Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Game 3 & Damien Woody

ESPN New York | October 2, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca (rotating/occasional voice)
Special Guest: Damien Woody

Episode Overview

This episode is all about anticipation and nerves ahead of Yankees-Red Sox Game 3, the deciding game in the MLB playoff series. Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg break down the pitching matchups, bullpen exhaustion, managerial strategies, and the pressure on key Yankee players—most notably Aaron Judge. The hour also features a lively conversation with Damien Woody about fandom, New York Giants rookie energy, and the frustration enveloping the New York Jets. Listeners weigh in on Yankees lineup decisions and the emotional stakes of the game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees vs. Red Sox: Game 3 Preview

Pitching Strategies, Pressure, and Bullpen Dynamics

• Both teams face uncertain starting pitching: Yankees turn to Cam Schlitler (local Boston kid but lifelong Yankees fan), while Red Sox hand the ball to young lefty Connolly Early.
• Discussed the “opener” strategy for both sides with potential quick hooks if pitchers get into trouble.
  • “Schlitler's not going to be allowed to get out of a, you know, bases loaded jam…he’s gone.” — Alan Hahn [02:00]
  • Boston's bullpen is "pretty spent." Chapman is their freshest big-name reliever.
• Analysis of potential bullpen order: Warren, Cruz, Bednar, Williams, and pitching on three straight days ("blow it all up" approach for elimination).
• Score projections vary: Rosenberg expects more offense, Hahn leans towards another close game given how managers will pull pitchers before things get away.

Notable Quote:
"You gave up four runs, I'm taking...you're not gonna get to that point." — Alan Hahn [07:28]

2. The Young Starters’ Backstories & Poise

• Both Schlitler and Early are young, without postseason experience—but Schlitler has given length and quality starts late in the season, and there's emotional subtext as a Boston kid facing the Red Sox.
  • “It’s a kind of cool story…how he’s got a chance to eliminate the Red Sox.” — Peter Rosenberg [04:31]
• Early’s poise is highlighted—despite inexperience, Boston trusts him in a massive spot.
  • “They have been most impressed with...the ability to show some poise.” — Rosenberg [08:41]
• Both haven't faced tonight’s opponents, which could briefly tilt things in pitchers’ favor due to unfamiliarity.

3. Yankees Lineup Decisions and Judge’s Moment

• Discussion on Yankees sticking with Ben Rice and Jazz in the lineup against a lefty due to the likelihood of Early’s early exit.
  • “I like this lineup. I didn't like the lineup in game one, but again that was against the lefty that was one of the best in baseball…” — Alan Hahn [43:06]
• Stat breakdowns and psychological readiness for both sides’ hitters.
• Focused debate on Aaron Judge, his performance (batting .500 in series, 1 RBI), and the looming sense this could be his “moment.”
  • “This is that first chance for him to have a moment that everybody’s been waiting for.” — Peter Rosenberg [14:05]
• Discussion about the legendary Bucky Dent homer anniversary and its poetic symmetry.

Memorable Segment:
“Doesn't tonight feel like that tone setting? … Judge hitting it out of the park is what you're waiting for.” — Peter Rosenberg [13:24]

4. Listener Calls: Defensive Strategy and Stakes

• Caller Steve suggests using Caballero to defensively replace Judge if Yankees have a late-inning lead — hosts firmly disagree.
  • “There's no scenario in which you're gonna take him out of the game.” — Alan Hahn [20:48]
• Anxiety about Alex Cora’s creativity as Red Sox manager and potential for late-game trickery.
• Another caller, Mike, articulates the embarrassment and failure if the Yankees lose after all the trash talk about the Mets.
  • “It would be like getting dumped by the beautiful girl…then the new girl you’re with slaps you in the face right in front of her.” — Don Hahn (caller, not host) [37:32]
• Debate about bullpen management: Should relievers like Bednar and Williams be used three days in a row in an elimination game? (Consensus: You have no choice.)

5. Damien Woody Interview — Fandom and Football

• Damian Woody surprises everyone: despite assumptions, he’s a Red Sox fan (due to Boston College), not a Yankees fan.
  • “If y'all want to cut the interview short, I completely understand.” — Damien Woody, joking [23:48]
• Reflects on what makes college baseball and Fenway unique from a fan perspective—roots for the ‘vibe.’
• Football talk: Raves about the infusion of “new juice” with Giants rookies (Jackson Dart at QB, Cam Scatter Boo at RB), crediting energy for the team’s best defensive outing.
  • “You introduce new energy, new juice, it permeates throughout the whole organization.” — Damien Woody [25:13]
• Warns about the risk of young QBs taking unnecessary hits, echoing advice from O-linemen to “just slide.”
  • “Get down. Like, get down. Like, he…he was fearless out there.” — Woody [27:45]
• Praises Giants’ rookie LB Abdul Carter, highlights the need for consistent defensive play.
• Frustration over the Jets’ inability to play smart and disciplined football, highlighting the psychological toll of being “that” team that always finds ways to lose.

Notable Quote:
“I damn near punched a hole in my TV…They are absolutely finding ways to lose games and not giving themselves a chance.” — Damien Woody [30:03]

• Storytime: Woody on playing for perpetually losing teams (Detroit), contrasting with his New England days.
  • “I literally went from the mountaintop to the valley low.” — Woody [31:57]
  • “All guys want to see is…we put all this work in during the week…we just want it to pay off. But it can only pay off if you give yourself a chance by not committing stupid penalties and crazy turnovers.” — Woody [32:55]

6. Live MLB Updates and Rapid-Fire Observations

• Frequent check-ins on other playoff games (Tigers-Guardians, Cubs-Padres) and quick baseball insights as action unfolds.
• Playoff atmosphere, short leashes for starting pitchers, and tough late-inning decisions are constant topics.

Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• "You just know that [Chapman] can be overpowering, but he also can lose control fast." — Peter Rosenberg [03:56]
• “I think the first sign of trouble…he’s not going to let him get out of it.” — Alan Hahn on Schlitler’s leash [05:40]
• “You’d be using Williams three days in a row as well...He ended up going two innings. But...it’s three straight days.” — Alan Hahn [40:44]
• “Cora went all for it in game two...that is a weakened staff.” — Peter Rosenberg [40:26]
• “You can't do it, man...[taking out Judge for defense]...There's no scenario in which you're going to take him out of the game.” — Alan Hahn [19:05, 20:48]
• “It’s almost worse than going to the World Series and blowing it there again. Like we need to win this.” — Don Hahn (caller) [38:04]
• On the pain of being on losing teams: “Any little…thing that happens in a negative tone, guys are already starting to check out. They're already like, oh, here we go again.” — Damien Woody [32:20]

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 01:12 | Game 3 anticipation—quick-start stories | | 02:00 | Breakdown of pitching matchups and bullpen plans | | 04:30 | Schlitler’s Boston ties and emotional angle | | 08:41 | Early’s poise, Yankees’ struggles vs. lefties | | 13:24 | Is tonight Judge’s “moment”? | | 14:16 | Bucky Dent home run anniversary | | 17:07 | Caller Steve on defensive replacement for Judge | | 22:35 | Damien Woody joins, reveals Red Sox fandom | | 25:13 | Woody on Giants’ rookie energy giving team new life | | 30:03 | Woody’s frustration over Jets’ self-inflicted wounds | | 31:57 | Woody on being part of losing vs. winning franchises | | 37:32 | Caller Mike: emotional humiliation if Yankees lose | | 40:26 | Discussion of bullpen usage on three straight days | | 43:06 | Yankees lineup choices and game variables |

Tone, Flow, and Takeaways

The energy is a mix of anxious and excited—a true playoff atmosphere. Alan and Peter toggle between strategic baseball analysis, lived New York sports lore, and trademark banter, while callers bring authentic fan anxiety. The interview with Damien Woody adds depth—switching gears from baseball to football but maintaining the episode's theme: how team “juice,” leadership, and psychological scars play into big moments.

If you missed this episode, you’d come away understanding:

• Why Yankees fans are so invested and nervous ahead of Game 3
• The strategic chess match facing both managers with tired bullpens and rookie starters
• The continued elevation of Aaron Judge as the face of October expectations
• That in New York, emotional stakes—both in baseball and football—are always sky-high, intensified by history and public trash talk

For more: Listen to Don, Hahn & Rosenberg weekdays at 3pm on ESPN New York or catch the podcast on demand.