Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary: Hour 3 – Captain Judge Release Date: April 14, 2025

In the third hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the current state of Major League Baseball, focusing primarily on the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. They also explore the significance of Aaron Judge’s role as captain of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and touch upon related topics in the NBA, particularly the performance of the New York Knicks. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn by the hosts throughout the episode.

I. Mets' Surprising Performance and Future Prospects

Peter Rosenberg initiates the conversation by expressing unexpected optimism about the New York Mets' performance:

• Peter Rosenberg [00:17]: "I didn't expect it. They're in first place despite the fact that Philadelphia has been hot."

He highlights the Mets' strategic advantage over struggling teams like Atlanta and emphasizes the potential uplift from key players:

• Peter Rosenberg [00:25]: "Soto's going to be a lot better. I am telling you, he is going to carry this team offensively at some point."

Despite recent setbacks, such as a disappointing loss where the Mets struggled to hit with runners in scoring position, Peter remains positive about their resilience and pitching strength:

• Peter Rosenberg [02:48]: "I really love where the Mets are right now. I do. I think it's only going to get better."

II. Yankees' Run Differential and Season Outlook

Transitioning to the Yankees, Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg discuss the team’s impressive run differential despite a middling record:

• Don Hahn [07:22]: "The Yankees have the Highest run differential plus 18 than any other American League team."
• Peter Rosenberg [07:10]: "They continue to be the all or nothing we talk about."

Peter points out the Yankees' inconsistency, where explosive hitting days lead to blowouts, while off days result in close losses:

• Peter Rosenberg [07:30]: "They're losing close games, but they're losing."

III. Pitching Concerns and Team Dynamics

The discussion shifts to pitching concerns for both the Mets and the Yankees. Issues such as injuries to key pitchers like Stroman and the overall pressure on the bullpen are highlighted:

• Don Hahn [07:22]: "Stroman now being hurt... the starting pitching remains a concern and the pressure on the bullpen continues."

Peter underscores the dependency on players like Judge and Soto for offensive production:

• Peter Rosenberg [09:24]: "But I keep circling back. Who's taking advantage of it? Nobody."

IV. Aaron Judge's Role as Captain of Team USA

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Aaron Judge being named captain of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. The hosts analyze the implications of this appointment and its potential impact on the sport:

• Don Hahn [16:55]: "Aaron Judge has been named captain of Team USA."

Peter Rosenberg elaborates on why this is a pivotal moment for MLB, drawing parallels to other sports' international tournaments:

• Peter Rosenberg [17:14]: "He is doing all the right things... I think the writing was on the wall. Making him captain, entice him to do it."

Don contemplates whether naming Judge as captain was a strategic move by MLB to encourage participation:

• Don Hahn [18:43]: "And so to get him to play, they named him captain? Is that what you're trying to suggest?"

V. The World Baseball Classic: Significance and MLB's Approach

The hosts discuss the broader significance of the WBC and MLB's efforts to elevate the sport's international appeal:

• Peter Rosenberg [24:39]: "You're not gonna get Dodgers, Yankees every year in the World Series... baseball needs something like that."

Don Hahn reflects on past international moments in baseball and contrasts them with other sports like hockey and basketball:

• Don Hahn [43:50]: "Miracle on ice, 1980, beating the Russians."

Peter argues for the importance of national pride in sports, emphasizing how the WBC can boost baseball's global profile:

• Peter Rosenberg [26:42]: "I want to play. I want that magic. I want to face Ohtani in a big spot and take him out."

VI. NBA Insights: Knicks' Performance and Game Significance

Shifting gears, the conversation touches upon the NBA, specifically the New York Knicks' approach to "meaningless" games:

• Don Hahn [27:06]: "We need to fix it and we gotta fix it fast."

Don recounts a particular game where the Knicks almost forfeited, highlighting issues with team motivation and management decisions:

• Don Hahn [27:34]: "They kept pushing. And then Garland took over in the fourth quarter, they won the game."

Peter draws parallels between player motivations in baseball and basketball, stressing the importance of meaningful competition:

• Peter Rosenberg [30:39]: "The players want to play because this gets back to the tanking conversation. Fans seem to think that you can just win, lose, it doesn't matter. It does matter."

VII. Concluding Thoughts: Growth and Challenges in Modern Sports

In their concluding discussions, the hosts reflect on the challenges modern sports face, such as player injuries and maintaining competitive integrity:

• Don Hahn [26:47]: "Fans have become scared in this generation. I've never seen anything like it."

Peter emphasizes the need for sports leagues to balance player safety with the passion and competitiveness that drive fan engagement:

• Peter Rosenberg [26:01]: "But Aaron Judge is excited about representing his country and playing because now he's taken the dare."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Peter Rosenberg [00:25]: "Soto's going to be a lot better. I am telling you, he is going to carry this team offensively at some point."

• Don Hahn [02:31]: "Aaron Judge has been named captain of Team USA."

• Peter Rosenberg [09:24]: "Who’s taking advantage of it? Nobody."

• Don Hahn [18:43]: "And so to get him to play, they named him captain? Is that what you're trying to suggest?"

• Peter Rosenberg [26:01]: "But Aaron Judge is excited about representing his country and playing because now he's taken the dare."

• Don Hahn [27:06]: "Fans have become scared in this generation. I've never seen anything like it."

Conclusion

In this episode, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provide a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape in Major League Baseball, focusing on team performances, player dynamics, and the evolving role of international competitions like the World Baseball Classic. Their insightful discussions shed light on the complexities of managing team expectations, player responsibilities, and the broader implications for the sport's growth both domestically and internationally. Additionally, their foray into NBA discussions offers a multifaceted view of sports management and fan engagement in today’s competitive environment.

For listeners seeking in-depth sports analysis and lively discussions on New York's premier teams, this episode delivers valuable perspectives and thought-provoking commentary.