The Dan Patrick Show: C&R - Standing for Judge, Ripping Pants

Date: March 4, 2026 | Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis

Fox Sports Radio / iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Covino & Rich (C&R) on The Dan Patrick Show is a lively mix of sports talk and pop culture banter, blending passionate defenses of major athletes with light-hearted anecdotes from the studio. The central focus is the controversy surrounding Aaron Judge’s leadership style and his recent speech to Team USA ahead of the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The episode also swings into humorous territory with tales of ripped pants in the office and debates about Magic City Night in Atlanta. Along the way, the hosts riff on sports fandom, the culture of criticism, and memorable moments from sports and film.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Aaron Judge’s Leadership: Criticism & Defense

• Context: Aaron Judge delivered a speech to Team USA before the WBC. Some, notably Barstool’s Dave Portnoy, criticized the speech as lackluster.
• Hosts’ Response:
  • Steve Covino is ardent in defending Judge, pointing out that leadership isn’t only about fiery speeches, but about professionalism and leading by example. He compares Judge’s calm, collected style to Derek Jeter, advocating for respect and support rather than criticism.
  • Rich Davis prods Covino, joking about his fierce loyalty to Judge and noting the overblown reaction to a routine welcome speech, not a pep rally.
• Highlighted Quote:

  "Rooting against Aaron Judge is un-American. He just set up losers. I thought—All rise and celebrate this man because he plays the game, supposedly."
  —Steve Covino (09:43–09:48)

• Insight: The segment explores how sports leaders can be effective without grandstanding, and laments the tendency to tear down public figures for not fitting a certain mold.

2. Barstool & Social Media’s Double Speak

• Observation: The hosts call out the hypocrisy on social media, with Barstool both criticizing and mourning criticism of Judge in near-consecutive posts.
• Highlighted Quote:

  "Barstool says two things... pick a side. Is this sad or are you adding to this?"
  —Steve Covino (07:40)

• Takeaway: The hunt for controversy and viral takes often trumps thoughtful commentary.

3. WBC Fandom Dilemma

• Game-Time Loyalty: Producer Danny G is asked who he’d support in a hypothetical USA vs. Ohtani (Japan) WBC final—his favorite player or his country?
• Danny G’s Response:

  "I'm rooting for Team USA, yeah, absolutely."
  —Danny G (13:46)

• Insight: Even the most devoted MLB fans can feel pulled between rooting for their team’s stars and national pride.

4. Puerto Rico in the WBC

• Big Mike’s Question: Why does Puerto Rico, a US territory, field its own WBC team?
• Analysis:
  • Rich and Covino surmise it’s due to cultural pride and distinct identity.
  • Producer Danny G finds CBS Sports reporting the main reason is insurance requirements for Puerto Rican players.
  • Notable Moment:

    "Bad Bunny was willing to front the insurance money for a lot of the players... but it couldn't happen."
    —Steve Covino (24:39–24:53)

5. Magic City Night Debate

• Background: Atlanta Hawks plan a night celebrating Magic City, a famous Atlanta strip club known for its wings and role in local culture.
• Covino's Perspective: Connects to his mom’s efforts to shut down a strip club near his hometown—raising the question of appropriateness and community standards.
• Upcoming Segment:
  • Spurs player Luke Kornet has criticized the promotion, raising the debate: Is he being a “nerd or an ally of women?”
    (50:06 – teased, to be discussed in-depth after the break)

6. Office Antics: Ripped Pants Story

• Big Mike: After splitting his pants at the office, the story prompts a humorous trip down memory lane about makeshift wardrobe fixes and embarrassment at work.
• Quote:

  "In his truck, he has like 1970s disco pants as spares." —Steve Covino (21:15) "Like a girl with a fat booty trying to hide it. He was trying to hide his... the rip in his ass." —Steve Covino (21:29)

7. Pop Culture Sidebar: Movie Memorabilia

• Ace Ventura’s Rhino Suit:
  • The prop from “Ace Ventura 2”—the animatronic rhino—is up for auction.
  • The hosts riff on who would actually want it and how (or why) you would display it.
• Quote:

  "Of Jim Carrey's physical comedy, there might not be anything funnier than him being birthed out of a rhino's ass."
  —Rich Davis (34:21)

8. Other Notable Sports Bits

• Quick updates on NFL trades, retirements, and contracts (Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker).
• Personal side: Shoutout to Covino's parents celebrating 50 years of marriage.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Aaron Judge Speech Controversy Discussion: 04:50 – 11:34
• Judge’s Actual Speech Clip: 10:48 – 11:09
• WBC Team USA vs. Japan/Player Loyalty: 12:34 – 14:19
• Puerto Rico’s WBC Status/Insurance Note: 22:26 – 24:53
• Office Ripped Pants Story: 20:50 – 21:44
• Magic City Night / Strip Club Culture: 46:22 – 50:13
• Ace Ventura Rhino Prop Discussion: 33:45 – 36:05
• NFL Updates and Anthony Richardson Discussion: 36:11 – 40:50

Memorable Quotes

• Steve Covino on Social Criticism:

  "You guys are anyone criticizing Aaron Judge? Loser. I want to see the slob... You're the same slob that's criticizing pageant models as they're walking down the runway." (09:17)

• Rich Davis on Covino’s Loyalty:

  "You would defend Aaron Judge harder than, like, your girlfriend, your kid, your family." (10:08)

• On Jersey Prices:

  "That's the real shame... The fact that you have to pay $400... It's unpatriotic, that price. Come on, dude."
  —Steve Covino (32:40–32:59)

• On Parent Protesting Strip Clubs:

  "Who was leading the charge? My mom and my Teddy. Yeah, my mom, like, you know, trying to shut down this strip joint..."
  —Steve Covino (47:49)

Tone & Style

The episode is classic C&R—hilariously irreverent, fast-paced, and filled with good-natured ribbing. The hosts blend their New York/NJ-flavored banter with genuine sports analysis, poking fun at modern outrage cycles, and spotlighting the quirks of sports and pop culture fandom.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a lively indictment of contemporary sports criticism, with the hosts urging fans to celebrate, not denigrate, athletes who strive to represent their teams and countries with class. Sprinkled throughout are entertaining diversions—from burger bites to TV memorabilia—that make C&R feel like hanging out with your sharp-tongued, sports-obsessed friends. For anyone curious about the Aaron Judge debate or who just wants to laugh at some office mishaps and strip club tales, this one hits all the marks.