Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast - Hour 3: St. John's & Richard Summary

Release Date: March 14, 2025

In this engaging third hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg delve deep into the resurgence of St. John's University basketball program and welcome a special guest, Richard from Manhattan. The episode seamlessly blends insightful sports analysis with lively interactions, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current sports dynamics in New York.

1. St. John's Basketball: A New Era

The primary focus of the episode centers on St. John's University's remarkable performance in the current basketball season. Alan Hahn kicks off the discussion by highlighting the team's historic achievement:

“St. John's won the regular season championship. Can they go on to win? This is the first time, by the way, that they outright won the Big East regular season in 40 years. Can they win the Big East tournament championship? I believe the last time was 2000.”
— Alan Hahn [07:26]

Peter Rosenberg echoes this excitement, emphasizing the program's revival:

“But it was 28 years ago, so odds are he's no longer with us, unfortunately.”
— Peter Rosenberg [03:45]

The hosts discuss the strategic moves by coach Rick Pitino, praising his ability to resurrect the program. Hahn notes Pitino's dedication and the sustainable success brought about by investments from NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and other key initiatives:

“Rick Pitino has been nominated. He'll be up for it. I think he should win it. It's hard to argue another coach that did a better job when you consider again the program where it came from.”
— Alan Hahn [09:41]

Rosenberg adds his perspective on Pitino's longevity, expressing confidence in the coach's commitment to St. John's:

“I think this guy wants to coach forever if he could. But there's obviously an expiration date on everyone.”
— Peter Rosenberg [14:06]

The conversation also touches on the broader impact of St. John's success on New York's sports landscape, drawing parallels with other teams like the Mets and Knicks. Hahn asserts:

“I have always said this is a basketball town... having a team right here in New York, that is big, that, that's a huge part of it because it gives you a little more of a, of a home base or a hometown kind of feel.”
— Alan Hahn [17:49]

2. The Relevance of St. John's in New York Sports

Peter Rosenberg passionately discusses how St. John's has reclaimed its relevance in a city dominated by various sports teams:

“Do you realize that at 6 o'clock we're reportedly being joined on the air by Richard live in person.”
— Unknown Host [27:00]

He further explains the unique position of St. John's in New York's sports ecosystem:

“St. John's was irrelevant and the college basketball was irrelevant. So when St. John's has resurrected their play and also resurrected a program and something that has not been relevant to this town in 25 years and has not been like ultra relevant going back almost 40 years.”
— Peter Rosenberg [12:48]

Rosenberg encapsulates the sentiment of the resurgence:

“It's literally back from the dead. Like I said, it's the prodigal son returning. They were always in the back of everybody's mind reminiscing about St. John. They're back.”
— Peter Rosenberg [13:21]

3. Guest Segment: Richard from Manhattan

Midway through the episode, the hosts welcome Richard from Manhattan, a charismatic dentist with a vibrant presence. The segment is filled with humor and camaraderie as Richard shares snippets of his life and interacts with the hosts.

Rosenberg introduces Richard with enthusiasm:

“We're going to get a whole year to do this. Next March, we bring it back repackaged with Don, which you'll probably win every year.”
— Peter Rosenberg [27:28]

The conversation evolves into light-hearted banter, with Richard recounting amusing anecdotes and the hosts playfully teasing him about his appearance and profession. A notable moment occurs when Richard discusses his dental practice and his unwavering connection to New York:

“All my life. My mother was born a few blocks away this way this way. 98 years ago. My father was born a few blocks away this way this way.”
— Richard from Manhattan [39:37]

Rosenberg appreciates Richard's dedication:

“This is a thrill... It's pretty. Listen, we're honored to have you here.”
— Peter Rosenberg [37:54]

The segment concludes with heartfelt thanks and the hosts expressing their delight in having Richard on the show, setting the stage for future interactions.

4. Social Media and Audience Engagement

Throughout the episode, the hosts actively engage with their audience, encouraging participation and feedback. They discuss the potential integration of video elements into the podcast, acknowledging listener requests:

“The video element is something I think we all can agree, we are hoping to add at some point soon.”
— Alan Hahn [05:35]

Additionally, the interaction with Richard showcases the hosts' commitment to creating a dynamic and interactive listening experience, blending live guest appearances with audience-driven content.

5. Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics

As the episode wraps up, Hahn and Rosenberg outline upcoming discussions, including basketball matchups involving the Knicks and Warriors, and strategic moves involving players like Draymond Green. Hahn emphasizes the ongoing excitement surrounding St. John's and its implications for New York sports:

“Coming up, finishing up with some thoughts. St. John's of course, across the street at 6:30. The Knicks and the warriors tomorrow night. We got to get into that, what the expectations are and of course, what should be done about Draymond Green.”
— Alan Hahn [47:35]

The hosts leave listeners anticipating the next episode, promising continued in-depth analysis and entertaining segments.

Notable Quotes:

• “St. John's is the most important, important team in New York.”
  — Ryan Reynolds [41:00]

• “It's the prodigal son returning. They're back.”
  — Peter Rosenberg [13:21]

• “I think this guy wants to coach forever if he could.”
  — Peter Rosenberg [14:06]

• “You have all these brain stuff. And you know, you guys always talk about Namath not having statistics.”
  — Ryan Reynolds [45:19]

This episode masterfully balances serious sports commentary with light-hearted interactions, offering both depth and entertainment. Listeners gain valuable insights into St. John's basketball revival while enjoying the dynamic rapport between the hosts and their guest.