Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 3: Yankees Injuries & Brunson Update
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Alan Hahn, Don La Greca, and Peter Rosenberg delve into pressing sports topics, primarily focusing on the New York Yankees' injury woes, the New York Giants' quarterback dilemma, and the New York Knicks' injury update on Jalen Brunson. The discussion is rich with insights, expert analysis, and spirited debates, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current state of New York sports.
Yankees Injury Concerns
Timestamp: [00:36] - [08:43]
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the New York Yankees' ongoing injury troubles. Peter Rosenberg expresses growing anxiety over the team's mounting injury list:
"They’re already down Luis Hill, Garrett Cole for the whole season... Hearing that just brings more anxiety to a starting pitching rotation."
— Peter Rosenberg [00:36]
Alan Hahn provides a historical perspective, highlighting that injury issues are a perennial challenge for the Yankees:
"If you're a Yankee fan, it should bother you because this seems to happen every year that somebody of importance breaks down."
— Alan Hahn [02:55]
Key players affected include:
-
Clark Schmidt: Initially slated to start in a spring training game but held out due to shoulder soreness. Hahn remarks on Schmidt’s reliable bullpen performance despite the injury, emphasizing the strain on the Yankees' rotation.
-
Garrett Cole: Out for the entire season, adding to the pitching woes.
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Paul Goldschmidt: Recently experienced back soreness, exiting a game early. Hahn discusses Goldschmidt’s durability over the years but notes the challenges of managing an aging player:
"He played 154 games last year... You can't say that they acquired an injured player... you're trying to piece it together."
— Alan Hahn [07:09]
The hosts debate the Yankees' playoff prospects amidst these injuries. While Hahn remains cautiously optimistic about the Yankees being a playoff contender, Rosenberg questions the team's ability to compete against rising contenders like Boston and Baltimore:
"Boston's not a bad team. Baltimore is a very good team that just hasn't learned to win in the postseason."
— Alan Hahn [05:01]
Hahn underscores the compounded issues with pitchers’ health:
"Now two of the members of the rotation will not be available... and you've got Cole out for the year."
— Alan Hahn [08:43]
New York Giants' Quarterback Dilemma
Timestamp: [08:50] - [20:19]
Transitioning to the NFL, the discussion focuses on the New York Giants' struggle to secure a franchise quarterback. The conversation centers around potential candidates Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.
Peter Rosenberg outlines the complexities facing the Giants:
"They are waiting on Aaron Rodgers... and what if Russell Wilson says, 'I'm not playing for anything less than $30 million'?"
— Peter Rosenberg [15:04]
Alan Hahn provides an analytical take on the Giants' predicament, weighing the options between Rodgers and Wilson:
"If you go to Minnesota, eventually McCarthy's going to take over... Pittsburgh would be way more attractive... how could Pittsburgh do that when they don't have a quarterback?"
— Alan Hahn [18:28]
Key Points Discussed:
-
Aaron Rodgers: Currently contemplating his next move, with hints pointing towards the Minnesota Vikings working on details. The hosts speculate on Rodgers’ potential decisions and the strategic moves by the Giants.
-
Russell Wilson: Explored as an alternative, but concerns about his fit and remuneration raise doubts. Hahn rhetorically asks:
"Is Rodgers that good or is Russell Wilson that bad?"
— Alan Hahn [11:28] -
Kevin O'Connell: The Vikings' head coach remains pivotal in Rodgers' decision-making process. The uncertainty surrounding this adds to the Giants' executive challenges.
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Impact on the Giants: The inability to secure a dependable quarterback could leave the Giants with emergency options like Joe Flacco or Jameis Winston, neither of whom are seen as long-term solutions.
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson Injury Update
Timestamp: [24:12] - [32:36]
Shifting to the NBA, the focus turns to the New York Knicks and their star player Jalen Brunson. Sham Sarania, the ESPN NBA Insider, provides an update on Brunson's injury status:
"Sources tell me it's more of a three to four week minimum return time."
— Alan Hahn [25:32]
Peter Rosenberg concurs with the cautious outlook:
"I believe I said we probably won't see him until early April... It's at the least four weeks."
— Peter Rosenberg [25:35]
Key Discussion Points:
-
Brunson’s Recovery: Emphasis on the importance of ensuring Brunson is fully healed to lead the Knicks effectively into the playoffs.
-
Team Impact: Without Brunson, the Knicks are grappling with offensive inefficiencies and a lack of cohesive playmaking. Alan Hahn highlights:
"There are possessions when you just don't know where they're going to go with the basketball... you want the ball in Brunson's hand."
— Alan Hahn [27:21] -
Leadership and Morale: The conversation pivots to the Knicks' internal dynamics, questioning the leadership and support among teammates in Brunson’s absence.
Knicks' Team Morale and Leadership Issues
Timestamp: [32:36] - [44:53]
The hosts delve into a critical analysis of the Knicks' internal team dynamics. Observations include:
-
Lack of Visible Support: Peter Rosenberg points out the absence of obvious team camaraderie during confrontations:
"They didn't do any of that... they went the full nine... like nothing happened."
— Peter Rosenberg [33:15] -
Leadership Void: Concerns are raised about the absence of key leaders like Brunson to guide and motivate the team:
"If Brunson's healthy, they're taking their cues from him... but he wasn't there."
— Alan Hahn [37:48] -
Team's Fight Ethic: While the team displays resilience on the court, there's a palpable lack of intangible elements like mutual support and collective aggression when needed.
"It's not the tangible one... they seem to just be passive about it."
— Alan Hahn [37:59] -
Historical Comparisons: Alan Hahn references past teams renowned for their toughness and unity, questioning where the Knicks draw their inspiration.
"They better find it because it's really, really hard to win a championship."
— Alan Hahn [37:48] -
Tom Thibodeau’s Role: Speculation about whether the coaching staff is addressing the lack of team cohesion and aggression.
"Maybe it'll get their attention, but only if the media brings it up."
— Peter Rosenberg [37:48]
Notable Quote:
"Can't do it without one. Can't have a Hall of Fame career... But these guys could still play."
— Peter Rosenberg [20:18]
This quote underscores the critical importance of leadership and team integrity beyond individual talent.
Listener Call-ins and Community Engagement
Timestamp: [39:04] - [44:53]
Engaging with listeners, Don, Hahn & Rosenberg entertain calls that further explore the topics discussed:
-
Joe from Chappaqua pondered what legends like Charles Oakley and Patrick Ewing would do in today's Knicks' scenario, highlighting the perceived lack of toughness.
"The team doesn't seem to have the toughness that those teams had and it just... I don't know what they do to rectify that."
— Peter Rosenberg [39:25] -
Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg debate the Knicks' current state, emphasizing the need for the team to "conduct themselves in the right way" and build the necessary intangibles for championship contention.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reaffirm their concerns and hopes for their respective teams:
-
Yankees: Struggling with a beleaguered pitching rotation but still holding onto playoff aspirations.
-
Giants: Facing a significant challenge in securing a reliable quarterback, with high stakes hinging on the decisions of star players like Rodgers and Wilson.
-
Knicks: Grappling with key injuries and internal team dynamics that may hinder their playoff performance.
Peter Rosenberg concludes with a reflection on the Knicks’ resilience but underscores the necessity for tangible signs of teamwork and leadership:
"The offense doesn't run the same... but there's a camaraderie that's missing there."
— Peter Rosenberg [44:53]
Alan Hahn echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of building team cohesion alongside skill:
"There are other intangibles that make for a team... they haven't been eliminated yet."
— Alan Hahn [44:53]
Listeners are left with a comprehensive understanding of the current challenges and potential future developments in New York sports, guided by the insightful and candid discussions of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg.
Notable Quotes
-
Peter Rosenberg
"They’re already down Luis Hill, Garrett Cole for the whole season... Hearing that just brings more anxiety to a starting pitching rotation."
[00:36] -
Alan Hahn
"If you're a Yankee fan, it should bother you because this seems to happen every year that somebody of importance breaks down."
[02:55] -
Alan Hahn
"He played 154 games last year... You can't say that they acquired an injured player... you're trying to piece it together."
[07:09] -
Peter Rosenberg
"What if Russell Wilson says, 'I'm not playing for anything less than $30 million'?"
[15:04] -
Peter Rosenberg
"They didn't do any of that... they went the full nine... like nothing happened."
[33:15] -
Alan Hahn
"There are other intangibles that make for a team... they haven't been eliminated yet."
[44:53]
This detailed summary encapsulates the critical discussions from the episode, providing a clear understanding of the key issues, expert opinions, and the overall narrative that unfolded during the podcast.