Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Mike Greenberg Joins the Show
Date: September 23, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca
Special Guest: Mike Greenberg
Episode Overview
This lively episode features ESPN’s Mike Greenberg joining Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Don La Greca for a wide-ranging discussion centered on Greenberg’s new book “Got Your Legends,” sports Mount Rushmore debates, the latest New York Giants quarterback drama, and spirited banter about New York sports media and broadcasting. The hour is packed with sharp sports analysis, friendly ribbing, and engaging nostalgia, with Greenberg’s signature blend of preparation and humor leading the way.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Mike Greenberg’s “Got Your Legends” Book & the Mount Rushmore of Sports Franchises
[02:45–13:15]
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Book Premise: Greenberg and “Hembo” have ranked all 124 teams in NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL based on data, with a “Mount Rushmore” (top 4 legends) picked for each franchise.
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 03:19): “We take all 124 teams… and we rank them from 1 to 124, based on all of the significant data… The only opinion is to break ties. We use historical significance and relevancy.”
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Top Tier Teams: Yankees finished #1; Celtics #2, breaking a tie with the Lakers after the Celtics' 18th title.
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 04:39): “The Celtics are number two… Breaking the tie between the Celtics and Lakers was hard. When the Celtics won their 18th, it broke the tie.”
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Mount Rushmore Debates:
- Yankees: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle (leaving off Rivera, Jeter, Berra, Steinbrenner)
- Celtics: Bird, Auerbach, Russell, Havlicek — Greenberg argues Havlicek is “the most overlooked immortal in basketball.”
- Memorable Stat (05:48): “There are two players in NBA history who scored 26,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, and 6,000 assists: John Havlicek…and LeBron James. That’s it.”
- Knicks: Willis Reed, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Patrick Ewing, Marv Albert (including legendary broadcasters in the mix)
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 10:44): “For as long as I live, basketball will sound like Marv Albert’s voice.”
- Dodgers/Dodgers Broadcasters: Vin Scully included—one of just three broadcasters featured in the book (others: Marv Albert, Harry Caray)
- Giants: Lawrence Taylor, Frank Gifford, Eli Manning, Michael Strahan
- Mets: Tom Seaver, Doc Gooden, Mike Piazza, Keith Hernandez (broadcasting/leadership impact)
- Redskins: Sammy Baugh, Joe Gibbs, Darrell Green, Jack Kent Cooke (owner credited with revolutionary influence)
- Devils: Brodeur, Stevens, Lamoriello (executive), Elias
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Book as a Living Document: Greenberg emphasizes the book is a “living document”—fates can change with new legends emerging.
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 07:59): “If Aaron Judge wins three World Series, we could be having an entirely different conversation… the book is meant to be a living document."
2. Mount Rushmore “Snubs,” Debatable Numbers, and Listener Grievances
[27:30–32:07]
- Listener Complaint: Fans upset Elway was assigned #7 over Mickey Mantle in Greenberg's previous book; Greenberg explains tough choices considering representation and overlaps.
- Quote (Mike Greenberg, 29:14): “It felt like we needed to make a tough call somewhere... John Elway, if you look at the history of the Broncos franchise, is maybe the most beloved athlete in any city.”
- Other Controversies:
- Sidney Crosby not getting #87 over Gronk (“Gronk is the best tight end ever, but Crosby is a top 10 all-time NHLer”—debates over positional dominance and cultural impact)
- On “the beauty of these books”: “That’s why we do them—so people argue and debate” (Peter Rosenberg, 32:05)
3. Giants Quarterback Situation: Jackson Dart vs. Russell Wilson
[13:32–24:32], [38:14–44:05]
- Greenberg’s Take: It’s rarely about a rookie being “ready”—often about organizational impatience or locker room pressure.
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 13:42): “There are four reasons [a QB switch] might happen. To me, the least likely is: ‘He is ready.’ Then, is it impatience from the fan base, the owner, or the locker room?”
- Locker Room Dynamics: Greenberg details why keeping a struggling veteran QBin sends the wrong message to players fighting for their careers.
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 14:11): “It would’ve been very tough for Daboll to walk in and tell them, ‘I still believe this guy gives us the best chance to win.’”
- Hamster Wheel Analogy: Warns against mismatched coach-QB timelines ("hamster wheel"—see the Bears) and the dangers of fan/owner pressure dictating football moves.
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 15:51): “[It] is a hamster wheel move... that’s a terrible express train to sucking.”
- Decision Logic: Discussion on why Jameis Winston was not chosen, why Dart is being thrown in now, and why the offense has become predictable.
- On play-calling vanilla/offense limitations: “Maybe we get creative with Dart’s skillset... this season was always going to be about seeing if we have a quarterback and a wide receiver you can build around.” (Peter Rosenberg, 22:29–23:33)
- What Determines Dabol’s Fate: Hosts debate—winning can’t be the metric, so what does job security require?
- Quote (Alan Hahn, 23:44): “You can’t expect wins. So what is it... if it’s not having more points than the other team at the end of the game, what is that?”
4. New York Jets, Coaching, and Organizational “Performances”
[47:38–52:44]
- Jets Coaching Carousel: The conversation pivots to the recurring theme of Jets coaches, leadership, and the “hope cycle.”
- Quote (Alan Hahn, 48:13): “It’s the four letter word, Hope. It is Lucy pulling the football, every time you think it’s going to work out...”
- Aaron Glenn Critique: Greenberg and the crew are skeptical about “moral victory” talk and calls for true results on the field.
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 49:14): “I could live without being told we’re not the same old Jets. Because the reality is, this is exactly what the Jets have always been.”
- Quote (Mike Greenberg, 52:17): “Don’t come in…let’s see wins. It’s performative… We put so much stock in the appearance of being in control…We’re gonna find out when you coach and play.”
- Discipline & Identity: Penalties and discipline still lacking—“all gas, no brake” rhetoric needs to show up in results.
5. Sports Radio, Media Nostalgia, and Off-Air Banter
[46:00–47:38], [52:44–56:33]
- Radio vs. TV: Greenberg reflects on his joy doing radio, the unique rhythm, and life-balance perks (morning radio allowed more family time).
- Quote (Mike Greenberg, 46:59): “It was a magical thing, a miracle that happened in my life, what that show became... I picked my kids up at school literally every day until they stopped wanting me to. I wouldn’t trade that part for all the sleep in the world.”
- Up-Nostril Camera Angles & FaceTiming: Lighthearted complaints about remote-work camera angles, generational FaceTime habits, and “big name drops” (Tyrese Haliburton FaceTiming Rosenberg).
- Quote (Peter Rosenberg, 54:17): “My kids make fun of me because... when I FaceTime, I put the phone right up to me. They’re looking directly into my tonsils.”
- Quote (Don La Greca, 55:04): “Tyrese Haliburton facetimes me blind on Friday to ask me what I’m wearing. It’s because he’s 25 years old. They just blind FaceTime people, these kids.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- John Havlicek’s Forgotten Greatness:
- “There are two players in NBA history who scored 26,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, and 6,000 assists: John Havlicek…and LeBron James. That’s it.” (Peter Rosenberg, 05:48)
- Greenberg on Book Debates:
- “The book is meant to be a living document… If Aaron Judge wins three World Series, we could be having an entirely different conversation.” (Peter Rosenberg, 07:59)
- Mount Rushmore Snub Defense:
- “John Elway…is maybe the most beloved athlete in any city and the most significant athlete to any city in any sport.” (Mike Greenberg, 29:14)
- On Vanilla Giants Offense:
- “This season was never going to be about the Giants making a playoff run… The season was going to be about…a quarterback and a wide receiver combination that could be really special.” (Peter Rosenberg, 23:33)
- Jets Fan Eternal Struggle:
- “It is Lucy pulling the football; every time you think it’s going to work out, it always pulls the football away every single time.” (Alan Hahn, 48:13)
- On Coaching Appearances vs. Results:
- “If you’ve got to tell us beforehand, then I’m gonna be a little dubious about it.” (Mike Greenberg, 52:44)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|------------| | Greenberg on “Got Your Legends” Mount Rushmore | 02:45–13:15| | Knicks/Celtics/Yankees Mount Rushmore Debates | 04:31–12:40| | Listener Book Grievances, Numbers Debates | 27:30–32:07| | Giants QB Change Analysis (Dart vs. Wilson) | 13:32–24:32, 38:14–44:05| | Jets Coaching/Identity Rant | 47:38–52:44| | Sports Radio Nostalgia/FaceTime Banter | 46:00–47:38, 52:44–56:33|
Conclusion
This episode showcases the best of New York sports talk: smart, deeply informed debates spiced with humor, personality, and decades of shared history. From the emotional weight of a team’s Mount Rushmore to the nitty-gritty of quarterback controversies and the quirks of modern sports media, it’s a master class in passionate, accessible, and engaging sports radio—anchored by Mike Greenberg’s thoughtful perspective and the chemistry of seasoned hosts.