The Dan Patrick Show: Covino & Rich – "Springer Conundrum, NBA Misstep"

Date: October 22, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Hosts: Covino & Rich (with Dan Byer, Danny G, Iowa Sam, Spotty)
Episode Summary by ChatGPT

Overview of Episode Main Theme

This episode of Covino & Rich on The Dan Patrick Show explores the conflicted emotions around the Toronto Blue Jays advancing to the World Series, intricate feelings about ex-Astro George Springer’s big playoff moment given his past with the Houston sign-stealing scandal, and frustration with the NBA’s season timing. With lively banter, the crew and callers dive into sports fandom, moral grudges, and pop culture cross-currents—all with trademark humor and realness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Springer Conundrum": Torn Loyalties and Cheating Scandal Residue

• ALCS Recap & Emotional Tornado:
  Covino and Rich set the scene as AL East fans grappling with whether to root for the Blue Jays (traditional rivals) or the Dodgers (recent nemeses for several).

  • Covino confesses: “I’m really, really torn right now. Lying naked on the floor. I’m like Natalie Imbruglia. I’m like Creed. I’m torn.” [10:04]
  • Rich: “They’re both hateable!” [11:14]

• George Springer’s Redemption Moment:

  • Springer, former Astro and a player involved in the notorious 2017 sign-stealing scandal, had a clutch postseason hit.
  • Debate erupts: Should fans forgive and respect Springer for his current heroics, or does the "cheater label" stick?
    • Danny G: "He’s got one of the most punchable faces in all of baseball." [13:30]
    • Covino: "...when it comes to clutch and big moments in postseason, he’s one of those names that can’t be left out." [13:44]
    • Rich: "Is it in your mind still a cheating name that got away with something or did the Mariners just blow it?" [16:10]
    • Dan Byer (Dodgers fan): "I don’t think mad or butthurt is the right term. It’s just like a bad taste that’s left in your mouth." [18:00]

• The Debate: Mariners' Management or Springer's Supremacy?

  • The crew questions if pitching to Springer was a managerial blunder.
    • Covino: “Why did they pitch to him and why did they leave Bizzardo in there? …It was bizarro…” [15:10]
    • Rich: “Springer already knew his stuff… he already saw it the past few days, so that could have been a mistake in itself, but he still capitalized on it.” [15:30]

• The Era of Forgiveness and Lasting Stigma:

  • Will fans let the cheating scandal go as time passes? Rich speculates that future generations won't care much, while Dan Byer insists it “doesn’t go away. It’s in the books.” [21:10]
  • Covino: "We love to see a comeback, but these guys never came out and admitted any wrongdoing. They never got punished." [31:00]

• Springer’s Multifaceted Image:

  • While noting his past, the crew also highlights Springer's postgame humility and work with the Stuttering Association for the Young.
    • Rich: "He overcame his stutter, became a spokesperson for the Stuttering Association for the Young... but he’s never admitted any wrongdoing" [31:49]
    • Dan Byer: “It does make George Springer a little more likable, too. But ... to me, I just, I can’t get over it.” [31:00]

2. Who Do You Root For? Dodgers vs. Blue Jays, Sports Fandom Ethics

• Conflicted Fandom:

  • Multiple hosts admit they don't know who to root for, given resentment toward both teams, and the complexity of sports loyalty when scandals are involved.
    • Rich: "People come here sometimes for the answers. I’m really saying I don’t know how to feel..." [29:30]
    • Feedback from listeners (TM10): “It’s okay to not root for anybody, but that’s not fun, right?” [41:30]

• Fan Call-ins & Listener Takes:

  • One caller (John in Florida): "They can’t play Houston to get revenge. So you get revenge on this jabroni [Springer]." [48:00]
  • Pete in Oklahoma (Yankees fan): “The only reason to root... for the Blue Jays is Don Mattingly. That’s the only reason.” [49:13]

• Embracing the Underdogs vs. "Evil Empire" Fatigue:

  • The Blue Jays are the underdogs, making them appealing to some.
  • Dodgers fatigue is real for anyone outside LA.

3. The NBA’s Timing: "Total Misstep"

• NBA Kickoff Critique:

  • Rich (and the crew) complain about the NBA season starting too early, arguing it’s overshadowed by MLB playoffs and NFL, and fans don’t get invested until Christmas.
    • Rich: “Yesterday, we talked about the two words everyone loves: Game Seven. Two words for the NBA: Who cares?” [80:24]
    • “I’m going to be watching highlights, faking my interest in the NBA until Christmas.” [82:12]
    • Danny G: “That shortened season was the most exciting season. It really was... It seemed like the perfect amount of time but not for the owner’s pockets.” [82:56]

• The Social Cues Analogy:

  • Rich says NBA needs to "know when to show up to the party." Most fans don't lock in until after Thanksgiving or on Christmas Day:
    • “NBA. No one cares until after Thanksgiving.” [81:20]
    • "It’s like telling someone, hey, we’re having people over at 7 o’clock...the host doesn’t think you’re really showing up at 7.” [81:43]

4. Notable Quotes & Banter

• On George Springer:

  • “He’s got one of the most punchable faces in all of baseball.” – Danny G [13:30]
  • “I want to hate on him, but what I saw was impressive.” – Covino [29:40]
  • “We’re like elephants with sports – we don’t forget.” – Rich [31:38]

• On Sports Grudges vs. Real Life:

  • “I can forgive my buddy for something dumb… but about sports, it’s different. I don’t have to forgive these people.” – Rich [24:30]

• On Fandom Confusion:

  • “I want both of them to lose, but at the same time, yeah, it would be cool to see the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers… But I also live in LA.” – Covino [41:00]
  • “Just sit down and watch the game and let nature take its…by round four or five, you know who you’re rooting for.” – Dan Byer [43:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Springer’s Blue Jays Clutch Hit Coverage: 13:00–19:00
• Debate About Rooting Interests Rooted in Past Grudges: 20:00–33:00
• Listener Calls & Emails on the Moral Dilemma: 47:45–51:00
• NBA Season Start Timing Rant: 80:00–82:56

Memorable Moments

• Playoff Trivia:
  Rich quizzes the crew on all-time postseason home run leaders. Springer moves into the top five, showing his postseason legacy.

  • (“George Springer is now tied for third all-time… Can you round out the top five?” [26:22])

• Springer’s Postgame Interview:
  Multiple hosts note how Springer deftly handled postgame questions, showing humility and poise.

  • “He thanked the country. He put his teammates first…” – Covino [28:22]

• Pop Culture Banter:
  Hosts refer to their own "torn" feelings, cracking jokes about Natalie Imbruglia and Creed songs [10:04], and drop random references to disco fries vs. poutine, and even Billy Madison (“t-t-t-today Junior”).

Tone & Language

The episode is casual, humorous, and fast-paced—Covino & Rich embrace their role as passionate, honest fans willing to show indecision and ambivalence about sports grudges. They mix deep sports knowledge and personal stories with self-deprecating humor and pop culture references. Calls and feedback are engaged with the same energy. Occasional mild language ("butthurt," "jabroni," "ass") matches the conversational, insider tone.

Final Takeaway

This episode is a cathartic ride through the challenges of modern sports fandom—how we can’t let cheating scandals go, how underdog stories and big moments still grab us, and how the NBA’s calendar feels woefully out of sync. Covino & Rich don’t pretend to have easy answers; instead, they tap into the emotional core of why fans care, hate, or find themselves—yes—torn.