The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich in for Dan)
Episode: C&R - Hello Traffic, Mets Panic, Big Papi Trivia
Date: April 14, 2026
Host(s): Steve Covino, Rich Davis, Dan Byer, Danny G
Episode Overview
This episode centers on classic sports banter, New York vs. LA baseball stress, fan panic in the early MLB season, the unique realities of attending live games in LA, fun debates about iconic food in each city, the managerial hot seat for big-market teams, and a lively segment of Big Papi Trivia. Intermixed are takes on the WNBA draft drama, NBA play-in buzz, and a bit of pop culture absurdity (would you watch Hunter Biden vs. a Trump kid in a UFC fight?). The show maintains its signature blend of sports knowledge and friendly ribbing.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. WNBA Draft, Paige & Fudd – Team Dynamics and Relationships
[03:18 – 04:45]
- The guys dive into WNBA draft intrigue, focusing on whether the Dallas Wings will draft Azzi Fudd, who is dating star player Paige Bueckers.
- Quote:
- Rich Davis: "I think Paige Beckers would feel backstabbed a bit if they don't choose her girlfriend if she wants that." (04:08)
- They discuss how teams often consult marquee players on big decisions (e.g., Judge with Yankees, Mahomes with Chiefs).
- Danny G and Dan Byer agree that given Fudd's talent, the relationship shouldn't deter drafting her.
2. Mets Panic & Early Season Overreactions
[04:50 – 17:03]
- Rich expresses the classic Mets fan dread: the pain of wanting to go to Hello Kitty night at Dodgers Stadium but dreading LA traffic and the underperformance of the Mets (Peterson pitching, Lindor slumping, Diaz struggling).
- Quote:
- Rich Davis: "And my Mets are stinking. Peterson's pitching. Who stinks?...No, Juan Soto. He's on the IL. And I heard Edwin Diaz...they're reassessing his role because he’s struggling." (08:26)
- Covino contrasts pizza and tacos—NY vs. LA food—before returning to sports angst.
- The panel debates how early it is okay for fans and teams to "panic" or start thinking about firing the manager.
- Rich details historical MLB coaching firings: Cal Ripken Sr. after six losses, Freddie Gonzalez after starting 9-28.
- The crew muses how, with high payrolls, the Mets (or Yankees) might justify an ultra-early firing if things go south.
- Quote:
- Steve Covino: "You gotta show some sense of urgency, some sense of like, getting on the right track. That goes for the Yankees or any team...that paying that kind of money to these players that aren't producing. It's like, do you care?" (12:16)
3. Is It Ever the Manager’s Fault? Clubhouse Drama
[15:01 – 16:20]
- The crew addresses how much blame to put on the manager versus players (e.g., Lindor’s yips, lack of clubhouse leadership).
- Danny G: "You also need your star players to lead by example. Unless there’s a glaring issue in the clubhouse with that manager, you at least gotta give them what, to the All Star break?" (16:02)
- Debates on how much time a new manager like Carlos Mendoza deserves.
4. The LA (Dodger Stadium) Traffic Dilemma
[07:27 – 09:01]
- Rich laments not the game, but the hassle: "If you could just teleport there, it would be so much more awesome." (07:48)
- They recall childhood stereotypes of Dodger Stadium traffic and the “pain in the ass” it remains.
5. Food: New York vs. LA – What Would You Rather Eat?
[06:02 – 07:22]
- An ongoing side debate: Best taco in LA vs. average New York pizza.
- Quote:
- Rich Davis: "Please, not even. Not even close." preferring New York pizza (06:42)
- Danny G suggests Highland Park to settle the taco debate.
6. NBA Play-In Tournaments & Playoffs
[23:11 – 27:01]
- Shift to the NBA: excitement level for the play-in tournament, the long regular season, and star power in playoff matchups.
- Quote:
- Steve Covino: "Right now the blatant tanking is not helping. I think the vibe with basketball...needs to be a good playoff run to really remind everybody...basketball is awesome." (25:10)
7. Big Papi Trivia Segment
[29:25 – 35:12]
- High-energy baseball trivia with “Bootleg Papi.”
- Contestants: Rich, Dan Byer, Dan in Boise; notable for Papi’s playful taunts and deep baseball knowledge.
- Sample question: "Who holds the MLB record for most consecutive stolen bases?" Answer: Vince Coleman (32:31)
- Best Papi Quotes:
- "You go with me because I could be heat." (31:16)
- "How you say?...Nude alarm. Noodle arm." (mocking a player’s arm strength, 36:25)
8. WNBA Draft, NBA, and Sports Cycles
[40:23 – 42:25]
- Revisits the WNBA draft, focusing on the impact of open relationships and player dynamics: “Will teammates be lovers?”
- The sports “withdrawal” cycle: with March Madness and the Masters over, the crew describes these weeks as lighter on big stories.
9. Pop Culture Silliness: Hunter Biden vs. Trump Sons Fight
[42:25 – 45:49]
- Rich and Covino joke about Hunter Biden’s challenge to fight a Trump son in the octagon, noting the public’s likely fascination.
- Quote:
- "We would pay or be intrigued to watch any controversial, random fight like this. I think there's a market for it." (43:18)
- Commentary that even random celebrity fights sometimes capture more public interest than current UFC cards.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Mets Panic:
- Rich: "I know I sound like a baby, but...my Mets are stinking...No, Juan Soto. He's on the IL. And I heard Edwin Diaz...they're reassessing his role because he’s struggling." (08:26)
- On the Pain of LA Traffic:
- Steve Covino: "If you could just teleport there..." (07:48)
- On Early Season Baseball Anxiety:
- Steve Covino: "It's a long, long season. So when a guy's slumping over a 15 game stretch, can you really assess 15 out of 162 games?" (12:55)
- Big Papi (Bootleg) on Trivia:
- "I guess I'm the last dinosaur." (Correct answer, 34:23)
- “How you say?...Nude alarm. Noodle arm.” (36:25)
- NBA Playoff Hype:
- Danny G: "So on a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you guys for the NBA playoffs?" (25:00)
Important Timestamps
- 03:18–04:45: WNBA draft, team dynamics, and relationships
- 04:50–12:58: Mets panic, manager firings, early-season freakouts
- 13:25–17:03: Managerial blame & how hot the seat should be
- 23:11–27:01: NBA play-in buzz, playoff excitement levels
- 29:25–35:12: Big Papi Trivia segment
- 40:23–42:25: WNBA and culture stories, sports cycles
- 42:25–45:49: Biden vs. Trump hypothetical fight, spectacle culture
Tone & Style
True to C&R's style—conversational, full of ribbing, Northeast vs. West Coast flavor, heavy on Mets/Yankees/Dodgers fandom, and not afraid to veer into lighter, ridiculous territory (pop culture, food, and trivia). Bootleg Papi brings exaggerated accents and playful energy to trivia.
Summary for Listeners Who Missed the Show
If you missed today's episode, here’s what you need to know:
The crew brought their A-game riffing on New York Mets anxiety, the culture shock of LA stadium traffic, why sports fans overreact in April, and whether big payrolls should mean quick trigger fingers for managers. The ongoing debate of New York pizza vs. LA tacos runs parallel to sports, and Rich wears his Mets misery on his sleeve (or, tonight, his Hello Kitty hoodie). Big Papi Trivia delivers laughs and a bit of baseball history, while a side of pop culture absurdity—would you watch a Hunter Biden vs. Trump Jr. fight?—reminds us this show is as much about the fun as it is about the game.