Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Schlittler's Moment (October 3, 2025)

Overview

This episode centers on the Yankees' dramatic wild card series win over the Red Sox, highlighted by rookie pitcher Cam Schlitler’s historic, electrifying performance. The hosts—Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg—break down the aftermath of the Yankees’ win, expectations for the looming divisional matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays, and the emotional highs and nitpicks that come with playoff baseball in New York. The tone is energetic, passionate, and occasionally irreverent, mixing analysis, fan emotion, and playful banter.

Key Discussion Points

1. Schlitler’s Historic Performance (00:54–05:20)

• Schlitler’s Dominance: Rookie pitcher Cam Schlitler threw 8 shutout innings with 12 strikeouts facing elimination, a feat virtually unseen for a Yankee debutant at this stage.
  • “That's why I kept going. Again, I don't want to nitpick because it, like, I called it satisfying. Very much so.” – Alan Hahn (04:06)
• Missed Complete Game: Discussion about whether Schlitler should have been allowed to finish the game (skip the closer), both for history and bullpen preservation.
  • “But all I wanted was to see would he let him bring...would he let him take the ball in the ninth, and he did.” – Hahn (04:10)

2. Yankees’ Offensive Approach and Team Identity (05:20–06:58)

• Winning without Home Runs: The Yankees’ win was built on manufacturing runs rather than relying on home runs, unusual for recent postseason Yankee teams.
  • "You kind of love it, Alan, from a playoff standpoint, to see that this team can win playoff games without the long ball." – Rosenberg (05:24)
  • “Manufacturing runs or the ability to get on base and create traffic...that's great. But we do know it's not the formula for how this team wins.” – Hahn (05:58)
• Enhanced Athleticism: Recent acquisitions and younger talent have made the Yankees faster and more dynamic on the bases.

3. Contextualizing Schlitler’s Outing (06:58–12:33)

• Comparisons to Yankee Legends: Parallels are drawn between Schlitler and great Yankees pitchers like Whitey Ford, Don Larsen, and Andy Pettitte. The hosts emphasize not to overhype, but recognize the singularity of Schlitler’s elimination-game performance.

  • "This is a kid that nobody knew existed when the season started." – La Greca (07:37)
  • “Anybody that believed that was, is, is, is lying. No one would think he would go eight shutout innings. That doesn't happen.” – Hahn (08:12)

• Divisional Series Rotation Debate: Now facing the Blue Jays, listeners and hosts debate whether Schlitler should supplant established starters in the rotation, given his momentum.

  • “He said, yeah, Schlitler. I found that...because he's somebody that obviously would never—wouldn't get caught up [in the moment]...but even Michael said, I probably would go if I had to choose one or the other…” – Hahn on Michael Kay’s take (10:19)

4. Looking Ahead to the Blue Jays Series (12:33–22:48)

• Toronto as a Different Challenge:

  • Blue Jays are painted as a greater threat than the Red Sox, with better contact hitting, athleticism, and postseason hunger.
  • “This Blue Jay team is a different animal. I think this is a team as good as you might feel about the Yankees. I think this is a Blue Jay team that is your equal. And it's going to be a hell of a series.” – La Greca (17:23)

• Potential Rivalry: There’s real anticipation that this series will create new “bad blood” on top of the regular season’s close finish and tiebreaker.

  • “I feel like this series will create some of that animosity. I don't think there's a lot [of it now]...but I don't think these two teams like each other.” – Hahn (15:57)

• Keys to the Series:

  • Yankee fans should worry about defensive miscues and fundamental lapses, as Toronto will “expose” mistakes by putting the ball in play and being aggressive on the bases. (19:16–20:06)

5. The Atmosphere & October in the Bronx (20:29–21:54)

• Yankee Stadium Vibes: The hosts reflect, with some rivalry ribbing, on how playoff energy at Yankee Stadium is unmatched.
  • “You cannot deny that when this team is in the playoffs, it feels bigger, it feels more fun. There's not the vibe in the building. The last two nights was what playoff baseball feels like to me.” – Rosenberg (21:01)
  • “Nothing hits like the Bronx in October.” – Rosenberg (21:54)

6. Yankees & Blue Jays Rivalry Dynamics (22:48–24:31)

• ‘Little Brother’ Complex: Toronto’s perceived “chip on the shoulder” and New York media’s dismissiveness add extra motivation and hype.
  • “They've got a little brother complex up there. Yes, they do about this. And that's why it's going to be—I feel like this is going to be personal.” – La Greca (23:05)

7. The "Buffalo is Not New York" Rant (30:23–32:33)

• Sports Geography: The team tackles the longstanding debate of whether the Buffalo Bills are really a New York team, following the Bills’ expressed support for the Blue Jays over the Yankees.
  • “They happen to be in the same state as the Jets and Giants, but they're not in the same area. They're not in the same region to the point that they are wishing the Blue Jays luck. So done. Don't bring it up anymore. It's history.” – La Greca (31:42)

Notable Listener Calls & Hosts’ Responses

Mel Stottlemyre Comparison (33:16–36:35)

• Caller Steve draws a parallel between Schlitler’s role and Mel Stottlemyre’s mid-season call-up and impact in 1964.
  • “Cam could play the same role with this team as Mel Stottlemyer did in 1964...” – Steve, caller (33:16)
  • Hosts agree the comparison is apt while reminding listeners that Schlitler’s true legacy will depend on postseason longevity.

The “Nitpicks vs. Magic Moment” Debate (38:10–43:19)

• Caller Lewis and others urge the Yankees to get over the playoff hump, stating fans are tired of “almosts” since 2017—that this year’s story demands a championship.

  • “It's about time. You need to get over the hump. This was too good of a story, dramatic win, for you to just fizzle out in the ALDS.” – Lewis, caller (37:08)

• The hosts empathize but remind listeners playoff baseball is a “roller coaster.”

Does the Schlitler Outing Only Matter If They Win It All? (47:03–49:18)

• Caller Chad asks if Schlitler’s outing will be forgotten if the Yankees bow out early.
  • “If Schlitler goes in against Toronto and gets obliterated, it eliminates the aura of what happened last night and the impact or the story...” – Chad, caller (47:31)
  • Hahn: “That performance by Schlitler stands alone no matter what happens from here on out. But I'm with you if you want it to become an iconic moment…they gotta go on now and finish the job.” (49:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Yankees win against the Red Sox, they're going to the World Series. And I'm sticking with that.” – Don La Greca doubles down on his bold postseason prediction (02:00)
• “This is going to put...He's going to be in history as maybe pitching the greatest game any Yankee has ever pitched.” – Don La Greca on Schlitler’s legacy (03:43)
• “You don't see a kid...the most strikeouts ever for a rookie pitcher in his playoff debut. 12 strikeouts, 8 shutout innings in the cathedral of baseball facing elimination.” – La Greca, summing up the statistical rarity (07:01)
• “That's why it's going to be—I feel like this is going to be personal. This series is going to be personal.” – La Greca on Yankees-Blue Jays (23:27)
• “Nothing hits like the Bronx in October.” – Rosenberg on the unique energy of Yankee Stadium (21:54)
• On Buffalo: “They happen to be in the same state as the Jets and Giants, but they're not in the same area...So done. Don't bring it up anymore. It's history.” – La Greca (31:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Yankees-Red Sox Reflection / Schlitler Applause: 00:54–06:58
• Rotation Debate for Blue Jays Series: 09:24–12:33
• Preview of Blue Jays Series / Rivalry Talk: 15:57–24:31
• Buffalo Bills/NY Sports Geography Discussion: 30:23–32:33
• Listener Calls – Stottlemyre Comparison: 33:16–36:35
• Listener Calls – “Get Over the Hump”/NY Fan Frustrations: 38:10–39:23
• Listener Calls – “Does this Moment Stand Alone?”: 47:03–49:18

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• Cam Schlitler’s wild card performance is already etched in modern Yankee lore, defying expectations and possibly altering the team’s playoff trajectory.
• The team’s victory is cause for fan jubilation but laced with typical New York nitpicking about bullpen usage, offensive strategy, and rotational questions.
• Anticipation for the Blue Jays series is high, with both teams evenly matched and emotional storylines (“little brother” complex, city pride) fueling the rivalry.
• For all the elation, a constant undercurrent is Yankee fans’ demand for more than a feel-good story—they want a championship, and anything less would be disappointing.
• Side debates and running gags—like whether the Buffalo Bills “count” as a New York team—add color and comic relief to the mix.
• The tone is passionate, fast-paced, and relatable—equally at home welcoming stats-obsessed diehards and emotional fans.

In Essence…

The episode captures a classic New York sports radio mood: joy at witnessing history, cautious optimism, healthy skepticism, and a refusal to let big moments pass without overanalyzing what they might mean next. The looming Yankees-Blue Jays clash promises more drama, and fans are ready for the wild ride—expecting magic, but unable to spare themselves the anxiety of “what if?”