Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary Episode: Hour 2: Standards & The List
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Hosts: Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

1. Team Standards and Consistency

The episode opens with Don Hahn and Alan Hahn delving into the topic of maintaining high standards within sports franchises, with a particular focus on the New York Yankees. Don emphasizes the Yankees' unique position in sports due to their consistent performance over the past three decades without the need to rebuild or face irrelevance.

Don Hahn [02:45]: "There is something to the fact that you are literally the only sports franchise in the last three decades that has never had to rebuild, never has been an embarrassment, never has completely bottomed out to being completely irrelevant."

Alan acknowledges the Yankees' consistency but contrasts it with other teams, highlighting the challenges that come with sustaining success without the cyclical rebuilds seen in other franchises.

Alan Hahn [03:28]: "But what's going to happen to the Chiefs is going to be the same thing that happened to the Patriots once Tom Brady's gone and Belichick leaves."

2. Salary Caps and Franchise Management

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the absence of a salary cap in Major League Baseball (MLB) and its impact on team management. Don points out that unlike the NFL, where salary caps require teams to make tough financial decisions, the Yankees operate without such restrictions, allowing them to maintain their star-studded roster without the need to relinquish veteran players.

Don Hahn [02:57]: "There's one great difference. The Yankees don't have a salary cap. There's no restrictions on them."

Alan adds that while high payrolls can sustain competitiveness, they eventually lead to challenges, especially as star players age and teams need to rebuild.

Alan Hahn [03:13]: "Difficult because you're overpaying guys."

3. Player Development and Accountability

The hosts then shift focus to player development within the Yankees organization. Alan criticizes the lack of accountability and the organization's failure to nurture young talent effectively. He mentions specific players like Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres, arguing that organizational shortcomings have hindered their potential.

Alan Hahn [05:28]: "I don't want to blame players like young players like Volpe. I don't want to blame Gary Sanchez... Where only Judge made it out of that group."

Don concurs, highlighting that while Aaron Judge has thrived, other prospects have underperformed due to the organization's mismanagement.

Don Hahn [07:44]: "The guys that had so negative potential, and instead they have become... they have never found their potential."

4. The Role of General Manager Brian Cashman

A critical part of the conversation revolves around Brian Cashman's effectiveness as the Yankees' General Manager. Both hosts express skepticism about Cashman's ability to adapt to potential changes like the introduction of a salary cap, questioning whether he can maintain the team's competitiveness in a financially constrained environment.

Alan Hahn [19:42]: "I'm saying I don't think so. There is something to that."

Don Hahn [20:22]: "Player development to me is their biggest weakness."

Don raises concerns about Cashman's strategies, especially in player development and economic management, suggesting that his methods may not be sustainable in a capped salary environment.

5. Comparing Yankees to Other Franchises

The discussion broadens as the hosts compare the Yankees' situation to other successful franchises like the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. They debate whether the Yankees' continuous success without rebuilding is a model or a potential liability in the long term.

Don Hahn [02:57]: "The only franchise that has not had to go through that in the last 30 years. That is something."

Alan counters by suggesting that this very consistency may lead to stagnation and challenges in adapting to changes, such as salary caps.

Alan Hahn [10:05]: "Once you start giving in on, okay, we can dial back the expectations then it can. The standard continues to drop to a point where..."

6. Listener Interaction and Trade Deadline Analysis

Midway through the episode, listeners Moose and Griffin call in to discuss the Yankees' bullpen and trade strategies. They analyze the Yankees' recent trades, bullpen depth, and the implications of these moves on the team's postseason prospects.

Moose [12:40]: "What’s going on, fellas? How are we?"

Griffin [15:18]: "I don't see them done. By the way, you have until 6 o'clock tomorrow..."

The hosts and callers debate the necessity of acquiring additional starting pitchers and bullpen arms, considering the competitive landscape with other teams like the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros also vying for top talent.

Don Hahn [17:16]: "This is going to be a battle royal tomorrow."

7. Future Prospects and Organizational Changes

As the conversation winds down, Don and Alan speculate on the future of the Yankees' management and the potential need for organizational changes to maintain relevance and competitiveness, especially if salary caps are introduced.

Alan Hahn [21:04]: "You'll have to believe though, just to put a bow on it, Rob Manfred in baseball have got to figure out how to get that team to Vegas because if current ownership cannot come up with the finances to do."

Don Hahn [20:53]: "So now, you know, my biggest concern going forward with the cap is the fact that I don't know if this is the right guy for a cap world."

8. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a consensus that while the Yankees have maintained high standards without the need to rebuild, this model may face challenges in the future, particularly with the potential introduction of salary caps and the evolving landscape of professional sports management.

Notable Quotes:

• Don Hahn [02:45]: "There is something to the fact that you are literally the only sports franchise in the last three decades that has never had to rebuild..."
• Alan Hahn [03:28]: "But what's going to happen to the Chiefs is going to be the same thing that happened to the Patriots..."
• Alan Hahn [05:28]: "I don't want to blame players like young players like Volpe..."
• Don Hahn [07:44]: "The guys that had so negative potential... have become."
• Alan Hahn [19:42]: "I'm saying I don't think so. There is something to that."
• Don Hahn [20:22]: "Player development to me is their biggest weakness."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and viewpoints shared by Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg on the episode "Standards & The List," providing listeners with a clear understanding of the topics covered without needing to tune into the podcast.