Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 2: Judge OF & Fraud Alert Friday
Date: September 5, 2025 | Platform: ESPN New York
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

This episode dives into two main threads: Major updates in New York sports—primarily the New York Yankees’ lineup changes and the looming NFL opening weekend—and the ongoing existential dilemmas of sports fandom through the crew’s popular "Fraud Friday" segment. Personal stories, irreverent banter, and sharp takes from all three hosts tie together sports analysis with relatable real-life scenarios.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees Outfield Shakeup: Aaron Judge Returns

• [02:24–05:57]
  • Judge’s Return: The main NY sports headline is Aaron Judge starting in right field for the Yankees against the Blue Jays, rather than serving as DH.
  • Lineup Implications: With Giancarlo Stanton on fire but limited to DH, Judge’s return to the outfield pushes the team toward its ideal defensive alignment.
  • Injury Concerns: While this is a boost, Judge still deals with a flexor strain, potentially making his presence in the outfield a game-to-game decision.
    • Noteworthy stat: "His defensive WAR...this year he’s actually been an above average—actually like 85th percentile—defensive player at right field this season." – Alan Hahn [04:39]
  • Scheduling Disadvantages: The Yankees arrive late from Houston while the Blue Jays rest, creating a “huge advantage to the Blue Jays” (Don La Greca [06:48]).

2. MLB Scheduling Oddities & Impact on Teams

• [05:57–08:21]
  • Late Arrivals & Unfavorable Scheduling: The Yankees’ recent travel woes draw complaints, including from Carlos Rodon’s wife who lamented on social media that he got home as the kids were waking up.
  • Questioning the League: The hosts criticize MLB for not mandating a fair schedule, suggesting financial motivations over competitive fairness.

3. NY Sports Fan’s Weekend Dilemma

• [09:17–20:10]
  • Scheduling Conflicts: With major games across NFL (Jets, Giants), MLB (Yankees, Mets), and a family event, Alan Hahn asks how to possibly juggle all obligations.
    • "So how do you juggle that? How do you deal with that?" – Don La Greca [09:17]
  • Personal Conflict Plays Out:
    • Alan’s Situation: His son’s girlfriend (college soccer player) plays nearby; should he attend her game or stay home for the Jets opener/Yankees crucial series?
    • Debate: Hahn, La Greca, and Rosenberg collectively debate where familial loyalty and sports fanaticism should land.
    • "There’s two ways to this…Risk versus reward.” – Peter Rosenberg [18:35]
    • Consensus: You go to the game for family, DVR or catch up on sports later, especially when it’s not a make-or-break season opener.

4. Fraud Alert Friday – The Weekly Court of Sports Fandom

• [23:34–40:01]
  • The hosts hear from listeners and judge their “fandom purity”:
    • Jet Fan Retirement: Is it fraud to walk away from fandom after years of misery, only to return later if the team wins?
      • Verdict: Fraudulent if you come back. "You suffer until the day it turns around." – Don La Greca [26:13]
    • Rooting for a Rival for Standings' Sake: Yankees fan cheers for Astros if it benefits Yankees.
      • Verdict: Not a fraud; loyalty means wanting what's best for your team even if it means rooting for a hated rival [28:06].
    • Switching Teams for a Favorite Player: Grows up a Jets fan, follows John Riggins to Washington.
      • Consensus: Not a fraud if change happens at a young and impressionable age, and you stick with the team for decades [30:29].
    • Dual Fandom (Jets–Bucs or AFC/NFC teams):
      • Unanimous: Absolute fraud, no “secondary” teams allowed. "You don't have the luxury—oh, that's my AFC, that's my NFC team." – Don La Greca [31:32]
    • Abandoning Team over Bad Ownership:
      • If it's due to moral reasons (as with Peter’s Commanders/Dan Snyder experience): Allowable.
      • If it’s over incompetence or losing (e.g., Jerry Jones/Cowboys): Fraudulent, per Don and Alan.
        • "You don't get to leave the fandom because your owner is bad at what he does. That comes with it. I didn't give up on the Mets when the Wilpons were messing things up." – Don La Greca [38:23]

5. Listener Call-Ins: Family, Mortality, and Sports Parenting

• [46:00–51:22]
  • A listener helps Don feel better about future family dilemmas, with banter about survivability and generational hand-offs in fandom.
  • Discussion of aging, family planning, and longevity—riffs that blend typical sports talk with amusing existential detours.
    • "Three women are going to kill me." – Don La Greca [47:24]
    • Reflections on fathers dying young and how it frames their own perspectives on life and family.

6. Bad Umpiring & Accountability in MLB

• [41:54–44:31]
  • Don and Alan dissect a blown call in a recent Yankees game, pointing to consistent officiating issues and lack of accountability.
    • "At what point does it cost you your job? I guess never." – Don La Greca [43:15]
  • Call for poor umpires to be excluded from postseason games due to repeated errors.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fandom Loyalty:
  • "You suffer until the day it turns around. And that's why it's so much sweeter when, and if it ever does, you don't get to tap out and then come back in when it gets good again." – Don La Greca [26:13]
• On Family vs. Sports:
  • "Her game, I can't. Her game, I gotta be there." – Alan Hahn, defending his choice to skip games for his son's girlfriend’s soccer match [19:56]
  • "If it works out, this is such a valuable thing...her father in law actually saw it, was a part of it. That's a worthwhile box to check." – Peter Rosenberg [18:36]
• On Scheduling:
  • "Huge advantage to the Blue Jays. Rested and the Yankees coming in from Houston. And there's something about those Texas flights. We talk about it all the time, Alan. It feels...it's over four hours. It's just...it's a terrible flight." – Don La Greca [06:48]
• On Abandoning a Team:
  • "I'm not switching to another team. I'm just retiring as a Jets fan for now. Does that make me a fraud?" – Listener Dean [26:00]
  • Verdict: "If he comes back, he's a fraud. He's not allowed back." – Don La Greca [26:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Yankees OF/Judge/Stanton Update: [02:24–05:57]
• MLB Scheduling & Yankees’ Travel Woes: [05:57–08:21]
• Alan Hahn’s Sports vs. Family Dilemma & Debate: [09:17–20:10]
• Fraud Alert Friday (Various Scenarios): [23:34–40:01]
  • Listener: Quitting Jets fandom: [26:00–27:35]
  • Dual Fandom / "AFC/NFC" teams: [31:31–33:36]
  • Ownership & Fandom Breakups: [34:14–38:58]
• Bad Umpiring in MLB: [41:54–44:31]
• Call-in on Parenting & Aversion to the Future: [46:00–51:22]

Tone, Style & Dynamic

The episode is a blend of inside-sports knowledge, tongue-in-cheek banter, and real-life reflection, staying true to the personalities of the three hosts. Don is the staunch traditionalist and vocal ‘gatekeeper’ of fandom. Alan balances empathy and logic, while Peter brings humor, relatability, and a connection to broader pop culture.

Summary

This hour covers the excitement and complications of the current New York sports landscape, from the Yankees' critical series and lineup changes to the NFL's return. The personal stories and the “Fraud Alert Friday” segment entertain and offer sharp commentary on true sports allegiance, the impact of family and relationships, and how much moral or competitive factors should weigh in continuing one’s devotion to a team.

A lively, emblematic episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg, blending serious sports talk with a slice of real life from three perspectives. Great for sports fans and anyone wrestling with the importance of sticking with a cause—or team—when the going gets tough.