The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 2) – Dodgers Advance, Devin McCourty

Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick, with Dan Byer, Todd Fritz, and guests
Notable Guest: Devin McCourty, former NFL player and NBC Football Night in America analyst

Episode Overview

This hour of The Dan Patrick Show dives into the Dodgers’ dramatic advancement to the NLCS, lively banter about birthdays, and a deep football discussion with three-time Super Bowl champ Devin McCourty. Through humor-laced conversation and insightful interviews, the episode touches on the state of the MLB playoffs, NFL dynamics (especially after the Eagles' loss), locker room culture, and iconic moments in sports history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Banter: Birthdays & Traditions

• Todd Fritz celebrates his birthday, spurring birthday wishes from the team with their trademark blend of sarcasm and affection.
  • The team's “advanced” birthday wishes for the next two years highlight their comedic dynamic.
  • Debate on whether Todd’s birthday should be celebrated on-air if it falls on a weekend in future years.
• Listeners call in with birthdays, wishes for Todd, and stories.
  • Example: 11-year-old Gavin requests a shoutout for his mom’s birthday (13:43), cleverly replacing a present.

Notable Quote:
“Happy birthday for the next two years in advance, so I don’t have to text you or feel guilty.” — Dan Byer (04:20)

2. MLB Playoffs: Dodgers Advance in Extra Innings

• The Dodgers defeat the Phillies 2–1 in an 11-inning thriller, advancing to the NLCS.
  • Audio highlight: Radio call of the Dodgers' winning play is played (05:27).
• Discussion about fan heartbreak for Philadelphia, and baseball’s unpredictability.
  • Listeners call in to reflect on legendary baseball announcers, with several paying tribute to Vin Scully.

Notable Quote:
“The Dodgers celebrate near first base on a ground ball back to the pitcher. Andy Pahes somehow gets the job done.” — Dan Patrick, with radio clip (05:28)

• Reflections on the importance and nostalgia of baseball radio voices, led by a listener's moving tribute to Vin Scully (12:08).

3. Baseball Fan Experience: Listening at the Ballpark

• Poll Question: Is it weird or cool to listen to the radio broadcast while attending a game in person? (06:26)
  • Mixed reactions from the crew:
    • Dan Patrick leans “cool” for the die-hard information-seeker.
    • Todd Fritz sees it as antisocial if you’re with friends or family.
    • Dan Byer notes it’s typically seen among solo, hardcore fans.
  • Extended Bartman reference—how a fan in the stands, with headphones, became infamous (08:39).

Notable Quotes:
“That’s a die-hard baseball fan who gets more information…that accentuates the experience.” — Dan Patrick (06:50)
“It seems a little antisocial…when you’re at the game with family.” — Todd Fritz (07:39)

4. Caller Interludes: Humor, Sports Nostalgia, and Hall of Fame Ideas

• Relationship metaphors: A listener likens his on-again, off-again fandom of the Giants to an old flame texting late at night (10:17).
  • Dan Patrick humorously refuses the fan reentry: "You're not allowed back, Tom. It's strictly platonic." (11:38)
• Birthday shoutouts, retirement Hall of Fame proposals, and quick-witted grilled cheese debates keep the mood light and interactive (12:17, 14:50).
• Extended musings about “would you sign up for 106 years?”—prompted by Sister Jean’s passing—demonstrate the show’s ability to blend sports with everyday big questions (17:47).

5. Devin McCourty Interview [Highlights Start: 25:50]

A. Giants vs. Eagles Aftermath

• Dan Patrick: “At what point did you realize the Giants were going to give the Eagles everything they could handle?”

  • Devin: “You could tell in pregame…the Eagles felt pressure.” (26:26)

• McCourty says the outcome was more about the Eagles underperforming than the Giants overachieving.

  • "The Eagles are a better football team…but got out-coached and outplayed last night." (27:03)

B. Defending Against Elite Running Backs & Super Bowl Memories

• Comparison between tackling Cam Scatterboo and Marshawn Lynch.
  • “As crazy as Scatterboo is, I’d still rather tackle him than Marshawn Lynch.” — Devin McCourty (27:34)
  • Recounts a nerve-wracking open-field tackle of Lynch during the Super Bowl, receiving a silent handshake from Lynch (27:49).

C. The Malcolm Butler Interception: Behind the Scenes

• Patrick asks about practicing the iconic Super Bowl play (28:38).
  • McCourty confirms it was drilled in practice, with prior failed reps fueling Butler’s game-day heroics.

D. On Philly & NFC Favorites

• Eagles' struggles described as both tactical and cultural:
  • "It's the same routes…same run plays over and over. They never change anything…they're not figuring it out." (30:41)
• NFC Favorites:
  • McCourty picks the Detroit Lions (“team in their groove”) as current NFC favorite.
  • Eagles, in his view, don’t even crack the top four due to poor on-field synergy and distracting locker room noise (31:41-31:44).

E. Championship Mindset, Leadership, and Culture

• Trust, unity, and keeping internal issues within the locker room highlighted as keys to repeating as champions, referencing New England culture and Deflategate handling (32:29).

F. Preview: Chiefs vs. Lions

• Keys for the Chiefs: “How can we put together a complete game with all our top players…week after week?”
• Notes Detroit's physicality and the Chiefs’ recent inconsistencies (33:34).

G. Fast Receivers & Defensive Strategy

• Discusses the mental battle of defending against true burners like Tyreek Hill and Xavier Worthy (34:46).
  • “He’s going to kill you athletically. You’ve got to match it mentally to slow it down.” — McCourty (35:35)

H. Belichick at UNC: Turbulent Transition

• McCourty relays inside info on Bill Belichick’s situation at North Carolina. Despite public speculation, the team remains united, but outside scrutiny and high expectations create confusion and pressure (35:35–37:48).

Memorable Devin McCourty Quotes:

• “Of all things I’ve done in life, I can say I tackled Marshawn Lynch in the open field and be happy about it.” (28:00)
• “My issue with Philly right now is…they have a lot going on from an X and O standpoint, but even outside of that…they got to fix some things.” (31:44)

6. Closing Listener Calls & Weekend Preview

• Listeners weigh in on greatest baseball announcers, October birthdays, the Phillies’ loss, and longevity in life and sports.
  • Multiple tributes to legendary play-by-play voices (51:41).
• Panel votes for “Best Week in Sports” (49:14):
  • Dodgers (NLCS appearance), Hartford Athletic (soccer trophy), Blue Jays (ALCS return), Jaguars (NFL win).
• Slide into the weekend segment: NFL, college football, and MLB series are highlighted for the coming days. (47:06)

Notable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Maybe the Giants don’t want you, Tom…You’re not allowed back, Tom. It’s strictly platonic.” — Dan Patrick to caller Tom (11:02–11:38)
• “It’s the same routes over and over, same run plays over and over….they’re not figuring it out.” — Devin McCourty (30:41)
• “If you don’t do your job, we get you out of here and we find somebody else.” — Devin McCourty on Belichick’s philosophy (37:10)
• "Platforms exist because of the regular people on them. And I think that's a real important story to keep repeating." — Bridget Todd (24:31)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening, Birthday Banter: 02:38–05:02
• Dodgers Win NLDS: 05:02–06:20
• Poll Question – Listening to Radio at Ballpark: 06:20–09:16
• Caller Stories / Announcers, Vin Scully: 10:17–13:43, 12:08–13:43, 51:41–52:17
• Devin McCourty Interview: 25:50–37:52
• Best Week in Sports/Weekend Preview: 47:06–50:31

Summary

Hour 2 of The Dan Patrick Show expertly blends the day’s top sports stories with its trademark locker room humor and audience engagement. The rise of the Dodgers, legendary baseball memories, and team birthday hijinks set the stage for a rich, insider’s interview with Devin McCourty. His candid insights on the Eagles, championship mentality, and the NFL coach transition at North Carolina anchor the episode’s relevance and depth. Lively listener calls and passionate debates over sports traditions (and grilled cheese slicing) round out an episode both insightful and entertaining—classic Dan Patrick Show at its best.