Don, Hahn & Rosenberg: Hour 2 – Yankees & NFL Binge (October 6, 2025)

Episode Overview
In this lively hour, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg tackle the fallout from the Yankees’ potential postseason collapse, debate the culture and accountability inside the organization, and break down the latest NFL headlines with their “NFL Binge” segment. With callers chiming in, the hosts challenge accepted narratives and serve up classic New York sports radio candor.

Yankees Postseason Collapse: Preparation, Blame & Culture

Yankees Stunned by Blue Jays

• Opening Sentiment ([00:56]):
  Don opens with the whiplash of Yankees’ mood:

  “I just think the Yankees run the day because just how quickly it changed from the euphoria of Friday and the back to back wins… And I think we knew that the Blue Jays would be a different animal. But I don't think anybody expected this. So whether you want to blame Judge, you want to blame the bullpen, you want to blame Moon, there's a lot of blame.” ([00:56])

• Preparedness vs. Pitch-Tipping

  • Alan and Don debate how prepared Toronto looked, raising the issue of whether Yankees pitchers were tipping pitches and if self-scouting failed:

    • Alan:

      “I'm not saying there's anything Astros going on, but it just feels like they were incredibly prepared for everything the Yankees were going to throw at them.” ([01:56])

    • Don:

      “If the other team can figure out that you're tipping the pitch, then you've got to figure it out before they do and correct it.” ([02:19])

  • Alan on the need for countermeasures:

    “…We need then to have a countermeasure and make sure we're prepared too, like they are. We got to get at their level when it comes to this kind of stuff. And I got a week off. Wouldn't you also put that kind of effort in?...” ([03:19])

  • Peter marvels at player skill, legal sign stealing, and baseball's difficulty:

    “Baseball players are so obscenely good at what they do... if you're able to know if someone's tipping pitches, the fact that that can allow you, as a result of knowing to then rock them is just mind blowing.” ([04:55])

• Pitching & Managerial Decisions

  • The group critiques the Yankees’ preparation and bullpen:
    • Alan:

      “To me both starters not ready to go bullpen, absolute disaster. Nothing more can be said.” ([01:26])

    • Alan, on Gosman:

      “But to me, the one was inexcusable was Gosman. He faced him four times. It was the fifth time… Usually when you see somebody that many times, eventually it's like you're not. There's no surprises anymore, right? And they look terrible in those at bats.” ([06:27])

Callers on Blame and Team Culture

• Caller Griffin ([07:50])

  • Tired of Judge being scapegoated, demands accountability from other big names:

    “…There are two people on this team that I don't understand why they don't get blamed. Playoff G. Where's playoff G?... And you know what? The guy hitting behind Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, hasn't done anything either.” ([07:50])

  • Hosts praise Griffin’s “let her rip” approach to venting.

• Coddling, Country Club, and Accountability

  • Culture critique from Lou in Rhode Island ([10:29]):

    “I think it's a culture issue. So I feel that Hal turned this into a country club by giving Cashman a lifetime job. Boone being a players coach, praising someone like Anthony Volpe when he's horrible in the regular season.” ([10:36])

    • Don agrees:

      “I don't disagree.” ([10:58])

  • Alan adds context about pressure inside vs. outside the organization:

    “Internally they almost try to do the opposite… They are so concerned about the external pressure that comes with wearing that uniform and the demands and the expectations and the weight of the jersey… I think internally they almost try to do the opposite.” ([12:43])

  • Peter’s wish for more visible fire:

    “Can you just occasionally do something when things go wrong that make us feel like you're ticked off about it?” ([13:04])

  • Don on management philosophy:

    “But it's all by design… Now that you're in the era of coddling players, it's probably by design. Hey, let's make this a friendly atmosphere. Let's make this a place where you're not getting ripped by management. It's already tough enough to be a Yankee.” ([14:21])

  • Alan laments overdependence on analytics:

    “You have taken the soul out of the Yankees and that's the… I just want you to be a GM. I don't want you to be the identity of the New York Yankees. And I think that's what happened. I think the soul has been taken out of this organization and replaced by a computer.” ([16:28])

Judge, Blame, and Playoff Narratives

• Callers & Hosts Defend Judge

  • Incarcerated Bob in Queens ([17:54]):

    “Yeah, you want him to be a little bit more clutch… But these are short series… And you're blaming judge judges leading four. 44. Like what do you want him? Do you want him to hit a three run homer every time? Well, he can't because Grisham is hitting 120 in front of him…” ([18:03])

  • Peter:

    “…But he's batting.444 in the playoffs so far in a limited sample size. Yes, you would have loved to have seen him get a clutch hit… but you're literally gonna blame the guy who's batting over.400 while no one can pitch. I just… It's such a lazy narrative.” ([20:31])

  • Alan again highlights lack of focus on other failures:

    “It's amazing. We're gonna do this to Judge, but nobody's saying a word… about Max Fried… I did not like that at all. So this does not show me a guy that's got… the sack to pitch in the postseason.” ([21:00])

NFL Binge: Week in Review, Upsets, Uniforms & Giants Blues

Ravens’ Collapse, Steelers’ Opportunity ([23:51]–[27:14])

• Baltimore Blown Out by Texans
  • Alan:

    “Got beat every way you can get beat… I did not expect to see that. Thought we'd play a lot better… and hats off to them, they played a really good game…” ([24:59])

  • Don & Alan survey the AFC North landscape, noting Steelers’ and even Aaron Rodgers’ opportunities.

Eagles, Bucs, and the Changing NFC ([27:22]–[30:31])

• Eagles’ Loss to Broncos

  • Alan:

    “They… are another team… have been winning these games with all these different, what? Blocked kicks and all this craziness… they're trying too hard to be a passing offense…” ([28:14])

• Bucs Beat Seahawks

  • Peter:

    “The Bucs battled past the Seahawks in Seattle 38:35 on a walk off field goal… The cardiac crew is alive and well.” ([29:45])

  • Classic “Jets and Browns can’t find QBs” joke.

Commanders Surge & Chargers Slide ([31:05]–[32:04])

• Peter on Washington’s breakthrough day:

  “…The Commanders turned things around and it was a breakout day. The official welcome party for Jigori Krosky Merritt, AKA, Bill Crosby Merritt.” ([31:25])

• Chargers and Giants’ woes invoked.

Patriots, Bills & New England's ‘Return’ ([32:04]–[33:47])

• Patriots Upset Bills
  • New England hailed for hiring Mike Vrabel.
  • Stefan Diggs “redemption game” and jersey/number color complaints.

Giants Breakdown: Turnovers & Future Uncertainty ([37:33]–[46:17])

• Don’s Giants heartbreak:

  “…Season’s not going anywhere, but I allowed myself to say, hey, we could beat the saints… Everything went downhill. Five consecutive possessions… with a turnover. It's the first time that's happened since 2016.” ([37:33])

• Alan expresses (tempered) optimism in rookie QB Jackson Dart after mistakes:

  “…He looks good. Everything looks fine. The turnovers, I don't know, man. I'm not overreacting. I think you can see the kid's got something.” ([41:35])

• Peter is less optimistic about the future infrastructure:

  “How well can you even develop him over the course of this year with this group?” ([46:17])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Peter, context on blaming Judge:

  “To actually be a real fan… it’s such a lazy narrative.” ([20:31])

• Alan, bemoaning the team’s culture:

  “The soul has been taken out of this organization and replaced by a computer.” ([16:28])

• Don on the shift from George Steinbrenner’s accountability:

  “Actions speak louder than words… There was a level of accountability. So never mind the words. But when was the last time that happened? A player getting benched, never mind getting traded?” ([15:39])

• Peter, on performative leadership:

  “Can you just occasionally do something… that make us feel like you’re ticked off about it?” ([13:04])

Key Timestamps

• 00:56–06:50: Yankees’ playoff collapse—preparedness, pitch-tipping, bullpen woes
• 07:50–10:29: Callers on blaming Judge, team coddling, “country club” culture
• 10:36–16:28: Continued debate on Yankees org. culture, Cashman, Boone, analytics, leadership
• 17:54–21:16: Defending Aaron Judge, critique of playoff narratives, Fried’s struggles
• 23:42–27:14: NFL Binge—Ravens losing, AFC North preview
• 27:22–30:31: Eagles, Bucs, Seahawks recap; NFL nostalgia
• 31:05–34:46: Commanders’ win, Patriots vs. Bills, jersey gripes
• 37:33–46:17: Giants’ meltdown against Saints, young QB evaluation, franchise trajectory

Tone & Dynamics

• Genuine, passionate, New York sports radio energy with rapid-fire banter
• Willingness to push back on lazy narratives and “mob mentality”
• Critical, but measured analysis of organizational strategy and leadership
• Lively caller interaction—hosts listen, tease, and challenge fans

Summary for Non-Listeners:
This episode is a must for NY sports fans, with the hosts diving deep into whether the Yankees’ failings are cultural or tactical, pushing back at the automatic scapegoating of Aaron Judge, and drawing lines from George Steinbrenner’s Yankees to today’s “analytics era.” The second half’s NFL roundtable features pointed critiques, playful nostalgia for old uniforms, and a sobering breakdown of the Giants’ continued dysfunction. Classic Don, Hahn & Rosenberg—sharp, funny, and authentic.