Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – "Fan Hatred" (Hour 1) Podcast Summary

Date: September 26, 2025 | Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York & YouTube

Overview

This episode dives into the nature of sports hatred among New York fans, with spirited debate on whether Yankees and Mets fans really "hate" each other’s teams, reflections on playoff scenarios for MLB’s New York teams, and the psychology of fandom and rivalry. The trio also discusses current NFL updates and the emotional rollercoaster of rooting interests, peppered with listener calls and plenty of humor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Fraught Nature of NY Fan Rivalries

• The segment quickly turns from on-field performance to off-field emotions—do Yankees and Mets fans genuinely hate each other’s teams, or is the animosity exaggerated?
• Don pushes the theory that “you’re supposed to hate the other team in the market,” provoking lively (and occasionally exasperated) resistance from Alan.
• Fans call in to share their perspectives, revealing varying levels and types of “hatred” based on personal experience, team history, and fan behavior.

Notable Quote

"You're supposed to hate the other team in the market. Supposed to. So that doesn't make me a Met fan to say I think Yankee fans hate the Mets. You're supposed to."
— Don Hahn [30:05]

2. Wild Card vs. Division Winner: Who Would You Rather Be?

(09:01 – 14:54)

• The trio debates which is preferable: being the team entering the postseason hot (like the Yankees potentially as a wild card), or the cold team that wins the division and gets a bye (like the Blue Jays).
• Alan: Prefers having momentum, believing being “the hot team” is more important even if you have to play the wild card.
• Peter: Values rest and setting up pitching: “I’m sorry, I’d always rather be that team [division winner with the bye] than the team that happens to be hot at this moment.” [12:02]
• Don: Sides with Alan but acknowledges both approaches have merit; ultimate performance remains unpredictable.

Notable Quotes

"I'd always rather be the team that's feeling hot, that's rolling, rather than the team that's ice cold and now sits for a week."
— Alan Hahn [10:16]

"It’s a matter of saving arms. It's a matter of being able to set up pitching the way you want it for the divisional round. I'd always rather be that team than the team that happens to be hot at this moment."
— Peter Rosenberg [12:02]

3. Postseason Scenarios and Emotional Stakes for Yankees Fans

(14:10 – 22:44)

• Discussion includes breaking down playoff brackets, the Yankees’ strengths (especially pitching/bullpen), and whom fans would rather face in critical postseason series.
• Alan and Don muse on the emotional satisfaction of beating hated rivals (e.g., Red Sox, Blue Jays) en route to a championship, linking it to the notion of “pelts on the wall.”
• Don makes a bold claim:

  "If [the Yankees] beat Boston, they're going to the World Series. Boston will be their toughest." [19:09]

4. Debating The Existence and Nuance of NY Sports Hatred

(29:13 – 51:20)

• Several calls and tweets (especially from “Anthony in Hope” and “Al in the Bronx”) fuel the discussion on whether Yankees fans “hate” the Mets, the difference between hating teams and hating fans, and whether it’s okay to simply not care.
• Alan consistently pushes back on the idea that he “hates” the Mets, pointing instead to the Red Sox or historical rivals as targets of real animosity.
• Don counters that the act of denying hatred often masks a deeper rivalry; Rosenberg observes that hate is more nuanced and less widespread than some assume.
• They also unpack the idea that sometimes, rooting for the best story is a job hazard for sports media personalities, blurring lines between fan and professional interest.

Memorable Exchanges

"Please tell me how I feel, Don."
— Alan Hahn (sarcastic, on Don challenging his indifference) [31:25]

"But when you call a radio show to explicitly say, I don't pay attention to the Mets, that's another way of saying I hate them."
— Don Hahn [33:29]

"The true hatred, though, is like a team that has been such a thorn in your side... the Dolphins... Hate them. Nothing redeemable about them or the franchise. Nothing. We met Marino... great guy. But inside, I'm just, like, steaming."
— Alan Hahn [35:36]

5. Sports Hatred's Psychology & Personal Anecdotes

• Peter reflects on lingering hatred for teams/coaches based on childhood trauma (“downfall and embarrassment of Bill Belichick is one of the craziest things we have ever seen.” [36:21]), showing how sports grudges can last decades and cut deeply—team allegiances aside.
• The hosts agree that fan animosity is often less about the current rosters and more about historical slights, obnoxious fans, or signature moments—especially in childhood.

6. Fan Behavior—Is it About Teams, Fans, or Stories?

(41:03–49:12)

• The group and callers debate whether “hatred” is really directed at teams, or more at opposing fans’ swagger, or even at the hypothetical narratives that hit the media.
• Predominant view: dislike is more about fans’ attitudes, boasting, or social interaction than the teams themselves.
• Notable fan distinction: Many older Yankees fans don’t see the Mets as a true rival, while Mets fans might have stronger feelings.

7. Projecting and Defining 'True Fandom'

• Don contends that true fans should root against the other team in their market, but Alan and callers challenge this, arguing that it’s possible to care only about one’s own team.
• The episode ends with the hosts poking fun at each other’s “true fan” credentials and quirks, e.g., Alan’s family background, Don’s deep-seated Met fan pain, and Peter’s reflections on childhood rivalries.

Notable & Memorable Moments

• [19:09] Don’s bold prediction: “If [the Yankees] beat Boston, they're going to the World Series. Boston will be their toughest.”
• [30:05] Don: “You're supposed to hate the other team in the market. Supposed to.”
• [31:25] Alan, sarcastically: “Please tell me how I feel, Don.”
• [36:21] Peter’s passionate diatribe on Belichick’s legacy collapse.
• [41:11] “I don't hate the Mets. I hate Mets fans. The reason is one or two wins strung together and they stick out their weak chess pieces like they own New York City.” (Listener Manny, read by Don)
• [45:21] Caller: “I'm a New Yorker. I'm not going to cheer for people in LA. Can't stand New York. I'm not going to cheer for the Dodgers to beat the Mets. It makes no sense to me.”

Conclusion

The first hour of “Fan Hatred” explores the messy, deeply personal, and often hilarious truths about being a sports fan in New York. Through listener calls and sharp banter, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg reveal that “hatred” is less about teams and more about shared history, fan interactions, and the endless quest for narrative dominance. The debate on whether to root for rivals, how momentum plays in the postseason, and what defines “real” fandom remains playfully unresolved—perfectly capturing the neurotic, self-aware ethos of New York sports radio.

Key Segments

• 09:01 – Playoff Structure & Wild Card Debate
• 14:10 – Playoff Bracket Scenarios & Yankees Hype
• 29:13 – Fan Calls: The Nature of Hatred
• 41:03 – Hating Teams vs. Fans
• 45:21 – Callers Discuss Allegiances
• 49:12 – Hosts Wrap Up Fan Psychology Debate

For the next hour: Expect more fun with Fraud Alert Friday, NFL picks, and deeper dives into fall sports, all served with trademark wit and sharp New York insight.