Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Mets Struggles & McNeil Returns

Date: April 10, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Theme: New York sports talk on Mets drama, Yankees development, Knicks/Celtics psychology, plus listener questions and classic pop culture tangents.

Episode Overview

This episode captures the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg trio in full swing, broadcasting from different cities but united in trademark banter and deep NYC sports insights. The hour weaves big-picture baseball clubhouse politics (with a focus on the Mets’ Jeff McNeil–Lindor relationship), Yankees lineup speculation, playoff mentality for Knicks/Celtics, and plenty of lighthearted asides on music and lifestyle. Calls from engaged listeners add depth, as do candid debates about what it means to be a “fan” after franchise relocations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Travel & Behind the Scenes: Life on the Road

• [00:44–04:55]
  Alan recounts his early-morning Newark airport experience, sharing exhaustion, seating strategies, and a cool encounter with a fan who recognized him but kept it discreet.
  • “He ended up being like a big fan. But he never bothered me during the flight. Didn’t say anything.” — Alan Hahn [04:24]
  • The discussion highlights how public personalities handle recognition, and when fans do – or don’t – approach.

“Fraud Friday” & the Ethics of Fan Allegiance in Franchise Moves

• [07:11–14:44]
  Listener Jose from Connecticut challenges Don’s views on sports loyalties when teams move cities, using the Browns/Ravens and Sonics/Thunder as context.
  • The debate centers on whether it’s “fraudulent” to stick with a team’s new incarnation after they abandon your city, or if it’s more fake to abandon them after years of commitment.
  • Notable Quote:
    “He made the conscious choice to follow them to OKC and for nearly 20 years has continued to root for them. So wouldn’t it be fraudulent to stop?” — Alan Hahn [08:14]
• The guys highlight NBA franchise history deals (Sonics’ identity being “on hold” for a future Seattle franchise), connecting it to loyalty and team identity.

Knicks Playoff Readiness & Offensive Identity

• [10:40–14:44]
  Caller Chris asks about the Knicks’ unpredictable half-court offense and their playoff viability against Boston.
  • Alan and Peter break down the system, expressing concern about sustainability but optimism about team chemistry. They reinforce the difference between regular season play and what lasts in the playoffs.
  • Chris, who also knows Gary Payton, jokes about SuperSonics allegiances, connecting back to the earlier “Fraud Friday” debate.

Mets Drama: Jeff McNeil’s Return & the Lindor Relationship

• [15:00–22:20]
  The hosts dissect Jeff McNeil’s carefully worded, emotionally distant statements about Francisco Lindor upon his return to the Mets.
  • They sharply analyze the order and tone of his remarks (“We’re teammates… wish him all the best”) as signals of real-life tension, debating whether public pleasantries mask unresolved conflicts.
  • Notable Quotes:
    “First thing he said was, we were teammates.” — Alan Hahn [15:49]
    “Doesn’t sound like they’re exchanging Christmas cards.” — Anthony [18:13]
    “He ends it with almost as if he was saying subliminally, ‘Hey, tell him I wish him well for the rest of his career.’” — Peter Rosenberg [19:11]
  • The segment leads to broader reflection on Lindor’s likability versus possible inauthenticity, likened to the “Russell Wilson” scenario where public persona differs from clubhouse reality.

Yankees Roster Development: Caballero vs. Volpe & the Lombard Prospects Question

• [29:25–32:43, 44:47–47:31]
  Multiple callers inquire about Yankees’ player development, questioning whether utility infielder Caballero deserves an extended shot, and when top prospect George Lombard Jr. might force his way up.
  • Alan emphasizes that roster spots have to be seized, not just handed out:
    “He was given a spring training and it looks like the first … over a month of the season to literally steal the job away from Volpe, and he’s wet the bed.” — Alan Hahn [30:15]
  • Discussion of Lombard Jr. centers on development timing and the necessity of mastering AAA before a big league call-up.

Knicks vs. Celtics: Playoff Psyche & Media Narratives

• [32:49–36:21]
  A caller asks if Boston is psyching themselves out about the Knicks after a recent loss and Tatum’s visible frustration. Alan, as Knicks sideline reporter, gives inside perspective:
  • Boston postgame media downplayed the Knicks’ celebration after a big win, mocking them for “acting like it was a championship,” but Alan clarifies the real motivation was joy for Josh Hart.
  • Notable Quote:
    “They were running up to him ... this was not a game that the Knicks, like, ran off the court waving their finger, number one, like Joe Namath …” — Peter Rosenberg [35:38]

Listener Lightning Round: Fandom, Drop Madness, WrestleMania vs. Playoffs

• Hartford Whalers’ Fans and Team Allegiance ([47:39–48:50])
  • Discussion on how Hartford fans identify after the Whalers’ move, with Don explaining many turned to the Rangers, not Bruins, despite the geography.
• Drop Madness Legitimacy ([41:30–43:37])
  • Debate over what qualifies as a “drop” on the show, whether Carlin’s “choking” bit was too long, or in-bounds given show history.
• WrestleMania vs. NBA Playoffs ([44:47–45:41])
  • A caller struggles with the choice between NBA playoff play-ins and WrestleMania, leading to a lively exchange about sports priorities.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He ended up being like a big fan. But he never bothered me during the flight. Didn’t say anything.” — Alan Hahn [04:24]
• “He made the conscious choice to follow them to OKC and for nearly 20 years has continued to root for them. So wouldn’t it be fraudulent to stop?” — Alan Hahn [08:14]
• “Doesn’t sound like they’re exchanging Christmas cards.” — Anthony on McNeil/Lindor [18:13]
• “He ends it with almost as if he was saying subliminally, ‘Hey, tell him I wish him well for the rest of his career.’” — Peter Rosenberg [19:11]
• “They were running up to him ... this was not a game that the Knicks, like, ran off the court waving their finger, number one, like Joe Namath …” — Peter Rosenberg [35:38]

Music & Pop Culture Sidebars

• [25:25–27:39]
  Tangents on Stevie Wonder’s and Beatles covers, changes in the music industry, and how charting hits has evolved from sales to streaming.
• [43:40–44:41]
  The 30th anniversary of Alice in Chains’ MTV Unplugged prompts nostalgia, with Alan calling it the “quintessential” performance of that era.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:44 – Show begins, travel stories
• 07:11 – “Fraud Friday” and team loyalty debate
• 10:40 – Knicks playoff offense concerns
• 15:00 – Jeff McNeil’s return and Lindor questions
• 29:25 – Yankees: Caballero/Volpe lineup questions
• 32:49 – Knicks/Celtics “psychology” after big game
• 41:30 – Drop Madness asterisk debate
• 43:40 – Alice in Chains’ MTV Unplugged turns 30
• 44:47 – Yankees infield prospects & play-in/WrestleMania
• 47:39 – Whalers fans on post-move allegiances

Tone & Takeaways

Rich with classic, quick-witted New York sports radio energy, the hosts balance skepticism, inside info, and real passion for the city’s sporting culture. Fans tuning in will leave with sharper perspectives on team dynamics (especially the Mets and Knicks), an understanding of the complexity behind team moves and fan loyalty, and plenty of laughs and pop trivia along the way.