Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Mets Win & Judge Homers
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode Title: Hour 4: Mets Win & Judge Homers
1. NFL Quarterback Draft Analysis (00:28 - 08:34)
Alan Hahn initiates the episode with an in-depth analysis of the 2021 NFL quarterback draft, expressing skepticism about the long-term success of many high-picked quarterbacks. He highlights the unpredictability inherent in drafting QBs, using examples from that particular draft:
-
Trey Lance: Selected third overall by the 49ers, Lance's career has been marred by injuries, leading to his recent one-year deal with the Chargers. Hahn remarks, “Five quarterbacks in the first 15 picks of that draft… None of them by now have established themselves as, you know, bonafide” [00:28].
-
Brock Purdy: Taken last in the draft by the 49ers, Purdy unexpectedly secured the starting position and is projected to receive a substantial contract. Hahn contrasts his success with Lance's struggles.
-
Other Quarterbacks: Hahn critiques selections like Zach Wilson and Justin Fields, noting their lack of established success: “Justin Fields went 11th... that quarterback draft… it's still such a crapshoot” [02:41].
Don La Greca concurs, emphasizing the risks involved: “It's a crapshoot… you just gotta play it out” [04:55]. He references Patrick Mahomes as a rare exception, praising him as "the best player in sports right now" due to his immediate impact and strategic drafting [05:35].
Alan Hahn and Don La Greca further discuss the notion of "trusting the process," critiquing teams like the Jets for their poor drafting outcomes despite high hopes: “the Jets took Zach Wilson… it ended up being like a disaster pick” [07:06]. They reflect on how draft decisions often fail to pan out, fueled by external noise and hype rather than solid talent evaluation.
2. MLB Mets' Home Opener Victory (10:41 - 25:45)
The discussion shifts to baseball, focusing on the New York Mets' impressive 5-0 victory in their home opener at Citi Field.
Alan Hahn reports, “The Mets win five nothing in their home opener. They are now four and three on the season” [10:41]. Key highlights include:
-
Pete Alonso's Performance: Hahn celebrates Alonso’s home run and RBI, noting the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction: “Alonzo had his name chanted by the New York crowd. And I think that's pretty special” [11:14].
-
Juan Soto's Home Debut: Soto shares his excitement about his first home game with the Mets: “I think it's really good experience and great start” [17:23]. Hahn humorously questions Soto’s surprise at the large fanbase, given his previous tenure with the Nationals: “I don't know how players think about, like, number of people” [18:05].
-
Aaron Judge's Record: The hosts laud Judge's power-hitting ability, comparing him to Barry Bonds and highlighting his dominance: “He's the most dangerous hitter we've seen since Barry Bonds” [12:21]. Don adds, “He just was scared to death of Barry” [13:26], emphasizing pitchers’ reluctance to face him.
-
Team Lineup and Pitching: They discuss the strengths and areas needing improvement within the Mets' lineup, including concerns about Francisco Lindor's batting average and the performance of pitchers like McGill: “If not for him [Alonso], then who? Is it going to be Nimmo or Marte or Vientos?” [24:07].
Notable Quotes:
- Alan Hahn [11:14]: “Alonzo had his name chanted by the New York crowd. And I think that's pretty special…”
- Juan Soto [17:31]: “This fan base is amazing…”
- Don La Greca [12:26]: “He's the most dangerous hitter we've seen since Barry Bonds.”
3. Audience Engagement and Listener Calls (25:45 - 29:10)
The episode incorporates listener interactions, providing insights into fan perspectives:
- Mark’s Call [25:53]: A long-time Giants season ticket holder discusses his draft strategy, advocating for selecting versatile players like Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter to mitigate risks associated with quarterback selections. He states, “I think we got to get the best player available” [26:00].
Alan Hahn and Don La Greca respond by validating Mark’s approach, noting Hunter's versatility and potential as “the most intriguing player in this entire draft” [26:44]. They discuss the Giants' needs and the importance of strategic drafting to enhance team performance.
- JJ’s Call [27:26]: A passionate Grizzlies fan questions the decision to fire Taylor Jenkins, expressing support for Jalen Brunson and highlighting Jenkins' conflicting offensive strategies.
Alan Hahn addresses the concern by explaining, “Ja was not happy with his role in that offense and the way they were playing it” [27:43], while Don La Greca emphasizes the importance of player behavior and league standards in coaching decisions [28:26].
4. Concluding Remarks and Final Highlights (29:04 - End)
As the episode wraps up, Alan Hahn summarizes the key takeaways from the Mets' performance and upcoming sports events:
-
Mets’ Outlook: Positive start to the season with strong performances from key players like Alonso and Soto, but caution about pitching depth and bullpen stability.
-
Upcoming Games: Mentions of the Islanders hosting the Wild [25:45], encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more sports action.
Final Notable Quote:
- Alan Hahn [29:07]: “I just want to know. It's good.”
Conclusion
In this episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, the hosts delve into the uncertainties of the NFL quarterback draft, using the 2021 draft as a case study to highlight the challenges teams face in selecting successful QBs. Transitioning to baseball, they celebrate the Mets' solid start to the season, spotlighting standout performances by Pete Alonso, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge. Through engaging listener calls, the conversation extends to strategic drafting and coaching decisions in both NFL and NBA contexts. The episode offers fans a comprehensive analysis of current sports dynamics, enriched with expert insights and memorable quotes.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Alan Hahn [00:28]: “Five quarterbacks in the first 15 picks of that draft… None of them by now have established themselves as, you know, bonafide.”
- Don La Greca [04:55]: “It's a crapshoot… you just gotta play it out.”
- Alan Hahn [11:14]: “Alonzo had his name chanted by the New York crowd. And I think that's pretty special.”
- Juan Soto [17:31]: “This fan base is amazing…”
- Don La Greca [12:26]: “He's the most dangerous hitter we've seen since Barry Bonds.”
- Mark [26:00]: “I think we got to get the best player available.”
- Alan Hahn [27:43]: “Ja was not happy with his role in that offense and the way they were playing it.”
- Don La Greca [28:26]: “But he could be the face of the...”
For those who haven't listened, this episode offers a balanced mix of critical sports analysis, passionate fan perspectives, and engaging dialogues that encapsulate the fervor and unpredictability of both football and baseball seasons.