Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast - Episode: Hour 4: Honoring Al Release Date: February 26, 2025

Overview

In "Hour 4: Honoring Al," hosts Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into a deeply personal and emotional segment honoring Al Trotwick, a respected figure in their community. Alongside this heartfelt tribute, the trio engages with listener calls ranging from Greek culinary delights in Astoria to passionate debates about the New York Giants' future. The episode masterfully balances humor, camaraderie, and vulnerability, offering listeners both entertainment and genuine moments of reflection.

Honoring Al Trotwick

The centerpiece of the episode is Peter Rosenberg's heartfelt tribute to Al Trotwick. As the team prepares to honor Al, Peter shares his personal struggle with grief and the challenge of addressing this loss live on air.

• Peter Rosenberg's Emotional Journey ([05:29] - [08:00]): Peter opens up about the recent losses in his life and the difficulty of maintaining his usual on-air demeanor while preparing to honor Al. He reflects, "This has been a wonderful distraction for me personally. It's been quite a run for me these last couple of months, losing people in my life." ([05:29])

• Don Hahn's Supportive Insight ([05:29] - [06:12]): Don encourages Peter to embrace authenticity, emphasizing that genuine emotion resonates with audiences. He advises, "What Al would want is you to do good TV, and you know how to do good TV. So all you want to do is be completely authentic." ([05:29])

• Broadcasting Through Grief ([06:12] - [09:10]): The conversation deepens as Peter shares memories of Al's mentorship and their collaborative history. He poignantly states, "Al is somebody that meant so much to me on many levels." ([06:12]) Don reiterates the importance of authenticity in broadcasting, noting, "There's never a reason to feel bad or worry about getting overly emotional because, you know, it makes compelling entertainment also." ([11:11])

Engaging with Listener Calls

Balancing the emotional weight of honoring Al, the hosts engage with listener calls, showcasing their signature blend of humor and insightful commentary.

• Greek Culinary Delights with Stomatis ([13:05] - [15:13]): Stomatis from Astoria shares his top Greek restaurant recommendations, highlighting Kiklotti's Clotties with immense popularity: "They have all Greek delicacies... there's literally a 45-minute wait." ([14:36]) The discussion transitions into the pronunciation of "gyro," with Stomatis advising, "If you're Americanized Greek, expect you to say gyro. You know, we don't judge it." ([14:55])

• New York Giants Debate with Mike ([18:27] - [23:31]): Mike from Parsippany passionately criticizes the Giants' current strategy, questioning the decision to pursue veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. He suggests alternative draft strategies, stating, "Why don't they just take... and maybe you draft a quarterback in the fourth round or something and you hope to get a, you know, a Dak Prescott type player." ([19:17]) Alan counters, expressing frustration over the franchise's perceived lack of effort: "How are you supposed to build a culture? How are you supposed to build a team...” ([17:35])

  The debate intensifies as Don offers a counterpoint on Stafford's viability: "If you can protect Matt Stafford, he could be your guy for a few years and then you could at least give it a shot right now." ([23:30]) Alan remains unconvinced, culminating in a spirited exchange about the team's direction and future prospects.

Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

As the episode draws to a close, Don Hahn wraps up the discussions, acknowledging the emotional depth of the tribute and the lively debates from listeners. He reassures listeners of continued engaging content, stating, "We'll catch you tomorrow at 3pm right here on 880 in the ESPN New York app." ([23:57])

Peter adds a touch of humor, emphasizing the importance of quality content: "I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good." ([24:36])

Don concludes with a signature sign-off, blending humor and enthusiasm: "These are the prodigies, the savants, the ones we've been waiting for. And they are not asking for you to pass the baton. They are methodically planning the perfect moment to take it." ([24:39])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Peter Rosenberg on Personal Loss: "This has been a wonderful distraction for me personally. It's been quite a run for me these last couple of months, losing people in my life." ([05:29])

• Don Hahn on Authenticity in Broadcasting: "What Al would want is you to do good TV, and you know how to do good TV. So all you want to do is be completely authentic." ([05:29])

• Stomatis on Greek Cuisine in Astoria: "They have all Greek delicacies... there's literally a 45-minute wait." ([14:36])

• Mike on Giants' Draft Strategy: "Why don't they just take... and maybe you draft a quarterback in the fourth round or something and you hope to get a, you know, a Dak Prescott type player." ([19:17])

• Don Hahn on Matthew Stafford's Potential: "If you can protect Matt Stafford, he could be your guy for a few years and then you could at least give it a shot right now." ([23:30])

• Peter Rosenberg on Quality Content: "I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good." ([24:36])

Conclusion

"Hour 4: Honoring Al" serves as a poignant reminder of the personal bonds that underpin the sports broadcasting community. Through heartfelt discussions and spirited listener interactions, Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg offer a multifaceted episode that honors a cherished mentor while engaging audiences with relatable and passionate debates.