Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – “Hour 1: Poke & Hope”

Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

In this episode, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg dig into the state of New York baseball—especially the Mets’ underwhelming season—and debate what “making the playoffs” truly means in modern sports. The conversation naturally veers into their frustrations as lifelong fans, plenty of good-natured ribbing, and a few memorable analogies (including the now-legendary “poke & hope”). Along the way, the trio touch on travel adventures, wrestling responsibilities, a classic TV anniversary, and notable news in the NFL.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Behind the Mic: Banter and Personal Catch-up (00:33–04:19)

• Peter’s Missed Open & Wrestling Gig

  • Peter jokes about missing the show’s opening intro (01:09), with Don goading him for “kissing up to management.” They tease Peter about leaving for wrestling trips, like the upcoming “Russell Palooza” and Crown Jewel in Australia (01:32–02:34).
  • The trio riff on the geography of Australia, with Peter offering a handy east-west coast comparison.
  • Don: “You knew where. Oh, I know. I knew it was in Australia.”
    Alan: “Can you—where’s Perth?”
    (02:37–02:45)

• Steak Lunch & Desserts

  • The guys recount a recent steak lunch, swapping notes on side dishes and an epic shared dessert plate (04:18–05:10).
    • Alan: “There were six people and six desserts. They just gave you a plate and it had six slices of delicious dessert.” (05:06)

2. The Mets’ Meltdown: Are They Just a ‘Poke & Hope’ Team? (05:22–18:50)

• State of the Mets: Disappointment & Deja Vu

  • Don laments the recurring cycle of the Mets being a team of “miracles” and last-gasp playoff runs (05:22–07:35).
    • “I’m tired of always having to rely on the miracle run…Is that what $350 million is supposed to be for?” —Don (06:34)
  • Peter and Alan echo the frustration, stating this was supposed to be a new, sustainable era for the team—not another “barely-squeaking-in” wild card situation (07:44–08:25).

• The “Poke & Hope” Analogy

  • Don describes the Mets as a “poke & hope” team, using the metaphor of knocking billiard balls without a plan—just hoping for luck (08:43–09:14). The analogy is met with mockery from Peter and Alan, spiraling into a running joke for the rest of the segment.
    • Don: “I fancy myself to be a pretty decent pool player…But I don’t have any plan. I’m a poke and hope guy.” (08:43)
  • He expands the analogy, likening the Mets’ hope strategy to bowling straight balls without a hook—sometimes you catch fire, usually you get split frames (10:42–11:14).
    • Peter: “Meanwhile, the Dodgers are putting a beautiful striker. They got the hook…eight strikes per game because they got a plan.” (11:14)
    • Alan sums up: “I’m sitting here living and dying, ‘Are they gonna make the playoffs?’ As the three seed!” (11:48)

• The Value of ‘Just Making the Playoffs’

  • The hosts question whether being the third wild card (or even a play-in spot, across sports) should be celebrated or considered meaningful. Alan and Don agree that terminology needs to shift—wild card and play-in teams aren’t “playoff teams” in the old sense (12:58–14:28).
    • Alan: “Wild card round feels like play-in. That’s postseason, but it’s not playoffs. Divisional round, that’s your playoffs.” (12:58)
    • Don: “Am I supposed to be proud of a team…that might finish 12 games back but we made the playoffs?” (12:50)
  • They discuss “miracle” runs by teams like the Marlins, Reds, or Guardians—and why that isn’t supposed to be the Mets’ identity.

• The Regular Season’s Value

  • Don rails against the idea that the regular season is only useful to “wake up in September,” arguing that if it’s really a “just get in” mentality, what’s the point of caring all year? (17:12–18:13)
    • Don: “If all I keep hearing is, ‘it’s too early, it’s too early, it’s a marathon’—then what am I killing myself for?” (17:12)
    • Alan: “That’s the hopeless optimist trying to hold on…miracle Don, that you are so sick of.” (18:13)

3. Yankees: Flawed But Fortunate? (20:19–35:31)

• Both NY Teams Underwhelming

  • Discussion of how the Yankees, like the Mets, could miss 90 wins, finish as a wild card, and still get swept out—yet fans are expected to be satisfied (20:19–21:46).

• Yankees’ Bullpen Breakdown

  • Alan details the previous night’s disaster against Detroit—a bullpen collapse in the 7th that saw “14 batters come to home plate, first nine get on base” (28:13–28:41).
    • Don: “Cruz and Lighter, a combined nine earned runs…only four hits, nine runs on four hits, four walks.” (28:50–29:09)
  • They dissect key moments: Volpe’s failed bunt and the team’s Jekyll-and-Hyde inconsistency, ranting about letting slumping relievers try too long (29:35–30:46).

• External Critique: Buck Martinez’s Take

  • Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez bluntly called out the Yankees as “not a good team…if they don’t hit home runs, they don’t have a chance to win.” (32:16–32:29, with clip replayed)
    • Alan: “As I’m listening to him…where’s the lie?” (32:31–32:37)
  • Don closes: “It used to be a pretty exclusive club…Studio 54, ‘77, you weren’t getting in. Now there’s no velvet rope anymore.” (33:37)

• Old-School Playoffs vs. Modern — What’s the Bar?

  • The hosts reminisce about when making the postseason meant you were genuinely elite. Now, “just above average” teams are in, diluting the prestige of a playoff berth (34:37–36:40).

4. Quick Hits & Lighter Moments (40:18–47:22)

• Anniversary of ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’

  • The TV classic’s 50th anniversary sparks a nostalgic riff, with Peter admitting he’s never seen it despite naming his podcast after “Juan Epstein.” (41:55–44:38)
  • Playful ribbing ensues about generational references and streaming habits.

• Islanders Luncheon & VIP Rides

  • The hosts recount attending an Islanders’ team event, with Peter jesting about his “VIP” Uber choices and Don’s need for an SUV (44:43–46:08).

• Scoreboard Check

  • Don updates on other MLB races, noting the A’s and Diamondbacks leads relevant for Yankees and Mets fans (46:31–46:39).

5. Jets’ Move: The Case of Xavier Gibson (46:47–49:22)

• Don brings up the Jets’ release of Xavier Gibson, and plays sound from Aaron Glenn who clarifies the decision was because of a pattern of mistakes, not just one costly error (47:47–49:22).
  • Alan: “What he’s saying is…not just because he got caught holding the ball wrong…tells me they’ve probably told him a million times.” (47:55)
  • Don: “If it was something they worked on in camp and he kept not listening…that’s when it becomes a fireable offense.” (48:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m a poke and hope guy.” —Don, on his pool skills (08:43)
• “I never heard poking hope in pool ever.” —Peter (09:23)
• “Are you really that good if you’re the third wild card team?” —Don (12:50)
• “Wild card round feels like play-in. That’s postseason, not playoffs.” —Alan (12:58)
• “This would not be…‘That’s the team we thought they’d be all year.’ No, that’s not it.” —Alan, on a potential Mets run (18:50)
• “It used to be a pretty exclusive club…now they’re letting everybody in. There’s no velvet rope anymore.” —Don (33:37)
• “The way we talk about playoff teams—are we really that good? Am I supposed to be proud…?” —Don (12:50)
• Peter: “I promise I won’t [look anything up for the list].” Don: “I'll trust you.” (41:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mets’ “Poke & Hope” Analysis: 05:22–18:50
• Meaning of Modern Playoffs (All Sports): 12:58–16:15
• Yankees’ Bullpen Disaster: 28:13–30:46
• Buck Martinez on the Yankees: 32:16–32:37
• Welcome Back, Kotter TV Riff: 41:55–44:38
• Jets’ Gibson Release & Accountability: 47:47–49:22

Tone & Style

• Classic New York sports talk: candid, a bit cynical, and full of camaraderie.
• Banter and inside jokes, but also deep dives and honest critiques.
• “Fans first” approach—emotions, analogies, and arguments all out on the table.

Summary Takeaway

This episode peels back the frustrations of New York baseball fans, challenging the current value of “playoff” labels while using sharp analogies (“poke & hope”), generational gripes, and humor. Deeply rooted in the realities and expectations of big-market teams, the hour captures the mood of the city’s sports obsessives—equal parts skeptical, hopeful, and always entertaining.