Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Cubs Win Game One

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host(s): Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: October 1, 2025
Episode Theme: Unpacking the Cubs’ playoff victory in game one, analysis of the game and broadcast, discussion of Chicago Bears’ stadium economics and media coverage, and a comedic deep-dive into coaching acronyms.

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire, candid breakdown of the Chicago Cubs’ dramatic playoff Game One win over the Padres at Wrigley, then offers sharp commentary on both the Cubs’ and Bears’ latest headlines. The hosts unpack the visceral aspects of playoff baseball, dissect managerial decisions, rail against bad sports journalism, and end with a hilarious skewering of coaching acronyms—culminating in a rare endorsement of a profanity-laden NBA acronym.

Throughout, Dan Bernstein brings his signature blend of gruff honesty and humor, with Matt serving as a sharp, amiable sidekick. Expect informed rants, memorable one-liners, and data-driven analysis—plus genuine, heartfelt appreciation for classic Chicago sports moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cubs Playoff Game One – The Experience and Analysis

• Playoff Atmosphere at Wrigley:

  • Perfect weather, palpable tension, and the kind of day that makes fans feel grateful.
  • Bernstein recalls, “Yesterday at Wrigley Field was, if not perfect...it’s one of those days that if you could bottle it...make sure you enjoy it, make sure you appreciate it.” [02:29]

• Tense Early Innings and Bullpen Brilliance:

  • The first four innings were tight—a classic playoff nail-biter, with the “muscle tension” that comes with October baseball.
  • Key moment: The Cubs’ bullpen combined for a near-perfect outing, confirming Bernstein’s point about high-leverage moments possibly arriving as early as the third inning.
  • “The bullpen was just absolutely lights out. Unbelievable.” (Matt) [11:57]

• Offensive Highlights:

  • Seiya Suzuki’s red-hot streak continues with a no-doubt homer (“His swing right now is just on target...five games in a row.” – Matt) [09:37]
  • Carson Kelly’s timely home run follows, taking advantage of Wrigley’s “video board wind shadow.”
    • “But if you noticed where Suzuki’s was hit, it was in the video board wind shadow.” (Dan) [10:33]

• Defensive Standouts:

  • Dansby Swanson’s defense saved runs: a crucial bloop catch and a dive at short to keep the runner at third. [19:00]
  • Nico Hoerner’s clutch hitting under pressure is highlighted.

• Managerial Decisions & Online Backlash:

  • Craig Counsell’s early hook of starter Matthew Boyd sparks Twitter outrage, but is defended vehemently by both hosts.
  • Matt lambasts the "controversy" drummed up by sports blogs relying on fan tweets: “You can’t write an article about roasting Craig Counsell when it worked perfectly.” [16:38]
  • Dan underscores modern playoff thinking: “You have to do whatever it takes to win each game.” [17:29]

• Backed by the Skipper:

  • Actual Craig Counsell quote on handling the Padres’ threats and bullpen effectiveness:
    • “Making those zeros after having man on third, no outs...that was a real key.” [17:53]
    • “It was perfect today. That’s what it was...just a brilliant job.” [18:19]

2. Data Deep-Dive: Home Runs, Pitching, and October Survival

• Home Run Power as a Deciding Factor:

  • Bernstein: “Ball go far, team go far.” [19:46]
  • Matt’s research: 80% of playoff series are won by the team that out-homers its opponent, compared to 72% in the regular season. [21:18]
  • Cubs were 6th in MLB for home runs (223); the Padres were 28th (152).

• Pitching Dominance – Strikeouts in the Postseason:

  • Starters with 10+ K’s have a 66% win rate in the postseason. [24:43]
  • Quick scan of other playoff games:
    • Tigers’ Skubal: 14 K’s.
    • Other dominant pitching performances highlighted.

• On Small-Ball and Bunting:

  • Dan gets blunt: “Never bunt. Never, ever, ever give away an out.” [21:18]
  • “This is not high school baseball. This is not little league.”
  • Matt notes a rare exception when Matt Shaw laid down a two-strike bunt that played into run manufacturing. [23:05]

3. Broadcast Review: National Announcers and On-Air Hijinks

• Announcer Accents and Broadcast Chemistry:

  • Discussion about ESPN’s Kevin Brown sounding like Brian Barnhart, and Ben McDonald’s thick southern accent (“He sounds like young Joe Namath...he’s a cornball, isn’t he.” – Dan) [05:09]
  • Jessica Mendoza gets praise for her improved performance (“I think I’m a huge fan." – Dan) [05:41]

• Baseball As A Fidget Toy:

  • Hilarious sidetrack about broadcasters/players clutching baseballs as “fidget toys,” including an anecdote about a player unintentionally stashing a baseball under his crotch. (“He was holding it under his nut sack...like hatching it.” – Dan) [08:19]

4. Chicago Bears Stadium Economics: Media Accountability Rant

• The Flawed “Economic Impact” Narrative:

  • Analysis of Tribune coverage on the Bears’ proposed Arlington Heights stadium and its “team projections.”
  • Dan’s takedown: “All I could think of in my mind is, why don’t you talk to JC Bradbury? ...he can show you how this is almost always complete bullshit.” [30:51]
  • Bitter critique for burying the real expert, economist J.C. Bradbury, and instead leading with the team’s PR spin (“Don’t write it this way.” – Dan) [32:53]
  • “Just look out for the taxpayer...present the truth and present it in a way that doesn’t make the top half of the article...seem as though it’s actual fact." [34:10]

• Stadium Renderings - “Mid” Reactions:

  • Both hosts agree the new designs are bland ("mid") and cookie-cutter. Dan: “It looks like Allegiant Stadium… but there isn’t anything architecturally [unique].” [35:56]

5. Acronym Mayhem: The Worst and Best of Sports Motivation

• Mockery of Coaching Clichés:

  • Matt brings a list of “the top coaching acronyms,” and the duo savagely lampoons them:

    • TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More
    • WIN: What’s Important Now
    • BGT: Be a Great Teammate (“That’s not a word...” – Dan; “Bigot. Be a Bigot, Gentlemen.” – [41:18])
    • FAMILY: Forget About Me, I Love You
    • FEAR: Face Everything And Rise
    • Play with ICE: Intensity, Concentration, Enthusiasm

  • Notable moment: Dan pantomimes the “overhand wanking motion” for especially egregious entries [40:49].

• Dan’s All-Time Favorite: The Clippers’ “FUCK” T-Shirt [44:10]

  • Los Angeles Clippers pre-season slogan: “Get the F*** Back” (Floor balance, Urgency, Consistent Communication and Concentration, K = ...).
  • “Jeff Van Gundy scored a lot of points with me here.” [44:43]
  • “Wear this. Here’s your damn coaching acronym. Go dribble your basketballs.” [45:53]
  • Dan recommends more acronyms that “make fun of acronyms but actually send a real damn message to your team.” [46:08]

6. Parenting, Nostalgia, and “The Good Old Days”

• Spirited riff on how kids these days are addicted to their phones, incapable of entertaining themselves, and how past generations were “better” at being bored.
• Anecdotes about library trips, forced phone-breaks, and the ever-present kid refrain: “What are we doing today?” [49:01]
• Dad joke interlude: “Nice to meet you, Bored. I’m Dan.” [51:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Make sure you enjoy it, make sure you appreciate whatever happens from here on in.” (Dan, [02:29])
• “Ball go far, team go far.” (Dan, [19:46])
• “Never bunt. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever bunt. Unless...the best rule of thumb—get this through your thick skulls—never bunt.” (Dan, [21:18])
• “You can’t write an article about roasting Craig Counsell when it worked perfectly. He did exactly what he wanted to do.” (Matt, [16:38])
• “You have to do whatever it takes to win each game.” (Dan, [17:29])
• “This is a fantasy document and an ex parrot.” (Dan quoting JC Bradbury on Bears stadium study, [31:55])
• “It looks like Allegiant Stadium...But there isn’t anything architecturally [unique].” (Dan, [35:56])
• “Wear this. Here’s your damn coaching acronym. Go dribble your basketballs.” (Dan, [45:53])
• “Nice to meet you, Bored. I’m Dan.” (Dan, [51:44])

Noteworthy Timestamps

• [02:29] — Bernstein on the magic of playoff atmospheres at Wrigley
• [09:37] — Suzuki’s home run surge discussed
• [11:57] — Matt praises the Cubs’ lights-out bullpen
• [16:38] — Matt eviscerates Twitter-based criticisms of Counsell’s pitching management
• [17:53] — Craig Counsell postgame quote on pitching & defense
• [19:46] — “Ball go far, team go far.” Data on home run advantages
• [21:18] — Bernstein’s anti-bunt rant
• [30:51] — Dan’s takedown of Bears’ stadium study and media failures
• [40:49] — Dan’s hilarious “overhand wanking motion” for bad acronyms
• [44:10 – 45:53] — Dan crowns the Clippers’ “FUCK” acronym as the greatest—wear it, don’t talk about it
• [49:01] — Parenting riff: “What are we doing today?”
• [51:44] — Dad-joke: “Nice to meet you, Bored. I’m Dan.”

Tone & Language

The episode bristles with witty, irreverent, and frequently sardonic banter. Bernstein’s delivery is gruff and direct, sharply veering from heartfelt reflection to full-on rant, always seasoned with humor and a Chicagoan’s no-BS sensibility. Matt is both earnest and deadpan, playing off Dan’s energy to keep the exchanges lively and engaging.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This was classic “Unfiltered” Bernstein: a blend of unvarnished sports wisdom, high-caliber analysis, pop-culture riffs, and hard laughs. Die-hard Cubs and Bears fans will find catharsis and smart context, while anyone weary of media spin, managerial clichés, and shallow online discourse will appreciate the raw honesty and comedic send-ups throughout.

Highly Recommended Segments

• Cubs bullpen/managerial decision (11:36–18:58)
• On home run stats in playoff series (19:46–21:18)
• Bears stadium/economic report rant (29:20–35:56)
• Acronym takedown and Clippers’ “FUCK” slogan (40:49–46:14)

End of Summary