Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Tong & Talk About It

Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: ESPN New York – Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Overview:

This episode digs deep into New York baseball storylines—primarily the Yankees’ handling of Anthony Volpe, the Mets’ rotation shifts (including Jonah Tong’s call-up), and broader themes like sports leadership, accountability, and media dynamics. A lively debate on Aaron Glenn’s testy media exchanges and a reflection on the Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce engagement highlight broader culture and mental health topics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mets Rotation Shifts: Tong’s Call-up and Senga’s Role

• Joel Sherman’s tweet: Confirmed Jonah Tong’s MLB call-up.
• Hosts debate the rotation:
  • Senga’s recent performances and rest days drive the uncertainty.
  • Peterson, Holmes, McLean—their places juggled around the new addition.
  • Hosts emphasize a “six-man rotation” approach as the Mets try to get the best out of their arms into September.
• Performance Focus:
  • If young arms (like Tong and Peterson) perform, Senga’s seat as a postseason starter is in doubt.
  • Rosenberg (02:49):

    “Jobs are up for grabs, which it has to be that way, and it should be. Trying to win.”

• Carlos Mendoza (Mets manager) interview:
  • On Tong’s call-up (13:25):

    “It’s all about him dominating the minor leagues… It’s just hard to keep him there… He’s put himself in the conversation and here he is now going to get an opportunity for us.”

  • On Senga’s short leash (13:58):

    “Performance matters, you know... We’ve got to see performance... We need him because he’s an ace... But we haven’t been able to get that consistency... Every game, we’ve got to put our best guys out there.”

  • Mendoza’s comments underline a no-nonsense, performance-based approach: spots aren’t guaranteed—especially with a playoff run at stake.
• David Stearns (Mets President) on rotation philosophy:
  • On in-season evaluation (45:36, 45:56):

    “We’re going turn by turn at this point… It’s going to be a combination of what the matchups are, who we think match up well, how our guys are throwing, who needs rest, who doesn’t... In September, we try not to plan too far ahead…”

  • Stearns makes clear flexibility and results drive decisions, not reputation.

Yankees’ Volpe Dilemma, Lineup Strategy, and Boone’s Job Security

• Volpe gets a rare rest, Caballero stakes his claim:
  • Volpe’s struggles at the plate and with errors finally prompt the Yankees to give him time off—amid sustained defending from Rosenberg, who blames the organization’s handling (03:40):

    “I’m going to continue to defend him. Has he been good? No, he’s been bad… but they have not handled it well at all... Forcing him out there and just hoping that it'll change? That’s not the way to do it.”

  • The contrast with how the Mets handled Francisco Alvarez: sent him down to regain confidence, which paid off.
  • Caballero’s emergence as a utility asset raises the question: Does Volpe deserve “fixing” time, or is it now about maximizing the Yankees’ win chances?
• Boone’s management under public and internal pressure:
  • Hosts forecast how poor performance could spark managerial change, yet expect Yankee brass to cite injuries and “not being whole” as excuses if the season disappoints.
  • Don Hahn (11:14):

    “The manager. Yes, in other organizations. But in this one they just gave him a contract extension... They’re making the playoffs, but if for some reason they face Boston, they get bounced… The call’s going to be, well, we didn’t have Cole all year… That will be the excuse not to make the move that you’re looking for.”

  • Rosenberg (12:42):

    “Even if they are knocked out in the wild card round… 90 wins through all this… That’s what it feels like to me.”

Defining an MLB “Ace”:

• Hosts debate what qualities define a true ace pitcher.
  • Don Hahn (17:02):

    “He’s a stopper... If you’re losing games, he’s pitching tonight, we’re winning that game... He’s going to give you length…”

  • Rosenberg adds (17:33):

    “An ace is somebody that… when he doesn’t have it going, finds a way… is creative enough… to know my number one pitch, it’s not working tonight. I got to find another way to beat them.”

  • Both agree Senga hasn’t met those expectations lately.

Callers Weigh In: Franchise Direction & Fan Sentiment

Notable segment with “Justin” from Floral Park (19:23–21:50)—shouting out his youth team and airing frustration with Yankees GM Cashman’s (and the organization’s) inability to develop prospects:

• Justin (20:15):

  “It’s the same story every year with this team... This guy needs to go. I don’t care that we make the playoffs every year... This D does not know how to fundamentally hit. They have it since ’09. It’s a joke.”

Let’s Talk About It Tuesday: Media Relations, Leadership, and Positivity

Aaron Glenn, the Jets, and the Media

• Don takes strong issue with new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn’s brusque answer (“My decision”) regarding depth chart choices in a press conference (29:00-35:02):
  • Don calls out such “tough guy” answers as needless posturing, unrelated to actual success:

    “Explain to me why just being flat out rude to a classy media member changes the culture of a team. I want to know that… Explain it to me like I’m an idiot. Go ahead.” (30:54)

  • Rosenberg’s counterpoint: It’s preseason, maybe Glenn’s just being authentic, but agrees—“this will get tired fast if you’re losing.” (37:04)
• Wider reflection on coaching style:
  • Don: Real leadership is in how you hold players accountable, not how you treat the media.
  • Don Hahn (38:20):

    “Go win games... Anything other than that is all garbage. Don’t waste time... There is no formula other than being a good coach.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Engagement – “Let People Be Happy”

• Rosenberg urges listeners to avoid cynicism around the high-profile engagement announcement (41:01–42:45):
  • Rosenberg:

    “It’s a nice moment... This is a great American story. The pop star and the football star met, fell in love, and they're getting married... Not everything has to lead to bad things... As a very confident heterosexual male, this is A lovely American story, and I don’t think it needs the snark...”

  • Don reflects on cultural negativity (43:05):

    “We just live in a world when we don’t like something, it’s not enough to just say, I don’t care and move on. You got to destroy it.”

  • Message: Embrace positive stories and don’t be compelled to publicly dismiss what doesn’t move you.

Mets’ Front Office Approach: Auditioning for October

• David Stearns on not adding a starter at the trade deadline (46:10–47:37):
  • He’s comfortable giving prospects an audition during meaningful late-season games instead of overpaying for available veterans.
  • Flexibility and performance will dictate who gets crucial starts in September and possibly the playoffs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Performance > Reputation:

  “Every game, we gotta put our best guys out there.”
  —Carlos Mendoza (14:20)

• On Volpe’s handling:

  “…But they have not handled it well at all... That’s where the Boone positivity thing and their belief in just saying all is. Well, sometimes that’s not the way to do it.”
  —Rosenberg (03:40)

• Why is “tough guy” media posturing overhyped?:

  “He could take a poop right there on the podium and they’ll go, ‘Why didn’t anybody else think of that?’”
  —Don Hahn (34:12)

• Cultural cynicism:

  “If I don’t care, I want the rest of the world not to care.”
  —Don Hahn (43:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments:

• Mets rotation/rotation debates: 00:29–02:49, 13:25–14:22, 45:36–50:01
• Yankees’ Volpe/Caballero discussion: 02:59–08:54
• On Boone’s job security/injuries: 10:17–12:57
• Carlos Mendoza soundbites & analysis: 13:25–15:23
• “Let’s Talk About It” segment (Jets, media, and management): 27:13–39:04
• Taylor Swift–Travis Kelce engagement & cultural takes: 41:01–43:26
• Stearns on rotation, Senga, and Tong-Sproat decision: 45:10–49:20

Tone & Style:

• Candid, sarcastic, and knowledgeable: Don and Rosenberg don’t mince words, blending media critique, sports analysis, humor, and a bit of New York tough love and exasperation.
• Authentically passionate: The hosts are clearly invested, whether defending or criticizing, always leaning into the reality fans and teams face.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

You’ll come away with clear insights about the New York baseball landscape’s current uncertainty (both Mets and Yankees), provocative perspectives on leadership, the media, and fan culture, and a refreshing call to let good news be good—sports or otherwise. This episode is about sports, but also about how we react, criticize, and (sometimes) allow ourselves to just enjoy the moment.