Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Last Call Crew
Date: March 24, 2026
Podcast: ESPN New York – Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode Overview
This lively hour spins through signature New York sports talk, listener calls, and the trio’s signature banter on everything from the Yankees’ “clutch gene” questions to the inescapable buzz around Jay-Z shows and Rick Pitino’s coaching tactics. Expect candid opinions, plenty of listener engagement, and a blend of sports, pop culture, and classic New York energy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Jay-Z at Yankee Stadium: Ticket Madness
[00:44]
- Rosenberg and Hahn react to Jay-Z’s third Yankee Stadium show selling out instantly, lamenting ticket prices.
- “They all immediately sold out. So let's go to Griffin in Connecticut. Griffin, I don't think what happened to you is right.” – Peter Rosenberg
Drop Madness & Show References
[02:00]
- Discussion about the popularity of “Drop Madness” and show regulars like Griffin and Richard, noting the show’s inside-joke ecosystem.
Rick Pitino’s Coaching Psychology
[03:20]
- Listener Richard brings up Pitino’s coaching decisions exactly one year apart — benching his best player one year, then entrusting a struggling sixth man the next.
- Notable Quote:
“What is the psychology behind Rick Pitino sitting out a guy, R.J. Lewis, but telling his sixth man who was terrible, go win the game for us?” – Richard [03:19] - Rosenberg’s Take:
“I think it shows that Patino is a guy where everything for him is feel and personality of the player… I'm 100%. I think that is a feel situation for Patino.” – Peter Rosenberg [04:25-04:43] - They agree that Pitino is more of a ‘feel’ coach than one who blindly follows analytics.
Listener Calls: Podcast Legacy & Ending of "Game Misconduct"
[08:05]
- Kevin is upset about Don ending the “Game Misconduct” hockey podcast.
- Rosenberg lightheartedly chides Don for leaving the listeners in the lurch.
- “The Gay Misconduct people deserved better, didn’t they?” – Peter Rosenberg [08:24]
- Honest introspection about Don’s busy schedule and the logistical hurdles of continuing the podcast.
Aaron Judge: Is He Clutch?
[10:21]
- Big topic—multiple callers debate whether Aaron Judge is truly ‘clutch’ for the Yankees.
- Listener Larry raises the debate:
“At times he comes up in the third inning… and he doesn't drive the runners on, but later on he'll hit a home run in the seventh or the eighth inning with no chance of getting up back to tie or win the game.” – Larry [10:27] - Rosenberg responds:
- Stats show Judge is clutch, “but the eye test… in the biggest of moments, it doesn’t feel like he’s been clutch.” [11:21]
- Reminds listeners of the pressure Judge faced passing 61 home runs and his solid playoff performance.
- The pivotal error against the Dodgers is cited as a key (and underrated) factor fueling “Judge naysayers.”
- Eh-sounds and banter on the tough nature of Yankees fandom and high expectations.
Parsing that Dodgers Game (Game & Inning Breakdown)
[12:53]
- Was Judge’s missed catch the turning point?
- “If he makes that catch, is it safe to say they win that game? Yes, because that comeback shouldn’t have happened.” – Peter Rosenberg [13:13]
- Hahn notes: “You needed to play really good baseball, if not perfect baseball. And they did far from that in that series.” [13:30]
Booing Aaron Judge: The Smart Fan Fallacy
[18:29]
- Caller Brian (misheard as Ryan) draws a parallel between Yankees fans booing Judge and wrestling “smart crowds” who boo good guys for contrarian points.
- Rosenberg’s take:
"It's on the table that it's sort of like smart fans showing how smart they are. But, like, doesn't it actually make you look dumber than it makes you look smart?" [19:14]- He’d like to see Judge show more outward passion: “I feel like I just would like to see a little bit more passion from him at times. I'd like to see him be a little bit more demonstrative in big moments.” [19:30]
The Chain of Failure: Judge and Cole
[20:19]
- Caller Kevin: “Everybody busting Aaron Judge's chops about missing that fly ball, that fly Ball is never missed if Garrett Cole doesn't cover first base, fair point.” [20:33]
- Team agrees: the meltdown was cumulative, and Cole shares responsibility.
The What-If Game: Yankees Postseason
[21:12]
- Memories of that pivotal inning and the “what could have been” if the Yankees had kept their lead, possibly swinging the series.
- Rosenberg: “It just was. Because one of the other calling cards… is once games get intense, it feels like it's over… and that's not just a Judge thing, but he has to be the one… who breaks it.” [22:00–22:30]
Knicks, NBA Playoffs, and WWE Tickets
[16:11], [18:17]
- Hahn’s heading to the Garden for Knicks-Pelicans, contemplating playoff ticket strategies.
- Rosenberg alludes to his NBA and WWE connections, teasing forthcoming ticket giveaways for WWE Raw and NXT at MSG.
Meta-Moment: Listener Call Repeats & Show Secrets
[17:00]
- Evan reveals that Richard asked Hahn & Rosenberg a question he’d just asked Dan Grassa (“the exact same question… word for word”).
- Rosenberg laughs, noting Richard “tried me back now to get the answer he wanted.” [17:50]
- “I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good.” – Peter Rosenberg [22:57]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- On Pitino:
“I think that is a feel situation for Patino.” – Peter Rosenberg [04:43] - On Judge’s Clutchness:
“In the biggest of moments, it doesn’t feel like he’s been clutch.” – Peter Rosenberg [11:21] - On Yankees fans booing Judge:
"Doesn't it actually make you look dumber than it makes you look smart?" – Peter Rosenberg [19:14] - On Show Callers:
“Richard called in and asked the exact same question he just asked you, literally word for word.” – Evan [17:07] - On Team Failure:
“Everybody busting Aaron Judge's chops... that fly Ball is never missed if Garrett Cole doesn't cover first base, fair point.” – Kevin [20:33] - Meta-Joke:
“I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good.” – Peter Rosenberg [22:57]
Important Timestamps
- 00:44: Jay-Z ticket frenzy
- 03:20: Rick Pitino coaching psychology debate
- 08:05: “Game Misconduct” podcast ending
- 10:21: Judge clutch debate begins
- 12:53: Yankees-Dodgers playoff unraveling
- 16:11: Knicks talk & playoff plans
- 17:00: Listener call meta-moment
- 18:29: Booing Judge/Wrestling “smart fans” parallel
- 20:19: Cole’s role in infamous lost inning
- 22:00: Yankees’ mental struggles in big games
Tone & Style
Fast-moving, candid, and seasoned New York sports talk. The hosts balance passionate insider analysis, humor, and a welcoming openness to listener participation—never afraid to mix earnest sports critique with wry, self-aware asides and a dash of wrestling or hip hop cultural references.
Summary
Hour four of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg brings a stacked mix of sports debates (Yankees, Knicks), culture (Jay-Z, WWE), and meta-podcast banter. Highlights include the ever-renewing “clutch” debate about Aaron Judge, reflections on Rick Pitino’s player instincts, and a series of listeners calling in to probe, joke, and sometimes repeat themselves across New York radio. The crew closes on a high, promising more Knicks, more WWE, and as always, more New York.