Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Yankees Win, Mets Rolling (March 26, 2026)

Main Theme

This episode rides the high energy of MLB Opening Day in New York, with Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg discussing the New York Yankees’ dominant season opener, the Mets’ slugfest in progress, and the quirks of watching baseball in 2026—especially with Netflix’s foray into live sports. There’s also room for classic show banter, NYC sports culture, and the beloved “Drop Madness” bracket.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Day Vibes: Yankees’ and Mets’ Performances

Yankees:

• The hosts revel in the Yankees’ near-perfect 7-0 win the night before.
• Strong praise for Max Fried’s pitching: "Six and a third, two hits, no runs, four strikeouts. Don, that's going to make you feel good if you're a Yankee fan." (Peter, 02:46)
• The line-up gets applause, notably for production from the bottom of the order. Even with Aaron Judge quiet, “You're able to win games going away and not relying on one or two offensive guys to get it done. Just a great start for the Yankees.” (Don, 04:38)
• Alan notes the importance of a fast start: “It just feels good to get off to a good start. So that was, at least for me, enjoyable.” (Alan, 02:16)
• The offense’s versatility is discussed, with Don pointing out the ability to string together hits and not be overly reliant on home runs (31:35).

Mets:

• The Mets are pounding the Pirates in a slow-paced, high-offense contest (“this could end up being like a 12–10 game...has all over it.” — Peter, 05:20).
• Don reminds listeners the Pirates are improved this year, having spent money in the offseason. “Certainly this is not your same old Pirates…” (Don, 05:40)
• Skepticism about Mets’ pitching but optimism about offense. “They didn't get the pitching they were looking for, but they're hitting the ball and so far, so good for the Mets.” (Don, 04:16)
• Running commentary on the game’s pace, with laughter at its grind, “slow as molasses” (Griffin, 28:36).

2. Watching Baseball on Netflix: Frustrations and Critique

• All three hosts share gripes about Netflix’s first big baseball broadcast: endless pregame promos, awkward attempts to appeal to non-baseball fans, and tech annoyances.
• Rosenberg: “Every time it felt like the game was about to start, they kept teasing it—coming up first pitch, coming up...nope, another promo” (Peter, 08:10).
• Alan and Peter note the intrusive “cross-promotion” aspect and the challenge of juggling games between streaming outlets:
  • “Even then...with the little stupid score bug where you can’t read it because the print’s so small, even on a large screen.” (Alan, 15:03)
• Don observes, “You're not getting that audience...the casual fan is not going to be on a Wednesday watching a seven–nothing baseball game...entertain your baseball fans.” (Don, 13:11)
• The hosts miss traditional viewing habits: “The beauty of the last channel button—glorious last channel button that will have to now be retired.” (Alan, 16:29)
• Alan sharply divides broadcast vs. production: “The broadcast was excellent. All the crap around it was garbage, unnecessary garbage.” (Alan, 16:49)
• Humorous aside about Bert Kreischer’s constant presence and lack of true comic relief: “I would expect there to be a lot of funny. There was not much funny.” (Alan, 09:50)

3. Drop Madness Returns

• The annual “Drop Madness” event kicks off, sparking enthusiastic debate over iconic soundbytes (21:04–24:27).
• Matchups are presented for listeners to vote on via Twitter, with memorable drops like, “You got the job!” and “I was pooping in my pants” (Don, 22:16–24:03).
• Alan: “Ladon James might be one of the most brilliant…” (Alan, 21:48)

4. Knicks & NYC Sports Soap Opera

• Callers and hosts briefly pivot to Knicks news and NBA playoff anxiety.
• Alan addresses social media drama between Josh Hart and Stephen A. Smith (33:10), noting:
  • “This stuff kind of makes me laugh...He [Stephen A.] wants to be proven wrong, though.” (Alan, 34:02)
  • Don breaks down the fan/critic dynamic: “Fans being critical of their own team...players believe well, if you admit you're a fan then what are you killing us for?” (Don, 35:15)
• Alan points out the playoff “dragon slayer” lurking in the East, “One of these, there’s a couple of teams that we're not talking about or paying attention to that's playing their best basketball of the season right now...There's a Dragon Slayer.” (Alan, 36:51)

5. NYC Life, Show Banter & Radio Inside Jokes

• Alan shares story about his iPad frustration—“I did this as my daughter threw my iPad across the room at one point.” (Alan, 02:15)
• Don’s travails watching games from Nashville, missing NBC due to hotel disputes (39:54).
• Banter about broadcast partners—Matt Vasgersian's hustle across networks: “He’s got a peacock deal, and he’s got a Netflix deal, and MLB Network.” (Peter, 40:39)
• Lighthearted ribbing over morning weight check rumors and “fights” between Don and Peter: “I called you a liar. Big deal.” (Don, 20:14)
• Alan’s on-air “bad word” snafu, and Don’s son’s reaction: “My son should not be subjected to this filth… because of you.” (Don, 49:24)
• Meta-commentary on multitasking radio life, with Peter handling HR calls during breaks: “You know, when you finally get close to the finish line, you cannot bail on that conversation.” (Peter, 47:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Opening Day feelings:
  “Opening day like it’s supposed to be.”
  — Don (01:12)
• On Aaron Judge’s slow start being a positive:
  “You’re able to put up a seven spot and get nothing out of your best offensive player. You know Judge is going to judge.”
  — Don (02:58)
• On Netflix’s broadcast style:
  “Trying to entertain an audience that doesn’t exist, that’s what it feels like.”
  — Don (13:11)
• On fans trying to watch the game:
  “Can I have some baseball, please?”
  — Don (14:09)
• On frustration with TV apps:
  "The beauty of the last channel button, the glorious last channel button that will have to now be retired."
  — Alan (16:29)
• On the state of the Mets game:
  “This Met game is...slow as molasses."
  — Griffin (28:36)
• On the annual fun of Drop Madness:
  "You got the job! ... I'll be licking the television screen. Licking it like it's ice cream."
  — Don (22:16, 22:22)
• On NYC sports radio infighting:
  “I called you a liar. Big deal.”
  — Don (20:14)
• On broadcasting vs. the realities of live streaming:
  "The broadcast was excellent. All the crap around it was garbage, unnecessary garbage."
  — Alan (16:49)
• On radio multitasking:
  “You know when you finally get close to the finish line, you cannot bail on that conversation.”
  — Peter (47:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening banter & season setup: 00:56–02:39
• Yankees recap: 01:48–04:38
• Mets & slow game discussion: 05:20–06:41
• Netflix broadcast critique and cross-promotion rant: 08:10–17:38
• Drop Madness matchups: 20:43–24:26
• Call-ins: Yankees & Mets bottom-of-order offense: 28:31–31:48
• Knicks/Stephen A. Smith drama & playoff talk: 32:04–37:57
• Ongoing Mets game updates, TV broadcast quirks: 39:11–41:28
• Listener feedback/social media confusion: 44:32–46:17
• Work-life chaos (HR calls on air, cursing incident): 46:26–50:26

Overall Tone

• Breezily passionate and irreverent NYC sports-talk, full of inside jokes, affectionate digs, and real-time reactions to the New York sports universe. There’s a blend of nostalgia (“the last channel button”), modern annoyance (streaming woes), and genuine joy in the communal traditions of baseball and radio hijinks.

For New/Returning Listeners

This episode is a prime slice of what makes “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” a go-to for New York sports fans:

• Comprehensive yet relatable breakdowns of the Yankees/Mets,
• Frustrated (but humorous) critiques of modern sports broadcasting,
• Hyper-local color and personality,
• A true sense of radio “family,” in both their sports debates and drop competitions.

If you missed opening day in NYC or want to relive the vibe, this hour is a fast-paced, funny, and informative listen.