The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3
Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Dan Patrick & The Danettes
Main Theme: Load Management in Sports, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Outshining Ohtani, and Fan Perspectives on Current Sports Issues
Episode Overview
In this lively final hour, Dan Patrick and his crew ("the Danettes") dive into the hot-button issue of load management in the NBA, particularly how it's shaped the careers and perceptions of players like Kawhi Leonard. They shift to MLB postseason drama with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s monster performance against Shohei Ohtani, sparking conversation about shifting superstars in baseball. The episode also features debates about fan polls on NFL policy changes, memorable sports moments, listener call-ins, and classic Dan Patrick Show humor.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Modern Athlete and Load Management (01:00–09:00)
- Dan opens the hour lamenting the shift in athlete priorities—team vs. self—with load management as the lightning rod.
- Kawhi Leonard's legacy is dissected: Rather than his on-court achievements, “load management” comes to mind first for many:
- "The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Kawhi Leonard is him laughing." – Seton (02:25)
- But the iconic Toronto playoff shot and title can’t be discounted.
- Dan’s concern: This isn’t what should define a Hall of Famer.
- “I hope we don’t have more Kawhi Leonards… if he plays, I’m surprised… Not something great that happened.” – Dan (03:00)
2. Guerrero Jr. vs. Ohtani: The MLB’s Newest “Unpitchable” Hitter (09:30–16:00)
- Guerrero Jr. is on a tear: 26 postseason hits, 7 HR, 14 RBI.
- Dan draws a parallel to earlier discussions on intentionally walking stars:
- "Are we getting to the point where maybe we don't pitch to Vlad Guerrero Jr.?" – Dan (11:10)
- Ohtani pitched to him and got burned badly.
- The drama is likened to classic cinema:
- “We went from Godfather II to Godfather III… last night was just like an ordinary game with Ohtani on the mound, but Vlad Guerrero Jr. stole the show.” – Dan (13:20)
- Momentum in the series hinges on Guerrero's clutch moments—a home run "reset" the stakes for Game 5.
- “It was like when Rocky hurt Drago. He’s just a man!” – Marvin (15:35)
3. NFL Fan Polls – Season Length, Safety, and Super Bowl Scheduling (16:20–30:00)
- The crew discusses the results of Quinnipiac University’s polls on NFL changes:
- Most fans support adding a regular-season game at the cost of a preseason game (61% support).
- Questions arise about fan concern for player safety; most don’t care as long as it means more football.
- “As a fan, we don’t think about injuries unless it’s a star player… If they truly cared about safety, they wouldn't be playing another game.” – Dan (23:15)
- New kickoff rules get 70% approval, shocking Dan and the Danettes (“These aren't sports fans!”).
- 64% support moving the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day weekend for the holiday.
- Fundamental polling issue: Nearly 40% polled are "not fans," undercutting credibility.
- “Why are you answering? Brussels sprouts, you’re not calling me. I hate them.” – Dan (29:25)
4. More Must-win: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays (30:30–34:15)
- Live poll results: 56% of listeners say the Dodgers have the greater must-win game.
- Lots of love for the Blue Jays, especially from Canadian listeners and Marvin:
- “I was just trying to figure out how to get to Toronto for this weekend.” – Marvin (32:45)
- Toronto stories: crew reminisce about filming with Adam Sandler, meeting Dan Aykroyd (fun, surreal, bucket-list city chatter).
5. Contracts & Player Value – Aidan Hutchinson Extension (34:20–38:10)
- Announcement: Aidan Hutchinson signs a massive extension—$180M, $140M guaranteed.
- "That's... less than Micah Parsons, but good for the Lions. Great player, healthy. Got a chance to win a Super Bowl." – Dan (36:22)
6. Listener Call-ins: Load Management, Trivia, Accessibility (38:20–54:00)
- Spurs fan weighs in: Load management began to preserve playoff chances, using Tim Duncan as an example; starts a debate over whether it’s justifiable.
- Fan trivia on Tom Brady—the Expos drafted him!
- Linda from Kalamazoo offers a unique perspective as a blind fan, loving mic’d-up games and ambient sounds, a nod to inclusivity.
- "I like the ambient sounds… it's always good to be able to get training with a blindfold if you have some vision." – Linda (48:45)
- Humorous asides: Paulie’s partial blindness and motorcycle stories, with Seton ribbing him about “sympathy” and safety.
7. More Listener Questions: Ohtani’s Stealing, Dodgers Management, Tahoe Stories (54:00–58:00)
- Fans debate strategy: Would teams let Ohtani steal freely since he’s not pitching?
- Dan says injuries still weigh; star players run less as careers go on.
- Lake Tahoe appearances: audience questions about future live shows there.
- Nostalgia: Listeners share baseball memories—Gary Carter’s protective cup (!), Mark McGwire stories.
8. Closing Segments and Signature Moments (58:00–End)
- Deion Sanders quote on coaching expectations:
- "You can get a Brazilian butt lift. You could come in here flat as I don't know what and leave thicker as a snicker." – Deion Sanders, as quoted by Dan (End segment, ~66:00)
- Sports history and trivia: O.J. Simpson, Jerry Rice milestones, Clay Thompson’s 14 threes, Willie Mays’ casino exile.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Load management… that shouldn’t be the first thing you think of when you think of a Hall of Famer.” — Dan Patrick (03:00)
- “Are we getting to the point where maybe we don’t pitch to Vlad Guerrero Jr.?” — Dan Patrick (11:10)
- “Godfather III… Vlad Guerrero Jr. stole the show.” — Dan Patrick (13:20)
- “It was like when Rocky hurt Drago. He’s just a man!” — Marvin (15:35)
- “If they truly cared about safety, they wouldn't be playing another game.” — Dan Patrick (23:15)
- “Why are you answering? Brussels sprouts, you’re not calling me. I hate them.” — Dan Patrick (29:25)
- “You can get a Brazilian butt lift. You could come in here flat as I don’t know what and leave thicker as a snicker.” — Deion Sanders via Dan (66:00)
- “Riding a motorcycle. Yeah. I couldn't see anything to my left, but I tried to make more rights than lefts. Who needs going to the left anyway?” — Paulie (52:30, on managing partial blindness)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:50 – Load management and Kawhi Leonard legacy discussion
- 09:30 – MLB talk: Guerrero Jr. and Ohtani playoff heroics
- 16:20 – Quinnipiac NFL fan poll results dissected
- 30:30 – Poll: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays “must win” debate
- 34:20 – Aidan Hutchinson contract extension breakdown
- 38:20 – Listener calls: Load management, Expos trivia, accessibility in sports
- 48:45 – Linda’s call on blind sports fandom
- 56:00 – Calls: Ohtani base-stealing, Dodgers management
- 66:00 – Deion Sanders “thicker as a snicker” quote and humorous wrap-up
Style and Tone
The conversation is irreverent, loose, and filled with inside jokes, but also offers real insight into how fans and media perceive evolving trends like load management, rising baseball stars, and the NFL’s constant shifting for profit and TV ratings. Regular interactions with callers keep the show community-driven, with both serious contributions and playful exchanges.
Summary Takeaways
- Load management remains a divisive but persistent part of the NBA, shaping player legacies for better or worse.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has redefined the current postseason, overshadowing even Shohei Ohtani on baseball’s biggest stage.
- Fans want more football, but give little thought to player safety—at least until their favorite stars get hurt.
- Listener calls provide both heartfelt and comic perspectives on sports fandom and accessibility.
- Classic Dan Patrick Show flourishes: playful debate, personal sports stories, sharp wit, and plenty of memorable moments.