Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – "Cade Horton's Historic Run"

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Episode Date: September 4, 2025

Overview

In this episode of "Dan Bernstein Unfiltered," Dan and Matt dive into Cade Horton's extraordinary pitching streak for the Cubs, exploring what makes him special and the context of his achievement in historic terms. They also reflect on evolving attitudes toward pitcher health, no-hitter significance in today's game, and transition into a sharp discussion of a growing NBA salary cap scandal involving the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard, as reported by Pablo Torre. The show rounds out with listener feedback, a quick glance at the future of the Bears’ offense under Ben Johnson, and an update on the oversaturated Michigan marijuana market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Updates, Listener Feedback & Evolution

• The hosts acknowledge the positive feedback from their previous episode with Terry Boers and announce the start of a "Friday Feedback" segment to further engage listeners.
  • "The show is evolving and growing. Our first goal was to get the podcast up and running and really learn how to make sure we're doing this on a daily basis." – Matt (04:13)
• Feedback includes suggestions and personal stories, including a humorous anecdote involving Terry's granddaughter on ad reads (03:18).

2. Cade Horton’s Dominant Pitching Run

(Main segment begins at 06:30)

• Historic Numbers: Cade Horton, since the All-Star break, has thrown 47 innings with 4 earned runs, 44 strikeouts, and an ERA of 0.77, second only to Jake Arrieta’s legendary 0.75 in 2015.
  • “Cade Horton is at 0.77. He is number two on that list.” – Matt (07:25)
• Comparison to Cubs pitching legends (Arrieta, Rick Reuschel, Bill Lee, Hippo Vaughn).
• Notable Pitch Mix: Horton’s pitch arsenal is dissected—the speed differential between his fastball (96 mph), curveball, slider (83.4 mph), and split change confuses hitters.
  • “His slider is slower than his curveball. And that split change is his second fastest pitch. So it’s a really interesting pitch mix he’s got.” – Dan (10:04)
• Modern Anxiety: Both hosts candidly discuss the collective anxiety Cubs fans feel about young pitching arms eventually succumbing to injuries (i.e., Tommy John).
  • “When is that arm going to fall off? ... I can’t keep thinking like this. Why can’t I just sit there and enjoy the fact this guy is making people guess?” – Dan (11:15)
• Tommy John Timeline: Analysis of how longer-term pitcher health has changed; 5–7 years is now considered the post-TJ shelf-life (12:34).
• No-Hitters Less Special: The hosts quiz each other and reflect on how no-hitters, even by the Cubs and White Sox, have become less memorable due to bullpen usage and increased frequency.
  • “They're not that big a deal anymore. They're forgettable. This is not a forgettable pitcher.” – Dan (22:03)

3. Changing Attitudes Towards Pitch Counts and Pitcher Protection

(15:00)

• The days of outrage at a manager pulling a pitcher from a no-hitter have faded; most fans now accept health-focused decisions.
  • “Almost every observer says, yeah, I’d much prefer that he have a better chance of being healthy and effective and maybe the ace in a short wild card playoff series.” – Dan (16:04)
• Anecdote about family superstition and the “jinx” around no-hitters still alive at home (16:35).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On No-Hitter Hype and Memory:
  • “Can you name the last Cubs no hitter? … The Cubs last no hitter was on this day last year.” – Dan (17:10)
• Trivia Spiral:
  • “I don't remember last week’s games. That was four years ago.” – Matt (19:17)
• On Pitcher Anxiety:
  • “Enjoy this while you can. Because eventually the stuff, it all kind of deGroms on you or it falls off completely.” – Dan (11:14)

4. Bears’ Offensive Future Under Ben Johnson

(24:05)

• Dan transitions to football, focusing on Ben Johnson’s self-awareness about what can and can’t work in his offense, especially with rookie QB Caleb Williams.
• Brad Biggs’ Tribune quote from Johnson suggests honest self-doubt mixed with necessary optimism:
  • “We’ll have a real good feel as a coaching staff for what we’re going to get out of Caleb on Monday night with how he approaches the next few days. It’s going to help dictate how I call the game as well.” – Ben Johnson (26:20)
• Both hosts agree Johnson appears to be a “truth-teller,” open to learning what his scheme can or cannot do once real games begin.

5. NBA Clippers Salary Cap Scandal: Kawhi Leonard & Aspiration Partners

(35:10)

• Pablo Torre’s investigative report reveals alleged efforts by the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer to pay Kawhi Leonard $28M off the books, through a no-show job at Ballmer’s own company.
  • “A pure circumvention of the salary cap … A $28 million contract outside the league’s salary restrictions.” – Dan (36:31)
• Ballmer and the Clippers deny wrongdoing, shifting blame toward company co-founders; Mark Cuban publicly backs Ballmer, which Dan and Matt view with skepticism.
• Discussion of historical precedent (Joe Smith/Timberwolves scandal under David Stern) and potential penalties: multi-million dollar fines, lost draft picks, suspensions.
  • “This is bigger than that. This is straight cash, homie.” – Dan (47:46)
• Commentary on player responsibility, especially for Leonard and his agent in recognizing the deal as cap circumvention.

6. Michigan Marijuana Market Oversaturation

(50:29)

• Dan revisits his observation of weed dispensary proliferation in Michigan and confirms via local reporting that the market is oversupplied and many businesses are struggling, despite anecdotal claims to the contrary.
  • “Michigan Marijuana market cratering amid oversupply, ‘difficult market’.” – Dan (51:34)
• 75 of Michigan's 83 counties have at least one marijuana business; more than 850 statewide—driving prices down and threatening survival.
• Light-hearted wrap-up about edible (mis)adventures and dispensary tourism, including stories about Toronto (56:13).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Listener Feedback & Show Growth: 02:53–06:30
• Cade Horton's Pitching Streak (main): 06:30–23:00
• No-Hitter Debate & Baseball Nostalgia: 17:10–23:00
• Bears/Ben Johnson’s Offense: 24:05–31:00
• Clippers/Kawhi Leonard Salary Cap Scandal: 35:10–48:06
• Michigan Marijuana Market: 50:29–54:38
• Dispensary Culture Anecdotes (Toronto): 56:13–59:24

Summary & Tone

The episode balances sharp sports analysis, historical context, and relatable Chicago sports anxiety, paired with the banter and accessible tone fans expect from Dan and Matt. Quotes from both segment anchors and newsmakers (like Ben Johnson) are woven in to underscore access and credibility. The style remains witty, quick, and distinctly Chicago: "Unfiltered" in every sense.

Final thought: While Cade Horton’s run is statistically historic, Dan and Matt use it to reflect on how both baseball and the wider sports world have changed: greater care for players' long-term health, and increasing scrutiny on off-field dealings—whether in the form of potential NBA scandals or the business of legal weed.

To follow up:

• Feedback Friday debuts in the next episode
• More in-depth Bears talk: subscribe to "Forward Progress"
• Eyes on the next developments in the Clippers cap-circumvention saga

For listeners:
If you missed the show, you’ll leave with the context, the stats, the scandal, and a few laughs—plus, you’ll never think about “yard” and “nuts” the same way again.