Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast – Hour 3: List Reaction & IKF Comments

Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca
Network: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

This dynamic hour is split between two of the podcast’s signatures: first, extensive debate and listener reaction to the hosts’ "Greatest Rock and Roll Songs of All Time" lists; second, a sharp pivot into timely New York sports talk, highlighted by Isaiah Kiner-Falefa’s (IKF) pointed remarks about the Yankees, the culture of grittiness (or lack thereof) in New York teams, and quarterback questions for the Giants and Jets. The banter is as lively, combative, and New York as it gets—with the hosts challenging each other, engaging the audience, and keeping the conversation unpredictable and entertaining.

1. Rock and Roll List Reactions ([01:36]–[19:43])

Main Discussion Points

• The hosts recap and defend their recently unveiled lists of top rock songs.
• Listeners call in with their own opinions, sparking debate about what qualifies as rock, and the generational and stylistic divides in music tastes.
• The segment highlights the challenge and subjectivity of ranking classics in such a sprawling genre.

Hosts’ Lists Revealed ([13:34])

• Peter’s Top 5: Tutti Frutti (Little Richard), Fortunate Son (CCR), Cult of Personality (Living Colour), Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana), Seven Nation Army (White Stripes)
• Don’s Top 5: Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry), Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix), Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin), I Want To Hold Your Hand (The Beatles), Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
• Rosenberg’s Top 5: God Only Knows (Beach Boys), A Day in the Life (The Beatles), Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel), American Pie (Don McLean), Knocking on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)

Classic Caller Moments & Quotes

• Nick in Emerson ([05:12]):
  "The fact that there was only one Led Zeppelin song... the best Led Zeppelin song is 'Kashmir'... it's second to none."
• Host Alan ([05:42]):
  "Immigrant Song was the right song."
• Peter ([05:56]):
  "To me, I don't even associate God Only Knows with rock and roll."
• AJ in Michigan ([07:51]):
  "As someone who is relatively younger, I was introduced to rock as more of, like, the arena rock... and I was just wondering as to why [Don] was displeased with that era."
• Rosenberg ([09:39]):
  "Once MTV came, it was more like how I looked... the songs lacked substance."
• Don ([10:25]):
  "I wanted an '80s song bad. Couldn't do it. In the end, what is the impact of the song?"
• Peter ([14:23]):
  "You said we all were going to fail doing this, but I think you failed the worst of the three of us."

Notable Debates

• The difficulty of separating "rock" from "pop" and what it means for a song to be "rock and roll."
• Listeners and hosts agree that any best-of list is doomed to omission and controversy—“This was a suicide mission. We were willing to do.” ([11:36])
• Ongoing tension over softer or more genre-blending choices (e.g., Simon & Garfunkel, Beach Boys) and whether they truly fit the "rock" mantle.
• Peter ([16:34]):
  "I think I had the best list. Most people are too gutless to tell the truth, because to say that would make a lot sick to their stomach."

Listener Additions

• Suggestions for The Who ("My Generation," "Won’t Get Fooled Again" — [28:06])
• The case for "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Satisfaction," and "Freebird" as overlooked essentials.

2. IKF’s Subtle Yankees Shade & Clubhouse Culture ([22:20]–[38:34])

Isaiah Kiner-Falefa’s Comments ([22:43])

• IKF (now with the Blue Jays) remarks he’d rather face the Yankees than the Red Sox in last year’s playoffs, taking a thinly veiled shot at his former team:

  "Looking at this staff and what we have here, it's pretty obvious... the window's open. Team's ready to go... Now, I don't know if everyone is really from the outside—I don't know if people were expecting Boston to get in last year, but I know in Toronto we were happy that they lost because... we weren't ready for Crochet and all those guys... now we've made a bunch of additions." ([22:43])

• The hosts dissect whether IKF’s comments are truly disrespectful, or just blunt honesty about the Yankees’ standing.

• Rosenberg ([23:19]):
  "He never mentioned the Yankees and Yankee fans are upset... but was he wrong?"

• Don ([23:28]):
  "Where's the lie? The Yankees... swept them in four games in Toronto. Why wouldn't you want to play the Yankees if you were the Blue Jays?"

Yankees Culture & Retaliation

• Discussion on how the Yankees today lack the “edge” and intimidation factor of 1990s teams.

• Hosts note Judge’s quiet leadership and the overall “corporate” nature of the Yankees:

  "This is the way we do things. We're buttoned up. They wear pinstripes almost like a suit on Wall Street." – Rosenberg ([35:19]) "But I think the consensus about them is all the teams know we can… we can say what we want about them." – Don ([38:10])

The New York “Grit” Question

• Comparisons to the Knicks and the idea that both teams feel “too soft,” lacking performative grit, or outward displays of toughness to inspire fans and warn rivals.
• The city’s appetite for teams “with an edge,” contrasted with the modern, buttoned-up approach.

3. New York Giants: Jackson Dart and Quarterback Grit ([41:51]–[46:45])

Phil Simms on Dart's Playstyle

• Giants legend Phil Simms urges QB Jackson Dart to be more careful as a runner:

  "If he wants to be the quarterback of the New York Giants, then he better learn to get down when he's running the football much better... I expect Jackson Dart to be a different player taking care of himself big time this coming year." ([41:51])

• Hosts agree the narrative of Dart being reckless is somewhat overblown, contextualizing aggressive play as a rookie's effort to spark a bad team.

• Don ([42:45]):
  "To ask him to just suddenly turn into a straight up pocket passer, it’s crazy... This is who you drafted."

4. Jets QB Discussion: The Malik Willis Option ([47:04]–[48:48])

• Phil Simms advocates for the Jets to pursue Malik Willis, describing him as the highest-upside, least-known young quarterback available.

  "If the Jets go out and get Malik Willis, I would say that's a home run. He's learned to play the game..." – Simms ([47:04])

• Hosts agree Willis’ ceiling is enticing and offers the most unknown upside among available options, compared to known quantities like Kyler Murray or Derek Carr.

5. Quick Hits & NBA Injury Update ([48:55]–[50:35])

• Don gives a rundown of Knicks/Sixers injuries and betting lines, joking about the struggle to predict outcomes with so many star players out.
• The segment closes with the usual comedic back-and-forth as the hosts lock in their picks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the lists:
  "You just can't tell somebody that doesn't have an edge, get an edge. You gotta acquire a player that has an edge. You gotta get a manager that has an edge... you either have it or you don't." – Rosenberg ([32:48])

• On NY Sports DNA:
  "There's also a frustration with the style of personality. While the '90s teams were fun because they won a lot... they also fought. Yeah, they had dudes." – Don ([29:58])

• On what the Yankees need:
  "Like, a guy like Judge always needs a second sort of marginal guy, you know, the guy that's, like his habitual line stepper." – Don ([37:35])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Kickboxing Milestone – [01:36]
• List Reaction Calls Begin – [05:12]
• Hosts’ Song Lists Read – [13:34]
• Philosophy of Rock and Roll Lists – [14:03]
• Debate on Grit in New York Teams – [29:58], [32:46]
• IKF Comments & Yankees Culture – [22:43], [23:19], [23:28]
• Phil Simms on Jackson Dart – [41:51]
• Jets Quarterback Options/Willis Discussion – [47:04]
• NBA Injury/Betting Update – [48:55]

Closing Thoughts

This episode, as always, is New York through and through—a rapid-fire blend of deeply nerdy music chat, caustic host-to-host ribbing, passionate caller involvement, and sports talk that marries insight with the city’s trademark snark. If you missed it, you missed classic debates (rock vs. pop! Grit vs. polish!), but the summary above will get you caught up—and maybe fired up—for next time.