Podcast Summary

Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 2: More Yankees Reaction
Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Main Theme:
A pointed and highly interactive discussion on the New York Yankees' recent elimination from the playoffs, focusing on recurring front office and managerial issues, repetitive playoff failures, fans’ frustrations, and wider New York sports talk. The episode also touches on notable sports “that guy” moments, especially LeBron James’ latest media stunt.

1. Main Theme & Episode Purpose

This hour centers on dissecting the Yankees’ latest postseason collapse, addressing why the same problems persist, and how other teams (like the Blue Jays and Red Sox) have managed to rebuild more effectively. The hosts field numerous passionate calls from longtime fans, analyze the team and management's philosophy, and discuss accountability versus excuse-making. The show also explores broader New York sports chatter and delivers rich, relatable banter from three deeply invested city sports voices.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

“That Guy Thursday”: LeBron’s Commercial Stunt

[01:08–04:59]

• The hosts start with a segment on “That Guy Thursday,” focusing this week on LeBron James’ cryptic “Decision 2.0” social media teaser, which turned out to be a commercial for Hennessy, not a retirement announcement.
• Don Hahn recaps how fans and media speculated on a major basketball decision, with some Lakers fans even buying overpriced tickets to what they thought might be LeBron’s last home game.
• Rosenberg and Don Hahn lampoon LeBron for playing with fans' emotions just for marketing:
  • “He’s doing something to get eyeballs on it. And it worked because this is what he does.” (Don Hahn, 01:54)
  • “There’s a guy, actually a guy in LA is suing him for the $850 he paid for two tickets for the last regular season game. Feels he needs his money back.” (Don Hahn, 03:26)
• Comparison to Snoop Dogg’s “quitting smoking” (which was also a commercial) but less innocent since LeBron’s stunt directly affected fans’ wallets and hopes.

The Yankees: The Emotional Post-Elimination Breakdown

Callers Share Decades of Frustration

[05:39–06:53] Caller: John in Bethlehem

• John, a 55-year Yankees fan, reflects how other teams (Blue Jays, Red Sox) have turned things around after poor seasons, and the Yankees seem stuck: “There’s something those teams are doing and figuring out that the Yankees front office has not yet figured out…”
• Don and Rosenberg agree: Yankees’ approach is too predictable, with no second gear or adaptability in the playoffs.

Predictability and Out-Coaching

[07:29–08:51]

• The Yankees’ reliance on rigid matchups (lefty/righty etc.) has become so expected that teams like the Blue Jays easily counter-strategize.
• Critical of the Yankees’ lack of flexibility and the “playbook approach” that fails under playoff scrutiny.

Accountability and Excuse-Making

[10:31–11:34]

• Hahn preempts the expected lines from Yankees management about injuries and “what-ifs,” expressing frustration:
  • “Everybody’s got injuries.” (Don Hahn, 11:05)
  • “Can we get some accountability? Can we get somebody to just say, you know what, we're not doing it right.” (Don Hahn, 11:26)
• Both hosts demand ownership of failure rather than defaulting to excuses about missing players, especially when other teams (like the Dodgers) overcome significant injuries.

The “One Man Can’t Do It” Theme

[12:19]

• It’s emphasized that even when Judge or Stanton are hot, one player alone can’t carry the Yankees through the playoffs: “One player isn't going to be able to get it all done.” (Rosenberg, 12:19)

Lighthearted Banter: Switching Allegiances and Media Life

[12:35–14:37]

• Long-running jokes about Don’s supposed allegiance shifts between Mets and Yankees, and Rosenberg explaining that while it helps the show if the Yankees win, he’s not a fan.
• “I'm a journalist. We're talking about the game. I'm not going to be, you know, Joe, fan, wave...” (Rosenberg, 14:01)

Sports TV Habits, Programming, and Personal Life

[14:49–18:32]

• The hosts riff on juggling work assignments (sideline coverage, TV games), parenting, and having too few working TVs at home.
• Casual discussions about sports media life, behind-the-scenes broadcast details, and playful ribbing about colleagues’ work/life “vacations.”

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LeBron’s Decision 2.0:
  • “He’s doing something to get eyeballs on it. And it worked because this is what he does.” — Don Hahn, 01:54
  • “You’re toying with people’s emotions and that’s not right. But whatever.” — Rosenberg, 04:52
• On Yankees’ Predictable Strategy:
  • “The Yankees, what they do is predictable. And when you get to October, teams that are good enough find ways…the Yankees don’t have a second gear.” — Don Hahn, 06:53
• On Excuses Versus Accountability:
  • “Can we get some accountability? Can we get some ownership of it? Can we get somebody to just say, you know what, we're not doing it right.” — Don Hahn, 11:26
  • “If you’re gonna say unacceptable like then I don’t want to hear an excuse.” — Rosenberg, 11:34
• On Expecting One Player to Save Yankees:
  • “One player isn’t going to be able to get it all done.” — Rosenberg, 12:19
• Caller on ‘Death by Launch Angle’:
  • “I'm going to call it death by launch angle. Because when I remember this series, I'm going to remember one at bat. ...All the Yankees do is close your eyes and swing as hard as you can.” — Danny, 25:23
  • “Nothing good happens on a strikeout. Put the ball in play.” — Danny, 26:10

4. Important Segments & Timestamps

• That Guy Thursday / LeBron James Commercial: [01:08–04:59]
• First Major Caller – Yankees’ Stagnant Strategies: [05:39–08:51]
• Team Excuses and Lack of Accountability: [10:31–12:19]
• Hosts Spar on Fandom and Media Role: [12:35–14:37]
• Broadcasters’ Sports-Watching Woes and Lifestyle: [14:49–18:32]
• Bullpen Management Critique / Callers on Postseason Decisions: [20:34–24:47]
• ‘Death by Launch Angle’ Caller – Small Ball vs. Home Run Reliance: [25:15–27:59]

5. Summary & Flow

This episode offers an honest, sometimes comedic take on the Yankees’ postseason disappointment, with no sugar coating for management, coaching, or the players. Callers add authenticity and generational frustration. The hosts alternate between incisive sports analysis, relatable fan pain, and classic New York radio banter. The discussion expands to broader sports media life, revealing the personal chaos of juggling sports, work, and family.

With wide-ranging but sharply focused commentary, this episode delivers both catharsis and a rallying cry for real change in Yankees leadership, packed with the energy and humor that defines NYC sports talk.

For Yankees fans or any sports follower, this episode captures the unique pain of repeated playoff heartbreak—and the city’s irrepressible drive to talk about it anyway.