Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 4: Superstars Release Date: June 12, 2025

In the fourth hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg delve into a variety of topics ranging from music nostalgia and legal news to in-depth discussions about what defines a superstar in the sports world. The episode provides listeners with insightful commentary, humorous banter, and thought-provoking debates, all anchored by the hosts' extensive experience in sports and entertainment.

1. Nostalgia for Yacht Rock and Christopher Cross

The episode kicks off with a nostalgic trip down memory lane as the hosts discuss the enduring appeal of yacht rock, focusing particularly on Christopher Cross's groundbreaking debut album.

• Peter Rosenberg reminisces about the "soulful" sounds of the 80s, highlighting an ESPN segment featuring the top 40 hits from 1981:

  "Now, I found this out because on 80s on eight last weekend, they did the top four 40 from 1981. And that's yacht rock heaven right there." (00:21)

• Dan Grassa and Zach Rosenblatt engage in a lively debate about whether Christopher Cross deserves the title "King of Yacht Rock," ultimately acknowledging Cross's significant Grammy achievements:

  "His first album won five Grammys... That's like the king of yacht rock right there." (00:47)

• The hosts discuss the rarity of winning multiple Grammys with a debut album, comparing Cross to Lauryn Hill and Billie Eilish:

  "Lauryn Hill... did that. Like, that's not. That's rarefied air to do that with your debut at the Grammys." (02:51)

2. Legal Troubles for Silento

Shifting gears, the hosts bring up surprising legal news about the rapper Silento, best known for his viral hit "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)."

• Dan Grassa shares the news that Silento has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his cousin:

  "He's been sentenced to 30 years for killing his cousin. It was caught on a security camera." (03:33)

• The discussion touches on the stark contrast between Silento's fame from music and his real-life actions:

  "It's a far cry from the Christopher Cross tale original." (04:29)

3. Local Sports Updates: Mets, Tigers, Nationals, Yankees

The conversation transitions to current happenings in the local sports scene, providing listeners with up-to-date information on various teams.

• Peter Rosenberg updates on the Mets' performance, mentioning Kodai Senga's hamstring injury and the team's impressive 21-game win streak:

  "Kodai Senga... strained hamstring... the Mets do win and right now have the best record of Major League Baseball." (04:46)

• The hosts also briefly discuss the Yankees' ongoing series against the Royals and Judge's absence:

  "Judge getting a day arrest... That’s probably smart, right?" (05:28)

4. Defining 'Superstars' in Sports

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting the concept of what makes an athlete a "superstar," inspired by Magic Johnson's recent comments.

• Dan Grassa references Magic Johnson's definition of a superstar:

  "A superstar is a player that you earn that label when you are in the on ... you fill the building on the road because people want to see you play." (05:40)

• The hosts debate the casual use of the term "superstar" in sports, distinguishing between true superstars and highly respected players:

  "I feel like we use superstar too casually in sports... But we keep doing this because the superstars you have in this league at least are aging." (07:37)

• Zach Rosenblatt points out examples from different sports, such as Jaden Daniels in football and Leon Draisaitl in hockey, questioning whether their status meets the superstar criteria:

  "Jaden Daniels became a superstar in year one... Leon Draisaitl is amazing... he can't be a superstar if he's playing with Connor McDavid." (08:38 - 09:43)

• The discussion extends to basketball, comparing legendary duos like Shaq and Kobe to current players, emphasizing the rarity of having multiple true superstars on one team:

  "Shaq and Kobe are interesting... They was two separate entities that came together... that's what makes it so rare. Real superstars." (10:29 - 11:08)

5. New York Jets: Management and Fan Expectations

The latter part of the episode shifts focus to the New York Jets, examining the team's recent performance, management decisions, and the impact on the fanbase.

• Peter Rosenberg criticizes the Jets' front office for relying heavily on public relations and pre-season narratives without delivering tangible results on the field:

  "It's all just window dressing, and it means nothing until you go out there and win games." (15:25)

• Dan Grassa shares his personal experiences as a Jets fan, recounting past hopes tied to high-profile players like Aaron Rodgers and the subsequent disappointments:

  "I was so smitten... I had to learn my lesson. The hard way is you can't fall in love with the regular season, the off season." (14:33)

• The hosts discuss the appointment of Aaron Glenn and Jackson Dart, debating whether these leadership changes signal a genuine turnaround or are merely superficial efforts to appease fans:

  "They're trying to sell a future, they're trying to sell something new... But don't sell us a bill of goods. Go out there and win." (17:07 - 18:09)

6. Fan Behavior and Social Media Trends

Towards the end, the hosts engage in a lighthearted exchange about a trending TikTok where a fan names his newborn daughter after football player Jaden Daniels.

• Zach Rosenblatt defends the fan's actions, explaining that the name choice was genuine and not merely performative:

  "My naming wasn't performative, though. My wife chose the name. She loved the name." (19:15 - 19:39)

• Peter Rosenberg maintains that such actions are a display of fan pride, regardless of intentions:

  "It's all because you're a fan. You're trying to show how big a fan you are of him." (19:25 - 19:45)

Notable Quotes:

• "It's all just window dressing, and it means nothing until you go out there and win games." — Peter Rosenberg (15:25)

• "A superstar is a player that you earn that label when you are in the on ... you fill the building on the road because people want to see you play." — Dan Grassa (05:40)

• "My naming wasn't performative, though. My wife chose the name. She loved the name." — Zach Rosenblatt (19:16)

This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" offers listeners a blend of nostalgic reflection, current events analysis, and critical discussions on sports culture, all presented with the hosts' characteristic wit and expertise. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the show, this hour provides valuable insights into what truly defines greatness in the world of sports.