Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 3: Dave Rothenberg Joins the Show

Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Dave Rothenberg

Episode Overview

This lively hour features sports broadcaster Dave Rothenberg joining Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg for wide-ranging, classic New York sports radio banter. The episode dives into:

• The dynamics and etiquette of sports radio ‘guest lists’
• Reflections on Antonie Walker’s post-NBA journey and athletes after retirement
• Celebrations of Lawrence Taylor’s legacy and “greatest Giants moments”
• Trade chatter and passionate breakdowns on New York Rangers and Islanders deals
• Hilarious interpersonal jabs between hosts
• Debates on what sports broadcasters owe fans in terms of criticism
• A thought-provoking discussion about Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show and whether it’s political

The hosts’ signature blend of sports insight, sharp wit, and locker-room ribbing is on full display, making this an entertaining and revealing hour for any New York sports fan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "The List" Fiasco: Dave Rothenberg Feels Left Out

[01:14] – [06:13]

• Topic: Dave Rothenberg texts the show, playfully upset at being excluded from Rosenberg’s “Top Lawrence Taylor Plays” list.
• Exchange:
  • Peter recalls the text: “You didn’t think to have me on for this list? I’m so hurt.” [01:19]
  • Rothenberg explains to his son why he wasn’t invited:
    “Alex goes, ‘Dad, why would Don do this list without you?’ and I said, ‘Alex, I don’t know.’” [04:13]
  • Light-hearted debate ensues about whether “lists” should ever have guests. Peter: “I never have guests on the list.” [04:46]
  • Rothenberg: “But am I a guest? I mean, we’re one family.” [05:50]
• Notable Quote:
  • Dave: "If I was ever going to be invited into… your bosom for one list, that was the bosom-worthy list." [15:01]
• Tone: Warm, teasing, slightly sentimental—underscoring the camaraderie of ESPN NY personalities.

2. Antoine Walker and the Perils of Athlete Retirement

[01:33] – [03:11]

• Topic: The hosts react to recent photos of Antoine Walker from the Miami Heat 2006 reunion—concern about his health and post-NBA weight.
• Insights:
  • Don: “He might be pushing 400 pounds.” [02:06]
  • Alan: “He’s really… a great dude… but he’s had some issues.” [02:38]
  • Hosts reflect on modern athlete challenges after the spotlight; concern and empathy for Walker.
• Notable Quote:
  • Don: "I hope he pulls it together, man. He just looks really bad." [03:07]

3. Lawrence Taylor’s 67th Birthday: Giants Nostalgia

[03:47] – [08:13]

• Topic: Celebrating LT’s greatest plays and legacy, with Dave’s passionate input.
• Insights:
  • Rothenberg recalls the 1982 game: “He was very banged up…questionable to play and I think didn’t play for the first quarter. And then he came in and just dominated.” [07:01]
  • Discussion of the “one-handed sack” and other iconic plays.
  • The hosts debate which moments deserve a spot in Giants lore; Rothenberg notes the context of great plays even in losses (e.g., against Billy Sims).

4. Rangers, Islanders & Canarin Trade Dissection

[08:13] – [19:23]

• Topic: Addressing fan reactions to Artemi Panarin’s trade to the Kings and larger NY hockey news.
• Insights:
  • Rothenberg on losing Panarin: “He basically said it’s the Kings or nobody. There’s no leverage. Rather than get nothing for him, I guess it’s good... I guess I’m okay with it.” [08:30–09:16]
  • Glenn in Smithtown calls in to compare the trade to the Patrick Kane acquisition, reassuring fans: “I don’t get the disappointment…because of the scenario.” [15:34]
  • Heated discussion of Islanders’ prospects, the need for power-play help, and the value of playoff experience (Pajot, Anders Lee, etc.).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “They really do need somebody that can put the puck in the net in the top six. And especially on the power play.” – Alan [17:51]

5. Morning Show Rivalries: Attendance, Support & Birthday Parties

[09:32] – [14:25]

• **Light-hearted jabs about who listens to each other’s shows, with Peter and Alan “competing” over who’s the most loyal listener.
• Discussion:
  • Why didn’t Rick join Michael K’s birthday party despite “best friend” claims?
    • Dave: “Everybody on the sun was having a birthday…If you’re as close to Michael as you claim to be, you would have been at a big event for him.” [10:36]
  • Debate about etiquette of giving adults birthday gifts.
    • Don: “Over the age of 12, once the bar mitzvah passes, you don’t need a gift anymore for a birthday.” [13:33]
• Memorable Moment: Rothenberg describing the party food: “They had like little, little chicken parm heroes…just a big cup of bacon…it was wild.” [14:15]

6. The “Rally Bird” – Sports Superstition in Real-Time

[18:51] – [23:45]

• Topic: An actual bird on the rink at UBS Arena becomes Islanders’ rally mascot.
• Insight/Tone: Playful, proposing “Free Bird” as the Islanders’ new goal song.
  • Alan: “Every team has that rally song. Skynyrd’s ‘Free Bird’ has to be the song now for the season, right?” [19:20]
  • Peter: “It was the pass for a goal…there was a bird somehow in UBS." [18:47]

7. Broadcasting Ethics: Should Home Announcers ‘Rip’ the Team?

[27:09] – [29:53]

• Topic: Fans demanding local TV and radio broadcasters be harsher critics of the home team.
• Discussion:
  • Don: “Why do the fans always want the local commentary team…to rip them during game broadcasts?” [27:14]
  • Alan: “That’s not the place…to start tearing the franchise to shreds. That’s not how it works.” [29:18]
• Notable Quote:
  • Don: “Do these people show up to their jobs…grab a megaphone… ‘I think it’s about time we talk about some of the shortcomings here’?” [28:01]
• They highlight the difference between calling the game honestly and slamming the organization when on their payroll or working with ex-players.

8. Super Bowl Halftime, Bad Bunny & Sports/Politics

[33:27] – [50:32]

• Callers express concern that choosing Bad Bunny for the halftime show is a political statement.
  • Peter: “Why is having Bad Bunny a political statement by the NFL?…he’s one of the hottest acts out there.” [33:53]
  • Dave: “They just want to make the most money possible.” [34:46]
  • Don: “The NFL wants to be in South America, in Spain…he’s probably the biggest international artist in the world." [37:06]
• Second caller asks if this is a “make good” after the NFL’s handling of Kaepernick.
  • Don: “When they made the call…it wasn't timely to the point that it is now…But things have now gotten so ramped up where Bad Bunny’s presence means even more.” [46:47]
  • Peter: "We're in a different world than we were when Colin Kaepernick took a knee. I think the NFL has grown and understands things a little differently now." [47:13]
  • Don: “Bad Bunny…is going to be much more palatable for people who don’t know his music…It's really fun, up tempo dancing, fun music” [48:48]
  • Both hosts agree: If politics comes up, it will be post-show discussion; for now it’s all about ratings and business.
• Notable Quote:
  • Don, sarcastic about “boycotts”: “You wait and see what the protest looks like and…the way that people turn off the TVs. Okay, pal, I’ll be waiting.” [49:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (W/Timestamps)

• Dave on family and lists:
  “But am I a guest? I mean, we're one family.” [05:53]
• On Antoine Walker:
  “I hope he pulls it together, man. He just looks really bad.” – Don [03:07]
• On giving adult birthday gifts:
  “Over the age of 12, once the bar mitzvah passes, you don’t need a gift anymore for a birthday.” – Don [13:33]
• Party food at Michael K’s birthday:
  “There was a woman walking around with a, like just a big cup of bacon. It was wild.” – Dave [14:25]
• Rally bird:
  “That’s going to become a thing, the rally bird.” – Alan [18:51]
• On broadcaster criticism:
  “Why do the fans…want the local commentary team…to rip them during game broadcasts?” – Don [27:14]
• On Bad Bunny & business:
  “The NFL wants to be in South America, in Spain…he's probably the biggest international artist in the world.” – Don [37:06]

Time-Stamped Key Segments

• [01:14 – 06:13] Dave Rothenberg confronts Rosenberg over “The List” and guest etiquette
• [01:33 – 03:11] Athlete afterlife: Antoine Walker’s health and career
• [03:47 – 08:13] Lawrence Taylor’s legacy and Giants memories
• [08:13 – 19:23] New York hockey trade talk: Panarin, Islander prospects, callers weigh in
• [10:36 – 14:25] Inside Michael K’s birthday bash and “adult gift” etiquette
• [18:47 – 23:45] The Islanders Rally Bird and sports superstitions
• [27:09 – 29:53] Should home broadcasters “call out” the home team?
• [33:53 – 37:06] Super Bowl halftime, Bad Bunny, and “sports and politics”
• [46:01 – 50:32] NFL, Kaepernick, and choosing Bad Bunny: politics or business?

Final Thoughts & Tone

This episode showcases the warmth, wit, and authenticity of Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg—blending serious sports insight with the personal, the absurd, and the thoroughly New York. Their extended riffing on who “makes the lists,” who “attends the parties,” and the etiquette of on-air criticism is as revealing about sports radio culture as any box score.

For sports fans, the hour is a perfect dose of laughs, nostalgia, meaningful analysis, and the kind of brotherly arguing that’s at the heart of any true New York sports show.