The Dan Patrick Show Episode: Hour 2 – Pacers Are Historic Underdogs, Jack Corrigan
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Guests: Jack Corrigan (Play-by-Play Voice, Colorado Rockies)

Overview

In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick delves into the intriguing dynamics of the Indiana Pacers as historic underdogs in their upcoming matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The discussion extends to historical sports upsets, the current performance of the Colorado Rockies with special guest Jack Corrigan, and passionate listener interactions centered around hockey fandom and other sports anecdotes. The episode is rich with insightful analysis, engaging anecdotes, and heartfelt listener stories, all accented with Dan Patrick's signature humor.

Main Discussions

1. Indiana Pacers as Historic Underdogs

Timestamp: [12:30]

Dan Patrick opens the episode by addressing the skepticism surrounding the Indiana Pacers' chances against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite being nine-point underdogs, Patrick emphasizes the inherent unpredictability in sports, drawing parallels to historic upsets across various leagues.

Dan Patrick: "You have a puncher's chance. That's all you ask."

Timestamp: [13:45]

The conversation navigates through iconic upsets, including the New York Jets defeating the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III and the 2004 Dallas Mavericks overcoming the Miami Heat. Patrick underscores the importance of resilience and strategic prowess in orchestrating such victories.

Dan Patrick: "The difference in the AFL at the time and the NFL was the AFL was about wide open offenses."

Timestamp: [14:50]

Patrick challenges the common media narrative that certain teams have "no chance," arguing that as long as a team is competing, the possibility of an upset remains alive.

Dan Patrick: "If you're playing, you're still playing. You have a chance."

2. Guest Segment with Jack Corrigan

Timestamp: [25:10]

Bringing in Jack Corrigan, the play-by-play voice for the Colorado Rockies, Dan delves into the Rockies' unexpected turnaround after a historically bad start. Corrigan shares insights into the team's improved performance, citing a tougher strength of schedule in the first 50 games and recent strategic adjustments that have led to a three-game winning streak against the Miami Marlins.

Jack Corrigan: "Baseball is about hope. You always have hope for your team."

Timestamp: [27:40]

They discuss the challenges the Rockies face, including depth of talent, scouting deficiencies, and the need for organizational commitment to address these issues. Corrigan reflects on his early years covering teams with losing records and the importance of compartmentalizing each game to maintain morale.

Jack Corrigan: "Tonight's one of the nights we're going to win. You get all excited, you do it, and then if you don't win, you leave the ballpark feeling even better."

3. Listener Interactions and Hockey Fandom

Timestamp: [35:20]

The show transitions to listener calls, highlighting passionate hockey fans, particularly from Canada. One listener from Calgary explains the deep-rooted loyalty Canadian fans have toward the Edmonton Oilers, emphasizing the personal connections fans have with players from their hometowns.

Listener (Trevor): "Every Canadian fan is rooting for the Oilers, period."

Timestamp: [36:50]

Another listener from New York echoes this sentiment, detailing how hockey in Canada fosters multiple allegiances through familial and community ties, making the fandom more personal and intense compared to other sports.

Listener (Joe): "They root for an individual player because they grew up with him or he played juniors in their town."

4. Women's Softball and Player Performance

Timestamp: [45:00]

The discussion shifts to women's softball, with listeners sharing enthusiasm for standout pitchers who defy conventional expectations. The conversation highlights the impressive performances of a Stanford graduate pitcher, drawing parallels to legendary figures like Nolan Ryan, and marveling at the physical prowess required to excel in the sport without compromising health.

Listener (Todd): "They're getting paid a million dollars NIL for softball. It's a workhorse for him."

5. NBA Finals and Future Coverage

Timestamp: [55:30]

As the episode nears its conclusion, Dan and his team tease upcoming coverage of the NBA Finals, with special focus on the Pacers and Thunder series. They encourage listeners to engage with the show's interactive segments, including polls and social media discussions about the best jerseys in hockey and other related topics.

Dan Patrick: "We have a couple of polls going. One of them was a hot topic—best jerseys sweaters in hockey."

Notable Quotes

• Dan Patrick [12:30]: "You have a puncher's chance. That's all you ask."
• Jack Corrigan [25:10]: "Baseball is about hope. You always have hope for your team."
• Dan Patrick [27:40]: "Tonight's one of the nights we're going to win. You get all excited, you do it, and then if you don't win, you leave the ballpark feeling even better."
• Listener Trevor [35:20]: "Every Canadian fan is rooting for the Oilers, period."
• Listener Joe [36:50]: "They root for an individual player because they grew up with him or he played juniors in their town."
• Listener Todd [45:00]: "They're getting paid a million dollars NIL for softball. It's a workhorse for him."
• Dan Patrick [55:30]: "We have a couple of polls going. One of them was a hot topic—best jerseys sweaters in hockey."

Conclusions and Insights

Throughout the episode, Dan Patrick effectively highlights the unpredictability and excitement inherent in sports, reinforcing the idea that any team, regardless of odds, holds the potential for triumph. The guest segment with Jack Corrigan provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Colorado Rockies' strategies for overcoming adversity, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of team dynamics and organizational challenges.

Listener interactions add a personal dimension to the show, showcasing the fervent passion of sports fans and the deep connections they form with their favorite teams and players. The discussions on women's softball and hockey emphasize the diverse range of sports covered on the show, catering to a wide array of interests among the audience.

Overall, this episode serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and the unifying power of sports, all delivered with Dan Patrick's engaging and insightful hosting style.

Additional Highlights

• Historical Comparisons: The show references pivotal moments in sports history to contextualize current underdog scenarios, drawing lessons from past upsets.

• Strategic Analysis: Detailed examination of team strategies, particularly focusing on the Rockies' approach to pitching and scouting, provides listeners with a deeper appreciation of the complexities involved in team management.

• Fan Engagement: Active encouragement of listener participation through calls, polls, and social media interaction fosters a strong community feel among the show's audience.

• Humor and Heart: Balancing serious sports analysis with light-hearted banter and heartfelt listener stories, the episode maintains an engaging and relatable atmosphere.

Stay Connected:
For more discussions, insights, and sports analysis, tune into The Dan Patrick Show on Fox Sports Radio. Follow the show on social media and visit danpatrick.com for updates and additional content.