Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: What's Happened to NY Baseball?

Release Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere episode titled "What's Happened to NY Baseball?", hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg dive deep into the troubling decline of New York's baseball teams—the Mets and the Yankees. After a brief hiatus, Don and Peter reunite to dissect the factors contributing to their teams' underperformance, engaging passionately with listener calls and sharing candid insights.

Current State of NY Baseball

Bullpen Struggles and Pitching Woes

Don and Peter open the discussion by highlighting the primary issue plaguing both the Mets and Yankees: ineffective bullpens. Don emphasizes, “If you got to get north of 12 outs every single night from your bullpen, I don't care how good your bullpen is, it's not going to work” (05:09). Peter echoes this sentiment, questioning the inconsistency, “How do they do this? They won seven in a row. Now they've lost 11 of 12. It doesn't make sense” (05:42).

Key points include:

• Mets’ Pitching Problems: David Peterson remains one of the few reliable starters, while other pitchers like Senga and Montas fail to deliver consistent performances.
• Yankees’ Similar Struggles: Despite acquisitions, the Yankees face similar bullpen exhaustion, making it difficult to sustain performance over a 162-game season.
• Sustainability Concerns: Both teams are struggling to maintain their performance levels, raising questions about their playoff prospects.

Offensive Decline

The discussion shifts to offensive shortcomings with notable player performances:

• Mets’ Batting Issues: Star players like Lindor and Soto are underperforming, with Lindor unable to maintain consistency and Soto struggling against pitchers when the bases are loaded.
• Yankees’ Offensive Struggles: Judge's performance has dipped since his return, and while Stanton continues to deliver, other key hitters like Goldschmidt are showing signs of fatigue.

Don laments the situation, stating, “It's a mess,” referring to the combined issues within both teams' offensive and defensive lines (09:18).

Listener Calls and Perspectives

The hosts engage with several listeners, each providing unique insights and frustrations:

1. Bobby from Bellmore (17:40):

   • Team Records: Points out the poor records of both Mets (18-31) and Yankees (20-31) since June 13.
   • Managerial Decisions: Criticizes the Mets' lineup changes, specifically moving Nico Mendoza to bat behind Holosko, questioning the lack of protection for troubled hitters.

   Notable Quote:

   "Why is Nemo batting third behind Solo? He has no protection." – Bobby

2. Tony from the Dominican Republic (22:24):

   • Family Insights: Shares personal anecdotes about taking paternity leaves and managing a large family.
   • Managerial Expectations: Discusses the historical context of Yankees' management changes and expresses skepticism about Aaron Boone’s potential job security despite the team’s performance.

   Notable Quote:

   "He (Boone) didn't have Cole. We didn't have Holts for half the season during the pennant race. They are not a playoff team." – Tony

3. Reggie from Brooklyn (44:07):

   • Fan Loyalty and Frustration: Expresses a deep frustration with the Mets' consistent failures and advocates for unwavering support despite recent losses.
   • Hope for Improvement: Encourages fellow fans to maintain belief in the team’s potential to turn the season around.

   Notable Quote:

   "I am going to root for this team like I've never rooted before. I still believe." – Reggie

4. Danny from Long Island (37:15):

   • Minimal Update: Briefly shares his limited sports highlights, focusing on Skyler Thompson’s preseason performance.

   Notable Quote:

   "That's all I had for the whole weekend." – Danny

Management and Organizational Issues

The conversation delves into the management strategies of both franchises:

• Yankees’ Management Stability: Don argues that Brian Cashman’s tenure as the Yankees' general manager is secure unless there’s a significant ownership change, minimizing the likelihood of immediate organizational shifts despite team struggles.

  Notable Quote:

  "As long as Hal Steinbrenner owns the team and Brian Cashman wants the job, that you will not see any change there." – Don La Greca (26:18)

• Mets’ Accountability: Both hosts express dissatisfaction with manager Nico Mendoza’s handling of the team, criticizing his lack of accountability and adaptability in high-stakes situations.

Mental and Emotional Toll on Fans

Don and Peter explore the psychological impact of the teams' performances on their fanbases:

• Don’s Perspective: Advocates for authentic emotional responses, stating, “I'm not gonna make something up that to me doesn't make sense” (47:44), highlighting the frustration of maintaining fake positivity.

• Peter’s Counterpoint: Emphasizes the importance of continued support, saying, “I don't think the right thing to do is to root for your team to lose at every single turn” (47:48), advocating for a balanced perspective that acknowledges both support and realistic assessments.

Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, Don and Peter reiterate their concerns about the sustainability of their teams' performances and the potential long-term implications if current trends continue. They express a cautious outlook, acknowledging that while there remains a slim chance for postseason contention, the underlying issues need urgent resolution.

Final Remarks:

"They are okay. But we expected better than okay. They're okay. And the thing with okay is that it never collapses." – Don La Greca (35:35)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "If you got to get north of 12 outs every single night from your bullpen, I don’t care how good your bullpen is, it’s not going to work." – Don La Greca (05:09)

• "How do they do this? They won seven in a row. Now they've lost 11 of 12. It doesn't make sense." – Peter Rosenberg (05:42)

• "Why is Nemo batting third behind Solo? He has no protection." – Bobby (17:40)

• "He didn't have Cole. We didn't have Holts for half the season during the pennant race. They are not a playoff team." – Tony (22:24)

• "I am going to root for this team like I've never rooted before. I still believe." – Reggie (44:07)

• "As long as Hal Steinbrenner owns the team and Brian Cashman wants the job, that you will not see any change there." – Don La Greca (26:18)

• "I'm not gonna make something up that to me doesn't make sense." – Don La Greca (47:44)

• "I don't think the right thing to do is to root for your team to lose at every single turn." – Peter Rosenberg (47:48)

• "They are okay. But we expected better than okay. They're okay. And the thing with okay is that it never collapses." – Don La Greca (35:35)

Conclusion

In "What's Happened to NY Baseball?", Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg deliver a no-holds-barred analysis of the declining fortunes of the Mets and Yankees. Through a blend of expert commentary and passionate listener interactions, the episode paints a comprehensive picture of the current challenges facing New York's baseball scene. The hosts advocate for both accountability and realistic fan support, setting the stage for ongoing discussions as the season progresses.