The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 3 – John Smoltz, Reggie Miller

Date: March 17, 2026
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

The final hour of Dan Patrick's St. Patrick’s Day show features an in-depth conversation with MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz, focusing on the World Baseball Classic and the evolving dynamics of pitching in baseball. NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller joins later for candid analysis of March Madness memories, NBA team trends, and hot-button topics like “foul baiting” and massive scoring nights in today’s high-octane NBA. The tone is casual, humorous, and insightful, catering to both hardcore and casual sports fans.

Segment 1: MLB World Baseball Classic Breakdown with John Smoltz

[02:20–13:06]

Key Discussion Points

• Atmosphere and Player Buy-In

  • The palpable energy in Miami, with passionate, star-studded teams, especially from Team USA and Venezuela.
  • Smoltz highlights a surge in players’ commitment:

    "It's probably the most [star players] we've ever had...you've got to be all in or not."
    — John Smoltz [05:14]

• Roster-Building Challenges for Team USA

  • Constructing a WBC roster is complex, starts a year in advance, and depends on major stars recruiting other stars.
  • Ownership restrictions make managing Team USA a “thankless” and high-pressure job.

• Paul Skenes and Pitching Injuries

  • Discussion on Skenes, a young phenom. Smoltz addresses the narrative of pitcher injuries:

    "He might be an outlier...I don't think buying into the narrative that it's going to happen [injury] now."
    — John Smoltz [07:30]

• The True Significance of the World Baseball Classic

  • Smoltz notes the WBC is “more important than winning a World Series” for countries like Venezuela:

    "I totally understand why their passion, the importance of this, weighs a little bit higher than an ultimate goal in Major League Baseball."
    — John Smoltz [09:05]

• How to Grow the Classic

  • Smoltz proposes playing the WBC mid-season (like Olympic hockey):

    "You'd have everybody...midseason form. No restrictions...You truly get to see the Goliath going against the Goliath."
    — John Smoltz [10:05]

Notable Quotes

• On international fans:

  "The loudness...where we are in Miami helps...It outweighs the American fans, that's for sure."
  — John Smoltz [05:14]

• On the future of the WBC:

  "Even if you just did an International World versus USA, you can't come up with a roster that wouldn't be epic either way."
  — John Smoltz [11:26]

Segment 2: Fastballs, Injuries, and Old-School Baseball Stories

[13:06–18:03]

Key Discussion Points

• Velocity is the Norm

  • 100+ mph is standard now—high schoolers are even reaching triple digits.
  • Mason Miller (USA reliever) has thrown more 100+ mph pitches than some entire teams.

• Pitcher Health and Tommy John Surgery

  • Rotator cuff injuries were once the norm, now it’s mostly Tommy John related to overuse and velocity.

• Anecdotes

  • Dan shares a story about beating a legendary high school pitcher named Nagel.
  • Rob Dibble’s infamous beanball that “stuck” to Tim Teufel’s back.

Notable Quotes

• On pitching evolution:

  “Doesn’t it feel like everybody throws a hundred now? ... It used to be if you got to 95."
  — Dan Patrick [13:06]

Segment 3: March Madness & NBA – Reggie Miller Joins

[19:50–37:23]

Key Discussion Points

• Reggie’s March Madness Memory

  • Heartbreaking senior-year loss to Wyoming and Fenis Dembo:

    "We overlooked Wyoming and this was a blockbuster game for them and Finis Denbo punched his ticket to the NBA from that game."
    — Reggie Miller [21:31]

• Comparing UNLV’s Running Rebels vs. Michigan’s Fab Five

  • Fab Five wins on culture and talent, though UNLV bagged the championship.

    "Culture wise, I'll go with the Fab Five. But...those Running Rebels teams, they did win a championship."
    — Reggie Miller [22:38]

• The Resurgent Lakers

  • Six-game winning streak; LeBron’s willingness to take a “third wheel” role is identified as a key for their improvement.

    “At the end of the day, defense will either do them in or that's the defining moment for them...”
    — Reggie Miller [24:55]

  • Marcus Smart’s two-way impact finally getting recognition; DeAndre Ayton’s contributions in the middle.

• SGA "Foul Baiting" Debate

  • Reggie fiercely defends Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:

    “I don’t get it...You play the game...Some calls are questionable, but I just don’t get why he gets called out all the time.”
    — Reggie Miller [27:04]

• DeMar DeRozan vs. SGA – Offensive Comp

  • Dan suggests DeRozan as a comp for SGA: methodical, mid-range, bucket-getter.
  • Reggie expands: SGA is also top five in steals and leads his team in assists—he’s not “just a bucket.”

• Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Outburst

  • Reggie calls for celebration, not criticism:

    “You have to at least attempt to go for it by any means necessary...”
    — Reggie Miller [32:26]

  • Discussion on other current players who could break the 81-point Kobe Bryant record (Luka, Tatum, Ant Man).

  • Reflection on how much the game’s scoring expectations have changed.

Notable Quotes

• On massive scoring games:

  "You can’t accidentally get 64...He didn’t do it in a gimmicky way."
  — Dan Patrick [32:42]

Key & Memorable Moments

• [04:07] Trivia: Steve Kerr reaches 600 wins as coach & as a player, joining Don Nelson as the only two to do so.
• [09:05] Smoltz’s admission: WBC now ranks higher than the World Series for many international players and fans.
• [30:35] Stellar closers: SGA and DeRozan both lauded as two of the NBA’s great, but perhaps underappreciated, closers.
• [34:39] Bam’s 83: Discussion of why stars are criticized for huge games, and how Kobe would never apologize for going for more.

Other Noteworthy Sports News

• [19:50] NFL News: Broncos acquire Jalen Waddle from the Dolphins, signaling Miami’s rebuild and big pickup for Denver.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• John Smoltz on WBC Star Power: [05:14]
• Smoltz on Skenes and Pitcher Injuries: [07:30]
• Reggie Miller’s March Madness Memory: [21:31]
• Fab Five vs. Running Rebels: [22:38]
• Lakers’ Resurgence: [24:55]
• SGA “Foul Baiting” Discourse: [27:04]
• Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game: [32:42]

Selected Notable Quotes

• “It outweighs the American fans, that’s for sure.”
  — John Smoltz on the WBC crowd [05:14]

• “It’s that simple. And you’re right…the defense will either do them in or that’ll be the defining moment for them.”
  — Reggie Miller on the Lakers [24:55]

• “Learn and adapt. That’s what you’ve got to do.”
  — Reggie Miller on players adjusting to officiating [28:09]

• “You have to at least attempt to go for it by any means necessary.”
  — Reggie Miller on Bam Adebayo’s scoring spree [32:26]

Episode Flow & Tone

• Lively, humorous, and loaded with banter.
• Dan Patrick and guests mix sharp analysis with sports nostalgia and real talk.
• Segment transitions are seamless: baseball to basketball to football and back, with pop culture references sprinkled in.

Summary

This episode is a sports radio masterclass—balancing behind-the-scenes coverage of global baseball, trenchant NBA insight, and nostalgia. John Smoltz shines as an analyst and advocate for growing the World Baseball Classic, while Reggie Miller’s candor and storytelling unearth fresh perspectives on everything from March Madness heartbreak to the Lakers' sudden hot streak and controversial new-age NBA “foul baiting.” For fans of major sports, this is an hour well spent.