Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary

Episode: Hour 3: Sports One Hit Wonders
Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Overview

This episode spotlights the theme of "One Hit Wonders" in sports, using the recent buzz over Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito’s NFL journey as a springboard. The hosts trade stories of New York football, delve into NFL roster decisions, and then launch into a lively discussion and listener call-in about the greatest “one hit wonders” across the sports world, drawing parallels to similar phenomena in pop culture and music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Coaching & Authenticity in NY Sports (00:28–06:23)

• Don and Peter revisit the ongoing conversation about the media approach of new Jets coach Aaron Glenn, drawing historical comparisons to Eric Mangini’s time with the Jets.
• Quote:
  • Don Hahn [01:30]: “E.J. Radek had a great line about coaches that don’t talk. It’s like he wouldn’t tell you the price of a hot dog if you’re standing next to the sign.”
  • Rosenberg [03:37]: “When you see [Mangini] now in the media, he works in the media and he’s good, which shows you he wasn’t being true to himself.”
• The hosts highlight the difference between being authentically yourself and adopting a persona for the city, particularly in New York, where fans crave both success and sincerity.

NFL Roster Moves & Tommy DeVito’s Narrative (06:23–17:44)

• The Jets’ latest roster moves are analyzed, particularly the decision to cut players from the previous regime (e.g., Carter Warren and Malachi Corley), emphasizing the new leadership’s willingness to quickly shape the team.
• Discussion centers on Tommy DeVito's release by the Giants, his local popularity, and whether the Jets should pursue him as a backup.
• Quote:
  • Don Hahn [09:44]: “If I were the Jets, I would definitely take a look at DeVito... He can win you games and for the reasons you said. I got quarterbacks that can get hurt.”
• The “DeVito-mania” is compared to “Linsanity”; both were captivating stories largely because of the players’ local ties and the teams’ lackluster seasons.
• Rosenberg [12:32]: “Does Tommy DeVito have the Tommy DeVito moment if he’s playing in Cleveland? ... The idea that he was here and it happened here... it made it a bigger story.”

Backup Quarterbacks & NY Media (14:33–17:44)

• The dilemma of a high-profile but limited backup (like DeVito) creating a distraction just by being a fan favorite is debated.
• Don Hahn [15:41]: “Nobody wants to see their third string quarterback play… but if I ever, God forbid, get there, I want to know damn well that this kid can play and win me games. Why… would you not do it because of the outside noise?”
• The danger of letting outside perception dictate football decisions is underscored.

Main Topic: Sports One Hit Wonders (17:47–38:29)

• Opening the phones, Don and Peter ask: Who is the greatest one hit wonder in sports?
• “Linsanity” is quickly established as the gold standard for modern New York one-hit wonders.
  • Rosenberg [28:16]: “38 points on national television against Kobe Bryant who came into the game saying, I don’t know who this guy is. And after the game said, this dude’s legit… I don’t know how you top Linsanity.”
• Other memorable nominations:
  • Brady Anderson: 50 HR season out of nowhere ([24:01])
  • Shane Spencer: Late 1998 heroics for the Yankees ([24:30])
  • Mark Rypien: Super Bowl MVP for Washington, quickly faded ([25:07])
  • Nick Foles: Super Bowl run with the Eagles ([25:49])
  • Timmy Smith: 200 rushing yards in his only notable NFL game, the Super Bowl ([26:19])
  • David Tyree: Super Bowl helmet catch ([28:00])
  • Benny Agbayani, Kevin Maas, John Druce, Luke Voit, Leon Spinks, Buster Douglas, and more are called in and discussed for their brilliant but short-lived peaks.
• Notable Quote:
  • Don Hahn [29:09]: “It involved culture and people. You know what I mean? There was a lot more to it than just… this Asian kid that nobody knew who he was… just lighting up the NBA.”
• The group draws fun analogies to music (e.g., Soft Cell’s "Tainted Love"), with several pop culture tangents.
• The unique ability for a “one hit wonder” to capture not just a city but the sports world’s imagination is discussed, with many suggestions from listeners.

Linsanity Deep Dive (31:34–38:29)

• Alan revisits the perfect timing and conditions that allowed Linsanity to sweep NYC and even affect cable deals.
• Rosenberg [33:04]: “SNL did a parody of our studio show because of the insanity of all the puns that we were coming up with.”
• Both hosts reflect on the rarity of an NBA player landing back-to-back Sports Illustrated covers.
• [36:14] Discussion of the 2012 Time Warner Cable–MSG dispute: Linsanity’s impact was so big the cable standoff ended to get Knicks games back on air, with ratings up 65%.

Listeners’ Call-ins: More One Hit Wonders (41:18–47:19)

• Listeners recall more names, such as:
  • Luke Voit: Led MLB in HR during the COVID season ([41:20])
  • David Freese: 2011 World Series heroics ([43:10])
  • John Druce: Caps playoff scoring streak ([43:21])
  • Leon Spinks: Upset Ali in 1978 ([47:27])
• Friendly banter about jersey sizing (41:28–42:57) and other NY sports radio inside jokes add local flavor and camaraderie.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [01:30] Don Hahn: “E.J. Radek had a great line about coaches that don’t talk. It’s like he wouldn’t tell you the price of a hot dog if you’re standing next to the sign.”
• [03:37] Peter Rosenberg: “When you see [Mangini] now in the media… shows you he wasn’t being true to himself.”
• [09:44] Don Hahn: “If I were the Jets, I would definitely take a look at DeVito... He can win you games…”
• [12:32] Rosenberg: “Does Tommy DeVito have the Tommy DeVito moment if he’s playing in Cleveland?”
• [15:41] Don Hahn: “Why… would you not do it because of the outside noise?”
• [28:16] Rosenberg: “38 points on national television against Kobe Bryant… after the game said, this dude’s legit… I don’t know how you top Linsanity.”
• [29:09] Don Hahn: “It involved culture and people. You know what I mean?... this Asian kid… just lighting up the NBA.”
• [33:04] Rosenberg: “SNL did a parody of our studio show because of the insanity of all the puns…”
• [36:14] Don Hahn (reading Bleacher Report): “MSG TV’s ratings have increased by more than 65%... Jeremy Lin owns New York City.”
• [43:21] Listener (Ed): “In hockey, John Druce, 1990, for the Caps… Killed the Devils, then he killed the Rangers… and then when he played Boston, you never heard from him again.”
• [47:27] Listener (Dutch): “I was thinking of Leon Spinks 1978 when he beat Ali.”

Flow & Tone

• Conversational, witty, and deeply rooted in New York sports culture.
• Hosts balance analysis, nostalgia, and comedic jabs, while encouraging lively audience participation.
• The tone varies from reflective (Linsanity and what it meant for NY sports/fans) to playful (music one-hit wonders, jersey sizing jokes).

Segment Timestamps

• 00:28–06:23: NY coaching personas; Eric Mangini vs. Aaron Glenn authenticity
• 06:23–17:44: Jets roster moves; Tommy DeVito’s potential; the backup QB dilemma
• 17:47–38:29: One Hit Wonders in sports; Linsanity deep dive; pop culture parallels
• 41:18–47:19: Listener calls, more one-hit wonders; NY sports banter

Conclusion

This fast-paced episode delivers both passionate analysis and lighthearted debate. New York’s obsession with sporting “one hit wonders” – from the brief yet iconic careers of Tommy DeVito and Jeremy Lin to niche hockey and baseball heroes – demonstrates how fleeting fame can become legend in the city’s unique sports landscape. The show wraps with an open invitation for more “one hit wonder” stories, promising more banter and nostalgia ahead.