Podcast Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Game 7 Greatness in Toronto

Air date: November 3, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Theme: Reliving the legendary Game 7 in Toronto, unforgettable injuries that shaped seasons or franchises, and listener calls reflecting on the greatest moments in sports.

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the electric aftermath of Game 7 of the World Series in Toronto, widely hailed as one of the most intense, dramatic baseball games ever played. Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg (Don is not present this hour) break down the emotional rollercoaster of being a New York sports fan, debate the impact of catastrophic sports injuries, and highlight unforgettable plays and moments from recent (and not-so-recent) games. Listener calls bring in personal memories and raise classic sports questions, from greatest catches to the legacy of playoff heartbreaks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Game 7 in Toronto – “Rarified Air” (08:00–19:41)

• Electrifying Baseball Drama: The hosts and callers agree Game 7 delivered on every level, mixing tension, drama, and unbelievable plays.

• Memorable Defensive Play: Callers highlight the mind-blowing catch by a late-inning defensive substitute, comparing it to all-time great baseball catches.

  • "That was the greatest catch in the history of Major League Baseball. There is no other play... By another order of pontine, however you say that in Canada, for the rest of his life, he was going to be eating cheese curds for the rest of his life for free. And it got taken away from him." – Danny (12:23)

• Comparisons to Iconic Sports Moments:

  • The Ray Allen three-pointer in Game 6 of the NBA Finals is referenced as a similar moment of pure, heart-stopping sports drama.
  • Callers debate whether this catch, given the context and the “win or go home” situation, eclipses other legendary plays.

• The Unique Torture of Game 7s:

  • The hosts stress how nothing in sports matches the drama of a seventh game where “there is no tomorrow.”

  • “This was one team is going to lose, one team's going to win in this moment. Crazy.” – Hahn (09:02)

• Listener Memories: Callers reminisce about legendary games, including the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win, emphasizing how context and history amplify great moments.

  • “You can't beat the 2016 game seven between Cubs and Cleveland.” – Nick (17:00)

2. Sports Injuries That Changed Everything (02:12–07:55, 24:39–32:05)

• Heartbreak for NY Fans:
  • The agony of being a Jets fan is a recurring theme, with the Aaron Rodgers injury serving as a metaphor for decades of dashed hopes.
  • The conversation spins into a poignant debate about “franchise-altering” injuries in NY sports history:
    • Vinny Testaverde’s torn Achilles.
    • Patrick Ewing’s wrist injury (“That might have been the last true chance to win with him.” – Peter, 06:00).
• Across the Sports World:
  • RGIII’s knee injury with Washington, David Robinson/Sean Elliott’s injuries with the Spurs (which led to drafting Tim Duncan and launching Popovich's dynasty).
  • Listeners bring up Aaron Judge’s toe injury (“could have broken his own [home run] record”; 32:14).
• Athlete Instincts and Injury Prevention:

  • The hosts discuss how, especially for quarterbacks and running backs, learning how to fall and avoid catastrophic injury is an underappreciated art.

  • “There is a bit of an art form to it, but when you're constantly moving…” — Hahn (28:14)

3. Greatness Under Pressure: Pitchers and Legends (15:22–19:41)

• Madison Bumgarner vs. Yamamoto:
  • Debated as the greatest World Series pitching performance. The argument centers on rest, innings pitched, and postseason context.
  • “Yamamoto was obviously multiple innings plus. But yeah, yeah, Bumgarner, that's…a huge…to come in and pitch four or five innings of relief in game seven after pitching a complete game Game Five.” – Rosenberg (15:24)
• What Makes a Play or Performance Iconic?
  • How do context and history make certain moments unforgettable?
  • The hosts note that Game 7 itself could be a 30-for-30 documentary — “if I told you I’m gonna make this movie... nobody’s gonna believe it.” (18:56)

4. Coping With Sports Fandom & Changing Mindsets (02:53–05:02, 43:45–47:38)

• Emotional Resilience:

  • Peter reveals that repeated disappointment has made him “dead inside” as a fan:
    • “That broke you permanently. You never recovered...How can I be upset? I should know better. This is just what happens.” – Rosenberg (03:55–04:12)
  • Alan pushes back, still believing in hope after a change in Jets ownership.

• Jets and Giants Trauma:

  • The cyclical nature of hope and heartbreak for NY football fans.
  • Comparison to dealing with injuries: what silver linings do fans — and players — look for in the aftermath?

• Quarterbacks: Resurrection Stories:

  • Sam Darnold and Joe Flacco’s resurgence after struggling with the Jets – “He just looks like he has full command of that offense.” – Rosenberg (41:58)
  • Discussion on how NFL careers can revive with the right support and timing.

5. Listener Calls & Lighter Moments

• Caller “Danny’s 17-Minute Flex” (10:06–15:16):

  • Comic relief as Danny describes how his wife falling asleep allowed him to “watch the full game.” The hosts riff hilariously on the “flex” of a 17-minute tryst before sports time.
  • “17 is probably exaggerated. It’s probably nine, right? He went up to 17.” — Hahn (14:44)

• Honest Athletes and Openness About Injury (29:09–31:57):

  • The hosts note a new era where players, like Josh Hart, are more forthcoming about playing hurt.
  • “I certainly prefer the honesty.” – Hahn (31:54)

• Appreciating the Pure Joy of Great Sports (47:45–50:09):

  • “Unscripted. It was so…Oh, it was the best World Series I’ve ever seen, really. And I’m 70 years old and for me to be engaged with two teams, I could care less…” – Caller Richard (47:45)
  • “...This was like watching Sinatra or Michelangelo. It was beautiful baseball. There were no losers here. One was just a little more unlucky than the other.” – Richard (48:03)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Franchise-Altering Injuries:
  • “Maybe it's a true curse. Maybe it’s a real thing and I’ve just let go.” – Rosenberg (04:41)
• On Game 7 Energy:
  • “It’s rarefied air... this play is either going to win it or lose it. That’s it. There is no tomorrow for both teams, not just for one, not an elimination game." – Hahn (09:02)
• On the Catch That Changed Everything:
  • “I said Sandy Amoros’ catch...This is the greatest catch in the history of Major League Baseball—when you put in the totality of the circumstances.” – Danny (12:23)
• Sports as Ultimate Reality TV:
  • “Professional sports...It’s the greatest reality show in the world.” – Rosenberg (19:41)
• On Quarterbacks' Late-Career Surges:
  • “There’s some franchises that might think, ‘I could do worse [than Flacco].’” – Rosenberg (43:33)

Key Timestamps

• Jets/Giants heartbreak and “the curse” – 02:12–07:55
• Greatest injury moments in NY sports – 05:26–06:46
• Moving into the Game 7 baseball discussion – 07:55–19:41
• Danny’s legendary call – 10:06–15:16 (including the 17-minute debate)
• Iconic pitching performances: Bumgarner/Yamamoto – 15:22–19:41
• Why “Game 7” is special; sports as reality TV – 17:00–19:41
• Listener brings up Cubs-Indians 2016 Game 7 – 17:00
• Injuries that changed franchises: RGIII, Judge, Admiral – 24:39–32:05
• Athlete intuition and learning to fall – 27:28–29:02
• Honesty about injuries (Knicks/Carl Anthony Towns/Hart) – 29:09–31:54
• Quarterback resurgences and management – 40:34–47:38
• Caller Richard’s love letter to baseball & final thoughts – 47:45–50:09

Tone & Language

• Conversational and witty, with quintessential New York sports fandom edge
• Blends heartfelt sports nostalgia, exasperation, and playful ribbing
• Quick, irreverent banter, especially around personal stories and callers' quirks

Final Thought

This hour shines as a celebration of what makes sports transcendent: the unlikely, the miraculous, and the heartbreakingly human. Whether it’s the agony of an injury, the catharsis of Game 7 drama, or the surprise joy of a random Tuesday night victory, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg remind listeners why they love – and hate – being sports fans, with every ounce of New York energy.