Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 3: Here Comes The Happy
Release Date: June 18, 2025

Yankees' Struggles and Aaron Boone’s Management

Discussion Overview:
The primary focus of this episode centers on the New York Yankees' recent underperformance and the managerial strategies of Aaron Boone. Hosts Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into Boone's handling of the team's struggles, particularly emphasizing his approach to media interactions and internal team dynamics.

Key Points:

• Yankees' Recent Performance:
  The Yankees have experienced a rough patch, including being shut out for the third consecutive game and blowing a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning (00:45). This downturn has sparked discussions about Boone's managerial effectiveness and his public relations strategies.

• Closed-Door Meetings Controversy:
  A significant portion of the conversation revolves around whether Boone held a "players-only meeting" after the latest loss. While initial reports suggested a closed-door session, Boone later refuted this, stating, “it wasn’t a reaming session” (01:35). Hosts and callers debate the implications of Boone's statements, questioning the transparency and perceived defensiveness.

• Authenticity in Press Conferences:
  Don Hahn criticizes Boone for maintaining an overly positive demeanor despite the team's performance issues. He asserts, “Why does everything have to be rosy? Everything’s fine when it’s clearly not fine?” (07:45). The hosts argue that Boone's reluctance to acknowledge current problems undermines his credibility and disconnects him from fans' frustrations.

• Comparisons with Former Managers:
  The hosts draw parallels between Boone and past Yankees managers like Billy Martin and Joe Girardi. They highlight how previous leaders expressed frustration more openly, which some believe fostered better team morale and fan support (14:00).

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “Can you at least embrace the fact that things are not good right now?” (07:25)

• Don Hahn:
  “If all you're going to be is a robot and everything's unicorn and rainbows, I'm going to keep using that until it gets through everybody's head.” (10:35)

Caller Perspectives and Debates

Caller 1 and Caller 2 contribute significantly to the discussion, offering varying viewpoints on Boone's management style and the Yankees' performance trajectory.

• Accountability and Team Morale:
  Callers emphasize the need for Boone to take accountability and demonstrate frustration when warranted. Caller 2 remarks, “He has to have some latitude to be a human being,” suggesting that Boone's controlled demeanor may be stifling genuine team communication (03:23).

• Long-Term Impact on Team Culture:
  The conversation touches upon the long-term cultural impact of Boone's management. There's concern that without authentic leadership, the team may not address underlying issues effectively, potentially leading to prolonged underperformance.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller 2:
  “Why can’t you react to the moment and handle it and just show that you’re human?” (07:45)

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “This is why we joke about Michael never getting in a fight with Jody. Does that make sense? You’ve been married to a woman for 15 years. You never had one fight. There’s something wrong with that.” (17:05)

Historical Context and Organizational Changes

The hosts provide historical context by comparing Boone's current strategies with those of past Yankees managers and owners. They discuss how the organization's culture has shifted over the past 40 years, moving towards a more corporate and less authentic interaction style.

Key Points:

• Shift from Tradition to Corporate:
  Don Hahn reflects on the transformation of the Yankees' organizational culture, noting a shift from the passionate, fiery leadership of managers like Billy Martin to Boone's more restrained approach (14:00).

• Impact on Fan Relations:
  There's an expressed sentiment that New York fans prefer the raw and passionate interactions of past managers. The corporate image Boone projects may be alienating the traditional fanbase looking for genuine emotional connections (14:47).

Notable Quotes:

• Don Hahn:
  “It’s incredible how far that thing has turned completely around.” (14:06)

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “He’s not the kind of guy to get rip roaring mad because there’s no evidence that he’s ever been like that. No, there’s plenty of evidence.” (08:26)

Mets' Performance and Player Concerns

Shifting focus from the Yankees, Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg briefly discuss the New York Mets' recent performances, highlighting key player issues and potential strategic changes.

Key Points:

• Alvarez’s Performance:
  The Mets' catcher Alvarez is under scrutiny due to inconsistent hitting post-injury. While there's optimism about his exit velocity improving, concerns remain about his ability to perform consistently (27:34).

• Defensive Strategies:
  Discussions include the debate over whether Renz should be the full-time catcher, given his superior defensive capabilities compared to Alvarez (30:21).

Notable Quotes:

• Don Hahn:
  “He’s making contact, making good contact, right? That’s kind of what he’s saying there. He’s getting over 100 on his Velo exit velocity.” (28:17)

Fan Engagement and Final Thoughts

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts interact with additional callers, further exploring fan frustrations and historical comparisons to past baseball eras. They emphasize the importance of reacting authentically to current team struggles to maintain credibility and fan support.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg:
  “I'm not asking him to turn over the table. I'm not asking him to set fire to the press conference. I'm not asking him to be fired.” (23:36)

• Don Hahn:
  “It feels like someone went to him and said, if you're asked about team meeting, there was no team meeting. Make sure you make that clear because it's a sign of panic.” (23:50)

Conclusion

The episode provides a comprehensive critique of Aaron Boone's managerial approach amidst the Yankees' current challenges. Hosts and callers alike advocate for more genuine and transparent leadership to navigate the team's difficulties, drawing lessons from the organization's storied past. The discussion extends to the Mets, highlighting broader themes of leadership, accountability, and fan engagement within New York's major league teams.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Don Hahn (07:45):
  “Why does everything have to be rosy? Everything’s fine when it’s clearly not fine?”

• Peter Rosenberg (07:25):
  “Can you at least embrace the fact that things are not good right now?”

• Caller 2 (03:23):
  “He has to have some latitude to be a human being.”

• Peter Rosenberg (17:05):
  “You’ve been married to a woman for 15 years. You never had one fight. There’s something wrong with that.”

• Don Hahn (14:06):
  “It’s incredible how far that thing has turned completely around.”

• Don Hahn (23:50):
  “Make sure you make that clear because it’s a sign of panic.”

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and are indicative of where quotes occur within the episode.