Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – "Hour 2: Don Golf Outing" (April 8, 2026)

Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Platform: ESPN New York
Episode Theme: Sports banter with a local New York focus, fan culture, a humorous take on golf, and in-depth discussion of Knicks, Yankees, and NBA/NHL storylines.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the show’s signature blend of sharp, humorous sports commentary and banter, focusing on two main threads: the possibility of a Don, Hahn & Rosenberg listener golf event with an anti-elitist twist, and a broad sweep of Knicks/NBA and Yankees/MLB storylines as the postseason and early regular season heat up. The hosts riff on sports culture, interact with listeners, and provide thoughtful analysis, all with their usual playful energy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Donny Golf" Outing Concept

(01:29–04:20 & 22:27–26:28)

• Premise: The crew brainstorms a potential summer golf event for listeners, mocking golf’s stuffy country club culture.
• Don’s Reluctance: Don admits he “despises” golf and its culture but warms up to a golf-adjacent event.
• Anti-Golf Golf: The plan is a “no judgment zone” golf day (inspired by Planet Fitness): if you act too “golfy”—checking the green, throwing grass, dressing the part—there’s a penalty or even an alarm.
  • “If you actually know your handicap, you’re probably too good for this tournament.” – Peter Rosenberg (02:14)
• Listener Calls:
  • Jeff suggests Five Iron Golf, a virtual golf venue, but the hosts lean toward a full outdoor event.
  • Danny jokes about themed golf songs and suggests attendees dress like Bill Murray’s character in "Caddyshack," turning the event into “complete bedlam.”
• Humor & Participation: The segment is both a send-up of golf and an invitation to listeners—“anti-golf golf,” “less George Plimpton, more Tool (the band),” as Don quips (24:16).

2. Knicks, NBA Playoff Positioning, & Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Talk

(08:35–21:26)

• Knicks Fan Culture: The hosts compare Knicks fans’ optimism to the fatalism of other NY teams (e.g., Jets).
  • “The Knick fan seems to be way more positive about their team.” – Don La Greca (05:16)
  • Discussion includes a cringeworthy Jets pep rally in Times Square (06:37–08:01).
• Giannis Trade Hypotheticals:
  • Listener Manny asks if Giannis is a "fit" for the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson.
  • Alan: “Seven years, he’s a top five MVP candidate … one of the most impactful players in the sport… He can guard any position … [but] can he spread the floor, can he shoot threes? No … But, yes, it can work because of the impact he’ll have on the defensive end.” (10:18–11:45)
  • Peter adds Giannis isn’t a high-ego guy, which helps chemistry.
  • The real concern: Would gutting the roster to acquire Giannis undermine the team’s depth and playoff viability? Alan thinks a true contender must weigh the fit and cost.

3. NBA Injury Updates & Playoff Preview

(16:22–21:26)

• Davey Lopes’ Passing: Don notes the passing of the Dodger legend, providing a nostalgic breakdown of the classic Dodgers infield. “It’s the kid in me… those Dodger teams, I can give you the whole infield.” – Don La Greca (16:35)
• Detroit/Bucks & East Play-In Races:
  • Cade Cunningham’s return is positive news for Detroit as playoffs approach.
  • Discussion on how real contenders survive injuries and how teamwork and depth carry good teams.
  • Play-in speculation: who might be the easiest opponent for the Knicks? Hosts consider Toronto, Orlando, Philly, Atlanta.
    • “Do the Knicks look at that game Friday and go, ‘Let’s let the Raptors win this one so we can face them’?” – Alan Hahn (20:25)

4. Yankees Lineup & Fan Anxiety

(30:04–39:04)

• Lineup Choices & Rationale:
  • Debate over infield positions—Rosario at third, McMahon at shortstop, and Caballero’s prolonged slump.
  • Don and Alan dig into the logic behind Boone’s infield choices, concluding that with Volpe still out, it’s a juggling act.
  • “Somebody has got to play, and you get the better defender at third.” – Don (31:12)
  • “What’s his ‘right’?” – Peter, on the logic of trying to get players “right” or out of a slump (32:23)
• Manager Speak Parody: The guys riff on Aaron Boone’s habit of giving everyone a nickname (ending in -ie) and try to decode Boone’s postgame logic.
  • Audio of Boone: “I got him [McMahon] five starts in spring training at short. Felt like he gained some comfortability there. So, you know, it felt like it was a good day to get him and Rosie in there.” (36:59)
  • This leads to a jokey debate on whether “comfortability” is a real word: “Comfortability is the word. Let’s just stay with it.” – Alan (38:23)

5. AL East Landscape & Early Season Stakes

(33:05–35:29)

• Yankees’ Strong Start:
  • A caller notes the Yankees could “run away with the division by the end of April if the rest keep playing bad baseball.”
  • Don: “So do not disrespect this start. It is a great start. You’ve won every series, right. You’re taking care of business.” (34:50)
  • The group discusses injuries decimating division rivals, giving the Yanks a chance to build a cushion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Anti-Golf Golf:
  • “If it wasn’t such a tool culture… This would be for you, because it’s anti golf golf.” – Don La Greca (02:43)
  • “If you become golfy, sound an alarm.” – Alan Hahn (03:32)
• Fan Psychology:
  • “When we get these windows of success, it’s like we’re tantalized—there could be a big meal at the end.” – Steve, New Fairfield (04:48)
  • “The Knick fan seems to be way more positive about their team.” – Don La Greca (05:16)
• Yankees Roster Debate:
  • “Somebody has got to play, and you get the better defender at third.” – Don La Greca (31:12)
• Manager-speak:
  • “Comfortability is the word. Let’s just stay with it.” – Alan Hahn (38:23)
• On Playing the Raptors in Playoffs:
  • “You want to play us. And that’s never good. Why give them anything?” – Don La Greca (21:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Donny Golf Discussion (anti-golf outing): 01:29–04:20; listener calls 22:27–26:28
• Knicks Fan Culture/Jets Pep Rally Story: 04:28–08:01
• Giannis-Knicks Fit & Trade Hypotheticals: 08:35–12:25
• Davey Lopes’ Passing & Dodgers Nostalgia: 16:16–17:11
• NBA Play-in Scenarios & Knicks Opponent Preferences: 19:36–21:26
• Yankees Infield Debate & Manager-speak: 30:04–39:04
• Comfortability Wordplay: 37:46–38:42

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode blends inside-joke laced camaraderie with knowledgeable sports analysis and classic New York cynicism. Listener engagement and self-deprecating humor abound, with the hosts both celebrating fandom and poking fun at their own and listeners’ obsessions. They navigate sports culture (and sports business), keeping things grounded, relatable, and entertaining.

Summary Takeaway

“Hour 2: Don Golf Outing” showcases why Don, Hahn & Rosenberg is a staple for New York sports fans: it’s as much about the passion and culture of fandom as actual games. Whether riffing on the absurdity of golf elitism, the highs and inevitable frustrations of Knicks and Yankees fandom, or parsing the postgame platitudes of Aaron Boone, the show is equal parts sports bar and lecture hall. The energy is inclusive—listeners are invited to join the anti-golf movement, argue about the lineup, and stress endlessly about playoff scenarios. Come for the analysis, stay for the laughs.