Concerned About Team USA After Loss?

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Concerned About Team USA After Loss?
Air Date: June 26, 2026
Hosts: Mike Wilbon (B), Frank Isola (C), (Tony Kornheiser absent)
Podcast: Pardon the Interruption (PTI, ESPN)

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Episode Overview

The primary theme of this PTI episode is concern (or lack thereof) for Team USA’s men’s soccer team after their narrow loss to Turkey in the final World Cup group match. Wilbon and Isola, sitting in for Tony Kornheiser, break down that loss, discuss the strategic implications, and debate whether fans or media should really be worried. The hosts also dissect resting starters in high-stakes international competitions, question the firing of Mets manager Carlos Mendoza amid a disappointing MLB season, touch on the surprising All-Star voting returns, Serena Williams' Wimbledon draw, and maneuvering for favorable matchups at Euro 2026.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Team USA's World Cup Loss to Turkey

Segment begins: [01:16]

• Context: USA lost 3-2 to Turkey on a last-second goal (after a nutmeg of Christian Pulisic); USA had already clinched their group and rested several starters.
• Isola: "Concerned? No, for a number of reasons."
  • Starters rested to avoid yellow card suspensions ahead of the round of 32.
  • Pulisic returned and looked good: "He definitely has a bounce to his step." [02:21]
  • US defense expected to improve with top players returning.
  • Draw sets up favorably (Bosnia & Herzegovina next, possible Egypt matchup), while tougher opponents like the Netherlands and Morocco have a tougher road.
• Wilbon: Surprised by Pulisic's sharpness after his layoff.
  • "I don't know that I was expecting to see that kind of bounce and that burst on a couple of runs he had right away as soon as he got in the game." [03:13]
  • Concerned about the team's lack of energy relative to Turkey: "Turkey seemed to play with a spirit...I would expect the US team to match and then squash." [03:38]
  • Asks if "momentum" matters going into knockout rounds.
• Isola: "You know what? I don’t think it’s going to be," emphasizing rest over momentum [04:21].
  • Notes Bosnia is tough, having come through penalty shootouts, but believes the US is well positioned.

Notable Quote:

• "For me, what I take away from that last night, our guys on a yellow card are available, and Christian Pulisic looks like he's back was the most important development for me last night." — Isola [03:13]

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2. Resting Starters: Norway vs. France

Segment begins: [05:24]

• Norway rested 10 starters against France, including Erling Haaland, to keep players fresh, accepting a riskier knockout opponent (Sweden or Ivory Coast).
• Wilbon: Focuses on France's resurgence (Dembele hat trick) and questions whether Norway's strategy was risky, comparing Ivory Coast and Sweden as next-round opponents.
• Isola: Expresses sympathy for fans disappointed not to see Haaland and notes implications for potential blockbuster matchups like France-Germany, Norway-Brazil.
  • "The biggest disappointment is for the people in New England that spent a lot of money...you wanted to see two of the best players in the world, Kylian Mbappe, and you wanted to see Earl and Holland." [06:22]
• Wilbon: Raises "second guessing" if Norway or USA underperforms in knockouts, blaming resting strategy if so [07:20].

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3. Trouble with the New York Mets

Segment begins: [08:05]

• Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza after being swept at home and stuck in last place, despite a $370M payroll.
• Isola: "It's everything. It's pitching, it's fielding… six errors. I watched the doubleheader...it looked like Little League." [08:40–08:49]
  • Mendoza was handpicked by the current president, but poor record and performance forced a change.
• Wilbon: Faults the highly-paid, star-studded roster, and wonders if a new manager will change anything.
  • "Suppose that they don't play any better over whoever the interim is… Mets are in a tough situation." [09:32]
• Isola: Stresses baseball's unpredictability; cites other teams' turnarounds post manager change.
  • Flat 'no' when asked if Mets could turn season around: "A 12 game losing streak in April. You know, they hadn't done that since 1962 when they were an expansion team. The hapless Mets. Terrible." [10:47]

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4. Quick-Hit "Fill in Frank" Segments

a) Ernie Clement: AL All-Star Top Vote Getter

Segment begins: [12:21]

• Wilbon: "It's reflective" of a weak season overall for the AL; "The American League essentially has no All Stars" [12:27], as White Sox are in third.
• Isola: "Fantastic, with 'fan' being what the game is about. The fans want to see Ernie Clement in the game. Get him in the game." [13:21]
  • Tells Clement's underdog story: released by A’s, now Toronto, first-time All-Star at age 30.

b) Serena Williams' Wimbledon Draw

Segment begins: [14:31]

• Wilbon: "It is irrelevant, Frank." [14:35]
  • Notes Serena is 44, facing much younger field; expects her real return, if any, to come later.
• Isola: "My word is TV friendly…they want to get her to that first weekend at the U.S. Open…chances are she'll play Alexandra Ayala…third round, though, IGA Swiatek." [15:37]
  • Predicts Serena wins first two rounds but unlikely to get past Swiatek [16:22].

c) Algeria vs. Austria: "Tanking" for a Favorable Draw

Segment begins: [16:38]

• Wilbon: Calls it "tankish"—teams may not want to win, as victory means facing Spain next.
  • "My word is tankish because there's disincentive to win. All right? Because if you do that, you're going to get Spain." [16:42]
• Isola: "Pamplonian...this is running from Spain because you do not want to play them." [17:35]
  • References infamous 1982 "disgrace of Gijón," when West Germany and Austria played to a mutually beneficial result.

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5. Notable Quotes & Moments

• "We’re supposed to be annoying. That’s what you do when you ask questions." — Isola [01:49]
• "The Mets are in a tough situation...Suppose that they don’t play any better over whoever the interim is..." — Wilbon [09:32]
• "It's everything. It's pitching, it's fielding...it looked like Little League. It was terrible." — Isola [08:49]
• "It is irrelevant, Frank." — Wilbon on Serena at Wimbledon [14:35]
• "You do not want to play [Spain] because they'll be a tough matchup." — Isola [17:35]
• "Just like the US is set up for them to get to the quarterfinals of the World Cup." — Isola, comparing Serena’s Wimbledon draw to USMNT’s path [16:29]

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6. Other Memorable Segments

• Happy Birthday, Rudy Gobert: Gobert feels disrespected after NBA team trades; Isola defends him [20:06]
• Happy Anniversary, Lloyd McClendon: Managers no longer make grand gestures like stealing bases due to replay [21:47]
• Happy Trails, Sparks vs. Toronto: Marina Mabry’s 53-point WNBA performance highlighted [22:00]
• Big Finish: Quick takes on Mark Williams’ deal with the Suns, Pirates’ milestones, and more [23:04]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:16] — Discussion begins: USA vs. Turkey at the World Cup
• [05:24] — France vs. Norway, resting starters debate
• [08:05] — New York Mets fire manager, season woes
• [12:21] — AL All-Star voting, Ernie Clement
• [14:31] — Serena Williams' Wimbledon prospects
• [16:38] — Algeria/Austria: Tanking for a better draw
• [20:06] — "Happy" segment: Rudy Gobert and NBA
• [21:47] — Lloyd McClendon anniversary, MLB history
• [22:00] — Marina Mabry’s WNBA record performance
• [23:04] — Rapid-fire, “Big Finish”

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Summary

This PTI episode recaps Team USA’s loss to Turkey in the group stage, with both hosts unconcerned due to roster rotation and Pulisic’s strong return, but Wilbon warning about the team's lack of intensity. The discussion on resting starters in tournaments expands to Norway and France’s different approaches. MLB talk focuses on the Mets’ across-the-board failures leading to a managerial firing; little hope is given for a turnaround. Fill-in segments address fan-driven All-Star voting quirks and Serena Williams’ likely fleeting Wimbledon campaign, before closing with strategic World Cup “tanking,” memorable sports milestones, and a rapid-fire round of current sports news.

The tone is lively, opinionated, and characteristic of PTI: quick-hitting, banter-heavy, and unafraid to address both big-picture implications and quirky side notes.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. The Nets have blown three straight games in the ninth because they don't have a bullpen like we do.

[C]

I'm Frank Isola. Put me in, coach. I'm ready. All right. My arm's good.

[B]

Okay. No rotator cuff issue.

[C]

I've only thrown 50 pitches this year. They keep taking me out after one batter.

[B]

We don't want you to have Tommy John, you know, trying to protect you.

[C]

Actually, you're not a pitcher if you don't have Tommy John. No, you're not.

[B]

Welcome to pti. Tony is showing a callous disregard for his responsibilities. So here to pick up his slack is our great friend from the starting lineup on SiriusXM, Mr. Frank Isola. Pretty good Friday.

[C]

Welcome.

[B]

Let's start with the United States men losing to Turkey a three two at the World cup on the final shot of the game. A nutmeg of Kristian Pulisic in the corner led to a sequence of events that culminated in Turkey's game winner in extra time. The US Rested several starters after already clinching the group. So head coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed confusion and annoyance as to why anyone would be concerned. Frank, are you?

[C]

Well, number one, we're in the media. We're supposed to be annoying. That's what you do when you, when you ask questions. Exactly. We are annoying. But concerned? No, for a number of reasons. First of all, most of the starting lineup was sitting down right? Either because of yellow cards accumulated, you don't want to get two, you'd be suspended for the round of 32. But most importantly, you mentioned what happened at the end of game with Christian Pulisic, but he hadn't played since the first half against Paraguay. He then comes on last night in the second half and I thought he was really good attacking down that left

[B]

field the final 25 minutes.

[C]

And you know what, there was that one play, the left footed shot that he took where he just slipped a little bit bit and that was, you know, a beautiful bending shot. So he looks good. He definitely has a bounce to his step. So because of that. And I know defensively will be better. Chris Richards and, you know, Tim Ream, Jedi Robinson, those are all guys that have played at a high level. They'll be. They'll be starting the next game. And here's the other thing, Mike. The draw is set up really nicely for the U.S. you know, the Netherlands is playing Morocco in round of 32. Both of those teams are good enough to reach a final. The US Is playing Bosnia Herzegovina, which is a good team. I'm not trying to tell you that they're not. And then we could potentially play Egypt in the round of 16. So things are setting up nicely. And for me, what I take away from that last night, our guys on a yellow card are available, and Christian Pulisic looks like he's back was the

[B]

most important development for me last night. I don't know that I was expecting to see that kind of bounce and that burst on a couple of runs he had right away as soon as he got in the game. I think the most important part of that is he must feel he's okay, right? I mean, you would expect him maybe to be tentative, having not played since, what, June 11th. But. But what bothered me about it was Turkey seemed to play with a spirit

[C]

100% on the road that I would

[B]

expect the US team to match and then squash that didn't happen. And to score that late in that way, and they had nothing at stake. They're going hard.

[C]

They're playing for pride.

[B]

Okay. But I mean, nothing in terms of the standings, nothing in terms of World Cup. They're going home. And for them to have to still play with that sort of energy throughout that game. Frank, I'm like, okay, I'm looking. And yes, I'm looking for something. You're looking for signs whether momentum matters or not. There's some sports. I believe you and I both are covered enough baseball to believe there really is no momentum. Right. But I don't know, you know more about international football than I do. Do you think momentum can be an issue?

[C]

You know what? I don't think it's going to be. I think getting those players rest, making sure that nobody was going to be suspended for the next was important. But Turkey, they're one of the better teams in that group. So they're flying home thinking, we should be going to the next round. The big thing now will be, can pulisic play 90 minutes? He's definitely going to start the next game. One thing about Bosnia, they needed to win a playoff game at Wales. They trailed in that game, won in penalty kicks. Then they had to beat Italy, trailed in that game, won in penalty kicks. That is a big, physical, tough team. They will not be easy. Will not be easy. Alright. This afternoon's huge showdown between France and Norway for first place in their group didn't seem like such a big deal to Norway's coach. He rested 10 players from the jump, including star striker Erling Haaland. His rationale was that he'd take the tougher opponent in the knockout round as long as his players were well rested. The result? Ousmane Dembele, who's terrific, had a hat trick for France in the first 31 minutes as France won 4 1. Mike, your reaction to Norway's decision here?

[B]

I think my. My first reaction was to France. Like, if Dembele, who seemed to be in some sort of a slump. Yeah, right. Earlier, for about a 10 or 11 game stretch. If you got Dembele playing like this and you've got Mbappe playing like he's already playing, it just seem. Is France the most talented team in your. In your opinion?

[C]

Not exactly.

[B]

Okay. And if guys are playing at this level, to this form. All right. But I understand Norway's decision was much like the US decision, like Pochettino's decision. We need to go with our best group out there in their best form. I'm wondering this, and so I'm going to come to you for this again, if Norway is playing the Ivory coast and if France, which has a 99% chance, could play Sweden, playing Sweden is. I mean, was Norway, is that that big a risk? Are those two teams so different, the Ivory coast in Sweden, or does it make no difference what they were doing by resting?

[C]

I think the biggest disappointment is for the people in New England that spent a lot of money. And you wanted to see two of the best players in the world, Kylian Mbappe, and you wanted to see Earl and Holland, who to watch in person.

[B]

I've got to do that.

[C]

It's amazing because he's an absolute LeBron in his prime when he was the most dominant player in the NBA. That's Erlan Holland. Physically, he's just so much more dominant. But you did get to see Mbappe, who played most of the game, and then Dembele, who's the Ballon d' or winner, best, you know, the player of the year, you know, in FIFA, he was outstanding. Three goals, like we mentioned, in the first 31 minutes. What's interesting now is you mention those groupings right now. If both Norway and France were to win, there's a chance you get France, Germany on July 4th and then we could get Norway, Brazil on July 5th. The only reason I'm skipping a couple of matches ahead you are because I got tickets for July 4th and July 5th. So I'm hoping I get to see France, Germany, Norway, Brazil.

[B]

And it's the same question that is going to come. Yes. Second guessing doesn't happen only the next day. Yeah, second guessing follows you around. I mean if Norway or the United States looks somehow sluggish, you're right. Or less than moving ahead, then it becomes, oh, wait a minute. If you had really played seriously, more seriously in the previous game, the, the, the worthless result in group might you have been in better stead?

[C]

Now I, I just feel, again, I feel bad for the fans up there because you have Holland in play and then you even have Martin Odegaard who's a terrific player that plays for Arsenal. These players don't come over very often.

[B]

Look good, good, really good.

[C]

I don't, I don't know what it. It's going to take a lot to beat them. It's going to take, you're going to have to get really lucky to beat them.

[B]

Let's move to something, you know, more domestic. The Mets dumping manager Carlos Mendoza after the team suffered a four game sweep at home at the hands of the Cubs. The Mets have the second highest payroll in baseball, yet are in last place in the NL East. Owner Steve Cohen said during spring training that making the playoffs was the baseline goal for his team. But the Mets are currently nine and a half out of third, the third and final wild card spot. Frank, has managing been the issue with these Mets?

[C]

It's everything. It's pitching, it's feeling. The other night, that double header, the infield had six errors.

[B]

Six errors. I watched the double header.

[C]

Six.

[B]

I didn't watch last night. I watched the double header and you

[C]

know that it looked like Little League. It was terrible. And you know baseball is all about numbers. So I'll just give you a couple of quick ones.

[B]

Okay?

[C]

370 million, that's the payroll. 34 and 47 is the record. Someone's going to take the fall. Now Mendoza was hand picked by David Stearns, the president of baseball operations.

[B]

Fire the previous manager.

[C]

Yes. So that's two managers, but this was his guy.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

And remember they went through a 12 game losing streak in April. And do you realize over their past few games between June 18th and the 24th, which includes games against the Cubs, they gave up 50 runs. I mean that payroll. And you mentioned the owner wants to make the playoffs, which, let's be honest, Mike, is not that difficult to do in baseball.

[B]

Yeah, but you know, okay, so let me, let's, let's get to the players for a second because you got a lineup that when they're supposed to be out there includes Lindor Soto, Bichette Vientos, Alvarez, Marcus Simeon. All right, so you, you've got this lineup that you paid $370 million for. So only the manager. So suppose that they don't play any better over whoever the interim is that they decide to bring in that Stearns decides that he's going to hand pick now. Yeah, I mean, the Mets are in a tough situation. And by the way, there's always something. First it's a great start and a terrible finish. Then a terrible start and a rush to finish better.

[C]

Mike, I grew up a Met fan. Believe me, we've lived through it. And it's, you know, you mentioned about, you know, the manager. Remember the Phillies had a manager. They turned theirs around and Don Mattingly has changed around with 81 games left. That's half the season. And come on, you cannot give up on a team. Now maybe they gave up on the manager, but we've seen this before where a team in July and August can go on a run and it's only about just getting into the tournament.

[B]

It is.

[C]

You know, you don't have to win the division anymore.

[B]

You don't. So the Met's going to turn this around. Yes or no, Mr. Matt? Just a flat no. Didn't take you any time to answer that.

[C]

A 12 game losing streak in April. You know, they hadn't done that since 1962 when they were an expansion team. The hapless Mets. Terrible.

[B]

Fast Mets teams, terrible. We're gonna take a break now, but coming up, the American League's top vote getter in all star voting might surprise you. Does baseball need to fix fan voting?

[C]

And what's the word for Serena's single draw at Wimbledon? Did you know Serena's back?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

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[B]

Time to fill in blanks with Fill in Frank. What's first?

[A]

It's blank that Ernie Clement is the highest all star vote getter in the American League.

[B]

It's reflective, Frank. The American League has been a no show so far this season. I mean, so last night I'm stressing over whether the Cubs have righted the ship enough to get back in wild card contention. They have. And I decided to just look at the standings, league wide standings. And I was stunned to find that the Chicago White Sox are in third place overall in the American League. So it doesn't matter who the all star leading vote getter is. The American League essentially has no All Stars. Right. If the White Sox. And by the way, yeah, I really, I'm not taking a backhand slap at them. It's a backhand slap at the front hand slap at the American League. If the White Sox the third, how many All Stars can you have? Yeah. And who could, who can go crazy and get really worked up over who the leading all Star voter is?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

All right.

[C]

So my word is fantastic with fan being what the game is about. It's for the fans. The fans want to see Ernie Clement in the game. Get him. Get him in the game. What's interesting is he has 3.2 million votes. You know, the leading vote getter is in the National League, Shohei Ohtani. So there is a little bit difference there. But this is a great story. First time all star. He's 30 years old. He was once released by the A's. That was back in 2023, signed a minor league deal with Toronto. And let's also remember Toronto made the World Series.

[B]

It did.

[C]

So you should benefit from that. There's going to be a lot of Toronto Blue Jays in that All Star Game and right things. I get it. What are they, 39 and 42? Yeah, they're a sub.500 team but they made the World Series. So for me it's a little bit of a reward for what happened last year. So it's fine if he's going to be the starting second baseman. Where's Aaron Judge? Aaron Judge is hurt right now. Anyways, who cares?

[B]

It is fine, but there's still a big circle, a big red circle around the American League standings. I don't ever remember a time where there were just three teams I know in this position this late into the summer. We're halfway through the season. What's next?

[A]

Serena Williams draw at Wimbledon is blank.

[B]

It is irrelevant. Frank.

[C]

Whoa.

[B]

It doesn't matter. I know. She's playing like the 53rd ranked player. It doesn't matter. Serena Williams. Look, we've been knowing all along, playing doubles, right, that she was going to wind up making her objective being in singles again. She got the final wild card spot at Wimbledon, which to me is just good judgment to put Serena back in anytime you can. But, Frank, we know women's tennis is about being 16 and 17 and 18 and 19 years old. And you get people. By the time Coco Golf was 19, she was a superstar. I know they win. They may not win long term, but they win. And so Serena, at 44. Four, old enough to be the mother of like, half the women in the field. I think Serena can come back and be Serena, like at some point.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Later on in the fall, maybe she'll go through that silly season and then come back in the spring and be Serena Dam Williams. All right. Right now it's irrelevant.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

All right.

[C]

My word is TV friendly. Because this reminds me a little bit of Serena's last time at the U.S. open. They want to get her to that first weekend at the U.S. open. It's always Labor Day weekend with the fortnight at Wimbledon. They want to get her at least that to happen.

[B]

Do you?

[C]

Well, hang on a second. She's playing, like you mentioned, 53rd ranked. That's Maya Joint, who, by the way, born in Michigan. Just like Serena. Then if she were to win that, chances are she'll play Alexandra Ayala. Right. Third round, though. IGA Witek. But that's Serena surface. You know, the points are quick. It's serve in volleyball.

[B]

She.

[C]

She's fit.

[B]

You're making her strong. You expect Serena Williams to get out of the second round not having played singles competition in years.

[C]

I got her. She won't get out of the third round. I think she's going to win first two rounds.

[B]

That would be great.

[C]

It was set up for her to do that.

[B]

That would be great.

[C]

Just like the US Is set up for them to get to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

[B]

All right, we got One more word. Bonus fill in. What's the word?

[A]

Saturday's match between Algeria and Austria is blank.

[B]

All right, so I need to let you take over most of this, but I'm going to get into. My word is tankish because there's disincentive to win. All right? Because if you do that, you're going to get Spain. You're going to get Spain in the next round. And so this, this hearkens back to a time when there was some more tanking, it seems to me.

[C]

1982.

[B]

1982 World Cup, Germany and Austria, West Germany back then orchestrated a 1 nothing West Germany win at the expense of Austria. All right, so now you get. The winner equals getting Spain when if you lose by one one, well, you lose by one goal or less, you get Egypt or Switzerland. Yeah, what do you want? Egypt or Switzerland or I think number three ranked Spain, even though Spain, despite that four nothing winning of the night, Spain not been all that great so

[C]

far, but they did look great the other. How about you with the history lesson? I think they call that the disgrace of Guillon. When that happened back in 1982, my word is Pamplonian because we know in Pamplona, Spain, you have the running of the bulls. Yeah, that takes place in Spain. This is running from Spain because you do not want to play them because they'll be a tough matchup. But you're right, Mike. I mean, Austria is in a position now if they win or they draw, they'll finish second or draw, they get Spain.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

I mean, and that is a difficult one. But what's Austria gonna do? Put the ball in their own net and lose one nothing.

[B]

Maybe finish third. Maybe. That would be real. That would be more than tank inches.

[C]

This is what you get when you have tournament play on the final day. We saw it with, you know, Norway and France. You know, everyone could manipulate things just a little bit, but if they, if they did that, FIFA would be ticked off. And I think there'd be some big fines if they laid down like that.

[B]

Fines come later. Suppose you were to advance, you want

[C]

to run from Spain, Switzerland. Yeah, you're right. A lot easier draw.

[B]

Enough wordplay. Let's take one last break for still to come, Marina Mabry does something super rare in WNBA history.

[C]

And should the Thunder or Pistons be more pleased with this afternoon's trades? The Thunderhap. You knew they were gonna get rid of all these role players that they had. They were all good.

[B]

You and I have to discuss something. Like, I like more teams. 48 is too many. Yeah, it's too many. And I get it. You want to be more inclusive of the world as more countries play better and better and better football.

[C]

Yeah, but

[A]

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[B]

Time to get happy people. Happy 34th birthday, Rudy Gobert But Timberwolves center suddenly finds himself like Gulliver among the Lilliputians. The team traded away big men Julius Randle and Nas Reed this week, adding Lamelo ball. You know Melo's tall for a guard at 6.7ish, but the Timberwolves have size to fill up front. Gobert's a four time defensive player of the year and finished fourth in the voting. The victor when Banyama won unanimously this past season, leading Rudy to say, quote, not the first time I get disrespected. Probably not the last. He did a great job on Joker in the playoffs. I often lament how there are no great nicknames anymore, but the Stifled Tower Frank is one of them.

[C]

Yeah, you're absolutely right. I think the criticism sometimes of Gobert, whether it's from ex players, current players, media fans, I think sometimes it's a little over the top. And now you know what? If you look at the NBA, everyone's trying to get bigger. And like you mentioned, he did a good job on Yoko. Better play.

[B]

They ain't got no front line right now in Minnesota. Happy anniversary Lloyd McClendon on this day 25 years ago, the then Pirates manager got furious and then got ejected over two calls at first base that didn't go Pittsburgh's way. On his way off the field, he picked up first base and took it with him, eventually throwing it down the clubhouse stairs. McClinda got a standing O. The Pirates went on to win the game 76 and the players mounted the base on their clubhouse wall. I've always liked Lloyd because he played for my Cubbies and also once homered in five straight at bats for his Gary and Anna team in the 1971 Little League World Series.

[C]

You know, we don't get those kind of arguments anymore.

[B]

No you don't.

[C]

From the managers because of video replay. We don't. You know, Lou Piniella, Billy Martin, your guy from up the road, Earl Weaver. Remember that?

[B]

They were kind of unnecessary.

[C]

Those guys were characters.

[B]

Happy trails to last night's game for the Sparks. Louisiana got blowed out by Toronto as Temple guard Marina Mabry scored an NW NBA record tying 53 points. That equals the mark previously set by Liz Cambage in 2018 and Asia Wilson in 2023. Mabry hit nine threes for the second time in a week, also tying a single game record that five other players have also achieved. Mabry has scored 30 or more points only seven times in her eight year career, but three of those have come in her last 14 games. Tempo coach Sandy Brongello kept Mabry in the game late to set the record, but she missed two threes and asked out.

[C]

She was 17 of 28, 10 of 12 from the free throw line. Remember too 40 minute games in WNBA.

[B]

That's right, they're short. Yep, one error in the 1982 World Cup. Disgrace of he haul. It was Algeria who lost out, not Austria. Austria lost one nothing but still advanced on goal differential over Algeria. My bad. We're running out of show quickly.

[A]

Big finish.

[B]

Restricted free agent Mark Williams staying with the Suns three years. 38 mil. Good fit.

[C]

I think that's a good fit and a good deal. The CFL said Brandon Soares became play for it this season. Your thoughts?

[B]

Running out of options. The Pistons landed Thunder guard Isaiah Joe for two second rounders. Significant.

[C]

Yeah. The Pistons, you guys that could shoot from the outside. I like that move. The Pirates are above.500 at the 81 game mark for the first time since 2015. Are you impressed?

[B]

Yes. Especially in that division. Last one. The Sauks beat Cam Schlitler last night in the first of four at Fenway.

[C]

Big deal. He didn't give up an earned run and when he pitched against them last October in a game that actually mattered, he shut down the Red Sox. This is the ESPN bias and anti, you know, pro Red Sox, anti Yankee stuff. Don't get me started. We're out of time. Thanks for watching. I'm Frank Isola.

[B]

I'M Mike Wilbein. Have a great weekend knuckleheads.

[A]

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[C]

taxes and fees, extra feeful terms at mintmobile.

[B]

Com.