Detailed Summary of "The Dan Patrick Show" – Hour 3: Tommy John Problem & LeBron's New Podcast Cohost (March 26, 2025)

In the third hour of "The Dan Patrick Show," hosts Dan Patrick and Paul Pabst delve into pressing issues in the sports world, focusing primarily on the surge in Tommy John surgeries within Major League Baseball (MLB) and the recent developments surrounding LeBron James' podcast endeavors. The discussion is enriched with insightful statistics, expert opinions, and interactive segments that engage the audience effectively.

1. Tommy John Surgery Crisis in MLB [02:48 – 10:12]

Overview: The hosts express significant concern over the alarming rise in Tommy John surgeries, particularly highlighting the Chicago White Sox, who have seen six pitchers undergo the procedure in just the past month. This trend marks a stark increase compared to historical data, where similar numbers were unprecedented.

Key Points:

• Statistics & Comparisons:

  • "In 2024, there were more Tommy John surgeries than the first 25 years after Tommy John had this surgery." ([03:13])
  • "In 2024... 25 pitchers never pitched again after a second Tommy John surgery." ([03:13])

• Factors Contributing to the Rise:

  • Overuse & Pitching Mechanics:
    • Discussion on how modern pitchers are pushing their arms to unattainable speeds, often exceeding 100 mph, leading to increased strain and injuries.
    • "The body's not meant to throw 105 miles an hour. It's just not." ([09:04])
  • Youth and Development Pressures:
    • Early specialization and intense training from a young age are cited as major contributors.
    • "At 12 years old, that kid's already thinking about, I have to get into the right high school so I could try to get into the right college." ([10:12])

• Potential Solutions & Future Implications:

  • League Intervention:
    • Dan suggests that if Tommy John surgeries were treated as player safety issues akin to head injuries in the NFL, the league might take steps to mitigate the problem.
    • "If this were a player safety issue, like head injuries, the league would step in and address it." ([08:37])
  • Innovation in Medical Procedures:
    • Introduction of a new Tommy John surgery that promises quicker recovery times, though its long-term efficacy remains uncertain.
    • "There is A new Tommy John surgery, a procedure. And it allows pitchers to come back sooner, maybe pitch longer. But that remains to be seen." ([09:04])

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick at [08:37]: "If this were a player safety issue, like head injuries, the league would step in and address it."
• Paul Pabst at [10:33]: "Baseball is welcoming the wear and tear."

2. LeBron James' New Podcast Cohost [34:13 – 36:29]

Overview: The conversation shifts to LeBron James' latest venture—relaunching his "Mind the Game" podcast with a new cohost. The hosts speculate on potential candidates and discuss the direction LeBron might take with this project.

Key Points:

• Speculation on the New Cohost:

  • Steve Nash emerges as the favored choice due to his analytical prowess and basketball acumen.
  • "I think it might be perfect for a guy like that where he can, you know, kind of decipher different offensive schemes and stuff like that." ([35:07])

• Nature of the Podcast:

  • Emphasis on in-depth analysis over entertainment, distinguishing it from other sports talk formats.
  • "It's not really about entertaining you, like, LOL. It's real, like, in depth." ([35:19])

• Technical Considerations:

  • Concerns about the cohost's technical setup and ability to communicate effectively, referencing past issues with phone reception.
  • "He's never had a good phone ever, Ever." ([35:25])

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick at [35:07]: "It's not really about entertaining you, like, LOL. It's real, like, in depth."
• Paul Pabst at [35:33]: "They can go back to back."

3. College Sports: Transfer Portal vs. Traditional Recruiting [11:01 – 17:03]

Overview: The hosts explore the evolving landscape of college sports, particularly the dominance of the transfer portal over traditional recruiting methods. They discuss the implications for athletes, schools, and the overall integrity of college competitions.

Key Points:

• Impact on Recruiting:

  • The shift to transfer portals is seen as diminishing the importance of original high school recruitment.
  • "Ever wonder what it would be like to be mentored by today's top business leaders? My podcast, this Is Working can help with..." ([14:30] – this seems like an ad, may need to verify.)

• Poll Results:

  • A poll question posed to the audience: "Hard salary cap in baseball or a return to the old transfer system in college football?"
  • Results showed a preference for a hard salary cap with 56% of the audience favoring it over traditional transferring methods. ([47:19])

• Media and Public Perception:

  • Discussion on how media coverage has become more negative towards the new system, affecting public opinion.
  • "But if baseball is just kind of eating its young here, hey, go in there and throw hard." ([09:27])

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick at [10:44]: "If you're somebody in the media who covers, say, college basketball. And the media landscape is shifting like crazy."
• Paul Pabst at [17:18]: "It's the tail wagging the dog."

4. Additional Sports Discussions [17:03 – 38:35]

Overview: Beyond the primary topics, the hosts touch upon various other sports-related subjects, including NBA player performances, NFL rule changes, MLB forecasts, and listener interactions through phone calls.

Key Points:

• NBA Insights:

  • Analysis of Giannis Antetokounmpo's performance and future prospects.
  • Concerns over Damian Lillard's health and its impact on his team.
  • Speculations about LeBron James' podcast cohost.

• NFL Kickoff Rules:

  • Discussion on the NFL's proposed changes to kickoff rules aimed at increasing return rates and reducing injuries.
  • "The NFL's competition committee likely to propose a change to the league's kickoff rules..." ([25:22])

• MLB Forecasts:

  • Predictions on teams like the Boston Red Sox winning the AL East.
  • Interactive bet segments with listeners.

• Listener Phone Calls:

  • Personal stories, such as a listener discussing his son's journey into professional baseball.
  • Interactive segments like "Bonus Fill in the Blank" engaging the audience creatively.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Pabst at [25:22]: "The NFL's competition committee likely to propose a change to the league's kickoff rules..."
• Dan Patrick at [33:52]: "LeBron James is going to continue or restart his podcast now."

5. Audience Interaction and Polls [46:15 – 47:19]

Overview: Engaging the audience through live polls and phone calls, the hosts gauge listener opinions on various topics and address individual caller inquiries, fostering a participatory environment.

Key Points:

• Poll Questions:

  • Best pregame speaker on the Giants between Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
  • Preference between implementing a hard salary cap in baseball or returning to the old transfer system in college football.

• Caller Stories:

  • Personal anecdotes shared by listeners, including heartwarming birthday wishes and discussions about their children's sports careers.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick at [47:03]: "Who is the best pregame speecher on the Giants right now between Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston?"
• Paul Pabst at [47:19]: "Paul, this is one of my favorites."

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts [49:15 – 54:14]

Overview: As the hour concludes, the hosts reflect on the discussions, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in sports to protect athletes and ensure the longevity of their careers. They also touch upon lighter topics, maintaining an engaging and balanced tone.

Key Points:

• Systemic Change Advocacy:

  • Highlighting the necessity for reforms in athlete development and injury prevention.
  • "If you don't follow the lanes that are set up by the system, you're going to have a very difficult time breaking through." ([10:12])

• Light-Hearted Banter:

  • Engaging in humorous exchanges about post-it notes and prediction tracking, adding a relatable and entertaining layer to the show.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Patrick at [54:14]: "We all need to get away from the world sometimes."
• Paul Pabst at [54:14]: "This is one of my favorites."

Conclusion:

In this hour of "The Dan Patrick Show," Dan and Paul navigate through critical issues affecting today's sports landscape, from the escalating Tommy John surgeries in MLB to the strategic shifts in LeBron James' podcast initiatives. Their balanced approach, combining expert analysis with audience interaction, offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the topics at hand while fostering an inclusive and engaging environment.