Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Judge's Moment (October 8, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this engaging and impassioned episode, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg dive into the aftermath of a stunning New York Yankees comeback against the Toronto Blue Jays, focusing on Aaron Judge's electrifying performance. The crew explores what Judge's signature moment means for his legacy, how the Yankees fanbase perceives greatness and winning, and the weight of historical standards in the modern era of baseball parity. The conversation ranges from detailed baseball analysis to philosophical musings about fandom and expectations—embodying everything "New York Sports, and so much more."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Yankees' Dramatic Comeback & Aaron Judge’s Heroics

• Context: Yankees were down 6-1, facing elimination, and had statistically low odds of winning, yet rallied back for an improbable 9-6 victory.
• Judge's Defining Moment: Aaron Judge blasted a three-run homer that tied the game, sparking the comeback—a moment now considered his signature as a Yankee.
• Significance of the home run: Both the hosts and players believed it "tied the game, but it won the game." (04:25)
• Discussion on how the team rallied emotionally and competitively around that moment, refusing to waste the captain’s big hit.

2. The Blueprint of a “Magical Run”

• The team’s ability to come back from adversity (multiple elimination games) is noted as a hallmark of championship runs.
• Comparisons to iconic moments in sports history (e.g., Carlton Fisk's homer, Chavez dunk) and whether signature moments require a championship to cement their legacy. (12:00)
• Acknowledgement that “the ingredients are there” for a memorable postseason, but the cake isn’t baked yet.

3. Handling Criticism & Fan Standards

• Discussion about the sometimes toxic expectations placed on Judge and other Yankee greats.
• "Are you not entertained?" — Judge’s attitude after the home run reflects his awareness of fan and media scrutiny. (08:11, 25:06)
• The hosts challenge fans to appreciate greatness instead of critiquing endlessly, especially when the player is delivering in the clutch.
• Ongoing debate about whether it's fair for Yankee fans to always demand a championship or whether it reflects old-school standards in a new era of league-wide parity.

4. Boone’s (Manager) Intuition & Bullpen Management

• Credit given to Yankees manager Aaron Boone for sensing his team's mindset and deploying pitchers effectively, especially in stressful moments.
• The bullpen, previously a weakness, stepped up with nearly immaculate performance post-comeback (7⅔ shutout innings). (09:11)

5. Baseball Analytics, Money, and the Changing Game

• Discussion on how the Yankees' old financial and scouting advantages have waned, leading to more league parity and narrower margins for greatness.
• Debates over whether it’s realistic or counter-productive to expect dynasties in today's environment. (29:43)

6. The Emotional Cost and Reward of Being a Yankees Fan

• Arguments over keeping standards high versus appreciating consistent success.
• Comparison with other New York sports franchises’ struggles and the idea that, for all their frustrations, Yankee fans are among the luckiest.
• The “standard” is not just about winning, but about refusing to accept mediocrity. (33:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Judge’s Home Run:

  • “That home run tied the score, but it won the game. And everybody felt it on both sides of the field.” – Don, 04:25
  • “What he's doing is saying, listen, I'm hearing it. ... What do you think of it now that I'm batting .500 in the playoffs and I just had a bomb of a home run?” – Alan, 07:42
  • “Are you not entertained?” – Don, 08:11; echoed at 25:06

• On Standards and Criticism:

  • “You can’t kill us. We’re zombies. We can’t be killed.” – Don, 15:12
  • “The judge thing has gone too far. ... The second look to the camera was literally the, ‘Are you not entertained?’” – Don, 25:14
  • “All I ever say: that guy deserves nothing but your respect and your applause and nothing more from this point forward.” – Don, 36:17

• On Fan Expectations vs. Reality:

  • “You should be disappointed you haven't won since 2009 ... But at the same time, just try to appreciate the fact that you're here.” – Alan, 21:56
  • “That's how you maintain a standard. This is who we are. And so when you're good enough to be a contender ... that's expected.” – Don, 31:25
  • “[Yankees] are always going to be sexy because of the city ... but they don’t win at the same clip they used to win. Nobody wins at that clip.” – Alan, 31:32

• On the Changing Era of Baseball:

  • “But the standard is not the same. There's parity. ... It’s a lot harder to win than it was before.” – Alan, 30:47

• Callers Weigh In:

  • “The pressure of the standard on the organization—the players represent the organization. So that same pressure, unreasonable or not, is going to come.” – Wayne in Charlotte (40:03)
  • “If you don't keep the standard, you just start backing off and saying, all right, well, at least we got here. ... You have to keep that standard and the bar high to continue to be in the position that they're in right now.” – Brett in New Jersey (46:41)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Yankees’ Comeback & Judge’s Homer: 01:30–04:53
• Team Chemistry & Boone’s Intuition: 03:21–07:39
• Judge's Signature Moment—Does It Matter Without A Title?: 08:14–14:30
• Fan Expectations vs. Greatness Appreciation: 17:43–25:14 (especially on fandom in New York and how “you can’t kill us”)
• Extended Standings & Parity Discussion: 29:43–34:13
• The Burden on Judge vs. Past Yankees: 41:01–43:59
• Call-ins from Fans: 36:22–39:41, 45:41–49:08

Tone & Energy

• The show is lively, passionate, often humorous, with the usual blend of New York sports swagger and blunt truth-telling.
• Hosts are unafraid to push back on each other and the callers, but there’s a consistent thread of sports love, nostalgia, and clear-eyed analysis.

Summary Takeaway

If you missed this episode, you missed a spirited exploration of what it means to be a Yankee, both on the field and in the stands. Judge’s home run isn’t just a baseball moment—it’s a rallying point for fans, a symbol of hope and frustration, the perfect subject for a city that expects magic and demands accountability.

The hosts challenge listeners to recognize greatness when it’s right in front of them, even if it’s not always packaged as another ring. And as the Yankees teeter on the edge of another postseason heartbreak or glory, the city waits, critical and hopeful, as only New York can be.