The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2: Canadian Baseball Is Huge, More MJ October 29, 2025 | Host: Dan Patrick and the Danettes

Overview

This episode centers on the global impact and appeal of this year's World Series—especially the Toronto Blue Jays' role in igniting Canadian and Japanese baseball fandom, alongside Shohei Ohtani's international resonance. Dan and the Danettes also debate the state of live sports broadcasting and analyze Michael Jordan's recent comments on load management in the NBA, reflecting on generational changes in player mentality and the fan experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. World Series: A Truly Global Event

• Canadian Viewership Surge

  • The Blue Jays' presence draws massive audiences in Canada; discussion on the impact:
    • "Maybe 6 million viewers in Canada for the Blue Jays. It is, it's truly a World Series... you got Canada, United States, you got Japan as well in there with Shohei Ohtani." (09:50)
  • Statistical context: Games 1 and 2 averaged 10.7 million viewers in Japan and 6.8 million in Canada—both records for their respective countries. (11:20)

• Japanese Interest

  • Shohei Ohtani's participation fuels immense engagement in Japan, even causing schools to pause classes so students may watch.
    • "I saw a report they were broadcasting in schools and letting kids [in Japan] watch Ohtani. There’s photos on CNN..." (13:06)

• World Series Scheduling & Accessibility

  • Dan advocates for day games to allow more casual and young fans to watch, referencing how some events in Japan align with the afternoon:
    • "There should be one World Series game in the afternoon... Not everything has to be about the money." (14:01)

• Montreal Expos Nostalgia

  • Reflects on the loss of baseball in Montreal and hopes for its return. Recalls the franchise's historic roster and their 1994 dominance interrupted by the strike.
    • "It's a shame that they don't have baseball there... Montreal had as much talent going through their... teams as any team in baseball." (12:58)

2. Sports TV Experience: Bringing Fans Closer Too Much?

• Sideline Access in Broadcasting

  • While networks push for more on-field and sideline access, Dan questions if this truly benefits the viewer:
    • "The goal for these TV executives was to bring you closer to the action... mic up players, interview the manager during the game... I don't need it." (15:57)

• Quality of Sports Broadcasts

  • NBC praised for superior technical quality in new NBA broadcasts due to investments in higher-resolution signals; a conscious, costly choice not all networks pursue.
    • "NBC having the NBA rights... broadcast have felt very slick... because NBC... went to this 1080p type stuff instead of 720." (21:22)

3. Michael Jordan on Load Management

• Jordan’s Ethos

  • Michael Jordan’s interview with Mike Tirico tackled “load management”—the practice of NBA stars sitting out games for rest.
    • Dan plays the clip for context:
      • Jordan: "It shouldn't be needed. I never wanted to miss a game... There was an opportunity to prove... I felt like, you know, the fans are there. I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his ass off to get a ticket..." (35:34)

• Modern NBA Dynamics

  • Discussion that Jordan’s stance is admired but unlikely to reverse the trend when so much money is at stake:
    • "There's too much money to be made... if you can sit out instead of playing through something... you're going to do that." (37:10)
  • Comparison with LeBron’s playing longevity, recent changes in rules (like requiring 65 games for postseason awards), and how rest may have prolonged legends' careers.

• Potential for Better Use of Jordan's Platform

  • Dan wishes for more contemporaneous, analytical reactions from Jordan—as Kobe Bryant did in “Detail”—rather than just general interviews or documentaries.
    • "I want timely Michael Jordan. I don't want a documentary where he's sitting in a chair with a cigar and... tequila..." (41:08)

• Comparisons and the Broader Debate

  • Would classic stars have benefited from load management? Is it good for the game or business? How does it compare to football or baseball's approaches?

4. Memorable Moments & Listener Interactions

• Hot Sauce Antics
  • Banter about eating on air, specifically Dan regretting adding hot sauce to his breakfast before speaking:
    • "The hot sauce is reminding me not to put hot sauce on something while you're doing a radio show..." (05:25)
• Pat Riley Anecdote
  • Dan shares a humorous story about long-standing mutual aloofness with Pat Riley, undone by an unexpectedly warm encounter at Dan LeBatard's wedding. (58:00)
• Live Callers Debate “System Quarterbacks” and Load Management
  • Audience weighs in on NBA rest, the wear on youth athletes, and whether terms like “system quarterback” are fair to greats like Joe Montana (01:02:32).
• Notable Quote on Player Rest:
  • "It'd be like going to a Broadway show and the person you're going to see has a stand in... Are you going to stay for the show?" (53:19)
• Fun Stat: Decline in NBA Ironmen
  • Number of players playing 80+ games: 22 in 2023-24; 83 in 1994. (51:40)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dan Patrick (on the World Series reach):
  "It’s truly a World Series... you got Canada, you got United States, you got Japan as well in there with Shohei Ohtani." [09:50]

• Michael Jordan (on playing every night):
  "I never wanted to miss a game... I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his ass off to get a ticket..." [35:34]

• Dan Patrick (on sideline access):
  "I don’t need an interview... I'm all for people getting an opportunity... but as a viewer, I just want to watch the game." [15:57]

• Paulie (on NBC upgrades):
  "Some of the games you see on NBC... the actual picture quality... is better than other networks... it’s a conscious effort." [22:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:25] – Hot Sauce Banter / Eating on Air
• [09:50] – The World Series as a Global Event: Canadian & Japanese Audiences
• [12:58] – Montreal Expos Memories & Canadian Baseball Culture
• [15:57] – Are Broadcasters Giving Too Much Access?
• [21:22] – NBC’s Investment in Better Sports Broadcasting Tech
• [35:34] – Michael Jordan's Comments on Load Management (Clip Played)
• [41:08] – Dan on Wanting More Timely, Analytical Jordan
• [51:40] – Stats on NBA Players’ Games Played Through the Decades
• [58:00] – Pat Riley Social Story at a Wedding

Tone & Atmosphere

The hour is conversational, playful, and sometimes nostalgic—with Dan’s signature mix of stats, storytelling, and critique. The Danettes contribute humor with quick asides; callers provide fan perspective; and Dan drives the deeper debates on sports business, culture, and transitions from past to present.

For Listeners Who Missed It

• The Blue Jays’ and Shohei Ohtani’s success have made this World Series a TV juggernaut in Canada and Japan, underscoring baseball’s international reach.
• Dan and crew unpack the balance between fan access and the purity of watching sports without distractions, as TV evolves.
• Michael Jordan’s fiercely old-school stance on “load management” might get headlines, but the financial realities of modern sports mean nothing will change soon.
• The NBA is changing—fewer workhorse ironmen, more calculated rest, and complicated fan reactions.
• If you love baseball history, tech talk, and authentic behind-the-scenes sports commentary, this lively hour covers all the bases.