Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 2: No Hitters & Mets Struggles
Release Date: June 23, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into recent developments in Major League Baseball, focusing primarily on a no-hitter performance and the New York Mets' ongoing struggles. The discussion intertwines analysis of player performances, strategic decisions influenced by analytics, and the broader implications for the teams involved.

No Hitters and Clark Schmidt's Performance

The conversation kicks off with a heated debate over Clark Schmidt's recent near no-hitter game. Schmidt delivered an impressive performance, achieving 103 pitches through seven innings, but was pulled from the game, preventing him from completing the no-hitter.

• Peter Rosenberg criticizes the decision to pull Schmidt, expressing frustration with modern baseball’s handling of no-hitters:

  "No Hitters become obsolete now. How accepting people are now. Oh well, he threw 103 pitches. What are you going to do?" ([03:00])

• Alan Hahn echoes Peter's concerns, reminiscing about past instances where pitchers were left in games:

  "We can't have him throw that many pitches, Peter." ([03:03])

• The hosts discuss the implications of pitch counts on pitcher longevity and the potential for future injuries:

  "If he throws 104 pitches, scanners, these eyeballs blow out of his head and he just drops dead on the mound." ([03:46])

Mets Struggles: Offense and Pitching Woes

Shifting focus to the New York Mets, the hosts analyze the team's recent performance, highlighting issues in both their offense and bullpen.

• Peter Rosenberg points out the Mets' offensive inconsistency:

  "The Mets have all kinds of problems with their bullpen. And they lost two out of three to Philadelphia." ([00:52])

• Alan Hahn adds concerns about the Mets' bottom of the lineup, citing poor batting averages:

  "Alvarez is batting .167 over the last five games with one RBI." ([24:05])

• The discussion touches on the Mets' defensive struggles, particularly at third base due to injuries:

  "Vientos has been out and he is supposed to be your everyday third baseman." ([26:19])

The Role of Analytics in Player Management

A significant portion of the episode critiques the heavy reliance on analytics in modern baseball, especially how it affects decision-making regarding player usage and game strategies.

• Peter Rosenberg argues that analytics have diminished the human element:

  "Sports isn't fun anymore. Sports is not fun where people are like, oh, you know, Halliburton shouldn't have played." ([05:38])

• Alan Hahn counters by discussing the balance between analytics and human intuition:

  "Analytics don't. They can't quantify momentum. You can't quantify crowd noise." ([12:07])

• The hosts debate the impact of analytics on memorable game moments and historical achievements:

  "You want to have that opportunity. We go back to the beginning of the show where Tom Brady joked..." ([12:46])

Handling of Young Players and Development

The podcast highlights the challenges teams face in developing young talent while maintaining competitive performance.

• Peter Rosenberg expresses frustration over the Mets' handling of young players, emphasizing the difficulty of nurturing talent on a championship-bound team:

  "It's hard to develop young players on a team that's trying to win a championship." ([35:37])

• Alan Hahn discusses the importance of giving young players time to develop without excessive pressure:

  "Just give the guy a minute. Get your confidence up. Get right." ([32:58])

• The conversation also covers the Mets' strategy in managing their roster, including sending promising players like Love Luis down to the minors for further development:

  "If he throws 20 pitches and gets out of it, it's like, all right, listen, now that it's a little bit too much now, it's ridiculous." ([18:15])

Listener Interactions and Perspectives

Throughout the episode, listeners Griffin, Kevin, and Josh call in, providing their own insights and questions, which the hosts address thoughtfully.

• Griffin suggests that Schmidt's high pitch count was due to grinding through the game:

  "He had to grind in the first inning too, where he walked the first two batters." ([17:26])

• Kevin emphasizes the importance of winning the recent series to regain momentum:

  "We need to win that series. Get back on the right path." ([33:18])

• Josh raises a question about the conflicting approaches in sports psychology and clutch performance:

  "How is it that they believe in sports psychology but not in clutch?" ([39:22])

NBA Finals Brief Discussion

While primarily focused on baseball, the hosts briefly touch upon the recent NBA Finals, discussing player performances and game dynamics.

• Josh shares his disappointment with the Finals' style of play and concerns about the league's future direction:

  "It's going to be, you know, mano a mano. Superstars going at each other." ([39:22])

• The conversation highlights Halliburton's injury as a pivotal moment in the Finals, affecting the game's outcome:

  "Halliburton got hurt, so it never got good." ([44:36])

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts summarizing their thoughts on the current state of baseball, emphasizing the need for balance between analytics and the human side of the game. They advocate for allowing pitchers like Schmidt to finish their performances and stress the importance of developing young talent without undue pressure.

• Peter Rosenberg concludes with a call for reassessing current philosophies:

  "I just think it's the general philosophy of baseball. We all point to Johan Santana." ([21:46])

• Alan Hahn reinforces the importance of maintaining emotional investment as a fan:

  "You can't react, though. I'm not allowed to be emotional because I'm told it's too soon." ([27:23])

Key Takeaways

• No-Hitter Management: Modern baseball's approach to pitch counts can prematurely end historic performances, potentially impacting pitcher longevity and memorable game moments.

• Mets' Performance Issues: The New York Mets are currently facing significant challenges in both their offensive lineup and bullpen, raising concerns about their playoff aspirations.

• Analytics vs. Human Element: A heavy reliance on analytics may detract from the emotional and human aspects of the game, potentially stifling player performances and memorable moments.

• Development of Young Players: Balancing the development of young talent with the pressures of maintaining a competitive team is a recurring challenge for MLB franchises.

• Listener Engagement: Fans actively participate in the discussion, providing diverse perspectives and raising critical questions about team strategies and player management.

Notable Quotes:

• "No Hitters become obsolete now." – Peter Rosenberg ([03:00])

• "Sports isn't fun anymore." – Peter Rosenberg ([05:38])

• "Analytics don't. They can't quantify momentum." – Alan Hahn ([12:07])

• "It's hard to develop young players on a team that's trying to win a championship." – Peter Rosenberg ([35:37])

This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of current baseball dynamics, merging statistical insights with heartfelt discussions about the human side of the sport. Whether you're a die-hard Mets fan or interested in the broader implications of analytics in sports, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provide a thought-provoking listen.