The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 1: First Four, WBC, Shenanigans
Episode Date: March 17, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick and Crew
Overview
This lively St. Patrick’s Day edition of The Dan Patrick Show blends trademark sports banter with March Madness fever and international baseball intrigue. Dan and his co-hosts riff on filling out NCAA brackets, notable upsets, the rise of 11-seeds, and the day’s First Four matchups, while also previewing the World Baseball Classic championship (USA vs. Venezuela). Add in some signature humor, colorful personal tales, listener calls, and St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans—plus a running discussion about rare sports memorabilia and Irish cuisine.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. March Madness & Bracketology
- Celebrity Bracket Challenge: Listeners invited to join via danpatrick.com; “one bracket only” rule stressed for legitimacy.
“This is a one bracket opportunity to be in our celebrity bracket challenge. One bracket. That’s it.” — Dan [09:11]
- Rise of the 11 Seeds: Historic pattern of 11-seeds making deep NCAA runs, with six having made the Final Four since 1986 (LSU, George Mason, Loyola-Chicago, VCU, UCLA, NC State).
“It’s not a coincidence; it’s actually a trend…they’re not your typical underdogs. Normally these are battle tested teams playing in big conferences…” — Dan [03:30]
- Discussion on Bracket Analysis Clichés: The tendency for analysts to repeat the same generic talking points (“senior guard play”, “rim protector”, etc.).
“You could be an analyst by just throwing out these generic lines. …check, check, check, check.” — Dan [09:41]
- First Four Matchups: Highlighted games include UMBC vs. Howard and Texas vs. NC State. Debate on whether the tournament “really starts” with these play-in games.
“I just don’t like the play-in game. …I just don’t like the designation of that.” — Dan [13:00]
2. World Baseball Classic Hype
- Championship Preview: USA faces Venezuela in what Dan calls a “bad blood” matchup. The team’s build-up and electric semi-final highlighted.
“WBC means Team USA versus Venezuela. Probably some bad blood there. Just saying. But it’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed it.” — Dan [13:31]
- Italy’s WBC Run: Playful banter about Team Italy, Mike Piazza’s “Mamma Mia” responses, and the transatlantic identity of certain players.
“He said Mamma Mia about 15 times in that interview…” — Seaton [14:07]
3. NFL News: Justin Fields’ New Start
- Justin Fields to Chiefs: Late-breaking news of Chiefs picking up Fields, sparking prediction this may be his last NFL chance.
“It signals to me that maybe Patrick [Mahomes] is not going to be ready to go, at least to start this season…this might be the last call for Justin Fields.” — Dan [07:09]
- Listener Calls on Fields: Chicago fan passionately advocates for Fields’ potential under Chiefs and Andy Reid.
“I'm telling you what, he's going to be a superstar someday. He goes to the Chiefs…he gets to sit behind Patrick Mahomes under Andy Reid, who resurrected Michael Vick's career…I'm telling you what, this kid’s going to be a superstar.” — Daryl, caller [30:20]
- Dan’s Perspective on Young QBs: Emphasis on the necessity of continuity (line, coaches, system) for developing quarterbacks.
“You have to have continuity. You got to have an offensive line…an offensive coordinator. You're not changing coaches every year.” — Dan [30:40]
4. St. Patrick’s Day Vibes & Food
- Wardrobe Check: Crew shares what green attire they’re wearing. Todd brags about his green wristbands and color-coordination at the gym, prompting playful ribbing.
- Irish Cuisine Discussion: Dylan (show’s chef) prepares an Irish menu—bangers and colcannon, Guinness soda bread, Irish cheeses, with debate on the origins of shepherd’s pie.
“Is shepherd’s pie Irish or is it English or Scottish?” — Dan [16:12]
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade Timing: Crew laments early parades and muses on the small percentage of Americans with Irish ancestry.
“Everywhere has a St. Patrick’s Day parade…It’s really not a huge percentage.” — Seaton [18:01]
5. Music, Hip Hop & Memorabilia
- House of Pain Is From LA: Revelation that the iconic “Jump Around” group is California, not Boston-born.
“For the longest time, I thought House of Pain was from Boston. They're from California.” — Jeff [21:23]
- Kneecap – Irish Hip Hop: Shout-out to up-and-coming Irish rap group.
“Kneecap…Irish hip hop trio from Belfast, Northern Ireland…they're a big deal, though.” — Seaton [22:10]
- Jim Irsay’s Auction: Deep dive into the $93 million memorabilia auction—David Gilmour’s Pink Floyd guitar ($14.5M), Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” manuscript ($12M), Cobain guitars, Stallone’s ‘Rocky’ notebook, and more.
“David Gilmour’s famous Stratocaster…for $14.55M…That’s the kind of piece Jim Irsay would have bought.” — Dan [33:39]
- What Memorabilia Would You Buy? Cohosts debate their picks; Seaton passionate about Kurt Cobain items.
6. Listener Interactions & Shenanigans
- Heritage, Food, and St. Paddy’s Names: Quick calls from listeners pitching in St. Patrick’s Day “names” (AJ Green, Ryan Fitzpatrick), and musings on ethnic pronunciations and ancestry tests.
“Most people probably wouldn’t admit that they’re 1% Irish unless it’s just this day.” — Dan [25:28]
- One Dining Moment Teaser: Todd’s comedic musical parody “One Dining Moment” (riff on “One Shining Moment”) gets hyped, with behind-the-scenes tales.
- Birthday & Best Holiday Poll: Listener celebrates turning 40 on St. Paddy’s Day, sparking debate on best (and worst) holidays for birthdays.
“What’s the best holiday to be born on besides April 20th? I think it’s St. Patrick’s Day.” — Corey, caller [43:10]
7. Play of the Day: WBC Tension
- Venezuela’s Comeback vs. USA: Highlight call of Venezuela’s win sets the mood for tonight’s final.
"Venezuela has the lead. It's three to two." — Play-by-play [39:02]
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On analyzing brackets:
“But it feels like the analysis that you hear, it sounds like it’s the same. There are analysts who are saying what is actually true, but... you could be an analyst by just throwing out these generic lines.” — Dan [09:41] -
On the WBC Italy team:
“He said Mamma Mia about 15 times in that interview…” — Seaton [14:07] -
On Irish-American culture and parades:
“Everywhere has a St. Patrick’s Day parade… It’s really not a huge percentage [with Irish ancestry].” — Seaton [18:01] -
On Jim Irsay’s auction lots:
“Sylvester Stallone’s notebook for Rocky 1—the notes he kept in the year leading up to making the movie—sold for $508,000.” — Paulie [35:33] -
On celebratory Irish food:
“Dylan is out there cooking…bangers and colcannon. Guinness soda bread and some Irish cheeses. Who has it better than we do?” — Dan [23:00] -
On historic upsets:
“If you’re looking for the madness to begin, history tells us the 11 seeds are pretty good place to start.” — Dan [04:22]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:09] Show kick-off, bracket challenge intro, NCAA 11-seed history
- [07:09] Chiefs pick up Justin Fields—NFL quarterback trajectory discussed
- [09:41] Analyst clichés & bracket overthinking
- [13:31] Poll: What are you more excited to watch: First Four or WBC?
- [16:12] Irish cuisine—origins of shepherd’s, cottage, and pot pies
- [18:01] Parades & Irish ancestry in America
- [21:23] House of Pain’s true (California) roots revealed
- [22:59] St. Patrick’s Day menu announced
- [25:28] Listener on being “1% Irish” for the day
- [27:13] St. Patrick’s Day names (AJ Green, Ryan Fitzpatrick, etc.)
- [30:20] Passionate call about Justin Fields’ potential
- [33:39] Jim Irsay’s historic auction, Pink Floyd & Kerouac memorabilia
- [39:02] “Play of the Day”: Venezuela surges past USA in WBC
- [43:10] Listener: Best holidays to be born
Summary Tone & Takeaways
The crew’s lighthearted chemistry and blend of sports knowledge with cultural commentary make for an engaging, humorous, and info-packed hour. Hardcore and casual fans alike will enjoy the tour through NCAA bracket strategies, international baseball, NFL intrigue, Irish traditions, and even rock memorabilia—all filtered through Dan Patrick’s signature wit and the crew’s spontaneity. If you missed the show, you’ll feel caught up on—the sports, the shenanigans, the factoids, and which pie is truly Irish.