Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Close is Not Enough

Podcast Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Network: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

In this episode, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg dive into the emotional rollercoaster of being a New York baseball fan in late September. The hosts debate what it truly means to "be a fan" — is it blind hope or honest criticism? Using the recent performances (and collapses) of the Mets and Yankees, the crew examines the concepts of hope, joy, accountability, and the dangers of "fool's gold" in sports. The show weaves in listener calls and playful banter about upcoming events (notably the ESPN New York Couchcast), blending passionate sports debate with classic sports radio camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Mets and Yankees: From Disaster to Destiny?

• Mets Comeback Sparks Hope: The Mets staged their first comeback from five or more runs down in 80 games, reigniting hope among fans and the hosts.
  • Impact: This rare win leads to renewed belief in a potential playoff run, despite months of poor play.
• Yankees Suddenly in the Mix: Yankees, left for dead in the division race, are now only one game behind the Blue Jays.
• Fans' Emotional Whiplash: The hosts highlight how quickly fan sentiment shifts after even one win, reflecting the eternal optimism and frustration unique to New York fandom.

Memorable Quote:

• “They pull me back in.” — Allen, reacting to the Mets comeback win ([00:52–01:37])

2. What Does It Mean to Be a Real Fan?

Complaint vs. Hope

• The Right to Critique: The hosts argue that being a critical fan — pointing out flaws, expressing frustration during slumps — is not disloyalty, but part of the experience.
  • Allen: "If I can't complain about my team losing eight in a row... then what are we doing? Why am I watching?" ([04:11])
• Is Blind Hope Required?: The show pushes back against the idea that “real fans” must always believe, even when evidence says otherwise.
  • Don: "The thing about being a fan is going through the ups and downs. ...when you see the worst, you appreciate the best.” ([08:20])

The Dangers of ‘Fool’s Gold’

• Miracle Runs Can Deceive: Don and Allen caution that a late-season surge can mask deeper organizational flaws, leading to years of disappointment if changes aren’t made.
  • Don: “What did they accomplish, Don? What have they accomplished? They took a step back as a franchise this year...” ([07:36])
  • Allen: “I’m tired of the runs. I want to start seeing a team that could consistently win.” ([10:43])

Notable Quote:

• "Winning is the best deodorant." — Don ([11:56])

3. Accountability in Sports

• Holding Teams Responsible: The hosts stress that fan accountability is how organizations are pressured to improve—even after a run.

  • Don: “How do you exact change by just...cheer for our team. ...You really think that’s going to do anything to a franchise? … You have every right to hold the franchise accountable. As a fan, that’s what you do.” ([11:23])

• Past Examples Used: The 1973 Mets’ “miracle run” is cited as a caution—near-misses can lead to complacency and longer-term failure if flaws aren't addressed.

  • Allen: “They doubled down on a team that really wasn’t that good, and that led to literally a decade of awful baseball because they didn’t fix the problem...” ([12:06])

4. Listener Calls & Community Voice

• Caller ‘Al’ (Bronx): Defends embracing both criticism and celebration as a fan; argues that joyless sports-watching is pointless and that expecting perfection is unrealistic. ([16:36])

  • Al: “We need to stop with the joyless sports. Watching ... everything doesn’t have to be a complaint. … The baseball season goes in ebbs and flows.”

• Allen and Don Respond: Agree that some critique is necessary, but push back on normalizing complete collapses as “just ebbs and flows.”

  • Allen: “It can’t be a roller coaster.” ([18:08])

5. Meta-Sports Radio: Banter & Upcoming Events

Couchcast Preparation & Banter

• Couchcast Preview: The team discusses the upcoming Monday Night Football Couchcast — who will be the most annoying, how the format will work, and what food will be served.

  • Allen jokes: “As a quality talk show host... I had to name somebody [most annoying].” (Implying either Don or Alan, with plenty of light-hearted ribbing) ([25:07])
  • Peter: “If anyone...tries to take it seriously...they’re getting booted off the couch!” ([30:04])

• Food Tangents: Extended debate on party food, regional sandwich names (the “American hero”), and favorite menu items at Jacob’s Pickles.

  • Peter describes a chicken sandwich with sausage gravy: “...a huge biscuit sliced open with two gigantic pieces of fried chicken breast on it. ...You have a side of sausage or mushroom gravy...” ([35:52])
  • Don, on deviled eggs: “Anybody bringing deviled eggs to this Couchcast... by the second half we clear out.” ([36:58])

6. Additional Listener Discussions

• Long Island Danny asks: Who would Peter least want to sit between at the Couchcast? Peter responds diplomatically, but jokes about space between large co-hosts. ([39:57])
• Fan Frustration with Mets Pitching: Callers analyze the failed pitching reclamation projects; Allen and Don reflect that you “can’t keep having reclamation projects”—sometimes you need to build a stable roster instead of patching holes. ([42:22])
• Quick Hits: Talk about former Jets coach Lou Holtz’s infamous quote and brief, troubled tenure; nostalgia for old NFL quirks like the Bucs’ Saturday night games due to Florida heat.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• “They pull me back in.” — Allen, reflecting on being drawn into Mets optimism ([01:37])
• "If I can’t complain about my team losing eight in a row... then what are we doing? Why am I watching?” — Allen ([04:11])
• "The thing about being a fan is going through the ups and downs. ...when you see the worst, you appreciate the best.” — Don ([08:20])
• "Winning is the best deodorant." — Don ([11:56])
• “They doubled down on a team that really wasn’t that good, and that led to literally a decade of awful baseball because they didn’t fix the problem...” — Allen ([12:06])
• “Anybody bringing deviled eggs to this Couchcast... by the second half we clear out.” — Don ([36:58])
• “If anyone...tries to take it seriously...they’re getting booted off the couch!” — Peter ([30:04])

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |----------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:52–01:37 | Mets comeback, renewed optimism | | 04:11–05:17 | Allen’s rant on the right to complain as a fan | | 07:36–09:06 | Discussing ‘fool’s gold’ and what was really achieved| | 11:23–12:06 | How fans create accountability, miracle runs | | 16:36–19:42 | Caller Al on "joyless sports-watching" | | 25:07–30:09 | Couchcast most annoying host debate & rules | | 35:52–36:58 | Jacob’s Pickles food segment | | 39:57–43:20 | Listener challenge: Mets pitching and team building | | 44:07–48:12 | Lou Holtz, NFL historical quirks |

Episode Tone

The tone is classic New York sports talk: passionate, candid, sardonic, sometimes exasperated, but always rooted in love for the game and the city. The hosts are unapologetically critical (when warranted), never shying from hard truths, but their camaraderie and wit keep the episode lively and fun.

Takeaways

• Being a fan is about investing emotionally, which means you get to celebrate and complain — neither makes you “less of a fan.”
• Caution against allowing late-season runs or miracle moments to justify complacency; organizations and fans need to hold teams accountable for sustained success.
• Sports radio thrives on debate, self-reflection, and a shared (if tortured) optimism.
• The Couchcast promises chaos, strong personalities, playful ribbing, and, most importantly, plenty of food.