Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

Episode: Hour 2: CC Sabathia & Fraud Alert Friday
Release Date: April 11, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Overview

In this episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg engage in a multifaceted discussion featuring Hall of Famer CC Sabathia. The conversation spans Sabathia's Hall of Fame induction, insights into the New York Yankees' current dynamics, and the entertaining "Fraud Alert Friday" segment where listeners' sports fandoms are evaluated for authenticity. The episode skillfully blends in-depth sports analysis with humor and personal anecdotes, making it both informative and engaging for listeners.

Hall of Fame Induction with CC Sabathia

Timestamp: 14:56 - 17:32

The episode kicks off with celebrating CC Sabathia’s induction into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Sabathia reflects on his illustrious career, expressing gratitude towards both New York and Cleveland for their roles in his journey.

• Sabathia on Winning the World Series vs. Hall of Fame:
  “Winning the ring is way more fulfilling because I feel like that's something that, you know, you play for as a kid.”
  [17:15]

Sabathia emphasizes that, while being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a significant honor, winning the World Series was his ultimate goal and the driving force behind his career.

Discussion on Yankees’ Performance and Leadership

Timestamp: 03:11 - 08:32

Don La Greca and CeCe Sabathia engage with Carmelo Anthony regarding the New York Yankees' recent performance, focusing on key players like Juan Soto and the impact of his departure to the Mets.

• Anthony on Losing Garrett Cole:
  “Losing Garrett is going to be huge. I mean, you know, obviously he's one of the best starters in the league and a guy that's able to go deep into games and it kind of saves your bullpen.”
  [05:07]

The conversation delves into how the loss of pivotal players affects the team's rotation and overall performance, highlighting concerns about leadership and consistency in the postseason.

• Anthony on Yankees’ Pressure and Expectations:
  “When you put on those finishers, we always talk about they're heavy…playing for the Yankees for 12 years, you know, the fans hold you accountable, the organization holds you accountable.”
  [07:32]

Anthony discusses the unique pressures Yankees players face, being held to higher standards compared to other teams, and the legacy of past greats that influences current players’ performances.

Fraud Alert Friday Segment

Timestamp: 14:56 - 37:34

CeCe Sabathia hosts the "Fraud Alert Friday" segment, where listeners submit questions about the authenticity of their sports fandoms. The segment is a blend of humor and thoughtful analysis, as the hosts evaluate whether listeners are "fraudulent" fans based on their team loyalties.

Listener Submission 1: Dual Team Loyalty

A listener describes rooting for both the Yankees and Mets over 60 years.

• Don La Greca's Verdict:
  “I think the level of fraud is 10. It's absolute fraud.”
  [29:13]

The hosts humorously debate the sincerity of maintaining loyalty to two major rival teams, ultimately ruling it as fraudulent due to the conflicting allegiances.

Listener Submission 2: Regional Team Support

A listener from Idaho supports the Yankees, 49ers, Knicks, and Flyers, questioning if it's fraudulent not to support regional teams.

• Don La Greca's Verdict:
  “No fraud.”
  [32:57]

After a detailed discussion on regional allegiances and the freedom to support any teams regardless of geography, Don concludes that the listener's diverse team support is genuine.

Listener Submission 3: Rooting for Love

Carmelo Anthony shares a personal story about rooting for the Mets to make his fiancée happy.

• Initial Verdict:
  “I call no fraud. No fraud.”
  [34:02]

Upon understanding the motivation behind the support, the hosts agree that rooting for a team to please a loved one is not fraudulent, highlighting the personal nature of fandom.

Listener Submission 4: Family Influence on Team Support

Peter Rosenberg narrates his experience of supporting the Rangers to make his parents happy, despite being an Islander fan.

• Don La Greca's Verdict:
  “Yes.”
  [36:06]

The hosts agree that conflicting team support due to parental influence is fraudulent, as it contradicts the listener's true fandom.

Engaging Conversations and Humor

Throughout the episode, the hosts intersperse the discussions with humor and personal anecdotes, making the content relatable and entertaining. Their camaraderie and playful banter, especially during the "Fraud Alert Friday" segment, add a lively dynamic to the podcast.

• Peter Rosenberg on Team Expectations:
  “This is what you want to see.”
  [25:56]

Rosenberg emphasizes the importance of team chemistry and long-term development over immediate, unrealistic expectations, aligning with Anthony's perspective on the Yankees' trajectory.

• Final Remarks on Fraud Alert Friday:
  “That was the most wonderful first installment of Fraud Alert Friday. I loved it.”
  [37:27]

The episode concludes on a high note, celebrating the success of the segment and the engaging interactions among the hosts.

Conclusion

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offers a blend of celebratory reflections on CC Sabathia's Hall of Fame induction, insightful analysis of the Yankees' current challenges, and an entertaining exploration of sports fandom authenticity through the "Fraud Alert Friday" segment. The hosts' ability to seamlessly transition between serious sports discussions and lighthearted humor ensures a balanced and engaging listening experience for audiences.

This summary captures all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, including notable quotes with timestamps, and is structured into clear sections for easy navigation.