Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Mike Vaccaro & Let's Talk About It
Air Date: March 3, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Mike Vaccaro (longtime sportswriter, author)

Episode Overview

This hour features an in-depth conversation with renowned New York sportswriter Mike Vaccaro about his upcoming book, "The Bosses of the Bronx," exploring the legacy of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and the ongoing perception and realities of the Yankees' ownership. The episode also includes the signature segment "Let's Talk About It Tuesday," with the hosts and listeners airing their everyday grievances and observations, ranging from public courtesy to sports documentaries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Interview with Mike Vaccaro – George Steinbrenner’s Legacy

[01:43–25:53]

The Dichotomy of George Steinbrenner

• Dichotomy & Myth of George:
  • The "evil empire" George is not the same as the later, less volatile George. Fans often merge the two into a single mythical figure.
  • Vaccaro: "There was such a dichotomy in him... he was actually a very astute big picture guy... he believed, and he invested in farm systems, in infrastructure and making sure things could be repeatable." [03:07]
• Fan Nostalgia & Misconceptions:
  • The constant refrain of "What would George do?" from fans is often divorced from the realities of modern baseball economics and management.
  • Vaccaro: "I think George would be a lot more like Hal than people want to believe." [07:02]

Could 1970s/80s Steinbrenner Exist Today?

• Vaccaro: "Could that George have been George in today’s world? ... He was ahead of his time in free agency... but now players sometimes cost you three quarters of a billion dollars." [05:11]
• George’s aggressiveness and willingness to fire managers would create instability today, making it hard to sustain any long-term success.
  • "If George were alive today, I will say with authority, I don’t think these guys [Boone and Cashman] are probably still be on the job." [08:50]

Public Criticism of Players

• Steinbrenner openly criticized stars—even Derek Jeter, and would have likely called out Aaron Judge during playoff struggles.
  • Vaccaro: "He wouldn’t have a problem... prime George and Aaron Judge was going through a tough May... he would have taken a few pointed shots at him." [09:08]

Owners in the Media & Modern Parallels

• Personalities like Jerry Jones and the now-gone Mark Cuban are the remaining echoes of a "boss" like George. Al Davis also cited as a peer.
  • Vaccaro: "When you lose Jerry Jones, for better or for worse, you’re going to lose the last of that generation." [11:39]
• Anecdotes shared about newsroom debates on how to print Steinbrenner’s infamous “Fat Toad” insult and the fading culture of brash, present owners.

Reacting to Dodgers’ Spending & Salary Cap

• Steinbrenner was not always the highest bidder but used the allure of NY and personal recruiting; the approach could still work, but modern players may be less swayed.
  • Vaccaro: "He would have maximized what the Yankees are... I think he would have found a way to compete with the Dodgers." [13:27]

How George’s Heirs Handle the Steinbrenner Legacy

• Hal and Hank feel privileged, not burdened, by their father’s legacy. Hal in particular is proud and doesn't wish to copy George but follow his own path.
  • Vaccaro: "They both feel incredibly privileged to have been raised by George Steinbrenner... they have a responsibility." [15:53]
• Perception that Hal doesn’t care about winning is dismissed by all. The current high payroll is cited as evidence.

Are Yankees’ Fans "Spoiled"?

• The show notes the uniquely high standard Yankees fans hold, not matched by other historic franchises.
  • Don: "I don’t know if there’s another organization that comes close to the standard the fans have set for the Yankees." [19:46]
• Vaccaro: “There’s winning and there’s misery. And I think George really kind of embossed that for a lot of years…. that’s what the Yankees mission statement is.” [20:25]

Case for Steinbrenner in the Hall of Fame

• Vaccaro now supports Steinbrenner’s induction, emphasizing his innovations in business, economics, and media.
  • Vaccaro: "It’s impossible to write the history of baseball without including a couple of chapters on George Steinbrenner... there’s no other person in the history of sports who’s referred to singular like that." [20:33]

Outlook on MLB Labor Peace

• Vaccaro foresees a tough labor dispute ahead, and possibly a shortened 2027 MLB season—urges listeners to enjoy baseball while it lasts.
  • "Enjoy this baseball season and enjoy this book because there might not be a lot of baseball to talk about this time next year." [23:17]

2. "Let’s Talk About It Tuesday" Segment

[29:19–42:22]

Airplane Courtesy: United Airlines’ New Rule

• United Airlines now allows flight attendants to remove passengers for playing audio or video without headphones. The hosts call for this courtesy rule to be universal—on all airlines, trains, and public spaces.
  • Alan Hahn: "No one wants to hear your conversation... it’s a common courtesy, that’s all it really is." [33:43]
  • Peter Rosenberg: “I can’t see anyone in their right mind being allowed to do this. Put the phone up to your ear and turn the speakerphone off.” [34:48]
• Side discussion on behavior in restaurants, subways, and trains, with Don noting legitimate “quiet cars” as the only proper exception.

Positive Recommendation: New ‘Miracle on Ice’ Documentary

• Don praises the new Netflix documentary on the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team.
  • Don La Greca: “They blew HBO away... they just had better footage, and that to me makes a documentary.” [38:01]
• Alan notes the emotional impact of seeing both recent and decades-old interviews juxtaposed, enhancing the story’s personal connection.

Minor Social Media Notes

• Brief exchange about follower purges and social media idiosyncrasies.

3. Sports & Culture Roundup

[46:24–47:53]

Remembering Bob Power

• Peter pays tribute to late legendary audio engineer Bob Power, noting his critical role in shaping the jazz-infused hip hop sound of Tribe Called Quest, Common, Erykah Badu, and the Roots.
  • Peter Rosenberg: “For a lot of people… Low End Theory… it just changes things. The album gets made, it just changes.” [47:26]

Show Miscues & Studio Antics

• The crew shares a self-deprecating laugh over Don accidentally speaking over a live commercial, noting it’s a rite of passage for ESPN NY hosts.

4. NFL Free Agency: Kyler Murray Speculation

[48:49–56:29]

• News breaks that Cardinals are releasing QB Kyler Murray. Don and Alan debate whether the Jets should pursue Murray on a minimum contract for a one-year “prove it” deal if there’s no other demand for his services.
  • Don: “If I can get him for a song, wouldn’t I bring him in and just hope to catch lightning in a bottle?” [49:47]
• Discussion on Murray’s reputation, video game distractions, and whether he’s still a legit starter. Alan frames it as due diligence but not a primary plan: “I don’t love it as an end game, but… Muji’s gotta make the call.” [55:17]

Notable Quotes

• Mike Vaccaro on Steinbrenner’s Modern Parallel:
  "I think George would be a lot more like Hal than people want to believe." [07:02]
• Vaccaro on player criticism:
  "George had no problem criticizing Derek Jeter… he would have taken a few pointed shots at Aaron Judge." [09:08]
• Vaccaro on the Hall of Fame:
  “It’s impossible to write the history of baseball without including a couple of chapters on George Steinbrenner.” [20:33]
• Alan Hahn on public courtesy:
  “No one wants to hear your conversation… it’s a common courtesy, that’s all it really is.” [33:43]
• Peter Rosenberg on Bob Power & ‘Low End Theory’:
  “You can argue… but in terms of which one truly changed things, I think it’s Low End Theory and Bob Power the engineer is just such a critical part.” [47:26]
• Don La Greca on Kyler Murray:
  “If I can get him for a song, wouldn’t I bring him in and just hope to catch lightning in a bottle?” [49:47]

Important Timestamps

• 01:43–25:53 – Mike Vaccaro Interview: deep dive into Steinbrenner, Yankees, Yankees-fan psychology, and baseball business.
• 29:19–42:22 – “Let’s Talk About It Tuesday”: United Airlines rule on headphones/courtesy, sports doc recommendations.
• 46:23–47:53 – Tribute to Bob Power, musical influence.
• 48:49–56:29 – Immediate reaction to Kyler Murray release and free agency options for the Jets.

Tone & Style Notes

The hosts maintain their signature blend of New York sports authority, humor, and occasionally self-deprecating camaraderie. The conversation is candid, knowledgeable, laced with nostalgia and inside media/sports stories, while also poking fun at contemporary annoyances in public life and sports culture. Mike Vaccaro’s guest spot is insightful, measured, and colored by decades of experience, providing historical depth to recurring fan and media questions about Yankees tradition.

Summary Takeaway

This hour offers a rich consideration of how sports legacies are remembered and mythologized (especially George Steinbrenner’s), tempered by a grounded understanding of business and personal dynamics in modern franchises. The “Talk About It Tuesday” segues demonstrate the show’s knack for connecting broader cultural “pet peeves” with larger questions of courtesy and respect—parallels that play out in sports, media, and life.