Hour 2: Running It Back & That Guy

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – January 29, 2026

Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Michael Kay (in for Don La Greca)
Theme: Knicks trade speculation, the Yankees’ strategy of “running it back,” the psychology of New York fans, the Hall of Fame Belichick snub, and “That Guy Thursday.”

Overview

Hour 2 finds the trio digging into New York sports hot topics, centering on two polarizing debates: whether the Knicks should make a franchise-altering trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and if the Yankees’ decision to “run it back” with largely the same roster is justified. The hour features spirited back-and-forth with callers, a deep dive into Brian Cashman’s public relations tactics, and a hilarious “That Guy Thursday” with unexpectedly heartfelt admissions and sharp Hall of Fame takes.

Key Discussion Points

1. Knicks Trade Talk: To Deal or Not to Deal Giannis?

(00:13–06:00)

Caller George (00:53): Expresses skepticism about trading for Giannis, referencing age and injury concerns. Suggests building around existing assets and targeting different players like Sadiq Bey and Jose Alvarado.
- “You don't get called the freak for, you know, being a mid player, but at the same time, he is turning 31. His Achilles is going to burst real quick.”—George (01:11)
Hosts’ Reaction: The panel largely disagrees with George’s reading of Mikal Bridges’ comments; they interpret Bridges as self-accountable rather than disgruntled.
- “He was putting it on himself that the message wasn't getting there.”—Michael Kay (02:14)
- “If multi, benevolent judge, multiple takes are bad, one of them, one good one doesn't make up for it.”—Alan Hahn (02:54)
Caller Flavio (03:07): Also doesn’t want to trade for Giannis, citing salary cap issues (the "second apron") and emphasizing the risk of trading away Karl-Anthony Towns (Cat), especially considering his rebounding edge.
- “I just don't want that to be happening. You know, calf injuries are very sensitive now...getting somebody that's compromised, like, you know, we. If he gets hurt on our watch, then we're screwed.”—Flavio (03:54)
Takeaway: The sentiment among fans and show hosts is to avoid desperation—valuing continuity and asset preservation over a blockbuster trade, especially given Giannis’ recent injuries.

2. Yankees: The “Running It Back” Debate

(06:00–19:26)

Yankees’ Offseason Moves:
- Cody Bellinger re-signs; otherwise, the team remains largely unchanged.
- Brian Cashman pushes back against the perception: “It’s not the same roster...we’ve had some additions, you know, from the second half that got their feet wet...” (as quoted by Alan Hahn, 06:19)
The Hosts’ Take:
- Michael Kay: Finds Cashman’s filibuster tactics strategic—he eats up time with verbose answers to avoid tough questions.
  - “He reduces the number of questions you ask, and he kind of lulls you into a place that he wants you to be.”—Michael Kay (07:58)
- Alan Hahn: Suggests “running it back” is defensible because the team barely missed tying the Blue Jays, who went to the World Series.
  - “If you ran it back and then you have Cole, it should be good enough.”—Michael Kay (15:59)
- Consensus: The frustration from fans is more about optics than substance—the core is strong, especially with injured stars returning.
Caller Frank: Pushes back against the notion that “Yankee fans want a superstar at every position,” arguing it’s the loud online minority, not the average fan.
- “I take exception with...this belief that Yankee fans want a superstar at every location. I don't want to win that way.”—Frank (19:35)
- The panel acknowledges the tendency of shows and fans to focus on negatives; the noisy minority dominates the conversation.

3. That Guy Thursday: Honest Takes & Hall of Fame Accountability

(23:26–37:19)

Don’s Self-Reflection (24:00):
- Don admits that, while he’s historically fought for the Olympics’ “best-on-best” hockey, he’s now dreading the NHL’s three-week Olympic break due to potential injuries and the disruption to an exciting regular season.
- “I'm that guy...I'll watch it, and I'll be into it like I am every Olympics. But...I'm not feeling it, man. I am not feeling it, because I'm watching the hockey that's getting played right now...and we're going to shut it down for 18 days to go play in the Olympics...it just doesn't feel that important to me. And shutting down what's been a tremendous regular season to me is not going to be fun.”—Don (24:00-27:04)
Alan’s “That Guy” (29:07): Calls out the Hall of Fame process for snubbing Bill Belichick, questioning why no voters have the courage to clearly state opposition.
- “Can't somebody who said I don't think he should have been in just step forward and say, you know what? Like, in a way, Don, as I was thinking about this and Peter, you know, again, you haven't had a chance to have a take on this, but it's like, can't somebody who said I don't think he should have been in...just have the stones to say that?”—Alan Hahn (30:53)
Peter Rosenberg on Belichick “That Guy” Issue (31:36):
- “He is the coaching face of the modern era of football and you made him look like a yo yo...it does not change the fact that in my opinion, I think he's hands down the best in game football coach of all time.”—Peter (31:36)
- Also commends those voters who put their name to their votes, but notes the cowardice of the majority who didn't.
- “But what's the excuse of the other 10? Well, why aren't they coming forward?”—Michael Kay (37:04)
Takeaway: The segment becomes a reflection on accountability—whether in sports decisions, award voting, or fan behavior.

4. Fun & Pop Culture Moments

(10:00–17:00, 37:46–45:09)

Monotone Brian Cashman = “Bueller, Bueller” and game show host Ben Stein:
- “At the Oscars in February, they should play a sound bite of Cashman when they need you to be done.”—Michael Kay (07:28)
Anecdotes about Hall of Fame voting, hosts’ TV appearances, and the wrestling Royal Rumble:
- Peter draws parallels between the Royal Rumble and March Madness—an event that draws in casual and lapsed fans (39:45–41:05).
- “It is the one event that brings people back. Like even when I lived...with Bal and Elliott, they didn't have any interest in wrestling. But when the Royal Rumble would come on, they'd be like, ‘Oh, we watch Royal Rumble. Let's drink. Let's all drink some beers and watch the Rumble.'”—Peter (40:19)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On reading too much negativity into fan calls:
- “It's the happy being miserable that I think happens with not just Yankees fans...I always joked that if the Knicks win the NBA championship, the next day, someone will go, well, they're not going to win two in a row because of this and this...You can't ever just be happy the Knicks or have optimism.”—Alan Hahn (21:22)
On the Hall of Fame “cowardice”:
- “Either you, he's the face, he's, he's the face now of the cowardice around this whole thing...for someone who's been that great to not get in as a first ballot, it's a disservice to your game.”—Peter Rosenberg (31:36)
On Cashman's filibustering press style:
- “Cashman’s voice is the music. He's his own Play it out music...it's sleepy time Bobos.”—Peter Rosenberg (07:17)
On shutting down the NHL for Olympics:
- “...there could be seasons lost because of what happens during that three week shutdown.”—Don (25:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Knicks trade calls & Giannis debate: 00:13–06:00
Yankees “running it back” discussion: 06:00–19:26
Fan psychology, loud minority issue: 19:35–22:45
That Guy Thursday – Don on Olympics: 23:26–27:04
Alan & Peter: Hall of Fame/Belichick: 29:07–37:19
Pop culture & Royal Rumble talk: 37:46–41:05

Tone & Style

Light-hearted, banter-driven, with classic New York sports radio energy. The hosts are candid, occasionally self-deprecating, and irreverent but always insightful. The segment is a mix of earnest sports debate, meta-commentary on fandom and media, and inside-joke camaraderie.

Recap for the Uninitiated

If you missed the show, you’d come away knowing:

Knicks fans and hosts alike urge caution in chasing Giannis, favoring health and cohesion over mortgaging the future.
The Yankees’ “running it back” reflects pragmatic roster management, even if fans clamor for splashier moves.
Brian Cashman’s leadership and media dance frustrate some, amuse others.
The show deconstructs how the loudest, most negative fans set the agenda—despite often not representing the majority.
“That Guy Thursday” spotlights Don’s internal wrestling with Olympic hockey, and the Hall of Fame’s jumbled Belichick snub draws sharp criticism from the panel.
The vibe is equal parts sports bar and therapy couch, with pop-culture laughs and fiercely loyal New York energy.

Memorable Moment:
“It's the happy being miserable that I think happens with not just Yankees fans.” — Alan Hahn (21:22)

“Either you, he's the face now of the cowardice around this whole thing.” — Peter Rosenberg on Bill Belichick’s HoF snub (31:36)

For More:
Hear the full dynamics and more of the crew’s jokes—and catch Peter dissecting the Royal Rumble/March Madness analogy—by listening to the full episode.

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – January 29, 2026