The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3: Jeff Passan, Tush Push Vote Delayed
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Jeff Passan, ESPN Senior Baseball Insider
Introduction to Current Sports Headlines
The episode kicks off with Dan Patrick highlighting the excitement surrounding women's college basketball. He mentions the intense season culminating in the national championships in Tampa, encouraging listeners to tune into "Good Game with Sarah Spain" for more insights.
Notable Quote:
“We've got a big week over at Good Game with Sarah Spain as we near the end of one of the most exciting women's college basketball seasons ever.”
— Dan Patrick [00:01]
NFL Rules Update: The Tush Push Delayed
Dan delves into the latest updates from the NFL Owners Meetings, primarily focusing on the controversial "tush push" play. Initially set for a vote, the decision has been tabled until May due to insufficient support. Patrick expresses skepticism about the longevity of the "tush push," suggesting it remains a contentious issue.
Key Points:
- The "tush push" play, a strategy used to gain short-yardage situations, faces potential elimination.
- Current rule changes aim to enhance player safety and improve game entertainment.
- NFL's move to adjust kickoff touchbacks from the 30-yard to the 35-yard line to encourage more returns.
Notable Quotes:
“The tush push is still alive, barely.”
— Dan Patrick [04:51]
“In my opinion, Todd's got one here that says Torpedo bats will be used more and more, become a common thing or banned in the not too distant future.”
— Dan Patrick [03:30]
MLB Innovations: The Rise of Torpedo Bats
A significant portion of the episode features an in-depth conversation between Dan Patrick and Jeff Passan about the introduction and impact of Torpedo bats in Major League Baseball. These bats, first utilized by Giancarlo Stanton in the 2024 season, have sparked debate due to their unique design which redistributes weight to enhance hitting power.
Key Points:
- Design Specifications: Must adhere to MLB standards—no longer than 42 inches, barrel diameter up to 2.61 inches, and handle no wider than 0.86 inches.
- Adoption: Widely accepted across teams, with notable early success from Yankees players like Jazz Chisholm.
- Impact on the Game: Potential increase in offensive statistics, including home runs and slugging percentages.
- Player Preferences: While some players embrace the new bats, others may reject them if performance declines.
Notable Quotes:
“It's all about giving up some of those balls that are just a little bit off the sweet spot in order for the other ones to be doubles and triples and home runs.”
— Jeff Passan [15:38]
“Baseball is always monitoring that sort of thing. But considering where offense stand has gone in recent years, yeah, they can use an injection of it because pitching is so damn good these days.”
— Jeff Passan [09:36]
Discussion on Pitching Strategies in Baseball
Dan and Jeff explore the evolving strategies surrounding starting pitchers and relievers. They debate the viability of reintegrating workhorse starting pitchers into modern baseball, given the high-leverage nature of later innings and the emphasis on fresh arms for optimal performance.
Key Points:
- Modern baseball favors specialized relief pitchers with fresh legs for the final innings.
- The idea of deploying starters as relievers is scrutinized due to potential fatigue and decreased effectiveness.
- The importance of leveraging bullpen strength to maintain competitive advantages in tightly contested games.
Notable Quotes:
“The beauty of relief pitching is that it's a new look, that you haven't gotten the chance to see this guy and it's brand new stuff.”
— Jeff Passan [11:23]
“In the eighth and ninth innings, there's more value in that because there's more opportunity to win the game at that point.”
— Jeff Passan [12:27]
Analyses of Legendary Players and Modern Comparisons
The episode transitions into analyses of baseball legends, comparing their careers and impact on the game to contemporary players. The discussion highlights Tony Gwynn’s exceptional batting statistics and contemplates how historical players would fare with today's advanced metrics and game dynamics.
Key Points:
- Tony Gwynn: Praised for his batting average and minimal strikeouts, drawing parallels to modern emphasis on contact hitting.
- Comparative Insights: Debates whether legendary stats hold up against modern game strategies focused on power and slugging.
Notable Quotes:
“Tony Gwynn struck out 15 times in 19 at-bats in 2025.”
— Dan Patrick [14:05]
“I would love to drop Tony Gwynn into 2025 to see what he would look like.”
— Jeff Passan [39:51]
Interactive Segment: Listener Calls and Sports Trivia
Listeners contribute to the show through calls, sharing obscure sports statistics and anecdotes. Topics range from historical baseball records to comparisons of NFL quarterbacks, fostering an engaging and informative dialogue.
Key Points:
- Jim Harbaugh vs. Bo Jackson: A humorous comparison of rushing yards between the two athletes.
- Wilt Chamberlain’s Legacy: Reflecting on his monumental NBA achievements and poetic tributes.
- Historical Sports Moments: Recalls events like the 1919 Stanley Cup cancellation and Gabby Hartnett’s 1930 blimp incident.
Notable Quotes:
“Jim Harbaugh has more rushing yards than Bo Jackson the day.”
— Dan Patrick [50:06]
“Nothing worse than getting caught striking out and someone asking, 'Can I help you?'”
— Listener Daniel [29:06]
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Dan Patrick wraps up the episode by reiterating the key NFL updates, sharing additional sports trivia, and previewing future content. The discussion underscores the delicate balance between maintaining traditional aspects of sports while embracing innovations that enhance competitiveness and entertainment value.
Key Points:
- NFL Rule Changes: Further clarification on overtime rules and onside kick considerations for increased game excitement.
- Future Episodes: Anticipation of upcoming storylines and strategic shifts in various sports leagues.
- Final Trivia: Highlights from sports history to leave listeners informed and entertained.
Notable Quotes:
“It's gonna be a weird interim period [for the A's].”
— Jeff Passan [14:35]
“Where's my entertainment? Yes.”
— Dan Patrick [25:05]
Summary
In this episode of The Dan Patrick Show, host Dan Patrick and guest Jeff Passan dissect recent developments in both the NFL and MLB, focusing on rule changes and equipment innovations aimed at enhancing game dynamics and player safety. Their conversation delves into the implications of the postponed vote on the NFL’s "tush push," the widespread adoption of Torpedo bats in baseball, and the strategic evolution of pitching roles. Interspersed with engaging listener interactions and sports trivia, the episode offers a comprehensive analysis of how traditional sports are adapting to modern demands for competitiveness and entertainment.
Final Quote:
“We tend to have this thing in American sports where you have the city and then the nickname and not having one of those things, even with like the Redskins turning into the Washington football team, like, there's something after the city.”
— Jeff Passan [13:00]
Note: This summary excludes promotional segments, advertisements, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and key insights presented during the episode.