The Dan Patrick Show: Covino & Rich – "Best Ending in Sports"

Date: September 20, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Hosts: Covino & Rich

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Covino & Rich on The Dan Patrick Show explores one of the most fun and uplifting questions in all of sports fandom: “What is the best ending in sports?” Prompted by an international baseball legend's story, the hosts and guests dive into unforgettable walk-offs, sports retirements, movie finales, and the hallmarks of ‘going out on top.’ There’s also the signature blend of pop-culture references, friendly arguments, and humor fans expect from Covino & Rich, plus insightful caller and co-host contributions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weekend Sports Vibes & Pop Culture

(03:13 – 04:55)

• The episode starts with palpable Friday energy, as Covino & Rich note the sports-packed weekend ahead: NFL Week 3, college football, and the final stretch of the MLB regular season.
• The hosts touch on embracing "spooky season," Halloween decorations, and 80s horror classics like Fright Night, introducing a laid-back, humorous tone.

2. NFL Recap: Bills vs. Dolphins

(07:44 – 13:33)

• Quick review of Thursday Night Football: Undefeated Bills beat the Dolphins 31-21.
• Discussion on whether the Dolphins and coach McDaniels "did enough" to preserve his job, and how close the game was despite the loss.
• Debating the current NFL QB hierarchy, with Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson positioned as the new faces of pressure and opportunity ("the expectation is, this year it’s your year!" – Rich, 12:23).
• Reflect on Mahomes moving into Tom Brady/Peyton Manning–like status: it’s expected he won’t win every year but is always a contender.

3. Viral Baseball Moment Inspires Main Topic

(13:33 – 19:51)

The Story: Ling Xi Jun’s Legendary Walk-Off

• 43-year-old Chinese baseball legend Ling Xi Jun hits a home run in his final professional at-bat – an emotional, storybook ending.
• The play-by-play is provided by John Boy, renowned for his lip-reading and viral sports breakdowns.
• The moment prompts a broader conversation about the greatest endings in sports, show business, and even life.

Notable Quote (John Boy excerpt replayed)

"To then hit a bomb and hit a home run in your last at bat when it was already a moment, again, he was already waving his hat and saying farewell to the fans. I’d say that’s one of the better endings in recent history." – (18:50)

4. Is Grooving a Legendary Athlete “Right”?

(19:51 – 23:54)

• The hosts ask: do pitchers ever intentionally serve up a meatball so a retiring legend can go out with a bang?
• Debate over whether anyone "grooved" Derek Jeter a pitch for his famed walk-off in his last Yankee Stadium game.
• Reference to Brett Favre’s alleged “dive” to let Strahan break the single-season sack record, and debates about similar moments in sports lore.

Notable Quote

"This is professional baseball, professional sports competition at its height… even if [the pitcher] grooved it, it’s still on the batter to step up and hit it." – Covino (23:31)

5. Best Endings Across Sports, Movies, TV, and Life

(23:54 – 41:16)

Sports:

• Derek Jeter’s Yankee Stadium walk-off (23:31)
• John Elway winning back-to-back Super Bowls, retiring on a high (26:52, 36:18)
• Emotional story of bowlers who bowled their first perfect 300 game and passed away on the spot (25:10)
• Kobe Bryant's 60-point final game (40:15, via Isaac Loewencron)

Movies/TV:

• The Sixth Sense shock ending (22:22)
• Ted Lasso and Who’s The Boss? finales (33:16)
• The Sopranos ambiguous diner scene (34:08)
• The Natural (lifted by a caller later, 45:53)

Wrestling/Life:

• The Ultimate Warrior making peace with WWE, being inducted into the Hall of Fame, and passing away days later (47:16)
• Matthew McConaughey’s father’s self-fulfilled prophecy, dying during an intimate moment ("He called his shot... and he did." – Isaac, 40:22)

Fun & Morbid Side Notes:

• Speculation about old Chicago Cubs fans dying right before or after their 2016 championship
• Elvis Presley’s legendary (if undignified) death scene
• "Going out on your throne" – hosts joke that dying on the toilet, for Elvis, was poetic (32:16)

6. Interactive Listener Calls and Community

(45:53 – 48:27)

• Listeners share memorable endings: Joey Votto being ejected arguing balls and strikes in his last at-bat (46:34), and discussion of professional courtesy for legends.
• The show’s culture of friendly banter, listener shoutouts, and live chat updates on YouTube remain strong throughout.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On “grooving” pitches for legends:

  "Would you ever want to groove someone a pitch?... Absolutely not." – Covino (20:17)

• On being “cooler than 99% of people” for not watching Friends:

  "That means I’m 99% cooler than most people." – Covino (15:46)

• On John Elway’s back-to-back Super Bowls:

  "He pressed his luck and he got big bucks. No whammy. No whammy. Stop." – Rich (27:02)

• On the ambiguity of The Sopranos ending:

  "If you’re confused as to what happened: He got whacked at the diner. Positive." – Covino (34:10)

Important Timestamps

• 03:13 – "Weekend Hobnobbing" preview; setting the Friday mood
• 07:44 – NFL recap and Dolphins coaching discussion
• 13:41 – Intro to Ling Xi Jun’s dramatic final homer
• 18:50 – John Boy’s memorable narration of the at-bat
• 22:22 – Segue to best endings in movies (The Sixth Sense)
• 26:42 – John Elway’s story and sports endings debate
• 34:08 – Sopranos finale and classic show endings
• 40:15 – Isaac Loewencron’s update and call-out to Kobe Bryant’s send-off
• 45:53 – Listener calls: Joe Carter, Kirk Gibson, Who’s The Boss?, Joey Votto, The Ultimate Warrior
• 47:16 – Ultimate Warrior’s story

Tone & Style

• Language/Tone:
  Candid, comedic, often irreverent; a mix of passionate sports fandom and pop-culture savvy, with strong nostalgia.
• Atmosphere:
  Lively, interactive, nostalgia-filled; peppered with friendly arguments and humorous sidebars.

Summary Takeaways

Covino & Rich turn a viral story about a Chinese baseball legend’s perfect career ending into an inclusive, vibrant talk about the greatest send-offs across sports, entertainment, and life. Listeners and co-hosts alike contribute favorite moments, disagreements about “grooving” plays for legends, and what it truly means to go out on top. From Jeter and Elway to The Sopranos and Sixth Sense, this episode delivers ultimate “watercooler talk” for sports fans and pop culture enthusiasts alike.

For the full experience including mock arguments, irreverent jokes, and quick-hit pop-culture asides, check out the full Covino & Rich show or catch the highlights via their YouTube channel.