Notable Quote:
Don La Greca [00:53]: "Happy Thursday, everybody. It's Juneteenth."

2. Yankees and Mets: Current Performance and Standings (07:07 - 17:25)

The primary focus shifts to Major League Baseball, specifically analyzing the performances of the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. Both teams, despite being first-place contenders, are experiencing setbacks.

• Yankees:

  • Current standing: Up by one game with a losing streak of six games, their longest since 2023.
  • Key issues: Rodin's pitching struggles, Volpe's performance at shortstop, and inability to generate big hits.

  Don La Greca [02:32]: "The Yankees are up 4, 3 in the bottom of the sixth inning... but they lost their sixth consecutive game last night."

• Mets:

  • Current standing: One game ahead of the Phillies but on a five-game losing streak.
  • Key issues: Facing tough division opponents like the Braves, pitching inconsistencies, and recent shutout losses.

  Don La Greca [04:22]: "The Mets have now lost five in a row. Cannot beat the Braves."

Notable Quote:
Alan Han [03:48]: "Despite the fact that we're talking about two first place teams, both likely headed to the postseason."

3. Trade Deadline Strategies and Team Aggressiveness (17:25 - 21:16)

The discussion delves into the upcoming trade deadline, contrasting the Yankees' and Mets' approaches:

• Yankees:

  • Tend to be less aggressive in trades due to budget constraints.
  • Preference for maintaining roster integrity over acquiring high-end players.

  Alan Han [17:25]: "How much you're spending already. They don't like giving up young players."

• Mets:

  • Likely to adopt a more aggressive stance to bolster their lineup and bullpen.
  • Potential moves include acquiring starting pitchers and enhancing offensive capabilities.

  Don La Greca [19:09]: "The Mets might be in a position to be a little bit more aggressive than the Yankees, just historically speaking."

Notable Quote:
Alan Han [18:04]: "For the Mets is it bullpen like really for the Mets I think they might be the more aggressive team."

4. Francisco Lindor's Leadership and the Concept of Captaincy in Baseball (25:12 - 44:07)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Francisco Lindor's role as a leader for the Mets and the broader topic of captaincy in baseball.

• Lindor's Performance:

  • Struggling at the plate with a .154 batting average over the last seven games.
  • Acknowledged as the team's leader, Lindor emphasizes the need for personal and team improvement.

  Alan Han [29:30]: "He has to play better."

• Captaincy in Baseball:

  • Unlike sports like hockey or football, baseball rarely emphasizes the role of a team captain.
  • Historical context: The Mets have had few captains, with notable ones being Keith Hernandez and John Franco.

  Don La Greca [40:15]: "The reason why I think it's kind of a joke in baseball... it's not a thing in baseball."

• Fan and Team Perspectives:

  • Listeners and callers express the desire for Lindor to be officially recognized as the team captain.
  • Discussion on how such a designation could impact team dynamics and leadership perception.

Notable Quote:
Tal [37:39]: "I think it's time to put the C on Lindor's chest real soon."

5. Interaction with Callers: Fan Expectations and Team Morale (30:49 - 43:15)

The hosts engage with callers who share their views on team performances, leadership, and expectations.

• Fan Sentiments:

  • Older fans bring a historical perspective, referencing past Yankees' dominance.
  • Younger fans exhibit optimism despite current struggles, reflecting different expectation levels.

  Don La Greca [34:59]: "Maybe the younger generation is a little bit more optimistic than the older generation."

• Leadership Dynamics:

  • Emphasis on Lindor's role as a spokesperson and morale booster.
  • Debate on the necessity and impact of formal captaincy in fostering team unity.

  Alan Han [43:09]: "It's the history of it is significant, but maybe they will."

Notable Quote:
Alan Han [36:32]: "Maybe the expectations of the younger generation is different than the expectations of the generations after them."

6. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts (44:07 - 48:44)

As the episode nears its end, the hosts continue discussing game updates, weather delays affecting live broadcasts, and wrap up with light-hearted conversations and birthday wishes for Alan.

• Game Highlights:

  • Current Yankees' game status: Leading 5-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning.

  Don La Greca [48:04]: "They're in the bottom of the 8th inning with a 5, 3 lead."

• Final Reflections:

  • The hosts reflect on the season's trajectory for both teams and express hopes for future performance improvements.
  • Emphasis on the importance of team leadership and fan support in overcoming challenging stretches.

Notable Quote:
Don La Greca [44:07]: "You need to point the thumb, not the finger. That's what you do as a leader."

Key Takeaways

• Yankees and Mets Struggles: Both New York's premier baseball teams are facing losing streaks despite leading their respective divisions, raising concerns about their postseason prospects.

• Leadership in Focus: Francisco Lindor emerges as the central figure for the Mets, with discussions centered around his leadership qualities and the potential formalization of his role as team captain.

• Trade Deadline Strategies: Differing approaches between the Yankees' conservative trade dealings and the Mets' potential aggressiveness highlight strategic planning for playoff positioning.

• Fan Dynamics: Variations in fan expectations across generations underscore the evolving landscape of baseball fandom and its impact on team morale.

Listeners who missed the episode can access it on demand through the ESPN New York app or their preferred podcast platform.