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)
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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.
