Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – February 13, 2026
Episode Overview
In this lively Friday installment of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered, hosts Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola unpack listener feedback, debate the cultural fallout from the Super Bowl halftime show, reminisce about baseball legends, and reveal their personal Top 10 MLB Players of All Time. The show blends sharp takes, sports nostalgia, and classic Chicago candor—delivering plenty for hardcore fans and casual listeners alike.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Friday Feedback Friday: Listener Questions & Banter
Timestamps: 03:26 – 35:16
A. Family Sports Rivalry Gets Real (03:26–06:37)
- Listener Email (Eric): Eric seeks advice after a playful act (teaching his Bears slogan to his niece) leads to his Packers-fan brother-in-law freezing him out.
- Dan: “It's time to help him find his sister a new husband.” (05:00)
- Matt: “Your brother-in-law just might be a dick... I just want to make sure he’s not treating your sister that way.” (05:18)
B. On AI De-Aging and Filters (06:38–08:09)
- Listeners joke about Dan using YouTube blur filters while critiquing AI de-aging in commercials.
- Matt: “It’s a filter to make us look pretty... Nobody wants that.” (07:31, 07:57)
C. Bad Bunny, Social Media Outrage, & Race in America (08:14–21:28)
- In-depth reflection on fallout from the Super Bowl halftime show, addressing criticisms about language, representation, and accusations of racism.
- Matt: “It was awkward to listen to someone sing in a different language... because I wanted to hear what he was saying.” (10:19)
- Clarification: Disliking the music ≠ racism, but demanding “only English because American football is for Americans” does connote racism.
- Dan: “If that was your perspective, you are a racist. Period... If you didn't enjoy the music, that's fine.” (12:20)
- Listener Critique (Timothy Hall): Rebukes the hosts' "broad brush" approach.
- Matt: “I'm not a fucking racist. I'm not going to list all my credentials… you want listeners? Stick to sports.” (14:54)
- Dan: “Anyone who lists their credentials to show they’re not racist is probably more racist than anyone else.” (15:44)
D. Emails Praising Halftime Show & Camera Work (16:36–21:28)
- Email from Alyssa (Teacher): Praises cultural visibility & storytelling, offers emotional insight on how the performance resonated, especially for communities affected by ICE.
E. Fun Callbacks & Cubs Art Trivia (21:28–24:14)
- Jokes about “The Girl from Ipanema” as Dick Jauron’s headset theme, the Norman Rockwell “Dugout” painting, and the Cubs being “lovable losers.”
2. Chicago Sports Chatter: Cubs, White Sox, and the New Bears Stadium
Timestamps: 24:14 – 33:09
A. Critiquing the Modern MLB Landscape & Player Moves (24:14–25:24)
- Discussion of Nick Castellanos' decline and how contending teams evaluate talent.
B. Super Bowl Halftime Parties Abroad (25:24–28:38)
- Listener Email (John, Berlin): Describes Bad Bunny’s global impact and how the NFL is expanding abroad. Notes a double standard in “American” complaints about non-English acts: “There’s a double standard for European culture vs. others.” (28:15)
C. Bears’ New Stadium – Identity Crisis? (29:00–33:09)
- Listener Email (Canuck Boy): Raises concern that the new stadium’s “clean, safe, revenue-ready” feel lacks Chicago’s grit.
- Matt: “Fans are going to assume it’s about cost, control, and efficiency more than innovation. Right now, our conversation is about where the stadium goes… next we need to discuss the building itself.” (32:00)
3. Top 10 MLB Players of All Time: Personal Favorites Edition
Timestamps: 35:16 – 74:44
Ground Rules:
- Both hosts independently write their lists without outside help, focusing on players they saw play and who genuinely moved them as fans.
Dan Abbatacola’s Top 10:
(Selected Quotes and Insights)
- Ryne Sandberg – “He’s the reason I wanted to play second base as a kid...” (49:29)
- Nolan Ryan – “At 63, he threw an 85 mph dart over the plate... in khakis and a polo!” (48:45)
- Frank Thomas – “The greatest right-handed hitter I’ve ever seen—my favorite, personally and professionally.” (46:47)
- Greg Maddux
- Ken Griffey Jr. – “The 1995 playoffs against the Yankees... he was unstoppable.” (45:54)
- Joey Votto
- Todd Helton
- Dave Parker
- Sammy Sosa – “People would leave the track to watch Sosa or McGwire hit—it was electric.” (39:53)
- Jake Arrieta
- Honorable Mention: Darwin Barney (personal connection), Pete Crow-Armstrong (“Haven’t been this excited about a young Cub in years.”)
Dan Bernstein’s Top 10:
- Iván Calderón – “There is a small and blessed sect of people who have been given an awareness to appreciate him better...” (73:06)
- Frank Thomas – “One of the greatest baseball players I’ve ever seen.” (69:33)
- Harold Baines
- George Brett – “He was the ballplayer’s ballplayer. Everything about him just was baseball.” (67:45)
- Ozzie Guillén – “He was just a delight…one of the greatest fielders I’ve ever seen.” (65:31)
- Reggie Jackson
- Sandy Koufax
- Bo Jackson – “There were so many, oh my god, I can’t believe what I just saw, moments.” (58:47)
- Rickey Henderson
- Ichiro Suzuki
Memorable Tangents:
- Matt: “I never really identified with pitchers… there’s only one pitcher on my list.” (47:26)
- Dan, on Iván Calderón: “No one truly appreciates or understands Yvonne Calderón…some of us will never stop trying.” (73:06)
4. Olympics Update & Quirky Sports News
Timestamps: 75:06 – 81:29
Olympic Highlights
- U.S. and Canada score wins in men’s and women’s hockey.
- Emotional stories from Super-G and snowboard events, including Breezy Johnson’s crash and Chloe Kim’s silver.
Weird News
- Hockey Fan Arrested: A Slovakian fugitive on the run for 16 years is captured after showing up at the Olympics to watch hockey. (80:05)
- Dan: “We tell you hockey's not good for you. He ended up getting arrested.”
5. DBU Picks: Sports Gambling Corner
Timestamps: 83:12 – 85:54
Picks of the Day:
- College Basketball: Wisconsin (+2.5) vs. Michigan State; Miami (OH) (-10) vs. Ohio.
- Golf: Akshay Bhatia at +2200 at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Dan on online haters: “Anyone who wants to list their credentials to show how they're not racist is probably more racist than anyone else.” (15:44)
- Matt on football rivalries: “Your family should be much more important than which team you root for in the jersey you wear.” (06:20)
- John from Berlin's email: “If you don’t like something about a culture and can’t articulate a specific reason why, that’s just prejudice or racism—latent or overt.” (28:15)
- Dan on Sandberg: “He’s the reason why I wanted to play second base as a kid... and he autographed [my jersey]: ‘Matt, I can’t believe you made it to 50.’” (49:29)
Tone & Style
- The episode is characteristically blunt, playful, and unapologetic—a mix of sports bar banter and hard-earned insights from two longtime Chicago voices. Authentic fan perspectives blend with social commentary, making this episode resonate well beyond box scores.
Essential Timestamps
- 03:26 – Listener family rivalry question
- 12:20 – Matt’s Bad Bunny “racism” rant
- 16:36 – Alyssa’s thoughtful halftime show letter
- 21:28 – Dick Jauron/Girl from Ipanema callback
- 32:00 – Bears stadium identity discussion
- 35:16–74:44 – Top 10 MLB Players deep dive
Takeaway
This episode’s strength is its frankness: whether addressing race and culture in sports, tackling listener pushback, or sharing nostalgic baseball favorites, Dan and Matt keep the conversation smart, unguarded, and distinctly Chicago. Even if you missed the show, you’ll walk away understanding both the passion and perspective of two lifelong fans who’ve seen it all.