Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2: WBC & NFL Binge
Date: March 9, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Peter Rosenberg (Alan Hahn absent)
Overview
This episode blends real-time reactions to the World Baseball Classic (WBC), spirited NFL free agency talk, NBA/NHL musings, reflections on time since COVID and historical sports moments, and signature New York sports banter. Featured are Don and Peter’s deep dives on sports drama, the resurgence of postseason energy in various leagues, and some lighter moments about fandom, nostalgia, and dad jokes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Six Years Since COVID: Reflections on Time and Change
[00:59–05:58]
- The hosts reflect on the anniversary of COVID’s world-changing arrival, recounting where they were as the NBA suspended play.
- Peter discusses his personal COVID hospitalization ([02:59]), and they contemplate how time feels like it has accelerated since the pandemic.
- “I don’t know if you could experience a faster six years than these six years.” – Don Hahn [04:01]
- Talk of how major events split life into “pre- and post-” chapters, referencing both 9/11 and COVID.
- “You shouldn’t have two of them in your lifetime… we both lived through 9/11 and then less than 20 years later pre- and post-COVID.” – Peter Rosenberg [04:38]
2. World Baseball Classic (WBC): Growing Hype and National Pride
[05:58–16:44]
- Don notes rising interest in the WBC, especially with Team USA vs. Mexico match-up ([06:20]).
- Peter compares WBC engagement to casual Olympic viewers, noting that tournaments gain wide traction at their climactic stages.
- “If the USA makes the final, I’ll be all over it.” – Peter [06:34]
- Debate over player motivations—patriotism vs. personal career interests.
- “They chose to play for their country so there’s patriotism in that… you didn’t go to WBC for money, you went because you wanted to represent your country.” – Peter [07:55]
- Don observes that the U.S. is “the big dog” everyone wants to beat, likening WBC to Olympic hockey and NBA int’l competitions ([08:41]).
WBC Group Analysis & Fun with Team Nationalities
- Breakdowns of standings, eliminations, and quirky national team stories ([11:12+]).
- Banter on odd or surprising national teams, eligibility semantics (jokes about Chinese Taipei and Great Britain).
- “Too much Chinese, not enough Taipei…” – Don, joking on Taiwan’s team [11:41]
- “That’s still a dad joke, but the one you just told now… that’s like a stepdad joke.” – Peter [12:20]
- Discusses players with tenuous national ties (e.g., Harrison Bader on Team Israel).
- Anthony provides updates on WBC results, tiebreakers, eliminating teams, and quirky celebrations (Team Italy’s espresso ritual) [14:08].
3. NBA & Knicks Talk: Boston as a Threat, Tatum’s Comeback
[17:07–21:29]
- Caller Damon from Delaware argues Boston with a healthy Jayson Tatum is the Knicks’ biggest threat in the East [17:07–18:22].
- The hosts agree, raving about Tatum’s “medical marvel” return from Achilles injury, and liken his comeback to legendary sports injury recoveries.
- “If he stays healthy, and Celtics just make it to the finals, how is this not one of the greatest stories in NBA history?” – Peter [19:24]
- They stress Boston’s completeness and home-court advantage, with Alan Hahn quoted from ‘Get Up’:
- “They’re the one team in the East you can trust the most… they play in a system… and they all know their roles.” – Alan Hahn [21:10]
- Noted that the playoff race now is almost a formality and the Celtics are heavy favorites.
4. NFL Free Agency Binge: Breaking News and Hot Takes
[25:32–40:43]
The 'NFL Binge' Segment
- Hosts and producer Anthony recap a flurry of NFL offseason moves, mixing serious analysis with their trademark exasperation on elite teams always stacking talent.
Major Headlines & Reactions
- Travis Kelce returning for his 14th season with the Chiefs (groans from non-Chiefs fans)
- Chiefs sign Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker III to a 3-year, $43M deal ([30:17])
- “It just never ends for the good teams.” – Don [30:56]
- QB carousel: Malik Willis to the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa to Atlanta, and speculation over Geno Smith landing with the Jets.
- “Is there a world where Geno and Wentz are both Jets?” – Peter [34:09]
- “Like you dream about. I don't know who 'you' is, because no one would dream about that.” – Don [34:14]
- Raiders trade Maxx Crosby to Ravens for two #1 picks. Reaction: More good fortune for perennial contenders.
- Big contracts: Raiders sign C Tyler Linderbaum to record deal, Colts keep Alec Pierce ($116M). Michael Pittman Jr. to Steelers.
- “You walk away [from the price]. There’s a lot of things I want, but then I look at the price tag…” – Peter [40:17]
5. Lighter and Local: Pickleball, March Madness, Nostalgia, and More
[24:31–28:58, interspersed]
- Anthony previews “Rickleball Madness” – a quirky, highly hyped ESPN NY staff pickleball tournament, blending humor and internal rivalry chatter.
- Reflection on subdued March Madness interest—a generational/fandom shift. Peter questions his waning bracket enthusiasm.
- “Tell me… is it just me, or did I just get older?” – Peter [28:30]
6. Time, Legacy & Nostalgia: The Biggie Anniversary & Iconic NY Sports Moments
[44:07–51:52]
- Marking 29 years since Notorious B.I.G.’s death, the hosts muse on time’s passage and personal milestones.
- “I was 17… it’s now been double my 17 since then and plus five. That doesn’t even make sense.” – Don [44:17]
- Damon (caller) raises classic New York venue moments—Ali-Frazier, Willis Reed, Reggie Jackson—and delves into their lasting impact ([47:07]).
- “Ali-Frazier is one where you knew it was coming. You didn’t know Reggie was going to hit three home runs.” – Peter [49:27]
- Discussion on the changing nature of “event” sports, how the buzz can’t be replicated—even referencing 1990s Mike Tyson celebrity seating.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On COVID’s Time Warp:
“COVID literally changed like the algorithm—the whole way time…the space-time continuum as we know it, changed because of COVID.”
— Don Hahn [04:01] -
On Patriotism in WBC:
“You didn’t go to the WBC for money… you went because you wanted to represent your country.”
— Peter Rosenberg [07:55] -
On Tatum’s Comeback:
“How is this not one of the greatest stories in NBA history? Torn Achilles, comes back the next year and leads his team to the Finals!”
— Peter Rosenberg [19:24] -
On perennial winners:
“Why does it seem like these teams never stop getting good?”
— Don Hahn [30:56] -
On an unusual ‘dad joke’:
“Too much Chinese, not enough Taipei.”
— Don Hahn [11:41]“That’s like a stepdad joke.”
— Peter Rosenberg [12:20] -
On NFL offseason dreams:
“Is there a world where Geno and Wentz are both Jets?”
— Peter Rosenberg [34:09] -
On the passage of time & Biggie’s death:
“I was 17 when Biggie died. It’s now been double my 17 since then, and plus five. That doesn’t even make sense.”
— Don Hahn [44:17]
Important Timestamps
- COVID Reflection & Don’s Hospitalization: [01:29–04:38]
- WBC Hype/Patriotism: [05:58–08:41]
- WBC Standings & Eligibility Banter: [11:12–14:28]
- NBA & Knicks, Tatum’s Comeback: [17:07–21:29]
- NFL Free Agency ‘Binge’: [25:32–40:43]
- Iconic NY Sports Moments, Call-in Segment: [47:07–51:52]
Additional Highlights
- Light moments about pickleball competitions and sales staff rivalries.
- Honest confessions about waning interest in yearly March Madness brackets.
- Sharp-witted jabs about “dad” and “stepdad” jokes—core to the hosts' rapport.
- Closing out with sports nostalgia, the passage of time, and enduring New York sports lore.
For listeners who missed the episode:
You’ll get an in-depth blend of nostalgia, real-time sports analysis (NBA, NFL, WBC), and classic New York sports flavor—with a strong current of how time, fandom, and major events leave their mark on both athletes and fans. The episode’s banter and surprises, plus its emotional honesty about sports, aging, and the passage of time, give it wide appeal for sports enthusiasts and longtime listeners alike.