The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich) – March 27, 2026

Episode: "C&R - Sweet 16, The Babe, 4 Point Field Goals"

Episode Overview

In this lively edition of Covino & Rich on The Dan Patrick Show, Steve Covino, Rich Davis, and the crew dive into a mix of sports and pop culture, with Opening Day in Major League Baseball, March Madness Sweet 16 matchups, and the evolving world of sports rules. The heart of the episode is a fun and energetic discussion exploring what legendary slugger Babe Ruth would be most shocked to discover if he experienced modern sports and society in 2026. Additionally, the crew reviews innovative new UFL football rules, including the much-debated four-point field goal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bracket Challenge Antics & Sweet 16 Picks (03:22 – 09:09)

• The hosts highlight the excitement of March Madness, discussing the Sweet 16 basketball matchups and Fox Sports Radio's "Bracket Challenge."
• Rich runs through his picks "Balky Style," referencing the sitcom "Perfect Strangers"—choosing teams based on personal connections or city preferences, rather than stats.
• Dan Beyer delivers an update on the current standings, pointing out Covino’s strong bracket performance.

Notable Quote:

“I’m going to do a parlay based on... what city you like better or where you’ve had a better experience. So I’m going to go Texas, Iowa, Arizona, Illinois. Four for four parlay. I call that Balky Style.”
— Rich Davis (06:17–07:24)

• The team pokes fun at Rich’s last-place standing in the bracket challenge and Covino’s near-top position.

2. "What Would Shock the Babe Ruth?" Segment (10:23 – 31:18)

Catalyzed by a viral moment where an animatronic hand threw out the first pitch for Opening Day—prompting speculation on what would most surprise Babe Ruth if he saw modern sports & society.

A. Sports Technology & Culture Shock

• Robot Umpires: The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system would baffle Ruth.
  • “What do you mean robots? ... A robot is going to call balls and strikes." (11:03–11:07)
• Diversity in Baseball: Ruth's era was largely segregated; the current landscape with players from across the world would be mind-blowing.
  • “There’s a bunch of Hispanics in the game nowadays … yeah, you gotta play against these guys, Babe.” (13:10–13:26)
• Social Media Dominance: Ruth, noted for loving attention, would thrive as a social media personality and be amazed by modern avenues for connecting with fans and women (OnlyFans, Tinder, DMs, etc.).
  • “He would be definitely spitting game on social media because he was that kind of guy.” (14:25)

B. Modern Athlete Lifestyle

• Luxurious Accommodations: Modern athletes’ travel, private planes, salaries, recovery methods, and “load management” would shock Ruth, who played in a much more modest era.
• Year-Round Play & Youth Sports: Ruth might be both shocked and proud of today's travel ball, expensive youth equipment, and how much the sport has grown.
• Stadium Food: Just hot dogs and peanuts in Ruth’s day vs. five-star cuisine now.
  • “If he saw the full five-star menus at these ballparks… he’d be 400 pounds.” (15:19–15:27)

C. Player Safety & Medical Advances

• Helmets and Protective Gear: Ruth never wore a helmet; today’s elbow guards, batting gloves, pitch counts, and injury protocols would've seemed unnecessary or “soft.”
  • “You hit 100 pitches? Take them out! What do you mean?” (15:36–15:48)
  • “He’d be like, gloves and guards? What are you, some type of little woosh?” (16:01)

D. Baseball Tools and Rules

• Lighter Bats: Modern lightweight bats vs Ruth’s 44-ounce “club.”
• Shorter Fences, Smaller Fields: Old stadium distances dwarfed today’s.
  • “What is this, 303ft? … What is this, a litter box?” (16:44-16:51)
• Rule Changes: Ruth would be shocked by things like pitch counts, pitchers batting ninth, and not always hitting.

E. Advances Beyond Baseball

• GPS and Digital Navigation: The hosts discuss how GPS and digital maps have revolutionized life compared to using physical maps.
• The Diminished Clout of "The Champ": How the title of Heavyweight Champion doesn't hold the same societal status as in Ruth's era.
• Sports Merchandising: No fan jerseys in Ruth’s time—team apparel has become a massive business since the 1970s.
  • “No kid had a Babe Ruth jersey. Because if they had jerseys, every kid would’ve had one.” (26:34–26:55)

F. Listeners' Contributions (19:54 – 40:25)

• Fans call in with their own thoughts on what would mystify or impress Ruth:
  • Modern training, dieting, and analytics (exit velocity, launch angle).
  • 104 mph fastballs compared to 80s in Ruth’s day.
  • Strict safety rules (no plate blocking), the portrayal of Ruth in movies, iconic ballparks still standing (Fenway Park).
  • The fact that fans dress casually now instead of wearing suits/ties to games.

Memorable Moment:
Extended banter with listeners using “the Babe voice,” riffing on what he’d say about Tinder, Instagram, or modern sports gear, keeping the energy loose and humorous throughout (25:19–31:34).

3. Innovative UFL Football Rules: The Four-Point Field Goal (49:21 – 52:09)

• The UFL introduces new rules, including:
  • No Punting Beyond the 50: Once you’re past midfield, punting is banned, forcing teams to go for it.
  • Four-Point Field Goal: A kick of 60 yards or more is worth four points.
• The crew debates strategic implications and entertainment value, pondering which—if any—such rules might eventually migrate to the NFL.

Notable Quotes:

“For 2026, the UFL has introduced the four-point field goal. If it’s 60 or more yards, it goes from a three-point to a four-point.”
— Rich Davis (49:57–50:09)

“More points, more risk.”
— Steve Covino (51:41–51:42)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Imagine telling Babe Ruth this is who’d be throwing out the first pitch to open up the 2026 MLB season. It was a robotic hand.”
  — Steve Covino (10:24)

• “What are you, some type of wussy? … Play the game like a man!”
  — Rich Davis channeling a Ruth-era tough guy (12:51–12:55)

• “Can you imagine all the DMs he’d be sliding into?”
  — Caller (14:23)

• “What would shock the Babe in 2026? This is the most fun, stupid conversation we’ve had in a while.”
  — Rich Davis (14:31)

• “No kid had a Babe Ruth jersey. Because if they had jerseys, every kid would’ve had one.”
  — Steve Covino (26:55)

Important Timestamps

• 03:22 – 09:09: Sweet 16 and Bracket Challenge, "Balky Style" parlay picks
• 10:23 – 31:18: Main “What Would Shock the Babe?” discussion and call-in banter
• 49:21 – 52:09: UFL’s radical new football rules—no punting after 50, four-point field goal debate
• 25:19 – 31:34: High-energy “Babe voice” impersonations and pop culture riffing with listeners
• 38:25 – 40:25: Listener call-ins highlight real-life connections to Babe Ruth and perspectives on technological/training advances

Tone and Style

• Playful, irreverent, conversational: Hosts maintain a rapid-fire, improv-heavy energy—riffing, bantering, and assuming “Babe Ruth” personas for comedic effect.
• Accessible and inclusive: Encourages listener input and pop culture references to blend sports and broader societal changes.
• Rooted in both nostalgia and modern cynicism: Contrasts “tough guy” attitudes of Ruth’s day with modern athlete treatment and media.

Summary: Why Listen?

This episode is a great example of Covino & Rich’s ability to blend sports debate with pop culture and interactive, freewheeling banter. It will especially appeal to listeners who enjoy “what if?” historical sports conversations, have nostalgia for classic athletes, or are curious about how sports rules might evolve for greater entertainment. The Babe Ruth segment, fueled by listener calls and outrageous hypotheticals, is the comedic and thematic highlight of the episode.

“What would shock the Babe the most?” Echoes through the lively studio with humor, real sports talk, and a dose of social commentary—Covino & Rich at their best.