Bigger Night: Raleigh or Ohtani?

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary – "Bigger Night: Raleigh or Ohtani?"

Date: September 17, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Special Guest: Buster Olney (ESPN Senior Writer & Sunday Night Baseball Reporter)

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Overview

In this lively PTI episode, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon debate one of baseball’s hottest nights, weigh in on college football’s temperature in Clemson, and unpack the playoff picture across multiple sports with insightful guest Buster Olney. The show’s central debate: Who had the bigger night in MLB? Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh, who eclipsed Mickey Mantle’s single-season switch-hitter home run record, or Shohei Ohtani, who threw five no-hit innings and hit his 50th homer—joining Babe Ruth in rarefied air. They also cover standout pitching matchups, Dabo Swinney's “hot seat,” wildcard races in baseball, and more—all in the signature, quick-witted PTI style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Had the Bigger Night: Cal Raleigh or Shohei Ohtani?

[01:07] – [04:16]

• Wilbon decisively picks Ohtani for his dual dominance: five no-hit innings and a milestone 50th home run, comparing him to Babe Ruth and underlining his uniqueness in the modern game.
  • “Ohtani went 5 no-hit innings and joined Ruth. Okay, that seems to me to trump everything.” (Wilbon, 01:56)
• Tony leans toward a tie, admiring Raleigh’s historical feat but recognizing Ohtani’s two-way brilliance as singular.
  • “To me, it is a tie. Cal Raleigh…passes Mantle…hits home runs from both sides of the plate… Shohei hits 50…there’s only five guys in the history of baseball who have done that…Griffey Jr., and hello, George Herman Ruth.” (Tony, 02:49–03:18)
• Both acknowledge the rarity and historic impact of the night for both players, urging fans to appreciate the spectacle rather than making definitive rankings.

Notable Quotes

• “My name shouldn’t be in the same sentence with those guys: Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr. I don’t really have words for it.” (Cal Raleigh, shared by Tony, 03:02)

2. AL MVP Race: Judge, Raleigh, or Ohtani?

[04:16]

• Tony prefers Aaron Judge due to his dominance in batting and OPS, despite injury time.
• Wilbon leans toward Raleigh for his value as a catcher, though both agree there are no wrong choices given the seasons in question.

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3. Rookie Pitchers’ Duel: Cade Horton vs. Paul Skenes

[04:44] – [07:31]

• Horton defeats Skenes; discussion of each pitcher’s strengths and rookie-year stats.
  • Wilbon celebrates Cubs’ approach & manager Craig Counsell’s handling of Horton.
  • Wilbon: “If I’m the Cubs, I wouldn’t start Horton in the playoffs. I’d put Shoda Imanaga out there, not put pressure on the rookie.” (05:47)
• Tony gives statistical context, highlights differences in team support and predicts Skenes' ceiling is still higher, primarily due to the Pirates’ lack of offense and Skenes’ dominance in strikeouts and ERA.

Key Statistics

• Horton: 11-4, 2.66 ERA since All-Star break, .093 ERA in last 11 starts
• Skenes: 10-10, 2.03 ERA, 209 K’s, less offensive support from team

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4. Dabo Swinney Under Fire at Clemson

[07:44] – [11:22]

• Following a close Clemson loss, Swinney fires back at critics, suggesting that if Clemson is “tired of winning, they can send me on my way.”
  • “If you don’t believe in us because we've lost two games down to the last play... You weren’t all in anyway.” (Dabo Swinney, quoted by Wilbon, 07:59)
• Tony says the seat is “warm, not hot.” Points to Swinney's track record (national championships, ACC dominance), but notes college football is intensely “what have you done for me lately?”
  • “Since Saban has retired, who you got that’s actually better than Dabo Swinney?” (Tony, 08:21)
• Wilbon argues Swinney is still elite, but concludes, “it’s probably just time” for a change—for both Clemson and Dabo.

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5. Wildcard Races and MLB Stretch Run (with Buster Olney)

[13:07] – [18:08]

NL Wildcard: Can the Mets Survive?

• Buster believes Mets will make it—not because of their play, but because rivals underperformed post-deadline.
  • “Since July 28, the Mets are 16 and 29. Their starters have a 5.39 ERA. If they don’t make the playoffs, it’ll be the biggest collapse in the history of baseball.” (Buster, 13:37–14:14)

AL Wildcard: Guardians Chasing the Sox

• Guardians are dangerous—Red Sox have slid since star Roman Anthony was injured.
  • “Since he got hurt, they’re 4-7…clear they need help. Roman Anthony meant so much to that team.” (Buster, 14:33)

Astros & Injury Bug: Yordan Alvarez

• Alvarez’s injury could devastate Astros’ chance to win the West.
  • “Dusty Baker told me a few years ago, Yordan Alvarez’s swing is so simple... if he can DH, he’ll hit.” (Buster, 15:25)

Cubs’ Playoff Surprise

• Buster says Cubs’ playoff run was predictable due to defense, lineup, and improved pitching after the trade deadline.

Best Postseason Pitching Staff?

• Toronto Blue Jays named deepest staff—rotation features Gausman, Bieber, Bassitt, Scherzer, and dynamism of rookie Treja Savage.
  • “No question about it, the Toronto Blue Jays…the rotation would make teams like the Mets jealous.” (Buster, 17:16)

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6. Rapid Fire / The Big Finish

[23:44] – [24:46]

• Key injury updates:

  • Justin Fields (Jets QB) concussion, Tyrod Taylor to start
  • Jaden Daniels (Commanders) not practicing—both hosts agree on caution
  • Khalil Mack elbow—out for a month, but not season-ending

• Angels: 10th straight sub-.500 season

  • Tony and Wilbon both lament Mike Trout’s wasted prime: “Get him out of there. Free Mike Trout.” (24:31)

• Champions League wrap-up

  • Bayern’s win over Chelsea judged best by Wilbon (24:38)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wilbon on Ohtani’s Night:
  • “No, no, it’s Ohtani…No-hit ball and Babe Ruth.” (01:55)
• Tony on appreciating both stars:
  • “We should be luxuriating. This is tremendous. Tremendous.” (03:55)
• Buster Olney on the Mets’ potential collapse:
  • “If they don’t make the playoffs, it’ll be the biggest collapse in the history of baseball.” (14:14)
• Classic PTI humor:
  • “You live there. Well, not happening in your neighborhood.” (Wilbon, 00:47)
  • “You let Kalen DeBoer suffer in that following…You can go anywhere. How much money would Florida put up? Hundreds of millions of dollars to get the guy, right?” (Tony, 10:24–10:37)
• Historical perspective:
  • “Weaver was rude, crude, wild, obnoxious, obstreperous—a thorough delight and a great manager.” (Tony, 22:03)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32–01:07: Light banter, show preview
• 01:07–04:16: Raleigh vs. Ohtani; AL MVP talk
• 04:44–07:31: Cubs’ Cade Horton vs. Pirates’ Paul Skenes
• 07:44–11:22: Dabo Swinney’s future at Clemson
• 13:07–18:08: Buster Olney: NL & AL Wildcards, injuries, Cubs’ run, best playoff pitching
• 23:44–24:46: Rapid fire: NFL injuries, MLB disappointments, Champions League wrap

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Tone & Style

The episode is classic PTI: quick, funny, stats- and context-rich, full of good-natured sparring and rapid shifts in topic. Tony and Wilbon riff on headlines and stats but routinely return to sports as a spectacle, nostalgia, and culture. Guest Buster Olney keeps it brisk and analytical, matching the hosts’ tempo and wit.

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This summary captures the essential debates, expert insight, and delightful banter that make PTI a must-listen for sports fans—whether you caught the show or missed it entirely.

Transcript

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbach. Tony. Two burglars in bikinis broke into an apartment in the District of Columbia.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser and personally I think we look better in one pieces, don't you?

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, this is this. It's fake news. Is this fake?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know.

[Mike Wilbon]

You live there. Well, not happening in your neighborhood.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not every single story passes by me and I see it.

[Mike Wilbon]

You saw somebody in bikinis, I would want running down the street.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I would certainly want to know a little bit more about that. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, Cade Horton beats bulls.

[Buster Olney]

Yes, sir.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Dabo Sweeney is fed up and Buster only joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with baseball from last night and two huge stars having extraordinary games. Cal Rawley, the big Dumper, hit home runs numbers 55 and 56, going past Mickey Mantle for the most home runs ever in a season by a switch hitter. And tying Seattle's all time one season mark held by Ken Griffey Jr. And Shohei Ohtani hitting home run number 50 after pitching five innings of no hit baseball against the Phillies. Wilbot, who had the bigger night.

[Mike Wilbon]

This is going to be surprisingly easy for me. Ohtani. Five innings of no hit and going for the 50th home run. No, no, it's Ohtani. Look, I have respect for catchers and just what they do when wearing the.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tools of 56 home runs by a.

[Mike Wilbon]

Catcher, called by a catcher. And when you invoke the name Ken Griffey Jr. In Seattle, you gotta bow your head right? But Ohtani went 5 no hit innings and joined Ruth. Okay, that seems to me to trump everything. No hit ball and Babe Ruth. And when you go 50. And by the way, they are their. By the way, is judge or is Dumper gonna be the AL mvp?

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's gotta go to Dumper. You want me to go to that first big dumper? Cause I'll go to that first if you want. And I'll get it out of the way. I could not vote for anybody over Aaron Judge. It's an extraordinary year. He's leading the majors in batting.

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's ops. No, no, no. And look. All right, let me go back to this. Because the question is, who had the bigger night? Yeah. And I hate the question because I can't tell you who. To me, it is a tie. Okay?

[Mike Wilbon]

It is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's a push for me. Okay? So Cal Rawley, he doesn't just pass Mickey Mantle. He passes him in style by hitting home runs from both sides. Both sides of the plate. Okay?

[Mike Wilbon]

He goes Mantle and Griffey.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, that's what I want to say. He passes Mantle. He ties Griffey. These are legendary players in the history of baseball. Here's a quote from Cal Raleigh that you'll like. My name shouldn't be in the same sentence with those guys. Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr. I don't really have words for it. And then as you say, Shohei hits 50. This is two years in a row that Shohei has gone 50 or 50 plus. There's only five guys in the history of baseball who have done that. Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa. We know about them. Ken Griffey Jr. And hello, George Herman Roots.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's why you hat grimping. First of all, people don't even realize how great Griffey was to be in both those lists tonight that we're talking about this. But when you go Griffey, Ruth, and even if you allow for the asterisk, when you go Sosa, Maguire. A rod. That's why innings.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I just compared Cal Rawley to Griffey and to Mantle. I'd love to be able to do that with Shohei Ohtani. Of other people who have had 50 home runs and more than 50 strikeouts in the same season. There's nobody. There's nobody. So what we should be doing is not saying who had the bigger night. We should be luxuriating. This. This is tremendous. Tremendous.

[Mike Wilbon]

And let's go back real quick. Your MVP in the AL is, I.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Gotta say, Aaron Judge. And I. Am I wrong? Do you think I'm wrong?

[Mike Wilbon]

There's no wrong.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

If I had a vote.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You'd vote for Rawling?

[Mike Wilbon]

I think so. Catcher.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. No, I know. 56 homes dynamic.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know, and the Mariners are a hot team. But judges his total time injured too. Yes. And every time he's good, the Yankees win and the reverse is true. We're not there to lose.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, I agree. I agree.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, it's me again. Yes, it is. Let's stay with baseball here. In a matchup of two young, great pitchers, your boy Cade Horton of the Curbs beat Paul skeens of the Pirates 4 1, getting three runs off Skeens chasing him in the fourth. Horton went five innings, giving up one earn, striking out six. He's now 114 with a 266 ERA. Skeens is now 10 and 10 with a 203 ERA. Wilbon, what does this game say about each pitcher?

[Mike Wilbon]

They're great, but we chased SK after three and two thirds.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We. We.

[Mike Wilbon]

Three and two thirds. What did I tell you yesterday when we left the studio? What did I say on the air? I said, kate, Horton's going to outperform Skeens. And I think that's only a matter. Skeens probably the best pitcher in baseball. But him or Skubal he. Or Skubal Skeens. The Cubs are now working against him. When he's in your division, you've got to learn how to hit. You've got to learn how to take walks and make him throw pitches and get in the pitch sequence. You've got to master all the subtleties. Craig Counsel. Let me give him a tip of the cap. People in Chicago critical of Craig Counsel.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really? Shut up.

[Mike Wilbon]

Anybody critical of Craig Counsel? Sylvie. He knows who I'm talking about. So I think he's done a hell of a job with Cade Horton. I would not start Cade Horton in the playoffs. Three games against the Padres if we're lucky. I wouldn't. I put Shoda Imanaga out there and I would not put the pressure on the rookie. I'd have him pitch second at earliest.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So great that this has become a local show and you're shouting out to Sylvia and warning him that you're smarter than he is. This is another tough question for me because I tend to tune out when you talk about pitchers that you're touting, especially Cub pitchers, except for Ferguson, Jenkins. So let me refer to my notes here.

[Mike Wilbon]

Greg Maris.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. Or Greg Maddox. But most of his fame was in Atlanta. About a month ago, you were touting the Miz and Milwaukee. And I believe. I believe at one point in the show you said you thought he was better than Skeens. And I don't think he is. Okay, but you can tout Horton because here are stats that are great. In his 11 starts since the All Star Game, his ERA is.093. I know he's 11 and 4 on the year. His ERA is 266. That's wonderful. He's going to be rookie of the year. I'm going to stay with Skeens and I'm going to tell you why. Because I think 203 is better than 266. Because I think skeens 209 strikeouts is better than the 95 by Horton. But Horton has pitched more than half the amount of innings as Skeens, and Skeens has more than twice as many. But mostly because Skeens doesn't play for the Cubs. The Cubs are much better than the Pirates. The Pirates this year, no support. 541 runs, lowest in the majors. The Cubs 735. Yes. Skeens is getting 3.35 runs per start and your boy is getting 4.62. He's been great. He's been great. But Skeens last year as a Rookie was even better. 11, 3 and a 1, 9, 9.

[Mike Wilbon]

I think this rookie gives us a chance to do. He gives us a chance to get a second series. He gets us a chance in October. Even if I don't start him to, I'm not putting him out there on the bump to start the playoffs.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, no, no.

[Mike Wilbon]

I got other Matthew Boyd. Even though he didn't do much today, he's an all star. Let's move to college football, where Clemson coach Diablo Sweeney has a message for his critics, his haters. Following Saturday's loss at Georgia Tech, Sweeney told reporters Tuesday, quote, if Clemson is tired of winning, they can send me on my way. But I'm a go somewhere else and Coach Hell, I'm 55. I got a long way to go. And then he added, if you don't believe in us because we've lost two games down to the last play, we're one and two. You weren't all in anyway. Seems Dabo's feeling some heat, Tony. Should he be?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, no. Because he's been to four national championships and he's won two because he's won eight out of the last 10 in the ACC. Because since Saban has retired, who you got that's actually better than Dabo swing? Does he. Does he find himself on a hot seat? Billy Napier of Florida finds himself on a hot seat. Yeah, it's a hot seat. Dabo finds himself on a warm seat. It's not a hot seat. And the reason is because there's no sport that we follow. That's like college football, where it's what have you done for me lately?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, people are crazy. The fan bases are absolutely Sweeney was.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right in everything he said, but it was really whiny. I mean, and he looks sort of unhinged. And there are probably people in Clemson right now who are saying this to themselves. They're saying, you know what? Devil doesn't really believe in a transfer portal. And Dabble's lost a lot more games lately than he used to lose. In fact, he's lost 14 games in the last four seasons, 16 if you count one and two this year. And there was a period of time from 2012 to 2029 seasons where he didn't lose that many games. So maybe the game has passed him by. That's being said. I don't know how publicly, but that's being said.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know what? I'd hire Dabo in a heartbeat.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Who wouldn't, by the way?

[Mike Wilbon]

Florida may hire Dabo in a heartbeat.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Exactly.

[Mike Wilbon]

But you know what? It's probably just time. Probably time for Dabo to go on. This is not, you know, John Robinson staying at, you know, usc. This is not that. This is not Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno. This isn't. It's a different time. Dabou can go somewhere else, make a fan base really, really, really, really excited for a long time, probably win again, just like he said. But it doesn't need to be Clemson. And the people at Clemson can be stupid like the people at Nebraska once were and say, oh, nine, not good enough for us and spend the next 15 years in the wilderness.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It reminds me of when Nick Saban used to give those rat poison speeches. And it reminds me of that because Dabo Sweeney went to Alabama, you know, the smartest thing he ever did. Cuz he could have had that job. He didn't want that job.

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You let Caleb DeBoer suffer in that following. Speaking of that. But you're right, he can go anywhere. How much money would Florida put up? Hundreds of millions of dollars to get the guy right? He's a proven winner. Come on.

[Mike Wilbon]

I am a college football booster.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Take out a checkbook right now for Dabble.

[Mike Wilbon]

We're all stupid and crazy and we have expectations that are out of line and out of whack and we want to fire people and we want to hire people all the time. This sport, it's part of what makes it exciting.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Mike Wilbon]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take a break. Coming up, could the Streaking Guardians catch the Red Sox for the third wild card in the American League? We're going to ask Buster, only.

[Mike Wilbon]

We'll also ask him whether we should expect the Mets to hold on to the same wild card in the National League.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You thought he was whiny, though, didn't you dabble?

[Mike Wilbon]

I liked it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really? Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

I thought he went at em.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, I thought that was kind.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I thought it was a little over the top.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, it was. Everything in college football is over the top.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's talk baseball with our great friend ESPN senior writer and Sunday night baseball reporter Buster Only. Who, as I told you, Wilbon has skills. He can make bagels, he can milk cows, and he can grow potatoes.

[Mike Wilbon]

I can eat potatoes, eat bagels and drink milk.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, there you go. We got that in common, so you're even. Let's start with this, Buster. The Mets have won their last two, but they've only a one and a half game lead on Arizona for the third NL wildcard. Do you believe in the Mets?

[Buster Olney]

I believe, Tony, that they're going to make the playoffs, but not because of how they're playing, but because the team's chasing them. The Giants and the Diamondbacks were sellers at the deadline. Look at the trajectory of the Mets. They make the National League Championship Series last season. They go out and spend $765 million on Juan Soto and. And yet they are crawling toward the finish line in an era in which there's six teams in each league that make the playoffs. Since July 28, the Mets are 16 and 29. Their starters have a 5, 3, 9 era. If they don't make the playoffs, it'll be the biggest collapse in the history of baseball.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Wow.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wow, man, that's a headline.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Wow.

[Mike Wilbon]

Meanwhile, the Guardians, as you know, Buster, have won five straight and have crept within two and a half of the Sox for the third AL wild card spot. Should the Red Sox be nervous at all.

[Buster Olney]

Michael? Absolutely, because they are a very different team since Roman Anthony got hurt. He suffered an oblique in the 35 games before he got hurt, he hit.326. The Red Sox were 22 13. They're rolling along. Since he got hurt, they're 4 7. They're averaging only 3.8 runs per game. You look at the lineup, it's clear they need help. Roman Anthony meant so much to that team. I think it might be a struggle for them to make the playoffs. That's why when we saw Alex Cora, the Red Sox manager, over the weekend, he was saying, hey, let's not talk about October yet. Let's talk about making the playoffs.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right. If we're going to stay with the injury talk for a second, we got to ask about Jordan Alvarez and his ankle sprain, which was so grizzly to watch, and the impact that's going to have on the Astros in these next.

[Buster Olney]

Yeah, it's absolutely devastating at a time when they're trying to win the American League west, trying to beat off the Seattle Mariners. Look, the Houston Astros have suffered more injuries than any contender in baseball. Whether it was Jordan Alvarez for a lot of this year, Jeremy Peny for a long time, Justin Verlander told me this season that the Astros culture has enabled them to overcome some of these injuries. I don't know if they can do it without Yordan Alvarez. I will tell you this. Dusty Baker told me a few years ago, Jordan Alvarez's swing is so simple that if he comes back and he can actually get in the lineup as a dh, he has the ability to make a quick adjustment, a quick return, and he will hit. If he comes back, I'm going to.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Go off book for a Second on this because Wilbon didn't mention it, but we've got to mention it. The Cubs are going to make the playoffs, right? Cubs are cleansed.

[Mike Wilbon]

Have made it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right. Yesterday they made it. Now, is that at. How surprising is that to you, given where they were at the beginning of the season, or did you see this coming for the Cubs?

[Buster Olney]

Oh, you totally saw it coming because of the fact this team is so good defensively and such a deep lineup with the additional Kyle Tucker. Now, as you guys know, since Tucker hurt his finger back in June, he hasn't been the same. You're hoping if you're the Cubs, that down the stretch you get him back maybe at some point and you get that lineup depth again. Their pitching has gotten better, Tony, since the trade deadline. So I think they're going to be a dangerous team going into the postseason.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hope you feel good about that. Yes, I do feel good about the Cubs so much. We'll get you out of here on this. We're going to take the wider view on this. Teams that win the World Series or get to the World Series have to have pitching. It's not just hitting. You have to have pitching. As you survey all the teams in the majors, who has the deepest pitching staff going into October.

[Buster Olney]

No question about it, the Toronto Blue Jays. Think about the rotation that John Snyder, the Blue Jays manager, can run out there. A rotation that would make teams like the Mets jealous. Kevin Gossman and Shane Bieber, who they acquired from Cleveland at the trade deadline. And Chris Bassett and Max Scherzer. And now this kid, Treja Savage came up the other day, was absolutely dominant over five innings in his major league debut, throwing a great splitter. You know that once we get to the postseason, he is going to be a tremendous weapon. Maybe like Francisco Rodriguez in 2002 when he got called up at the end of the year by the Angels and was a difference maker because opposing hitters just didn't know him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Toronto, I would have thought the Dodgers. I would have sat here and thought the Dodgers. Buster, thank you so very much as always.

[Mike Wilbon]

Thank you.

[Buster Olney]

All right, guys, thanks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take one last break. Still to come, a rough night for Wilbon's WNBA playoff picks. I know, man. I got it over.

[Mike Wilbon]

Could the Commanders be without Jaden Daniels on Sunday? I'm gonna surprise you with my take on that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Did you. Did you know as Buster knew that the Cubs would be this good?

[Mike Wilbon]

Did you really? I thought they would have a shot. Not this good, right? He. He. No, Buster knows his stuff. I'm a fan, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I hope. Really? You're a fan?

[Mike Wilbon]

I hope.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I had no idea.

[Mike Wilbon]

Not an analyst.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time people. Happy birthday to a whole lot of people. You're going to recognize those big days. Oh, James Wood, big slugger. He's had a real rough time since the all star game. He's 23. Auston Matthews, who led the NHL in gold in 2024, is 28. Patrick Mahomes, you know him? Yeah, who has three Super bowl rings. He's 30. Jose Ramirez, who is likely to go 3030 this season for the third time, is 33. Alexander Ovechkin, who has scored more goals than anyone ever, is 40. Jimmie Johnson, one of the greatest race car drivers of all time, is 50. Rasheed Wallace, famous for saying both teams played hard. My man, he's fifth one. Rashid Mark Brunel, three time Pro Bowler, is 55. And Phil Jackson, who won one NBA title as a player and 11 as a coach. He's 80.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's even better than what is it the Jim Brown, Michael Jordan birthday or the LeBron tiger in there? A LeBron tiger dating double.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I Think in December, right? In late December.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Pretty good.

[Mike Wilbon]

This is impressive. That's a good list.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy anniversary. Earl Weaver and Bill Haller. This is posthumous. But on this day 45 years ago, the fiery manager and the umpire got into it after Haller called a ball from an Orioles pitcher. Weaver's ensuing tirade resulted in Haller tossing him from the game. This is nothing new for Weaver. He was tossed from at least 91 regular season games, several more in the post season. Three different times Weaver was ejected from both ends of a double header. Ron Luciano personally ejected Weaver from all four games of a minor league series and eight games in the majors. Weaver once spurned an offer by an umpire to see the umpire's copy of the rule book, saying, quote, that's no good. I can't read Braille, unquote. Weaver was rude, crude, wild, obnoxious, obstreperous, a thorough delight and a great manager.

[Mike Wilbon]

He was brilliant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wasn't there. Wasn't that the subject? Weaver and getting tossed of a less filling taste. Great commercial.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Certainly could have been.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wasn't there? It seems like there was. We both got to see Earl Weaver. What was better? Seriously.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, we. Weaver. He owned it. He owned the game.

[Mike Wilbon]

He did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He owned the game. Happy trails to Wilbon's WNBA playoff predictions for last night's games. Willbon, you had the dream. Eliminating the fever in game two last night. Wrong. The Caitlyn Clarkless fever won by 17. And in Seattle, you had the Aces ousting the Storm.

[Mike Wilbon]

Storm.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Wrong again. The Storm snapped the Aces 17 game winning streak. Winning by three. Let's try again for tonight's games. Wilbon, will the Liberty and the Lynx advance?

[Mike Wilbon]

I think the Lynx will advance. I think Phoenix wins at home over Liberty. But let me just say this. Those games were great. Index. I watch both of those games. The Aces loss is surprising. Just the Aces, they just win every game. And so whenever they lose, you're like, oh my God. It's so great to see basketball in Seattle. Hello, NBA. Let me say it again. It's so great to see basketball in that crowd in Seattle. It was thrilling to watch.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So that's what you watched last night?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes, I did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Both of you know what I watched last night?

[Mike Wilbon]

The Nats.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I wanted to watch the Nats. I kept going back. They were in a weather delay. The Nats were broadcasting some game against the Marlins from 20 years ago. And it said on the right hand corner of the screen, weather delay. And I waited at 7. It was a second game of doubleheader it was 7:30, 8, 8:15, 8:39. I said, well then it was raining outside my house. I said, they're not going to play. They started last night.

[Mike Wilbon]

What time?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Close to nine. They finished after midnight last night and lost both ends. Of course they lost both ends.

[Mike Wilbon]

Better end.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I missed it. Let's go to the big finish if we could.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Jets quarterback Justin Fields out with a concussion. Tyrod Taylor will start against the Bucs. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

I just want Justin Fields to be healthy and get some momentum and play. I still root for him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I do.

[Mike Wilbon]

Commander's quarterback Jaden Daniels has yet to practice this week. Are you concerned?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. But it's only game three. I would sit him. I have to keep him healthy because the Raiders beat the Raiders at home.

[Mike Wilbon]

We are on the same page.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You can do that without him?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yep.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Khalil Mack's elbow injury is reportedly not season ending. Is that a big deal?

[Mike Wilbon]

It's still a big deal because it sounds like he's going to miss a month or so and they need Khalil Mack. Come on. Now. The Angels will Finish get this under.500 for the 10th straight season. Your thoughts?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Makes me sad. Mike Trout has disappeared. Get him out of there.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's got to go.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Get him out of there.

[Mike Wilbon]

Free Mike Trout.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Last one. Bayern Munich, Liverpool and PSG all won their Champions League openers today. Who had the best win?

[Mike Wilbon]

They all won at home. Bayern beat Chelsea. So I'm going to go with that as the best one.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is that what you call him? Bayern.

[Mike Wilbon]

Bayern. Dian.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Great. I would have called them by their full name, not just their first name. We're out of time. We'll try and do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Lovon. Same time tomorrow. Knuckleheads fly the W in Chicago. We're back in the playoffs.

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