Transcript

Don Hahn (0:00)

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Peter Rosenberg (0:32)

Han, I didn't know you were a screamer.

Don Hahn (0:34)

And Rosenberg, happy New Jewish New Year. Not Newish Jew Year. This is in North Dakota. This is New York.

Peter Rosenberg (0:41)

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

Don Hahn (0:45)

The best threesome I've ever heard on ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube. 3 o' clock in the big city. Don Hahn in Rosenberg with you until seven. And then if you're watching on YouTube like you should, like you dream about, then you just pivot right to the couch. Cast tonight, where everybody is going to be involved as we watch the jets and the Dolphins as the jets try to get their first win of the season the way the Giants did. And Michael is going to be a part of it. And he's nice enough to join us here to start the show. Hi, Michael.

Michael Kay (1:18)

Hi, Don.

Don Hahn (1:18)

Get your Marty McFly vest on. Appreciate that. Oh, we're off and running. Shots being fired early. Wow.

Michael Kay (1:24)

He's got something to say to me. That's the only reason he's having me hang around.

Don Hahn (1:27)

I heard. I got a little preview. He didn't seem happy.

Peter Rosenberg (1:30)

What was the line from Back to the Future when they. When he had the vest on, what.

Don Hahn (1:34)

Did the guy say?

Peter Rosenberg (1:36)

You come. You just get off a boat or something like that, right?

Don Hahn (1:38)

Yeah, that's about. Yeah, it's the vest and the. And the pants. Yeah. So you look good.

Michael Kay (1:45)

Thanks.

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Mets Collapse (Hour 1, 9/29/2025)

Main Theme

The hosts dissect the catastrophic late-season collapse of the New York Mets, exploring how one of MLB's highest payrolls and biggest free-agent splashes (Juan Soto) ended in historic failure. The conversation balances detailed autopsy with characteristic New York wit, delving into fan psychology, front office missteps, and the ever-present Yankees-Mets narrative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reaction to the Mets’ Collapse

Severity of Collapse: The hosts position this as "one of the worst things that has happened to the Mets ever," comparing it to similar historic collapses (05:59–06:07).
Embarrassment Factor: Don insists this is even worse than the infamous 2007 Mets collapse: “The Mets chased the Reds down. Reds stink.” (05:41–05:57).
No Excuses: Don is livid that the Mets lost out to “an under.500 team” (the Marlins), not a powerhouse, emphasizing the humiliation (34:00–34:45).

2. Fan Base Drama: Yankees vs. Mets, Social Media Narratives

“Owning the Town” Argument: Heated debate over whether Mets fans ever genuinely believed they’d “taken over New York” after signing Juan Soto, or if this is a narrative inflated by a loud minority and social media (06:06–09:55).
- Don: “Any Met fan who thought they own the town before they even played a game that they got Juan Soto is a moron” (13:33–13:55).
Small vs. Large Fanbase Behavior: Michael and Peter stress that a few brash Mets fans shape perception: “Because they're the loud minority…that represents you because of how loud they are” (14:08–14:18).
Yankees Fans Relishing Mets’ Failure: Michael claims Yankees fans “are euphoric” because of overconfident Mets boasting after the Soto signing (12:50–13:00).

3. Juan Soto Signing & Its Real Impact

Was It Worth It? The panel debate if signing Soto was “worth it” after the failed season. Don argues the story can’t be written after just one year of a 15-year deal (24:39–25:34):
- Don: “Come on man. No, seriously, come on, man. Was it worth it? He's got 14 years left on his deal, Alan.”
- Michael: “I would sign him a thousand times out of a thousand times. If I'm the Mets...he's a great player” (25:34–25:46).
Press Conference Spin: Michael and Don laughingly dismiss Soto’s claim that he chose the Mets because they were closer to a title than the Yankees—they agree, "It's always about the money." (11:52–12:50).

4. Front Office Scrutiny: Stearns and Mendoza

Stearns Takes Heat: Don: “I think Stearns has to take a hit. Yeah, I guess...he built a good team, but was there chemistry?” noting that deadline acquisitions and bullpen moves all failed (15:13–16:10).
Manager on Hot Seat: Mendoza is not in immediate risk per Stearns, but Don concedes, “It's closer to a conversation with Mendoza than it is for Stearns...” (28:10–28:16).
High Payroll, Low Return: Don calls out the “criminal” failure to make playoffs with a $300 million+ payroll (23:43–24:05).

5. Clubhouse Chemistry, Heart, and Leadership

No Heart: Fault isn’t just in numbers—Don says, “He built a great fantasy team and he built a great analytics team. But this team had no heart. This team had no gumption when it mattered.” (19:17–19:53).
Clubhouse “Odd Couple”: Michael suggests a clash between Lindor’s carefree attitude and Soto’s businesslike approach, hinting at possible clubhouse disconnect (18:50–19:16).
Seeking Change: Discussion over whether drastic moves, like trading Pete Alonso, are justified or if that would be "change for change's sake" (20:24–21:13).

6. Statistical Autopsy

Exposing Flaws: Peter and Don break down the numbers:
- “34 and 47 on the road...23 and 26 in one run games...That tells you there's something missing" (37:06–38:04).
- The Mets "averaged 82 wins a year" over the last three years despite huge payroll (28:53–28:58).

7. Comparing to Other NY Sports Disappointments

Mets Collapse Ranks Worst: Asked whether the Mets' collapse compares to other recent local letdowns (Jets, Knicks, Rangers), Don is definitive: “I don't even think it's a conversation. This is way worse than anything that's happened recently.” (45:03–45:11).
Historical Precedent: Only twice before in baseball history has a team been 21 games over .500 and missed the playoffs: the 1977 Cubs and 1905 Indians (45:57–46:00).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Nature of the Collapse

“This is an absolute, unmitigated, embarrassed. The worst kind of...one of the worst things that has happened to the Mets ever.”
— Don Hahn (06:00–06:07)
“We’re a worthless piece of garbage organization right now. Hopefully we’ll get up from it.”
— Don Hahn (35:32–35:37)

Fanbase Feuds & Perception

“The Yankees have owned the town for 30 years. You think it's all of a sudden going to change overnight? Stupid.”
— Don Hahn (07:41–07:47)
“You love that. He loves his favorite kind of pool. It is. Because I just don't think. Because I think you're feeding into them.”
— Don Hahn (09:45–09:55)

Soto Signing & Expectations

“Was it worth it? He's got 14 years left on his deal, Alan.”
— Don Hahn (25:09–25:11)
“I would sign him a thousand times out of a thousand times. …he's a great player”
— Michael Kay (25:34–25:46)

Criticism of Mets’ Organization and Culture

"He built a great fantasy team ... But this team had no heart."
— Don Hahn (19:17–19:53)
"Stop worrying about the Yankees and worry about yourself. Own the town, my ass. How about owning above .500 record..."
— Don Hahn (35:32–36:00)

Historical Perspective

"You're the third team in the history of baseball to do it—with your division and three wild cards."
— Don Hahn (46:13–46:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

Mets’ Embarrassment: 05:41–06:07
“Owning the Town” Debate: 06:06–09:55, 13:33–13:55
Juan Soto “Worth It?” 24:39–25:46
Front Office Critique: 15:13–16:10, 27:55–29:00
Chemistry/Clubhouse Issues: 18:50–19:53, 19:17–19:53
Statistical Breakdown: 37:06–38:32
Historical Precedent of Collapse: 45:30–46:24

Tone & Style

Candid and Blunt: The hosts don’t sugarcoat; they’re direct, sometimes cutting, often sardonic—especially Don, who channels the long-suffering Mets fan’s rage.
Witty Banter: Regular jabs, sarcasm, and sidewise humor, even in the midst of serious critique. (E.g., “You love that. He loves his favorite kind of pool.”)
Passionate Engagement: Both analytical and emotional, inviting listener catharsis as well as strategic ideas.

Conclusion

The show paints a nuanced yet scathing portrait of the Mets’ season—from the highest offseason hopes (landing superstar Juan Soto) to a dismal, historic collapse. Fan dynamics and narrative spin are dissected, but the sentiment is clear: action is required beyond scapegoating and surface fixes. As Don sums up: “I don’t want to own the town. I just want to own the trophy they give out at the end of every year. That’s what I want to own.” (17:47–17:56)

For more catharsis, analysis, and NY sports therapy, tune in to the next hour or join the YouTube couch cast during Jets-Dolphins tonight.

wavePod

Hour 1: Mets Collapse