Best of the Week on The Dan Patrick Show

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show: Best of the Week — April 11, 2026

Overview

This “Best of the Week” episode of The Dan Patrick Show delivers a jam-packed slate of conversations with top sports figures, mixing in trademark humor, insightful commentary on the sports world, and a touch of pop culture. Dan welcomes a roster of high-profile guests including Michigan head basketball coach Dusty May, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, UConn basketball coach Dan Hurley, Bucks coach and Hall of Famer Doc Rivers, and comedy icon Will Ferrell, each sharing timely reflections from a busy week in sports.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dusty May on Michigan’s Title Win and Coaching Philosophy

Segment Start: [02:56]

• Transfer Portal Success: Dan opens with a lighthearted apology for a co-host’s skepticism of “building a team out of transfers.” Dusty May responds, noting, “He just won the title.” ([02:39] Dusty May)
  • “It’s recruiting, whether you're recruiting somebody who's 22 or somebody 18.” — Dan Patrick ([02:51])
• Championship Afterglow: May reflects on the surreal experience, having barely slept after the win, and describes celebrating with hundreds at the hotel in a “prom-like” atmosphere ([03:17]–[03:55]).
• Immediate Transition: Dusty admits roster-building starts instantly, with the transfer portal opening “at 12:01 last night” even as celebrations were winding down ([04:13]).
• Game Insights: May discusses halftime strategy (“We were optimistic that if we found a little bit of offensive rhythm, then we could…at least tie or, or lose by no less than three...” [05:08]) and downplays the “arena effect,” attributing poor title game shooting to UConn’s defense rather than depth perception ([05:57]).
• Bob Knight Memories: Dusty shares anecdotes about being a student manager for Knight, including a covert mission to remove tree evidence, reflecting on mentoring influences and lasting lessons ([07:52]).
• Building at Michigan: May breaks down how he rebuilt Michigan through pragmatic recruiting, turning to transfers like Vlad Golden and Danny Wolf when the roster was depleted ([09:38]).
• School Identity: Asked if Michigan is a football or basketball school, May calls it “an everything school,” crediting communal pride for both programs ([11:31]).
• Legacy and Mentoring: May credits the Fab Five’s impact and recalls recent interactions with Jalen Rose, emphasizing the importance of tradition and representation ([12:31]).

Notable Quotes:

“As a young kid, my mom would bring me up to these clinics at the Final Four...where the college coaches back then were actually working stations and teaching us how to shoot and dribble...” — Dusty May ([06:34])

“It's an everything school, but football is incredibly important at Michigan...We've piggybacked on that. Our first game, there's probably 3,500 people. I can't remember the last time we played in front of a crowd that wasn't a sellout.” — Dusty May ([11:31])

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2. Rob Manfred: MLB Commissioner on ABS, Labor, and the Future

Segment Start: [18:51]

• Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System: Manfred praises the fan reception to the new challenge system, surprised by “how popular it’s been with fans” watching the jumbotron reviews ([19:53]).
• Umpire Response: Acknowledges the challenge on umpires’ pride, but emphasizes “94% accuracy” and the game’s focus on improvement: “In general, our umpires want the game to be as good as possible.” ([20:46])
• Fan Engagement: The ABS system is treated like a game show, making for “a fun element” in the stadium ([22:04]).
• Controversial Rules: Points to the “runner on second in extra innings” as the most divisive rule among fans—“I hate it,” Dan responds; Manfred defends it for health, safety, and player support ([23:19]).
• Future of WBC (World Baseball Classic): The popularity of WBC could lead to a more regular event schedule. “Our broadcast partners were out in force...this is going to be a piece of our national broadcasting agreements.” ([29:32])
• Labor Issues: Manfred insists focus is on negotiating a deal while maintaining a high-quality 2026 season, demurring on specifics about labor holdups ([25:55]).
• Personal Reflection: Shares that he’ll take a prized Mickey Mantle drawing when his term expires, recalling his Yankee roots ([31:30]).
• On Stadiums & Rules: Explains the commissioner's role in stadium approval and basic standards but notes clubs control design features like retractable roofs ([24:56]).

Notable Quotes:

“The [umpires] are right nearly 94% of the time, which is an astounding number...most of the challenges are pitches in or out by less than half an inch.” — Rob Manfred ([20:46])

“The runner on second base [in extra innings]...players like it. It does prevent the 18 inning game…and as a health and safety issue...But in playoff games, we play them out still.” — Rob Manfred ([23:19])

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3. Dave Roberts: Dodgers Strategy, Analytics, and Ohtani

Segment Start: [35:44]

• Off-Day Routine and Augusta National: Roberts prefers golf or playing “contractor,” and shares stories of playing at Augusta, shooting “89 and 86” from the member tees ([35:59]).
  • “On 18, it feels like those trees are growing when you’re on the tee...they get tighter and tighter.” — Dan Patrick ([36:38])
• Thoughts on ABS: Roberts supports it, saying, “It might be a little too perfect...but the umpiring for me is getting better. They bear down more, and I think that’s better for the game.” ([37:21])
• Strike Zone History: Reflects on the days when pitchers got an extra “3, 4, 5 inches off the plate,” saying, “As a rookie, they’re like, hey, man, he’s gonna get that pitch. You better swing the bat.” ([38:35])
• Shohei Ohtani’s Legacy: Believes Ohtani’s Cy Young chances would further cement his unique stardom and notes the “honor” and stakes for Japanese teammates ([39:41]).
• Managing Personalities: Roberts discusses the fairness vs. sameness dynamic: “You definitely treat them as individuals...but you treat them fairly. When you're Freddie Freeman, you get treated differently than Alex Freeland.” ([40:14])
• Bat Sound and Hitting Philosophy: Cites Miguel Cabrera and Ohtani's unique sound off the bat. He disputes the notion that analytics should dictate “all or nothing” approaches, valuing batting average and RBI ([42:56]).
• Evolving Pitcher Usage: Reflects on the push for longer outings: “We’re starting to get back to that now…having your best pitcher out there, taking more outs.” ([41:38])

Notable Quotes:

“You don't treat them the same, but you treat them fairly. And...those things are earned.” — Dave Roberts ([40:30])

“I haven't watched game 7 [of the World Series] in its entirety ever...maybe for fear the result might change.” — Dave Roberts ([44:00])

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4. Dan Hurley: UConn’s Future, the Transfer Portal, and NIL

Segment Start: [49:51]

• Championship Run and Recovery: Hurley describes the emotional swings post-season—“proud is kind of overriding disappointment.” ([50:40])
• Navigating Modern College Basketball: Hurley expresses unease about college basketball’s future, especially with rampant transfer market activity, NIL, and program-building strategies ([57:57]).
• Roster Turnover: Hurley anticipates possibly only 4–5 returnees out of 15, due to pro departures, transfers, or seeking bigger roles elsewhere ([61:47]). He notes persistent tampering: “even players that aren’t in the portal...everyone’s in the portal” ([61:38]).
• Honesty in Coaching Moves: Hurley recalls never negotiating with other schools until his team’s season ended, emphasizing integrity ([62:49]).
• NIL and Player Cars: On seeing players driving Teslas and BMWs: “I'm a Ford guy. Got my Ford Raptor truck. So I'm built tough.” ([60:15])
• Parent Perspective: Admits he’d want reasons if his kids transferred repeatedly, voicing concern for too-easy moves ([60:48]).

Notable Quotes:

“This is terrible right now, what's going on...I think college programs are — they got, we got to start being run like an NBA organization or a pro sports organization.” — Dan Hurley ([59:18])

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5. Doc Rivers: Hall of Fame, Giannis, and NBA Storylines

Segment Start: [68:42]

• Retirement Reflections: Rivers jokes with Dan about who will retire first, but admits, “Retirement means you don’t work at all. I don’t think I’m going to do that.” ([69:41])
• First Losing Season: Candid about this season’s challenges—“this is my first losing season in 20 seasons. Losing is no fun for anyone.” ([69:57])
• Giannis’ Future: Discusses the star's uncertainty: “If we had all the pieces here, I have no doubt he'd want to stay. But we don't, and so that puts him in a tough spot.” ([70:48])
• On the Hall Call: Shares a moving story about missing the initial phone call from the Hall of Fame, his brother’s emotional reaction, and the many mentors who helped him ([73:31]–[75:53]).
• Rookie of the Year Debate: Rivers splits the difference between standout rookie Cooper Flagg’s numbers and Con Knippel’s culture-impacting role, suggesting this is a year for potential co-MVPs ([76:23]).
• Player Leadership: Gives high marks to Kevin Garnett’s unique brand of locker room leadership but jokes KG’s "zero patience" would make him a tough coach ([77:25], [79:25]).
• Humor with Todd Fritz Impersonation: Rivers enjoys (and good-naturedly critiques) the show's co-host’s impersonation of his voice ([80:19]).

Notable Quotes:

“I've never had a leader like Kevin [Garnett] ever. Kevin cleaned up the locker room for me every single day...it makes coaching a whole lot easier.” — Doc Rivers ([78:46])

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6. Will Ferrell: Show Farewells, Showbiz, and 'Family is Overrated' Wisdom

Segment Start: [86:24]

• Congratulating Seaton: Will offers heartfelt, comical advice for Seaton’s departure and reminisces about their trip to Ireland together ([86:58]).
• Comic Banter: Banters with Dan about “retiring” in February 2028 and feigning regret at passing up major film roles to prioritize “family time”: “Family is overrated.” ([91:57])
• Soccer Connections: Mentions his involvement with soccer ownership and jokes about “scouting” Seaton’s son ([89:12]).

Notable Quotes:

“I know everything about taking time off for family…. In my opinion, you may feel differently — Family’s overrated.” — Will Ferrell ([91:57])

“I was going to play both guys [in Brokeback Mountain].” — Will Ferrell ([92:25])

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Timeline of Notable Segments

| Timestamp | Content / Speaker | Highlights | |----------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | 02:56–13:45 | Dusty May | Building a title team, Bob Knight, Michigan | | 18:51–32:12 | Rob Manfred | ABS in MLB, rules, labor, personal stories | | 35:44–45:14 | Dave Roberts | Masters stories, analytics, managing Dodgers | | 49:51–64:01 | Dan Hurley | Modern CBB challenges, transfer portal, NIL | | 68:42–81:07 | Doc Rivers | Bucks, Giannis, Hall induction, NBA rookies | | 86:24–93:06 | Will Ferrell | Seaton farewell, showbiz wit, family jokes |

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “We have our first national champion that was comprised of all portals or all transfers in Michigan.” — Dan Hurley ([57:57])
• “I always correct the fact that it is a system that assists a live person in doing his job better...we always call it ABS.” — Rob Manfred ([28:13])
• “Miguel Cabrera. That's the guy for me that when that dude hit a baseball, it was a different sound. But yes, when Shohei hits a baseball, it's a different sound.” — Dave Roberts ([41:06])
• “[Kevin Garnett] cleaned up the locker room for me every single day. ...When you got something like that on your team, it makes coaching a whole lot easier.” — Doc Rivers ([78:46])
• “You may be out in the wilderness on this new adventure… and you'd be like, boy, I miss that chair.” — Will Ferrell ([92:05])

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Tone and Style

Throughout, the episode maintains Dan Patrick’s classic blend of dry wit, earnest insight, and deep respect for his guests’ expertise. Moments of gentle ribbing (see: apologies for “dumb” questions, Fritzi’s impersonation), emotional candor (Doc Rivers’ Hall calls), and sports nostalgia (Bob Knight stories, Mickey Mantle art) ensure an engaging listen for sports fans, coaches, and pop-culture enthusiasts alike.

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Summary

This Best of the Week episode is a tour de force of sports media, spotlighting leadership in college and pro sports, the evolving landscapes of college basketball and baseball, and the personalities behind the headlines. Listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes stories, thoughtful takes on evolving issues (like NIL, labor negotiations, and analytics in sports), and some classic big laughs—all delivered by one of sports radio’s sharpest and friendliest hosts.

Transcript

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[Dan Patrick]

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[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on Fox Sports Radio.

[Dan Patrick]

Seton, would you clean up the first hour of the program? Yeah, this one's actually a little awkward to read right now, but that's okay. This one's from Todd Fritz. By the way, sitting to my putting Together a starting 5 of all transfers is smart or dumb. I think that was answered last night because let's see, 66% of the audience say that it's very smart, obviously evidenced by last Night. Okay. Do I have to start the interview with Dusty May apologizing for Todd? Yes, Paul. It can't be dumb.

[Dusty May]

He just won the title.

[Dan Patrick]

It's just proof of concept right there. That's how you do it. Todd had a problem with this this morning. I go, it's recruiting. Whether you're recruiting somebody who's 22 or somebody 18.

[Dan Hurley]

And we're convenient leaving out that at

[Doc Rivers]

the top polls that might not quite

[Dan Hurley]

work was the headline of those.

[Dan Patrick]

Let's bring in Dusty May, the Michigan head basketball coach. Good morning, coach. Congratulations. And I apologize for Fritzi saying that, you know, bringing in all these transfers is dumb. We're proud of what you did. Congratulations.

[Dusty May]

No worries, Dan. Thank you for having me on.

[Dan Patrick]

How much sleep are we working with?

[Dusty May]

About an hour. And I think I closed my school about five minutes a little bit ago in between interviews.

[Dan Patrick]

What kind of party did we have

[Dusty May]

last night as soon as we got back to the hotel? And our staff kind of has a semi tradition where if we have any big moments, we walk back from the arena to the hotel. And that's just kind of our Rat Pack entourage moment. And we came to the hotel and what we thought was a small get together, it was several hundred people and it felt a little bit like prom where you're taking pictures and shaking hands and whatnot. But it was great just to see everyone under one roof.

[Dan Patrick]

As it hit you yet?

[Dusty May]

No, not at all. I'm not sure that it will.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, I'm guessing. Yeah. I don't know what, like, there's no more games. So is it. Is it just going to hit you out of nowhere and you go, I'm a national champion.

[Dusty May]

Well, Dan, I think once we have our roster put together for next year. I've been on calls and zooms already this morning. The transfer Porter transfer portal opened again at 12:01 last night. And we have some holes in our roster that we must fill and so credit our staff. They hold me accountable. And they've had some stuff set up this morning, so we've been hitting the ground running.

[Dan Patrick]

Were you working the transfer portal after winning the championship when you guys are celebrating?

[Dusty May]

We actually contemplating doing a Zoom at 1201. How much media we were going to have and how many hours that would take. I think it was about 2 o'.

[Dave Roberts]

Clock.

[Dusty May]

And I said, are we still doing a zoom? And the staff said, no, that, that, that. That ship passed. And so we just waited till this morning.

[Dan Patrick]

Take me into halftime. Got a small lead. But what is your message to your team.

[Dusty May]

Our message was that things weren't going great, we weren't making shots. Yaxel was frustrated with his play, and we were up four points against a team that is conditioned to win as any team that we faced in the last couple of years. And so we were optimistic that if we found a little bit of offensive rhythm, then we could find a least tie or, or lose by no less than three the, the second 20 minutes.

[Dan Patrick]

And I brought this up a couple of times yesterday that unless you shot in a big arena and the depth perception, it's really hard to get acclimated to that. And this was one of the worst shooting percentages for a national title game we've had in a long, long time. How much of a role do you think it played that you're playing in, you know, these cavernous stadiums now?

[Dusty May]

Well, we shot the heck out of it on Saturday, so we felt good about preparation. I think it had more to do with, with, with UConn's defense, the physicality game, and just two determined basketball teams that were fighting tooth and nail, just trying to figure out a way to win. And they did a great job of, of controlling the tempo of the game, of forcing us to play at their pace, and they had us in a rock fight.

[Dan Patrick]

Any added. I don't know what the word would be that you did it in Indianapolis after, you know, being in Indiana under Bob Knight.

[Dusty May]

Well, it's actually probably a little bit more distracting because we're trying to accommodate a lot more people because of proximity. But just as I've said repeatedly, it's just a full circle moment. As a young kid, my mom would bring me up to these clinics at the Final Four, the. Yes clinics and these basketball clinics where the college coaches back then were actually working stations and teaching us how to shoot and dribble the ball when we're in elementary school. Things have changed a lot in that regard. And then also in 2000, a group of US managers came up here because we could commute and just we were trying to network and meet any coach to make any connection that we could to find a way to gain a spot in college basketball. And literally any spot. Volunteer gas. Those are the jobs we were looking for.

[Dan Patrick]

He's Dusty May, Michigan head basketball coach. But you survived, Bob Knight, and thrived. But you survived. But give me your. Your Bob Knight. We. I mean, I had my moments with him, good and bad. I've been yelled at before by him, but I'm sure you have as well. So your favorite Bob Knight story as a Student manager is what.

[Dusty May]

There are several. Probably my favorite one. Now I could tell this because Coach has passed, God rest his soul. Our job was so menial that his wife Karen wanted to have more grass in their backyard at their house in Ellisville. And Coach Knight refused to cut down any trees. And so Coach was on a fishing trip or recruiting trip, I can't remember now. And we got a call from Karen that a couple of us were subpoenaed out to the house and we had, we had no idea what for. And I don't know why. This story just came to me, I've never told it before. And we go out to the house and she had had several trees removed all the way down to the, to the stump or to the ground. And we had to figure out a way to get the sawdust and any, any residue from those trees out of the yard before Coach Knight came home. So we literally had rakes and we were picking up sawdust with our bare hands. So Knight wouldn't, hopefully wouldn't notice that any of his trees have been removed while he was on a, on a hunting trip.

[Dan Patrick]

Jay Billis was on last hour and he said to ask you about the different drinks and food that Coach Knight Like. Like Dr. Pepper Lemonade.

[Dusty May]

No, Dr. Pepper and Chocolate milk. This is.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh no.

[Dusty May]

Coach Knight was ahead of his time and many regards with analytics, with teaching pedagogy, but this was chocolate before chocolate or yah, the soda taste with, with a chocolate milk flavor. And it was, it was ingenious.

[Dan Patrick]

Take me back to last year when you're trying to put this team together and you, you're trying to do it with players all over the country. So give me, give me the recipe for that philosophy of what you were doing.

[Dusty May]

Yeah, well, we take the job at Michigan and the first day I arrive on campus, there's maybe six, six or seven guys in the locker room and almost the entire team had already entered the transfer portal just because of the timing of. And my first call was to Coach Howard to find out who he felt like was worth investing in as we tried to build our program and continue the legacy of the past teams.

[Dan Patrick]

But you don't take it personally, Dusty, that you go in and you realize most of the team is in the transfer portal.

[Dusty May]

No, not at all. Not at all. I wanted to get to know those guys. I wanted them to get to know me. And even the players that we identify are guys that we think we would love to keep. We tell them, don't make any rash decisions. Just give us Some time and let's get on the court together, let's spend some time, let's go have lunch. And. Because these college years are, I mean, a lot has been said about the Portal and all this other stuff that 18 to 23, 18 to 22 are such informative years for any of this that have changed as much as I did at that stage. And so we just want to make sure it's the right fit at the right stage of their careers and their development. And so there's. We never take it personal. And so we decided to try to keep several of them. And finances, we didn't have hardly any money. Finances wouldn't allow us to keep very many. And then luckily, Vlad golden chose to join us from fau. And shortly thereafter we got Danny Wolf because of his family connections to Michigan and his desire to play at the highest level in preparation for the NBA coming from Yale. So we had a couple foundational pieces, a couple returners from the previous Michigan group, the Head Institute. And from there we're able to build out and really set an identity and culture in year one.

[Dan Patrick]

Is Michigan a football school or a basketball school?

[Dusty May]

It's an everything school, but I have issues saying that football is incredibly important at Michigan. There's 110,000 people that gather on our campus every single Saturday to watch high level football, to celebrate everything that comes with the University of Michigan. And we've piggybacked on that. Our, our first game at Michigan, there's probably 3,500 people. And I can't remember the last time we played in front of a crowd that wasn't a sellout and they didn't bring great energy. So people love the university. They obviously appreciate a certain style of play as far as tenacity and teamwork. And so we're proud to be in a place where they celebrate all sports.

[Dan Patrick]

What's the sweatshirt? What's the logo on your sweatshirt?

[Dusty May]

It's the throwback Wolverine.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, okay.

[Dusty May]

Yeah, it's the, the old school.

[Dan Patrick]

Did you get advice from the Fab Five? Did they want to help you with coaching?

[Dusty May]

Actually, they've been, they've been very, very helpful. And I, I've told them and I've told the media that other than Michael Jordan in my lifetime, they've changed the culture of our sport for the better more than any other team, group or individual. And it's, it's, it's a, it's a, a point of, to represent those guys. I was actually on a show with them the other day and they put me on the spot. They asked me which Fab 5 was my favorite and I, and being an Indiana guy that always loved the Pacers, I had to go with Jalen.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. He'll be joining us next hour.

[Dusty May]

Yeah, that's great. He's a lot for Detroit. He's, he's very, he's very respected in our area.

[Dan Patrick]

You know, sacrifice, you know, the voice, it looks like it's gone for a little while, so hopefully you get some time to recon. You sound a little like Tom Izzo. That's a seasoned voice.

[Dusty May]

Yeah, that he, he said that he set the standard for all of us young coaches as far as porn pouring into the, to our guys in our sport. And yeah, it's my voice doesn't carry well normally and especially after a game like last night.

[Dan Patrick]

Congrats, Dusty. It's a great story and good luck.

[Dusty May]

Thank you, Dan. I appreciate having you on.

[Dan Patrick]

That's Dusty.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

May be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app. Fox Sports Radio is taking over YouTube and you can be a part of it. Just go to YouTube and search Fox Sports Radio. Hit that subscribe button and smash that notification bell and catch all the videos from your favorite shows. Two pros and a cup of Joe. Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, Stu Gotz and company Live, Covino and Rich, the Odd Couple with Rob Parker and Kelv Washington, the Jason Smith show with Mike Harmon and the Ben Maller Show. Fox sports radio on YouTube.

[Dan Patrick]

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[Rob Manfred]

Hey, Dan. Morale is very high here at mlb. Off to a great start. Great World Baseball Classic and really good start to the season.

[Dan Patrick]

I'm curious about. You had the fight last night and when that does that get to your desk of you getting involved in that?

[Rob Manfred]

Yeah, usually that kind of on field incident Mike Hill will handle. He makes a recommendation and, you know, we kind of go from there. Though only if it's a really kind of out of the ordinary problem would I get involved.

[Dan Patrick]

When's the last one you got involved in that?

[Rob Manfred]

Gosh, I can't even. I. I think the last one I got involved with involved a player and a fan incident. It was several years ago and I can't tell you the player or the team, to tell you the truth.

[Dan Patrick]

Good sign. It's rare. It's rare. The ABS kind of letting that kind of trickle into Major League Baseball. How would you say reaction's been so far?

[Rob Manfred]

I think the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. You know, I thought that my expectation was that the players would really like it. The opportunity to, you know, correct a miss at a crucial point in the game. What actually surprised me, Dan, is how popular it's been with fans. I don't know if you've been in a ballpark yet, but, you know, the challenge happens. Everybody's kind of glued to the jumbotron. It's amazing.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, I love it. I guess my only if you want to call criticism would be the umpire. They can't be taking this too kindly. That they're being embarrassed might be a strong word, but they're being judged by everybody. Everybody is reacting to that umpire. What kind of reaction have you gotten from the umpires on this?

[Rob Manfred]

I think the umpires have reacted with professionalism. I mean, we had a lot of conversations with them about the implementation of this. I think it's important to bear in mind and it's important for me to say publicly, you know, they're right. 94, nearly 94% of the time, which is an astounding number when you think about how difficult it is. And most of the challenges are pitches that are in or out by less, you know, less than or about a half an inch. So, you know, you can't be too critical of people. I mean, I understand, you know, you do get fans that get on them, but I think they knew what to expect. And in general, our umpires want the game to be as good as possible, and I think they see it as an improvement in the game.

[Dan Patrick]

When do we get to full time?

[Rob Manfred]

You know, look, I think that we're a few weeks in to implementation. I think that we made a good decision by, you know, listening to fans, listening to players, that, that we should do a challenge system. We shouldn't go to full abs. So we're just too early in the process for me to even think about any change to the system right now. I think we're pretty satisfied with where we are.

[Dan Patrick]

And I like the element of the stadium with the fans. And I would be dressing it up. You know, it's like a game show, you know, was, you know, was it right, was it wrong? You show it, the crowd reacts. I think it's. It's a fun element where you're treating with something serious, but it is a fun element with that. And I think that it's not overwhelmed.

[Doc Rivers]

I agree.

[Rob Manfred]

I think it's a form of fan engagement. The other thing I think that is important to keep in mind is we poll our fans about these changes routinely before we do them, after we do them. And the challenge system was the one that our fans overwhelmingly favorite.

[Dan Patrick]

What do fans not want when you do these polls with them?

[Rob Manfred]

Oh, there's things that they don't want.

[Dusty May]

Trust me.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, that's number one. What's number one? Where you go, boy, they don't like this.

[Rob Manfred]

Yeah. Look, I think the of the things that we've done, the one that's the most controversial among our fans is the extra inning world. The runner on second base, that's the one that is, you know, the most evenly split among fans.

[Dan Patrick]

I hate it.

[Rob Manfred]

Well, you know, it is an interesting thing. I think that overwhelmingly players like it. You know, it does prevent the 18 inning game and the prospect of somebody who's an outfielder trying to go up on the mound and pitch and getting hurt. I really do see it as a health and safety issue. But in recognition of your view of the world, our most important games that are playoff games, we play them out still.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, yeah, but I'm the, you know, get off my lawn guy, that. It's just. It's still a weird visual where you go, and we go to the 10th inning and you see some guy at second base. Is it. Is it here to stay?

[Rob Manfred]

Look, I think that it is here to stay. I think the health and safety concern, the popularity of it among the players. I think it's one that is going to be with us.

[Dan Patrick]

He's the commissioner. Major League Baseball. Your contract expires January 29th. Yeah. Yeah.

[Rob Manfred]

Early in 29th, right.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. But you could sign up before then if you wanted to extend, correct?

[Rob Manfred]

Yeah, I could sign up before then if I wanted to extend. Rarely, you know, has commissioners contracts in baseball gone all the way to the end. But, you know, I was upfront with the owners when I did my last deal, that this was going to be it for me, and I'm pretty committed to that position.

[Dan Patrick]

Are you involved in approval of stadiums?

[Rob Manfred]

Yeah, there's certain. The commissioner's office has certain requirements for stadiums that are reviewed to make sure they're in conformity with, you know, major league requirements in terms of what a stadium must be.

[Dan Patrick]

But as far as, you know, a roof, retractable.

[Rob Manfred]

Like, those are local decisions, you know, in terms of whether they're going to be retractable. The basic design of the stadium, those are ones that clubs make.

[Dan Patrick]

But what happens if a team says, you know, what, we want to bring our fences in?

[Rob Manfred]

They have to check with the office to make sure that the dimensions of the field still conform with the minimum standards that we require.

[Dan Patrick]

Labor issues are never good content for radio or tv. But let me just ask you, from a fan's perspective, what is it that I need to know about Major League Baseball moving forward with the potential labor issues?

[Rob Manfred]

I think the most important thing for our fans to know is we're going to provide them a great 2026 season. And while they're watching that great 2026 season, we're going to be working hard to get a labor deal done.

[Dan Patrick]

What's the big holdup? What could potentially be the big holdup?

[Rob Manfred]

Just not at a point in the process where I can really give you a good answer to that, Dan. It's just too early, man.

[Dan Patrick]

You're shaking me off here. You're like. You're like Kershaw on the mound here. What's going on here? Give me a little bit of something. Listen.

[Rob Manfred]

Listen to your own introduction. There's nothing good about this conversation.

[Will Ferrell]

Right.

[Dan Patrick]

What sport do you learn the most from, aside from baseball?

[Rob Manfred]

Oh, I pay A lot of attention to football and basketball. I think that, you know, I'm a fan of both of those sports growing up and, you know, pay a lot of attention to what they're doing. You know, for example, like NBA games, I watch their instant play carefully because I think it's something that runs contrary to an issue that. That we've been very aggressive about, which is time of game. Obviously, you want to get it right, but you don't want to interrupt the flow of the game or delay the game, make it longer. So, you know, that's an example of something we pay a lot of attention.

[Dan Patrick]

And that takes me back to the abs. Because you want to speed up the game. You're slowing down the game because you're going to review it as opposed to. It's going to be on the Jumbotron with every pitch eventually, and therefore, you know, it. It will keep the game moving that we won't be slowing down. So how. How important is that? Tap the helmet and get that review. How quickly you get that review?

[Rob Manfred]

Yeah, it is an issue. It is the one topic on ABS that I've raised in the last couple of our staff meetings, and the data shows we're like a minute and a half it longer associated with abs. That's a price I'm prepared to pay.

[Dan Patrick]

Who came up with robots like that, to me, was the negative part of this. People go, are you going to have robots behind home plate? I go, no, there'll be umpires. Like, but who did the media do this? You can blame the media.

[Rob Manfred]

I mean, we. As a matter of fact, I kind of look back when people are asking me about it. When they asked me about robo umpires, I uniformly correct the fact that it is a system that assists a live person in doing his job better. His or her job better. You know, we always call it abs. And I agree with you that the moniker of, you know, robot, or the overlay of referring to it as a robot is a negative thing.

[Dan Patrick]

When's the last time your phone rang after midnight? East coast time? Baseball wise,

[Rob Manfred]

it's been a while. I mean, you know, there's periods of time where it happens, but it has been a while, and certainly not during the 2026 season yet.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. All right. Well, we're off to a good start. No, we, you know, we have been

[Rob Manfred]

kind of, you know, look, we had the little uproar in the Angels Braves game last night, but, you know, it's been pretty quiet so far in. In terms of the play of the game on the Field the games have been great and you mostly positive so far.

[Dan Patrick]

The wbc. I hate that we're going to lose momentum on this again. Can you do it every two years?

[Rob Manfred]

You know, look, I think that we're going to have a meeting on the wbc, which we always do after it is completed. I think that the event was so successful this time that we need to talk about frequency, regularity of schedule. You know, we haven't even. I mean, it's one thing to not do it every year. Our problem, because of COVID and labor negotiations, whatever. It's. It's not even. You can't even say it's every four years. And you know, we do need to get into. Given how popular it is, we need to get into a regular rotation. I think the most important reason for that is fans. But I'll give you another reason. You know, our broadcast partners were out in force at the WBC partner finals. And, you know, I think this is going to be a piece of our national broadcasting agreements. And obviously to do that, it has to be on a regular schedule.

[Dan Patrick]

All right, well, we'll keep an eye on you. We're grading you all the time.

[Rob Manfred]

As you should. As you should, Dan. You know, I mean, you know, we. Like you said, you got umpires who are subject to scrutiny. I certainly should be as well.

[Dan Patrick]

I go back to Bowie Kuhn. I was there. Bowie's last day in office.

[Will Ferrell]

Really?

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, I went when he was packing up.

[Rob Manfred]

Yeah, I'm. I missed Bowie, but I was actually, when I first started as an outside lawyer, I was in a meeting where Peter Uber off Faye Vincent, Bart Giamatti, Bud Selig and I were all in the meeting and there were only seven people in the room. Which you think about, that's five out of ten, right? That's pretty good.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. Last day. You get to take one thing out of the office.

[Rob Manfred]

You know, I have a. I'm going to betray myself. I have a drawing of Mickey Mantle that a fairly well known baseball artist did sort of as a. I had done a speech for them and they. It was the honorarium for doing the speech. You know, I grew up a Yankee fan. My very first game was in 1968. It was Mantle's last year, but believe it or not, he hit two home runs in the game, one from each side of the plate. It was the last time he ever did it. And I'm taking that Mickey Mantle drawing with me, no matter what.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, Rob. Good to talk to you again.

[Rob Manfred]

Great to talk to you, Dan. As always. I always enjoy it.

[Dan Patrick]

And so the Commissioner of Major League

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Baseball, Rob Manfred Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live

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[Dan Patrick]

[e-mail] are you one of the 7% of adults in the United States who are searching for an alternative to sleeping in a bed. Then let me introduce you to Z Kliner, the revolutionary recliner designed by Flexsteel. The Z Kliner meticulously engineered with restful sleep in mind, making it an ideal bed alternative. A healthy life starts with a healthy night's sleep. Z Kliner is more than just a recliner. It's a personalized comfort experience. It features multiple power adjustments like recline, headrest, lumbar, zero gravity, reducing pressure on your body, tech integrations like like charging ports for easy modern living. We know life can be messy, stressful. That's why Z Kleiner is upholstered in a moisture and stain resistant fabric. Perfect for all day enjoyment, even homes with pets and kids. Z Kleiner A complete sleep solution. Get started. Unmatched comfort z kliner.com DanPatrick today to find a Z Kleiner at a store near you. Millions of people move every year for all kinds of reasons. When that time comes, it helps to go with a company you can trust. Penske Truck Rental Their trucks are clean, newer, well maintained and you get free unlimited miles on one way rentals. And there's no fee if you want to change your reservation. They've got over 2,000 locations and live support around the clock. Penske helps you gain ground like no other company can. Go to pensketruckrental.com or download the Penske Truck Truck rental app. Some people have a Starbucks order depending on their mood. Like morning with coffee weekend maybe something iced, something a little fun. But now afternoons have a new go to because Starbucks just launched their new energy refreshers, their Starbucks refreshers flavors that everybody already loves. They already know what's going on like the strawberry acai, the pink drink, the dragon drink drink. And they've added a boost of caffeine to power you through the rest of the day. You can try flavors like Mango Strawberry Energy Refresher or Mango Dream Energy Drink. Bright, fruity, super refreshing. When the afternoon slump hits you, whatever flavor you like, Starbucks Energy Refreshers. Exactly what you need to take on the moment that matters. So next time the afternoon slows down and kicks in, head to your nearest Starbucks and try one of the new Energy Refreshers or order one right now on the Starbucks app. We got a chance to talk to Dave Roberts. The Dodgers had a day game yesterday in Toronto, and so we got a chance to talk to him before the game, and I started off by asking him what he does on a day off.

[Dave Roberts]

I. I'm actually going to play contractor tomorrow in. In Cardiff. We're doing a whole, like, landscape outdoor situation. I just want to kind of see what's going on, but usually I play golf. That's what I'll typically do.

[Dan Patrick]

All right. For the Masters. Have you played Augusta?

[Dave Roberts]

I cannot. I. I've played there twice, and it's. It's. The experience is unlike any other. So, yeah, I've been very, very fortunate, and I cannot wait for this week. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Tomorrow.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, how did you play it? Augusta? Do you want to give me your score?

[Dave Roberts]

I shot 89 and 86.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Dave Roberts]

So respectable.

[Dan Patrick]

Did you play from the member tips at all, like on 18?

[Dave Roberts]

No, I played for. No, I played for the member team.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, member tease. Okay.

[Dave Roberts]

Yeah, that's right. That's right. I. Yeah, I did. That's. That's. That's my admission, but I feel that's all right.

[Dan Patrick]

I went all the way back on 18, and. And it feels like those trees are growing when you're on the tee. Like, they get tighter and tighter. But we went all the way back. There's a couple of them. You can play all the way back. But 18, and I said, let's do it. Let's see. But it's. It's a lot hillier than what you think.

[Dave Roberts]

So did you. Did you get into the fairway off 18 from the tips?

[Dan Patrick]

I did off to the left, but well short of the bunker on the left and ended up bogeying, you know, but. But, you know, I. We had fun.

[Dave Roberts]

That's a. That's a good bogey from the tips from. From that. That's a good bogey.

[Dan Patrick]

What do you think of abs so far?

[Dave Roberts]

I like it. I. I think it's good. You know, it might be a little bit too perfect in the sense of you know, a centimeter changes a call, but I do think that it makes the umpires. The umpiring for me is getting better. And I think that that's whether they agree with that or not, because they don't want to. No one wants to be embarrassed. And so they bear down more, and I think that's better for the game.

[Dan Patrick]

How do you develop a strategy for appealing or is there a strategy?

[Dave Roberts]

You know what, we've done a good job of, like, just talking about it. We've, you know, we get our front office, we get our hitting guys, our veteran guys are hitting guys, players just talking about leverage. And I think the thing is, is that that is just trying to figure out what is leverage, when to use it. And I think that for the run prevention side, we give it to the catcher. And Will's been great, Will Smith has been great. And then I think it's just, it's also helped our hitters kind of really understanding the hitting zone, the strike zone, they're more in tune with it now.

[Dan Patrick]

How did we get to this point where umpires were given their own strike zone day? Dave?

[Dave Roberts]

Well, yeah, I don't want to throw anybody under the bus, but Lavon Hernandez, Greg behind the plate, history might have been changed. You know, I, I think that the way that the game used to be, where it was like, you know, you're Maddox or Glavin and whoever, you know, any great pitcher, right, that has command and you're getting 3, 4, 5 inches off the plate, and as a run young rookie, they're like, hey, man, he's gonna get that pitch. You better swing the bat. I think, I think that with social media, you know, with everything, with the analytics, like, everything is more precise, and I think that's good. You know, you don't want to lose a human element with the umpires, which I think they get defensive, which I get. But I think at the end of the day, people want to get the calls right, and that's what the integrity of the game should be.

[Dan Patrick]

Talking to Dave Roberts, Dodger Manager, how important is this Cy Young to Shohei Ohtani?

[Dave Roberts]

Extremely. You know, and I, and I would, you know, love to know. I mean, I think that with Shohei, he's done everything, you know, on the field, he's carried not single handedly, but almost single handedly, you know, the game of baseball as far as domestic, you know, international, being the face of the, of the game, that's something he hasn't done. And also with Yamamoto, his, his teammate and countryman, you Know, that's something that one of those guys, I'm sure both those guys want to be the first Japanese born player, you know, to win a Cy Young.

[Dan Patrick]

The coach, manager. There are coaches who say, hey, I don't treat everybody the same or managers, I don't treat everybody the same, same. What do you do you subscribe to? They're all individuals. I treat them as individuals or, you know, it's a team.

[Dave Roberts]

I, I, I, I, I guess the easiest way to put it is you definitely treat them as individuals. You don't treat them the same, but you treat them fairly. And that's, and what that, and obviously, you know, Dan, what that means is when you're Freddy Freeman, you get treated differently than Alex Freeland. And when you're Clayton Kershaw, you get treated differently than Emmett Sheehan. And that's the way it should be. Those things are earned.

[Dan Patrick]

The sound off of Sh. Otani's bat, like there's certain sounds in baseball. Can you think of another player when you have Cabrera, it just sounded different.

[Dave Roberts]

It sounded different. Miguel Cabrera. That's, that's the guy for me that when that dude hit a baseball, it was a different sound. But yes, when showy hits a baseball, it's a different sound.

[Dan Patrick]

I thought Jock Peterson had had that sound too. Like it was like, wow, it's a

[Dave Roberts]

lot coming off his bat too. Absolutely.

[Dan Patrick]

Explain the Yamamoto, you know, pitching deep into games now, the rare occurrence playoffs last year, like that's an anomaly. We, we don't see that anymore.

[Dave Roberts]

Yeah, I think we're starting to get back to that now, which is a good thing, I think in baseball, you know, you know, the last couple years, last year in particular, I think that, you know, I think organizations wide, industry wide, starting to, you know, again value length of a starting pitcher and you know, understanding the value that it the tax of pulling guys shorter, not letting them go longer, trying to protect the starter and say Bullets, but has a cost with relievers, you know, and, and not having your best pitcher essentially out on the mound taking down more outs. I think Yamamoto's first year, he was cutting his teeth in the States. I kind of played him short because I wanted him to end with success and you know, get confidence and pushed him a little bit more in the postseason. And then last year, if you look at his usage, I pushed him a little bit more, extend him in the postseason. And yeah, and I think that's, that's, I think you're, you're seeing that more, I think across baseball as well. Not just, you know, with our guys.

[Dan Patrick]

With you. Are you defying analytics?

[Dave Roberts]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dan Patrick]

Are you doing that hitting W. Is it still a all or nothing at the plate analytics?

[Dave Roberts]

No, it's not. And. And I think the. The team that we're playing right now did a. Did a. Is a good case study. And, you know, slugging, when you're trying to slug, checking down and hitting with two strikes, hitting to the opposite field. The Blue Jays. And I've always valued batting average. Freddie Freeman is, you know, probably my favorite player I've ever coached with everything and total of what he does, and he values batting average. And, you know, the biggest moments in a postseason game, you want hits and to be able to drive in a run. But in our game, the. The. So that's valued most in the postseason, but it's somehow been devalued in the season. The batting average, the runs batted in. So I've always been an advocate of that. And I don't like the. The three. What is it? Probable outcomes or things like that. That kind of. I've never been a fan of that type of hitter.

[Dan Patrick]

When's the last time you lost? When's the last time you watched Game seven of the World Series?

[Dave Roberts]

You know, just recently, I did a podcast with Passing with John Schneider, but. But that was kind of snippets, but I. I haven't. DP I haven't watched game 7 in its entirety ever. And I just really don't have any interest. I mean, it was a great game, great series, very fortunate. But maybe, I guess for fear that the result might change.

[Dan Patrick]

How have the Blue Jays treated you?

[Dave Roberts]

Great. You know, I guess when you're booed, that's a good thing. But. But I love Canadian people. I just. The Canadians are very good people. I think that the World Series, The Blue Jays, have been great for the country of Canada. I love coming north of the border, and I love Toronto. It's freezing here, but fortunately, we have the Rogers Center. We have a dome. But I love Canada.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, if you came out and they started applauding you, that probably would have meant. Hey, hey. Thank you for giving us the world. We got the World Series. So they only fair.

[Dave Roberts]

Yeah, totally fair. Yes, you're right.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. You want to get booed?

[Dave Roberts]

You're right, D.P.

[Dan Patrick]

yeah. You're doing something right. Safe travels as always. Thanks for spending some time.

[Dave Roberts]

All right, D.P. take care. We'll talk soon.

[Dan Patrick]

Dodger manager Dave Roberts, speaking to him yesterday.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live Are you

[Dan Patrick]

one of the 7% of adults in the United States who are searching for an alternative to sleeping in a bed? Then let me introduce you to Z Kliner, the revolutionary recliner designed by Flexteel. The Z Kliner meticulously engineered with restful sleep in mind, making it an ideal bed alternative. A healthy life starts with a healthy night night's sleep. Z Kliner is more than just a recliner. It's a personalized comfort experience. It features multiple power adjustments like recline, headrest, lumbar, zero gravity, reducing pressure on your body, tech integrations like charging ports for easy modern living. We know life can be messy, stressful. That's why Z Kliner is upholstered in a moisture and stain resistant fabric. Perfect for all day enjoyment, even homes with pets and kids. Z Kleiner A complete sleep solution get started unmatched comfort z kliner.com DanPatrick today to find a Z Kliner at a store near you. Millions of people move every year for all kinds of reasons. Could be a new job, growing family or just the need to start fresh. Whatever it is, when that time comes, it helps to go with a company that you can trust. That's where Penske Truck Rental comes in. In their trucks are clean, newer, well maintained. So you're starting your move with equipment that you can count on. Penske is also the only one that gives you free unlimited miles on one way rentals. So if your plans shift or you take a detour, there's no extra cost for the extra miles. They won't even charge you for updating your reservation. Penske gets it. Life changes and your plans do as well. They've got you covered. Over 2,000 locations support around the clock. Real people who actually answer the phone. Great people to deal with. Penske helps you gain ground like no other company can. Go to pensketruckrental.com or download the Penske Truck Rental app and find what you need. Today some people have a Starbucks order depending on their mood. Like morning with coffee, weekend maybe something iced, something a little fun. But now afternoons have a new go to because Starbucks just launched their new energy refreshers, their Starbucks refreshers flavors that everybody already loves. They already know what's going on like the strawberry acai, the pink drink, the dragon drink. And they've added a boost of caffeine to power you through the rest of the day. You can try flavors Like Mango Strawberry Energy Refresher or Mango Dream Energy Drink. Bright, fruity, super refreshing. When the afternoon slump hits you, whatever flavor you like. Starbucks Energy Refreshers. Exactly what you need to take on the moment that matters. So next time the afternoon slows down and kicks in, head to your nearest Starbucks and try one of the new energy refreshers. Or order one right now on the Starbucks app. Guys, if your hair isn't playing like it did in your 20s, it's time for a real comeback. Not another workaround because throwing on a hat is not strategy. Nutrafol supports healthier hair from within him. It's physician formulated, clinically tested and recommended by dermatologists, giving you a clear, legitimate plan so you can stop covering up and start showing up with confidence. Nutrafol now offers hair growth supplements tailored for men at every age. Because the root causes of hair thinning change over time and your routine should change as well. Nutrafol for ages 18 to 49 to help improve hair growth growth and achieve thicker, fuller hair in three to six months. And new Nutrafol Men 50 Plus. The first and only hair growth product specifically formulated for those over 50. Nutrafold, the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over one and a half million people. Nutrafol.com enter promo code Dan Patrick for $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping. N u t r-a f o l.com use the promo code Dan Patrick neutropol.com promo code Dan Patrick he is Dan Hurley, Connecticut basketball coach and joining us on the program. How's morale today?

[Dan Hurley]

Feel pretty good that you recover, start to recover a little bit more physically, emotionally with, with every day that, that passes, you know, you get a little more strength back. You know, you start to, to get the, the life starts getting back in your body. It's a long season. And then when you play, when you, you know, when you're on those last buses on Monday night, you know you're playing a long season. I mean, you know, like you're, you're, there are a lot of colleges seasons are over. When we were playing the Big east tournament, it, you know, so that was, it feels like a year ago.

[Dan Patrick]

The high high of winning and the low low of losing. Can you compare those two?

[Dan Hurley]

Yeah, you know, I, I don't, maybe I didn't feel it. The low low of losing. I think I, I've, yeah, sometimes like being proud of, of the group and how hard they fought to, to give you the maximum with the group. Sometimes that that has kind of been a little bit of an override on the disappointment of missing out on the confetti, the trophy, being the champions, you know, so like, proud is kind of overriding disappointment. And sad maybe, and maybe that's because we have a couple chips. But, you know, proud more than sad.

[Dan Patrick]

When did you realize you were in trouble?

[Dan Hurley]

What different things I did during the year in the game.

[Dan Patrick]

No, no, no, no. You're always in trouble. I'm talking about when I was eight years old.

[Dan Hurley]

When I was eight years old at olm, Our lady of Mercy, when Sister, Sister Mary caught me.

[Dan Patrick]

No, wait, what did she catch you doing?

[Dan Hurley]

Probably, you know, copying homework five minutes before class. Okay.

[Doc Rivers]

All right.

[Dan Patrick]

That's not that bad.

[Dan Hurley]

Not bad. Not bad. I would say in that game though, when you, when the game first starts and you see, you know, literally the massive challenge in terms of their size and, and athleticism and physicality, you know, I think we start the game nine, nine, four down and you're like, whoa, it's going to be really hard to score and we better be ready to fight.

[Dan Patrick]

But you got 22 offensive rebounds, which, which is kind of crazy. If I would have said that before the game, you're going to get 22 offensive rebounds, you'd probably lean towards we're winning this game.

[Doc Rivers]

Game.

[Dan Hurley]

Yeah, I would say a lot of the numbers, the, the, you know, the rebounding, obviously we've been a great defensive team the, the entire year, especially guarding the three point line. If you would have said to me 22 offensive rebounds, obviously the, you know, the defensive effort, keeping them and to what we, we held the, an, an excellent team. And then when you look at probably the shots that we started to get, you know, as they started to get fatigued in the second half, you know, we had a lot of opportunities obviously make a lot of the, you know, the fast break basket. To cut it, to cut it to four with two minutes to go would have obviously put enormous game pressure.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, I thought that that was probably the key to the game. And then after the game you said said just nice things, verbal bouquets about the referees.

[Dan Hurley]

Yeah, listen, when you get, you know, when you get to that, that you get to answer my tournament, you know, you get the officials, you get, you get the best of the best and you know, the officials that you get as the tournament goes on or the best officials keep advancing, you know, you go back and watch the film and you know, there's obviously things that I got wrong as a coach. The shots that the players missed, missed and then, you know, you see plays that went on during the game that, you know, that, that the officials missed. It's not, it's not a perfect, you know, situation. Obviously the, you know, the hook and hold on caravan was a, was, was a big play. And then obviously that, you know, they missed a couple of, you know, they probably missed a couple. Two of, of, you know, of calls, shoves in the back or what have you. But, you know, Michigan was the best team in the country the whole year and, and they deserve it. Dusty did an awesome job. They're an all time, one of the best teams in recent memory for me.

[Dan Patrick]

When do you find out if Mullins is coming back?

[Dan Hurley]

Well, I mean, the line is starting to form. It's the, it's the supermarket, it's the deli section. I don't know what.

[Dan Patrick]

Take a number. Yeah. Okay.

[Doc Rivers]

Yeah.

[Dan Hurley]

It's such a, you know, for, I think for, for teams like us and the teams that played in the Final Four National Championship game, it's like, it hits you like an avalanche because we literally, you know, your season really just ended, you know, just like literally two days ago. And now you've got to make all these decisions. You've got to help your players make monumental decisions. I would just say what now in college, I would, I would say that. That unless it absolutely makes total sense for you to go in the draft, you know, unless, you know, you're going to be a lottery pick or guaranteed to go top 15, top 18. The biggest mistake that you can make right now as a college basketball player is going to the draft too early and not staying long enough in college because of the, obviously the money situation.

[Dan Patrick]

What's your advice going to be or has. Has it already been for Mullins to stay or go?

[Dan Hurley]

I think with what I'll tell, what I'll tell Braylon and I'll tell his family is number one. Do you, do you like college? You know, do you like college? I mean, some players are in a, are in a rush to get to the NBA because they don't like being a college student. They don't like being in a college program. So I think that's like the. Because college programs are run way differently than NBA team teams in terms of how we practice and, you know, just. And how kind of rigorous study hall and going to class and then, you know, the coach being in charge of the whole operation. So, yeah, I mean, it's, it's, you know, do you like college? And I think that, that the world has changed. There's not this, you know, this pressure to go to the NBA now because of the, The. Because of the money situation. He, you know, players like Braylon are probably. He probably make more money at Yukon next year than he would if he was the 15th pick. So, you know, those are the things that you have to weigh. How badly do I want to get out of college and get to the NBA?

[Dan Patrick]

Are you scheduled to face Luke Murray and BC next year?

[Dan Hurley]

No, I'm going to put the. The. The family. He's like a brother to me, Luke. I mean, and I couldn't imagine Bill Murray not wearing my team's hat or rooting against me now. So he's like a brother. So I'll never schedule Luke.

[Dan Patrick]

The transfer portal and recruiting out of high school. Like, I don't know if you've ever had a top 10 recruiting year. Maybe you had 11th is your best, but it kind of feels like you have a formula of what you're trying to do. Maybe you take a big swing and you get Raylan Mullins, but then you're also going to be filling in the pieces here. We saw that with Illinois, we saw that with Michigan. Is this. Is this the future of college basketball?

[Dan Hurley]

Yeah, Dan, I think we're at a crossroads. You know, I think we've got to decide, you know, what is, you know, who do we want to be, you know, do we want to try to hold the line and just go retention, high school recruiting, and maybe, you know, cherry pick a need in the portal, you know, or is this now. Are we at a point where it's like, wipe the board every year and try to put together the most talented team that you can? I mean, we have our first national champion that was comprised of all portals or all transfers in Michigan, obviously a stud in McKinney off the bench as a high school recruit. But right now, we're. We're processing the best, you know, the best way for us to move forward. Because you got players on your team that are obviously right now weighing, you know, what. What they want to do, but also from a. From a program standpoint, you also have all these players that have entered the portal, you know, who are also reaching out for UConn that would like to potentially play here, too. So, you know, our players have decisions to make about what they want to do in the future. But, you know, we also, as a staff, have got to decide quickly.

[Dan Patrick]

Is coaching the least stressful part of this job now?

[Dan Hurley]

Yeah, I mean, this is terrible right now. What's going on? I mean, we. I think we all have to get to a point and it's not, it's not terrible, you know, in a sense of nil. I think the nil for the players is awesome. Our players made a lot of money this year year. And their commitment level was to the max. So the money didn't make them lazy or hard to coach. They were awesome the whole year. But just, you know, like, I think as a, as college programs right now, you literally have to have a front office that takes over at this point of the year. You know, like to take a coaching staff that now did the six month season and now you've got to flip and now run recruiting visits, put the roster together, talk to the age. I mean, it's, it's, it's, it's a lot. I think college programs are, they got, we got to start being run like an NBA organization or a pro sports organization.

[Dan Patrick]

Do you have a player who has a nicer car than you?

[Dan Hurley]

Yeah, I mean, I, that was, I think, I think it was early this year. I started to see the teslas and the BMWs. And I'm a Ford guy, you know, I'm a Ford guy. I got my Ford Raptor truck. So I'm built tough.

[Dan Patrick]

Of course you are. But it used to be in the old days, players would have BMWs in nice cars. It just was not above board.

[Doc Rivers]

They paid cash.

[Dan Hurley]

Now it's leases. Now they're getting, now they're getting leases with, which is, you know, it's. Hey, listen, it's great the type of guys that we get at UConn again, it's like for me, it's the transfer rule. If my sons, as college or high school kids said to me, hey, dad, I want to transfer after my freshman year of college, I would say, tell me why and I want to hear your reasons and then I'll support you if the reasons make sense. But then at the end of their sophomore year, if they said, I want to transfer again and then I want to transfer again, at some point I would, as a parent, I would be concerned.

[Dan Patrick]

All right, well, you got time off now.

[Dan Hurley]

Don't you know that line?

[Dave Roberts]

It's full.

[Dan Hurley]

It's even gotten bigger since I looked last.

[Dan Patrick]

Do you know how many players right now you'll have on your team next year?

[Dan Hurley]

No, I don't. I know. I. Maybe 5, 4, 5 out of 15, maybe, you know, with between turning pro, you know, players, you know, having the role they want here, you know, should I test the draft process? Yeah. Obviously, this tampering, that's been going on. I mean, this tampering that goes on the entire, the entire year. So, you know, now even players that aren't in the portal, I mean, everyone's. I mean, everyone's in the portal.

[Dan Patrick]

But, but, Danny, why do we allow school tamper with coaches?

[Dan Hurley]

Why do we. What, what's that?

[Dan Patrick]

Why do we allow a school, you know, North Carolina, if they're interested in Ben golden or they're interested in, you know, Tommy Lloyd, like, why are they allowed to do that? They're under contract.

[Dan Hurley]

Yeah. I mean, they, you shouldn't, you know, you, you, you should.

[Dan Patrick]

North Carolina didn't reach out to you, did they?

[Dan Hurley]

No.

[Dan Patrick]

No. Okay.

[Dave Roberts]

No.

[Dan Hurley]

And when I was coaching at Rhode island, it was really important for me that, and I knew my last year that there was going to be interest from Pittsburgh and UConn. And you, obviously, you have agents that are, you know, because these schools, they want, they want to know, like, they want to know. They want to know what your interest level is while you're in that other job. They don't want to wait till your season's over. But I think what was unique for me when I was coaching Rhode island was, you know, I refused to talk to any of those schools or to even have the intermediary, you know, conversations until, until Duke beat my butt at the end of, you know, my last game after we beat Oklahoma in the tournament at roadie. So, Yeah, I mean, I don't know how you could do that as a coach and then come in and look at your team and then be upset with the players and. Yeah, I mean, I think that as, as adults and as coaches, you gotta have, you have to have some honor with the way that you move and the decisions that you make with your career.

[Dan Patrick]

Hopefully you enjoy the off season. Thanks for joining us. Thanks for sharing as always.

[Dan Hurley]

Always a pleasure, Dan.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, bud. That's Dan Hurling.

[Fox Sports Radio Announcer]

Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live.

[Dan Patrick]

Are you one of the 7% of adults in the United States who are searching for an alternative to sleeping in a bed? Then let me introduce you to Z Kliner, the revolutionary recliner designed by Flexteel. The Z Kliner, meticulously engineered with restful sleep in mind, making it an ideal bed alternative. A healthy life starts with a healthy night. Night's sleep. Z Kliner is more than just a recliner. It's a personalized comfort. Experience. It features multiple power adjustments like recline, headrest, lumbar, zero gravity, reducing pressure on your body. Tech integrations like charging ports for easy modern living. We know life can be messy, stressful. That's why Z Kliner is upholstered in a moisture and stain resistant fabric. Perfect for all day enjoyment. Even homes with pets and kids. Z Kleiner A complete sleep solution get started unmatched comfort z kliner.com DanPatrick today to find a Z Kliner at a store near you. Millions of people move every year for all kinds of reasons. Could be a new job, growing family, or just the need to start fresh. Whatever it is, when that time comes, it helps to go with a company that you can trust. That's where Penske Truck Rental comes in. In their trucks are clean, newer, well maintained. So you're starting your move with equipment that you can count on. Penske is also the only one that gives you free unlimited miles on one way rentals. So if your plans shift or you take a detour, there's no extra cost for the extra miles. They won't even charge you for updating your reservation. Penske gets it. Life changes and your plans do as well. They've got you covered. Over 2,000 locations support around the clock. Real people who actually answer the phone. Great people to deal with. Penske helps you gain ground like no other company can. Go to pensketruckrental.com or download the Penske Truck Rental app and find what you need Today. Some people have a Starbucks order depending on their mood. Like morning with coffee, weekend maybe something iced, something a little fun. But now afternoons have a new go to because Starbucks just launched their new energy refreshers. Their Starbucks Refreshers flavors that everybody already loves. They already know what's going on, like the strawberry acai, the pink drink, the dragon drink. And they've added a boost of caffeine to power you through the rest of the day. You can try flavors like Mango Strawberry Energy Refresher or Mango Dream Energy Drink. Bright, fruity, super refreshing. When the afternoon slump hits you, whatever flavor you like, Starbucks Energy Refreshers exactly what you need to take on the moment that matters. So next time the afternoon slows down and kicks in, head to your nearest Starbucks and try one of the new Energy Refreshers. Or order one right now on the Starbucks app. Guys, if your hair isn't playing like it did in your 20s, it's time for a real comeback. Not another workaround because throwing on a hat is not strategy. Nutrafol supports healthier hair from within him. It's physician formulated, clinically tested and recommended by dermatologists, giving you a clear, legitimate plan so you can stop covering up and start showing up with confidence. Nutrafol now offers hair growth supplements tailored for men at every age. Because the root causes of hair thinning change over time and your routine should change as well. Nutrafol for ages 18 to 49 to help improve hair growth growth and achieve thicker, fuller hair in three to six months. And new Nutrafol Men 50 Plus. The first and only hair growth product specifically formulated for those over 50. Nutrafold, the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over one and a half million people. Nutrafol.com enter promo code Dan Patrick. For $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping n u t r-a f o l.com use the promo code Dan Patrick. Neutropol.com promo code Dan Patrick. We make way for the hall of Famer, Doc Rivers, the Milwaukee Bucks head coach whose attention is not on me in this show. It's on. Watching the Masters there, I see what you're doing. You're watching the Masters, aren't you?

[Doc Rivers]

I sure am. You know, the Masters at is on right now, and so I'm watching the feature groups. Dan, Dan, I haven't talked to you in a while. You know what, what's going on with you?

[Dan Patrick]

Kind of status quo. Just, you know, kind of running out. Playing out the string here, you know, just the. The last couple of years. When are you retiring?

[Doc Rivers]

Playing out the string here. Last.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. Who retires first, Doc?

[Doc Rivers]

Oh, man, I got a feeling. What did you say? 28th, 2028.

[Dan Patrick]

February of 2028. Will you still be coaching in the NBA?

[Doc Rivers]

I think there's a very good chance I'm going to beat you.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Doc Rivers]

Yeah. We'll meet afterwards to have a drink somewhere.

[Dan Patrick]

Is this your last season?

[Doc Rivers]

I don't know. I don't know that. But, you know, I'm. I'm leaning a lot of different ways, you know, so I don't want to commit to anything. I don't, you know, Dana, it's so tough.

[Dan Patrick]

And you.

[Doc Rivers]

You probably have dealt with this. The word retirement means you don't work at all. And I don't think I'm going to do that. I would drive people nuts if I was at home every day.

[Dan Patrick]

Are you still having fun? This has been a pretty tough, trying

[Doc Rivers]

year, but, yeah, this has been a rough year. Nothing like, you know, if you, if you read Sham's article, the Other day, that article was so far off base that it was nowhere near like, as hectic or toxic situation as it looks. But it's still losing, Dan. You know, this is my first losing season in 20 seasons. That's a hell of a run. Losing is no fun for anyone. And then the Giannis situation has been really rough for everyone, including Giannis. So this has not been a fun year. But every year is not going to be fun. Then you don't have great years every year, and you just deal with it. So I look at it, I put it in that compartment, and not nearly as bad as May look on the outside.

[Dan Patrick]

What does Giannis want?

[Doc Rivers]

Oh, boy, I don't know. And we talk probably more than anyone. You know, Dan, it's a tough one because he has done such a great job here in Milwaukee. Right, right. And yet he still wants to win a title. And clearly we have to do a better job here with our roster to make that even look like a possibility. And if we can't do that, then he's going to look outward. And so I think that's a twofold answer. I think, one, if we had all the pieces here, I have no doubt he'd want to stay here. But we don't, and so that puts him in a tough spot.

[Dan Patrick]

What say do you have in this?

[Doc Rivers]

Not a lot. Just with him, trying to guide him. You know, we talk a lot about it, I can tell you that.

[Dan Patrick]

And why isn't he playing these last couple? He wanted to play, correct? Is he.

[Doc Rivers]

Yeah, he wanted to play.

[Dan Patrick]

He play.

[Doc Rivers]

He just hadn't been cleared.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Doc Rivers]

You know, and so that's another one where I'm kind of caught in the middle, I think. Yeah, if this was a playoff game, you would play them, but if it wasn't a playoff game, there's no way you would play them. I think that would be the correct answer.

[Dan Patrick]

Talking to Doc Rivers, hall of Famer and watching the Masters here. Have you played Augusta?

[Doc Rivers]

Yeah, I have.

[Dan Patrick]

Who'd you play with?

[Doc Rivers]

Didn't play it with Jimmy Dunn, who was a great guy, and then two other friends, had a great time, played miserably. You know, Dan, I've been in final. I've been in so many pressure situations.

[Dan Patrick]

How nervous were you?

[Doc Rivers]

Oh, I gotta tell you, on the first tee box, I think it was Condoleezza Rice, I wanna say Peyton Manning, of all people, were coming up, and they were, you know, Peyton, you know, and it was hard for me to pull the thing back. Like, I'm sitting there like, oh, wow, Holy. It's just the golf course. But it's not just the golf course. It is. It's one amazing place. So, yeah, I was a little nervous.

[Dan Patrick]

I got traded on the first tee by my caddy.

[Doc Rivers]

Yeah. Yes.

[Dan Patrick]

Like, they were betting on us. And my caddy caddied for Sevy when he won in 1980. And I just remember they. They swapped bags after my tee shot. And I said, what happened? And the caddy goes, you just got traded on the first tee.

[Doc Rivers]

Well, I can tell you my caddy took a big loss because I. I hit a huge drive on one. So I did. I ripped it and I saw Mike had to give two people high five. That was the only good shot I hit.

[Dan Patrick]

How did you find out about the hall of Fame?

[Doc Rivers]

I'm sitting exactly where I was sitting, as a matter of fact, and I get a call from the hall. It's funny, I have my phone block, which I learned to non numbers that are so and so. I didn't answer the phone, Dan, you know, which was hilarious. And I get a text, hey, Doc, this is such and such from my home. We really need you to answer the phone. So I was in the doghouse before I got in the house. You know, it's a great call, Dan. I gotta tell you, it's. You know, it's funny. I get the call and they say, doc, you're in the hall. And. And I didn't. It's not something you work for. Like, you don't work to be in a hall. At least I can tell you I've worked because I love coaching. I love whatever else comes with it. But when I called my brother and he answered the phone and I told him he was golfing, which pissed me off, and he just started crying. And it was like the most emotional thing because my parents are no longer with us. And he just said my two parents names and start bawling. He walked away from the phone. Another guy picks the phone up. Who. I still don't know who that was. And the guy says, hey, Doc, is everything okay? And I said, yes, things are good. I'm in the hall of Fame. So he start. Whoever the guy was, start celebrating too. So that was my. My first five minutes in the hall. It was pretty cool.

[Dan Patrick]

Now you have your nickname after Dr. J. Yeah. Could Dr. J be part of the induction ceremony?

[Doc Rivers]

That's not a bad call. It could be. There's other names too, you know, Pat Riley, Kevin Garnett. So it's so funny, Dan, is the other things I don't I've never been in the hall, so I've had 20 people ask me what you're asking me. Who's going to introduce me. There's a lot of guys. You know, one thing, you know with your success, you don't reach success without a lot of people helping you. It's really you and a whole team that people don't know. And so anybody I asked would be someone who helped me. Pat Riley was instrumental in me coaching. Kevin Garnett is instrumental in me getting my success. Wayne Embry probably is the most important person in my life just because he was guiding me even in college.

[Dan Patrick]

So there's a lot of people I've been talking about. The rookie of the year with Con Knippel is favored over Cooper Flag. Just to give you my opinion. I, I don't think this should be close. I think what Cooper Flag is doing at 19 as the guy night in and night out as opposed to Knippo who's the third option for a playoff team, wonderful year. But Cooper Flag's 19 years of age doing some things that we haven't seen since LeBron. Your thoughts on who should be the rookie year?

[Doc Rivers]

I tell you, I do think it's close and I've gone back and forth on it because it's, it's this year probably more than any year that I can remember. It's probably, it's almost two categories. Cooper Flag's numbers just scream at you. They really do. Scoring 40, scoring 50, being the point guard, playing a position that he's never played before, handling that night in and the featured guy each night. Like when you play Dallas, you're preparing for Cooper Flag. But what Khan has done is in my opinion he's changed the culture of an organization that has had cultural problems with his, which his approach, you know, his play is tough. He's a tough, he's a two way player. I've never seen a rookie have an impact on a team as much as he has had and there's something to be said about that as well.

[Rob Manfred]

Wow.

[Doc Rivers]

And the reason he doesn't have the numbers is because he is on a good team, you know, so he's sharing the ball with Lamello ball and, and Bridges and everybody else.

[Dan Patrick]

Wait, you think he could be a featured guy and score 25 a game?

[Doc Rivers]

I think he could score more points if he is on a team was worse. But he's such a team player, he's such a leader and I do think from a coaching standpoint that that means a lot. But you're right. It's, it's, it's a tough. I wish this is the one year I would be fine if they had CO MVPs.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Doc Rivers]

But if you just go on numbers, which is what you're supposed to do, you're right. It's Cooper flag. If you go on impact, it's coming. And that's how I look at it.

[Dan Patrick]

Have you had anybody match Kevin Garnett's intensity in your career?

[Doc Rivers]

No. Yeah, I would say intensity. Yeah. I've had some guys. You know, Patrick Beverly was nuts. Yeah.

[Dan Patrick]

So I would throw him out. Was it a good nuts or bad nuts?

[Doc Rivers]

It depends on the game. You know, I joke. I jokingly one night I was very upset at the way Patrick played late and Pat played. And I told him, I said, I'm gonna put you in the all scare team. And he's like, what's that?

[Dan Patrick]

You scare me just as much as you scared them.

[Doc Rivers]

And I said, I don't know which way to go every time I put you in. But that dude was so dang competitive, man. Like he, you know, it's funny, he was a good defender, but he was a great defender because he scared the hell out of the guy he was guarding every night. And Kevin KG had a lot of that. That what I've never had with Kevin. I've never had a leader like Kevin ever. Like, Kevin cleaned up the locker room for me every single day. If shoot arounds are bad, Kevin patrolled it. I mean, when you got something like that on your team, it makes coaching a whole lot easier.

[Dan Patrick]

How would he have been as a coach?

[Doc Rivers]

Oh, I'll give you you a quick story. He was working with a guy in Boston, and I don't want to say his name, but the guy wasn't paying attention to Kevin's, you know, like Kevin threw him out of the gym, like literally threw him out. The guy went to the other basket. Kevin said, no, get out of the gym. It lasted like two minutes. And I walked over to Kevin, I said, you know, when you, you're working with a guy, you got to have a little more patience. He was like, no, I don't. And so, no, that, that would have been really rough.

[Dan Patrick]

Before we let you go, we have Fritzi's impersonation of you. So we thought that Fritzi would be able to congratulate you on going into the hall of Fame. Fritzi, I want to hear this. Okay, here we go.

[Doc Rivers]

I just want to say it's been a great run as a player, as a coach, an ambassador to the NBA.

[Dan Hurley]

I wish you all the best.

[Doc Rivers]

You deserve everything you get. I'm glad you go into the hall, my friend. Congratulations. And you got to give me 48. You've got to give me 48. Or is you going to keep losing? Give me 48. You know, I didn't always talk like that, Frizzy.

[Dan Patrick]

I don't know what happened.

[Doc Rivers]

You see that play behind me?

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Doc Rivers]

That didn't work. That's why I have the voice that I have.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, that was a play you diagrammed

[Doc Rivers]

last game of guys running at each other.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. Congratulations. Questions on the hall and whatever you decide here at the end of the season. But thank you again for sharing.

[Doc Rivers]

I appreciate it. Good talk to you. Good seeing you.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, bud. That's Doc Rivers, hall of Famer.

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Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app. Fox Sports Radio is taking over YouTube and you can be a part of it. Just go to YouTube and search Fox Sports Radio. Hit that subscribe button and smash that notification notification bell and catch all the videos from your favorite shows. Two pros and a cup of Joe. Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, Stu Gotz and company Live, Covino and Rich, the Odd Couple with Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington, the Jason Smith show with Mike Harmon and the Ben Maller Show. Fox sports radio on YouTube.

[Dan Patrick]

Subscribe. Hit that thumbs up icon and comment away. Are you one of the 7% of adults in the United States who are searching for an alternative to sleeping in a baby bed? Then let me introduce you to Z Kliner, the revolutionary recliner designed by Flexsteel. The Z Kliner meticulously engineered with restful sleep in mind, making it an ideal bed alternative. A healthy life starts with a healthy night's sleep. Z Kliner is more than just a recliner. It's a personalized comfort experience. It features multiple power adjustments like recline, headrest, lumbar, zero gravity, reducing pressure on your body, tech integrations like charging ports for easy modern living. We know life can be messy, stressful. That's why Z? Kleiner is upholstered in a moisture and stain resistant fabric. Perfect for all day enjoyment. Even homes with pets and kids. Z Kleiner A complete sleep solution. Get started. Unmatched comfort z kliner.com DanPatrick today to find a Z Kleiner at a store near you. Millions of people move every year for all kinds of reasons. Could be a new job, job, growing family or just the need to start fresh. Whatever it is, when that time comes, it helps to go with a company that you can trust. That's where Penske Truck Rental comes in. Their trucks are clean, newer, well maintained, so you're starting your move with equipment that you can count on. Penske is also the only one that gives you free unlimited miles on one way rentals. So if your plans shift or you take a detour, there's no extra cost cost. For the extra miles, they won't even charge you for updating your reservation. Penske gets it. Life changes and your plans do as well. They've Got you covered over 2, 000 locations. Support around the clock real people who actually answer the phone. Great people to deal with. Penske helps you gain ground like no other company can. Go to pensketruckrental.com or download the Penske Truck Rental app and find what you need need Today Some people have a Starbucks order depending on their mood. Like morning with coffee weekend, maybe something iced, something a little fun. But now afternoons have a new go to because Starbucks just launched their new energy refreshers. Their Starbucks Refreshers flavors that everybody already loves. They already know what's going on, like the strawberry acai, the pink drink, the Dragon drink drink. And they've added a boost of caffeine to power you through the rest of the day. You can try flavors like Mango Strawberry Energy Refresher or Mango Dream Energy Drink. Bright, fruity, super refreshing. When the afternoon slump hits you, whatever flavor you like, Starbucks Energy Refreshers exactly what you need to take on the moment that matters. So next time the afternoon slows down and kicks in, head to your nearest Starbucks and try one of the new energy refreshers or order one right now on the Starbucks app. Guys, if your hair isn't playing like it did in your 20s, it's time for a real comeback. Not another workaround because throwing on a hat is not strategy neutral. Supports healthier hair from within. It's physician formulated, clinically tested and recommended by dermatologists, giving you a clear, legitimate plan so you can stop covering up and start showing up with confidence. Nutrafol now offers hair growth supplements tailored for men at every age because the root causes of hair thinning change over time. And your routine should change as well. Nutrafol for ages 18 to 49 to help improve hair growth and achieve thicker, fuller hair in three to six months. And new Nutrafol Men 50 plus, the first and only hair growth process product specifically formulated for those over 50. Neutrophil, the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over one and a half million people. Nutrafol.com enter promo code Dan Patrick. For $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping. N u t r-a f o l.com use the promo code danpatrick neutrophil.com promo code Dan Patrick. You know, there were a lot of people that I asked to come on and say goodbye to Seaton. Most said no, but I got a couple of people who did say yes. Rich Eisen, who will join us. He'll join us. Coming up a little bit. And we make way for a friend of the show, Will Ferrell, who is kind enough to spend some time with us. Good morning, Will.

[Will Ferrell]

Good morning, Dan. How are you, buddy?

[Dan Patrick]

Well, you know, kind of emotional. Last hour. Last. This is it for Seaton.

[Will Ferrell]

This is baby bird flies the coop.

[Dan Patrick]

Yep. Yeah. Yeah. Is there anything else you like to say?

[Will Ferrell]

That's all I've got. No, no, I just. I had to reach out, Dan. I wanted to just congrat, give congratulations to Seton.

[Dan Patrick]

Did you comb your hair this morning? No, I did not. Okay, you. You look like you're a mess.

[Will Ferrell]

That's. I slept in my car last night. But that's a whole nother story.

[Dan Patrick]

But.

[Will Ferrell]

But no, I wanted. I wanted to. You know, I heard the news like everyone else. I mean, it's big news out here in Hollywood.

[Dusty May]

Would.

[Dan Patrick]

If you're wondering and did Variety pick it up? Variety.

[Will Ferrell]

TMZ should be out outside the studios there.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Upon your departure. Okay, Seaton. But. But I wanted to know. I wanted to just wish you the best. I. I know that trip to Ireland, meeting up with you guys was. Was one of the most fun things I've ever gotten to do.

[Dan Patrick]

And.

[Will Ferrell]

And we spent some fun conversations talking about your son and his journey and playing soccer, and I love that you're taking the time to do all that. And, Dan, kudos to you to allow your team to kind of do things like this. You're building a room onto the house, right?

[Dan Patrick]

That's it. Yeah. That's the way I see it. Yeah.

[Will Ferrell]

The question is, do you have a proper contractor's license?

[Dan Patrick]

That's what I want. Does he have permits? There may be some fines involved. Are you okay? Are you actually trying to weasel your way into Seaton's chair? Is that you were a Danette for a week in Dublin?

[Will Ferrell]

Are you asking, do you have my reservations about this Dylan guy?

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah,

[Will Ferrell]

I mean, I think the whole listenership is. They're just like, okay, I've Heard his voice a couple times. Does he have the chops? Can he. Does, you know, does he have the. The same curatorial taste in music that Seaton has coming in and out?

[Doc Rivers]

Right.

[Will Ferrell]

Some nice drops, my friend. Nice.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, sir. Now, are you a part owner of a soccer team? Correct. I am. Okay. Seaton's son is of two. Two. Two.

[Will Ferrell]

Two teams.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, okay. So Seaton son, be nice. Maybe when he, you know.

[Doc Rivers]

Ten steps ahead.

[Will Ferrell]

Ten steps ahead.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

I already have my advanced scouting team watching Little.

[Dan Patrick]

Little. Karen. Karen o'. Connor.

[Will Ferrell]

Oh, I thought his name was Jason.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, let me get that.

[Will Ferrell]

It's not Jason.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, it's back. Bad. Okay, that's bad. Because this Jason. Yeah, he's really good.

[Will Ferrell]

He's going all the way top of the. Yeah. First division.

[Dan Patrick]

If Dylan doesn't work out. Dot, dot, dot. Yes. The answer is yes.

[Will Ferrell]

Answer is yes. Milford. I've already got. I've already got my sights on a little condo.

[Dan Patrick]

What?

[Will Ferrell]

So, Dan, when do you retire?

[Dan Patrick]

February of 2028.

[Will Ferrell]

Okay.

[Dan Patrick]

Right.

[Will Ferrell]

I think that's when I retired to.

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, I didn't know you retired actors don't retire, do they?

[Will Ferrell]

I will. Yeah. I'm gonna. I'm gonna.

[Dan Patrick]

Why don't you. Why don't you pick another month? Like, why don't you do it in March? Let me have February. Okay, fine.

[Will Ferrell]

I'll do the 27th,

[Dan Patrick]

a week after. Okay. Yeah. How's the. The golf series that you're. You're doing?

[Will Ferrell]

It's. It's. I'm very happy with it. Comes out in July.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Will Ferrell]

Yeah.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, we'll have you back to promote that.

[Will Ferrell]

I'll come back. I'll come. I'd love to come for a meet Friday.

[Dan Patrick]

That'd be nice. We'd love to have you.

[Doc Rivers]

You.

[Dan Patrick]

If you come into New York, then you come up, have a meet Friday, and then we just tear it up, you know?

[Will Ferrell]

How long is that commute up to beautiful Milford?

[Dan Patrick]

Depending on the time of day, but, you know, probably, you know, an hour, 35, 40 minutes.

[Will Ferrell]

That's no big deal.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, we'll put you on the Amtrak, bring you up, pick you up at train station, get on that acella crane. Yeah. We'll bring you all up, and we'll have a meat Friday. You tell us what you want, and we will. We will cook. We will whip up a batch of meat Friday Will. Feral style.

[Will Ferrell]

One last. I want to tell. Seen one last thing.

[Dan Patrick]

And.

[Will Ferrell]

And I. I know everything about taking time off for family. I haven't. I've made a point not to work during the summers to be with my family. I've missed out on a lot of projects, which is fine. But I think the one thing no one's telling you is, is in my

[Dan Patrick]

opinion, you may feel differently.

[Will Ferrell]

Family's overrated.

[Dan Patrick]

If you had a do over, like,

[Will Ferrell]

yeah, you, you may be out in the wilderness on this new adventure, you know, six weeks out and you'd be like, boy, I miss that chair. I really miss that chair.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, but you passed up on some great roles, like some of the.

[Will Ferrell]

Got Titanic,

[Dan Patrick]

the Notebook, oh,

[Will Ferrell]

Gladiator, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Those are all mine. Brokeback Mountain. I was going to play both guys.

[Dan Patrick]

You were going to play both characters.

[Will Ferrell]

The two roles of a lifetime.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. Take that Michael B. Jordan off to

[Will Ferrell]

be with the family. And. And actually, I. I think despite that list, I think I made the right choice. So I salute you.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you again for your kind words and your support. And you let us know when you're headed our way, and we'll let you know when you're. We're headed your way.

[Will Ferrell]

I love that. I love that motto.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. That's. That's Will Ferrell with some nice words. Millions of people move every year for all kinds of reasons. Could be a new job, growing family, or just the need to start fresh. Whatever it is, when that time comes, it helps to go with a company that you can trust. That's where Penske Truck Rental comes in. Their trucks are clean, newer, well maintained. So you're starting your move with equipment that you can count on. Penske is also the only one that gives you free unlimited miles on one way rentals. So if your plans shift or you take a detour, there's no extra cost for the extra miles. They won't even charge you for updating your reservation. Penske gets it. Life changes and your plans do as well. They've got you covered. Over 2,000 locations support around the clock, real people who actually answer the phone. Great people to deal with. Penske helps you gain ground like no other company can. Go to pensketruckrental.com or download the Penske Truck Rental app and find what you need. Today, everybody hits that mid morning moment where a little boost would really help. And that's where the new Starbucks Energy Refreshers come in. If you already love Starbucks refreshers, these have the same bright, fruity taste now with the added boost of caffeine. How about strawberry acai or pink drink a little extra kick. Or maybe mango Strawberry Energy Refresher or Mango Dream Energy Drink. So when a little lift sounds good today, try the new energy Refreshers at Starbucks or order one right now on the Starbucks app.

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[Podcast Announcer]

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