The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 2: Dodgers Aren’t Ruining Baseball, with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo

Date: January 16, 2026
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show
Host: Dan Patrick & Danettes
Featured Guest: Chris “Mad Dog” Russo

Episode Overview

This episode focuses heavily on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ high-spending strategy and its implications for Major League Baseball’s competitiveness and health. Dan Patrick brings on legendary sports radio host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo for an energetic, candid conversation. The discussion dives into baseball’s economic landscape, player contract structures, and the challenges of creating parity. Later, Dan and the Danettes (Marvin, Paulie, Seaton, Fritzi) field listener calls, debate NFL playoff storylines, and share humorous asides—always keeping the tone lively and insightful.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Dodgers’ Big Moves: Are They Bad for Baseball?

Timestamps: 03:36–12:03, 21:34–29:57

• Mad Dog’s Take: Chris Russo decries the Dodgers’ relentless acquisition of big-ticket players (recently Kyle Tucker and Diaz), arguing their outsized payroll ($2.1 billion with deferred payments) is "terrible for baseball."
  • "How many guys are you going to have them sign? Diaz…Tucker…this is ridiculous." (03:50, Russo)
  • "The Dodgers theoretically aren’t doing anything wrong. They're playing by the rules. But the rules have to change." (04:10, Russo)
  • He notes Ohtani’s contract as especially problematic due to its ingenious deferral, enabling LA to circumvent cap-like limitations.
  • "Half these teams can't compete. Why would anyone think they could win the NL West next year with the Dodgers?" (05:01, Russo)
• Parity Challenges: Dan and Chris argue that, unlike the NFL or NBA, MLB’s structure gives little hope for small-market teams. Dan lists team payrolls for perspective:
  • "Tampa Bay $70 million, Miami $76 million, the White Sox $102...how are they supposed to compete with that?" (06:10–06:36, Patrick & Russo)
• Players Association Dynamic: Boris, not just Tony Clark, rules the MLBPA roost. The union will fight any measures to limit contracts (07:07, Russo).
• NFL/ NBA Parity Contrast: The NFL offers hope: "You can go from worst to first...the NFL gives you hope as a fan," (08:25–08:46, Patrick).
  • In contrast, "In baseball, it’s really about three or four teams...that’s the unfortunate thing about baseball," (11:00, Russo)

2. Hall of Fame Coaches—How Do We Judge Greatness?

Timestamps: 12:03–16:16

• Giants & Harbaugh: Chris discusses the ongoing delay of John Harbaugh's possible signing with the Giants ("probably down to money for assistants"). He makes clear the Giants need credibility and Harbaugh provides that.
• Debating Hall-of-Famers: Both Dan and Chris are "small room guys"—reluctant to name many coaches as true Hall of Famers:
  • Chris: "Tomlin [Mike] is going to the Hall, but do I consider him a Hall of Fame coach? I don't." (12:57, Russo)
  • They list who really belongs: Paul Brown, Belichick, Lombardi, Gibbs, Walsh, Parcells.
  • On Pete Carroll: "You think Pete Carroll is going to make the Hall of Fame? …I’m not sure." (15:01–15:07, Russo)
• Modern vs. Past: Dan notes it’s hard to compare today's coaches with the “establishment group.”

3. NFL Playoff Pressure Points—Who Has the Most to Lose?

Timestamps: 16:16–17:49

• Most Pressure This Weekend: Chris is hesitant to single out one; gives slight edge to the Rams’ Matthew Stafford or the Niners’ Sam Darnold.
  • "In a weird way...I might say Stafford with the Rams...maybe Sam Darnold because he needs to go out there and sort of undo last year." (16:24–16:38, Russo)
• Discussion of Young QBs: Unlike legendary QBs, today's rising stars have varied paths—NFL and NBA allow quick turnarounds with the right draft pick or trade.

4. The True Problem: Owner Apathy, Not Dodger Spending

Timestamps: 21:34–29:57

• Dan’s Position: Dan reframes the conversation: "Dodgers didn’t do anything wrong—in fact, they’re doing everything right. 20 of 30 MLB teams reinvest less than half of their revenue into salaries; that’s a bigger problem." (23:21–23:33, Patrick)
• Ohtani’s Unique Value: Shohei’s global appeal is singular; only a few stars move the needle like him (24:30–25:04, Patrick/Marvin).
• Parity vs. Entertainment: Dan & the crew discuss how fans want Cinderella stories—"until we want the blue bloods to play for a national championship." (26:46–27:52, Patrick)
• Solution? Minimum Spending: "There should be a minimum you have to pay; some of these owners just say, that's all profit, man. I'm not sharing it." (28:46–28:53, Patrick)

5. Listener Calls and Betting Wisdom

Timestamps: 29:57–31:34

• Callers Discuss: Deferment caps, why small-market owners don’t spend, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to create parity.
• Fun Rally Cry: "Our fly is open, let’s go Peay,” referencing Austin Peay basketball (31:20, Russo/Patrick).

6. Poll Question Results & NFL Playoff Talk

Timestamps: 31:34–36:28

• Games of the Weekend: Bears–Rams draws most interest. Broncos–Bills is least likely for a blowout.
• Texans Defense: Danettes praise the Texans D ("Best defense in football, Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter up front").
• Who Had the Best Week in Sports? (35:33–36:28)
  • Clippers (5-game win streak)
  • Houston Texans defense ("absolutely dominant," Seaton)
  • Patriots D ("Milton Williams is Aaron Donald 2.0," Marvin)
  • Brock Purdy, Niners QB ("kind of back", Paulie)

7. Quarterbacks, Legacy, and Playoff Wins

Timestamps: 36:28–42:46

• QB Pressure Debate: Dan and Marvin disagree with RG3’s claim that “wins aren’t a quarterback statistic.”
  • Dan: "All we know is, did you win a Super Bowl? That’s it. But hey, your QBR was 128—I couldn't care less about that." (38:20, Patrick)
• Coach Carousel Rumors: LaFleur's extension with Green Bay is in question; Tomlin is unlikely to coach immediately.

8. Listener Views, More Lively Banter, and "Worst Week in Sports"

Timestamps: 42:46–45:20

• Worst Week in Sports: Marvin picks the Lakers—poor record, negative Austin Reaves/Rich Paul drama.
• More Listener Calls: Fans thank Dan for "pointing out the Dodgers aren’t ruining baseball"; one 49ers fan calls for a playoff win.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "Good for LA, bad for baseball." (05:01, Russo)
• "The Dodgers are doing everything right. 20 out of 30 baseball teams reinvest less than half their revenue into player salaries. So that is a bigger problem to me." (23:21, Patrick)
• "We want Cinderella stories—until we want the blue bloods to play for a national championship." (26:46, Patrick)
• "All we know is, did you win a Super Bowl? That's it...I couldn't care less about your QBR." (38:20, Patrick)
• "If you’re a Pittsburgh Pirate fan, you go out one day...but if you’re playing in big games, now you’re buying in.” (09:22, Patrick)
• (On Shohei Ohtani) “My wife knows nothing about baseball…But she knows the name Shohei Ohtani and that he pitches and he hits…” (25:04, Marvin)

Key Timestamps

• 03:36 — Russo says Dodgers payroll/strategy is “terrible for baseball.”
• 06:10–06:36 — Small market payroll comparisons highlight the competitive gap.
• 08:25–08:46 — Dan and Russo compare NFL, NBA, MLB parity.
• 12:03 — The Harbaugh-to-Giants situation and what makes a Hall of Fame coach.
• 16:16 — NFL playoff teams/players under the most pressure.
• 21:34 — Dan reframes the Dodgers as playing the business game right.
• 24:30 — Shohei Ohtani’s unique global stardom.
• 26:46 — When do underdog stories go too far?
• 28:46 — Setting a minimum spend for MLB owners.
• 35:33 — “Best Week in Sports” segment.
• 38:20 — The wins-vs-QB debate.
• 42:46 — “Worst Week in Sports”: Lakers take a hit.

Tone & Style Notes

• Banter is high-energy, passionate, and sometimes irreverent (true to Mad Dog’s and Dan’s personalities).
• Frequent bursts of stats, quick takes, and poll recaps—direct from Danettes in conversational style.
• Mad Dog brings big-picture worries; Dan is pragmatic, shifting blame from spenders (Dodgers) to tight-fisted teams.
• Listener calls add variety and regional flavor.
• Show closes with teases for the next hour: Chris Simms interview, more playoff chatter, and “NFL playoff rhyme time.”

For Fans:
If you missed the episode, listen for a spirited debate about spending vs. hope in baseball, the unique place of Shohei Ohtani, and what defines coaching greatness. Get Dan and the Danettes' picks for who’s under the playoff microscope, and enjoy the punchy, humorous sports radio camaraderie that makes the show so engaging.