Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 4: Steve Cohen & More Snow?

ESPN New York | February 21, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg

Main Theme

This episode is dominated by discussion of Mets owner Steve Cohen’s preseason comments, the enduring frustrations of Mets fans, and broader debates about spending, competitiveness, and dynasties in Major League Baseball. The hosts also compare New York and Los Angeles sports cultures, discuss the impact of big-market financial firepower, and cap things off with a practical breakdown of an impending winter storm and its effect on the local sports calendar.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steve Cohen, Mets Playoff Expectations & MLB Team-Building

Starts ~[00:38]

• Steve Cohen’s Frustration: Cohen expresses his dissatisfaction with the Mets' inability to build sustained playoff success and his desire to get the team into the postseason consistently.

  • Quote: “I'm annoyed. I'm absolutely annoyed. ... I just want to put myself in position every year in the playoffs where we have a chance with a really good team.” — Steve Cohen ([00:59])

• Historical Struggles: Don notes the Mets’ repeated failure for back-to-back postseason appearances, outlining a spotty playoff history (only twice in their history have they made playoffs in consecutive years — 1999 & 2000, 2015 & 2016).

• Comparing Mets Spending to Dodgers:

  • Cohen acknowledges the Dodgers are outspending everyone, even though, as he says, “So do I by the way.” ([02:44])
  • There’s a consensus the Dodgers are currently the most desirable team for top talent given their recent championships, market advantages, and lifestyle perks.

2. LA vs. NY: Why Players Choose the Dodgers

Begins ~[03:29]

• Advantages For Dodgers:

  • Winning culture; back-to-back championships.
  • Better weather, lifestyle, and for Asian-born players, proximity to home countries.
  • Less intense, less punishing media/fan scrutiny compared to New York.

• NY Pressure:

  • “In New York, there is a stress to win more so than there is probably in any other market. And there’s no New York Post in LA either.” — Don ([06:26])

• Host Insights:

  • Rosenberg and Don debate which LA teams truly move the needle—the agreement is Lakers passion eclipses Dodgers, with LA generally more “forgiving” to sports failure than NY.
  • Quote: “[LA is] passionate about the teams, but they’re more forgiving.” — Don ([06:13])

3. Baseball Dynasties, Payrolls & Competitive Balance

Begins ~[09:27]

• Decline of Dynasties in MLB:

  • Don: Defensive spending and lack of a salary cap mean old-school dynasties (like the Yankees of late 90s) probably won’t return.
    • “I really don’t think in baseball you’re ever going to see a team win four championships in five years the way the Yankees did.” ([09:27])

• Spending vs. Smart Team Building:

  • Hosts agree that outspending is a “cheat code,” less satisfying than organizations “doing it smarter,” as with NFL/NBA dynasties, who must operate under salary caps.
  • Memorable sports debate: Is it more impressive to win by spending or by skillful management?
  • Quote: “It feels like a cheat code.” — Don ([11:44])

• Dodgers Example:

  • Can money buy championships? Yes, to a degree—it “puts you in a position to be good,” but doesn't guarantee a World Series ([12:59]).

4. Local Weather Alert — More Snow for New York?

Begins ~[17:54]

• Winter Storm Forecast: Meteorologist Anthony Pusick relays forecasts of 4-12 inches, varying by region ([18:16]).

  • Long Island could see up to a foot, with more moderate snow in the boroughs and much of Jersey ([18:23]).
  • Host reactions reflect classic NY anxiety over shoveling, salt shortages, and late-winter snow.

• Commuter & Lifestyle Impacts:

  • Discussion of the practical differences between 4-inch and 8-inch storms; the necessity of good shovels and “old school” gear ([19:32], [20:19]).

5. Sports Weekend Preview Amid the Storm

Begins ~[21:17]

• Upcoming NHL Schedule: Don details his Devils broadcast and travel schedule—the rush is on after the international break ([21:41]).
• Knicks and National Hockey: Previewing a packed weekend slate; advice for fans to “just stay home and be safe” ([21:17]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Cohen on Winning:
  “I just want to put myself in position every year in the playoffs where we have a chance with a really good team.” — Steve Cohen ([00:59])

• Don on NY vs. LA Sports Pressure:
  “In New York, there is a stress to win, more so than there is probably in any other market.” — Don ([06:26])

• On LA Sports Fans:
  "[LA is] passionate about the teams, but they’re more forgiving." — Don ([06:13])

• On Baseball Dynasties:
  “I really don’t think in baseball you’re ever going to see a team win four championships in five years the way the Yankees did. I think that’s the last one.” — Don ([09:27])

• On Financial ‘Cheat Code’:
  “It feels like a cheat code. It does.” — Don ([11:44])

  “Are the Dodgers smarter or just… No, no, they’re richer.” — Don & Rosenberg ([12:52])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Steve Cohen’s Comments & Playoff Discussion: [00:38] – [03:29]
• Dodgers as a Free Agent Destination / NY vs. LA: [03:29] – [06:37]
• Pressure in NY Sports Culture: [06:37] – [08:07], [09:27]
• Dynasties, Salary Caps, and the ‘Cheat Code’ Debate: [09:27] – [14:03]
• Winter Storm Forecast & Weather Prep: [17:54] – [21:17]
• Devils, Knicks Upcoming Schedules: [21:17] – [22:56]

Episode Tone & Style

• The banter is lively, slightly sarcastic, and filled with Northeast sports exasperation and humor.
• Analytical but approachable—never losing sight of what it means to be a New York sports fan.
• Practical (weather, schedules) and passionate (debates about sports culture and fairness).

Summary for the Uninitiated

If you missed this hour, you missed a typically robust discussion on why the Mets can’t break their playoff cycle, whether market advantages are fair in building champions, and the age-old LA vs. NY fan battle. Steve Cohen wants to build a consistent winner but faces market realities, both in spending and recruiting. The North East’s unique, sometimes stressful, but always passionate sports culture is on full display—right down to planning for the next big snowstorm. Plus, the hosts keep it real with upcoming sports schedules and the gritty realities of shoveling snow in late February.