The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1 Summary
Episode Title: Fast but Won’t Last, 70yd FG Is Coming
Release Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick (iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Overview
This episode opens with energetic banter and sharp sports analysis as Dan Patrick and his crew dive into current trends in baseball, football, and sports culture. Discussion centers on the evolution of fast pitching in Major League Baseball, the physics and future potential of athletic performance, advancing field goal distance in the NFL, and fan experiences across generations. Renowned guests are teased for later in the show, and the team debates poll questions and rule changes that could impact the major sports.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Modern Pitching: Velocity Is King
[09:50 - 22:10]
- Rise in Velocity: Dan marvels at the Padres' Mason Miller consistently hitting over 100 mph, a stark contrast to past eras when throwing that hard was rare.
- "Fifteen total pitches were 100 or more miles per hour by the Padres versus the Cubs yesterday. Eleven of the 15 were by Mason Miller." (Dan Patrick, 10:40)
- Shorter Outings, More Gas: Starters and relievers are now encouraged to throw as hard as possible for short bursts, rather than focusing on longevity:
- "Everybody's built that way. You're encouraged to throw as hard as you can for as long as you can. And then they kick you to the curb. Tommy John, surgery, come on down." (Dan, 14:10)
- The Finesse Factor: Despite the focus on speed, Dan and the crew highlight the continued value of a good breaking ball, citing pitchers like Clayton Kershaw as proof.
- Technological & Training Advances: Seaton and Paulie note that biomechanics, analytics, and slow-motion training have fueled the trend toward higher velocity.
- "I think a lot of it is just how good we've gotten at breaking down the mechanics rather than... anything else." (Seaton, 20:00)
2. Is 100 MPH the New Normal? Future of Pitching
[22:15 - 27:05]
- Poll Questions: The team discusses whether the average MLB pitch will reach 99 mph in the next 25 years, following the current upward trend from 89 mph (in 2002) to 94 mph (in 2025).
- "Let's say every generation it went up 3 miles per hour. We're going to be on this earth for a long, long time." (Dan, 23:30)
- Performance Limits: They compare baseball's trajectory to records in track and field, pondering when human ability will plateau.
- Fan Engagement: The light-hearted poll also asks whether ties in sports or wearing a tie is worse.
3. The Physics of Kicking in the NFL
[27:20 - 39:40]
- Declaring a New Era: Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio compares modern kickers to baseball’s "steroid era," highlighting how new, pre-broken-in balls have allowed field goal distances to soar.
- "These kicking balls that they changed this year have drastically changed the kicking game, field goals particular. So it's almost like they need an asterisk here." (Dan, quoting Fangio, 32:05)
- 70-Yard Field Goal Coming?: Dan contends it’s inevitable a 70-yard field goal will happen in a real game, though the crew debates if game circumstances and blocking make it plausible.
- "I think somebody's kicking a 70 yard field goal this year... These guys have the leg to get it that far." (Dan, 35:10)
- Physical Evolution: Paulie notes modern kickers look and train more like other football players, compared to the past.
4. Potential Rule Changes and Sports Philosophy
[39:45 - 50:02]
- Rule Change Debates: The team kicks around creative (and absurd) rule ideas to de-emphasize or challenge specialists:
- Field goals only allowed from 50+ yards
- Punters banned for 4th-and-5 or less
- Position players required to kick and punt
- Increase the value of safeties to four points
- Philosophical Stance: Dan is reluctant to "penalize" excellence with handicapping rules:
- "I don't believe in penalizing people for being really good at what they're supposed to be really good at." (Dan, 41:45)
5. Fan Fandom Across Generations
[50:03 - 55:30]
- Parent/Kid Fandom Dynamics: Dan discusses the complexity of passing favorite teams to kids—should you let them choose? Are dynasties more appealing to the youth?
- "I had already kind of relinquished my fandom when I got to SportsCenter... My son, he started rooting for the Packers and the Red Sox. The Packers with Favre, the Red Sox hadn't won anything." (Dan, 52:00)
- Crew members admit to picking favorites based on success or family tradition.
6. Supplemental Draft Oddities & College QBs
[55:30 - 01:02:30]
- Supplemental Draft Trivia: Quick rundown of supplemental NFL draftees, including Bernie Kosar, Chris Carter, and Josh Gordon.
- Dylan Gabriel's NFL Debut: Discussion about Gabriel starting for the Browns, his extensive college resume (six years, three schools), and his mature perspective on learning from veterans.
7. NFL Overtime & the Case for Ties
[01:02:31 - End of Hour]
- Overtime Format: A listener pitches a revamped OT rule to make games more competitive and efficient; Dan prefers pure sudden death but teases Peter King's pro-tie stance:
- "Peter reached out yesterday and he goes, am I the only person who likes ties? And I go in football? He goes, yeah." (Dan, 01:06:25)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "My nickname in high school was fast but won't last. And that had to do with pitching as well. Baseball related. Yes, it is."
Dan Patrick, 15:50 - "You know, that guy's unbelievable. Yeah. We got to do something about it. Tiger could talk about that."
Dan, on regulating against excellence, 41:45 - "If you're a fan of a team that's not very good, do you hand it to your child? ...We're a Browns family."
Dan, 53:30
Timestamps: Important Segments
- 09:50 — Mason Miller and the Velocity Revolution in Baseball
- 14:10 — The Era of “Throw Hard, Short Bursts”
- 22:15 — Will MLB Averages Hit 99 MPH in 25 Years?
- 27:20 — Football Kicking Balls: Fangio’s “Steroid Era” Comparison
- 35:10 — The 70-Yard NFL Field Goal Debate
- 41:45 — Rule Change Philosophies and Sports Evolution
- 50:03 — Generational Fandom and Team Loyalty
- 55:30 — Supplemental Draft Oddities & Dylan Gabriel’s Debut
- 01:02:31 — Overtime Format and Peter King’s Love of Ties
Episode Tone & Style
Dan's distinctive mix of wit, curiosity, and deep sports knowledge shines, supported by his lively, informed crew. The flow is conversational, packed with playful ribbing, sports nostalgia, and insightful industry analysis—delivering both humor and substance for fans of all stripes.
