The Dan Patrick Show (C&R Edition) – January 21, 2026

Episode Title: C&R – Players-Only, Hall of Fame, Mahomes
Host(s): Covino & Rich (featuring Dan Byer, Spot, Iowa Sam, Patrick Mahomes segment)
Network: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show (C&R) combines sharp sports analysis, playful banter, and live trivia. The team discusses current hot topics in sports: Cody Bellinger’s free agency standoff and its ripple effect in the MLB, the induction of Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the recent struggles of the Knicks leading to a players-only meeting. Rounding things out is an energetic segment of "Showtime Mahomes Trivia," and classic C&R humor throughout.

Main Discussion Topics and Insights

1. Cody Bellinger’s Uncertain Free Agency (07:14–17:06; 40:32–41:56)

• Waiting Game: The hosts riff on how Cody Bellinger is holding up the entire MLB, with top teams—the Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Dodgers—anxiously waiting his decision.
• Parallels to Delayed Payoffs: They compare the situation to pop culture and boxing letdowns, like the long wait for "Chinese Democracy" (Guns N’ Roses) or Pacquiao-Mayweather.
• Fan Frustration: Listeners and the hosts admit waning interest due to the protracted process.
• Bellinger’s Leverage: He is universally seen as the "missing piece" for any contender.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Cody Bellinger, you could say, hey, good for him, but he's waiting a really long time. But he has the MLB by the cojones right now and that's really what we're getting at…” – Covino (08:12)
• Contract Debate: Discussion over the value of seven-year offers (Bellinger’s ask) vs. most teams’ willingness to go five. The team hashes out negotiation tactics—should teams get a final right to counter-offer?
  • “How do you feel about when you hear in all sports where an agent’s like, give me your final offer and then we’re not coming back to you?... Is that good or bad business?” — Rich (14:02)

2. Hall of Fame Inductions: Beltran & Andruw Jones (25:02–27:36; 40:58–45:15)

• Breaking News (Live Reaction):
  • Dan Byer reveals Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones as the new inductees; both step just over the 75% voting threshold.
    • "Carlos Beltran, Andrew Jones... a member of the class of 2026. Beltran as well." – Dan Byer (25:20)
• Debate on Standards:
  • Covino, Rich, and callers question whether the standards for Hall of Fame induction are slipping.
    • "There has to be a criteria, right? Isn’t there a criteria? ... Not one of the dudes hit the 500 home run mark. Not one of the dudes have 3,000 hits or more. And not one of the dudes have batted over .280 career. Like, are you kidding me?" — Covino (41:25)
  • Rich and Spot point to their excellent defense as justification.
• Listener Feedback:
  • Robert in Vegas: “They sure as heck aren’t Hall of Famers. ... They were both incredible. Like, we all wanted them on our team. ... But if we have this standard…?”
• “Hall of Very Good” Warnings:
  • Consensus leans toward these being generous selections, with Covino invoking other greats left out (like Don Mattingly, Omar Vizquel).
  • “Are they really counting defense that much? … those numbers don’t really add up to Hall of Fame for me.” — Covino (43:37)

3. Players-Only Meetings & NBA Team Struggles (17:27–20:11)

• Knicks Slide:
  • Discussion of the Knicks’ post–NBA Cup slump, fans’ disappointment, and Jalen Brunson calling a players-only meeting.
• Do Players-Only Meetings Work?
  • The team debates whether these meetings signify hope or doom: are they a proactive fix or a sign the coach has lost the room?
  • “It’s like a couple who’s arguing, who finally says, like, alright, we need to sit down with a therapist. The players-only meeting is like next step…” – Rich (18:44)
  • Mixed opinions: it shows awareness and action, but it can also be a flashing warning sign.
  • "That's the start of fixing the problem. You need to address it. There's no guarantee ... but you have to address it.” — Covino (19:55)

4. Pop Culture & Sports: Long Waits with Lame Payoffs (09:39–11:59)

• The frustration with Bellinger connects to other pop and sports culture letdowns—delayed TV, music albums, or fights that lose impact after years of hype.
• “A lot of people remember when Guns N Roses kept teasing new music ... by the time it came out, you’re not even excited anymore.” — Covino (10:08)
• Call-in segment asks for parallel examples.

5. Showtime Mahomes NFL Trivia (27:36–34:09)

A staple of C&R, this lively segment, with 'Patrick Mahomes' hosting, features:

• Fast-paced, friendly competition among staff and a listener, featuring NFL history and pop culture.
  • Example: “The only other time the Raiders had the first Pick was in 2007, and they selected Jamarcus Russell, who was picked after him?” — Patrick Mahomes (29:46)
• Notable fun: banter about a stunt double participant; Mahomes’s comedic asides (e.g., jokes about adult film stunt doubles).
• Final winner: Dan Byer.

6. Entertainment and TV Recs (34:09–35:14)

• Cast discusses the show "Landman" and how hot actresses got Rich’s attention.
• Quick pop culture exchanges about hopping onto a series late, and Billy Bob Thornton being a standout.

7. Listener Engagement & Social Media

• Listeners weigh in on the show’s takes, and a clever suggestion for the Las Vegas A’s new name: “Vegas Gold Rush” (45:28).
• The show closes with gratitude and cues for listeners to stay involved online.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Cody Bellinger… he has the MLB by the cojones right now.” – Covino (08:12)
• “How do you feel about…an agent’s like, give me your final offer and we’re not coming back to you… is that good or bad business?” – Rich (14:02)
• “That’s the start of fixing the problem. You need to address it. There’s no guarantee ... but you have to address it.” – Covino on players-only meetings (19:55)
• "There has to be a criteria, right? ... Not one of the dudes hit the 500 home run mark. ... Like, are you kidding me?" – Covino (41:25)
• “You can't say generational talent and then not say hall of Fame.” – Rich (42:00)
• On the emotional letdown of TV/fights/music delays:
  • “Remember when Guns N Roses kept teasing new music... by the time it came out, you’re not even excited anymore.” – Covino (10:08)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 07:14 | Opening of Cody Bellinger saga discussion | | 08:12 | Covino’s “MLB by the cojones” comment | | 11:55 | Boxing letdowns, Pacquiao-Mayweather example | | 14:02 | Contract negotiation tactics debate | | 17:27 | Knicks post–NBA Cup struggles and players-only meeting | | 18:44 | Rich’s therapy/couples analogy for players-only meetings | | 19:55 | Covino: meetings address but don’t guarantee fix | | 25:02 | Dan Byer breaking news: Hall of Fame inductees | | 27:36 | Showtime Mahomes Trivia begins | | 29:46 | NFL Draft question from Mahomes | | 32:24 | Mahomes Trivia: Joe Namath question | | 34:09 | “Landman”/TV segment | | 40:32 | Bellinger as the "biggest piece to drop" revisited | | 41:25 | Hall of Fame standards debate | | 45:28 | Vegas A’s “Gold Rush” nickname listener suggestion |

Episode Tone & Style

• Language and Banter: Fast, friendly, irreverent, but insightful; often self-deprecating or poking fun at themselves and sports clichés.
• Engagement: Regular call-ins and feedback, leaning into audience’s passion and opinions.

Conclusion

This meaty episode is a must-listen for sports fans—especially baseball followers frustrated with free agency drama and Hall of Fame controversy. C&R’s conversational, joke-laden style keeps things fun even as they tee off on serious questions about what greatness means in pro sports. Add in lighthearted pop culture riffs and a Mahomes-hosted trivia game, and it’s a well-rounded hour of sports talk radio.

For more, join C&R live on Fox Sports Radio or listen on demand via iHeartRadio.