The Dan Patrick Show (C&R) – “WBC My Friend, NFL Moves, Alaskan Heat”

Date: March 18, 2026
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich)
Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis
Episode Summary by Sections & Timestamps

Episode Overview

This St. Patrick’s Day episode of Covino & Rich is a lively exploration of sports fandom, St. Patty’s Day culture, and major NFL news, with the hosts weaving in their signature humor, banter, and sharp takes on “the Irish goodbye,” sports loyalty, and more. The World Baseball Classic (WBC) showdown between USA and Venezuela, NFL free agency headlines, and the realities of parenting/t-ball in unseasonable LA heat provide anchors for a show that smoothly blends pop culture, personal stories, and big news updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. St. Patrick’s Day Vibes: Irish Culture, Food, & the Irish Goodbye

(03:23–13:18)

• Irish Food & Nostalgia:

  • Rich laments traditional Irish cuisine: “When my grandmother once a year would make corned beef and cabbage, it tasted like wet socks.” (05:29)
  • Steve: “When it comes to cuisine, I don't think the Irish are leading the pack.” (06:16)
  • Both admit Irish food isn’t winning any popularity contests, though they have a soft spot for Reuben sandwiches.

• Best Irish Pop Culture Icons:

  • Rich: “Conan O'Brien, best Irish guy. I'm a big Conan fan.” (07:23)
  • Steve outlandishly nominates Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez for “favorite Irishman.” (07:34-07:39)

• The Irish Goodbye, Explained:

  • They extol the virtues of leaving a party without saying goodbye:
    • Steve: “I'm just not... It's actually the opposite. I don't think I'm that important to this shindig, to this Irish jig where I need to announce to everybody I'm out.” (12:11)
    • Rich: “Are you offended by the Irish goodbye? When someone at a party, an event, just goes home and doesn't announce it?” (08:42)
  • Steve likens making the rounds Italian-style to a 25-minute ordeal — the Irish way is quicker and humbler (09:03).

• Memorable Quote:

  • Steve: “Might as well call it the Mexican goodbye or the half breed goodbye, because I use it all the time.” (07:50)

2. World Baseball Classic (WBC) Fever – USA vs. Venezuela & National Pride

(13:59–19:11, 32:25–38:19, 47:09–49:43)

• Preview of the Game:

  • Covino: “If you're not watching Venezuela vs USA tonight, then you're not American.” (16:33)
  • Serious pride attached to international competition: “If you're not watching this game, I'm not saying we can't hang, but we're never really gonna be that cool.” (18:14)
  • Rich adds, “Put it on in the background... St. Patty's night, even if you're going out to party... you could do both.” (18:59)

• Team USA’s Aura:

  • Covino admires Team USA's vibe: “They just rolled in with the Team USA Hockey jerseys on… You can't lose now. You can't roll up in the Team USA gold medal jerseys and then lose to Venezuela in the final.” (47:54–48:25)

• Player Focus:

  • Rich hypes the young US pitcher: “Nolan McClain has movement like no other... You're about to see this guy become one of the premier pitchers in the National League.” (34:44–35:46)

3. Sports Fandom, Relationships, & Social Litmus Tests

(23:27–26:53)

• Dating a Sports Fan vs. Non Sports Fan:

  • Rich: “The life of a woman that ends up with a dude that's a big sports fan versus the woman that ends up with a dude that's like, 'yeah, I don't watch any sports.' Her life is drastically different.” (23:48)
  • Dan Beyer ribs: “I'm not saying one is better. I agree with you, Rich. So I'm not saying one is better than the other.” (24:42)

• Kids and Sports:

  • Rich: “Every little kid's first confidence is gained through sports.” (26:25)
  • Steve: “If you don't vibe with it, you find what you're good at through sports.” (26:29)

• Litmus Test:

  • “If you go into the office tomorrow, like, 'You watch the game?' and the guy's like, 'What game?' Like, oh, you write them off the holiday list. You're off my Christmas card list. Get out of my face.” (26:29–26:59)

4. NFL Free Agency: Major Moves & Trade Reactions

(38:19–39:25)

• Big News: Broncos Trade for Jalen Waddle

  • Dan Beyer: “The Bronco swung a deal with the Miami Dolphins to acquire wide receiver Jalen Waddle… Broncos give Miami three picks, including a first rounder.” (38:19)
  • Rich: “The Broncos' odds of the Super Bowl jumped up significantly with the acquisition of Waddle. Seems like a pretty fair deal on both sides.” (38:43)
  • Dan: “I like it from Denver's perspective… They get someone that's proven and they could be opposite Cortland Sutton and give Bo Nix another target.” (38:43–39:05)

• Other NFL Quick Hits:

  • Eagles sign Hollywood Brown; Colts sign Cam Taylor-Britt; Texans ink Wyatt Teller.
  • NFL season opener targeted for September 9th (39:05)

5. Listener Call-in & Alaskan Heat

(19:54–21:37; 39:46–41:48)

• Caller “Mr. G” & Alaskan Sled Dog Update:
  • Mr. G calls in from Redington, Alaska, giving a class update on the Iditarod sled dog race—lightheartedly woven into the show’s sports banter.
  • Fun moment: “We are excited to announce that Jesse Holmes is 64 miles from home and could be the 2026 [Iditarod champion].” (40:27)
  • Hosts riff on dog sleds, cruising Alaska, and the hazards of dog sledding (bathroom breaks and all).

6. Parenting, T-Ball, and LA “Alaskan” Heat Debate

(49:41–51:44)

• Should You Cancel Practice for Heat?
  • Rich: “It's like 100 degrees out here in LA today. I'm thinking about canceling practice and Covino's like, cancel practice?” (49:51)
  • Covino: “I think you just want to get your last minute packing in because this guy's already mentally on vacation...” (50:09)
  • Lively, relatable parent debate on when it's “too hot” for youth sports, and a generational comparison:
    • Covino: “You didn't play outside in 100-degree weather growing up?” (51:02)
    • Rich: “They're 5 and 6 year olds... You want kids fielding ground balls at 100 degrees?” (51:29)
  • Ends with an open call for listener feedback.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Covino on Irish Goodbyes:

  • “I'm just not... It's actually the opposite. I don't think I'm that important to this shindig, to this Irish jig where I need to announce to everybody I'm out.” (12:11)

• National Sports Pride:

  • “If you're not watching Venezuela vs USA tonight, then you're not American.” (16:33)

• On Sports and Relationships:

  • Rich: “The life of a woman that ends up with a dude that's a big sports fan versus the woman that ends up with a dude that's like, 'yeah, I don't watch any sports.' Her life is drastically different.” (23:48)

• On NFL Moves:

  • Dan Beyer: “They get someone that's proven and they could be opposite Courtland Sutton and give Bo Nix another target.” (39:05)

• On Parenting in LA Heat:

  • “It's 100 degrees and they're 6. It's not like they're teenagers that are like, yeah, I'm going to go drink out of the hose, you cheapskate.” (51:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:23 – St. Patrick’s Day culture & food; Reubens and “wet socks” corned beef
• 08:42 – The case for the Irish goodbye
• 13:18 – Parade memories and Irish pop culture icons (Conan O’Brien, House of Pain, etc.)
• 16:33 – WBC Pride: “If you’re not watching tonight, you’re not American”
• 23:35 – Sports fandom as a relationship “litmus test”
• 34:44 – Rich hypes USA’s young pitcher Nolan McClain
• 38:19 – NFL: Waddle trade analysis, signings overview
• 39:46 – Alaska Iditarod update with listener Mr. G
• 49:41 – LA “Alaskan Heat” and t-ball: cancel practice or not?
• 47:09 – Team USA’s “Gold Medal Aura”: pre-game fit check
• 51:44 – Call for listener debate: youth sports and heat

Tone & Atmosphere

• Upbeat, irreverent, and personal—Covino & Rich blend sports, nostalgia, and life commentary.
• Playful digs and banter anchor the show (“I hate the Irish. Davis.”), but insights on fandom, parenting, and sports culture provide plenty for serious listeners.
• Frequent interaction with listeners and each other keeps the show lively and flexible.

Final Thoughts

This episode captures the heart of Covino & Rich: passionate about sports and culture, unfiltered in their opinions, and endlessly fun. Whether you tune in for St. Patty’s Day, the WBC, or the NFL moves, there’s always a hilarious take or relatable gripe to make you nod, laugh, or even reconsider how you leave the next party.