Biggest Free Agency Moves + NBA MVP Race Heats Up

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary Episode: Biggest Free Agency Moves + NBA MVP Race Heats Up
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon
Release Date: March 11, 2025

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1. NFL Free Agency Moves

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the latest NFL free agency moves that have stirred conversations among fans and analysts alike. Tony Kornheiser outlines some of the most significant transactions:

• CJ Gardner-Johnson: The Eagles' safety has been traded to Houston, raising questions about the Eagles' defensive stability.
• Jonathan Allen: The renowned defensive tackle has moved to Minnesota, prompting discussions on how this will impact the Minnesota defense.
• Daniel Jones: The quarterback has agreed to a one-year contract with Indianapolis, sparking debates about his future and performance.

Mike Wilbon expresses skepticism about the individual moves but emphasizes the collective impact, especially concerning the Eagles. He states, “The totality of moves involving the Eagles does interest me” (01:52).

Tony Kornheiser raises concerns about the Eagles' defense, noting, “So six starters on the Philadelphia defense are either gone or said to be ready to go from a championship defense” (02:59). The discussion highlights the potential vulnerability of the Eagles despite their strong scouting and drafting capabilities.

2. NBA MVP Race Heats Up

Transitioning to basketball, the hosts delve into the heated NBA MVP race. Tony Kornheiser references a recent game where Nikola Jokic outperformed Che Gilgeous-Alexander, leading to Malone's bold statement: “If I put player A and player B on paper, he [Jokic] wins the MVP 10 times out of 10” (06:05).

Mike Wilbon counters by praising Denver's coach Michael Malone, describing him as “one of the convincing, persuasive, commanding leaders in all of sport” (06:23). However, he challenges Malone’s assertion by arguing that team success should influence MVP considerations: “Shay Gilgeous Alexander is the guy who's 11 up. He is the MVP. Hold on, period” (07:11).

The debate intensifies as Kornheiser emphasizes Jokic’s impressive statistics while Wilbon advocates for players like Donovan Mitchell if their teams lead in wins. They discuss the balance between individual performance and team success in determining the MVP, reflecting the ongoing complexity of the race.

3. Baseball Starting Pitching Challenges

Shifting focus to baseball, the conversation centers around Max Scherzer’s proposal to address the starting pitching woes in the league. Scherzer suggests implementing a “qualified starter rule,” where teams would lose the Designated Hitter (DH) privilege unless their starter meets specific criteria: throwing at least six innings, reaching 100 pitches, or limiting runs to four (09:31).

Tony Kornheiser appreciates Scherzer’s initiative but questions whether it addresses the root cause of pitchers' injuries: “The underlying problem is this plague of pitchers getting hurt, which happens because they chase speed and spin” (10:14). He argues for a systemic change in how pitchers are developed and managed.

Mike Wilbon supports Scherzer’s idea, suggesting that it could incentivize teams to prioritize pitching longevity and effectiveness. He adds, “If you do this early enough, you encourage... young people to pitch and not just throw” (12:05). The hosts explore potential outcomes of such a rule, including reduced bullpen reliance and healthier pitchers.

4. JJ Redick's Disappointment with the Lakers

The hosts then discuss JJ Redick’s recent comments following a disappointing Lakers performance. After a loss to the Nets, Redick criticized the team’s communication and commitment: “I think it was a very low level communication game for our team. I don't think being shorthanded is an excuse for the way we play basketball tonight” (15:04).

Tony Kornheiser interprets Redick’s remarks as a sign of good coaching, noting, “JJ Redick zeroed in on a couple of things he wanted to drive home” (16:07). They commend Redick for addressing specific issues rather than deflecting blame onto star players, highlighting his leadership and coaching acumen.

5. Orioles' All-Orange Uniforms

A lighter topic arises with the Orioles unveiling their new all-orange uniforms. Both hosts express strong opinions on the design:

• Tony Kornheiser describes the uniforms as “really, really orange” and humorously suggests they resemble “correctional uniforms” (16:54).
• Mike Wilbon echoes the sentiment, adding, “They are awful. And to think that... Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson” (17:11).

The debate underscores the polarizing nature of sports team branding, with both hosts clearly disapproving of the Orioles' bold color choice.

6. Jackson Churio’s Promising Rookie Season

Attention turns to Jackson Churio, a standout rookie outfielder for the Brewers. Tony Kornheiser highlights Churio’s impressive performance:

• Last season: Batted .275 with 21 home runs, 75 RBIs, 80 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases.
• In the playoffs: Became the youngest player to go 2-for-0 in a playoff game against the Mets, hitting two game-tying home runs (18:20).

Mike Wilbon draws parallels between Churio and legendary players like Mr. Mantle, noting their early career successes (19:31). The hosts express excitement about Churio’s future, anticipating a stellar career trajectory based on his current performance.

7. Tiger Woods’ Injury Setback

The episode concludes with an update on Tiger Woods, who has suffered a ruptured left Achilles while preparing for the upcoming season. Tony Kornheiser details Woods' injury history and the impact on his legendary career:

• Woods underwent surgery to repair the rupture and is expected to make a full recovery, though no specific timeline is provided (21:03).
• Kornheiser reflects on the challenges Woods faces, stating, “walking the course for four days is now his biggest challenge” (21:17).

Mike Wilbon muses on the hypothetical scenario where Woods remained injury-free, speculating on how his career might have further flourished (21:43). The discussion underscores the resilience and ongoing struggles of one of golf’s greatest figures.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon.

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Timestamps Reference

• 01:52: Mike Wilbon on Eagles' Moves
• 02:59: Tony Kornheiser on Eagles' Defense
• 06:05: Jokic vs. Gilgeous-Alexander MVP Debate
• 07:11: Wilbon on MVP Criteria
• 09:31: Discussion on Max Scherzer’s Proposal
• 10:14: Underlying Problems in Starting Pitching
• 12:05: Incentivizing Young Pitchers
• 15:04: JJ Redick’s Comments on Lakers
• 16:07: Interpretation of Redick’s Remarks
• 16:54: Orioles' Uniform Debate
• 17:11: Historical References to Orioles Players
• 18:20: Jackson Churio’s Rookie Achievements
• 19:31: Comparison to Mr. Mantle
• 21:03: Tiger Woods' Injury Details
• 21:17: Impact on Woods’ Career
• 21:43: Speculation on Woods' Career Trajectory

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Transcript

[Damian Lillard]

In case you didn't know, these young men are driven. They are prodigies, the savants, the ones we've been waiting for. Like Damian Lillard, for instance. He doesn't seek guidance or mentorship. He's a leader. He isn't waiting for the baton to be passed to him. He's taking it for himself. He's relentless in a pursuit of greatness, always pushing to one up himself. He is accomplished, but far from satisfied. He embodies what it means to have an unstoppable drive and are shaking up the status quo in their community and beyond.

[Mike Wilbon]

And.

[Damian Lillard]

And Damian Lillard drives a Toyota. A new generation of Toyota drivers are here and they want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive.

[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbant. Tony. A new survey says 25% of people would feel comfortable if their partners got intimate with a robot.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. Call me.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's a nice item to start the show with. I don't believe a single syllable of what I just said. Not a single syllable.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So you don't believe it's 25%?

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't believe it's 1%. I don't believe there's even a survey. And if there was a survey, the people who conducted the survey, I would have deported from Earth.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, there you go.

[Mike Wilbon]

You'd spend money on this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I just want to tell the people out there there's 29 more minutes of this. Welcome to PTI, boys and girls. In today's episode, Nikola Jokic puts up more big numbers, JJ Redick is disappointed in the Lakers, and Max Scherzer has a solution to bas starting pitching problem. But we'll begin today with one movement. In the NFL, among the notable names to move are CJ Gardner Johnson, the safety from the Eagles traded to Houston, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen going to Minnesota, and Daniel Jones, who agreed to a one year contract with Indianapolis. Wilbon, which of these moves or any others involving the Bears, I'm sure interests you the most?

[Mike Wilbon]

The Bears are yesterday's big news. None of these moves individually move me. They don't resonate with me. The total, the totality of moves involving the Eagles, that does interest me. Yes, because they're the champs and people pick and pull at the champs. Usually this happens to the detriment of NHL champions more than any other sport. But the Eagles have lost so many people. But Tony, I'm not ready to run off and say, oh, the Eagles are going to be in trouble because they lost the Eagles scout well, they draft well. So does Houston. And so they both have lost a lot of people. I just think that the Eagles first. First and foremost, even playing in a division. Cowboys and Giants, eh? But the commanders are on their heels and in the NFC in general, their teams. The Rams could have beaten the Eagles this postseason. So I don't. The Eagles are not, you know, so omnipotent that they can just lose everybody. But again, because they scout and draft well, Tony, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt until about Columbus Day.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So six starters on the Philadelphia defense are either gone or said to be ready to go from a championship defense. A defense that hounded Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So you wonder about that there's another team like that that's lost more. A team that was almost as good, say, two years ago and three years ago. San Francisco's lost 10 starters. Yeah, they've lost 10 starters.

[Mike Wilbon]

Everybody could be in a rebuild. And by the way, why do we think they're going to keep their quarterback?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because he's good and you can. Here's what you can do. He's good. If you can get one more year on the rookie contract, then you can franchise him so you can get two years on.

[Mike Wilbon]

They can start that over now if they. If there was a guy they were interested in. I think that if we come in here tomorrow and Purdy's going, going, gone, I'm not going to be shocked.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I will be shocked. The quarterback I want to know about is the quarterback you hate, Aaron Rodgers. I want to know where he's going. Is he going to Pittsburgh? Is Russell Wilson staying in Pittsburgh? Who's going to Pittsburgh? Because they've got. Stop for a second. They've got receivers.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, but they.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So you need a quarterback, two good.

[Mike Wilbon]

Receivers, and you want to see a quarterback.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

But they're missing a lot of stuff.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let me go to one of them.

[Mike Wilbon]

The Steelers are ready to win. They're not on the Runway.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can I go to the team? Actually, they are on the Runway with a good quarterback. Well, you're wrong. They are on the Runway.

[Mike Wilbon]

Is that like the jets were on the Runway last year? Mike Greenberg.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Five games to go in the regular season, Pittsburgh was among the top three teams in the NFL.

[Mike Wilbon]

Four attacks now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Russell Wilson could not get any points. Can I go to Houston for a second? This is why I take notes. Houston has obliterated its offensive line.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Houston traded Laramie Tunsil, a Pro bowl tackle, to Washington they sent guard Kenyon Green to the Eagles. They cut guard Jack Mason. So somebody in Houston. Somebody in Houston says that C.J. stroud needs better security.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right. So when you do this, when you obliterate the line like this, people in Washington were cheering about getting Laramie Tunsil. When so many people go, here's the appropriate question. What do they know that I don't know?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And I think that may apply.

[Mike Wilbon]

I think that's always.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And also, Daniel Jones will be the starting quarterback. Anthony Richardson last year, the lowest completion percentage in the league, 44%.

[Mike Wilbon]

But you know what? Daniel Jones being a starting quarterback, is that a promise or a threat? What the hell is that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Everybody gets a second chance.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, some of these. These are. Yes. Wait, wait. He's already had a second one.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, he hasn't. Same team.

[Mike Wilbon]

Where was he?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Same team. Giants.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, he got. Didn't he get traded this year? Daniel Jones deserves a second chance.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He was in Minnesota.

[Mike Wilbon]

Doesn't mean he's going to be any good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, but some people on a second chance, Geno Smith got better. Sam Donald on a third chance. Can we move? Let's go. The NBA. This is what you love.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

As you predicted, Wilbon, Denver beat Oklahoma city last night, 140 to 127. One night after losing at Oklahoma City 127, 103, easy call. That is odd. Back to back games in the same city last night, Nikola Jokic outplayed Che Gilgis Alexander. A reversal of the previous night. Jokic had 35 points, 18 rebounds, eight assists.

[Mike Wilbon]

Great.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Gilgis Alexander had 25 points, seven assists, but just one basket in the fourth quarter. Afterwards, Denver coach Michael Malone stumped for his guys, saying, quote, if I put player A and player B on paper, he, meaning jokic, wins the MVP 10 times out of 10, unquote. Wilbon, is Malone, correct? No.

[Mike Wilbon]

Michael Malone is one of the convincing, persuasive, commanding leaders in all of sport. And you sit and you listen to Michael Malone and you're going to walk out nodding to whatever he says because he's that good. And his job is to protect his guy and promote his guy. And his guy may still be the best player in the world. Best player, not most valuable. But here's the problem for Michael Malone. If I was sitting in there, because I can be fairly angry and persuasive sometimes, I would say I'm sorry. Because I know what you would say, Coach Malone, if your guy led a team to an 11 game advantage over player B, you would say, don't wins count for something? Yes, they do. Shay Gilgames Alexander is the guy who's 11 up. He is the MVP. Hold on, period.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hold on a second. Just hold on a second.

[Mike Wilbon]

Period.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I love MVP conversations. I do, too. We start with them in October, we go all the way through to May. We have eight months of hocus pocus junk about the mvp. Two years ago, you stumped incessantly for Joel Embiid. How's that working out now?

[Mike Wilbon]

How's it working out? How did it get now? How did it work out then?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Michael Malone. Michael Malone is right about the statistics.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Jokic's statistics are impossible to believe. He is third in scoring. He is third in rebound, and at his size, he's second in assists.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He also shoots better from the field than Gilgeous Alexander, even from three. But like you, my position is. Well, the other guy's won 11 more games.

[Mike Wilbon]

11.

[Tony Kornheiser]

As I told you last year, I'd have voted for Jayson Tatum, best player on the best team. I think I could be persuaded this year to vote for Donovan Mitchell if Cleveland has the best. Most amount of wins, best player on the best team. But in terms of what he's saying statistically. Statistically, he's correct.

[Mike Wilbon]

Joke, joker.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I mean, why? Why?

[Mike Wilbon]

You said, you said modern day Wilts.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You said with authority just now that it's Jay Gilgeous Alexander. Why isn't it Donovan Mitchell?

[Mike Wilbon]

Donovan Mitchell's about six or seven up on Boston on your boy Jason Tate.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What if he's up on everybody?

[Mike Wilbon]

What if they have Jason Alexander in a better conference? The better of the two.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, you.

[Mike Wilbon]

And he's 11 up on a champion once removed. A league champion. Michael Malone's team once removed. Come on.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Boston is the league champion. And if Cleveland beats them, if they have the best record in the league.

[Mike Wilbon]

Mike, did I not? Out of my way. Two days ago, when you were in an attic or a basement or somewhere to point out that the Donovan Mitchell call was a good one. Didn't I say that? Thank you, by the way. So I have a vote and I think you got to go five. You got to vote five. I think my five right now, I don't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Five doesn't matter. One matters.

[Mike Wilbon]

But it does matter because.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, no, it actually doesn't matter.

[Mike Wilbon]

You pay honor to the people that you mentioned. So my five are going to be Shay Gilgis, Alexander, Joker, LeBron third. I think with Donovan Mitchell. You got me moving Donovan Mitchell up Jason Tatum. They're reasonable. No you got. You got.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The only vote that matters is who you put first. It's the only thing that matters first.

[Mike Wilbon]

Who would you vote for?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I just told you. Donovan Mitchell. If Cleveland has the most wins.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'll be the only one voting for him.

[Mike Wilbon]

He might get one.

[Unknown]

Perfect.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'll be the only one voting for Taylor.

[Mike Wilbon]

Admit to. He's gonna say, you vote for me. I'm gonna say no. A crazy person who's in an attic most of the time, who I sit next to voted for you. Yeah. It's good, though. Yankees ace Garrett Cole. With him electing to have Tommy John surgery or being forced to, it's time to consider a new proposal for fixing the sad state of baseball. Starting pitching. And your boy Max Scherzer tells Tom Ferducci of SI the team should get their DH taken away unless their starter goes six, throws 100 pitches, or gives up four runs. Scherzer calls this the qualified starter rule. You embracing this?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I love Max Scherzer. He's a warrior. God, I'm glad he has a strategy to bring back starting pitching. I wonder if he's dealing with the underlying problem here. The underlying problem is this plague of pitchers getting hurt, which happens because they chase speed and spin, which happens because analytics compel them to do that. But let me deal with what Scherzer is saying. If you penalize teams because they're starting pitcher, what was the phrase Verlander used? 5 and fly.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, you take them out in the fifth.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Good phrase. Or because they throw bullpen games. I get that, and I'm happy that Max is saying that. But one of the things you have to do is sort of reinvent your pitchers so they're pitchers and not throwers. Here's my red flag. And before you go crazy, just listen for a second.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

If I'm the Los Angeles Dodgers and I have paid Shohei Ohtani a billion dollars, I don't want his eligible eligibility to be determined by a pitcher. I want to see him bat four and five times a game, as does the rest of America, who are fans. And I don't understand why Scherzer is saying that. The prejudice is always against the dh. Mike, you and I are old, but we've arrived at the point the DH is a real position. Once it became universal it's a real.

[Mike Wilbon]

Position, I'm not going to go crazy. That's a fair point you make. I don't fully agree with it just because I think Scherzer's point is more important. Scherzer and Verlander, who are like dinosaurs. They are from another time and place. They're right when it was honorable. They are right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're right.

[Mike Wilbon]

And I love what Scherzer said. The only part I don't fully embrace is the penalties. I need to slide those. I need to find new penalties. But he's right. And by the way, if you do this early enough, you encourage. No, you force young people to pitch and not just throw.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what happened.

[Mike Wilbon]

400.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What if you cut your roster spots? What if you said you could only have 8? O says 8 or 9 pitches instead of 12 or 13. Then you can't have bullpen games. You can't go indiscriminately to a bullpen because you don't have bullpen.

[Mike Wilbon]

So let's combine it all.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I love Scherzer, so I'm glad he's doing this. But to me, you're just picking on the okay, so let's.

[Mike Wilbon]

Oh, wait a minute. So pick on the DH2 is okay? Not Then force Shohei to get his big butt out there and play a position.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's the mvp.

[Mike Wilbon]

How many times? Because you know what the Babe did with his big fat butt? He went out to left field or right field. He went out there when he stopped. Every day.

[Tony Kornheiser]

When he stopped pitching, he did. If Ohtani comes back to pitch, you still want him to pitch.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay, you know what? Put him at first pitch if you pitch okay. Otherwise, play a position.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take a break.

[Mike Wilbon]

Dhow.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take a break before the dinosaurs eat us. Coming up, what's the word for JJ Redick's disappointment after last night's loss by Lakers?

[Mike Wilbon]

And how best to describe the uniforms that the O's are bringing out of the archives? Puke. Now.

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[Damian Lillard]

In case you didn't know, these young men are driven. They are prodigies, the savants, the ones we've been waiting for. Like Damian Lillard, for instance. He doesn't seek guidance or mentorship. He's a leader. He isn't waiting for the baton to be passed to him. He's taking it for himself. He's relentless in a pursuit of greatness, always pushing to one up himself. He is accomplished but far from satisfied. He embodies what it means to have an unstoppable drive and are shaking up the status quo in their community and beyond. And Damian Lillard drives a Toyota. A new generation of Toyota drivers are here and they want you to know one thing. You can't stop my drive.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Time to choose our words carefully. What's first? J.J. redick's disappointment in the Lakers performance.

[Mike Wilbon]

Last night was blank.

[Tony Kornheiser]

My word is diplomatic. After the Lakers lost to the Nets, Redick said, I'm quoting here, I think it was a very low level communication game for our team. I don't think being shorthanded is an excuse for the way we play basketball tonight. So the key words are commitment, communication rather, and shorthanded. They're shorthanded because of LeBron. He doesn't play. It's not because of Rui Hachimura. I don't think it's LeBron. The communication is a lovely way of saying nobody dealt with each other very well. It's a very Duke way of saying that. I'm impressed by that. If I were J.J. redick, I would have said, how can you think we're going to win when luka Doncic shoots 8 for 26 and has 5 turnovers? But he was softer, he was diplomatic. And you know what? He's a better coach than I thought he'd be.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, that leads me perfectly into this. JJ Redick's little rant was good coaching. That's what it was. And Tony, it was specific. A lot of times coaches can rant and they don't get to the specifics of what it is they objected to that night, usually because they're avoiding it because it identifies or indicts a Star player.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Which is why he didn't go shooting. And Luka, because there's no point in doing that because any. Even Luka can have a bad night shooting. Doesn't matter.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what I would have.

[Mike Wilbon]

JJ Redick zeroed in on a couple of things he wanted to drive home, which, you know, went into the film session today. If they had time for one, you know, goes into practice or shoot around. And this is what part of what J.J. redick has done so well.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Better than he thought. Yes, better than I thought. Yeah, better than I thought.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's been. He's been skilled for at it is just good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Better, better, better. What's next? The Orioles all orange uniforms are blank. Here's my word. They are really, really orange. They are head to toe orange. I assume that the bullpen card is going to have a Tropicana sign on it because these things are so orange. I have seen pictures of Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson.

[Mike Wilbon]

Don't you remember wearing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't remember them wearing these uniforms in 1971 and 72. I don't know how many times they wore them. Once would have been enough for me. You don't know whether to put these on or squeeze them. They are so. You know what? Rickie Fowler would not wear these on Sunday and he wears all orange on Sunday. Mike, they need a white shirt or a white pair of pants. They're just so much orange.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know where they would wear these? In jail. My word is correctional. That's what these uniforms are. If you put a zipper down the front, there'd be a jumpsuit. They'd be correctional uniforms. They're awful. And to think that. No, look, we knew. We actually knew a lot of those Orioles players. We knew Brooks, we knew Cakes, by the way, you know, Jim Palmer is like one of the only people left from that great ensemble of Orioles players. And this is about the same time the Pittsburgh Pirates came out with those.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You can flag him at Emerald Dunes in the winter if you want. He's out there playing. Yeah, he's playing.

[Mike Wilbon]

Is he like breaking par?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is this ridiculous that he's probably real.

[Mike Wilbon]

Good, but I mean, the fact that they made Jim Palmer and so orange and Dave McNally and Mike Cuellar and Pat Dobson.

[Tony Kornheiser]

A softball team would not wear these.

[Mike Wilbon]

Correctional.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really?

[Mike Wilbon]

There's only one group of people that would wear these.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Good word. That's final word, by the way. Let's take one last break. Still to come, another setback for Tiger Woods.

[Mike Wilbon]

At least he's wearing Red. Are the Cavaliers and your guy Donovan Mitchell gonna make it 15 straight tonight again?

[Tony Kornheiser]

If they finish with more wins than Oklahoma City. But you won't do it. You won't put them first. You won't. You said you won't.

[Mike Wilbon]

Maybe I can be persuaded by Mike Malone.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time, people. Happy 21st birthday. Jackson Churio. The brewers outfielder broke in with a bang last year. He batted one. He played in 148 games. He batted.275, 21 homers, 75 RBI, 80 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. Churio became the youngest ever player to go 2020 in the playoffs against the Mets. Churio hit two home runs in game two, becoming only the second player ever to hit two game tying home runs in a playoff game. You may have heard of the first Babe Ruth. Churio finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year vote behind Paul Skeens and Padre center fielder Jackson Merrill. So far, in nine spring training games, Cheerio's hit in 3, 391.

[Mike Wilbon]

It'll be great to watch him. I'm gonna go back and pick somebody. You're familiar with a Mr. Mantle, who at 20 years old, it was his second season. 3, 11, 23 home runs, 87 runs. Better than 94 runs scored. So. But Mantle's second year, he had some Runway when he was 19.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right, that's right. As did Maze. They both came up at 19.

[Mike Wilbon]

How'd that go? Like 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Fifteen years later, look at 1954 for Mays. Happy anniversary. Patrick Mahomes. On this day 11 years ago, Mahomes pitched a 16 strikeout no hitter to lead Whitehouse High School over current Dodger reliever Michael Kopeck and Mount Pleasant High in a battle of Texas prep stars. Kopeck had 12 strikeouts, but was touched for two unearned runs on two hits. Kopeck earned a World Series ring last October after being traded from the White Sox near the deadline and outhoused a penthouse situation. Mahomes, whose father pitched 11 years in the majors, was drafted out of high school by the tigers in the 37th round. Mahomes pitched only three games for Texas Tech. He apparently found some success in another sport.

[Mike Wilbon]

People say it's a sin that kids don't play multiple sports anymore. It's a sin, yes, because you go back and you get the greatest. Jackie Robinson played like six sports, like four at ucla. Boxing swam. John Elway, the greatest. And now Cal Ripken, Bo Jackson. And now we got the AAU for the let's play 81 basketball games when you're 13.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I blame you.

[Mike Wilbon]

How's that going?

[Tony Kornheiser]

You sent your kid to aau?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, I did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy trails once again to Tiger Woods.

[Mike Wilbon]

Again.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tiger announced today that while ramping up his practice for the season ahead, he ruptured his left Achilles. He said he had surgery this morning to repair it and that he should make a full recovery, though he gave no timetable. Now, typically this is a four to six month injury. In his career, the 49 year old woods has had multiple knee and back surgeries along with the extensive operation on his right leg following his car wreck four years ago. The 15 time major winner has repeatedly said that walking the course for four days is now his biggest challenge. Consider this the latest obstacle.

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, we talk about athletes and injuries and the great ones who had their careers truncated. Tiger didn't have that. But imagine if he had not had the injuries that amassed through golf and then Navy SEAL training and Tiger woods had been whole through.

[Unknown]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

You the next time we see him. We'll be in the Senior Open at some point.

[Mike Wilbon]

250.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know, I just, I don't.

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't think he'll play. You think he'll play?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think he might try it once.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But I'm fine with that. That's his eligibility, right?

[Mike Wilbon]

It's not. No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's not the PGA Tour.

[Mike Wilbon]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I know he wants to play the Masters. It's not the PGA Tour. Let's go to the big finish.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Speaking of golf, Jay Monahan says the PGA Tour will begin releasing average stroke time data on players in an effort to increase pace of play. Will that help?

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't know. But I know what will help. Find people. You know, who plays people too slow. Now, you don't need that to figure that out. The Dolphins picked up Zach Wilson to back up Tour. Zach Wilson. Do you even remember him?

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's not good. He's. He's not good. Manu is going to leave Old Trafford for a brand new stadium. Is okay with you, Mr. Soccer?

[Mike Wilbon]

The renderings of the new stadium are breathtaking. But no, you don't move out of Old Trafford. No, it's like moving out of Wrigley or Fenway or the Poland. No, no, don't do it. I almost had the Polo Ground. Somebody moved out of. The Cavs go for their 15th win in a row tonight. You like their chances, don't you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I do. And I like Donovan Mitchell. Last one, four men's conference tournament finals tonight. Who you got?

[Mike Wilbon]

The WCC West Coast. I got St. Mary's CAA. I got Wilmington. The Northeast. I got St. Francis in the Horizon. I got Bob Morris. That will be Robert Morris.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We are out of time. We will try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Wilbach. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads. You can get the PTI podcast on the ESPN app or Apple podcast. You know what's coming next.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I'm in studio. Should I come back tomorrow?

[Mike Wilbon]

Somebody got a coin?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Think about it. Are you going to be here tomorrow?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes. If you're not going to be here as I win. Tails, he loses.

[Unknown]

Pti. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations. Place a head to head bet on select US Basketball games this week and if your team is up by 12 plus points at halftime, get paid as a winner even if they go on to lose. Download the bet you app and bet it out first. 250 staked head to head single bets only T's and C's apply R18 bet responsibly.