Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: "Robinson Ready"

Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Main Theme: Knicks’ Full Roster Returns, NY Sports Roundup, and Legendary NY Sports Moments

Episode Overview

This hour centers around the New York Knicks’ upcoming game and the key news that Mitchell Robinson is set to make his season debut, giving fans the first look at the team’s full roster as intended. The crew breaks down the Knicks’ season start, weighs in on the Bulls’ strong play, and touches on updates from across the New York sports scene—including the Rangers, Devils, Islanders, and notes on baseball’s World Series. A spirited conversation features legendary New York sports moments, with caller insights, and always, the chemistry and quick wit that define the show.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Knicks Road Trip & Mitchell Robinson’s Return

• Knicks vs. Bulls Preview

  • Knicks playing in Chicago, then returning home (00:56)
  • Bulls off to a 4-0 start, playing an up-tempo game; big test for Knicks

    “This is their first road trip of the season and it has not gone well the first two. So they want to salvage this and at least get one here.” – Alan (00:56)

  • Bulls praised for high-scoring bench and improved roster

• Mitchell Robinson Update

  • Robinson listed as a game-time decision, signals he’s ready to play on social media (03:17)
  • Knicks getting their full intended roster for the first time this season

    "It’s the fully operational Death Star, it’s the whole team. It's what the starting five was supposed to look like and everybody off the bench." – Alan (03:17)

  • Deuce McBride also returns after absence for personal reasons

• Robinson’s Absence: Load Management Debate

  • Questions about Robinson missing the first 4 games—was it injury or pure "load management"?

    "They said there wasn’t a new injury… they're managing him... It’s just strange that, you know, he didn’t play the first four games of the season and they were fairly spread out games." – Alan (07:31)

  • Importance of having Robinson healthy later in the season is emphasized

    "They cannot afford it. He’s too important to them." – Alan (08:24)

Around the New York Sports Scene

• Quick Updates
  • Knicks can get above .500 with a win (01:38)
  • Nets struggling, Islanders continue to lose, Rangers post a dramatic OT win vs. Oilers (01:38)
  • Devils lose consecutive games, giving up a combined 13 goals; worry about team form after Brett Pesci’s injury (02:07)

    "One guy shouldn’t make that big of a difference. But guys, you give up 13 goals in two games… They got to figure it out." – Peter Rosenberg (02:07)

  • Penguins praised for their resurgence, with Crosby and Malkin in form (02:38)

Emphasis on Full Knicks Roster

• Announcement: Mitchell Robinson officially cleared to play; Knicks have their "expected" roster available for the first time this season (12:11)

  "It’s official now. Mitchell Robbins is in the lineup. So… they have the full roster now available tonight. It is the first time all season." – Alan (12:11)

• Question about how much Robinson will play and implications for back-to-back games

  "We’ll see how much more because they play again Sunday and if they’re managing Mitchell Robinson… you don’t know when he’s going to play." – Alan (12:45)

World Series & NY Baseball Talk

• World Series Game 6 in Toronto: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers preview (13:11)

  • Gosman vs. Yamamoto on the mound; Dodgers need Yamamoto to deliver given his contract

    "You want every penny of that 300 million they gave him. You got to see it tonight for the Dodgers." – Allen (13:27)

  • Both hosts agree a Game 7 would be good for baseball and fans

    "I think we're going to have a game tomorrow. I do. I think it's gonna be like really interesting 7 and it'd be really good for baseball..." – Peter Rosenberg (13:47)

• LA Sports vs. NY Sports Fandom

  • LA described as “spread out,” less overt World Series buzz compared to the palpable tension in Manhattan during big events (15:44)

    "It doesn’t really have a downtown... if the Yankees are in the World Series, it’s… you feel it, it’s everywhere. But [LA] is very spread out." – Allen (15:44)

  • New York-based Dodgers transplants proud and more visible

    "There’s sense in a higher level of pride in the Dodgers than there’s been previously." – Allen (16:23)

Memorable NY Sports Stories & Callers

• Historical Deep Dives – Giants & Yankees Coaches

  • Caller “Richard of Manhattan” brings historical perspective:

    • Jackson Dart & Archie Manning comparison (17:14)

    • Yankees’ historical approach to managers and World Series results (17:44)

    • Knicks’ Garfield Hurd “shot” and Paul Westfall’s smart timeout (18:08)

      "Paul Westfall called a timeout that he knew he didn’t have... That enabled Garfield Hurd to get the two point shot. Otherwise they would have had to bring the ball from under their own basket. No way." – Richard (18:08)

    • Giants coaching lore: Jim Lee Howell, Lombardi, Landry, and Ali Sherman (19:10–20:32)

      "…Ali Sherman, he brought offense to the game. And the Giants were truly beloved." – Richard (19:52)

  • Hosts reflect on the lack of recognition for Jim Lee Howell due to the coaching legends under him (20:44)

    "The fact that Jim Lee Howell is not a name that most people like. That's not a name in New York sports coaching. But they were so good at the time you couldn't fire him for two legends that you didn't know." – Allen (20:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Robinson’s Return:

  "This will be our first look at this team. But once again they haven’t really spent a lot of time… so it’ll be interesting to see it and also how much Robinson plays, but at least the guys on the court..." – Allen, (03:17)

• On LA Sports Fandom:

  "It’s one of those cities that they can multitask, right? Dodgers playing game seven of the World Series, you know, Lakers and, and the Kings and everybody else just still go about their business the same kind of like New York." – Peter Rosenberg (15:02)

• On Legendary Coaching Decisions:

  "He never really had a legacy that made you say, well you had this guy." – Allen (21:02)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Knicks vs. Bulls, Season Context – 00:56
• Mitchell Robinson Ready & Injury Rumors – 03:17, 07:21
• NY Hockey and Updates – 01:38, 02:07
• Official Full Knicks Roster, Robinson Cleared – 12:11
• World Series Game 6 Talk, LA vs NY Vibe – 13:11–15:54
• NY Sports Lore from ‘Richard of Manhattan’ – 17:14–20:32

Tone & Flow

The show balances lived-in sports analysis, deep-dive nostalgia, and quick comedic banter. Alan provides sharp team insights, Rosenberg brings excitement and perspective, Don anchors the conversation, and callers add color and history. The conversation is accessible for all NY sports fans and beyond.

Useful for Listeners Who:

• Want up-to-date news and context on NY Knicks roster developments
• Appreciate broader NY sports updates (NHL, MLB, NFL)
• Enjoy sports history and stories of classic coaching moves
• Value hosts who blend passion, humor, and expertise