Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Last Call Crew

ESPN New York | February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and provocative episode, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Don La Greca take calls and dive into the aftermath of Team USA’s dramatic gold-medal win in Olympic hockey. Candid discussions emerge about privilege and race, the unifying—or dividing—power of sports, and the controversy over a political figure celebrating with the team. Callers from across the tri-state area weigh in, sharing personal stories, frustrations, and memories of sports moments. The hour pivots from deep social commentary to good-natured sports banter, offering the show's signature blend of debate, nostalgia, humor, and New York attitude.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. The “Privilege” Debate and Social Commentary

[02:16 – 10:59]

• Caller John in Mawa reacts to a previous caller’s comments on white privilege in sports viewing. He expresses frustration at racial discussions, stating:
  • “I'm 66, I was born in '59. Nothing happened where we didn't do anything.” (John, 03:58)
• Peter Rosenberg challenges John’s irritation, asking:
  • “What is it about people talking about the fact that racism exists? What is it about that that bothers you?” (Peter, 04:19)
• Alan Hahn attempts to mediate, observing the desire to keep sports as an escape while acknowledging persistent societal issues:
  • “If for 23 or 22 [hours], I'm thinking about all the things in the world that concern me—for two, can I just not think about it...? If that's privilege, two out of 24 hours, just let me enjoy.” (Don Hahn, 06:04)
• Rosenberg and Peter note that even escapism is a form of privilege not available to everyone, especially in fraught times.

Notable Quotes:

• “What he said was ... he's privileged to be able to watch this because of his situation. And not everybody is in the same situation that he's in.” (Rosenberg, 05:08)
• “The Olympics are by its nature sociopolitical… Draped in the flag part is a big piece of it.” (Peter, 07:12 & 07:36)

2. The Olympics, Sports, and National Unity

[07:12 – 10:59]

• Peter and Don reminisce about times when the country felt more united, particularly referencing the 1980 Olympics and moments like the “Black Glove” salute by John Carlos and Tommie Smith.
• Rosenberg reflects on the lack of national unity today:
  • “We rallied together because we were all on the same page. We're not on the same page anymore, and we'll never be on the same page anymore, sadly.” (Rosenberg, 08:47)
  • “That's the frustrating thing ... Nothing's been able to bring us together. Not 9/11, not Covid, nothing.” (Rosenberg, 09:24)

Memorable Moment:
Hahn’s frank wish for a simpler time:

• “I just wish Al Gore never invented the Internet, honestly, that you want to be mad at a Democrat. It's Al Gore.” (Don Hahn, 19:40)

3. Snowstorm Stories & Local Color

[14:20 – 16:45]

• Danny on Long Island calls in with stories about enduring the historic Long Island snowstorm and watching the hockey game at the gym. He humorously describes gym-goers’ synchronized reactions to Team USA’s winning goal.

Notable Quote:

• “When you have a full, happy, active life, you have no time for this nonsense.” (Danny, 15:07)

4. The “Chugging Beer” Controversy: Politics Invade the Locker Room

[16:21 – 19:50]

• Callers and hosts debate the optics and appropriateness of Cash Patel (or a similar high-profile administration official) celebrating and “chugging beer” with Team USA hockey in the locker room.
• Peter expresses discomfort regardless of the official or party:
  • “Sorry. The FBI director chugging beers would look insane. We would go, what the hell is going on?” (Peter, 16:45)
• Danny points out that politicians have long joined teams in celebration:
  • “I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be upset. You're upset because who it was, not because of what he did.”
• Rosenberg and Peter agree that the divisiveness is more about contemporary polarization than the basic action:
  • “If in 1980, the FBI director partied with Team USA, no, nobody would know who the heck he was because nobody knows who the FBI director is. But now we know all this stuff because everybody is so polarized…” (Rosenberg, 18:15)
• Hahn’s lighthearted jab at the end:
  • “I just wish Al Gore never invented the Internet...” (Don Hahn, 19:40)

5. Hockey Heroics: Game Breakdown & Goaltending Praise

[23:01 – 26:45]

• Griffin calls back (after an earlier bad connection) to relive the excitement of the overtime win, calling it “the second best hockey moment of my life” after the Capitals’ Stanley Cup.
• Detailed credit is given to goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s third period and overtime heroics:
  • “Connor Hellebuyck, all the demons that he might have just…disappeared in that thing...his third period was probably the best period of his career.” (Griffin, 24:05)
• Rosenberg and Hahn discuss the likelihood of Hellebuyck getting a hero’s welcome in Winnipeg, and whether home crowds will acknowledge USA Olympians upon return.

6. Sports Loyalty & “Olympic Dilemmas”

[25:32 – 26:19]

• Discussion about whether NHL team loyalties (“Ranger fans” vs. “Devils fans”) interfered with enjoyment of US Olympic moments, especially given star players representing rival teams.

Memorable Moment:

• “If somebody out there was upset Jack [Hughes] scored, I don't know what to tell you.” (Rosenberg, 25:50)

7. Rapid-Fire Listener Call: SUNY Brockport Shout-Out

[26:45 – 27:42]

• Tom in Eastchester calls in to challenge Peter Rosenberg on recognizing SUNY Brockport alumni in ESPN New York’s ranks, eventually revealing RJ Santillo as one.

Notable Quotes

• “What is it about people talking about the fact that racism exists? What is it about that that bothers you?” — Peter Rosenberg [04:19]
• “If for...two [hours], can I just...not think about it...? If that's privilege, two out of 24 hours, just let me enjoy.” — Don Hahn [06:04]
• “We rallied together because we were all on the same page. We're not on the same page anymore, and we'll never be on the same page anymore, sadly.” — Rosenberg [08:47]
• “Sorry. The FBI director chugging beers would look insane. We would go, what the hell is going on?” — Peter Rosenberg [16:45]
• “If somebody out there was upset Jack scored, I don't know what to tell you.” — Rosenberg [25:50]
• “I just wish Al Gore never invented the Internet, honestly... He's the real problem. He's the heel. Now we're stuck with this forever.” — Don Hahn [19:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:16] — First major caller, “white privilege,” race, and hockey debate
• [07:12] — The political/sociological nature of the Olympics
• [08:47] — Reflection on national unity, past vs. present
• [14:20] — Danny on Long Island: historic snowstorm & hockey celebration
• [16:21] — The “beer chug” controversy; politics in the sports locker room
• [23:01] — Griffin relives the hockey overtime win & goaltending analysis
• [25:32] — NHL loyalty dilemmas during Olympic competition
• [26:45] — Brockport SUNY shout-out call & quick trivia

Conclusion

This episode stands out as an unfiltered portrait of the intersection of sports, society, and politics—delivered in classic New York fashion, with callers and hosts alike contributing raw opinions and heartfelt sports memories. Whether bemoaning America’s divisions, celebrating a “miracle” win, or lampooning the age of internet-fueled polarization, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offer listeners spirited, authentic conversation with insight and laughter—making for both entertaining and thought-provoking radio.