Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Cole Injury Concern

Release Date: March 10, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York

Introduction

In the second hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, the hosts dive deep into pressing sports concerns, focusing primarily on Garrett Cole's injury and its implications for the New York Yankees' season. Alongside, they touch upon NFL free agency activities, particularly those involving the New York Giants, and engage in light-hearted discussions about music and personal anecdotes. The episode is rich with expert analysis, candid opinions, and interactive segments with listeners.

NFL Free Agency and the New York Giants

Alan Hahn opens the discussion by addressing the current state of the Giants during the NFL free agency period. He notes the team's inactivity in securing a quarterback and highlights minor signings that may not significantly impact the team's performance.

• Alan Hahn (00:43): “The Giants have not been active yet when it comes to a quarterback as we're waiting on that.”

He mentions specific player movements:

• Roy Robertson Harris, a defensive tackle signed for two years, aimed at bolstering the defensive line.
• Joshua Palmer, a wide receiver initially targeted by the Giants, has instead signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. Hahn speculates that Palmer may have preferred the Bills due to their stable offensive prospects.

Peter Rosenberg adds depth to the conversation by discussing the Giants' internal challenges, including organizational leadership and quarterback instability.

• Peter Rosenberg (01:34): “If I played football, loving the Giants as much as I love them now, would I do, would I be doing my career a service by going and signing with the Giants right now with all that instability when I've got other places to go?”

Rosenberg emphasizes the potential hesitancy of top players like Rogers to commit to the Giants under current conditions, contrasting them with more stable organizations like the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Impact of Garrett Cole's Injury on the Yankees

The core of the episode centers around Garrett Cole's recent elbow injury and its ramifications for the Yankees' pitching rotation and overall season prospects.

Alan Hahn provides a detailed account of the injury timeline:

• Alan Hahn (04:55): “So Friday night the news broke that Cole was going to go for an MRI because he had discomfort in that elbow. He said he was concerned but optimistic.”

He recalls Cole's previous elbow issues from the prior year, which required a second opinion and ultimately led to a temporary recovery period. The recent injury suggests a more severe prognosis, potentially necessitating Tommy John surgery.

• Alan Hahn (05:31): “It was recommended that he get Tommy John surgery. I mean, that's it now that's the season.”

Peter Rosenberg expresses concern over the Yankees losing a key starting pitcher, especially following Luis Heel’s injury and the departure of Stanton.

• Peter Rosenberg (05:33): “The Yankees can still go out and get him if they want to. They still have a great bullpen.”

However, he questions the Yankees' financial flexibility to acquire high-end starting pitchers given their self-imposed salary cap constraints.

• Peter Rosenberg (07:16): “It's a self imposed salary cap. ... When you lose two starting pitchers, you just saw your best offensive player leave via free agency.”

Don McGregor interjects with a lighter anecdote about player trades, mentioning Lamarre Tunsil and the complexities of NFL transactions.

• Don McGregor (02:45): “By the way, my commies went out and got Lamarre Tunsil for a package of picks, which is...”

As the discussion progresses, Hahn and Rosenberg debate the Yankees' options moving forward, highlighting the challenges of replacing Cole and Heel without overspending or compromising team chemistry.

Alan Hahn (08:14): “To you if you lose him, how do you really. How do you tell yourself you can still win a World Series if you don't go out and trade for somebody's ace in July?”

• Peter Rosenberg (10:35): “He [Will Warren] was the one that bailed the Yankees out last year...”

Rosenberg underscores the importance of pitching depth and the difficulty of maintaining a competitive edge under current constraints.

Listener Interaction: Defending Brian Cashman

The podcast features a call from a listener named Dan, who defends Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman amidst criticism for not extending Garrett Cole's contract.

• Dan (22:12): “I'm actually happy that he had again the wherewithal for not giving him the extension and actually signed him freed.”

Alan Hahn acknowledges Dan’s perspective, explaining Cole’s decision to opt back into free agency and lauding Cashman’s strategic choices.

• Alan Hahn (22:47): “You know, I got you, Dan, and I understand it. And look, by the way, it's one year, right?”

Peter Rosenberg adds that regardless of Cashman's decisions, fans are unlikely to retract their support due to his consistent leadership.

• Peter Rosenberg (23:19): “He'll be. Exactly.”

Music and Pop Culture Banter

Transitioning from sports, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about music, showcasing their diverse tastes and nostalgic references.

• Peter Rosenberg (14:19): “I had. I was listening to Duran Duran. Ordinary World, and it's great...”

Alan Hahn defends his love for classic rock opera, specifically mentioning Meatloaf and his appreciation for "Bat Out of Hell".

• Alan Hahn (24:18): “I love Meatloaf. The food? Yeah.”

They reminisce about the cultural impact of artists and their performances, touching upon Andrew Dice Clay and his controversial persona.

• Peter Rosenberg (25:30): “But I think if this team is within striking distance, they're going to go for it...”

The conversation humorously veers into personal preferences and shared experiences with music, enhancing the show's personable and relaxed atmosphere.

Closing Remarks and Advertisements

The episode concludes with promotional segments for various sponsors, including FanDuel, Uber Eats, Shopify, and Mint Mobile. The hosts briefly acknowledge these ads before wrapping up the discussion.

• Alan Hahn (27:23): “Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.”

• Peter Rosenberg (27:37): “Slayer Blood. There we go. Dave Lo...”

They encourage listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for future episodes, emphasizing the availability of the podcast on multiple platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Garrett Cole's Injury: A significant blow to the Yankees' pitching rotation, potentially requiring Tommy John surgery, which raises concerns about the team's ability to remain competitive without major financial adjustments.

• Yankees' Financial Constraints: The Yankees face challenges in acquiring high-end pitching talent due to self-imposed salary caps and the loss of key offensive players like Juan Soto.

• Giants' Free Agency Strategy: The Giants remain cautious in free agency, with minor signings that may not substantially impact their performance, highlighting underlying organizational instability.

• Listener Engagement: Active participation from listeners, offering diverse perspectives on team management and player decisions.

• Cultural Interlude: The hosts' discussions on music and pop culture add a relatable and entertaining dimension to the podcast, balancing the intense sports analysis.

Notable Quotes

• Alan Hahn (04:55): “Now he's going to get that, and remember Luis Heel already going to be out with the lat for a couple of months and now you lose Cole that leave.”

• Peter Rosenberg (07:16): “It's a self imposed salary cap. Obviously, they don't want to have to pay...”

• Dan (22:12): “I'm actually happy that he had again the wherewithal for not giving him the extension and actually signed him freed.”

• Alan Hahn (24:18): “I love Meatloaf. The food? Yeah.”

Conclusion

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg effectively balance serious sports analysis with light-hearted banter, creating an engaging and informative listening experience. The episode "Hour 2: Cole Injury Concern" provides valuable insights into the Yankees' current challenges while maintaining a personable and relatable tone through music discussions and listener interactions.

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• Join the Conversation: Call-in number 800-919-3776.

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