Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast — Hour 3: Mets, Judge & Football

ESPN New York | September 9, 2025
Hosted by Don La Greca, Alan Hahn & Peter Rosenberg

Episode Overview

In this lively third hour, Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg dissect New York’s pressing sports topics: the Mets' playoff struggles, the Yankees' lineup and Aaron Judge's health, and the Giants’ quarterback situation. The hosts balance analysis and humor, covering playoff probabilities, player performances, organizational decisions, and fan expectations across baseball and football. The segment includes spirited debates, personal anecdotes, and classic New York sports banter.

Mets: Nail-Biting Playoff Race & Young Pitchers Emerge

Struggles Down the Stretch

• Don highlights the Mets’ 1-0 loss to the Phillies as a microcosm of recent frustrations: decent pitching wasted by an anemic offense ([00:57]).
• McNeil’s pitching effort is praised despite a nail issue – fought through 5 1/3 innings, one run allowed, but gets hung with the loss ([01:40]).
• Alan:

  “He battled, man, he battled like an ace.” ([01:40])

• Missed opportunities: runners left on second and third in the 9th, poor base running by Mauricio, and uncompetitive at-bats by Alvarez.

Playoff Picture: Perilous but Hopeful

• Mets have fallen to the third wild card, barely ahead of the Giants and with the Diamondbacks surging ([03:43–05:26]).
• Don sees the upcoming homestand as “make or break.” Remaining nine home games will determine destiny before finishing with tough road games at Chicago and Miami ([09:05], [10:06]).
• Don:

  “This is not what we banked on here...the Mets have the third wild card and have not been able to give themselves enough breathing room.” ([04:37])

Looking Ahead: Silver Linings

• Alan posits: if the Mets end the season with three young aces developing, does that soften the blow of a disappointing postseason? ([07:08])
• Don agrees but notes the transition is bittersweet: “Disappointing with a bullet because now you’re going to be able to rally around...three quality starters” ([07:24]).

Analytics & Odds

• ESPN Analytics: Mets at 83% to make the playoffs, ~6% to make the World Series ([12:06–12:13], [12:31]).
• Don: “The most likely scenario...Mets making it as the last wild card.”

Yankees: Lineup Decisions, Judge’s Arm, & Chasing the Division

Judge’s Health & Lineup Implications

• Buster Olney reports Judge’s throwing arm is an issue; speculation Judge will play left field at Fenway due to the shorter throw ([16:29–17:27]).
• Alan:

  “Is it their best lineup offensively and defensively?” ([17:57])

• Debate over balancing offense (keeping Stanton’s bat) versus optimizing defense, particularly in late-game situations.

Volpe’s Struggles & Shortstop Debate

• Volpe’s recent slump and head-scratching at bats discussed; lineup decisions have become daily for Aaron Boone ([15:42–16:29], [19:31]).
• Don points to “Sanchez vibes”—Yankees determined to stick with Volpe, similar to their lengthy patience with Sanchez ([20:07]).

Division Race & Analytics

• Yankees two games back in the AL East, but analytics heavily favor Toronto (67% vs. Yankees’ 25%; [14:01–14:23]).
• Alan: “Do you find that hard to believe that the Blue Jays are at 67% to clinch the division? The Yankees are 25%? It’s a two-game difference with still plenty of baseball left…” ([13:55]).

Football: Giants, Jets, and New York’s Gridiron Passion

Football Overshadowing Baseball

• Hosts marvel at how football dominates media attention, even with big baseball games in progress ([39:27]).
• Don: “It is crazy. As big as baseball is in this town, [it] gets gobbled up by the football on Sunday.”

Giants’ QB Situation & Fan Impatience

Should Jackson Dart Start?

• Callers and hosts debate starting rookie QB Jackson Dart over Russell Wilson after a sluggish Giants start ([44:47–46:15]).
• Don warns: “That’s not the environment that’s going to help a quarterback grow...it literally ended David Carr’s career...” ([45:51]).

Fan Apathy vs. Long-Term Planning

• Alan cautions against giving in to fan apathy by rushing Dart, distinguishing this situation from last year’s Tommy DeVito story ([46:15]).
• Alan:

  “This is what you hope to be your quarterback for the next eight to ten years. You don’t throw them out there like it’s just here, give them the slab of meat so they have something to feel good about...” ([46:37])

Memorable Quotes & Banter

• Alan (on Mets’ silver lining): “Disappointing with a bullet because now you’re going to be able to rally around...three quality starters.” ([07:24])
• Don (on Volpe): “It kind of does have Sanchez vibes, Volpe, doesn’t it?” ([20:07])
• Peter (on Giants post-‘boat trip’ record): “There is actually a Twitter handle called Boat Trip Record. Love it. Updates it every game.” ([34:39])
• Don (on Dave Rothenberg's football fandom): “Dave is like Van Gogh cutting off his ear for football...Stalking. He stalks football.” ([35:27])
• Peter (on analytics): “The only person we ever mention is Victor Cruz.” ([48:57])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mets’ Loss & Playoff Anxiety: [00:57]–[07:24]
• Yankees Division Race, Volpe & Judge Arm Debate: [12:06]–[19:04]; Buster Olney on Judge ([16:29])
• Football’s Ascendancy in NYC: [39:27]–[41:07]
• Call-in: Giants QB Debate & Fan Perspective: [43:28]–[49:41]
• Quirky Banter: Giants ‘Boat Trip’ Curse & AI Stats: [29:35]–[35:36]
• Retro TV Nostalgia: [41:20]–[43:22]

Tone, Energy, & Chemistry

• The hosts’ dynamic is equal parts banter and incisive analysis, with Don’s old-school gravitas, Alan’s measured optimism, and Peter’s comic relief.
• The show is both a passionate sports roundtable and a celebration of New York fandom, never straying from relatable, conversational language.

Final Thoughts

This episode captures the pulse of New York sports: passionate, reactionary, and relentlessly analytical. Baseball’s playoff drama, the Giants’ never-ending quarterback search, and a city that worships football all get their due—with the hosts keeping it real, entertaining, and very New York throughout.