Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Howie Rose Joins the Show

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Host/Authors: ESPN New York, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Episode: Hour 3: Howie Rose Joins the Show
• Release Date: March 26, 2025
• Description: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into New York sports and beyond, discussing current events, team dynamics, and personal insights with guests.

1. Introduction of Guest: Howie Rose

The episode kicks off with Alan Hahn welcoming Howie Rose, a legendary broadcaster, to the show. The hosts express their enthusiasm for Howie's presence, highlighting his extensive experience in sports broadcasting.

• Alan Hahn (03:00): "The man on the call, Howie Rose, one of my favorite people in this business joining us right now."

2. Discussion on Replay Reviews in Hockey

The conversation transitions to the complexities and frustrations surrounding replay reviews in hockey, particularly focusing on goal interference and the clarity of officiating decisions.

• Howie Rose (01:50): "You know, if you're not gonna make a call that we're all saw with our own eyes, it's almost like, why even bother reviewing it?"
• Peter Rosenberg (02:35): "Dave Maloney brings that up all the time... the Energy gets taken out of the building and it's like, come on, it does get a little ridiculous."

Key Points:

• Replay reviews often undermine the flow and pace of the game.
• Ambiguity in what constitutes goaltender interference leads to inconsistent calls.
• The technology, while advanced, sometimes detracts from common sense decisions.

3. Baseball Season and Mets Coverage

The hosts briefly touch on the upcoming baseball season, mentioning the Yankees and Mets schedules, before diving deeper into their analysis of the Mets’ prospects with the addition of Juan Soto.

• Alan Hahn (03:00): "The baseball season begins tomorrow... the new Mets season. The Mets in Houston to take on the Astros."

4. The Mets’ Ownership and Team Dynamics

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the Mets’ ownership under John Mara and the prevailing sentiment among fans regarding ownership's impact on team performance.

• Peter Rosenberg (04:35): "Why does it seem so important who owns the town? I want to win a championship, Howie. I don't care who owns the town."
• Howie Rose (04:02): "The dialogue has become prevalent via social media... we have to focus on ourselves and win some games."

Key Points:

• Fans are increasingly distracted by discussions about team ownership rather than focusing on on-field performance.
• Social media amplifies fan opinions, making it harder to maintain a unified supporter base.
• The need to prioritize team success over popularity battles with other franchises.

5. Evolution of Starting Pitchers in Baseball

The conversation shifts to the evolving role of starting pitchers in baseball, with Howie Rose expressing nostalgia for an era where pitchers were central to the game's excitement.

• Peter Rosenberg (05:03): "Howie, are you a little bit less exciting when it comes to pitching matchups in 2025 baseball?"
• Howie Rose (05:27): "The starting pitcher is far from irrelevant, but he's not the game-long factor... we miss the days when Seaver and Carlton would go at it on opening day."

Key Points:

• Modern bullpen usage has diminished the starting pitcher's role as the game’s focal point.
• There’s a desire to return to a time when starting pitchers dominated the narrative.
• Concerns about pitchers’ health due to increased pitch counts and lack of foundational training in youth leagues.

6. Strategies for Building a Strong Pitching Staff

Howie Rose elaborates on potential strategies for organizations to nurture dominant starting pitchers, emphasizing long-term developmental approaches.

• Howie Rose (07:29): "If somebody were to come into an organization that's building from the ground up and said, we're going to groom our pitchers to go as deep as they can, I'd be interested to see how that would work out."
• Alan Hahn (08:04): "If you asked fans, what change would you like to see... you're going back to something that you knew worked."

Key Points:

• Investment in pitcher development requires patience and long-term commitment.
• Addressing youth pitching mechanics to prevent injuries and build resilience.
• Potential organizational shifts to prioritize starting pitchers could rejuvenate the role’s importance.

7. Analysis of the Mets’ Current Roster and Future Prospects

The hosts discuss the Mets’ roster, focusing on key players like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, and their influence on the team’s dynamics and future contracts.

• Howie Rose (09:31): "They went as high as they did for Soto because he's only 26... not going to lock in long-term deals for players like Corbin Burns or Blake Snell."
• Peter Rosenberg (10:39): "Is that Stern's philosophy with a rotation?"

Key Points:

• Strategic investments in young, high-potential players versus veterans.
• Balancing contract lengths and financial commitments to maintain team flexibility.
• The impact of player development and health on long-term success.

8. Revisiting Rangers’ Historical Players and Honors

Howie Rose and Peter Rosenberg delve into the New York Rangers’ history, discussing the lack of recognition for legendary players like Frank Boucher, Bill Cook, and Lester Patrick.

• Peter Rosenberg (21:44): "Why do they not celebrate the Cooks and the Borcher and Lester Patrick?"
• Howie Rose (22:12): "Stan Fischler continues to pump the tires of Frank Boucher and Cook... guys like Ching Johnson, Lester Patrick should have some sort of recognition."

Key Points:

• Rangers' current honors focus mainly on recent history, neglecting foundational legends.
• Comparison with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who honor players through commemorative banners.
• Upcoming 100th anniversary as a potential opportunity to properly honor historic figures.

9. Russell Wilson’s Transition to NFL Giants and Leadership Dynamics

A substantial segment is dedicated to analyzing Russell Wilson’s move to the New York Giants, his fit within the team, and the potential leadership challenges alongside emerging quarterbacks.

• Alan Hahn (30:21): "Russell Wilson is in New York, planning on coming tonight here to Madison Square Garden."
• Peter Rosenberg (32:00): "Winston can win this job from him... there's some phoniness to him that comes across negative to his teammates."

Key Points:

• Wilson’s reputation for being a "phonic" and calculated communicator.
• Comparison with former quarterbacks like Ryan Fitzpatrick and their impact based on team performance.
• Speculation on the emergence of new quarterback talents like Winston challenging Wilson’s position.
• The importance of genuine leadership in the high-pressure New York sports environment.

10. Future of the Giants' Quarterback Position

The discussion extends to the Giants’ quarterback strategy, debating the merits of investing in veterans versus drafting new talent to build a sustainable team.

• Alan Hahn (43:21): "What would I expect?"
• Peter Rosenberg (46:07): "Joe Montana was a third-round pick... You have to fight to find a gem."

Key Points:

• The potential benefits of drafting a young quarterback versus relying on established veterans.
• Historical examples of successful quarterbacks drafted in later rounds.
• The necessity of surrounding quarterbacks with a strong supporting cast to maximize effectiveness.

11. Listener Call-In: Steelers and Justin Fields’ Situation

Listener Walter from Brooklyn shares his perspective on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to bench Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson, raising questions about team strategy and player management.

• Walter (47:55): "They wanted Fields back and I think they would have taken them and then also drafted a quarterback to have a competition."
• Peter Rosenberg (50:19): "Why would a 10 and 3 team... throw away a 103 season on a one and done in the wild card?"

Key Points:

• Debate over the Steelers’ motivations behind the quarterback benching strategy.
• Speculation on internal team decisions prioritizing draft pick outcomes over immediate performance.
• Analysis of the trade’s implications on team chemistry and future prospects.

12. Adherence to Guest Contributions and Authenticity

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Howie Rose emphasize the importance of authentic communication and strategic decision-making in sports management.

• Howie Rose (25:35): "I reserve judgment on [Soto]... He doesn't have to do what David Wright used to do."
• Peter Rosenberg (37:13): "If Winston or Wilson... New York... they’re going to sniff out that phoniness and expose it."

Key Points:

• Balancing player personalities with team cohesion.
• The critical role of genuine leadership in maintaining fan support and team integrity.
• Ensuring transparent and sincere interactions with fans to build trust and loyalty.

13. Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

The episode concludes with the hosts discussing upcoming topics, including player origin stories and anticipation for future guest contributions. They also touch on advertising segments briefly but maintain focus on the main content.

• Alan Hahn (29:16): "Catch the show on demand whenever you want... All right, it's time now for a tournament update brought to you by Schweppes."
• Peter Rosenberg (37:54): "There's something very off-putting about it... if they do play well, we'll eat it up with a spoon."

Key Points:

• Encouragement for listeners to engage with future episodes and subscribe.
• Brief mentions of upcoming sports events and promotional segments.
• Reinforcement of the show’s commitment to delivering insightful and authentic sports discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Howie Rose (01:50): "It's almost like, why even bother reviewing it if you're not gonna make a call that we all saw with our own eyes."

• Peter Rosenberg (05:03): "Are you a little bit less exciting when it comes to pitching matchups in 2025 baseball?"

• Howie Rose (07:29): "I miss the days when Seaver and Carlton would go at it on opening day."

• Peter Rosenberg (16:14): "Does he factor in... the value of what he could bring could make him invaluable to the Mets because of Juan Soto?"

• Howie Rose (22:12): "You are preaching to the choir, my friend... It's not even a recency bias anymore."

• Peter Rosenberg (32:00): "If Winston or Wilson... New York... they're going to sniff out that phoniness and expose it."

Conclusion: In this engaging episode, hosts Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg, alongside guest Howie Rose, explore a range of topics from the intricacies of sports officiating to the strategic management of baseball and football teams. Through insightful discussions and expert analysis, they provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the current sports landscape in New York, emphasizing the importance of authentic leadership, strategic player development, and the evolving dynamics within major sports franchises.