The Dan Patrick Show – "Hour 1: Shohei Ohtani Is the Greatest EVER"
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode Overview
This riveting hour is a celebration and in-depth analysis of one of the most epic recent World Series games, marked by Freddie Freeman's historic walk-off home run and Shohei Ohtani's unprecedented performance. Dan Patrick and his crew break down the marathon Dodgers-Blue Jays game, Ohtani's case as the greatest baseball player of all time, Freddie Freeman's Hall of Fame credentials, and touch on Patrick Mahomes' singular status in the NFL. Lively listener calls provide personal perspectives on late-night heroics, sports legacy, and the evolving landscape of baseball and football.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dodgers Beat Blue Jays in an Epic 18-Inning World Series Game
- Game Recap: Dodgers win in dramatic fashion on Freddie Freeman's walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning.
- "One of the greatest World Series games that maybe you didn’t see... Freddie Freeman go deep to win that game last night." – Dan (07:00)
- Length and Drama: The game lasted 6 hours and 39 minutes—Dan likens it to watching two games in one night.
- Historic Feat: Freeman becomes the only MLB player ever with multiple walk-off home runs in World Series history.
- "Freddie is the only player in baseball history with multiple walk-off home runs in the World Series." – Dan (09:00)
2. Shohei Ohtani: The Greatest Baseball Player Ever?
- Extraordinary Night: Ohtani tally: 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 5 walks (4 intentional), reached base 9 times.
- "We’re actually watching the greatest baseball player of all time. We’re watching him in real time. It’s happening right now." – Dan (09:15)
- Comparison to Legends: Dan contrasts Ohtani’s two-way dominance to Babe Ruth, noting Ruth never combined pitching and hitting simultaneously at this level.
- ‘Bonds treatment’: Ohtani now gets intentionally walked like Barry Bonds at his peak.
- "They’ve gotten to the point where he’s getting Bonds treatment… I want you to pitch in shame if you’re going to intentionally walk him." – Dan (10:45)
- What if he dominates on the mound tonight? The panel agrees: the series could turn on Ohtani’s pitching after such an epic offensive performance.
3. The Sportsmanship (and Lameness) of Intentional Walks
- Poll Question: Are intentional walks "super smart or super lame"?
- Dan's Take: Intentionally walking Ohtani should be a display of humility, not just a procedural point-to-first.
- "I want you to throw the four pitches in shame… acknowledge that you can’t get him out." – Dan (18:50)
- Suggestion: walk the batter to first base arm-in-arm as further humiliation.
4. Comparing Greatness: Ohtani, Mahomes, LeBron, Brady
- Patrick Mahomes Parallel: Dan draws lines between witnessing historic greatness in different sports.
- "Patrick Mahomes... is the one great. He is Mariano Rivera when it comes to quarterbacking and closing out a game." – Dan (22:05)
- GOAT Criteria: Mahomes' legacy will be measured in Super Bowls, just as LeBron is compared to Michael Jordan based on rings.
5. Freddie Freeman’s Legacy and Hall of Fame Case
- Comparisons to Kirk Gibson: Which Dodger moment is bigger? The crew agrees Gibson’s was more significant due to context and impact.
- "Gibby’s will live in infamy… That one’s… I don’t believe what I just saw!" – Dan (33:30)
- Freeman’s Resume: Near-lock for Hall with MVP, .300 AVG, postseason heroics, and climbing home run/All-Star tallies.
- "If you have 2400 hits, a career .300 average... World Series MVP, postseason is a big boost… it’s a walk-in." – Dan (45:40)
6. Ohtani and the Business of Baseball
- Return on Investment: Listener asks if Ohtani and Mahomes are the best contracts in sports.
- "Mahomes is one of the greatest bargains in sports contract history… and with Ohtani, Dodgers have already gotten their return." – Dan (01:14:10)
- Ohtani's Contract Structure: Most of Ohtani’s salary is deferred until after he turns 39, making it a financial win for the Dodgers; his endorsements fill in the gap.
7. Phone Calls and Fan Reactions
- Fans share exhaustion and exhilaration after the marathon game.
- "I was up until 11:50pm watching it. It was like a whole baseball game after Monday Night Football ended, which was just epic." – Andrew in Washington (31:00)
- Comparisons to legends, unsung heroes in the game (Joe Klein Jr.), and memories of other iconic World Series moments.
- Praise for the Dodgers’ organist Dieter Ruehle and the culture of ballpark entertainment.
8. Statistical Nuggets
- Ohtani's On-Base Record: Only player intentionally walked 4 times in a postseason game since 1955.
- Mahomes' Efficiency: With fewer big plays post-Tyreek Hill, Mahomes is as effective, just more methodical.
- World Series HRs: Freeman is tied for 10th all-time in World Series home runs (7), highest HR/plate-appearance ratio.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Shohei Ohtani’s Status:
"We’re actually watching the greatest baseball player of all time. We’re watching him in real time. It’s happening right now."
— Dan, 09:15 -
On Intentional Walks:
"I want you to throw the four pitches in shame… we must shame you."
— Dan, 18:50 -
On Patrick Mahomes:
"Patrick Mahomes... he is Mariano Rivera when it comes to quarterbacking and closing out a game."
— Dan, 22:05 -
On Dodger Lore:
"Gibby’s [Kirk Gibson] will live in infamy... That one’s... I don’t believe what I just saw!"
— Dan, 33:30 -
On Ohtani’s Walks:
"That's good enough to win a World Series MVP for the whole Series...two doubles and two home runs."
— Paul (paraphrased by Dan), 17:45 -
On Freeman’s Hall Case:
"If you have 2400 hits, a career .300 average... World Series MVP, postseason is a big boost… it’s a walk-in."
— Dan, 45:40 -
Fan Calls:
- "What a W, man... Dodgers gonna close this out at home... Fans were kind of getting frustrated with Ohtani getting walked so much, but what a performance. Nine times on base, man. Dodgers love them."
— Frank in LA, 1:25:10 - "The organ player... was on point all night long... played 'Never Ending Story' as the game kept on going."
— Matt in Salt Lake, 1:29:00
- "What a W, man... Dodgers gonna close this out at home... Fans were kind of getting frustrated with Ohtani getting walked so much, but what a performance. Nine times on base, man. Dodgers love them."
Key Timestamps (MM:SS Format)
- 07:00 — Opening: Dodgers-Blue Jays marathon, Freeman’s walk-off home run.
- 09:15 — Dan calls Shohei Ohtani "the greatest baseball player of all time."
- 10:45 — "Bonds treatment": Ohtani regularly being intentionally walked.
- 17:45 — Ohtani’s epic stat line (2 HR, 2 2B, 5 BB); could win MVP with one game.
- 18:50 — Dan’s tongue-in-cheek pitch-in-shame campaign for intentional walks.
- 22:05 — Parallel of Mahomes’ greatness and sports legacies.
- 33:30 — Gibson's vs. Freeman's home run: Dodger history perspective.
- 45:40 — Freeman’s Hall of Fame credentials debated.
- 01:14:10 — Ohtani’s unique contract discussed; value beyond the field.
- 1:25:10 — Fan calls: Dodger Nation euphoria post-marathon.
- 1:29:00 — Love for the Dodgers’ organist and ballpark entertainment.
Overall Tone & Style
Dan Patrick’s signature blend of sports expertise, nostalgia, ribbing humor, and genuine awe colors the show. The cast banters intelligently, welcomes detailed stats, and includes personal fan stories, all while stoking appreciation for witnessing sports history unfurl in real time.
Conclusion
This episode serves as both a time capsule of a historic baseball night and a spirited debate about the making of sports legends. Whether you’re a die-hard or a casual fan, Dan Patrick and his crew make the case that greatness, whether it’s Ohtani, Freeman, or Mahomes, deserves to be cherished—and discussed with enthusiastic, analytical, and sometimes hilarious sincerity.