Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode Title: Hour 1: NY Sports Misery Index
Air Date: August 29, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Don La Greca (Peter Rosenberg out, returns Tuesday)
Podcast: ESPN New York

Overview

This episode dives deep into the state of New York sports fandom agony, building a "Misery Index" for the city’s nine major pro teams. Don and Alan passionately dissect which fanbases are truly suffering, debating sports futility, heartbreak, futility, and the nature of loyal, long-suffering fans. Engaging calls from listeners add raw, emotional perspective. The atmosphere is lively, humorous, and deeply rooted in real fan experience, with nostalgic, personal stories and sharp, sometimes self-deprecating banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. The End of Summer, The Dawn of Sports Overload

• The hosts reflect on Labor Day as a bittersweet end to summer but an exciting ramp-up for sports, with all major leagues returning.
• “Fall to me is the best season... because everybody's playing.” — Alan Hahn (01:27)

B. Is It Too Soon for Fall Rituals?

• Lighthearted debate about whether pumpkin spice, Halloween stores, and autumn scents are appropriate before Labor Day.
• Flows into how quickly time seems to move as the sports calendar gets packed: “There's nothing that flies by more than the second half of the year.” — Don La Greca (05:28)

C. NY Sports Misery Index — Ground Rules

• Launching the main discussion, Don explains:
  • The focus is on NY/NJ’s “big 9” pro teams (excluding Liberty, NYCFC, Red Bulls).
  • Misery isn’t just about titles—it includes playoff droughts, embarrassing moments, being “little brother,” and general pain.
• The hosts recall New York’s last runs to a championship:
  • Yankees (ALCS: last title shot)
  • Mets (2015 World Series)
  • Rangers (2014 Cup Final)
  • Devils (2012 Cup Final)
• “No one's won one in 14 years, 15 years... the Yankees just had a shot at a championship.” — Alan Hahn (09:36)

D. Criteria for Suffering

• Don’s Misery Index factors:

  • Length and pain of championship drought
  • Overall relevance and size of the fanbase
  • Embarrassment, futility, “little brother” status (e.g., Jets/Giants; Islanders/Rangers; Nets/Knicks)
  • How close teams have come; “level of suffering”

• “Sometimes the suffering comes from the level of embarrassment... that's where the second team in town does add some value.” — Don La Greca (10:38)

E. Who’s #1? The Jets, Without Question

• Alan and Don both agree: No New York team is more deserving of a title, or has suffered more, than the Jets and their fans.
  • Longest playoff drought in all North American pro sports.
  • Ownership instability, years of QB OCD, and leadership chaos.
  • Catastrophic luck: especially the Aaron Rodgers injury on his first drive, and notorious “banana in the tailpipe” letdowns.

“Four plays into that season, Lucy pulled the football and Charlie Brown landed on his back again... That has to be the most miserable moment.” — Alan Hahn (13:02)

• Don: “Jet fans deserve a championship more than any of them. The loyalty that they show... and they have every reason to say ‘I'm not doing this anymore.’ And yet they keep coming back.” (14:14)

F. Debating the Rest: Rank the Pain

• Is misery worse in a small, isolated fanbase (Islanders, Nets), or is it amplified by wider suffering and ridicule?
• Alan advocates for Nets fans as #2: never won a title, perennial little brother status, failed superteam attempts, and tepid relevance.
  • “Since 2003, they’ve only won four playoff series. And after their most recent draft, their roster is a disaster.”
  • “They’re like the redheaded stepchild.” (20:56)

Don’s Counterpoints

• The Islanders have the “little brother” suffering but recent prideful playoff runs (though heartbreak abounds).
  • “That game seven was for the Cup and you lost 1-0.” (47:10)
• Mets: much heartbreak, serial embarrassment, but more near-misses and moments of hope.
• Knicks: drought since '73, but premier status, huge loyal base, and recent competitive years. Their suffering is potent and widespread but at least widely shared.

G. Listener Calls — The Emotional Testimonies

Joe in Chappaqua:

• Argues Knicks fans should be #2 due to the Jordan years as a barrier and persistent loyalty:
  • “...other than the recent success, the last time they were really good... they had Jordan in the way. They couldn't go to the next level.” (38:52)

Al in the Bronx:

• Uses “fan passion, loyalty, numbers, championship drought, relevance” as suffering criteria.
  • “I think the Knicks check the most categories in all those boxes.” (40:46)

Doug in Bayshore:

• Makes the Islanders’ case: threat of relocation, lack of respect/attention, arena chaos, and losing their best draft pick (Tavares).
  • “There are very few Islander fans to begin with, so nobody even cares that you stink.” (45:58)

Jose in Brooklyn:

• Recounts Jets heartbreaks: Vinny Testaverde injury (1999), Brett Favre collapse, Aaron Rodgers—reinforcing the “cursed” franchise identity.

H. The Subjectivity of Suffering

• Discussion of how team hierarchy (your “#1”), the fellowship of misery, and the presence (or total absence) of hope all shape how fans feel.
  • “Your everyday life is affected by their success.” — Alan Hahn (42:03)
  • “When he suffers with the Giants, it cripples him emotionally because that's his team.” — Don La Greca (42:16)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Jets misery:

  • “That has to be the most miserable moment... Lucy pulled the football and Charlie Brown landed on his back again.” — Alan (13:02)

• On fan loyalty:

  • “The loyalty that they show... and they have every reason to say ‘I'm not doing this anymore.’ And yet they keep coming back.” — Don (14:14)

• On little brother syndrome:

  • “Being the little brother and having to go through that—Jets, the same thing—sharing the building with the Giants... Giants have won more recently, so that kind of adds to it.” — Don (10:38)

• On Nets futility:

  • “Since then they've only won four playoff series in the next 22 years.” — Alan (21:07)

• On Islanders heartbreak:

  • “You lose that Game 7, one nothing. That game 7 was for the Cup, and you lost 1-0.” — Don (47:10)

Some Timestamps for Major Segments

• Labor Day intro / End of Summer: 00:51–03:30
• Pumpkin Spice & Fall Ritual Debates: 03:31–06:15
• Misery Index Setup & Criteria: 09:13–11:58
• Jets Pain, Rodgers & Fan Loyalty: 12:07–15:47
• Debate: Who’s #2? (Nets, Islanders, Knicks, Mets): 16:18–22:27
• Listener Calls – Knicks Loyalty: 38:38 (Joe), 40:21 (Al)
• Listener Call – Islander Pain: 45:55 (Doug)
• Listener Call – Jets History of Horror: 48:36 (Jose)
• Criteria for Misery, “Your #1 team” effect: 41:45–42:16
• Islanders’ recent near-glory and heartbreak: 47:04–48:09

Memorable Banter and Humor

• The sad plight of Jamie Rivers, Islanders player, trying to barter his Southwest boarding group for an autograph—and being met with total indifference from the public. (37:35)
• Side tangents and nostalgia—musings about the glory of “Remember the Time” as Michael Jackson’s best song, spurring a playful pop debate. (30:16–33:06)

Final NY Sports Misery Ranking (per episode consensus):

1. Jets – Largest, deepest wounds: playoff drought, relentless bad luck, and “cursed” moments
2. Nets – No championship, little brother, and perpetual irrelevance/futility
3. Islanders – Embarrassments, heartbreak, small fanbase, but at least prideful recent runs
4. Knicks – Generational drought, immense loyalty, but more hope/relevance and competitive years
5. Mets – Chronic letdowns, but at least two World Series appearances since 2000

Yankees, Giants, Devils not included due to recent championships.

Takeaway

This hour is a cathartic group therapy session for New York sports fans—an embrace of both the hopelessness and the communal bond that comes with supporting these oft-cursed teams. By debating heartache, embarrassing moments, and touching on loyalty, Don and Alan create both an emotional safe space and a highly entertaining, relatable sports conversation.

For listeners:

If you’ve ever worn your team’s pain like a badge or wondered whose cross is heaviest to bear in New York, this episode is tailored for you.

To join the conversation:
“1-800-919-3776. Tell us why your team’s suffering belongs at the top of NY’s Misery Index…”