Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Excessive Celebration?

Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, ESPN New York

Episode Overview

The main theme of this hour centers on "excessive celebration" in Major League Baseball—with a specific focus on whether champagne celebrations for clinching a wild card spot or mere playoff birth are justified, or if they’re a pointless tradition. The Yankees and Mets’ playoff statuses fuel a lively debate about sports standards, expectations for elite franchises, and what truly warrants a locker room celebration. The hour is also sprinkled with music nostalgia, listener calls on regional identity and fandom, and trademark banter full of humor and sports candor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Baseball Playoff Celebrations — Tradition or Travesty?

• Main Take: The hosts are largely disdainful of baseball teams—especially storied, high-payroll ones like the Yankees and Mets — engaging in champagne-soaked celebrations simply for clinching a wild card or playoff spot.

• Historical Context:

  • Peter Rosenberg explains that the tradition made sense when clinching truly meant winning a league pennant but has become diluted with multiple wild cards and expanded playoffs.

  • Don La Greca calls out the Yankees and Dodgers specifically, arguing their expectations and historical standards should make "backing into the postseason" celebrations seem beneath them.

    "You clinch a wild card which if the Yankees settle for will be looked upon as a disappointment and you're pouring champagne over each other and got goggles and acting stupid." (Michael Rosenberg, 06:56)

    "If there's ever going to be a franchise that says we're going to put a stop to this, this is a dumb tradition that should go away, it should be the Yankees...the expectation is to make the playoffs." (Don Hahn, 08:09)

• Redemption for Small Market Teams: Peter concedes that for franchises like the Reds who haven’t seen success in decades, such celebrations make sense.

  "If the Reds get the third wild card, let them set fire to yourself. Have a ball... you've done nothing for like three decades. Go nuts." (Michael Rosenberg, 09:10)

2. Expectations for Elite Franchises

• Yankees’ Mindset:

  • Since 2017, they've only missed the playoffs once; making the postseason is routine rather than a rare achievement.
  • Alan Hahn notes, “You win a title. These conversations kind of don't hit the same way, but because these are the only things you've celebrated, it kind of seems like you're celebrating mediocrity.” (Alan Hahn, 13:12)

• Celebrating Disappointment?

  • The hosts argue that if you're a game away from winning your division and instead settle for a wild card, celebrating feels like marking a letdown, not a crowning achievement.

• Suggestion for Leadership:

  • They toy with the idea of Aaron Judge abstaining from the festivities as a way to set a higher standard, though agree it could be misconstrued in a team dynamic.

    "How money would it have been if everybody's partying but Judge... 'What's the matter Aaron?' He's like, 'No, work to do.'" (Michael Rosenberg, 14:05)

• Champagne Hierarchy:

  • Wild card = boxed wine or sparkling cider, not the real champagne.

    "When you win the wild card, you should celebrate with like boxed wine." (Michael Rosenberg, 19:08)

3. Listener Calls — Fandom, Jersey Geography, and More

• Central Jersey Debate: Listeners call in to settle the mythic “does Central Jersey exist?” debate. Consensus among hosts and callers: it does, with area codes cited as proof.
• Fan Reactions to Celebrations:
  • Long-time Yankee fans express indifference or distaste for wild card celebrations, referencing Derek Jeter’s era for contrast:

    "Jeter said, 'celebrate what? We [haven't done] nothing yet.' And these Yankees, they don't get that. That's a problem." (Caller, 21:21)

4. Expanded MLB Playoffs—Too Easy Now?

• Discussion that it’s now much easier to make the MLB playoffs, so clinching isn’t what it used to be.
• Don: “Baseball tries to hold itself to a stand. It's hard to make the playoffs in baseball. No, it's not anymore. I got the Mets, who were five games above .500, holding on for dear life.” (35:12)

5. Music Nostalgia Interlude (27:36–41:10)

• Celebration of September 24, 1991 — the release date for three iconic albums: A Tribe Called Quest's Low End Theory, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and Nirvana's Nevermind.
• The hosts quiz each other and the producer on tracks from these albums, riffing on generational distance and music relevance.
• Hilarity ensues over “charting” versus “cultural relevance” when debating the most impactful Chili Peppers songs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the True Standard for Celebrations:

  "If you aren't hanging a banner for what you did...you can't use champagne." (Don Hahn, 23:32)

• On the Annual Nature of Yankees' Playoffs:

  "This is the ninth time in the last 10 years now that they have clinched a playoff spot... this is just what you suppose (to do). Like, this is what they do. Like, this is an expectation. This is not an achievement." (Don Hahn, 47:46)

• On Modern Baseball and Champagne:

  "It's the one sport that does it and it's stupid. It just is." (Michael Rosenberg, 34:11)

• On Peer Pressure for Players:

  "It's the pressure because everybody else is going to do it, so they feel like they've got to do it." (Michael Rosenberg, 14:45)

• Comparing Celebrations to Life Events:

  "Every time I do successfully sit down in the studio, I want you to pour champagne all over me. I did it." (Michael Rosenberg, 24:13, joking about excessive celebration in daily life)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:29] — Show rundown; segment previews; announcement of top five worst New York coaches list for later in the show.
• [04:40] — Yankees' and Mets' playoff prospects analyzed; crux of the “excessive celebration” debate introduced.
• [06:56–16:32] — In-depth argument against wild card champagne celebrations; historical context, standards, listener perspectives.
• [19:39] — Listener calls begin; Central Jersey debate and playoff celebration views.
• [27:36–41:10] — Music detour: September 24, 1991, "iconic album day" for Nirvana, Tribe, Chili Peppers; generational discussion; pop charts vs. "feel" debate.
• [44:07–50:45] — More listener calls; robust debate over whether the Yankees' situation is unique and if fans agree with hosts’ arguments.

Tone & Highlights

• Language and Tone:
  • Candid, passionate, occasionally sarcastic. A blend of sports expertise and classic New York sports radio banter.
  • Frequent humor ("champagne for waking up," "wild card = boxed wine") and pop culture references.
• Memorable Exchanges:
  • The suggestion that Aaron Judge abstain from wild card celebrations as a statement.
  • Recounting of Jeter’s legendary “we haven’t done anything yet” attitude.
  • The shift to 90s music nostalgia as both comic relief and generational comment.

Bottom Line

Hour 1 of this episode sets off a fiery—and funny—debate about sports traditions and standards, particularly holding storied franchises to higher expectations. The hosts argue that for the Yankees and teams like them, playoff clinching shouldn’t be treated like a championship. Layered in are calls, laughs, music talk, and the unique blend of sports and culture that defines the show.

Key Takeaway:
If you're a Yankees or Mets fan, or just passionate about sports traditions, you'll appreciate the hosts’ push for perspective: Save the champagne for the true milestones that matter. Everything else? Maybe it’s just a little… excessive.