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.