Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: With or Without Soto (April 9, 2026)
Overview
This episode dives into the current state of New York sports, with a particular focus on the Mets’ early season struggles, the controversial absence of Juan Soto, and the broader vibe surrounding New York baseball and basketball. The crew—Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Don LaGreca—blend sports analysis, fan sentiment, and classic banter, creating an engaging conversation about player performance, team chemistry, and New York’s relentless sports narrative machine.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Nets Tanking & NBA Reality (00:44–04:30)
- The hosts discuss the Brooklyn Nets’ heavy player rest (10 players out), a reflection of the NBA’s “tanking” culture for draft lottery positioning.
- Alan notes the absurdity: “The last thing you want to do is they are now a half game away from Utah...you can’t win anymore. 20. That’s enough.” (01:57)
- Peter jokes about the tanking: “Just have a ball rolling up and down the court.” (01:27)
- All agree ticket prices should reflect the product: "Can’t you just then say, ‘We're going to either cut prices in half or concessions are free’?” (Alan, 04:28)
- Bottom line: The system almost forces teams to balance competitiveness with strategic losing.
2. Mets’ Pitching Troubles & David Peterson’s Performance (05:01–09:04)
- Discussion shifts to the Mets and pitcher David Peterson’s struggles over his last two outings.
- Manager Carlos Mendoza expresses patience: “He’s too good of a pitcher. He’s been our guy. He just got to make a couple of adjustments.” (Carlos Mendoza, 05:23)
- Peter: “You just can't afford to send a guy out there every five days that’s going to, you know, pitch batting practice.” (05:52)
- All show concern but agree: Don’t overreact to a small sample; monitor closely.
3. The Juan Soto “Vibe” Debate: Fan Calls & Roundtable (09:09–16:00, 25:25–31:33)
- Caller Jose in Connecticut stirs debate, suggesting the Mets' vibe is "different"—possibly better—without Juan Soto.
- Jose: “He’s just not the same guy...when there was a big spot, he never came through. And...just wanted to get your guys thoughts on the idea that there's a different vibe around the team without him in the lineup." (09:17)
- Peter notes: “Swagger comes from feeling it...his year with the Yankees, they were good enough to go to the World Series...Comes to the Mets...Team wasn’t as good...He wasn't as good. I think that swagger will be back when he starts to get it going.” (10:27)
- Alan highlights how perception matters: “It's hard to say that...he is the same guy visually.” (12:31)
- There’s speculation about locker room chemistry, especially around Francisco Lindor: “Maybe it's something with Lindor, maybe it's, hey, they're just not as good as the Yankees were.” (Peter, 13:11)
- The segment includes analysis of stats versus leadership effects, and callers wrestle with the balance of narrative versus numbers.
Listener Feedback and Social Media
- On Twitter, listener Ryan Regis disputes the negative take on Soto: “He led the National League in on base percentage. He had a career high in home runs... You guys lost credibility.” (25:25)
- The hosts clarify: “We’re not talking about how well he played...We're talking about the team didn't have a good year. It had a good start and then it really like the wheels fell off.” (Alan, 26:26)
- The real point: It's about Soto's public demeanor and perceived disengagement, not strictly stats.
More Callers: On Clubhouse Dynamics and Performance
- Paul from the Bronx: “I think the narrative is focused too much on the negativity. Trying to pit teammates against each other...Not everybody on a teammate is going to like each other. Right. Or love each other.” (29:26)
- Alan raises the awkward opening day moment between Lindor and Soto, accepted as a real but not insurmountable issue.
4. Mets’ Schedule & West Coast Gauntlet (16:51–21:29)
- The hosts preview the Mets’ heavy travel, predicting early adversity and its impact on the roster.
- Alan: “The first three months of the season, they're going to the west coast literally three or four times.” (18:12)
- Discussion includes speculation about scheduling around the World Cup, impact on fan experience, and the toll of travel.
5. New York Yankees: Recent Losses, One-Run Games & Judge’s Role (31:39–33:20, 38:10–38:49)
- Callers express concern about Yankees’ close losses and missed scoring opportunities.
- Alan remarks: “It's one of those things during a long season that like every year, has losses that frustrates you...Today, dead stick...first time since 1958 the Yankees were shut out with one hit.” (32:44)
- Anxiety about one-run game record and Judge’s placement in the batting order are recurring fan themes.
6. Broad New York Sports Roundup: Knicks, Islanders, Devils & NBA Playoff Push (44:09–49:25)
- The end of the episode covers Knicks-Celtics pre-game (Vegas’ 5.5-point spread), Islanders’ coaching changes, and playoff stakes for New York hockey teams.
- Alan: “You make a coaching change. Like you gotta show up and this team’s gotta...be like, rip the door off the hinges.” (45:49)
- The crew discuss coach Paul Maurice’s career trajectory in comparison to new Islanders coach DeBoer.
7. Africa Bambaataa’s Death & The Complex Hip Hop Legacy (41:14–43:45)
- Alan marks the death of influential yet controversial hip-hop pioneer Africa Bambaataa.
- Rosenberg acknowledges: “...end of his life was marred with sex abuse allegations...But the life that he lived musically, super duper important...Planet Rock, one of the biggest early hip hop records ever made.” (41:14)
- They play a snippet of “Planet Rock,” noting its historical significance.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On NBA Tanking:
- Alan Hahn (about the Nets): “There’s 10 guys out tonight...for the most part it’s just we do not want to win. It’s unreal.” (01:56)
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On Mets’ Juan Soto:
- Peter Rosenberg: “Swagger comes from feeling it...It was never his team. It was never about him [on the Yankees].” (10:27)
- Alan Hahn: “It’s hard to believe. You can’t say that he is the same guy visually.” (12:31)
- Don LaGreca: “Now tonight will be interesting because if the Mets win tonight, they're five and one without Soto. And you get to think...maybe yesterday was just an aberration.” (14:06)
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On Perception vs. Performance:
- Alan Hahn: “We’re not talking about how well he played...We're talking about perception. You're just looking at someone that just never seemed like he was thrilled.” (26:26)
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On Locker Room Dynamics:
- Paul (Caller): “Not everybody on a teammate is going to like each other...It has to be a mutual respect.” (29:26)
- Alan Hahn (about Lindor/Soto): “What did you make of like, you know, the statement from Lindor...‘we don't all have to love each other’ and also the awkward opening day dap.” (29:02)
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On Yankees Losses:
- Alan Hahn: “Today was one [frustrating loss]. Yesterday you didn't take advantage...Today, dead stick...first time since 1958 the Yankees were shut out with one hit.” (32:44)
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On Africa Bambaataa:
- Peter Rosenberg: “...end of his life was marred with sex abuse allegations...But...musically, super duper important...Planet Rock, one of the biggest early hip hop records ever made.” (41:14)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Nets Tanking/Resting Players Discussion: 00:44–04:30
- Mets Tickets, Fan Experience & Peterson’s Start: 04:30–09:04
- Caller Jose & Juan Soto Debate Begins: 09:09
- Juan Soto “Vibe” and Clubhouse Talk: 11:29–16:00
- Soto Narratives, Listener Pushback, and Social Media: 25:25–31:33
- Upcoming Mets Schedule/World Cup Logistics: 16:51–21:29
- Yankees’ Recent Struggles and Fan Calls: 31:39–33:20, 38:10–38:49
- Africa Bambaataa & Hip Hop Legacy: 41:14–43:45
- Knicks, NHL Playoffs, Isles Coaching Change: 44:09–49:25
Tone & Style
The crew mixes sharp sports insights, humorous banter, and no-nonsense New York attitude. The dialogue is fast-paced, peppered with fan perspectives via calls and tweets. They’re candid, sometimes sarcastic, but always passionate about the pulse of New York sports. The episode is as much about interpreting statistics as it is about translating the city’s emotional swings and the stories fans tell themselves.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
Expect an incisive, sometimes contentious debate about the Mets, Juan Soto, and the city’s shadowboxing with hope and disappointment—plus lively reflections on the realities of NBA and MLB roster management, New York's relentless fan culture, and even a moment for hip hop history. The show is a must-listen for anyone invested in how sports performance meets narrative and personality in the country’s most breathless sports market.