Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Yankees v Umps & Football Picks

Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Podcast: ESPN New York

Episode Overview

This lively third hour centers on the Yankees' tough loss to the Astros, controversial umpiring, fan reactions, and the complexities of football fandom in New York. The trio unpacks the Yankees' season optics, the impact of subpar officiating, and why conspiracy theories about umpires’ biases run rampant. The crew also debates their NFL picks segment structure and how live football experiences stack up against watching at home. The tone is passionate, sarcastic, and full of authentic New York sports banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees’ Loss to Astros & Optics of the Season ([00:43]–[03:48])

• Yankees drop a crucial game to the Astros, with the bullpen surrendering a lead.
• Rosenberg notes the optics: "You can't start the gauntlet and drop two out of three to Houston." ([01:08])
• Concern extends to the division race with Toronto gaining ground on a Yankees off-night.
• Don Hahn highlights the exasperation unique to Yankee fans:

  "It's the reason why a Yankees fan sounds like a raving lunatic... You can still play great for like five or six games, and then you get a game like this, that little reminder of, oh yeah, we can still do stupid things." ([02:14])

2. Managerial & Bullpen Decisions ([02:14]–[03:48])

• Criticism over Stanton staying in the game and poor bullpen utilization.

• Don calls out the pattern of questionable choices:

  "Stanton staying in the game... he was a magnet for the ball... And he couldn't field the saving, and it turned the momentum." ([02:58])

• Lighthearted banter about unreliable relievers:

  Rosenberg: "You're giving me suicide or Helsley? Either way. What? I got to take a pill." ([03:57])

3. Umpiring Controversy & the Brian Walsh Debate ([03:48]–[10:14])

• Brian Walsh's inconsistent strike zone sparks outrage; his social media history (Red Sox/Dodgers fan) fans the flames.
• Rosenberg firmly rejects conspiracy theories:

  "Do you really think a guy that worked his tail off to become an umpire at the highest level... is going to throw all that away for calling ball strikes in a regular season game against the Yankees to help his Red Sox get to the playoffs?" ([05:10]) "Maybe the answer is just he's bad at his job. He's not a good umpire, and he's probably gonna lose his job because of it." ([06:23])

• Don suggests Yankees’ combative reputation impacts umpire decisions:

  "When you start to become that team that gets that reputation, umpires are already waiting for it... Screw you. I'm not giving you the benefit of the doubt." ([10:06])

• The team calls for maturity among fans and less whining from the dugout.

4. Callers: Bias, Reputation, and Accountability ([11:49]–[15:56])

• Callers spark debate about umpires needing thicker skin vs. teams antagonizing them.
• Don raises the issue of animated umpires:

  "What I don't like is I do this all the time with NBA refs as well. I don't like when I see an official almost waiting for the moment I can throw you out." ([09:04])

• All agree: officials should "run cold," not with visible emotion (as David Cone said).

5. The Yankees’ Hunger Directed at Umpires, Not Opponents ([15:56]–[16:18])

• Peter quips:

  "I wish this Yankees team had as much passion towards beefing with opposing teams and players as they do about umpires." ([15:56])

• They note that antagonizing umpires, who control close calls, is especially self-defeating.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On umpire bias myths:
  Rosenberg:

  “Guys, grow up... Would you throw your career away for your team if you worked your tail off to be a police officer... be willing to throw all that away to help your team win a game?” ([05:17–06:18])

• On Yankees’ constant complaining:
  Don:

  “That dugout is always on the case of the home plate umpire... When you start to become that team that gets that reputation, umpires are already waiting for it... After a while, you know what happens? Screw you. I’m not giving you the benefit of the doubt.” ([10:06])

• Call-in on bias:
  Caller:

  “If he was a Yankee fan and it happened to the Red Sox, they’d be making something of it too.” ([12:01])

• Peter on Yankees’ misplaced aggression:

  "They don't seem to bring the passion consistently towards everyone else, but you really see them throw a feel about [the umpires]." ([16:10])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Yankees Loss & Season Outlook: 00:43–03:48
• Bullpen Woes & Manager Decisions: 02:14–03:48
• Umpiring Controversy & Fan Bias: 03:48–10:14
• Team Reputation & Human Element of Umpiring: 10:14–15:56
• Fan Passion Misplaced & Umps as ‘Enemies’: 15:56–16:18

Football Fandom, NFL Picks, and Show Competition

1. NFL Reflections & Fandom Pain ([17:20]–[21:29])

• Listener Chris from Wanta shares suffering as a young Jets fan, missing out on historical highs but carrying scars from lows.
• Good-natured debate on what constitutes a "real" fan—if you come to New York later in life, can you ever truly feel the decades-long pain? ([19:53])
• Rosenberg:

  “If he was a Patriot fan and gave up on the Patriots to be a Jet fan, he’d be a fraud. [But] He was more of a baseball guy, but again claimed the Mets when he got here.” ([20:28])

2. Conspiracy vs. Money Motivation in Officiating ([21:33]–[22:43])

• Caller asks: What about Tim Donaghy?
• Rosenberg and Don clarify that money (not childhood fandom) motivates rare corrupt refereeing.
• Rosenberg:

  “Money changes things, man... but money makes people do weird things.” ([21:50–22:16])

3. NFL Picks Segment Structure—Three-Point System vs. Cover 5 ([24:57]–[33:36])

• Discussion over how to run their football picks: traditional “3-2-1” scoring vs. the Cover 5 app, which involves making five picks against the spread per week.
• Internal debate on fairness, simplicity, and whether the public should have a say.
• Peter:

  "When you start getting up to five games, it's just hard. Three for three is a real thing." ([29:20])

• Consensus to keep the three-point system for show competition, use Cover 5 for audience participation.

Mets Pitching Update

• Mets’ Senga situation: He’s being asked to go to the minors to work on mechanics; whether he accepts might affect his future with the team.
• Rosenberg:

  "You refusing to go to the minor leagues is you saying you're refusing to get better. And how can I work with that?" ([40:36])

• Don points out Senga's perspective and work ethic.

Fans, Stadium Culture & Watching Live vs. At Home ([47:02]–[50:58])

• Caller Ira brings up Jets stadium policies, cheaper beer pregame to get fans inside.
• Don explains it's about generating energy and getting butts in seats before kickoff.
• Rosenberg laments:

  "Football is just the worst live experience. When you compare live to home... biggest gap to me is football." ([50:30])

• Don concedes only the best seats make the live game worth it for most.

Final Thoughts

• The episode showcases the never-ending cycle of New York sports pain, scrutiny toward umpires and officials, and a skeptical but hopeful take on the Yankees’ and Mets’ outlooks.
• Also notable: The show’s running self-awareness of the emotional rollercoaster their own football picks segment entails.

For listeners who missed the action:
Expect a candid, funny, and unapologetically New York deep-dive into Yankees frustration, umpire drama, the quirks of football picks, and the joys and pains of being a sports fan in the Big Apple.