The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich Hour)

Episode: “C&R - Early Celebration Debate & InVESTing"

Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Covino & Rich centers on a timely debate in sports culture: Is early celebration in baseball frowned upon, or does it add joy to the grind of a long season? The hosts dissect the Yankees’ playoff-clinching, walk-off win and the criticisms surrounding their exuberant locker-room celebrations. The conversation then pivots to broader topics, including sports psychology, bullpen blues, and even fall fashion trends (“inVESTing”), blending comedy, hot takes, and insider perspectives from across the Fox Sports Radio crew.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Yankees Postseason Clinch and the "Early Celebration" Debate

• [03:49]–[14:24]
  • Steve Covino brings up criticism faced by the Yankees after a dramatic walk-off victory clinched a playoff spot: Was their champagne celebration justified?
  • Covino, usually tough on “over-celebration,” admits:

    "It's been a crazy roller coaster of a season like none I've ever really seen before. ...So when the Yankees clinched last night on a walk off ... The Yankees celebrated... The criticism was, yo, why are you celebrating?" (06:09)

  • Rich Davis defends celebrations:

    "I'm a believer in celebrating anything in life. ...We're in this world once. I don't know. I'm about celebrating these moments... I don't know why people are anti celebration. It boggles my mind." (10:12)

  • Both agree that each season brings new stories and challenges; moments of joy should be embraced by players and fans.

2. White Sox’s Lackluster Effort & Michael Taylor’s Criticized Play

• [07:18]–[08:38]
  • The hosts express disbelief over Chicago White Sox center fielder Michael Taylor’s seemingly minimal effort on the clinching play, implicating effort and professionalism.
  • Covino:

    "You lay out. A Savannah banana could have caught that! ...It falls right in front of his feet." (07:39–08:38)

3. Sports Psychology: Timid Bullpens and the Contagion of Losing

• [15:11]–[18:21]
  • Danny G and Covino vent about the Dodgers’ bullpen struggles, particularly closer Tanner Scott’s 10th blown save, and manager Dave Roberts' admission that some relievers are “too scared for the moment.”
  • Danny G:

    "There are times where that losing or winning vibe is contagious... If you get a couple of guys in the bullpen timid... I feel like that could spread throughout the bullpen." (17:51)

  • The crew discusses how modern young players seem more vulnerable to pressure and anxiety, with strategic lineup changes made to "relieve some of that anxiety for a young player." (24:33)

4. Celebrating Big and Small Moments: The “Life’s Too Short” Philosophy

• [10:34]–[14:24]
  • Rich expands beyond sports:

    "I'll never get on anyone for celebrating. ...Celebrating birthdays and anniversaries and championships and divisions and...events and baby showers."

  • The segment touches on the importance of marking wins, big and small, in life and in sports.

5. Big Mike’s “Words of Wisdom”

• [19:45]–[21:06]
  • A comedic interlude as the team listens to Big Mike’s lengthy “Words of Wisdom”:

    "Do not do unto others as you would have done to you. Instead, treat others how they wish to be treated. Your opinion should be irrelevant." (20:05)

  • The hosts joke about the complexity and wordiness of the advice.

6. Midweek Major: Fast Takes on Sports & Pop Culture

• [33:13]–[40:52]
  • Spot leads a rapid-fire rundown of top headlines:
    • Russell Wilson’s benching and his response ("you can control your attitude, you can control your gratitude...")
    • Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen under fire for criticizing Cubs’ Matt Shaw missing a game for the Charlie Kirk memorial (Rich and Covino strongly disagree with Cohen’s take).
    • Tom Brady addresses “conflict of interest” concerns as both a broadcaster and minority Raiders owner. Both hosts say "team Tommy"—good for the game.

7. Fashion & Fall — “Are You inVESTing?”

• [48:06]–[50:28]
  • A lighter moment as Covino asks the crew if they’re "investing"—as in breaking out puffy fall vests for the new season.
  • Gentle ribbing ensues over who can or can’t pull off this look, with producer Monsi confirming: “I do like a man in a vest.” (49:39)

8. Quick NFL & MLB Notes

• [51:04]–Episode close
  • Rich muses on the true strength of NFL teams with "good, but not great" records.
  • NL Wild Card race and key pitching matchups—Paul Skenes vs. Hunter Greene.
  • Thursday Night Football preview: Seahawks vs. Cardinals.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Yankees' Celebration:

  • Steve Covino:
    "I don't have a problem at all with the celebrating yesterday. ...That was the major criticism from yesterday." (09:09)
  • Rich Davis:
    "I'd never get on a player, a team, or anyone for celebrating. I'll never get on someone for having a birthday party, an anniversary party, a gender reveal..." (12:27)

• On the “Stick in the Mud” Mentality:

  • Rich Davis:
    "People who are anti-celebration? The alternative is what, 'Hey, good job, bud.'?" (13:52)

• Big Mike’s Words of Wisdom: (20:05)

  • "Do not do unto others as you would have done to you. Instead, treat others how they wish to be treated. Your opinion should be irrelevant."

• On Dodger Bullpen Woes:

  • Danny G:
    "Is there a worse feeling as a baseball fan than your starter throwing an absolute gem, and then all of it is for nothing because your bullpen vomits all over the mound?" (18:09)

• On Tom Brady’s New Role:

  • Spot:
    "Tommy Brady officially firing back at critics who are questioning his conflict of interest..." (39:02)
  • Rich Davis:
    "Tom Brady's great for the game ... everything Tom Brady does, I think is great for football. So I'm Team Brady on this one." (40:23)

• Fashion Debate – “Are You inVESTing?”:

  • Steve Covino:
    "Are you busting out a vest this season? ...The vest is back and big and hard this year." (48:43)
  • Monsi:
    "I do like a man in a vest." (49:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:49] Yankees' walk-off clinch and celebration debate begins
• [07:18] White Sox center fielder Michael Taylor’s effort questioned
• [09:09] Celebration criticism and defending joy in baseball
• [15:11] Dodgers' bullpen issues, "timid" relief pitching
• [19:45] Big Mike’s Words of Wisdom (hilarity ensues)
• [33:13] Spot's “Midweek Major”: rapid takes on NFL, MLB headlines
• [39:02] Tom Brady addresses “conflict of interest”
• [48:06] Covino’s “inVESTing” fashion inquiry
• [51:04] NFL/MLB quick hits, Thursday Night Football preview

Episode Tone & Style

• Language: Casual, playful, witty, with moments of directness and sincerity.
• Atmosphere: Fast-paced banter, friendly ribbing, but with meaningful commentary on the culture of sports and beyond.

Summary

This episode of Covino & Rich (on The Dan Patrick Show) is an engaging blend of sports analysis, culture critique, personal philosophy, and humor. The hosts break down the meaning of celebration in a season marked by challenges, question the responsibilities and vulnerabilities of today’s athletes, and explore lighter pop culture and fashion trends. Notable for its strong perspectives, intelligent humor, and a mix of serious and playful debate, this episode provides a comprehensive—and highly entertaining—snapshot of the current landscape in sports talk radio.