Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Episode: Hour 2: Stearns, NFL Binge, Dart
Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Network: ESPN New York

Overview

This lively hour features the triumvirate of New York sports radio, tackling the aftermath of the Mets' collapse, the Yankees' standing, NFL Week 4 chaos, and an in-depth breakdown of the Giants' quarterback situation. The hosts mix sharp analysis with signature banter. Listeners get a tapestry of New York-centric sports talk, NFL reactions, and a running bit of couch “seat dibs”.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Mets’ Collapse: “Retool or Rebuild?”

(09:04 – 16:26)

• Caller Questions Mets’ Future: Should the Mets opt for a two-three year retool with key players, or a complete rebuild?
• Hosts Skeptical about Quick Fixes: Don isn’t convinced there’s a clear core or direction. Peter and Alan highlight disappointment at not even securing a wildcard and finish on failed ambitions.
• Stearns & Cohen’s Dilemma: The new Mets leadership faces tough choices on whether to hold onto stars, especially Pete Alonso.

Notable Quote:

• “If you’re Stearns and Cohen and the brain trust… do you think a retooling, two to three year retool is better than a full rebuild?” – Caller Luca (09:22)

2. Pete Alonso – Should He Stay or Go?

(12:05 – 15:30)

• Fan Sentiment: Multiple callers plea against trading Alonso, citing his value on and off the field.
• Don and Peter’s Analysis: Alonso’s consistency, power, and evolving leadership make him hard to replace. While not elite defensively, his presence anchors the roster.

Notable Quotes:

• “You literally are going to have to go out and get me a guy that’s going to have to hit 40 home runs and 130 RBI.” – Peter Rosenberg (13:32)
• “He's matured and the goofiness has gotten more charming.” – Don LaGreca (14:58)

3. Mets-Yankees Rivalry and New York Fan Dynamics

(15:30 – 20:31)

• Yankee Fan Perspective: A caller claims Mets fans get too preoccupied with the Yankees.
• Peter’s Defense: Mets fans just want pride and to escape the “poverty franchise” label after years of bad ownership.
• Hosts Discuss Standards: For both franchises, fan happiness or bitterness is defined by World Series aspirations, not wildcard appearances.

Notable Quote:

• “That’s what happens when you’re in a market with two of everything… At least we’re not them.” – Alan Hahn (19:06)

4. NFL Week 4 “Binge” Segment

(26:30 – 41:19)

A rapid-fire breakdown of NFL action with color commentary and audio highlights. Topics include:

a. Steelers vs. Vikings in Dublin

• Team Stories & Accents: Don’s comedic struggles with an Irish accent. Steelers win despite adversity; Aaron Rodgers’ wish for more time to explore Ireland.
  • “Would always love to get on the time frame... and get to enjoy the area a little bit more, especially with Ireland, the history...” – Aaron Rodgers (29:02)
• Off-Field Drama: Player Skylar Thompson reportedly mugged in Dublin (31:00).

b. Are the Chiefs “Back”? (32:04)

• Mahomes Dominates: A third TD, Kansas City offense back in form.
• Ravens Concerns: Hosts question Baltimore’s defense after a tough loss; skepticism about John Harbaugh’s postgame explanations.
  • “If they could play as good football as John Harbaugh can have a run-on sentence, I like their chances...” – Don LaGreca (34:26)

c. Giants and Daniel Jones, Rams-Colts Heartbreak

• Turnover Woes: Daniel Jones intercepted twice; Rams beat Colts in a tight contest.
• OT Rules Rant: Discussion about the punishment for fumbling into the endzone resulting in a turnover.
  • “There is not a more aggressive punishment in football than a touchdown turning into a touchback.” – Don LaGreca (36:11)

d. Cowboys-Packers 40-40 Tie

• Defensive Absence & OT Weirdness: Both teams exchange scores; late-game clock management almost ends the game.
• Quarterback Play: Hosts criticize Jordan Love’s decision-making and question Dallas coaching.
  • “So one accidental second and that game’s over.” – Don LaGreca (39:57)

5. Giants’ Quarterback Situation: Jackson Dart’s Debut

(42:02 – 53:23)

• Jackson Dart’s First Start: Energetic performance leads Giants to victory over Chargers. Hosts debate how much can be read into one win.
• Risky Coaching?: Don LaGreca sees “desperation” in Brian Daboll’s aggressive playcalling, risking Dart’s health for a win.
  • “That game to me, Don, was coached to get one meaningful win right now, and if he gets killed doing it…” – Don LaGreca (46:17)
• Allen’s Response: Alan Hahn stresses that young QBs often play wild in their debuts and focus should slowly shift to developing Dart’s pocket passing and decision making.
• Outlook & Red Zone Decisions: Heated debate on late-game fourth down choices versus kicking a field goal.
  • “Get a win. They kind of salvaged the start of the season. Now you got a winnable game in New Orleans… you're two and three, you're feel like, all right, done.” – Peter Rosenberg (50:01)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the Mets’ missed opportunity:

  • “They should have at least gotten into a wild card spot… criminal.” – Luca, Caller (09:22)

• On the Super Bowl halftime show:

  • “He has don’t even listen… Could be Metallica, still doesn’t care if it’s mixed with his football.” – Don LaGreca (04:13)

• On Al Michaels’ halftime steak tradition:

  • “Have you guys ever heard that during every halftime… Al Michaels has a full, like, white-napkin steak dinner delivered to him?” – Don LaGreca (06:19)

• On NFL’s touchback rule:

  • “There is not a more aggressive punishment in football than a touchdown turning into a touchback.” – Don LaGreca (36:11)

• On Brian Daboll’s coaching decisions:

  • “It reeked of desperation. I am risking my quarterback’s health. I am going for it everywhere.” – Don LaGreca (46:02)

• On Giants’ win over Chargers:

  • “That building was crazy. They were excited for this kid and he delivered.” – Alan Hahn (44:56)

Memorable & Humorous Moments

• “Love Names” Running Gag:

  • The hosts riff on all the “Love” names in sports, culminating in jokes about mistaken identity (01:27–01:46).

• Don’s Irish Accent Attempt:

  • “I found a way during the announcer lineup on Friday. Took me some time, but I eventually found the accent.” – Don LaGreca on his attempt to do Irish play-by-play (27:51).

• Mom Texts with No Punctuation:

  • “Like the way my mom texts, man… no punctuation… sign it ‘mom.’” – Peter Rosenberg, on John Harbaugh’s press conference (34:42–34:57).

Segment Timestamps (approximate)

• Mets, Jets, Giants Table-Setting: 00:29–03:00
• Mets Future / Stearns/Cohen: 09:04–16:26
• Pete Alonso Analysis: 12:05–15:30
• Mets-Yankees & Fan Psychology: 15:30–20:31
• NFL Binge Segment Opens: 26:30
  • Steelers/Vikings in Dublin: 27:09–31:43
  • Chiefs/Ravens: 32:04–34:42
  • Rams/Colts, Giants/Daniel Jones: 35:14–39:34
  • Cowboys/Packers OT Tie: 37:33–40:11
• Giants Analysis/Jackson Dart: 42:02–53:23

Tone & Style

The show blends sports knowledge with humor and camaraderie:

• Don is arch and a bit sardonic,
• Alan offers earnest, detail-driven analysis,
• Peter provides both comic relief and the “everyfan” angle.

Summary for Listeners

If you missed this hour:
You’ll get:

• A candid postmortem on the Mets’ season and the direction of the team,
• Deep dive on the value and future of Pete Alonso,
• Lively NFL week 4 banter—especially about wild endings and controversial rules,
• An animated, sometimes heated breakdown of the Giants’ new quarterback situation,
• Signature Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg rapport—a mix of analysis, storytelling, and humor that defines New York sports talk radio.