PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: "Are the Yankees BACK in the Series?"
Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Special Guest: Steve Young

Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the day's most electrifying storylines in sports, headlined by the New York Yankees’ exhilarating comeback against the Toronto Blue Jays. The hosts break down the significance of Aaron Judge’s epic home run, discuss high-stakes meetings within the Philadelphia Eagles, weigh in on the Florida Panthers’ chance at an NHL three-peat, and welcome Hall of Famer Steve Young for a deep dive into NFL quarterbacking culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees’ Dramatic Comeback vs. Blue Jays

[00:51 – 04:17]

• Game Recap: Yankees beat Toronto 9–6 to stay alive in the series after coming back from being down 6–1 by the third inning.

  • Key Moment: Aaron Judge’s towering three-run homer off the left field foul pole, tying the game.
  • Yankees relievers then shut down Toronto for the final six and two-thirds innings.

• Wilbon’s View:

  • Describes Judge’s homer as "Ruthian or it's the natural—take either one" (01:46), emphasizing not just the impact but also the sheer spectacle:

    "Tony, it was majestic. ... I was watching by myself and started screaming."

  • Elevates the moment as Judge’s "signature," though noting he still hasn’t had the postseason success of Yankee legends.

• Kornheiser’s Analysis:

  • Admits he thought the Yankees were "pretty much lost early," but credits their quick comeback and the bullpen's newfound resilience:

    “The word that I would have used for the Yankees is determination. I would have said collective determination, and I would have included the bullpen." (03:10)

  • Cites the stat: Toronto was previously “39–0 this year when they had leads of five runs or more” (03:17).

• Notable Quotes:

  • Wilbon (01:46): “It's Ruthian or it's the natural—take either one. ... When he hit that thing, I, I was watching by myself and started screaming...”
  • Kornheiser (03:10): “The word that I would have used for the Yankees is determination. I would have said collective determination, and I would have included the bullpen.”

2. Philadelphia Eagles’ Locker Room Meeting

[04:17 – 06:37]

• Background: After their first loss, star Eagles players (Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown) held a meeting to address frustrations over touches and targets.

  • Barkley & Hurts say meeting was not contentious.

• Kornheiser’s Perspective:

  • Notes star WR A.J. Brown has been unhappy with his workload (43 yards against Denver; four games under 50 yards after averaging 88 last year).
  • Says team outcomes depend on whether issues are resolved:

    “If they come to resolution and they're all happy, it could be a very big deal. ... Conversely, if it doesn't work out, it could go the other way.” (04:50)

  • Points out the Eagles are 4–1 and the defending champions; not a crisis.

• Wilbon’s Take:

  • Downplays the meeting as "no deal":

    “It's no deal. None...What are you there for if you can't talk?” (05:55)

  • Reminds listeners the Eagles “won 20 out of 22” and are sure playoff contenders.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Wilbon (05:55): “It's no deal. None. ... They should talk about it. It's one loss.”
  • Kornheiser (06:27): “They won 20 out of 22. ... They're not going undefeated.”

3. Florida Panthers Seek NHL Three-Peat & Ring Inscription

[06:38 – 09:09]

• The Florida Panthers, defending Stanley Cup champions, opened their season and had championship rings engraved with: "We apologize to no one."

Wilbon: Skeptical about their three-peat chances: - “I don't give a damn about their rings...The three peat chances. I don't see that either.” (07:06) - Notes even dynasties (Gretzky’s Oilers, recent Penguins, Blackhawks) never pulled it off.

Kornheiser: - Sees the three-peat as extremely unlikely, citing how rare it is in modern sports and how hockey’s unpredictability (bounces, breaks) makes it even harder: > “I think it's harder in hockey than in any other sport, and I think so, because something in hockey is different...Small things change everything.” (08:07) - The “We apologize to no one” inscription is “pretty chesty” but reflects the Panthers’ response to critics who accused them of dirty play.

Notable Quotes:

• Kornheiser (08:07): “I think it's harder in hockey than in any other sport, ... Small things change everything.”
• Wilbon (07:06): “I don't give a damn about their rings. The three peat chances. I don't see that either.”

4. NFL Quarterback Play: Interview with Steve Young

[11:11 – 18:22]

A. Kyle Shanahan’s Quarterback-friendly Offense

[11:11 – 12:49]

• Steve Young: Explains how innovative coaches like Kyle Shanahan have made the quarterback ‘job’ easier to execute by system design:

  • Shares an anecdote about play call security:

    “He says, you didn't mention blitz, Kyle, you didn't say anything about blitz. He goes, oh no, it's good against everything.” (11:34)

  • Notes Shanahan’s ability to “draw out the full measure” of any QB, contributing to the success of Garoppolo, Purdy, and recently Mac Jones.

• Why Not Every Team?

  • Only a handful of coaches are true innovators and can continue to reinvent themselves week after week:

    “That's why you're a genius coach. ... there's not 32 genius coaches.” (12:49)

B. Quarterbacks & Accountability (Mike McDaniel/Tua Tagovailoa)

[13:30 – 15:11]

• Wilbon asks if it's fair to hold all QBs equally accountable per Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.
• Young: Emphasizes the immutable truth of quarterbacking:
  • “The truest truth is the quarterback. The ball was in my hands, and now it's in their hands. ... You young players, watch your language after a losing game..." (14:22)
  • Praises leaders who use "words of accountability, not mitigation."

C. Trevor Lawrence's ‘Panic’ Touchdown Scramble

[15:11 – 16:47]

• Wilbon: Cites Lawrence's admission he was “panicking” as he stumbled twice before scoring a crucial TD.
• Young: Relays his own experience as a scrambling QB and credits Lawrence's resilience despite the chaos:
  • “Weird stuff happens on the football field...It’s a closer’s league. ... Who can close in the last few seconds is going to win.” (16:20)

D. On Being on a Losing Team (NY Jets 0–5)

[16:47 – 18:18]

• Kornheiser: Asks about the pain of being on a team that just can't win.
• Young: Highlights the difference between "losers" and losing, referencing respected ex-teammates on his old Tampa Bay teams and the negative impact of toxic team culture:
  • “I was playing with incredibly inspiring people. We just. The culture of the place was not good.” (17:55)
• Notable Quotes:
  • Steve Young (14:22): “The truest truth is the quarterback. The ball was in my hands, and now it's in their hands. ... Use words of accountability.”
  • Steve Young (16:20): “It’s a closer’s league. ... Who can close in the last few seconds is going to win.”
  • Steve Young (17:55): “I wasn’t playing with losers. I was playing with incredibly inspiring people.”

5. Rapid Reactions & Big Finish (Variety of Quick Takes)

[23:31 – 25:27]

• Docuseries on Bill Belichick at UNC Canceled

  • Kornheiser: “No specific reason was given. ... They stink in a way you and I did not think was possible.” (24:01)

• NFL Disciplinary News

  • Cardinals fine coach Jonathan Gannon $100k for conduct towards a player.

• Quarterback Notes

  • Bengals start Joe Flacco; Wilbon and Kornheiser skeptical of any meaningful impact.
  • Browns QB debate (Stefanski not committing to Shador Sanders).

• Baseball (Phillies vs. Dodgers)

  • Kornheiser leans Dodgers.

• WNBA Finals (Aces at Mercury)

  • Wilbon roots for Mercury at home.

• Closing Repartee:

  • Wilbon throws a playful jab at Cleveland’s football legacy (“...they’re irrelevant forever and evermore with that franchise.” – 24:54)
  • The hosts end on their trademark “Knuckleheads!” banter.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wilbon, on Aaron Judge's Home Run (01:46):
  "It's Ruthian or it's the natural—take either one... Tony, it was majestic. ... I was watching by myself and started screaming."

• Kornheiser, on the Yankees' Win (03:10):
  “The word that I would have used for the Yankees is determination. I would have said collective determination, and I would have included the bullpen.”

• Wilbon, on Team Meetings (05:55):
  "It's no deal. None. ... They should talk about it. It's one loss."

• Steve Young, quarterback accountability (14:22):
  “The truest truth is the quarterback. The ball was in my hands, and now it's in their hands... Use words of accountability.”

• Steve Young, losing teams (17:55):
  “I wasn’t playing with losers. I was playing with incredibly inspiring people. We just. The culture of the place was not good.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Yankees Comeback Discussion: 00:51 – 04:17
• Eagles Locker Room Meeting: 04:17 – 06:37
• Panthers Three-Peat Talk: 06:38 – 09:09
• Steve Young Interview:
  • Shanahan Offense: 11:11 – 12:49
  • QB Accountability: 13:30 – 15:11
  • Lawrence’s Scramble: 15:11 – 16:47
  • Losing Teams: 16:47 – 18:18
• Big Finish and Variety Reactions: 23:31 – 25:27

Tone & Flow

The episode features the fast, witty, and sometimes combative banter typical of PTI. Quotes are direct and conversational, often punctuated with humor and sharp opinion. Steve Young brings insightful, reflective, and motivational commentary, particularly on team culture and leadership.

Summary Takeaway

This PTI episode was a rollercoaster of sports emotion, with the Yankees’ remarkable comeback serving as the centerpiece—a moment both hosts agree could redefine their postseason. The show transitions effortlessly between sports, combining sharp statistical insight, colorful personality, and a timely, wide-ranging discussion with Steve Young. For those who missed it, the episode captures urgency, resilience, and drama both on and off the field, making it a classic, quintessential PTI experience.