The Dan Patrick Show – C&R: Top 3 Game of All Time & MLB Allegiance!
Date: October 29, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich takeover)
Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode Overview
This lively episode is dominated by an in-depth, passionate discussion of the previous night's World Series Game 3—a marathon contest between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays that stretched to 18 innings and became an "instant classic." Hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis, alongside their crew, break down why the game ranks among the all-time greats, share personal baseball allegiances and family stories, and debate the nature of sports fandom for parents and their kids. The episode is filled with nostalgia, humor, and memorable moments for any sports fan.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. World Series Game 3: Anatomy of an Instant Classic
- The conversation revolves around what made the game so historic—its length, play quality, tension, and memorable plays.
- Covino and Rich, not fans of either team, express immense respect for everyone involved:
- "It was an epic game for the ages. History was made and we reaped all the benefits." —Steve Covino [03:11]
- The composure under pressure, clutch defense, and relentless battle on both sides are highlighted throughout.
Notable Segments & Timestamps
- [03:11–05:59] Post-game Reaction: The guys marvel at how the game was so good, even non-fans were riveted. "I just wanted it to continue," Covino confesses, noting how invested everyone was, regardless of allegiances.
- [08:48] Alejandro Kirk's historic night: Covino honors Kirk as "the first Mexican to ever hit a World Series home run," applauding his leadership and approach at the plate.
- [11:06] Game Length Records: Iowa Sam points out, "So now the Dodgers have the two longest World Series games, the one from 2018 is second. And now this one is number one."
- [12:43] Epic Stats Recap: Covino rattles off stats: "18 innings, 6 hours, 39 minutes, a total of 609 pitches, 130 at bats... 19 pitchers..."
- [15:07] How the game couldn’t have ended: Rich says, “If Alex Call would have won that game on a sac fly...so anticlimactic. So when he popped up to short, I was like, good.” Both agree walk-off wins must be earned in style.
2. Comparisons to Other Classic Games
- [12:51–14:18] The co-hosts debate other top World Series games: 2011's David Freese game, '86 Mets Game 6, Kirk Gibson's homer, and Freddie Freeman's grand slam in 2024.
- Covino: "The difference is...the star power and familiarity with these players...is far superior than that series." [13:07]
- "It's hard to hate on both teams, even if they are the evil empire of today. They're likable guys on the Dodgers and the Blue Jays." —Covino [13:17]
3. The Magic of Baseball and Building Core Memories
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[14:18–15:07, 22:30–23:40] Reflections on what makes baseball so special for families and young fans; the joy of staying up late; the transmission of fandom across generations.
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Covino and Rich share personal anecdotes of their own children forging MLB loyalties, sometimes to Rich's chagrin as his son wants to be a Dodgers fan (cue the “Benny Betts” story [18:27]).
"I can't force my kid to only like my team...He calls himself Benny Betts...So it's a team—even if you're not a fan, it's very hard to hate on the characters on this team." —Rich Davis [18:27]
4. Who Deserves Allegiance? Parental Dilemmas in Fandom
- [18:26–23:44] The emotional and sometimes comical debate over whether to "let" kids root for the most successful or local team, especially if it differs from the parents’ favorite.
- Covino argues that baseball fandom often feels like part of cultural heritage—“We as Americans don't have a whole lot of culture...Part of your culture is we're Mets. I'm from New York. I'm a Mets guy.” [21:00]
- Ultimately, Rich concedes it’s natural for his LA-raised son to root for the Dodgers, likening it to his own childhood love affair with the 1980s Mets.
5. Personal Reactions & Emotional Investment
- [25:36–27:01] The palpable tension as Clayton Kershaw is called upon, bases loaded, in what may be his final World Series appearance. The whole crew admits getting caught up in the moment:
- "I couldn't watch. I had to get up and I'm like, I don't know, I'm by the dishes for no reason." —Covino [26:34]
- "My wife was pulling her sweatshirt over her eyes like, I can't..." —Rich Davis [26:41]
6. Memorable & Light-Hearted Moments
- [39:11] The story of ball boy Brandon, tasked with clearing Will Klein's cleats, complete with "his little weak ass mustache," provides comic relief amid the drama.
- Running jokes about bad haircuts (Freddie Freeman), hip flexor celebrations, Rich's altered state ("I had an edible drink halfway through the game" [27:07]), and in-game celebrity sightings (Justin Bieber, Bert Kreischer) add levity.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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"I feel so privileged to have witnessed it. I know that sounds corny, but I mean that as a baseball fan..."
—Steve Covino [03:50] -
"It took perfect throws, a perfect relay to make those plays. And I think if you're going to beat the Dodgers, you gotta take risks."
—Steve Covino [06:13] -
"I'm a Yankees fan… It's hard to hate both teams, even if they are the evil empire of today."
—Covino [13:17] -
"If Alex Call would have won that game on a sac fly...so anticlimactic. So when he popped up to short, I was like, good."
—Rich Davis [15:13] -
"A team with marquee superstars that wins over a city...My son is five, six years old...he's feeling that about these guys. So what type of jerk dad would I be to be like: No, no, no?"
—Rich Davis [22:04] -
"You pay the big bucks to these guys...because they're likable and that's why you pay the big bucks to these guys."
—Steve Covino [23:33] -
"It was like Daniel LaRusso's gonna fight...That was Japanese pride, Samurai honor."
—Rich Davis (on Yamamoto possibly re-entering the game) [25:43] -
"The real hero of that whole situation was the ball boy, Brandon, I think his name was Brandon. Came in with his little weak ass mustache to take the dirt off his cleat."
—Steve Covino [39:11]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Summary |
|------------|----------------|
| 03:11–05:59 | Immediate morning-after reactions & declaration of "epic" status for the game.
| 06:13 | Perfect relay and risky plays: "I think if you're going to beat the Dodgers, you gotta take risks." |
| 08:48 | Alejandro Kirk’s historic HR and praise for "scrappy" Jays.|
| 11:06 | Historic context: Dodgers now involved in the two longest World Series games.
| 12:43 | The astounding numbers behind Game 3: 18 innings, 609 pitches, etc.|
| 15:07 | The ending: on why a walk-off sac fly would have been disappointing.|
| 18:26–23:44 | Baseball allegiances and the generational hand-off of fandom (Rich buys his son a Dodgers jersey).|
| 25:36–26:41 | The tension and anxiety with Kershaw pitching, even for non-fans.|
| 27:07 | "I had an edible drink halfway through the game." —Rich's lighthearted admission.|
| 39:11 | Unsung hero: the ball boy and comic moments amid the tension.|
Flow, Tone, and Language
The episode is energetic, tongue-in-cheek, and relatable, peppered with friendly ribbing, nostalgia, and shared awe at the drama and storylines of great sports moments. The hosts maintain a conversational, sometimes self-deprecating, and family-friendly tone, making this recap deeply engaging even for listeners who missed the original broadcast.
Conclusion
C&R’s breakdown of World Series Game 3 is a heartfelt, humorous, and authoritative take on why sports matter—how a single epic event can create lifelong memories, upend old rivalries, and bridge generational divides. The episode becomes less about teams and more about shared moments, optimism, and the enduring power of the game.
For more detailed segments (including discussions on NFL, show promotions, and family life), listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts by searching "Covino & Rich" or "The Dan Patrick Show."