Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Mets Walkoff and The List (Released April 23, 2025)

In the second hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg deliver a spirited discussion centered on Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and Mets, culminating in an engaging segment celebrating Jack Nicholson’s illustrious acting career. This episode, titled "Mets Walkoff and The List," offers listeners a blend of in-depth sports analysis, passionate fan interactions, and entertaining pop culture commentary.

1. Yankees vs. Mets Game Recap and Analysis

The episode kicks off with Don Hahn providing a detailed rundown of the recent Yankees-Mets series. At [00:28], Don expresses his irritation with the Yankees’ performance but remains optimistic about the Mets' prospects:

Don Hahn: "At 4:30 we're gonna have a list. It's a good one. Overrated by yours truly. Yankees win 5:1. So they salvage a game in Cleveland."

He highlights the Mets' resilience, noting their comeback in the top of the 10th inning and the strategic pitching by Diaz:

Don Hahn: "Diaz did pitch the 9th and the 10th. He didn't have to pitch last night so he needed the work. And now we'll see if the Mets can at least get out of dodge here."

Peter Rosenberg concurs, emphasizing the competitiveness of both teams:

Peter Rosenberg: "This could be a year where we have every reason to think about these two teams being there at the end, particularly I think in the Yankees case because of the weakness of the AL."

The discussion underscores the Mets' strong start to the season, boasting a record of 18-7 and a run differential of +36, which is notably better than the Yankees'. Don praises Pete Alonso’s critical double that sealed the Mets' sweep of the Phillies:

Don Hahn: "Alonso slides in. Saf Top, Marte Parte, RBI single, walk off, win in the 10th, 4-3 Mets win."

2. Aaron Judge: Debating His Greatness

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Yankees’ superstar Aaron Judge. Don Hahn passionately advocates for Judge, arguing his case for being one of the greatest players in baseball history. At [02:03], Don highlights Judge’s exceptional batting average:

Don Hahn: "He's batting .415. Do you know how rare it is to have a guy that hits home runs and also hits for average?"

Peter Rosenberg acknowledges the rarity, adding:

Peter Rosenberg: "I'm well aware. It's so rare, even rare now."

Don further contends that Judge is on track for a Triple Crown:

Don Hahn: "He’s going to win a Triple Crown before he's done. It's going to happen this year because he's so consistent."

Comparing Judge to Shohei Ohtani, Don emphasizes Judge's offensive prowess and defensive contributions:

Don Hahn: "How do you quantify clutch? Yeah, he hit the home run for his 3,000th hit, got a game-winning RBI, his last at-bat lead."

Peter echoes Don's sentiments, praising the synergy between Judge, Lindor, and Alonso:

Peter Rosenberg: "My hunch, Don, is that he will at some point be there too. But even just for Judge and Lindor and how well these two teams are generally playing, this could be a year where we have every reason to think about these two teams being there at the end."

3. Engaging Fan Interactions: Emotional and Heated Calls

The podcast features heartfelt and intense listener calls that add depth to the discussion.

Emotional Caller – Josh: At [08:54], Josh shares a personal and emotional connection to Aaron Judge:

Caller Josh: "My grandfather was buried in a tuxedo and a Yankees stab, and my whole family's die-hard Yankee fans... to see him play is just an emotional thing for me."

Don responds with empathy:

Don Hahn: "Thanks."

Peter remarks on Josh’s heartfelt sentiment:

Peter Rosenberg: "Josh seems like a lovely man."

Heated Debate – Dave from The Bronx: A particularly fiery exchange occurs with Dave, an older listener from The Bronx, who passionately defends Derek Jeter over Aaron Judge. Starting around [12:00], Dave challenges Don’s assertion of Judge’s superiority:

Caller Dave: "I think Judge is a better player than Jeter. Is he as clutch? Does he have the rings? No, but Jeter is one of those guys that you're going to tell your kids about..."

Don counters vehemently:

Don Hahn: "They’d be wrong. He is a better baseball player than Derek Jeter. He’s batting better, hits more home runs, etc."

Peter attempts to mediate, but the debate intensifies, reflecting the deep-seated loyalties and differing perspectives among fans.

4. Mets' Exceptional Season Performance

The hosts shift focus to the Mets' outstanding performance this season. Don Hahn highlights the team's impressive statistics:

Don Hahn: "The Mets have the best record in baseball. 18 and 7... a five-game lead on the Phillies."

He points out the Mets' superior run differential:

Don Hahn: "They've got a run differential of plus 36, five better than the Yankees. The start they got off to, it's the second-best run differential in baseball next to the Cubs, and also the only plus run differential in the entire division."

Peter Rosenberg adds to the praise, noting key players’ contributions:

Peter Rosenberg: "Alonso is absolutely raking right now. And the Mets sweep the Phillies, 4-3 in 10. This team, Don, is doing things. And they're doing it without Juan Soto playing."

Don elaborates on the roles of Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, emphasizing how their performances have elevated the team:

Don Hahn: "Lindor could say, this is still my team. Or Pete could say, hey, this is still my team. And I think the presence of Soto has brought out the best in Lindor and Alonso."

The discussion underscores the Mets’ balanced team dynamics, resilience, and potential for a successful season.

5. "The List": Celebrating Jack Nicholson’s Iconic Roles

Transitioning from sports, the podcast features a special segment titled "The List," where Don and Peter celebrate actor Jack Nicholson by ranking his top five movie roles.

Top Five Jack Nicholson Roles:

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

   • Don Hahn: "It's one of the great performances of all time. A tremendous movie."

2. The Shining

   • Peter Rosenberg: "I'm gonna throw out the Shining at you."

   • Don Hahn: "It's got suspense. It's got just so much intrigue and weirdness to it. Jack’s role is amazing."

3. A Few Good Men

   • Don Hahn: "Two impactful scenes. The one in Cuba and then one in the courtroom. It's a forever moment."

4. The Departed

   • Don Hahn: "Costello is one of the great characters of all time. The death scene’s amazing."

5. Chinatown

   • Don Hahn: "It's probably the greatest movie he's ever been in. Very disturbing with a very sad ending."

Honorable Mentions:

• As Good as It Gets
• About Schmidt

Don and Peter discuss the depth and versatility of Nicholson’s performances, highlighting his ability to portray complex characters across various genres.

6. Final Remarks and Closing the Episode

As the episode draws to a close, Don and Peter reflect on the Mets' promising season and encourage listeners to continue supporting their team. They emphasize the team's potential and the excitement surrounding their early successes:

Don Hahn: "This pitching staff is the story, period. If you want to put everything on rings, guess what? You win. He doesn't have a ring. I get it. But he is in the conversation as the best player in Major League Baseball."

Peter adds optimism about the Mets' trajectory:

Peter Rosenberg: "This is happening early in the year. It's pretty dope."

The hosts also tease upcoming discussions and express enthusiasm for the ongoing season, ensuring listeners stay engaged and tuned in for future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Don Hahn: "He's batting .415. Do you know how rare it is to have a guy that hits home runs and also hits for average?" [02:03]
• Peter Rosenberg: "I'm well aware. It's so rare, even rare now." [02:16]
• Don Hahn: "He’s going to win a Triple Crown before he's done. It's going to happen this year because he's so consistent." [02:20]
• Caller Josh: "To see him play is just an emotional thing for me." [09:16]
• Caller Dave: "I think Judge is a better player than Jeter. Is he as clutch? Does he have the rings? No..." [12:00]
• Don Hahn: "They’d be wrong. He is a better baseball player than Derek Jeter." [13:05]
• Don Hahn: "The Mets have the best record in baseball. 18 and 7... a five-game lead." [31:49]
• Don Hahn: "This pitching staff is the story, period." [42:21]

Conclusion

Hour 2 of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" masterfully intertwines passionate sports analysis with engaging listener interactions, all while celebrating cinematic excellence through "The List." Whether you're a die-hard Mets fan, a Yankees enthusiast, or a Jack Nicholson aficionado, this episode offers rich content that resonates with a diverse audience. The hosts' dynamic conversations and the heartfelt contributions from listeners create an immersive experience, making it a must-listen for sports and entertainment aficionados alike.