Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Last Call Crew
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Host/Authors: ESPN New York’s Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

1. Opening Discussion: Mets vs. Yankees Standings (00:30 - 01:13)

The episode kicks off with Don Hahn providing an overview of the current baseball landscape. He highlights the New York Mets' challenging upcoming series against San Francisco and San Diego and shifts focus to the New York Yankees' pivotal game against Bassett. Hahn sets the stage for debates on whether the Yankees will clinch the series and potentially impact their standings with the Blue Jays.

Notable Quote:
Don Hahn [00:30]: "Mets fans will find themselves, you know, rooting for the Yankees this weekend."

2. Caller Segment: Criticism of Anthony Volpe (01:39 - 07:02)

Caller: Charlie from Brooklyn
Charlie expresses strong dissatisfaction with Yankees' shortstop Anthony Volpe, criticizing his defensive plays and overall performance. He argues that Volpe's recent underperformance is detrimental and suggests that he should be sent down to the minor leagues.

Key Points:

• Performance Issues: Charlie labels Volpe's plays as "pathetic" and believes his struggles have persisted for nearly two months.
• Trade Suggestions: He proposes trading Volpe for Corey Seager, despite Seager being considered a valuable asset.

Notable Quotes:
Charlie [01:39]: "I had enough of Volpe. I want him sending down to the minor leagues."
Don Hahn [02:59]: "So I'm not sending him down until I make that deal. And I don't think he can make the deal."

Hosts' Responses: Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg engage in a deep dive into the feasibility of trading Volpe. They discuss the complexities of filling the shortstop position without compromising other critical roles within the team.

Notable Quote:
Peter Rosenberg [05:33]: "They have glaring holes in third base, the rotation, and the bullpen."

3. Third Base Concerns and Suarez Trade Discussion (07:02 - 11:31)

The conversation transitions to the Yankees' need to bolster their third base. The hosts examine the potential acquisition of an offensive player like Suarez, weighing his high home run count against his defensive shortcomings.

Key Points:

• Suarez's Performance: Suarez has hit 36 home runs over four months but is criticized for poor defense and high strikeout rates.
• Trade Implications: Michael K. is quoted discussing whether acquiring Suarez is worth trading top prospects, considering his defensive liabilities.

Notable Quotes:
Michael K. [07:50]: "He strikes out an awful lot. But you can't ignore the 36 home runs."
Don Hahn [10:52]: "So if they're not in on it, that tells me that it's going to cost too much."

Analysis:
Don and Peter debate the strategic trade-offs, considering both immediate needs and long-term team composition. They conclude that while Suarez offers offensive boosts, the defensive risks and trade costs may outweigh the benefits.

4. Continued Caller Interaction: Impact on Volpe's Status (16:16 - 18:19)

Caller: Kevin from Saratoga
Kevin inquires about how Anthony Volpe's performance affects his standing with the team's fan base, especially with emerging talents like George Lombard Jr. making strides in the minor leagues.

Key Points:

• Fan Perception: Don acknowledges that fans are growing concerned as Volpe fails to meet expectations.
• Team Strategy: The discussion touches on the challenges the Yankees face in balancing young talent with immediate championship aspirations.

Notable Quote:
Don Hahn [16:30]: "This is a legitimate concern. So I'm not going to jump the Yankee fan for being concerned about this."

Peter Rosenberg [17:39]:
"The concern about Volpe is twofold... he might not be the shortstop of the future."

5. Mental Pressure and Defensive Struggles (18:19 - 23:50)

The hosts delve into the psychological aspects of Volpe's performance, attributing some of his errors to mental stress and the immense pressure of playing a pivotal role on a high-stakes team.

Key Points:

• Mental Game: Don Hahn likens Volpe's struggles to past instances where players have experienced the "yips," leading to uncharacteristic errors.
• Team Expectations: The Yankees' continuous push for championships places significant stress on young players like Volpe.

Notable Quotes:
Don Hahn [18:19]: "You can live with the lack of offense, but 13 errors... it's in your head."
Peter Rosenberg [19:32]: "At any point since he came up, this might not be the shortstop of the future."

6. Don Hahn's Transition to the New York Devils (19:37 - 24:25)

In a noteworthy personal update, Don Hahn discusses his new role with the New York Devils, detailing his preparation process and enthusiasm for covering a new sport.

Key Points:

• Preparation: Don immerses himself in learning the Devils' roster, history, and current season dynamics.
• Excitement for Hockey: Unlike his deep familiarity with the Rangers, Don approaches the Devils with fresh enthusiasm, treating it as a fun new venture rather than work.

Notable Quotes:
Don Hahn [19:37]: "This isn't work. This is fun. Diving into the roster of a team that I'm going to be working for."
Peter Rosenberg [21:35]: "The preparation is some of the funnest part of that job."

Summary of Transition: Don anticipates engaging with the Devils' training camp, building connections, and leveraging his passion for hockey to excel in his new broadcasting role. He expresses excitement about covering preseason games and integrating into the Devils' community.

7. Closing Remarks and Future Episodes (24:14 - 25:03)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts and guests exchange final thoughts, reiterating plans for upcoming shows and expressing gratitude to listeners.

Notable Quotes:
Don Hahn [24:25]: "We never got the chance to do this before. This was fun, man."
Peter Rosenberg [24:29]: "This was fun. Great sitting in for not one, but two esteemed gentlemen."

Final Note:
Hosts encourage listeners to stay tuned for future episodes, highlighting continued discussions on Yankees' strategies and other sports topics.

Summary

In Hour 4: Last Call Crew, Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg engage in an in-depth analysis of the New York Yankees’ current struggles, particularly focusing on Anthony Volpe’s performance and the team's strategic shortcomings at key positions like shortstop and third base. Through passionate caller interactions, the hosts dissect potential trade scenarios, the psychological pressures on young athletes, and the broader implications for the Yankees’ championship aspirations. Additionally, Don Hahn shares personal updates about his transition to broadcasting for the New York Devils, showcasing his enthusiasm and methodical approach to embracing a new sport. The episode blends sports critique with personal narratives, delivering a comprehensive and engaging discussion for fans.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Don Hahn [00:30]: "Mets fans will find themselves, you know, rooting for the Yankees this weekend."
• Charlie [01:39]: "I had enough of Volpe. I want him sending down to the minor leagues."
• Peter Rosenberg [05:33]: "They have glaring holes in third base, the rotation, and the bullpen."
• Michael K. [07:50]: "He strikes out an awful lot. But you can't ignore the 36 home runs."
• Don Hahn [10:52]: "So if they're not in on it, that tells me that it's going to cost too much."
• Don Hahn [16:30]: "This is a legitimate concern. So I'm not going to jump the Yankee fan for being concerned about this."
• Don Hahn [19:37]: "This isn't work. This is fun. Diving into the roster of a team that I'm going to be working for."
• Don Hahn [24:25]: "We never got the chance to do this before. This was fun, man."

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the "Last Call Crew" episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive understanding of the episode's content.