Podcast Summary: Don Hahn & Rosenberg – “Jeff Nelson & The List”
Release Date: March 26, 2025
Hosts:
- Don LaGreca – ESPN New York and New Jersey legend
- Alan Hahn – Long-time sportswriter and New York Knick broadcaster
- Peter Rosenberg – Highly opinionated Hip Hop vet and WWE personality
Guest:
- Jeff Nelson – Former New York Yankees pitcher and current baseball analyst
1. Introduction and Guest Appearance
The episode kicks off with Alan Hahn introducing the show and welcoming host Jeff Nelson to discuss the upcoming baseball season. Jeff expresses his enthusiasm for joining the podcast, stating, “I always love listening to you guys. So I appreciate it” ([01:33]).
2. Yankees' Pitching Challenges
Discussion Points:
- Spring Training and Injuries: Jeff Nelson addresses the Yankees' pitching depth concerns due to injuries, notably the absence of ace Garrett Cole.
- Max Freed and Rodin: Emphasis on Max Freed stepping up as a potential ace, highlighting his past performance with the Braves. Alan Hahn remarks on Freed’s potential, saying, “I think Rodin, you spent a bunch of money on him, and I think he still has to step up” ([02:34]).
Notable Quote: Jeff Nelson: “Max Freed is going to have to be one of them. I mean, they went out and spent a lot of money on him. … He’s an ace in himself, and hopefully he can stay healthy and be the ace of the staff” ([02:12]).
3. Juan Soto's Move to the Mets
Discussion Points:
- Soto's Decision: The panel delves into Juan Soto's decision to join the Mets, exploring potential reasons beyond financial ones.
- Jeff's Take: Jeff Nelson speculates that Soto's comments may reflect dissatisfaction with the Yankees, saying, “…whatever he said, if it has anything to do with the Yankees, you know, it probably is a lot of disrespect” ([05:20]).
Notable Quote: Alan Hahn: “One of the comments that really struck me was when thinking about the Yankees, he said five years, I know is good. … he felt like long term there was the better play was to go to the Mets” ([05:00]).
4. Yankees' Offensive Expectations
Discussion Points:
- Key Players: Analysis of Bobby Witt Jr.'s potential as a leadoff hitter and the roles of Erik Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt in compensating for Soto’s absence.
- Offensive Depth: Jeff Nelson discusses the expected power output and versatility in the Yankees' lineup.
Notable Quote: Jeff Nelson: “I think Bellinger can hit you 20 to 25, hopefully a little bit more. … Jazz Chisholm, he could hit 20, 25 and then steal you about 40 bases” ([07:44]).
5. Pitcher Injuries and Mets' Strategy
Discussion Points:
- Mets' Approach to Pitching: Exploration of the Mets' strategy to use one-year deals and a transient rotation to mitigate pitcher injuries.
- Health Concerns: Jeff Nelson emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of pitcher injuries rather than solely altering contract strategies.
Notable Quote: Jeff Nelson: “The winning philosophy ought to be how why are these getting these guys getting hurt? … they really need to figure out why” ([14:53]).
6. The Impact of Robo Umpires
Discussion Points:
- Automated Strike Zones: Debate on the implementation of technology in umpiring, specifically automated ball-and-strike systems.
- Human Element vs. Technology: Jeff Nelson advocates for maintaining human umpires, highlighting the importance of human judgment in the game.
Notable Quote: Jeff Nelson: “I still like the human element. So the challenge system, if they’re going to do anything, I think that would be the best way” ([13:26]).
7. Yankees vs. Dodgers Rivalry & 2021 World Series Reflections
Discussion Points:
- Post-Series Tensions: Reflection on the rivalry stoked by the Dodgers’ critical remarks following their 2021 World Series victory over the Yankees.
- Team Mindset: Jeff Nelson discusses how such rivalries can motivate teams to improve and maintain a competitive edge.
Notable Quote: Jeff Nelson: “The best team won the World Series. … Hopefully the Dodgers made the Yankees come to spring training with an Edge” ([10:21]).
8. The Best Baseball Jerseys List
Discussion Points:
-
Top Five Jerseys: Alan Hahn presents his top five all-time baseball jerseys, emphasizing aesthetics and nostalgia.
- Yankee Pinstripes
- Dodgers Classic White
- Expos Powder Blue
- Pirates Black and Yellow (We Are Family)
- White Sox 'Socks' Jersey
-
Honorable Mentions: Mets Pinstripes and St. Louis Cardinals.
-
Debate and Banter: Hosts engage in a lively discussion about jersey preferences, with Don LaGreca expressing strong opinions against frequent uniform changes and favoring traditional designs.
Notable Quote: Don LaGreca: “Whether it’s about the winning or just the … Yankees, Celtics, Canadians, those are teams that shouldn’t mess” ([49:29]).
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Alan Hahn: “The Yankees pinstripes. Nothing greater.” ([30:17])
- Howie Rose: “I love it. … The Pirates black and yellow jersey was phenomenal” ([28:22])
- Don LaGreca: “The greatest jersey in the history of all sports. Classic, clean, just tradition” ([30:53])
9. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
The episode concludes with a mix of light-hearted banter about movies like Wayne’s World and Tommy Boy, reflections on sports history, and mentions of upcoming shows. The hosts also briefly touch upon the evolution of sports safety equipment, such as goalie masks in hockey.
Notable Quote: Don LaGreca: “We're just flat … It’s sports. It’s dumb. So let's just put the dumb people on it” ([37:40]).
Conclusion
In this episode, Don Hahn and Rosenberg host Jeff Nelson offers insightful analysis on the New York Yankees' pitching dilemmas, the implications of Juan Soto joining the Mets, and the broader strategies teams employ to handle player injuries. The conversation seamlessly transitions into a nostalgic discussion about iconic baseball jerseys, highlighting the importance of tradition in sports. Throughout, the panel balances expert commentary with entertaining banter, making the episode both informative and engaging for listeners.
Notable Advertising Segments Skipped:
- Venmo and McAfee promotions
- Mazda, New Balance, Lowe’s, and Allstate commercials
- FanDuel and Tullamore Dew advertisements
Disclaimer: This summary excludes all non-content sections such as advertisements, intros, and outros to focus solely on the main discussions and insights shared during the episode.