Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: World Series & Damien Woody

Podcast Date: October 30, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Damien Woody
Network: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

This episode pivots between two major themes: a spirited discussion on the World Series matchup between the Blue Jays and the Dodgers, with close examination of narratives around postseason success and star performances (namely Shohei Ohtani), and an emotional, insightful interview with former NFL lineman Damien Woody reflecting on the legacy and sudden loss of his friend and teammate, Nick Mangold. The episode maintains the trio’s signature mix of deep sports insight, friendly banter, and cultural references.

MLB World Series: Blue Jays, Dodgers & The Postseason “Crapshoot”

[00:43–21:50]

Key Discussion Points

• Sydney Sweeney Casting as Christy Martin

  • Conversation opens lightheartedly, amidst pop culture notes about Sydney Sweeney’s role as boxing legend Christy Martin.
  • The hosts reflect on Martin’s boxing career and juxtapose it with today’s era of female fighters.

• Blue Jays’ Transformation & Playoff Narrative

  • Discussion shifts to the Blue Jays’ Cinderella World Series run, coming off a last-place American League finish the prior year.
  • The “crapshoot” nature of the MLB playoffs becomes a central theme:
    • Is baseball’s postseason really random, or can regular-season dominance translate to a title?

• Yankees Fans’ Perspective

  • The hosts dissect the psychology of rooting for the team that knocked you out of the playoffs:
    • Peter Rosenberg [02:43]:
      “As a fan, I always want the team that knocked me out to win. Unless it was somebody that I absolutely despised because it makes me feel that nobody else was able to beat him.”
    • Don Hahn [03:39]:
      “They were punching up. They were being that annoying little brother team for a couple of years. ... And then last year they were bad. But they put it all together this year.”

• Approach to Team-Building & Managerial Style

  • Comments on how both Blue Jays manager John Schneider and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts balance analytics with gut instinct.
    • Don Hahn [07:14]:
      “But it just doesn’t it feel like these are two teams that the manager does have like that final say and he knows he can, he can go away from the plan.”

• Is the Postseason Truly a Crapshoot?

  • The crew debates whether the Blue Jays’ journey exemplifies randomness or effective team-building.
    • Peter Rosenberg [09:17]:
      “I think when you talk about crapshoot from regular season to postseason, this isn’t random. This is actually the way it’s supposed to be.”
    • The Brewers are given as a counterexample—regular-season prowess not translating to playoff wins.

• What Sets Postseason Winners Apart?

  • The group discusses the ingredients for October success—pitching depth, clutch resilience, and momentum.
    • Don Hahn [13:28]:
      “Pitching is everything. It’s everything. It’s why you have a chance. It’s why you can go from a devastating loss in the next. There’s no momentum in the sport. None. ... All it is is your pitcher dominant. You have a chance to win.”
  • The Blue Jays’ ability to shed their “little brother” persona and deliver in big moments is contrasted with the Yankees' struggles.

• Shohei Ohtani’s Postseason Heroics & Fatigue
  [16:23–21:50]

  • Ohtani's superhuman performance analyzed, but also the limits—did the epic 18-inning Game 3 gas him for the rest of the series?
    • Alan Hahn [16:23]:
      “How much was... [Game 3] took out of him? ... There was no days off. Is he going to be better in Game 6 just because there's a day off, Catch his breath?”
    • Peter Rosenberg [17:32]:
      “The equivalent would be Stanley Cup Final Game 3, and Jack Hughes scores a hat trick, two assists, five-point night, scores the game-winning goal in overtime and he’s starting in goal the next game.”
    • Ohtani’s feats are compared to historic, one-of-a-kind moments (e.g. Babe Ruth, Carlton Fisk home run).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Blue Jays’ Rise:

  • Don Hahn [05:13]:
    “This team feels like the definition of crapshoot. Just get it right at the right time and get on a run. That’s literally what they did, right?”

• On Managerial Philosophy:

  • Don Hahn [08:18]:
    “I do think that they allow John Schneider to manage, and I think he does manage from the gut.”

• On Yankees Postseason Woes:

  • Don Hahn [14:34]:
    “I’m waiting to see when the Yankees take something personal.”
  • Peter Rosenberg [14:55]:
    “But we forgot the reason you were there in the first place. That whole swoon that they go through for every six weeks during the year where they bury themselves by just playing terrible baseball.”

Iconic Sports Moments That Lose Their “Luster” in Defeat

[21:50–29:46]

• Debates whether singular epic performances (like Ohtani’s or the “Damian Fish” home run) maintain legacy if the team ultimately loses.
  • Peter Rosenberg [27:23]:
    “The only time... that a win for a team that eventually lost, still had legs, was the Fisk home run in ‘75.”
  • Don Hahn [47:04], later in the show: “It’s basically the Mr. November Home Run by Derek Jeter... That’s still referenced in baseball, isn’t it?”

NFL: Remembering Nick Mangold and Reflections with Damien Woody

[25:23–39:38]

A Tribute to Nick Mangold

[26:18–31:10]

• Damien Woody’s Emotional Remembrance:

  • Describes Mangold as more than a great player—a Hall of Fame person, husband, and community member.
    • Damien Woody [26:18]:
      “Nick was a brother. ... Nick was one of those guys that always kept the mood light. ... Nick was one of one. He was maybe the best lineman that I ever played with during my career... not only Nick Mangold, in my opinion is a Hall of Fame player, but he's a Hall of Fame person.”
  • Shares how sudden Mangold’s passing was even to those close to him, emphasizes value of time, and details receiving the news with former teammates.

• Mangold's Impact on the Jets

  • Damien Woody [30:22]:
    “For me, it was just like, sign me up because I looked at the opportunity and look at the talent that was on the office line. ... For that, you know, three years we were... the best offensive line in football.”

NFL Talk: Giants, Jets, and New England's Revival

[31:10–39:38]

• On Giants’ Rookie QB Jackson Dart and Coaching Future

  • Woody evaluates Dart’s development as promising and stresses the critical importance of franchise infrastructure and coaching stability as the season continues.

• On New York Market Pressure

  • Damien Woody [33:36]:
    “In New York is unlike anywhere else. ... As a competitor, you should embrace playing in this environment... if you do, man, you're like a made man, I can tell you that.”

• On Patriots Resurgence & Mike Vrabel

  • Predicts the Patriots are “back” and praises the Vrabel hire and McDaniels’ return as offensive coordinator.
    • Damien Woody [36:32]:
      “It was just like Mike Vrabel to New England was the easiest coaching, you know, fit that there was out there. ... When you pair him with Drake May, now you seeing Drake May playing at an MVP type of level.”

• On Winning in New York

  • Damien Woody [35:48]:
    “There's nothing like winning in New York. Nothing like winning in New York. It's just... a totally different vibe.”

• Who's Winning the NFC?

  • Picks the Detroit Lions as current favorites over traditional favorites like the Eagles.
    • Damien Woody [39:15]:
      “I'm gonna go Detroit.”

Listener Calls & Final Banter

[50:25–51:44]

• Entertaining listener call about the “100 Grand” candy bar during Peter’s “wedding table” candy ranking bit.
• Closing lighthearted banter about James Taylor, the Rock Hall, and enduring YouTube technical difficulties during the storm, with enthusiastic appreciation for the behind-the-scenes production team.

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• On "100 Grand" Candy Bars:
  • Lou from the Bronx [50:33]:
    “If you ever get canceled by ESPN, you can go right to Comedy Central because I laugh out loud every day.”
• On James Taylor and Flavor Flav:
  • Alan Hahn [43:17]:
    “But Flavor Flav recognized. He goes, let me jump out of your picture, and I got to get the solo with me and the great JT.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:43] — Sydney Sweeney/World Series/Blue Jays narrative begins
• [05:13] — “Crapshoot” playoff debate
• [14:34] — Yankees’ repeated playoff shortcomings
• [16:23] — Shohei Ohtani’s fatigue and impact
• [21:50] — Iconic moments that lose legacy in defeat
• [25:23] — Transition to NFL and remembrance of Nick Mangold
• [26:18] — Damien Woody’s tribute to Mangold
• [31:10] — Giants, Jackson Dart, and coaching talk
• [36:32] — Patriots resurgence with Vrabel & McDaniels
• [39:15] — NFC favorite pick: Detroit
• [50:25] — Listener call: “100 Grand” wedding table bit
• [43:17] — James Taylor & Flavor Flav story

Tone & Style

This episode is driven by sharp, sometimes irreverent, New York sports banter and deep affection for the city’s teams and sports legends. The discussion is lively and fast-paced, but makes deliberate room for reflection, especially during the heartfelt segment about Nick Mangold. The hosts’ rapport leads to frequent playful interruptions and inside jokes, with Rosenberg always ready with a memorable analogy or pop culture pull.