Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Mike Vaccaro & Talk About It Tuesday

Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Guest: Mike Vaccaro (NY Post Columnist)

Episode Overview

In this lively hour, the trio dives into the murky origins of the Yankees’ “crapshoot” playoff philosophy with guest Mike Vaccaro, explores the differences between sustained dynasties like the Dodgers, Yankees, Chiefs, and Patriots, and commiserates about the persistent luck and calls favoring NFL’s elite teams. The segment wraps up with "Talk About It Tuesday," a cathartic, wide-ranging discussion circling mental health, NFL officiating, dynasty ennui, and what it actually feels like to support a perennial winner.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Catching Up & Nickname Banter (00:41–04:25)

• The hosts riff on the authenticity of sportswriter nicknames, with a playful back-and-forth about “Vac” for Mike Vaccaro, and the etiquette of using player nicknames.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Peter Rosenberg: “They would kill the fact they're killing me because I called them Gelbsy.”
    (03:15)
  • Mike Vaccaro’s story about the evolution of Howard Johnson’s nickname, from “Hojo” to “Haji Ali” to “Sheik.”
    (04:02)

2. Interview: Is Yankees Playoff Futility a ‘Crapshoot’ or a Copout? (04:25–19:40)

The ‘Crapshoot’ Quote Origin

• Rosenberg quizzes Vaccaro about a story that examined whether Yankees GM Brian Cashman ever really called the MLB postseason a “crapshoot”—a quote embraced (and despised) by fans and media.
• Vaccaro reveals:
  • Despite deep archival searches, Cashman never used “crapshoot” in print (LexisNexis, Newspapers.com searches yielded 200+ references, none direct).
  • The idea originated with Billy Beane and was frequently used by Joe Torre.
  • Hal Steinbrenner has quoted Cashman as saying it, though wrongly.

“The one thing he did say ... he talked about how random the playoffs can be, which is essentially the same sentiment.”
—Mike Vaccaro (05:50)

Cashman's Philosophy, Dodgers/Yankees Comparison

• The show plays a 2021 Brian Cashman clip (“If you can get yourself in the postseason... you're a World Series contender... October is a completely different race... We just got to get ourselves in so we can take our shot.” (07:51))
• Discussion:
  • Organization “talks around” the concept; doesn’t use the specific word for optics.
  • Torre’s use of the phrase to soften repeated playoff failures.
  • Other elite teams (Dodgers, Astros) have consistently won, challenging Yankees’ narrative.
• Quote:

  “When you don't have the mojo, it's a crapshoot. When you have the mojo, it's by design.”
  —Alan Hahn (10:18)

Yankees’ Roster, Winning Formula, and Boone’s Role

• Vaccaro on Yankees “dynasty era” (1996-2003): dominance meant never reaching elimination games, avoiding randomness.
• On Aaron Boone’s influence: believes the roster makeup, not just managing, is the issue.
• Key point: Today’s Yankees lack the "grim and gritty" DNA necessary to consistently win in October.
• Quote:

  “Those are guys who were just grim and gritty and relentless... I’m not saying it doesn’t matter to these guys, but... the makeup is different.”
  —Mike Vaccaro (12:44)

Dodgers, Yankees & The Power Game

• Dodgers’ October formula discussed (power hitting, clutch players) vs. Yankees’ recent failures.
• Consensus: Dodgers simply procure better postseason performers, not just bigger names.
• Player debate: Judge (NY) vs. Ohtani (LA).
  • Ohtani’s two-way dominance described as “unicorn.”
  • Judge still considered elite, but Ohtani’s skill set is unprecedented.
• Quote:

  "It’s like being the best heart surgeon in the world, and also the best dentist. Those skills shouldn’t translate, and yet, in Ohtani’s case, they do."
  —Mike Vaccaro (17:48)

3. Talk About It Tuesday: Officiating, Luck, and the Weight of Dynasty (24:43–39:45)

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Momentum Officiating & Football Frustrations (24:43–29:49)

• Rosenberg vents about “momentum officiating” in NFL—calls always seem to favor the powerhouse teams (Chiefs), making underdogs’ jobs harder.
• LaGreca jokes about how fate and “God” also appear to be on Kansas City’s side (The Chiefs have fumbled 8 times and recovered all 8 this season).
• Reflections on how elite teams always seem to get every break.
• Quote:

  “I don't think I hate them... as much as the Patriots... There was something about Belichick that was so much more hateable than Andy [Reid]... Even Mahomes, who has some nozzle in him, he's not awful.”
  —Peter Rosenberg (28:47)

On Being a Fan of Powerhouse Teams (29:28–31:21)

• Hosts reflect on what it's like to root for a team that's always good (Rosenberg recalls Islanders and Yankees childhood, LaGreca laments never having that experience).
• Discussion on how football dynasties are even rarer than in hockey due to modern salary caps.

Why Do Some Teams Sustain Winning? (31:21–33:33)

• Consensus: The secret sauce is superstar quarterback + coach.
• Both Patriots and Chiefs “know when to move on” from fading players before they decline—never handcuff the cap for sentimentality.
• Tom Brady “taking less” helped sustain the Patriots dynasty.

Are the Patriots or Chiefs More Annoying? (33:33–34:38)

• Hahn: Finds Chiefs more annoying due to media overexposure (Mahomes/Reid in commercials) and because Giants beat the Patriots.
• Rosenberg: The Chiefs’ continuous success is “nirvana for a sports fan.”

4. Chiefs Analysis & Mahomes’ Genius (34:38–38:00)

• Deep-dive into Patrick Mahomes’ “Spidey sense” and processing: “No one's better at going through progressions and finding the open person.”
• The hosts marvel at Mahomes’ uncanny play sense and discuss Travis Kelce’s possible slow decline (“It’s time—if he wants to end it while still being good, it’s time” – Rosenberg).
• Creating the term “Jabroni Land” for post-prime career limbo.

5. Odds & Ends: Betting Bragging Rights and Quarterbacks Carousel (40:13–49:59)

• Alan Hahn bragging about a 12-1 week against the NFL spread, to much amazement.
• Segment on NFL QB evaluation, focusing on Marcus Mariota as a case of developmental unpredictability.
• Brief discussion on how teams/media/analysts are too quick to write off young quarterbacks.

6. Local Sports Update (44:09–46:20)

• Next Knicks, Rangers, Devils, Islanders, and NYCFC matches previewed.
• Tease for later Knicks-Giannis discussion; notes from Mel Kiper Jr. warning Jets fans that the next QB draft class may be thin.

Notable Quotes & Exchanges

• Mike Vaccaro on searching for the origin of “crapshoot”:

  "About 200 stories since 1998... and he's never once used that term, at least [not] in print. ... But he's never actually said it." (05:10)

• Alan Hahn on the Yankees’ fallibility:

  “Maybe the Yankees just forgot how to win. Or maybe Cashman isn't bringing in winning players, because it seems like other organizations... know how to work it.” (10:18)

• Mike Vaccaro on building teams for October:

  “If you’re good enough, you probably insulate yourself from allowing the crapshoot to invade.” (11:31)

• Peter Rosenberg on sustained success:

  "Will I ever get to know what it's like to just root for a team that's always good? Like, what is it like year after year?" (29:28)

• Don LaGreca defining 'Jabroni Land' for aging players:

  “He could stick around and start sliding into Jabroni Land, but if he wants to retire and still look like 87... No one wants the Kelsey 87 Panthers jersey.” (37:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:41 | Host banter, nickname conversation | | 02:07 | Mike Vaccaro joins the show | | 04:40 | Yankees ‘crapshoot’ debate, origins and context | | 07:51 | Cashman 2021 audio clip on playoffs | | 10:18 | Yankees' inability to “find the formula” | | 12:44 | Roster makeup, Boone’s impact | | 14:14 | Dodgers' formula vs Yankees’ power game | | 15:28 | Judge vs Ohtani, MVP debate | | 18:30 | Importance of stars like Ohtani and Judge for baseball | | 24:43 | “Talk About It Tuesday”: NFL officiating venting | | 28:47 | Chiefs vs Patriots supremacy hate | | 31:21 | Secret to NFL dynasty (QB + coach + timing) | | 34:38 | Chiefs breakdown, Mahomes’ skillset | | 37:19 | Travis Kelce and the definition of “Jabroni Land” | | 40:13 | Hahn’s 12-1 betting week, parlay talk | | 46:20 | Mel Kiper's QB draft class warning, Jets QB pain | | 49:59 | Short reflections on QB development, closing banter |

Tone & Style

The banter is energetic, playful, and sarcastic, with seamless transitions from the serious (Yankees organizational philosophy) to the informal and comedic (sports nicknames, therapy ads, “Jabroni Land,” venting about officiating). Each host brings their signature—Rosenberg’s exasperated fandom, Hahn’s measured analysis, and Don’s dry wit—to the hour.

Summary Takeaway

This episode stands out for its blend of sports journalism sleuthing (Vaccaro on the “crapshoot”), honest assessment of New York sports futility, and broader philosophical musings on what it means to be a fan—both of perpetual winners and lovable losers. Listeners are treated to in-depth debate, genuine catharsis, and the reliable comfort of seasoned voices who understand New York sports—and sports pain—in their bones.