Podcast Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 1: Yankees Frustration
Release Date: August 5, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the mounting frustrations surrounding the New York Yankees. Released on a balmy Tuesday afternoon, the conversation primarily centers on the Yankees' recent performances, managerial decisions, and the broader implications for the team's future. Alongside expert analysis, the trio engages with listener calls, offering diverse perspectives on the team's challenges.

1. Setting the Stage: Yankees' Recent Struggles

The episode kicks off with Ty Butler expressing excitement about a second chance, setting a hopeful tone despite the team's ongoing issues.

Key Discussion Points:

• Emotional Toll of Recent Losses: Ty shares his disappointment over a heartbreaking walk-off loss, emphasizing the rarity of such moments where he and Peter collaborate on-air.

  Ty Butler [02:06]: "You're forcing me to stay up an hour later just to lose in heartbreak fashion on a walk-off three, one shot."

• Manager Aaron Boone's Decisions: The conversation shifts to Boone's managerial choices, particularly his handling of the pitching staff during critical moments.

  Ty Butler [03:11]: "Aaron Boone is part of the problem... when you hand over a three nothing lead to your ace... it's hard to put that on the manager."

2. Analyzing Managerial Accountability

The hosts debate the extent to which Aaron Boone should be held accountable for the Yankees' underperformance.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [04:07]: "He's part of the fabric of what's been the issue with the Yankees."

• Ty Butler [05:24]: "We watch the games. We don't have to be baseball savants to figure out what's going on. Devin Williams stinks."

Discussion Highlights:

• Devin Williams' Performance: Ty criticizes Williams, the Yankees' ace, for failing to close games despite large leads, arguing that Boone shouldn't bear all the blame.

• Holistic Team Issues: Both hosts agree that the team's problems are multifaceted, encompassing pitching, fielding, and offense, rather than stemming from a single source.

3. General Manager Brian Cashman's Role

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on GM Brian Cashman and his long tenure with the Yankees, questioning his effectiveness in the current season.

Key Points:

• Lengthy Tenure vs. Performance: Ty expresses frustration over Cashman's 27-year stint, advocating for fresh leadership to navigate the evolving dynamics of modern baseball.

  Ty Butler [20:35]: "At some point, it's like, all right, enough, enough. We can have a fresh set of eyes."

• Ownership and Accountability: The hosts critique the ownership's reluctance to hold Cashman accountable, likening his role to that of a Steinbrenner, making meaningful changes nearly impossible.

4. Listener Engagement: Voices of Frustration

Several listeners call in, each offering unique insights and criticisms regarding the Yankees' current state.

Featured Calls:

• Dave from the Car [14:54]:
  Dave challenges comparisons between the current team and the legendary 1990s Yankees, arguing that despite recent playoff appearances, the team lacks the foundational strength.

  Dave [15:28]: "They're not even close. They have one player."

  Ty counters by emphasizing year-long performance issues, urging Dave to compare the Yankees to their contemporary rivals instead.

• Neil from the Bronx [17:07]:
  Neil attributes the team's struggles primarily to Cashman's ineffective player acquisitions, suggesting that Boone is constrained by the roster.

  Neil [17:53]: "Cashman is not really doing a good job of bringing the players."

  Peter connects with Neil's perspective, reinforcing the notion that Cashman's strategies are at the heart of the Yankees' woes.

• Dominic Mysterio from Long Island [45:19]:
  Dominic echoes sentiments about the lack of accountability among players and managers, stressing the need for leadership and response after significant losses.

  Dominic [45:20]: "The players are the ones that need to be held accountable here."

  Ty and Peter discuss Boone's handling of high-pressure situations, debating whether Boone's decisions contribute to the team's instability.

5. Comparing Past and Present Yankees

The hosts draw parallels between the current Yankees and their storied past, highlighting how expectations have evolved.

Key Insights:

• 2009 World Series Impact: Ty posits that reaching the World Series last year has paradoxically set unrealistic expectations, leading to greater dissatisfaction when the team falters.

  Ty Butler [08:17]: "Getting to the World Series might have been the worst thing to happen to this organization."

• Fading Glory: The discussion touches on how recent successes mask underlying issues, with fan bases, especially newer ones, lacking the deep-seated memories of past championships.

  Ty Butler [13:07]: "He's like fresh into, he's like entrenched into his career. And it's like, yo, I don't really have hardcore memories of the last time the Yankees won a championship."

6. Player Performance and Leadership

Aaron Judge's pivotal role and perceived lack of leadership are scrutinized, questioning his influence on the team's dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [10:06]: "Is it problematic that it is so Aaron Judge dominant and dependent for this team?"

• Ty Butler [38:22]: "Your biggest gripe with Judge... is the lack of, like, conspicuous leadership."

Discussion Highlights:

• Dependence on Aaron Judge: The heavy reliance on Judge for offensive production raises concerns about team balance and resilience.

• Leadership Void: Despite Judge's on-field excellence, his perceived absence in vocal leadership roles is seen as a gap that the team needs to address.

7. Future Implications and Solutions

The episode concludes with a contemplation of potential paths forward for the Yankees, balancing immediate fixes with long-term strategies.

Key Points:

• Potential Organizational Changes: Suggestions include reconfiguring Cashman's role or introducing new leadership to bring fresh perspectives.

• Player Accountability: Emphasizing the need for players to take more responsibility on the field, reducing the managerial burden.

• Fan Base Sentiments: Acknowledging the deepening frustration among fans, the hosts ponder how the organization can restore confidence and performance.

8. Personal Interludes

Amidst the intense discussions, hosts share personal anecdotes, offering listeners a glimpse into their lives outside the studio.

Highlights:

• Peter Rosenberg's Injury: Peter discusses a knee injury, detailing his treatment plan and the impact on his ability to participate actively.

  Peter Rosenberg [24:47]: "It's day to day... If there's a game Sunday, you know, on the report it says out."

• Family Moments: Brief conversations about Peter’s child and humorous exchanges about family interactions provide a relatable human element to the episode.

Conclusion

In Hour 1: Yankees Frustration, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provide a thorough analysis of the New York Yankees' current struggles, dissecting managerial decisions, organizational accountability, and player performances. Through engaging discussions and insightful listener interactions, the hosts paint a comprehensive picture of a franchise at a crossroads. Balancing expert critique with personal narratives, the episode offers both depth and relatability, making it a must-listen for Yankees fans navigating these turbulent times.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ty Butler [02:06]: "You're forcing me to stay up an hour later just to lose in heartbreak fashion on a walk-off three, one shot."

• Ty Butler [03:11]: "Aaron Boone is part of the problem... when you hand over a three nothing lead to your ace... it's hard to put that on the manager."

• Peter Rosenberg [04:07]: "He's part of the fabric of what's been the issue with the Yankees."

• Ty Butler [05:24]: "We watch the games. We don't have to be baseball savants to figure out what's going on. Devin Williams stinks."

• Ty Butler [08:17]: "Getting to the World Series might have been the worst thing to happen to this organization."

• Peter Rosenberg [10:06]: "Is it problematic that it is so Aaron Judge dominant and dependent for this team?"

• Ty Butler [13:07]: "He's like fresh into, he's like entrenched into his career. And it's like, yo, I don't really have hardcore memories of the last time the Yankees won a championship."

For more insights and detailed discussions, subscribe to Don, Hahn & Rosenberg on the ESPN New York app or wherever you get your podcasts.