Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Yankees' Important Stretch

Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: ESPN New York

Overview

This episode zeroes in on a pivotal stretch for the New York Yankees as they face a gauntlet of upper-tier teams, with consequential implications for playoff positioning and fan perception. The hosts engage in an animated, insightful debate about the meanings behind wins and losses at this point in the baseball season. The segment also features lively sidebars on the Mets' struggles and colorful listener call-ins, all in the show’s signature blend of sharp sports analysis and New York attitude.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Yankees’ Critical 12-Game Stretch (04:45–13:00)

• Optics vs. Reality:
  The Yankees, coming off a strong run (14 wins out of their last 19 games), now enter a critical sequence: Astros, Blue Jays, Red Sox—no soft spots. The question: Does beating bad teams mean anything if they don't win against real contenders?
• Don: “If the Yankees go back to losing against good teams, then everything that they've done over the last 19 games feels like it's fruitless.” (04:45)
• Alan: Stresses that this “block of 12 games” is a litmus test for whether the Yankees are peaking at the right time or destined for mediocrity.
• Importance of Direct Rivals:
  More weight is given to games against the Blue Jays and Red Sox—they're “four-point games” in the standings.
• Best vs. Worst Case Scenarios:
  • Best-case: Yankees run the table, potentially grabbing the AL’s top seed.
  • Worst-case: Flop into a wild card slot—echoing season-long doubts of their big-game viability.

Notable Quote:

• Alan: “This block right here…this could optically tell you a lot, but also record wise could set you up for something that when you were six and a half games back of the Blue Jays...was unthinkable the way they were going.” (06:25)

2. The "Ideal" Record and Importance of Division Games (08:41–22:06)

• What Record Would Satisfy Fans?
  • Don proposes: 8–4 over this stretch is tolerable, but only if the losses are not against the Blue Jays or Red Sox.
  • Alan & Peter agree: Prioritize wins over division rivals, even if it means dropping games to the Astros or Tigers.
  • The conversation features a colorful, somewhat heated back-and-forth with a caller, Ruben, who argues about the “math” and reality vs. ideal scenarios.
• Fan Psychology:
  The guys highlight that, optically, 8–4 may seem okay, but if the Yankees lose crucial head-to-heads, it’s a problem both in tangible standings and belief.

Notable Quotes:

• Don: "With Houston, it's optics. Detroit, it's optics. But Boston and Toronto, we're talking about territory, we're talking about positioning." (10:15)
• Peter (to caller): “We understand what you're saying, but in the divisional games, if you lose, it doesn't matter what else happens, it's two every time.” (20:04)

3. Mets’ Hopes and Pitching Issues (13:47–16:49)

• Mets’ Only Hope is the Kids:
  The hosts lay out the dire state of Mets pitching, where young, untested arms are now their best shot.
  • Peterson's struggles, Senga’s uncertain status, and the possibility of Sproat getting called up.
• Juan Soto’s Grand Slam:
  First HR with more than one baserunner all year; a much-needed offensive spark.
• Skepticism:
  Despite some bright spots, there's little faith the pitching will hold up for October.

Notable Quote:

• Alan: "If I'm telling you, Don, that your ace is struggling, but it's not physical and it might be just mechanics…are you more optimistic…or is it more concerning?" (14:12)
• Don: "You're running out of time here." (15:08)

4. Fun Anecdotes and Listener Calls (23:14–38:40)

• Shortest Home Run in MLB History:
  The hosts marvel at a wild Red Sox HR that deflected off a glove and the foul pole (23:13).
• Funny Listener Interactions:
  • The “Mateo’s” story—a lively in-person run-in with a diehard Yankees fan (31:46–37:34).
  • Banter over patience with callers fumbling on the line—mock frustration and inside jokes abound.
  • Quirky sidebar: chat about Neil Diamond, "What about Bob?" film references, and a random actor obituary sequence.

5. Ticket Prices and Fan Behavior (42:45–47:53)

• Jets Tickets Debate:
  • Fans question the ethics of selling tickets for profit vs. supporting the team.
  • Some nostalgia about the days of $4 tickets at Giants and Jets games.
  • Hosts agree: For the average fan, if you're offered exorbitant resale prices, you can’t be blamed for selling.

Notable Quote:

• Don: “As much as I love football... if somebody's going to offer me, you know, 10 times what a ticket's worth…I’m going to be like, ‘Marco, we're going to go to the next game.’” (43:40)

6. Closing Thoughts and Loose Ends (47:53–End)

• Sports as Life:
  Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg wrap up with more lighthearted takes on food, restaurants, the joy (and pain) of being a NY sports fan, and plans for future ESPN NY events.
• Program Note:
  They remind listeners that tomorrow's show is app-only due to a daytime Mets game.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Alan on Yankees' critical stretch:
  “We've been told all season their best baseball is ahead of them…it's right here in these 12 [games].” (06:25)

• Don on prioritizing division games:
  "Make sure that you get the wins against Toronto and Boston, that’s way more important because that’s who you’re battling." (10:15)

• Fan call math argument (Ruben):
  Don (exasperated): "No, but Ruben’s wrong because...you do have a margin for error if you lose to Detroit and Houston. You have zero margin for error when you lose to Boston and Toronto." (19:11)

• Alan on playoff odds:
  “I think they’re at now about 96% certainty to...at least make the playoffs.” (11:19)

• On ticket prices (Steve in Middle Village):
  “I want to buy the ticket for $4. Like it was a box seat, Yankee Stadium. Then the guy looked at me, said, ‘Okay, kid, you can go in.’” (46:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:45 | Yankees’ stretch: Why it matters, optics vs. results | | 08:41 | What record is “acceptable” for Yankees in coming games? | | 13:47 | Mets’ pitching woes; Soto’s grand slam | | 15:51 | Senga's mechanics, hope in young pitchers | | 23:13 | The shortest home run in MLB; fun Red Sox story | | 31:46 | Listener Pete’s Yankees story and in-person meeting | | 42:45 | Jets tickets and resale ethics; nostalgia for cheap tickets |

Tone & Style

• The episode is lively, debate-driven, and full of characteristic New York sports humor.
• The hosts seamlessly blend sharp baseball analysis with locker-room banter and relatable fan frustration.
• Frequent teasing, pop culture references, and call-in stories give the show a distinct, authentic voice.

Final Takeaway

This episode captures the anxiety, hope, and endless math that define a New York baseball September. If the Yankees want to silence critics and inspire real October dreams, these next dozen games—especially against division rivals—are going to say it all. Meanwhile, the Mets’ only hope for a postseason push looks to be a trio of rookies, and the moral calculus of sports fandom (including selling tickets) is as complicated as ever.

For anyone wanting to catch up on why this span is do-or-die for the Yankees—or just to listen in on the best kind of sports radio debate—this hour is essential.