Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Which NY Baseball Team is Better?
Podcast Information:
- Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
- Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
- Episode: Hour 1: Which NY Baseball Team is Better?
- Release Date: June 9, 2025
- Description: Hosts discuss New York sports, focusing on baseball, with insights from experienced broadcasters and personalities.
1. Introduction
The episode kicks off with the trio establishing their presence in New York City's vibrant sports scene. Don La Greca sets the stage by welcoming listeners, mentioning the current overcast day in the city (00:53). The hosts engage in light-hearted banter about varying phrases to describe the weather and the city’s grandeur, emphasizing their deep-rooted connection to New York (01:02).
2. Personal Anecdotes and Family Stories
Don shares a heartfelt story about his children’s experiences with sports, highlighting a memorable game where his son Marco had an impressive performance (06:07). The narrative delves into family dynamics, sibling interactions, and the pressures of living up to a renowned last name. Peter and Alan contribute their own reflections on names and personal identities, fostering a relatable and engaging conversation (03:18, 04:19).
Notable Quote:
Don La Greca (04:35): "So that shows you how important our name was to my family."
3. Main Discussion: NY Baseball Teams – Yankees vs. Mets
a. Current Records and Standings
Don provides an overview of the current standings, noting that the Yankees are leading the American League East with a record of 39-25, while the Mets hold a slightly better record at 42-24 (13:20). Both teams boast impressive leads in their respective divisions, setting the stage for a competitive season.
Notable Quote:
Don La Greca (13:20): "The Yankees are in first place in the American League East. 39 and 25, a four and a half game lead on Tampa and Toronto."
b. Team Strengths and Weaknesses
The hosts analyze the strengths of both teams. Peter argues that the Mets have a superior overall roster with standout players like Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor (15:17). Don counters by praising the Yankees' key players, particularly Aaron Judge and Alonzo, emphasizing their individual performances and contributions to the team's success (16:02).
Notable Quotes:
Peter Rosenberg (15:17): "The Mets are better."
Don La Greca (16:02): "Alonzo has been amazing."
c. Player Performances
Aaron Judge's exceptional performance is a focal point, with Don and Peter commending his consistency and impact on the field. They discuss his potential to become the Yankees' all-time home run leader (16:13).
Meanwhile, Alonzo is highlighted for his RBIs and overall batting prowess, with Don noting his critical role in the Mets' offensive strategies (16:43). The conversation shifts to other key players like Pete Alonso, whose season has been pivotal for the Mets (17:54).
Notable Quotes:
Peter Rosenberg (16:30): "He’s batting .301 and saved the Mets bacon while they were waiting for Soto to get going."
Don La Greca (16:43): "He leads all Major League Baseball in RBIs."
d. Playoffs Implications
The hosts discuss the potential playoff scenarios, debating whether the Mets and Yankees could meet in the World Series (22:07). Alan suggests that Yankee fans might fear failing to capitalize on their strong regular-season performance (22:42), while Don emphasizes the Mets' resilience and strategic advantages (23:28).
Notable Quote:
Alan Hahn (22:07): "I think if you're a Yankee fan, you are more scared of succeeding in the playoffs at this point than a Mets fan."
e. Rivalry Dynamics
The Mets-Yankees rivalry is explored, with Peter expressing that the Mets currently pose a more significant threat and annoyance to Yankees fans than historical rivalries like Yankees-Red Sox (41:03). The discussion touches on fan sentiments, team dynamics, and the evolving nature of baseball rivalries in New York.
Notable Quotes:
Peter Rosenberg (41:03): "The Mets, Yankees feels like it has a little more juice than Yankees Red Sox."
Don La Greca (41:50): "Every single Met fan is taking it as Michael K. is ripping into us."
4. Audience Interaction
Listeners call in to share their perspectives. Dave, a Yankee fan, expresses skepticism about the Yankees' chances against the Detroit Tigers despite the Mets' tougher road to success (48:04). The hosts engage with his views, reinforcing the depth of analysis and fostering a community-driven dialogue.
Notable Quote:
Listener Dave (48:04): "The Mets have a better baseball team. It's just that their road to get there is 50 times harder."
5. Player Highlights and Season Outlook
The conversation shifts back to individual player performances, with Paul Goldschmidt praising Aaron Judge's consistency and Alonso's clutch hits. The hosts speculate on future milestones, such as Alonso potentially becoming the Mets' all-time home run leader (35:38).
Don underscores the importance of both teams maintaining their momentum, considering the significant number of games left in the season (39:29).
Notable Quotes:
Don La Greca (35:38): "Alonzo is batting .301 and has 17 home runs. He's saved the Mets bacon."
Peter Rosenberg (35:46): "He just shows up every day and plays hard."
6. Conclusion
As the episode winds down, the hosts reiterate the excitement surrounding the ongoing baseball season. They emphasize the competitiveness of the Mets and Yankees, suggesting that their performance could significantly influence the league's standings and playoff outcomes.
Notable Quote:
Don La Greca (42:54): "It's really cool what's happening here with these two teams. And again, the question is, who's better?"
Timestamp References:
- 00:53 – Introduction by Don La Greca
- 01:02 – Discussing New York City's description
- 03:18 – Conversation about names
- 04:19 – Don shares family anecdotes
- 06:07 – Story about Marco's baseball game
- 13:20 – Overview of current standings
- 15:17 – Peter's view on Mets' superiority
- 16:02 – Don's praise for Yankees' players
- 16:13 – Discussion on Aaron Judge
- 16:43 – Highlighting Pete Alonso
- 17:54 – Alonso's impact on the Mets
- 22:07 – Playoff fears for Yankee fans
- 23:28 – Don's perspective on Mets' resilience
- 41:03 – Mets-Yankees rivalry compared to Yankees-Red Sox
- 41:50 – Met fan sentiments towards Yankees
- 48:04 – Listener interaction with Dave
- 35:38 – Alonso's potential milestones
- 39:29 – Importance of maintaining team momentum
- 42:54 – Final thoughts on Mets vs. Yankees
Note: Timestamps are provided for reference based on the transcript segments.