The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: C&R – Corny Props or Old Pops?
Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show (with Covino & Rich) takes a deep dive into one of the trending debates in baseball: Are elaborate home run and dugout celebrations with props fun or just plain corny? With guest commentary, listener calls, and witty banter, the hosts debate and dissect the culture of sports celebrations, highlighting generational divides, personal preferences, and the fine line between fun and cringe. The episode also features their signature "Midweek Major" segment, commentary on current sports headlines, and some light-hearted talk on sports dreams and pop culture.

Main Theme

The Core Question:
Are baseball’s modern home run and dugout celebrations—especially those using props—cool and fun, or are they childish and lame? The hosts draw parallels to other sports, involve listeners, and reference veteran broadcasters like Michael Kay, sparking a spirited discussion about tradition, evolution, and generational tastes in sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Home Run Props: Fun or Corny?

[09:00–25:00]

• Debate Kickoff:
  The segment opens with Covino expressing his skepticism about grown men adopting child-like prop rituals after homers:

  "Putting on a big, goofy Wally the Green Monster hat after you just hit a 400-foot bomb... I think it ruins it a little bit. It’s corny. It waters down the product.” —Covino (12:10)

• Tradition vs. Evolution:
  Rich pushes back, pointing out that celebrations are meant to be fun and that labeling everything “corny” robs the game of joy:

  "Is it fun? Yes. Is it corny? Yes. Both can be true.” —Rich (14:20)
  "You gotta bring props into the act now? Like Carrot Top?" —Covino (16:05)

• Listener & Chat Reactions:
  Many listeners in the YouTube chat chime in defending the celebrations as “fun,” suggesting that the movement is popular for a reason.

• Michael Kay Clip [17:10]:
  The show plays a rant from Yankees announcer Michael Kay, who calls these props “hokey” and questions why the Yankees don't participate. He remarks on the danger of “cultural appropriation” (re: the Angels’ samurai helmet) and asks,

  "What’s wrong with just the actual art of celebrating?” —Michael Kay (17:34)

• Other Sports Comparisons:
  The discussion includes college football “turnover chains” and how different contexts (young kids vs. pro athletes) may change perceptions of appropriateness.

• Summary Table: Recent MLB Prop Celebrations

  • Mets: Giant Flip Flop
  • Reds: Viking Hat & Cape
  • Tigers: Pizza-on-a-Stick
  • Brewers: Cheesehead
  • Mariners: Golden Trident
  • Angels: Samurai Helmet
  • Orioles: Hydration “Water Bong”
  • Padres: Polaroid Camera Photos

• Hosts' Consensus:
  Covino maintains some props are corny and take away from the authentic moment. Rich argues that “corny doesn’t have to be bad.”

  "Corny sometimes is fun, right? Like people do the Cupid Shuffle at a wedding. It’s fun." —Rich (26:05)

2. Listeners’ and Analysts’ Takes

[25:00–34:00]

• Calls and Live Chat:
  Most listeners are pro-fun, with a minority echoing Covino’s “old school” perspective.

• Hypothetical: If Aaron Judge Had Props?
  The pair joke about potential Judge-inspired gavel/Statue of Liberty hat celebrations, poking fun at the lengths teams could go.

• Final Word:

  "You’re gonna like everything your team does. That doesn’t mean it’s an accurate assessment.” —Covino (30:30)
  "Most people enjoy these moments or else they wouldn’t be moments.” —Rich (28:40)

3. Mike’s Wednesday Words of Wisdom

[34:00–40:00]

• Fun Segment:
  A recurring feature where a listener tries to recite the “Words of Wisdom” verbatim for a prize (a promotional Nerf football).

  "No matter what you’re feeling, never use the bathroom in a dream. It’s a setup.” —Mike (35:20)

• Listener Attempts & Jokes:
  Callers try to get it right, with Covino and Rich riffing on dream logic.

  "You ever use your phone in your dream? They say you don’t..." —Rich (38:10)

4. Shared Dreams and Sports Fantasies

[40:00–45:00]

• Relatable Anecdotes:
  The hosts and callers share common dream themes: going back to high school, missing sports gear, and playing pro sports in dreams.

  "You ever had that sweet dream where you’re playing pro sports, and then you wake up and you’re not?” —Covino (43:30)
  Memorable moment:
  "I had one where I couldn’t find my tuba." —Rich (43:50)

5. “Midweek Major” – Sports & Pop Culture Rapid Reactions

[47:00–76:00]

• Format:
  Spotty presents news headlines; Covino & Rich rank them as “mid” (meh) or “major.”

Highlights:

• Patrick Mahomes’ 30th Birthday Montage

  • Notable omission of Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift drew public speculation.

  "People really need to get a life... If I didn’t give a video birthday message to Rich, does it mean I don’t like him?” —Covino (51:25)

  • Rich argues it’s pretty “major” to omit a close friend’s message.

• Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis Fight (Relocation to Miami)

  • Major event due to its wide draw, outsizing even the biggest “real” boxing matches.

  "Jake Paul, whether you love him or not, three times as many viewers when he fought Tyson as the biggest fight of the century…” —Rich (55:10)

• Dancing with the Stars Cast Drama

  • Bill Belichick’s girlfriend was dropped from the cast due to excessive demands.
  • Covino sees it as “mid,” Rich jokes about the loose definition of “star.”

• Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers – WNBA Rookie of the Year Announcements

  • Fans complained about Clark’s lower-key celebration, but hosts note:

  "Every experience is going to be different… things evolve." —Covino (64:00)

6. Wild Card Races and Sports Rumors

[76:30–80:00]

• MLB Wild Card Scenarios:
  Hosts salivate over the potential Cubs-Padres, Mets-Dodgers, Yankees-Astros, or Yankees-Red Sox matchups.

• Angel Reese Sneaker Sales Rumor:

  • A rumor circulates that only a few hundred pairs of Angel Reese’s new shoe sold, possibly “misinformation from haters.”

  "If this is true, it’s not a great sign… but I could sell more!" —Covino (78:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Are we grown men or little boys? I could see a Little League team doing it… These guys are grown men.” —Covino (14:10)
• “Corny doesn’t need to be bad. Corny sometimes is fun.” —Rich (26:05)
• “You’re not the president of cool, pal.” —Rich, ribbing Covino (11:45)
• “No matter what you’re feeling, never use the bathroom in a dream. It’s a setup.” —Mike (35:20)
• “Different strokes for different folks.” —Covino (27:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 09:00 – Home run props debate begins
• 12:10 – Covino’s anti-prop argument
• 14:20 – Rich argues for fun in celebrations
• 17:10 – Michael Kay’s audio clip
• 26:05 – “Corny sometimes is fun” debate wrap-up
• 34:00 – Mike’s Words of Wisdom contest
• 43:30 – Dreaming of playing professional sports
• 47:00 – Midweek Major segment
• 55:10 – Jake Paul fight headline
• 64:00 – WNBA rookie awards discussion
• 76:30 – MLB Wild Card matchups
• 78:45 – Angel Reese sneaker rumor

Tone & Style

The conversation is casual, fast-paced, and full of friendly jabs. Covino often plays the “old-school” traditionalist, while Rich is upbeat, playful, and pro-fun. The dynamic includes frequent pop culture references, gentle roast humor, and interactive listener engagement.

Conclusion

This episode is a classic blend of sports analysis, cultural commentary, humor, and real talk, hitting on both the “inside baseball” of dugout rituals and the broader styles in sports fandom. Whether you lean Team Fun or Team Tradition, you’ll find both sides represented—with plenty of laughs along the way.