Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg - Hour 4: Hahn Solo
Release Date: March 8, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg
Introduction
In the fourth episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, titled "Hahn Solo," Alan Hahn takes the lead, delving into a range of sports topics primarily centered around New York sports. This episode, released on March 8, 2025, offers in-depth discussions on the New York Yankees' lineup, John Carlos Stanton's injury updates, Juan Soto's free agency decision, and broader conversations about athlete health and performance in modern sports.
Yankees Starting Lineup
Timestamp: [04:00]
Alan Hahn kicks off the episode by presenting the New York Yankees' starting lineup for an upcoming game against the Toronto Blue Jays at 6:30 PM on YES Network. Highlighting each player's role, Hahn provides insights into the team's strategy:
- Catching: Austin Wells
- Aaron Judge: Positioned in the two-hole and slated to bat cleanup.
- Cody Bellinger: Serving as the first baseman.
- Paul Goldschmidt: Batting cleanup.
- Trent Grisham: Designated Hitter (DH) and expected to feature prominently in left field.
- Dom Smith: Shortstop
- Oswald Peraza: Second base
- Vivas: Third base
- Andrew Velasquez: Pitcher for the night
Hahn emphasizes the significance of each player's contribution, setting the stage for the Yankees' performance.
John Carlos Stanton's Injury Update
Timestamp: [05:30]
The discussion shifts to John Carlos Stanton's ongoing injury concerns. Hahn and co-hosts analyze recent reports indicating that Stanton will return to New York City for a third round of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for his ailing elbows:
Hahn: "A third round of PRP? This sounds like the elbow is a serious issue that, like, I've never had PRP elbows."
The hosts express concern over the necessity of multiple PRP treatments, questioning the effectiveness and underlying severity of Stanton's elbow condition. They delve into the implications of such injuries on Stanton's performance and the Yankees' prospects in the current season.
Juan Soto's Free Agency Decision
Timestamp: [08:18] - [12:00]
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Juan Soto's decision to sign with the New York Mets over the Yankees, a move that has sparked widespread discussion and speculation. The podcast dissects Soto's motivations, financial considerations, and the overall impact on both teams.
Key Points:
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Financial Offers: While the Yankees offered $760 million over 16 years, the Mets extended a slightly higher total of $765 million over one less year, resulting in a higher annual payout for Soto.
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Non-Financial Incentives: The Mets provided Soto with a luxury suite for his family, an offer the Yankees were unwilling to match. This aspect was pivotal in Soto's decision-making process.
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Team Culture and Environment: Soto highlighted the Mets' family-friendly atmosphere and the support from owner Steve Cohen as influential factors.
Notable Quote:
Don Hahn: "He chose the Mets over the Yankees over money. That's what we thought. But then this is said, and now you're like, hang on a second, who offered more?"
The hosts debate whether Soto prioritized financial gain or his personal satisfaction and team environment, considering the marginal difference in financial offers.
Caller Anthony's Perspective on Soto's Decision
Timestamp: [10:50] - [13:00]
Listener Anthony joins the conversation via call, offering his perspective on Soto's decision:
Anthony: "If you're a selfish player and I think he's got a little bit of that in him, there's the one thing that the Mets could give him, the Yankees couldn't and that was his name on the back of his jersey."
Anthony suggests that personal branding and recognition played a crucial role in Soto's choice, implying that the Mets offered him greater visibility and individual prominence compared to the Yankees.
Don Hahn responds by acknowledging the importance of both financial and personal incentives, reinforcing the complexity of such high-stakes decisions in professional sports.
Athlete Injuries and Modern Training Intensity
Timestamp: [13:09] - [16:18]
The conversation broadens to address the increasing prevalence of injuries among modern athletes, attributing this trend to more intense and rigorous training regimens:
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Connective Tissue Stress: Discussion on how significant muscle gain leads to disproportionate stress on ligaments and cartilage, contributing to higher injury rates.
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Comparative Analysis: Hosts compare current athletes with those from previous decades, noting that past players often avoided major injuries due to less demanding physical attributes.
Notable Insights:
Don Hahn: "I do think that is something that is different in pro sports now. So, yes, they're bigger, stronger, faster but they get hurt more. It does feel that way."
The segment underscores the balance between athletic performance and physical sustainability, questioning whether the current emphasis on peak physicality is sustainable in the long term.
In-Depth Discussion with Caller Danny on Athlete Health
Timestamp: [13:24] - [16:18]
Caller Danny engages in a detailed dialogue about the physical toll of modern sports training:
Danny: "The human body is just not. These guys train so hard and they're so jacked up that I had an orthopedic tell me one time that, you know, the human cartilage and ligaments and all these things, they don't grow in accordance with your, you know, you put on 20 pounds of muscle."
Danny elaborates on how excessive muscle mass and repetitive motions in training lead to chronic injuries, citing examples like David Wright and referencing historical athletes from the '50s to '80s who maintained lower body mass and, consequently, fewer injuries.
Don Hahn: "I do think that is something that is different in pro sports now. So, yes, they're bigger, stronger, faster but they get hurt more. It does feel that way."
The discussion highlights the evolving demands of professional sports and raises questions about athlete longevity and health management.
Caller Richard's Interactions and Sports Predictions
Timestamp: [17:30] - [23:30]
Richard contributes to the episode with a series of sports-related questions and personal anecdotes:
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Coaching Preferences:
- Question: "Michigan State just won the Big Ten. Who do you take, Tom or Rick?"
- Hahn's Answer: Prefers Izzo for his stability over Rick Pitino, acknowledging both coaches' merits.
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Player Comparisons:
- Question: "Who do you take, Draymond or Jimmy?"
- Hahn's Answer: Chooses Jimmy Baller as the better player over Draymond.
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Trade Speculations:
- Question: "Would you, if you were Golden State now, try for Klay Thompson from Dallas?"
- Hahn's Answer: Unlikely, citing Thompson may not fit anymore.
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Hockey Team Performance:
- Question: Inquires about historical instances where a team won the President's Trophy but failed in the playoffs.
- Hahn's Answer: Mentions the Capitals as a recent example.
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NBA Draft Insights:
- Discussion on Shadar Sanders vs Justin Fields: Hahn advocates for Shadar Sanders as a promising quarterback with better accuracy and presence, despite lacking certain physical attributes compared to Justin Fields.
Notable Quote:
Don Hahn: "I think Sanders is gonna be a good pro. I'll be proved wrong? Of course, but I don't think I will."
Richard also shares a personal memory of attending an ESPN suite, expressing appreciation for the hosts and their impact.
Shadar Sanders vs. Justin Fields: QB Prospects
Timestamp: [22:32] - [23:30]
A focused analysis on NFL quarterback prospects Shadar Sanders and Justin Fields:
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Shadar Sanders:
- Strengths: Accuracy, presence, and awareness under pressure.
- Potential: Viewed as a strong pro candidate with the right development.
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Justin Fields:
- Assessment: While Fields has had ample time to prove himself, Hahn remains skeptical about his immediate impact compared to Sanders.
Notable Quote:
Don Hahn: "He has everything that matters in the NFL. And I'm telling you, he's got all those traits. I don't think he's a plug and play immediate impact kind of quarterback, but I do think he's somebody that when properly developed, I do think he's going to be a good pro."
Hahn emphasizes the importance of mental attributes over purely physical ones, drawing parallels to legendary quarterbacks like Tom Brady.
Conclusion and Sign-Off
Timestamp: [24:52] - End
As the episode wraps up, Don Hahn previews upcoming changes at the station, hinting at a new studio and setup for future shows. He encourages listeners to stay tuned for continued evolution and engaging content.
Don Hahn: "And when we come back on Monday, we'll be in a new studio, new setup, new everything we're looking forward to. It's going to be a lot of fun."
He signs off by reminding listeners to subscribe to the podcast across various platforms and teases the next guest, Ty Butler.
Notable Advertisements Skipped
Throughout the episode, various advertisements were interspersed, including promotions for McDonald's, Shopify, Mint Mobile, LinkedIn, Uber Eats, and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. As per the summary guidelines, these non-content sections have been intentionally omitted to maintain focus on the primary discussions and insights.
Final Thoughts
"Hahn Solo" offers a comprehensive look into current New York sports dynamics, athlete health concerns, and strategic decisions impacting major teams. Alan Hahn delivers thoughtful analysis, enriched by listener interactions and expert opinions, making this episode a valuable listen for sports enthusiasts seeking depth and clarity on pressing topics.