Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Episode Summary: Hour 3 - Judge vs Jeter Reaction

Release Date: June 10, 2025

In the third hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into a heated and insightful discussion comparing New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge to the legendary Derek Jeter. The conversation primarily revolves around the criteria for defining greatness in baseball, the significance of championship rings, and how individual performance intertwines with team success.

1. Introduction to the Debate: Aaron Judge vs. Derek Jeter

The episode kicks off with a passionate debate initiated by Don La Greca questioning whether Aaron Judge needs to win a World Series to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in baseball history.

Don La Greca [00:44]: "Allen talked about Judge has to win a title because how can you be considered the greatest in the game if you don't have a ring?"

Peter Rosenberg immediately clarifies his stance, acknowledging Judge's statistical prowess while emphasizing the challenge of swaying Yankee fans' perceptions without a championship.

Peter Rosenberg [00:57]: "Yes. I am not arguing that he is not on pace and what he's doing is historic. He is already. You can make the argument he's the best right-handed hitter in the sport ever."

2. The Importance of Championships in Defining Greatness

The hosts explore the traditional view that winning championships is a crucial benchmark for greatness, especially within the Yankees' storied franchise.

Peter Rosenberg [01:15]: "But what I'm saying that while facts on paper and all that stuff, you can make this argument in a court of law but the jury are the Yankee fans and I don't think you can convince the jury without a championship."

Don counters by highlighting the Yankees' consistent playoff appearances, suggesting that despite Judge's individual achievements, the team's ability to secure titles is paramount in fan evaluations.

Don La Greca [03:05]: "They are the jury, but I don't think. Why are they the jury? Because, again, they live in this falsehood of we're the New York Yankees and we win championships."

3. Statistical Analysis: Regular Season vs. Postseason Performance

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Aaron Judge's regular-season statistics compared to his postseason performances, juxtaposed with Derek Jeter's clutch playoff moments.

Don La Greca [05:00]: "What he's doing on the field is something that, you know, Jeter was never going to be someone with 30 home runs."

The conversation delves into Judge's postseason batting average (.205 in 58 games) and his contribution of home runs and RBIs, questioning whether these numbers sufficiently support his case for greatness without securing a World Series title.

Don La Greca [05:53]: "He's a .205 hitter in 58 postseason games. You can't just got 16 home runs and 34 RBIs."

Peter emphasizes the complexity of baseball, where individual brilliance doesn't always translate to championships due to the sport's inherent unpredictability.

4. Fan Bias and the Yankee Legacy

The hosts discuss how Yankees fans, with their high expectations and historical success, may have a biased viewpoint that prioritizes championships over individual statistics.

Don La Greca [07:15]: "But no other team is saying that because it's baseball. It's not basketball where you control the game."

They compare this to other sports, noting that in basketball and football, individual players like quarterbacks are often judged by their championship counts, a standard being similarly applied to baseball players like Judge.

5. Comparisons to Other Sports: Clutch Performers and Championships

To contextualize the debate, Peter Rosenberg draws parallels with other sports, citing players like Connor McDavid in hockey and Josh Allen in football, questioning the fairness of equating individual greatness solely to championship victories.

Peter Rosenberg [09:12]: "It's like Connor McDavid right now, watching him in the finals. That's why that game last night pissed me off, because the Oilers just. They were not ready to play and their heads were up their ass."

Don counters by reiterating baseball's unique structure, where the game's flow doesn't allow a single player to dominate as directly as in other sports.

6. Callers’ Perspectives: Supporting Both Sides

Throughout the episode, callers like Alan Hahn and Mickey Callaway add depth to the discussion, presenting arguments favoring both Judge and Jeter.

Alan Hahn [41:10]: "Aaron Judge is infinitely better than Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter is greater than Aaron Judge."

Mickey Callaway [29:13]: "Aaron Judge hasn't won any championships yet, but his regular-season contributions are undeniable."

These perspectives highlight the multifaceted nature of evaluating greatness, balancing statistical achievements with clutch performances and team success.

7. Concluding Thoughts: The Need for a Championship to Settle the Debate

As the episode winds down, the hosts converge on the idea that while Aaron Judge's numbers and regular-season dominance are impressive, a World Series title remains a pivotal factor in solidifying his legacy akin to that of Derek Jeter.

Peter Rosenberg [47:07]: "This is the Jordan versus LeBron conversation. You can't win this. It's just going to go on forever. And all what it's going to take is for Judge and the Yankees to win a championship, and then the conversation ends."

Notable Quotes

• Don La Greca [00:44]: "Judge has to win a title because how can you be considered the greatest in the game if you don't have a ring?"

• Peter Rosenberg [00:57]: "I am not arguing that he is not on pace and what he's doing is historic."

• Don La Greca [05:00]: "Judge and what he's doing on the field is something that, you know, Jeter was never going to be someone with 30 home runs."

• Peter Rosenberg [09:12]: "It's like Connor McDavid right now, watching him in the finals. [...] you feel that way about Connor McDavid."

• Don La Greca [07:15]: "But no other team is saying that because it's baseball. It's not basketball where you control the game."

• Alan Hahn [41:10]: "Aaron Judge is infinitely better than Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter is greater than Aaron Judge."

• Peter Rosenberg [47:07]: "And all what it's going to take is for Judge and the Yankees to win a championship, and then the conversation ends."

Conclusion

The episode presents a comprehensive examination of the ongoing debate surrounding Aaron Judge's place in baseball history compared to Derek Jeter. While Judge's extraordinary regular-season performance and individual accolades position him among the elite, the lack of a World Series title serves as a significant hurdle in definining his ultimate legacy. The discussion underscores the complex interplay between individual excellence and team success, particularly within the high-pressure environment of Major League Baseball and the unique expectations of the New York Yankees' fanbase.

Listeners who haven't tuned in will find this episode a compelling exploration of what truly defines greatness in sports, enriched by passionate arguments and diverse perspectives from both hosts and callers.