Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary Episode: Hour 4: Body Shaming & Guaranteed Money
Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into pressing topics in the sports world, including body shaming in athletics and the complexities surrounding guaranteed contracts in the NFL. The conversation seamlessly transitions between current sports events and deeper societal issues, providing listeners with insightful analysis and candid discussions.

Mets and Yankees Updates

The episode kicks off with a discussion about the latest developments in Major League Baseball, focusing on the Mets and Yankees.

• Yankees Roster Moves: Peter Rosenberg highlights the Yankees' decision to designate DJ LeMahieu for assignment, questioning the team's strategy as they approach the trade deadline. He notes, "The Yankees DFA D.J. leMayhue. So he is gone. So we'll see what the Yankees do at the trade deadline as they can now focus on a third baseman." ([00:38])

• Bullpen Challenges: Don La Greca adds, "They have to certainly target some bullpen help. That has been an issue for them, but it's really an issue for everybody who's a contender." ([02:01]) The hosts discuss the competitive market for relief pitchers and the uncertainty it brings to the season's outcomes.

Body Shaming in Sports

A significant portion of the episode addresses the sensitive issue of body shaming athletes, sparked by a listener's call.

• Caller David's Concerns: Listener David raises the topic, expressing frustration over athletes being subjected to body shaming. He states, "This whole sports fat shaming thing, I don't know if you guys are serious, really taking a stand against it." ([03:23])

• Host Responses: Don La Greca responds by contextualizing the behavior, suggesting that some athletes might engage in provocative actions for attention. He mentions, "It was July, it was July 4th. He was trying to get clicks, he was trying to get attention." ([03:52])

• Peter Rosenberg's Perspective: Peter agrees, emphasizing that subtle body changes during the off-season don't warrant public criticism. He remarks, "But it's not fat shaming to me, because he's not fat." ([05:16])

• Discussion on Athletic Performance vs. Appearance: The hosts debate the fine line between legitimate performance-related critiques and unnecessary body shaming. Don shares anecdotes about athletes who maintained a certain appearance but lacked conditioning, such as an NBA player who "ate McDonald's before every game" leading to deteriorating performance despite a "chiseled" look. ([11:03])

• Quotes Highlight:

  • "It's just shaming, period." – Peter Rosenberg ([05:39])
  • "Can we stop body shaming this dude?" – Don La Greca ([06:34])

Yankees Management and Aaron Boone's Future

Transitioning back to baseball, the conversation shifts to the Yankees and their manager, Aaron Boone.

• Caller Insights: A listener questions when the Yankees might consider firing Boone, especially given recent team performance. ([13:46])

• Host Analysis: Don La Greca counters the notion of Boone's imminent dismissal, pointing out his recent contract extension and the lack of substantial reasons to question his leadership. He states, "Don't expect it, don't anticipate it. He is not getting fired and not in season." ([13:48])

• Peter's Take: Peter echoes the sentiment, acknowledging Boone's current standing but remains open to future discussions based on team performance. ([15:15])

Guaranteed Contracts and NFL Collusion

The latter part of the episode delves into labor issues within the NFL, focusing on guaranteed contracts and alleged collusion between owners and the players' union.

• Caller David's Inquiry: A listener brings up concerns about the lack of fully guaranteed contracts in the NFL and the potential for collusion to prevent such precedents. David asks, "I think it's time for him at some point... What are the players willing to do to fight this?" ([18:02])

• Hosts' Discussion:

  • Don La Greca: Highlights recent reporting by ESPN journalists Don Van Natta and Kalyn Koller, discussing how NFL owners may have worked together to prevent fully guaranteed contracts from setting new industry standards. He explains, "They did find that there was collusion among the owners." ([19:17])

  • Peter Rosenberg: Compares the situation to past labor disputes in other sports, questioning the players' willingness to take significant stands given the short average career length in the NFL. He says, "Are they willing to throw an entire year, over a quarter of their career, to fight for something?" ([22:18])

• Impact on Players: The hosts debate the challenges NFL players face in negotiating better contracts without jeopardizing their careers. They reference historical lockouts and strikes in various sports to illustrate the difficulties in achieving change. ([23:10])

• Quotes Highlight:

  • "It's the one sport where there just isn't enough longevity for the majority of the players." – Don La Greca ([22:06])
  • "It's not body shaming to me, because he's not fat. Like, if he was morbidly obese, you're making fun of somebody. It's ridiculous in its own right." – Peter Rosenberg ([05:16])

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts touch upon lighter topics, including music preferences and the impact of external factors like weather on sports schedules. They reaffirm their commitment to ongoing discussions about critical sports issues, encouraging listeners to stay engaged.

Conclusion

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg offers a balanced mix of sports analysis and societal commentary. By addressing both the immediate concerns of team management and the broader implications of body shaming and labor practices in sports, the hosts provide a comprehensive overview that is both informative and thought-provoking. Notable moments include deep dives into the Yankees' strategies, heartfelt discussions on athlete well-being, and critical examinations of NFL labor dynamics, all punctuated with insightful quotes and timely reflections.

Notable Quotes:

• "The Yankees DFA D.J. leMayhue. So he is gone." – Peter Rosenberg ([00:38])
• "Can we stop body shaming this dude?" – Don La Greca ([06:34])
• "It's just shaming, period." – Peter Rosenberg ([05:39])
• "Are they willing to throw an entire year, over a quarter of their career, to fight for something?" – Peter Rosenberg ([22:18])
• "It's the one sport where there just isn't enough longevity for the majority of the players." – Don La Greca ([22:06])

For more detailed discussions and additional insights, subscribe to the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast on ESPN New York or your preferred podcast platform.