Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: World Cup & Picks

Episode Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Summary Prepared by: Podcast Summarizer AI

Overview

This hour of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg show is a lively blend of nostalgia, pop culture, and classic New York sports talk with the hosts riffing on 1970s radio songs, previewing the 2026 World Cup and its significance for US soccer, diving into the current state and future of the Jets, touching on NBA and NHL storylines, and wrapping with their NFL "Pro Picks" against the spread for the upcoming week. Listeners join in with calls, sparking debates and banter. The dynamic between the hosts is jovial, candid, and unapologetically rooted in their love for New York and all things sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 70s Radio, Pop Culture Oddities

[00:36 – 04:28]

• The hour opens with playful banter about risqué songs from the 1970s—especially those featured in the film “Boogie Nights.”
• Rosenberg tries (with listener help) to recall a specific song with “a woman moaning” that was bizarrely mainstream given the era’s prudishness.
  • “There are so many things you weren't allowed to do on television and radio, and yet, you know, that song was okay.” (Rosenberg, 01:11)
• The bit continues with humorous exasperation as the hosts fail to identify the song, traversing the Boogie Nights soundtrack.

2. 2026 World Cup Groups Announced: Big Moment for US Soccer

[04:28 – 15:44]

• Alan Hahn introduces the “huge” news: World Cup groups are out, and the US has a “favorable” draw as host nation—Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and a playoff winner.
  • “The United States received as favorable, not surprisingly, as a home team, as the host, as favorable a group as imaginable… If they can't get out... is it time to just disband and give up this whole thing?” (Hahn, 04:46, 05:39)
• The panel discusses USA's historical World Cup struggles and the factors that keep soccer from breaking through domestically, despite millions of American kids playing the sport.
  • “It's so confusing how millions and millions of American kids grow up playing...How is it that we just can't get good enough?” (Don, 06:31)
• Peter Rosenberg references the 1994 World Cup—huge crowds and the Baggio miss for Italy—as a benchmark for how big the event can be in the US.
  • “Soccer's only gotten bigger since then… so, yeah, this is going to be huge.” (Rosenberg, 07:40, 08:10)
• Hosts speculate on the impact if the US could go on a run:
  • “If the United States could even make the quarters, we'd be having a conversation. If they could go further... it would be half of our show every day.” (Hahn, 11:17)
  • The challenge: Coverage is tough since none are soccer experts, but the spectacle could transcend expertise—“every casual now cares.” (Hahn, 13:13)
• Acknowledgement that deep runs in global competitions can “change sporting culture,” as seen with US hockey in 1980.

Memorable Moment & Quote:

• [11:43]

  “That's how big it could get. I completely agree.” (Don Hahn)

• The hosts debate if “every casual now cares,” expertise is beside the point.

  “Soccer fans at that point are irrelevant. Respectfully. They're on their own podcasts.” (Hahn, 13:13)

3. Jets QB Situation and Youth Movement

[15:58 – 19:19]

• A caller (Lou) expresses frustration about the Jets’ direction and advocates for rookie Brady Cook to be given a shot, favoring youth and development over veteran placeholders.
• Don and Peter debate the wisdom of playing unproven QBs vs. trying to win with veterans like Tyrod Taylor, noting a lack of evidence Cook is the answer.
  • “This isn’t spring training, you know. Listen, if the kid’s got a chance, then we would have seen that by now… I think he’s going to field the team that gives him the best chance to win.” (Rosenberg, 19:04)
• Shift back to the Boogie Nights song saga, which is still unresolved but keeps the tone fun and irreverent.

4. Listener Calls & Sports Takes

[28:21 – 39:46]

• Dick in Manhattan: Nostalgic call about Yankees trades and NBA/NHL defensive rankings, plus a critique of announcer commentary ("credit the cornerback!" [29:12]).
• Burks’ catch vs. Odell Beckham’s—the panel agrees Odell’s was more iconic.
  • “If he had gone on to not have issues and became an all-time Giant, don’t you think it would have aged a little differently?” (Alan, 34:44)
• Devil's wild standings swings highlight NHL parity.
  • “Every team… in the Eastern Conference right now still has a chance to make the playoffs.” (Rosenberg, 32:47)

5. NBA Knicks Trade Scenario—Giannis to NY?

[37:26 – 39:46]

• Jose in Connecticut (caller) floats a wild three-way trade proposal involving Giannis (to Knicks), Morant, and OG Anunoby.
• The hosts gamely entertain the scenario but label it highly improbable.
  • “If you had a scenario where you had Brunson, Giannis and Cat on the same team…” (Don, 39:02)
  • “I would not light a candle and hold the vigil. I don’t think it’s something you should be waiting for anytime soon, but it’s fun to talk about.” (Don, 39:27)

Memorable Quotes & Standout Moments

• On US soccer stakes:

  “If they can't get out [of the group], is it time to just disband and give up this whole thing?” (Alan Hahn, 05:39)

• On baseball vs. the World Cup:

  “Let’s be honest… It begins in the middle of June… then it’s just nothing else. It’s baseball.” (Don Hahn, 09:25)

• On U.S. soccer's impact if successful:

  “If they could go to the semis… it would end up getting half the time every day. I guarantee you, it would be half of our show every day.” (Alan Hahn, 11:17)

• On hosting but not really knowing soccer:

  “Soccer fans at that point are irrelevant. Respectfully. They’re on their own podcasts… every casual now cares.” (Hahn, 13:13)

• On American sports fans and learning soccer:

  “I think there’s something compelling about all of us sort of learning it and watching it… we know sports, we know how sports works. We know what’s a moment, what’s a big deal.” (Don Hahn, 13:30)

Picks Segment: NFL Week 14 Pro Picks

[42:07 – 51:55]

Standings Update & Format

• Don leads, but all three hosts have losing records—“for a normal year this would be bad.”
• There’s only 8 points between first and last, plenty of room for drama over the last 5 weeks.

Don’s Picks

• 1 Point: Commanders (vs. Vikings), now -1.5 (was +2.5, line moved)
• 2 Point: Rams at Cardinals (-8.5)
• 3 Point: Seahawks at Falcons (-7)

Alan’s Picks

• 1 Point: Bears at Packers (+6.5)
• 3 Point: Commanders at Vikings (-1.5) — Alan jokes about “dying on his sword” with his favorite team

Playful Banter

• Host Anthony notes line movement, sparking mock outrage over “Yo Yo Reindeer Games.”
• “What am I doing, guys? Look at me, look at me, look at me.” (Alan, 49:41)
• Ongoing jokes about Alan’s dog Bear offering picks.

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:36–04:28]: 70s music/Boogie Nights soundtrack banter
• [04:28–15:44]: World Cup groups and U.S. soccer discussion
• [15:58–19:19]: Jets quarterback/caller Lou on youth movement
• [28:21–39:46]: Extended listener calls—Yankees, NBA, Devils, trade scenarios
• [42:07–51:55]: NFL “Pro Picks” for Week 14

Tone and Style

The hosts are self-deprecating, irreverent, and authentically New York. They blend light-hearted musical pop culture references with passionate sports analysis and don’t avoid poking fun at themselves or their audience. Strong listener engagement comes through with calls that both challenge and amuse the hosts.

For New Listeners

This episode captures the trio’s signature blend of sports talk and pop culture, with enough variety to keep both diehard and casual fans engaged. If you want insight into current New York sports, reflections on the bigger cultural sports moments, and plenty of laughs, this hour is a strong showcase of the show’s vibe.

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