Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Knowing Your Bases

Date: March 31, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Theme: New York Sports, Mets-Yankees Drama, Relationship "Bases," and Sports Culture

Episode Overview

Hour 3 of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast dives into iconic sports debates, the nuances of team chemistry (with a special focus on the Mets' clubhouse drama between Lindor and Soto), and a spirited, hilarious dissection of the metaphorical "relationship bases." With classic banter, listener calls, and plenty of pop culture asides, the hour is a lively ride through the intersection of sports, society, and humor. The show maintains its trademark blend of sarcasm, sports insight, New York edge, and sheer entertainment.

Key Discussion Points

1. Music & Cultural Banter (00:44–04:41)

• Huey Lewis & "We Are The World" Stories
  • The hour kicks off with a lively discussion about Huey Lewis and observations from the "We Are the World" video.
    • Don: "Michael gives this look of like, what in the hell is this guy doing? Who is this?" (02:57)
    • Peter: "Then you got Bruce, like, he's giving birth out of his butt—but he's Bruce Springsteen, so nobody says anything." (03:55)
  • The hosts jokingly compare and contrast the musical quirks of iconic artists, segueing into how perceived legends get away with more simply due to reputation.

2. Celebrating Stan Fischler’s 94th Birthday (06:01–08:38)

• The crew pays heartfelt tribute to renowned hockey writer Stan Fischler, emphasizing his impact both professionally and personally.
  • Alan: "If not for him, I would have never had my first television experience... he was always willing to give you a chance." (06:33)
  • Peter: Highlights Stan’s dual passions—hockey and the New York subway system—mentioning Fischler's books on both topics. (07:22)

3. The "Relationship Bases" Debate (08:45–13:33; 27:25–30:00)

• Semantic Sports-Relationship Metaphors:
  • The show launches into a spirited debate about what each "base" represents in romantic/physical relationships.
    • Don: "You're focusing on the wrong part...the thing that we're all in lockstep about is what is at first and then second." (09:26)
    • Peter: Disagrees with “second base” definitions, insisting: “I just cannot in good conscience put those two things on the same base.” (09:13)
• Societal Consensus (“What’s Second Base?”):
  • Don: “Society...has never...I've never heard someone say that.” (13:09)
  • Highlights on-air and production team polling—universally, Peter is outnumbered regarding “what’s second base?”
  • Frequent callbacks throughout the show and calls for a “podcast-only” discussion to drop their broadcast constraints and speak freely.

4. Mets Clubhouse Drama: Lindor vs. Soto (17:52–22:54)

• Caller Tessa’s Question: (17:52)
  • Raises concerns about potential tension between Mets stars Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor, specifically after a perceived snub (lack of handshake/hug on Opening Day).
    • Tessa: “Is Soto fitting in going to be the problem, or does the culture have to adjust to him? Because if it comes down to ego vs. chemistry, that’s an issue for the Mets.” (18:49)
• Host Reactions:
  • Peter: “When you want the world to know you don’t like that person, what you’re doing is, I want you to be on my side when the blank hits the fan...” (20:35)
  • Alan: “This gets cleared up very easily—if there’s nothing there, in a few days we’ll see them hanging out and that’s the end of it. Or, weeks will pass, and we’ll know it’s real.” (21:25)
• Cultural/Clubhouse Dynamics:
  • Discussion about leadership responsibility (the expectation that Lindor, as de facto leader, must address the issue first), and speculation over whether Puerto Rican-Dominican cultural rivalry may influence personalities. (30:10–31:07)

5. Jets, Geno Smith, and "Promised Land" Quote Outrage (32:15–36:15)

• Caller Cameron’s Question (NFL context):
  • Refers to Aaron Glenn’s “Geno can lead us to the promised land” quote, originally interpreted as hyperbole.
    • Alan: “When you see it out of context...the reaction is, ‘What promised land?’” (32:15)
    • Peter: “They're just trying to send the message to the tanking Jets world...we got Geno Smith to help us win games.” (33:53)
  • After playing the full Glenn quote, consensus is that Glenn simply means Geno can help the Jets be competitive, not that he’ll deliver a Super Bowl.
• Broader Sports Communication:
  • A reminder that media-sensationalized snippets often warp intent and context.
    • Alan to Cameron: “Did you change your mind now, when you heard it in context?” (34:57)

6. More Classic Nostalgia and Callbacks

• Random Patriots & NFL Player Debates (36:32–39:52)
  • Lighthearted “strange pull” conversation: which obscure Patriots players from the early 2000s would be odd references today? (Mike Vrabel, Ben Watson, Deion Branch, David Patton, etc.)
• Relationship Longevity & Sentiments:
  • Alan: “You know what I want? I want to live one minute more than my wife...I can’t live without her.” (45:44)
  • Podmates roast him with affection: “That’s very nice, Peter.”/“Now that’s cornball.” (45:52–45:59)

7. College Basketball Nostalgia & Yukon-Duke (47:01–49:52)

• Caller Richard: Old-school memories and lauding “four-year guys”: Dantley, Ewing, Ford.
  • Focused breakdown of Yukon’s impactful play and what separates clutch shooters.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Music Icons & TV:
  • “You walk away from the label meeting going, nah, we’re all set here.” – Don (01:39)
• On Stan Fischler:
  • “If not for him, I would have never had my first television experience...he was always willing to give you a chance.” – Alan (06:33)
  • “His two passions: hockey and subways.” – Peter (07:31)
• On “Second Base” Debate:
  • “I have never...interviewed the greatest porn stars of all time...no one has ever in their life, said what Peter said was second base.” – Don (13:09)
• On Mets Chemistry:
  • “That first handshake was not nearly as warm and exciting as the rest of these.” – Alan (20:10)
  • “If you’re Lindor...you’re the one that needs to set that tone right away.” – Alan (22:13)
• On Living Long:
  • “It’s a level of arrogance to discuss.” – Peter (45:33)

Important Timestamps

• 00:44–04:41 - Banter on music, "We Are the World" video, and generational pop culture.
• 06:01–08:38 - Stan Fischler's 94th birthday tribute and his impact on the hosts.
• 08:45–13:33 - “Bases” debate; origins, societal agreement (or lack thereof), and comic escalation.
• 17:52–22:54 - Calls about Mets soap opera: Lindor & Soto’s chemistry, leadership, and clubhouse dynamics.
• 27:25–30:00 - “Bases” debate revisited with more nuance and lighter, off-air wishes.
• 32:15–36:15 - Geno Smith “promised land” media coverage and the dangers of decontextualized quotes.
• 36:32–39:52 - Patriots nostalgia and what constitutes a “strange player pull.”
• 45:44–46:45 - Alan’s “one minute longer” with his wife and the affectionate crew reactions.
• 47:01–49:52 - College basketball history, four-year greats, and breakdown of Yukon-Duke tourney moments by Richard.

Tone & Style

• Friendly, irreverent, deeply New York, with sharp humor, familial ribbing.
• Fast-paced, digressive, but always circles back to sports and life.
• Engaged with callers and listeners, amplifying community/tribal sports radio feel.

Summary Takeaways

• This hour blends classic sports radio staples—music riffs, sports metaphors, team drama—with distinctly New York flavor and self-aware entertainment.
• The Mets’ leadership question looms amid an early-season culture clash, echoing broader themes of ego vs. chemistry in pro sports.
• The ongoing “bases” debate spotlights both generational and social shifts in how youth discuss relationships, and how radio shows can leverage innocence and innuendo for engaging content.
• The show deftly handles both serious and lighthearted topics, demonstrating why local sports talk remains both insightful and entertaining for its core audience.