The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 2 – Robots, Robots, Robots, Left Lane Camping

Date: September 24, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show weaves together sports talk, pop culture, and relatable real-life frustrations. The main themes center around the coming introduction of automated strike zones ("Robo-Umps") in Major League Baseball, the ever-present quirks and controversies in driving etiquette (especially so-called "left lane camping"), and a roundup of the day’s sports headlines, all with the usual banter and playful debate among Dan and the Danettes.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Streaming Party and Show Announcements (03:08–04:04)

• Dan shares plans for an upcoming streaming party during the Cowboys-Packers game, promising near-live content with special guests and classic DP Show humor.
• Quote: "We won't stream it live when we're watching the Cowboys against the Packers, but it'll be almost live because I can't trust Shane Irving..." (03:39, Dan Patrick)

2. Automated Balls and Strikes (“Robo-Umps”) in Baseball (04:04–15:09)

Main Discussion Points:

• MLB’s plan to implement automated balls and strikes (ABS), often called "Robo Umps," starting in 2026.
• Debate over the terminology – Dan dislikes the term “Robo Umps.”
  • Quote: "They keep calling it Robo umps, which to me is a terrible name because it conjures up, you know, artificial beings out there. Machines are taking over baseball." (04:11, Dan Patrick)
• Clarifying that umpires will retain roles on the field, but an 'eye in the sky' will judge balls and strikes.
• Interest in consistency, fairness, and removing umpire subjectivity.
  • Quote: "Players will tell you, hey, if you're going to call a strike, is it going to be a strike in the first inning and in the seventh inning, in the ninth inning? That's all they want." (08:26, Dan Patrick)
• Challenges in strike zone definition, especially vertical variability with different player heights (e.g., José Altuve vs. Aaron Judge).
  • The official ABS zone adjusts by player height, but there’s confusion on how precisely:
    • "According to MLB.com, the automated strike zone is 17 inches wide. The top end...53.5% of the player's height, and the bottom is at 27%." (10:38, Marvin)
  • TV graphics don't adjust for player height, another point of future adjustment.
• The group reminisces about how pitchers and hitters "worked the umps," and how personalities affected calls:
  • Quote: “Now we get rid of those personalities behind home plate, because those umpires can be certainly full of themselves that they think you are coming to see them. Come on, kids, let's go see Joe West.” (13:02, Dan Patrick)
• General openness to change if it produces fairer, more consistent calls.

3. Overcomplicating Sports Rules (17:00–19:08)

• Callers suggest ways to alter MLB’s extra-innings rule; Dan pushes back, preferring simplicity over constant additions to rules.
  • Quote: "Every sport adds. I want to subtract... Instead of just simplifying it. I can't do it. No, we can't do one out, second base, two outs, third base. How about we just play baseball?" (17:32, Dan Patrick)
• The group compares the fussiness of sports rules, especially the confusion about "what is a catch?" in NFL:
  • "Why is it we can play in the backyard... and you don't have to have all those rules? Did he catch it? Two feet in-bounds. Complete the process." (18:24, Dan Patrick)

4. Driving Etiquette - Horns, Hand Waves, and Road Rage (25:38–41:57)

Main Discussion Threads:

• The Half Honk Problem: Dan wishes for a softer, friendlier "half honk" to lightly nudge inattentive drivers.
  • Quote: "I'd like to have maybe a half honk. Like just a. That says, hey, you know, pay attention. Here we go." (25:38, Dan Patrick)
• The art of the courtesy hand wave after a driving mishap: Should it be taught in driver's ed?
  • Quote: "The courtesy hand wave can end a lot of problems for people." (28:08, Marvin)
• Left Lane Drama: "Camping" in the passing lane, refusing to move over for faster cars—a sore spot for both callers and Danettes.
  • Todd defends staying in the left lane if he’s going above the speed limit, sparking an impassioned debate:
    • Quote: "I'm already going at least 10 miles an hour faster than you're supposed to be... Go around me." (32:55, Todd)
  • Paulie and Marvin counter with safety and etiquette: “Just move over. All you have to do is move over.” (34:05, Paulie)
  • The issue of “passing on the right” being a danger when left lane is blocked.
  • New Connecticut law coming in 2026 will fine drivers for camping in the passing lane.
    • "That will ticket drivers who, quote, camp in the passing lane without actively passing another vehicle." (47:31, Paulie)
• The comedic escalation of the argument, touching on extremes (elderly drivers at 30mph, road rage stories, the anatomy of the middle finger exchange, and more).

5. Sports Headlines & Poll Questions (05:14–07:58)

• Quick hits on news:
  • Oklahoma State fires Mike Gundy.
  • The Giants are set to start Jackson Dart at quarterback; discussion on QB development and managing star receivers like Malik Nabers.
• Poll question: "Who had the worst day yesterday? Mike Gundy, Russell Wilson, John Matier, or A.J. Hinch?" (07:15, Paulie)
• AL Central baseball: Tigers' dramatic collapse after leading the division by 11 games.

6. Show Banter & Memorable Moments

• As always, there’s playful ribbing among the Danettes—especially targeting Todd for his left-lane stubbornness and Paulie for his “aggressive” middle finger on the road.

• Callers add relatable stories: a new father worried his baby is "bad luck" for Wisconsin sports teams, a "traffic technician" weighs in on merging etiquette and signage, and audience feedback on safe driving.

• Jokes about percentile-talk with babies and tall parents:

  • Quote: "Height is not an accomplishment... Look at my kid, he's taller than one third of his class. Like, they're going to the NBA. Everyone thinks he's going to be on the Knicks." (40:49, Marvin)

Notable Quotes & Segment Highlights

• On Robo-Umps and Changing the Game:

  • "I'm for change... If they get the calls right. And that's what you want." (08:23–08:25, Dan Patrick)
  • "Just call it. Have a universal strike zone. I don't need your damn personality in the game." (14:12, Dan Patrick)

• On Driving Etiquette:

  • "I start my morning getting flipped off and then I'm like, really? You're the one that was on your phone at the light." (26:30, Dan Patrick)
  • "The only person worse than go around me guy is everyone's merging into the lane of traffic, but I'm going to sit in between the two so nobody can get me. I'm not letting anybody by me... That person should have their driver's license taken away." (34:49, Paulie)
  • “Fritzi, the audience is not on your side. The left lane is the passing lane. You should move over and you are creating a hazard, a potential hazard.” (46:44, Dan Patrick)

Timestamps Guide to Major Segments

• 03:08 – Show open, streaming party promo, Danette roll call
• 04:04 – 15:09 – MLB Automated Balls & Strikes ("Robo-Umps") debate
• 17:00 – 19:08 – Simplicity vs. overcomplicating sports rules, NFL catch controversies
• 25:38 – 36:47 – Driving: Horns, politeness, wave etiquette, left-lane arguments, road rage
• 35:33 – 41:57 – More on merging, “New York driving,” caller stories, percentile baby humor
• 46:44 – 51:07 – Law and etiquette: left lane camping, safe passing, heated debate with Todd
• 51:07 – 53:12 – Final road debate; tease for next hour (Dan Hurley memoir, upcoming guests)

Tone and Style

The conversation is lively, warm, and peppered with humor and gentle mockery, especially when debating the idiosyncrasies of both professional sports and everyday life behind the wheel. Dan is measured but decisive, especially in championing change and simplicity in both baseball rules and highway etiquette. The Danettes (Paulie, Marvin, Todd) provide colorful counterpoints, often escalating debates into delightful, relatable chaos.

Summary

This episode encapsulates what makes The Dan Patrick Show a staple for fans: the intersection of sports, pop culture, and the human condition. Whether parsing the minutiae of MLB rule changes or the etiquette of honking at a stoplight, Dan and his crew make every topic feel personal, humorous, and worthy of debate. From "Robot Umps" to "left lane camping," and everything in between, Hour 2 blends sports insight, fun bickering, and observations that hit close to home for listeners everywhere.