Covino & Rich - Ohtani's Magical Return

Summary

Podcast Summary: Covino & Rich - Ohtani's Magical Return The Herd with Colin Cowherd | iHeartPodcasts and The Volume | Released: June 17, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosts Covino and Rich Davis navigate through some of the most riveting sports narratives of the day. The conversation weaves through the highly anticipated return of Shohei Ohtani, the dynamics of the NBA Finals, Giancarlo Stanton's comeback with the Yankees, and Joey Chestnut's return to competitive hot dog eating. Additionally, the hosts delve into Troy Aikman's critical views on NFL officiating in the era of sports gambling, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current sports hotspots.

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Shohei Ohtani's Triumphant Return

The centerpiece of the episode is Shohei Ohtani's much-anticipated return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Covino underscores the monumental nature of this event:

Covino (08:14): "It's Shohei's return. It's his first pitching appearance since August 23, 2023. Please don't get hurt. Please don't get hurt. And that's the risk you're taking. But life's a risk."

Rich Davis and Covino express immense excitement over Ohtani's dual-threat capabilities as both a pitcher and hitter, questioning whether his return might overshadow other major sports events:

Covino (11:07): "We are way more excited to see Shohei take the mound tonight."

They predict that Ohtani's performance will be a focal point across social media and sports news, emphasizing his global superstar status and the significant impact he has on baseball's popularity.

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NBA Finals Game 5: Dimming the Spotlight?

The hosts examine whether the NBA Finals Game 5 will maintain its usual prominence or be eclipsed by Ohtani's return:

Danny G (03:48): "Is Shohei's return trumping the NBA Finals Game 5? I think it might be."

Covino concurs, suggesting that while the NBA Finals are inherently significant, Ohtani's return could command more attention due to his unique position in baseball.

Covino (16:05): "He won with the Dodgers. He played his ass off last year, but we never seen him on the mound as a Dodger yet."

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Giancarlo Stanton's Comeback with the Yankees

The conversation briefly touches upon Giancarlo Stanton's return to the Yankees after overcoming elbow injuries, highlighting the optimism surrounding his rejoining the lineup:

Covino (09:25): "People are also supposed to be excited that Giancarlo Stanton is coming back after all the elbow problems."

However, the discussion acknowledges that without the magnetic presence of Ohtani, other events like Stanton's return may not generate as much excitement.

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Joey Chestnut's Return to Competitive Eating

Joey Chestnut's decision to return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is another major topic. Covino expresses his enthusiasm, considering Chestnut's participation as essential to the event's success:

Covino (04:14): "You have Joey Chestnut to complete the festivities."

The hosts anticipate that Chestnut's comeback will draw significant attention and plan to explore this further when Chestnut joins the show as a guest.

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Troy Aikman's Critique of NFL Officiating and Gambling Influence

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman's concerns regarding NFL officiating amidst the rise of sports gambling:

Covino (25:24): "Legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman says the NFL owes it to the fans who gamble on football to make sure the refs make the right calls."

Covino and Danny G agree with Aikman's perspective, stressing the importance of accurate refereeing to maintain the integrity of the game, especially with the financial implications tied to gambling:

Covino (30:03): "If you're relying on the fans to support these sponsors, and the sponsors are gambling websites, which has been a major source of income for so many sports talk radio shows and leagues, then you got to get it right for the fans."

They critique the NFL's previous handling of controversial calls and advocate for the integration of advanced technology to aid referees in making precise decisions, thereby safeguarding the interests of fans and maintaining fair play.

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Gage Wood's Historic Performance in the College World Series

Rich Davis highlights Gage Wood's exceptional achievement in the College World Series, marking him as a standout athlete:

Rich Davis (32:37): "Gage Wood with the 19 strikeout no hitter as the Razorbacks top Murray State and eliminate the Racers from the men's College World Series."

Covino underscores the significance of Wood's performance, noting it as a historic moment in college baseball.

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Aaron Judge's Soaring Popularity

The discussion shifts to Aaron Judge's impressive popularity, noting his status as the leading vote-getter for the upcoming All-Star game:

Rich Davis (33:02): "Aaron Judge leading all voters with more than 1.5 million votes in the American League."

Covino praises Judge's outstanding season and his ability to captivate fans, further cementing his status as a baseball icon.

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Conclusion and Teasers

As the episode nears its end, Covino and Rich Davis tease an upcoming interview with Joey Chestnut, promising listeners exclusive insights into his return and future endeavors:

Covino (36:04): "We’re going to welcome the guy who makes his triumphant return. Not Shohei Ohtani, not Giancarlo Stanton. Joey Chestnut, the Goat superstar, the Goat."

They reiterate the overarching theme of the episode: Shohei Ohtani's return is the defining sports story of the season, overshadowing other significant events and shaping the sports landscape.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the dynamic discussions and key insights shared by Covino and Rich Davis.

Transcript

[Covino]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Tom Yamas]

Taking over the helm of NBC nightly news, a 75 year old broadcast. It's a great responsibility. Good evening, I'm Tom Yamas. You have to go out there to bring people at home. Closer to the store. Wildfires continue to be a threat. With that massive hurricane comes the massive response. The best reporters in our business know how to listen. And when you listen, you get the truth. For NBC News, NBC News, I'm Tom Galamas. That's what we do every night.

[Rich Davis]

NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas.

[WebMD Host]

Evenings on NBC hear insightful, entertaining discussions on today's important health and wellness topics on the Health discovered podcast from WebMD. Through in depth conversations with experts, Health Discovered covers everything from tips for healthier living to the latest on therapy and mental health.

[Mental Health Expert]

My goal is to really destigmatize mental health treatment and looking at it from a whole health perspective, physical health and mental health can be intertwined.

[WebMD Host]

Listen to WebMD Health discovered on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Covino]

Hey, thanks for listening to the Covino Enrich podcast.

[Danny G]

Be sure to catch us live every.

[Covino]

Weekday from 5 to 7 Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio.

[Danny G]

Find your local station for Kavito and [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR. And just like that, another week of action.

[Covino]

Oh yeah. Hope all the fathers had a happy weekend. Hope nobody bothered you. Hope somebody made you a hot dog. Hope somebody made you a hamburger this Father's Day weekend. But shout out to all the fathers.

[Danny G]

Of Fox Sports Radio, hopefully you gave your hot dog to someone.

[Covino]

Happy Father's night. Am I right? Swing.

[Danny G]

Boink, boink. Swing, swing.

[Covino]

We're broadcasting live from the Fox Sports Radio studio. Remember, after the show our podcast goes up. If you miss any of today's show, please sure to listen to the podcast, search Covino and Rich. Wherever you get your podcast, be sure to follow rate and review. Five stars. We're celebrating our show this Friday from Vegas. Right now we're kicking ass on a Monday. Live from la.

[Danny G]

Let's rock out. Swing. Swing.

[Rich Davis]

Oh, yes, yes, yes.

[Covino]

Hope you had a Caitlyn Clark sort of weekend. Not a New York Yankees, Mets sort of weekend getting swept. But Caitlin Clark logo threes. Am I right, Sam? Oh, yeah. Welcome to the Clark side. 32 points and 31 minutes. But she had some big games, some big shots. Props to Caitlin Clark.

[Danny G]

What about a JJ Spawn, Southern California kid type of weekend?

[Covino]

Oh yeah.

[Danny G]

So, hey, hopefully you got to see all your friends pictures of their dads on social media and you had a great weekend.

[Covino]

Yeah, nice relaxing weekend. Hopefully for you. Let's have a kick ass week. Like I said, it all culminates with a live broadcast on Friday from Vegas at the Circa. So if we're not going to see there, you'll hear it here on Fox Sports Radio.

[Danny G]

But look out for us, everyone's invited. We have like a whole big section this. It's gonna be our biggest Kavino and Rich crowd yet. So we'd love to see you there. Let's do it. Let's make it happen. Danny G, you excited about this one?

[Spot]

Oh, man, yeah. I'm looking forward to this weekend. I heard Spotty has room for about 500 more listeners.

[Covino]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Danny G]

No, actually, yeah, it's like a good problem. Spot our video guy who's running the whole thing, he's like, guys, like too many RSVPs. I'm like, there's no such thing as too many RSVPs to a big event.

[Covino]

Those are first world radio problems. Unless, like the Yankees trying to figure out where are we going to fit Giancarlo Stanton with all these other big bats that we have to get in the lineup somehow. These are great problems. And if you have great problems, enjoy that. Lean into them.

[Danny G]

It'll work itself out. Much like the Mets starting pitching, where it's like, how are we going to fit these guys in? Don't worry, someone will get hurt. Someone will start stinking like Gabe Lincoln. Don't worry.

[Covino]

Balances out.

[Danny G]

It all works out in the wash, as they say.

[Covino]

That's right. Now on today's show, we will talk some Giancarlo, but more Shohei because he also makes his return tonight. Yep, that's the big story. Is it the biggest story? I think it might be. Plus Joey Chestnut, another guy making a return.

[Danny G]

Talk about the biggest story. He's going to join us live on the show. We got the hot dog eating champ himself. The announcement was made today. His big return.

[Covino]

Why do you think I said schwing, Schwing in the beginning of the show?

[Danny G]

Oh, you're talking about his hot dog. Okay.

[Covino]

I'm just so excited about Joey Chestnut.

[Danny G]

Well, he returns to the Nathan's Hot dog eating contest. Fourth of July. So we'll get a fun little.

[Covino]

Honestly, it is big news.

[Danny G]

Check in.

[Covino]

It hasn't been the same with Adam. You need that. It's like peanut butter and jelly. You need Joey Chestnut to complete the festivities. And we'll talk about it. Plus, last one standing, the game that sweeping the nation. We'll do some trivia here on the show, give away some prizes, but might as well get into it right off the bat, as they say. Pun intended, Shohei style.

[Danny G]

I'm going to roll with your Shohei. But you brought up Joey Chestnut and we're going to have him on in about an hour. So I have to ask this being that you did did give shout outs and props to Caitlin Clark. Welcome to the Clark side.

[Covino]

I mean, that's what Sam's T shirt says.

[Danny G]

Oh my God, that is a cool shirt.

[Sam]

Thank you. Second time wearing it.

[Danny G]

I just probably. The first time I probably just thought you were a Star wars nerd.

[Sam]

It is in that same vein.

[Covino]

Well, you just like Clark bars.

[Danny G]

What's more miserable, Clark Griswold. What's more miserable, the WNBA without Caitlin Clark or hot dog eating without Joey Chestnut? It's sort of comparable, right? I mean, like you're talking about taking the face of it.

[Covino]

Cereal with no milk.

[Danny G]

Yeah. I mean, is there just use some water. I can't think of a third comparable.

[Covino]

Ham without the burger.

[Danny G]

A hot dog eating contest when you take Chestnut out of it. Or the wnba. You saw what happened with the ratings and ticket sales when she was gone.

[Covino]

For a crazy Roseanne without Roseanne. That was the weakest.

[Danny G]

That stupid ass show continued for years.

[Covino]

This ain't Roseanne without Roseanne Connors. Get out of my face.

[Danny G]

So wait, is there a show that. Oh, the Office without Steve Carell.

[Covino]

Right? Yeah.

[Sam]

Two and a Half Men without Charlie Sheen.

[Covino]

I'm going to have to go wnba because it went from everybody talking about it, everybody tuned in. It's really making a push. Cam Newton saying it's bigger than baseball are going to be like, yeah, okay. If you revolve it around one person because when she's not playing, no one's really talking about it the same way. It wasn't the same banter. And as soon as she came back, lighten it up. Circus shots, by the way. And everyone, once again, man, she's really different.

[Spot]

Well, yeah, but there were still a few other players people were following that I saw clips of while she was out with without Nate, without Chestnut being at Nathan's. We didn't even tune in at all.

[Danny G]

I can't tell you who.

[Spot]

We didn't even know who won without him.

[Danny G]

So that's a good question. Nathan's without Chestnut or WNBA without Caitlin Clark? You know, yes, some NBA players. Because we're going to Talk about the NBA Finals game five tonight. There's people saying, without Woj, there's like. I mean, no offense to Shams, but isn't there. Aren't there people that are saying, it's just not the same with the breaking news, new Woj bombs.

[Covino]

I just put a lot more credibility into the WNBA than I do into hot dog eating. But it is an American pastime, and Danny G. Does make a good point. It really was nothing without Joey Chestnut.

[Spot]

Like, it was completely off our radar.

[Sam]

Yeah, it wasn't the same Nathan Bertoletti, the defending champion, 2024.

[Danny G]

His name was even Nathan. And we never even went. Oh, that's coincidental because. I'm sorry.

[Sam]

No, no, no.

[Danny G]

That.

[Sam]

No, I just. I don't know. His name's Patrick. I don't know why I said Nathan, because I was thinking of Nathan's Patrick Bertoletti. I'm sorry, but he ate 58.

[Danny G]

You know what? I'm going to write that down. I'm going to do that.

[Spot]

Wears the Red Sox out.

[Danny G]

I'm going to. I'm going to ask Joey Chesn if he's more important than Caitlin Clark. Let me write that down.

[Covino]

You more bucket.

[Danny G]

Well, I heard the.

[Covino]

I heard the Red Sox traded Devers for Bertoletti.

[Danny G]

All right, so we'll get to Joey Chestnut. We're going to get to NBA Finals game five tonight. And I'm sure Elias at the sports bureau probably has some stat about whoever wins game five wins such and such percentage of the NBA Finals. So we'll break down a little bit of what we're going to watch tonight. But are you watching that tonight or is there a bigger story trumping dreaming the NBA Finals Game 5?

[Covino]

Well, it's Shohei's return.

[Danny G]

Shohei Ohtani.

[Covino]

I think everything takes a backseat to Shohei tonight. It's his first pitching appearance since August 23, 2023. Please don't get hurt. Please don't get hurt. And that's the risk you're taking. But life's a risk.

[Danny G]

Car now.

[Covino]

And I don't know if it's worth it, but you heard Dan Byers updates. They're saying one to two winnings. I don't know if there's a pitch count in mind, but one to two innings. I'm sure everyone's closely going to watch, and everyone's going to be closely watching on TV as well. You know, I think that everybody's tuning into this because you want to see if he brings the juice, what he's about, his first game, pitching as a Dodger, all of a sudden, it's the hottest ticket to get. So we got that announcement. I mean, yesterday, right? Wasn't it yesterday? Like damn, Shohei's going to pitch just like that. We've been seeing him warm up obviously since. But I think even an NBA Game five where it's all tied up and you got young superstars playing big takes a backseat to Shohei Otani. That's how massive he is and that's how great he is for baseball.

[Danny G]

I would have told you there's no way in the world a baseball story in June would be more on a lot of people's radar than the NBA Finals Game 5 when it's tied up to a piece.

[Covino]

Yeah. People are also supposed to be excited that Giancarlo Stanton is coming back after all the elbow problems. His first game in over 70 games. He's missed the entire season. And you remember the postseason he had last year. He played big.

[Danny G]

Doesn't your girlfriend like him too?

[Covino]

I mean, I think all women like him.

[Danny G]

Is the best butt in baseball.

[Covino]

Your wife probably likes him too. She just doesn't tell you. But he's the oldest 35 year old in baseball. 429 home runs. He had 27 dongs last year and he played big in the postseason. He makes his return to the already stacked Yankees lineup. And honestly, aside from me, no one gives a diddly squat. And I get it because Shohei Ohtani makes his return against the Padres.

[Danny G]

So ask yourself this about Shohei. There's. I. There's too many questions. I'm going to give you five. Number one. Is it bigger than the NBA Finals? Game five is a crucial game five in the NBA. Taking a backseat to the return.

[Covino]

Yes.

[Danny G]

Of the biggest star in baseball returning to the mound in a, you know, relatively meaningless.

[Covino]

We'll take temperature tonight. We'll see all the highlights. You'll see social media, you'll see what's trending. And it's going to be Shohei because of his worldwide dominance and how people love the guy and how big he is for baseball and for the Dodgers. And to see him become the two way player that everyone was pumped for him to be and how pumped we were to see as a Dodger. It all starts tonight. Remember, he won with the Dodgers. He played his ass off last year, but we never seen him on the mount as a Dodger yet. So think of the greatness he brought as a hitter to the Dodgers. Can you bring that same greatness as a pitcher?

[Danny G]

That's ridiculous MVP greatness, World Series champion greatness.

[Covino]

That's what I mean. So like, all right, let's see what he has now. So it absolutely takes precedence over a game five, which sounds ridiculous, but that's just my prediction. That's my feeling because I mean, we've already had a competitive series. So far it's tied at 2. And I mean, I don't think everyone's that pumped about it. We are. It's been a great series. This is where stars are born. This is where legacies begin and dynasties begin. I get it.

[Danny G]

I've never claimed to be a die hard NBA fan, so I'll tell you straight up honest. I'm way more excited to see Shohei take the mound tonight.

[Covino]

I was a little fired down that it's like a two inning maximum, but that's expected. Yeah, I mean, I. But I thought maybe they'd give him, depending on how he pitched a pitch count as opposed to innings.

[Danny G]

I'm pretty sure you could still check out both. But if you're asking me what I'm genuinely more excited about, I'd be lying if I'm like, man, NBA game five, I'll watch. But I am intrigued to see what Shohei Ohtani does tonight. Dodger on the mound against a division rival. Like, I know it's June, but it's exciting.

[Spot]

Danny G. Yeah, I can't wait for it. Although I am nervous because you saw him hit those couple home runs against the Giants the other day and he's in his own. Yeah. You do not want the flow to be interrupted as far as his bat goes or. Or his legs stolen bases.

[Danny G]

My list of questions is applicable to you and a Dodgers fan. So follow me here. Okay. When it comes to Shohei Ohtani tonight returning first time pitching for the Doyers, is it because he wants it? Is it because the fans want it? Is it because the Dodgers want to get, quote, their money's worth?

[Spot]

I think they've already got their money.

[Danny G]

Is it because the Dodgers, he wants.

[Covino]

He wants it because the fans want him. If you're a real Dodgers fan, yeah, there's intrigue there and you're rooting for him, but you want him to be healthy and safe. You want no injuries, no risks. You don't want to mess with something that's already working. So I think the real fan, the real Dodgers fan, it's not for them. The casual fan or the baseball fan, I should say, like me, I think we're intrigued because hell yeah, let's see it. But this is all because he wants to be that guy, because he can be that guy.

[Danny G]

And then the next question is, with the Dodgers currently being one of the best teams in baseball, do they need it? And then the final question is, is it all those combined and just overall good for baseball? And that answer is, obviously, yes.

[Spot]

Well, right now, they do need it because they are so injured in the starting pitcher slash bullpen category that, you know, to have an Ohtani out there is only good right now. But in the long term, you just hope that none of these ugly injuries rear their heads ever again because he's had not one, but two surgeries on that elbow. So you just. You just pray that there's not going to be anything bad that comes from this.

[Covino]

This goes back to one of our famous examples here, and it's the question, yeah, you guys remember when Farrah Fawcett died? The answer is probably no, because it was overshadowed by when Michael Jackson passed away. Michael Jackson gets all the attention, all the headlines. And even though, hey, we miss Farrah Fawcett and she was a legend and all that. Yeah, Michael Jackson took precedent over everything, right? So he takes. He takes the headline, and unfortunately, Farrah Fawcett takes the backseat to this story. Shohei is the biggest story of the night. Everything else, giancarlo Stanton, Game 5, the NBA Finals, everything else that happens between now and then takes a backseat to that. That's how big it is. And again, not just in the world of baseball and here in America or worldwide. That's the difference. He's that much of a megastar. And that answers your question, again, Rich, about the Dodgers want what they pay for. They've already gotten their money. They got it back last year.

[Danny G]

I just wonder, is there anyone that's like, man, we paid him 70mil to pitch and hit. Is that even a sentiment? Or is like, no, no, no. We have Shohei Otani.

[Spot]

Had they not won the World Series, you might hear some of that. But I think that put it to.

[Covino]

Bed, and he's proven to be the star everybody wanted him to be. The guy is. He's a. He's a freak. He really is a freak of nature. And that's why everyone's tuned in and everyone's excited to see, hey, he might get rocked. We just want to see, like, yo, is he dominant or is he a little sus right now? Is he going to get rocked by the Padres? You don't. Keep in mind, you don't think the Padres have something to say about this? You don't Think that they're getting together and they're like, yo, man, we played today. We win today. That's it.

[Danny G]

You're a big baseball fan. I am. Danny is. Matt just hit us up in Minnesota at Covino R. He goes, you guys are. Because you guys are nuts to think Ohtani pitching trumps the NBA Finals.

[Covino]

It does. It does.

[Danny G]

I, I think it does.

[Covino]

I, I, I, I don't think there's any question I, I understand the magnitude of a Finals versus a regular season game.

[Danny G]

I think it's up for debate. I mean, yeah, there's NBA fans that are like, you serious? You know, I will say this.

[Covino]

If it was like a winner, go home sort of game, then, yeah, now we're talking. This is a game five, crucial game. It's a crucial game five, but it's not, hey, someone's winning tonight.

[Spot]

It's not game seven.

[Covino]

Yeah, it's not a game seven cove.

[Danny G]

You gave the Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson analogy. And that's just life, Right? Like, whatever's going on in your world, you don't need to be a celebrity, a mega superstar in sports or entertainment, but your news is only as big as what else is going on in everyone's world. Like, for instance, you could say if someone unfortunately passes away on the same day as a bigger celebrity, they're not going to get the headline. I always call it the office drunk at the office party scenario. If you're drunk at the hump at the company, like, holiday party, if someone's more drunk and they're, like, humping random strangers and they're, like, doing toast and falling off the tables, no one will remember that you were a drunk fool at the party, because that's the drunkest fool. And, and I think that sometimes you're just comparing yourself to what's the biggest story, because right now we were on.

[Covino]

A plane with O.J. simpson, which is a true story. We were on a plane with O.J. simpson, and we said, man, if this plane goes down because of karma, we're like a, we're barely a blurb. It's like OJ Simpson dies from karma in a plane crash.

[Spot]

On board two national radio hosts.

[Danny G]

And they would have misspelled you like. And also Steve Corvino and Convino and Rick.

[Covino]

Yeah, and we're also on the flight. No one cares at that point, you know? So, again, I think, again, this is our prediction. We're not guaranteeing it. This is our prediction. We'll see how the public feels about it tonight. That's the fun of it. Are you going to see more coverage and headlines? I mean, everybody's algorithm's different, but are you going to see more coverage and excitement for Shohei back or a game 5?

[Danny G]

Check social media and I'll tell you why. Because ESPN all of a sudden hates baseball and they, you know, I wonder why they lick the sweat off the basketball shoes of the NBA.

[Covino]

They probably hate the fact that ratings are growing everywhere and their contract is up. They're done with baseball. So bad timing for them. That's like, that's like when you break up with a girl and then she gets real hot afterward.

[Danny G]

I broke up with a girl once and she got huge boobs after we broke up.

[Covino]

Baseball has huge boobs down. ESPN's like, Ah, man.

[Spot]

This may change with a game winning shot tonight.

[Danny G]

Hang out one more time.

[Covino]

Well, that's, that's also the fun of our, fun of our conversation. Danny. Well, I was going to say if basketball has like a nail biter overtime game, that could be cool.

[Spot]

But over the weekend, over, over the weekend I saw more clips and I got hit up with more text messages about that Lance Stevenson, Dwight Howard fight. Me too in the big three than I did game four in the NBA Finals.

[Covino]

People like drama show, man. That was, that was a really cool moment. Again. It was, it was an ugly scene. But when you see Dwight Howard and Lance Stevenson going at it, into the stands wrestling, people love that. People love that. So yeah, I saw the same thing. What are people going to be buzzing about? That's really what we're asking you. And what do you care most about? Well, remember, we're not Dodgers fans.

[Danny G]

Hey, little tortilla boy.

[Covino]

Danny is.

[Danny G]

And I said that respectfully because I'm comparing you to, as you love to call her, the little tortilla girl. Hardshell or soft shell? Why not Both. I look at it this way. It's a Monday, which would normally be like a Monday. Now you got Monday Funday.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Danny G]

You got Shohei pitching and game five. So if anything you can't bitch and complain. You got two cool things to watch tonight.

[Covino]

And I got a nudie magazine when I woke up in the mail today.

[Danny G]

That's nudie magazine day.

[Covino]

Yeah. So Monday Funday.

[Danny G]

Perfect. I will listen. We're going to, we'll take your feedback. What's a bigger story to you, Shohei or. Oh yes, NBA Finals Game 5. Troy Aikman's in the news and has to do with gambling in the NFL and I sort of feel what he's saying. So we'll talk a little NFL. And of course, the big news today. Joey Chestnut is back.

[Covino]

What's the bigger headline? Joey Chestnut's back Show Hayes back or John Carlos Stanton's back?

[Danny G]

I see. I. You know, we're going to have to talk to him about it because we got Joey Chestnut, hot dog champion. He'll be on the show in about 40 minutes. Chiming in so all coming up right here on Fox Sports Radio.

[Covino]

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[Danny G]

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[Covino]

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[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Covino]

Danny G. Yes, I'm still fly. The flyest of them all. The smoothest, most buttery voice in all the land. Danny G's on the phones.

[Danny G]

I'll give you. I'll buy you a coffee and a salad for lunch tomorrow if you could tell me who sings this song.

[Covino]

I'm not playing your goofy game just because you know it's big timers.

[Danny G]

Thank you, Danny G. You don't get a salad, though. I'll get you a coffee, though.

[Covino]

Like, ask questions that you know the answer to and act like you're smart about it.

[Danny G]

That Alex Trebek made a career of that. Rest in peace.

[Covino]

Yeah, exactly. Who are you? Alex Trebek.

[Danny G]

Alex Trebek. His job was to make it look.

[Covino]

Like he knew Alex Trebault.

[Danny G]

Yeah.

[Spot]

You, Alex Trebault, are big timers with a Y.

[Covino]

Rich Davis loves to like. Only next time I know something that I know he won't know, I'll offer him a salad and a coffee to see if he does.

[Danny G]

Who? Salad and coffee doesn't go well together. You're right when I said it sounds.

[Sam]

Like a Trip to the bathroom.

[Danny G]

All right, so I try to get flushed out before our big party.

[Covino]

I know the song, but I didn't know the performer. Live from the FOX Sports radio studio. For over 40 years, Tire Rack has been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive ship fast and free. Backed by free road hazard protection with convenient installation options like mobile tire installation. Tire Rack, Tire Rack.com the way Tire buying should be. Thanks again to our friends at Tire Rack. Now we're gonna get to some phone calls. Danny G's on the phones. 87799 on Fox. Standbyers on standby with your updates. Thank you guys for hanging out with Covino and Rich partying in Vegas this week. Live broadcast on Friday from Circa. So tune in. You gotta time out your announcements. It happens in life all the time. You don't want to announce your wedding right when your brother announces birth of his son. You know what I mean? Like, you gotta time out your announcements. Giancarlo Stanton's return is being trumped by Shohei's return. Shohei's return is trumping Joey Chestnut's return. Or is it? We'll find out when he stops by. We're saying that Shohei trumps everything. Everything takes a backseat to Shohei, including game five tonight, NBA Finals.

[Danny G]

I feel bad sometimes there will be a celebrity wrapped up in a scandal that isn't really that juicy, but nothing else is going on. And you know, and you know that they're praying like, please, something happened. Like there was, there was something recently where we're like, wow, that's getting a lot of attention. And Kavino and I said to each other, oh, you know, they're praying for something crazy to happen. And then something did.

[Covino]

I.

[Danny G]

Don't you remember what I'm talking about? I think.

[Covino]

Right. Yeah, it was. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about, but I'm not saying it. Let's go to the phones at 87799 on Fox. Let's talk to Alex in Phoenix. Does show hey take precedence over anything else going on tonight or are we just buying into the show? Hey, hype, the finals are still the finals. What are your thoughts?

[I]

I mean, it's a technicality, but he probably won't pitch the whole game.

[Covino]

So he won't. They said one or two innings.

[I]

Yeah, I mean, one or two innings. I think for that they will peak there. But I mean, Tyres Halliburton's done a hell of a job. Like every team is one on the opposing team's court. So I think it's 50. 50. I mean, I do want to give you guys credit, though. I didn't have this on my bingo card. A Pablo Francisco and Billy Madison reference in the same sentence before you guys went to break.

[Danny G]

That was.

[I]

That was pretty damn good.

[Covino]

We're big Pablo fans. We are. And that's no joke.

[Danny G]

We did give a Pablo Francisco.

[Covino]

You called me the little tortilla boy.

[Danny G]

Yeah, Little tortilla boy. And we made a Billy reference. Billy Madison, Nudie magazine day reference. That's the show, Alex. You got. You get us.

[Covino]

Yeah, you do get us. Thank you, Alex.

[Danny G]

Thanks, buddy boy. Now, enjoy your Monday night, because again, I said we're just all the winners here, right? Because you could say, what's more important? How about the fact that on Monday night in June, you had the return of Shohei and Game five on the same night. Congrats to you. Enjoy your Monday. Now, there was a story about Troy Aikman.

[Covino]

Oh, I know. He's the white Jay Z.

[Danny G]

That story, I can't get that out of my head.

[Covino]

I know. Every time I see his face, I think then it is like when they.

[Danny G]

When. So whoever thought of that, where they put Jay Z and Troy Aikman side by side, you're like, yo, he's the white Jay Z. It is uncanny. It's weird. It's like, you ever see David Schwimmer with Nick Cage's face on it and it looks like even more like David Schwimmer.

[Covino]

I have, actually, yeah. Legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman says the NFL owes it to the fans who gamble on football to make sure the refs make the right calls. Quote, there's a lot of money that's changing hands with all these calls. I think we owe it to the fans that we get it right. And I think we're at a point in time where we can. We can get it more right, according to Troy Aikman. So we ask you, does he have a point? And I think he has a stellar point. Incubus style. I think he makes a great point. And as Mike, who runs this place, even said, and I hate agreeing with Mike, but he's right, that guy.

[Danny G]

I mean, Mike, yeah.

[Covino]

It's as simple as if we're at the point in time where we have the technology to see the right call at home, how in the world could you justify not getting it right on the field?

[Danny G]

There is on planet Earth more infuriating than when you're sitting at home and they show A camera angle. It's like the ball across the plane. And they don't rule that on the field. Remember we learned last year that the network had some camera angles that New York didn't have. I'm not dreaming this. This did happen last year, remember we. We found out that. Wait, wait, you tell me. The replay center doesn't have the camera angles that I believe Amazon had for a Thursday night game. Damn buyer, right?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, yeah. And this is honestly, guys, why I love coaches challenges so much. Because put it on them, put it on the coaches for wasting a silly challenge, otherwise games would take forever. I get that it's infuriating when you're seeing an angle that we haven't seen. And I felt like there was. I don't know if it was like a goaltend call or some call maybe in a Lakers series where LeBron was saying like, yeah, how did they get that camera angle or whatever it was. But there seems to be camera angles everywhere. But when it comes to missed calls, it's actually why I like the challenges. Because it puts the onus. Not on the officiating, on the coaches to be able to correct something that could be so egregious.

[Danny G]

To your point, I think getting it right is like just the basic fundamentals. Like, I get it. We like the human element, right? You love that human element.

[Covino]

Of course, gambling has changed that. Because if they're gonna lean into gambling as a source of income and everyone's on board and everyone's in on the action, and we know that was a bad call, it only looks corrupt from their standpoint by not using the technology available to get it right. It's like, well, if you got so many people who have money on this, how could you not?

[Danny G]

You don't want to slow down the games. And I get that. But there was a play the other night, and again, I'm sorry if I'm referencing a Mets game, because that's what I was watching. There was a ball that went off the bat, foul tip. And in the booth, Gary, Keith and Ron saw it, fans saw it, the replay showed it. But it's a non reviewable call. And then you got to ask yourself, well, why not? If all of us watching money on.

[Covino]

Something stupid like that, all of us.

[Danny G]

Were watching and we're like, yeah, the, the. You saw the trajectory of the ball change because it hit slightly off the bat. If we all saw it, how on the field could they be like, nope, ball.

[Rich Davis]

Well, games could take five hours then.

[Danny G]

That's why I do like the limit on the. On the challenges.

[Rich Davis]

That's. And that's the point that I bring up as well as. It's not as much about the missed call. It's about the coaching having the ability. And I understand how you're saying, like, some calls aren't reviewable. Like, that gets frustrating. That's why I thought the face mask penalty, which I've been an advocate of years, of course you could see it. And it actually was finally brought up this year as possibly being something that they would review. Then it ended up not happening with the owners this off season. But something like that doesn't need an official to go to the sideline and look at something or an umpire to sit there and hear what's happening. He can get the message from New Jersey or New York or wherever it is and then just say penalty and move on.

[Danny G]

But nothing makes me happier. Dan, when you are watching a football game and they make that quick adjustment on the fly because, oh, you know, hey, we saw. We quickly saw something. We change it with no need to stop down the game for minutes at a time. No need to go to a replay. Hey, we saw it. We got it wrong. We got it right. Now let's move on with the game.

[Covino]

I also think the main point that Aikman makes, the best point, is that we owe it to the fans. If you're relying on the fans to support these sponsors, and the sponsors are gambling websites, which has been a major source of income for so many sports talk radio shows and leagues, then you got to get it right for the fans, because they're seeing it and it's an injustice to them. We're seeing it from home, so the technology's there. It only makes sense to get it right for the fans. So I completely agree with Troy Aikman. And who cares about the human element? It's not about the win or the loss anymore. It's about the millions of dollars that people are making and the millions of dollars that fans are now spending to get it right.

[Danny G]

I always find it funny when pride got in the way.

[Covino]

It's just weird that this is what. This is what's causing the change to happen.

[Danny G]

Money.

[Spot]

Yeah.

[Covino]

Gambling.

[Danny G]

Yeah, exactly. I. I always found it funny when there was, like, a weird pride in an official or someone knowing they got it wrong, but they stuck by their guns. That, to me, is like, because even if you're playing rec sports or, you know, your kids playing little league or, you know, pal basketball, you ever see, like, a referee or someone get the call wrong? But Everyone that everyone else there saw it, like, oh, he tagged him. And you're like, nah, he missed him by a good two feet. If everyone, if even the other teams, like, yeah, blue, it was, you know, he missed him.

[Covino]

Nope, out.

[Danny G]

Like your. Your pride is that strong that I am bigger than the game. It's so weird to me. But, hey, Troy Aikman's got something there by saying, get it right, let's do. You must have been mad.

[Covino]

I know.

[Danny G]

I'm calling about a. I'm calling out a random play. But earlier in the year, your dude Frankenstein himself, number 99, Aaron Judge, hit a home run. But they're like, foul ball. And upon replay, it was so fair.

[Covino]

I mean, it happened this weekend. You saw double ejection from Aaron Boone. Aaron Boone was ejected and DJ LeMay, who ejected for the first time in his career because there was a ball that appeared to be fair and it was just too close to overturn. But, you know, they at least reviewed it. Yeah, but he complained about it. He got tossed. So, look, get it right is the point. And I see no shame and no crime in that, especially when you have all this money on the line nowadays.

[Danny G]

And with all the robots we have. All right, hey, let's take your feedback, but first, let's go to Dan Byer. He's got an update. Dan Byer, what's going on, buddy?

[Rich Davis]

Guys, you're talking about Ohtani. You're talking about game five and this overshadowing that. Maybe Gage Wood overshadowed everybody on this Monday, the 1 2.

[Danny G]

He's ready to get a mess greatness from Gage.

[Rich Davis]

A no help, a no hitter at the College World Series, the third ever, the first since 1960.

[Covino]

19 Ks.

[Rich Davis]

Yes, 19 strikeouts today, Arkansas topping Murray State three nothing missed a perfect game because he beamed a batter. But I think Arkansas is happy to move on as it was an elimination game, but even more happy that history was made today in Omaha. Gage wood with the 19 strikeout no hitter as the Razorbacks top Murray State and eliminate the Racers from the men's College World Series. You guys talked about it. Dodger star Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound tonight for the first time since 2023 as he'll be the starting pitcher for LA against the Padres. Ohtani, by the way, the leading vote getter in the NL for next month's All Star game in Atlanta, the aforementioned Aaron Judge leading all voters with more than 1.5 million votes in the American League. Yankees did activate John Carlos Stanton from the IL while the Astros placed Spitzer Lance McCulloughs Jr. On the injured list because of a sprained foot. Tonight's broadcast on ABC of Game 5 of the Finals include the announcement of the team starting lineups. ESPN says it's the first time the lineups have been included in the broadcast since 2013. Suns forward Kevin Durant has no desire to play in Minnesota. That's according to espn. Timberwolves were on the original list of five possible destinations but did not make the list of three preferred destinations for Durant. Guys, back to you, damn buyer.

[Danny G]

You bring up Aaron Judge and his popularity. Number one in vote. Getting so funny. I saw the funniest interaction over the weekend at my kids baseball game. So like maybe like an older grandpa in the stands, he's like, every kid's got a number 99. Each team has someone that's 99. They must love the Wild thing Rick Vaughn. And someone goes like, hey Frank, Aaron Judge is 99. Oh, damn, that's right. Old guy thought it was because of Wild thing Rick Vaughn. I was like, they're all five and six. It's Aaron Judge and the 17. That's not Keith Hernandez. It's Shohei Ohtani.

[Covino]

So showtime tonight.

[Danny G]

Showtime tonight. Hey, we got more Covino and Rich right here on Fox Sports Radio.

[Covino]

Is that the wild thing? We are Covino and Rich, but of course Rich is hobnobbing in the hallway. We are live from the Fox Sports Radio studio. Covino and Rich. And it's time for our tire rack play of the day. 34 year old JJ Spawn made his Sam Dimas High School and San Diego State proud to win the US Open.

[J]

At Oakmont, one of the hardest, if not the hardest test in major championship golf. For the win, J.J. spahn. Ball up and over the ridge. It's on a very good line. This could go in. J.J. spahn makes it. It's the biggest moment of his career. J.J. spahn conquers Oakman and is your 125th U.S. open champion.

[Danny G]

I haven't seen a shout like that since Gilmore McGavin in 94.

[Covino]

JJ spawn his first major championship. That's courtesy of PGA Tour Radio. And that's our tire rack play of the day.

[Danny G]

And for over 40 years Shoota Tire rack has been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive ship fast and free. Backed by free road hazard protection, convenient insulation options like mobile tire insulation, tire act.com the way tire buying should be.

[Covino]

All right, so welcome back to the show Graham program. In about 10 minutes we welcome the guy who makes his triumphant return. Not Shohei Otani, not Giancarlo Stanton. Joey Chestnut, the Goat superstar, the Goat. He'll be here to tell us how it happened, what to expect, and more. But wrapping up this Troy Aikman thought of. We owe it to the fans to get the calls right.

[Danny G]

Yeah.

[Covino]

With all the money trading hands and all the gambling going on, you see.

[Danny G]

This all the time. When money, sponsors and. And powerful people get involved, all of a sudden, that's when things change.

[Covino]

Yeah. It doesn't matter why the change was made, as long as it's made right. I think people are also like, man, we had the technology and the ability to get it right for a minute now, but because. Because of gambling, now we're going to, like, try to enforce this. And again, this is just speculation from Troy Aikman, but, yeah, who cares if we get it as long as we get it right? I think that we all just want it to be right without wasting time. Like Dan Byers, Is there a call.

[Danny G]

That or a play in any sport that you wish was reviewable, but you know that it would be a slippery slope? Remember pass interference, Danny G. Where we realized, well, man, you could almost sort of call pass interference on any play? I feel like you can't challenge holding. I almost feel like if you also challenged face mask, it has to be. Has to be egregious. Like, I think if. Like, if you grab someone's mask for a half a second, like, is it.

[Covino]

Really reason there's still human element involved? Because the initial. Well, in baseball, for example.

[Danny G]

Right.

[Covino]

If you. If it's. The evidence is not good enough to overturn, then you stick with the original call. So it just matters on what they called and how it pans out.

[Danny G]

And there's. Is there enough evidence to overturn to overturn it?

[Covino]

Right. So there's still human element involved.

[Spot]

Yeah. And speaking of money being involved, Chet, he texted us. He said if a cashier gives you the wrong change, you don't say that's the human element. You say it's a mistake and you want it to be corrected.

[Covino]

Yeah. Especially when it's your money on the line. Right.

[Danny G]

What if they give you too much change?

[Spot]

Well, that's different.

[Covino]

That's fine. You know, you just look over your shoulders, make sure no one saw, and you walk away. All right, so I'm on team Troy Aikman as far as getting it right in the NFL and all sports.

[Danny G]

In fact, I'm just looking at the all star balloting so far for baseball. Your boy Paul Goldschmidt, leading first baseman.

[Covino]

I mean, dude's having a season, having a season. He's a Hall of Famer. You look at his numbers, you're like, damn.

[Danny G]

And to prove my point earlier, and Dan Byer in the update said leading vote getter, Aaron Judge. He really is. He really is. You know, I mean, he had a.

[Covino]

Bad weekend, but he's a another circus freak. Everything he hits, he destroys.

[Danny G]

So enjoy your show. Hey, return tonight. Enjoy your NBA Game five Now. Tonight. You know, they always say whoever wins game five when it's tied to two ends up, you know, most likely winning the whole thing. Do you think that's the case, Danny, or do you see this as just every day? It's like back and forth.

[Spot]

This has felt like a seven game series from the start.

[Danny G]

OKC is almost double digit favorites at home. Game five, the sentiment is all long. They should have been the team. So if they win big tonight, I do wonder, Ken, can Ken Indiana go back for Game 6?

[Covino]

And then that's been the pattern. All right, so on that OKC tip, I just want to let people know that over the weekend, aside from all the sports we were watching and of course how to train your dragon, which was number one, I watched this show called Power Moves with Shaquille o' Neal on Netflix. And Shaq is now the president of Reebok, which he helped build. He helped build that brand with Allen Iverson, who's now the vp. And one of Shaq's priority moves was to get SGA to sign with Reebok. And you see the whole thing play out where SGA resigns with Converse, but sort of blows off Shaq a little bit respectfully.

[Spot]

But yeah, it felt like they didn't have enough money, right?

[Covino]

They didn't have enough money. So they pivot and they start going after G League players like Thinkpate and other guys like that. But if you want to see behind.

[Danny G]

The scenes, oh, that's got to be awkward.

[Covino]

Really cool, because his, his mind was set like SGA before he was mvp. SGA is the guy to take this brand to where it used to be with me. Cool.

[Danny G]

But I don't think the average brand thinks about those awkward situations. Meaning Kavino. If you are a star player, picture it almost like, you know, on the Bachelor. I know I'm making the lamest analogy, but it makes total sense.

[Covino]

You don't need to because you see Shaq go right up to SJ is like, hey man, we need to talk business after the game. We need to talk some business and, you know, it's an honor, but he still has to sort of reject them politely. And he starts ghosting Shaq a little bit. That's the vibe I got.

[Danny G]

I'm saying it's sort of like dating, like free agency and stuff like that. Is dating where you. You have to let someone down. And I can only imagine if you're a free agent and you've met with five teams and they're all so confident, like, he's going to come here. You have to tell those four teams, like, I'm sorry, you're just not the one.

[Covino]

Yes.

[Danny G]

And SGA had to tell that to Shaq.

[Covino]

To Shaq. Yeah. And again, really worth the watch. It's a fun watch. It's called Power Moves on Netflix. When you're done with all the great games tonight.

[Danny G]

Nice. Well, we are joined by Joey Chestnut, legendary hot dog eater.

[Covino]

Next.

[Danny G]

Hang tight.

[WebMD Host]

Hear insightful, entertaining discussions on today's important health and wellness topics on the Health discovered podcast from WebMD. Through in depth conversations with experts, Health Discovered covers everything from tips for healthier living to the latest on therapy and mental health.

[Mental Health Expert]

My goal is to really destigmatize mental health treatment and looking at it from a whole health perspective, physical health and mental health can be intertwined.

[WebMD Host]

Listen to WebMD Health discovered on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Covino]

This is an iHeart podcast.