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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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)

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)

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)

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

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.

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.