THE DAN PATRICK SHOW
Hour 1 – "Aaron Judge HR Was Magical, Jerry’s Bird"
October 8, 2025 | iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show focuses on two primary topics: the stunning performance of Aaron Judge and the Yankees’ dramatic playoff comeback, and the humorous saga of Jerry Jones’ accidental (or not) middle finger gesture to fans. Dan and the Danettes blend insider sports analysis with their signature humor, touching on MLB playoff narratives, quarterback trades, the MVP race, and the difference between "small market" and "big market" excitement. The segment also includes lively banter about the nuances of sports etiquette, fines in professional sports, and good old-fashioned awkward social interactions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aaron Judge & The Yankees’ Comeback

• Recap of Game:
  The Yankees, on the verge of elimination, came back from a five-run deficit to win, thanks largely to Aaron Judge’s heroics.
• Judge’s Performance:
  Judge went 3 for 4, hit a game-tying home run, and has 7 hits in 11 at-bats this series.
  • “The home run that he hit, I won't say it's impossible, but it's nearly impossible to turn on that pitch that is so inside it's out of the strike zone... Magical. Magical.” — Dan (05:21)
• Difficulty of Judge’s Homer:
  Dan compares Judge’s homer to Barry Bonds, marveling at the ability to turn on an inside 99 mph fastball.
• MVP Race:
  The MVP vote between Judge and Cal Raleigh is highlighted, with a nod to Raleigh’s 61 HR season. Dan reminisces about similar close MVP calls in the past.
  • "It'd be a shame. I don't know if Cal Raleigh ever gets this chance again. Aaron Judge feels like we'll get this chance again." — Dan (05:49)

Notable Moment

• Play-by-Play Call by Dave Sims (10:00)
  • Judge's home run replayed, with debate about appropriate levels of enthusiasm from broadcasters for home versus away teams.
  • "Hey now, hey now. Pay now. Three run homer. Aaron Judge, this game is tied at six.” — Dave Sims (09:57)

2. Small Market vs. Big Market Debate

• Discussion on whether MLB postseason ratings require big-market teams (Yankees, Dodgers) for fan engagement.
• Dan pushes back on the premise, citing NFL's Green Bay Packers and NCAA basketball as examples where small-market appeal thrives if the games are good.
  • "We don't do that in the NFL... If Green Bay goes to the Super Bowl, nobody's going to complain." — Dan (06:44)
• Paulie counters that casual fans find it more "work" to follow lesser-known rosters, likening it to the difference between a blockbuster film and an indie movie (07:26).
• Consensus: Stars and good matchups win, regardless of market size.

3. The Joe Flacco Trade and Bengals’ Outlook

• Poll question introduced: What should the Bengals’ expectations be after acquiring Joe Flacco?
• Dan sees Flacco as a competent stopgap who raises the floor from Jake Browning, but not to Joe Burrow levels. Wild card berth considered realistic (08:56).

4. "Bathroom Can Wait" At-Bat Moments

• Poll: Which MLB player is must-see every time at bat (“bathroom can wait”) — Judge, Ohtani, Raleigh, or other?
• Dan: Judge is appointment viewing because of his size, swing, and improved discipline as he ages.
  • "Just seeing him at the plate, somebody that big... it’s impressive." — Dan (12:23)
• Paulie: Judge's walk rate and decreasing strikeouts after age 30 underline his evolution.

5. NFL & College Football Quarterback Prospects

• The group discusses the speculative nature of college quarterback hype and mock drafts — “next year’s class is always the deep one.”
• Marvin quizzes Dan on which quarterback might go first overall; uncertainty is the theme.
  • "I don't know if a quarterback's going number one overall this year. I get the feeling it'll be an edge rusher.” — Dan (14:36)

6. Coach & Owner Fines: Jonathan Gannon vs. Jerry Jones

• Cardinals coach Gannon fined $100,000 for an on-field player altercation; Jerry Jones fined $250,000 for flipping the bird.
• Debate over proportionality and rationale for the fines ensues.
  • “It is an owner who's doing this... Jerry’s one of the faces of the NFL.” — Dan (23:48)
  • "I'm surprised this is the one that figuratively figured out." — Seaton (24:13)
• Humor about Jerry’s finger slip—was he really trying for a thumbs-up? Is this a case of old-man motor skills? (25:15, 26:00)
• Parallels drawn to awkward greetings, for comic effect.

7. Fan Calls & Banter

• Awkward Social Interactions:
  Stories about saying "you too" to airport staff, misremembering meetings, and handshake/hug/fistbump confusion.
  • “I become more of a fist pumper. Like I'll just give you knucks.” — Dan (48:30)
• Fritzi’s "Heroic" Rib Injury Story:
  Fritzi defends his own sports toughness after a listener mocks his take on NFL tackling vs. him self-diagnosing a bruised rib during a casual football photo shoot (39:28).
  • “I was brave enough... I didn't sit out.” — Fritzi (39:30)

8. MLB TV Ratings and World Series Economics

• Paulie breaks down Fox’s ad revenue data, confirming that longer series matter far more than market size for network profits (35:14).
• The Danettes agree, fans will watch great series regardless of the market; TV execs care more than viewers.

9. Classic Baseball Broadcast Memories

• Listener asks Dan his favorite childhood baseball broadcaster; Dan names Harry Caray as the top influence, sharing a memorable in-person encounter (36:00).
• Fritzi shares his accidental phone run-in with Caray, ending in classic gruff Harry fashion (37:52).

Memorable Quotes

• On Judge’s HR:
  “The home run that he hit, I won't say it's impossible, but it's nearly impossible... Magical. Magical.” — Dan (05:21)
• On playoff matchups:
  “We don’t do that in the NFL... If Green Bay goes to the Super Bowl, nobody’s going to complain.” — Dan (06:44)
• On casual fans:
  “When you have a World Series where it’s like the Diamondbacks, it’s almost like work for the casual fan.” — Paulie (07:26)
• On TV network interests:
  “It's all prepaid. The ratings are about next year’s rates, not this year’s profit.” — Paulie, on World Series ad sales (35:54)
• On fines:
  “I don't know how you confuse the middle finger with the thumb. I just don't know how that happened ever.” — Todd, skeptical of Jerry Jones' 'accident' (25:18)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Aaron Judge HR & Yankees comeback: 05:00–12:30
• Small market vs. big market teams: 06:28–09:00; 31:35–35:14
• Joe Flacco to Bengals discussion: 08:37–13:21
• Bathroom can wait poll: 10:40–12:35
• Quarterback prospect/class discussion: 13:47–16:48
• Coach & owner fines (Gannon, Jerry Jones): 22:29–27:16
• Social greetings / Jerry’s bird humor: 24:35–27:13; 48:30–50:25
• Listener calls (Harry Caray memories): 35:58–38:48
• TV ad revenue and playoff series length: 35:14–35:54
• Fritzi’s rib injury/no-toughness banter: 39:28–40:24

Episode Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is classic Dan Patrick Show: irreverent and insightful. The Danettes’ camaraderie shines through, with plenty of off-the-cuff jokes and digressions into social etiquette, sports broadcasting, and awkward fan moments. Dan continually ties the laughter back to smart, informed sports commentary, making the episode accessible for both die-hard and casual sports fans.

Concluding Note

The hour is a balance of serious baseball talk—especially Aaron Judge’s extraordinary postseason form—and the lighter side of sports, from owners’ PR gaffes to ongoing ribbing between Dan and his crew. The Danettes prove that sports radio can be both analytical and laugh-out-loud funny, while always keeping the big moments and bigger storylines front and center.