The Dan Patrick Show - Hour 3: Greg Sankey & Tim Kirchen Released: March 27, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick delves deep into the realms of college sports and Major League Baseball with two esteemed guests: Greg Sankey, Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and Tim Kirchen, ESPN Baseball Analyst and Baseball Hall of Famer. The conversation spans pivotal topics ranging from the strategic shifts within the SEC to the dynamic landscape of baseball, providing listeners with insightful perspectives and expert analysis.

1. Welcoming Greg Sankey: Transforming the SEC

[02:40] Dan Patrick:
Dan kicks off the hour by introducing Greg Sankey, highlighting his role as the SEC Commissioner. The primary focus quickly shifts to the SEC's strategic initiatives, particularly its intensified emphasis on basketball.

a. SEC's Shift Towards Basketball Excellence

[06:58] Greg Sankey:
Greg reflects on a pivotal moment in March 2016, marking his first basketball season as SEC Commissioner. "That moment was pretty raw," he admits, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift within the conference. The SEC had only seen three teams selected for the NCAA Tournament that year, prompting Sankey to rethink their approach.

[07:34] Greg Sankey:
He elaborates on the changes implemented: "We transitioned away from one advisor and brought Mike Trangisi in the next day. Mike helped us talk about the right things—hiring the right people, focusing on facilities, and improving recruiting." This strategic overhaul aimed to enhance the conference's competitiveness in basketball.

b. Transfer Portal and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Impacts

[10:49] Greg Sankey:
Dan steers the conversation towards the challenges posed by the transfer portal and NIL regulations. Greg acknowledges the complexities, stating, "Both are relevant. We’ve seen coaches transfer, head coaches leaving programs—it's a reality." He advocates for an orderly process, suggesting tighter time frames to regulate transfers effectively.

[12:24] Dan Patrick:
Dan probes further, asking for actionable solutions. Greg proposes revisiting past NCAA limits on transfers and eliminating waivers that exacerbate the problem. "If the rules are enforced without waivers, it would be idyllic," he asserts, highlighting the need for consistency and fairness.

c. Expansion of the College Football Playoffs

[13:37] Greg Sankey:
The discussion shifts to the College Football Playoffs (CFP). Greg shares his cautious optimism about future expansions: "We might eventually get to 16 teams," he speculates, drawing parallels to the gradual adoption of the 12-team format. He emphasizes the importance of viewership and competitive balance in making expansion decisions.

d. Balancing Regional and National Aspects of College Sports

[17:36] Greg Sankey:
Dan raises a thought-provoking point about regionalizing non-revenue sports to reduce travel burdens. Greg praises the SEC's regional approach, citing packed stadiums for baseball and softball games as evidence of its success. "Our decisions meet the exact questions asked on a sport-by-sport basis," he concludes, underscoring the conference's tailored strategies.

2. In-Depth with Tim Kirchen: Baseball's Evolution and Challenges

[29:03] Tim Kirchen:
Transitioning to Major League Baseball, Tim Kirchen shares his insights on the Los Angeles Dodgers' influence on the sport. He defends the Dodgers' business model, stating, "They draw a lot of people wherever they go," and acknowledges their dual role as both heroes and villains in baseball narratives.

a. Opening Day in Japan: A Global Perspective

[30:25] Tim Kirchen:
Dan questions the necessity of opening day games in Japan, to which Tim responds thoughtfully: "The more and more growth that baseball can get, the better it is." He advocates for uniform opening days within the United States while recognizing the financial and global expansion benefits of international games.

b. MVP Considerations and Shohei Ohtani's Impact

[33:03] Tim Kirchen:
A heated topic arises around Shohei Ohtani's dual-role performance. Tim expresses skepticism about preemptively awarding MVP honors to Ohtani, emphasizing the value of a season-long performance: "I refuse to believe that we're just going to give it to Ohtani before the season starts."

c. Addressing Player Injuries and Youth Sports Specialization

[36:01] Tim Kirchen:
Discussing the alarming rise in pitcher injuries, Tim attributes the problem to early sports specialization. "You gotta stop the 10-12 year old from throwing on the mound 12 months out of the year," he advises, advocating for multi-sport participation to enhance athletic development and reduce injury risks.

d. Hypothetical Scenarios: Legends in Today's Game

[38:29] Tim Kirchen:
Dan poses a fascinating hypothetical: how would baseball legends like Pete Rose or Tony Gwynn perform in today's game? Tim believes these icons would transcend eras, though he notes adjustments to modern play styles. "Great players transcend all eras," he affirms, envisioning Rod Carew or Wade Boggs adapting successfully to contemporary baseball dynamics.

3. Engaging Listener Interactions and Fun Segments

Throughout the episode, Dan Patrick and his guests engage with listeners, addressing questions and sharing anecdotes that add a personal touch to the discussion. Notable moments include:

• [33:39] Tim Kirchen: Tim recounts George Wright's memorable opening day performance, highlighting the unpredictable beauty of baseball.

• [40:03] Tim Kirchen: He nostalgically shares his first opening day experience in 1982, bringing a heartfelt narrative that resonates with long-time baseball fans.

4. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Greg Sankey on SEC's Strategic Shift:
  "We had to do some things differently from our end in the conference office."
  [07:31]

• Greg Sankey on Transfer Portal Solutions:
  "If the rules are enforced without waivers, it would be idyllic."
  [12:39]

• Tim Kirchen on Dodgers' Role:
  "I think they're great for baseball because wherever they go, they're gonna draw a lot of people."
  [29:03]

• Tim Kirchen on Player Injuries:
  "You gotta stop the 10-12 year old from throwing on the mound 12 months out of the year."
  [36:01]

• Greg Sankey on College Football Playoffs Expansion:
  "We might eventually get to 16 teams."
  [13:37]

5. Conclusion: Forward-Looking Insights

As the episode wraps up, both Greg Sankey and Tim Kirchen offer forward-looking perspectives on their respective domains. Greg underscores the importance of strategic decision-making within the SEC to maintain competitiveness, while Tim emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in baseball to preserve the sport's integrity and player health.

Dan Patrick effectively bridges the conversation between college sports administration and professional baseball analysis, providing a comprehensive overview that caters to a diverse sports audience. Whether you're a college sports enthusiast or a baseball aficionado, this episode offers valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions that enrich the listener's understanding of the sports landscape.

For more insights and discussions, tune into The Dan Patrick Show on the iHeartRadio app or catch it live on Fox Sports Radio.