Tony Kornheiser (2:51)

So let me. Let me get to this because I want to emphasize what you're talking about. The fact that he plays catcher. I cannot explain enough. The physical wear and tear, the grueling day after day of being a catcher in the major leagues. And so you think that when it comes to September, there's not enough left for any offense. Raleigh now has 10 home runs in September. This is the 11th time this season that he hit two multiple home runs in one game. In the last nine games he's played, he has seven home runs. Let me back up a little bit. We've been in the lively ball era for over 100 years. The record for home runs in 100 years for a catcher was 48. This guy's got 60. He didn't break the record. He jumped like Bob Beeman on this record. And let me get to judge, because 51 home runs for Judge seems me.

Mike Wilbon (3:47)

Again next to roll time.

Tony Kornheiser (3:49)

Fourth time I'm on go for a while. But Judge is the Judge is now four times. There's only three people in major league history who went four times 50. And that's Ruth and McGwire and Sosa. And, you know, I'm getting rid of McGuire and Sosa for obvious reasons. Since September 11th, Aaron Judge is batting like.439. He's got seven home runs. His OPS is 1.572. That's ungodly. And the Yankees. The Yankees have been 10 and three there and like Seattle, have bounced up to the top of their division, I believe have three more wins than Seattle has. So it's still. I would vote for Rawley for mvp, but it's still going to be really tight. I think it should be tight.

Mike Wilbon (4:30)

I love Judge, Tony. I love Judge. No, Judge. Not catching Judge because of injury. That's right. Not Judge couldn't even play his position in the outfield a lot. He had a DH son.

Tony Kornheiser (4:42)

I understand that.

Mike Wilbon (4:43)

Raleigh. It's Raleigh. Raleigh.

Tony Kornheiser (4:45)

And 60 in our lives, at our age, 60 is magic. Means let's stay with baseball and let's move over to your Midwestern teams. Last night, Cleveland again beat Detroit, this time five to one. Cleveland is now one game clear of the Tigers in the American League Central. It's the first time in 175 days the Tigers are not in first place. Wilbon, what is the more compelling aspect of this? The Guardians rise or the Tigers fall?

Mike Wilbon (5:14)

Tony, they both are. In their own way. Both. Either answer can be true. But for me, first, it's Cleveland. I mean, this is a team where management was essentially selling off stuff at the trade deadline and it looked like it was okay, we're punting on this season. We'll add some pieces, we'll be better. We still have, you know, some, some, some nice pieces around. But no, they didn't, they didn't just give up. They didn't punt. The players on the field did not do that. And to have that pitching, to have that starting pitching, this many games in a row, that too, less historic, but still. Tony, it's just not done. I mean, starting pitching we know is very vulnerable. Vulnerable around Major League Baseball all the time, essentially. So to get that consistency of starting pitching night after night after night, to get back in this race and win 17 and 19. For me, it's Cleveland.

Tony Kornheiser (6:15)

What Cleveland is doing right now after the All Star break and selling some things off. That's what Detroit did last year, and Detroit made the playoffs. Mike, if I was still writing a sports column, my column would be the Tigers. Because you know that I believe that a losing locker room is always more interesting than a winning locker room. Tigers have now. They have lost eight in a row. They have lost 11 of 12. And in the last two games, they lost with first place directly on the line to the team that was chasing them. Yeah, they have now gone.05 against Cleveland in the last eight days. Mike, this is a biblical collapse. This is the 1964 Phillies. And here is a quote from A.J. hinch. It's painful. I'm having a hard time coming up with words. But what I'm seeing out of our team is not normal, but it's our reality. The Tigers right now, in the last 12 games, they've only scored 28 runs. That's 2.3 runs again. That's not enough. In their last seven games, only once have they gone over two runs scored. This is like a contagion in the clubhouse. This is like some sort of virus. I don't want to give short shrift to Cleveland. Detroit's not just losing these games. Somebody has to beat them. But Cleveland's only beaten them five out of the 17 out of 19. Cleveland has won. Cleveland's been great, Mike. I'm just saying, I think the more heart wrenching thing is Wrenching.

Mike Wilbon (7:39)

I feel bad for the Tigers, Tony. The other night when Scubal got knocked around by three batted balls which went a total of about 40ft, you just. It was sort of, you know, symbolic of what's going on with Detroit. Since when they started giving up that 15 and a half game league. They're both compelling stories. I celebrate Cleveland a little bit. Not often we do that. The Ryder cup competition, Tony, starts tomorrow at Bethpage Black on Long island, where Team USA has home course advantage in its bid to regain the cup that belongs to Team Europe. Tone Betters are giving the United States the edge. Are you.

Tony Kornheiser (8:23)

By the way, I got the Beth Page black sign right behind me on the set here. That is from the Black course there. I understand why the United States is favored because it is the home course. And in the Ryder cup, the home course often is the most important thing. They have the number one player in the world in Scottie Scheffler. They have seven of the top 10. But I don't think they have a particular advantage at Beth Page. I mean, I really don't. Beth Page has been used for a major here or there. The European players play it as well. Other than Jon Rahm, almost everybody in the European team is on the PGA Tour. So they play the same course as the Americans. They play against and with the Americans. The Americans have four rookies. Ryder cup rookies. Europeans only have one. The Europeans have won a bunch of majors just like the Americans. You got McElroy, Lowry, Rose, Rahm, your boy, Fitzpatrick, Matty Fitz. They've come close in a lot of majors. Fleetwood, Hatton, McIntyre, Oberg, you know, Straka. Straka. I don't want to mispronounce his name. So to me, you know, to me right now, if you just look at this on paper, I think the Europeans have a small edge.

Mike Wilbon (9:36)

I think the European team is better on paper, period. Tony, you mentioned how they play these courses and they play with the Americans and against them. They live in America. I bet you like. I bet you all there might be two guys who don't make some place in the United States home part or most or all of the year. So I mean, let's get rid of that. I look at this. Look, even when on paper we think the US team is stronger, we often lose. Because there's something about team competition that just sits well with the European side time after time after time. The European team has won twice on the road in the United States.

Tony Kornheiser (10:19)

2012, 2012 in Chicago, in Medina. I was there 2004 at Oakland Hills in Michigan. Yes, twice.

Mike Wilbon (10:27)

It doesn't scare them. They love team competition. They seem to bond. They know they have an advantage there, even if it doesn't exist. Maybe in Sunday on singles. I know if I was betting and I don't, I think I would say, oh, no. I think Europe has to be considered the team with the edge going into tomorrow morning.

Tony Kornheiser (10:47)

I want to tell you one thing. I've been watching this on Golf Channel for three days. I watched the opening ceremony yesterday. I watched it. Your Northwestern boy, Luke Donald was terrific. He is so polished behind a microphone. Keegan Bradley was fine, but he was great and that was a great start.

Mike Wilbon (11:04)

Luke has done it.

Tony Kornheiser (11:05)

Let's take a break.

Mike Wilbon (11:05)

Luke's done this before. Coming up too. He has.

Tony Kornheiser (11:08)

How badly does the loss of quarterback John Mateer hurt Oklahoma? We are going to ask Booker McKinley.

Mike Wilbon (11:13)

Far when we're also asking whether he gives Bama a good chance of upsetting Georgia. You know where Luke Donald, captain of the European team, lives? Right here.

Tony Kornheiser (11:24)

Right here.

Mike Wilbon (11:25)

Chicago.

Tony Kornheiser (11:25)

Really? In Chicago? Yeah. Yeah.

Mike Wilbon (11:28)

Let's chill at the Northwestern.

Tractor Supply Advertiser (11:32)

Out here it's football season where nothing beats backyard grilling. Gathering around the fire pit and cheering on your favorite team with friends. The yard is mowed, the lights are strung and the grill is warming up. Whether you need to fill up your propane, get a new grill or even a generator out here, it's game day and we're ready for it. Tractor supply for life out here.

Tony Kornheiser (12:02)

When.

Found Advertiser (12:02)

You'Re a small business owner, having your bookkeeping and taxes in order comes at a cost. I'm not just talking about your money. I'm talking about your time. Hours and hours that you could have spent actually growing your business. But guess what? It doesn't have to be that way. Thanks to Found. Found is a banking platform that doesn't just consolidate your financial ecosystem. Found automates manual activities like expense tracking and finding tax write offs. Found makes staying on top of invoices and payments so easy. Oh, and by the way, other small businesses are loving Found too. This Found user said quote Found is going to save me so much headache. It makes everything so much easier. Expenses, income, profits, taxes, invoices even. And found has 30,000 five star reviews just like this. Open a Found account for free at F o u n d.com that's found.com found is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by lead bank member fdic. Don't put this one off. Join thousands of small business owners who have streamlined their finances with Found.

Tony Kornheiser (13:12)

We got a big upcoming weekend in college football, which makes it a perfect time to bring in our great friend, ESPN NFL and college football analyst Mr. Booger McFarlane, wearing a shirt for Old Sandwich in Boston. Let's get to it. Unbeaten Oklahoma has just lost quarterback John Mateer, likely for a month after surgery on his throwing hand. How much of the Sooner's early success do you credit to Mattier?

Booger McFarland (13:38)

Probably 90% of it, Tony. Let's not forget like when he came over, he also brought his offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle with him. So that dynamic duo has led to the Sooner's offensive surge and they are playing with a ton of confidence. He is my favorite, early favorite for the Heisman Trophy. I that's how explosive this young man has been. He's going to put up a ton of stats. I think he's over 1300 yards total combined, 12 or 13 touchdowns. And the stats were only going to get bigger and bigger. I hope he comes back soon because when he's on the field they can compete not only for an SEC championship but for a national championship because he's been playing the position that good. There's no quarterback, and I mean no quarterback, not Arch Manning, not anybody that's playing the position better than John Mateer had been playing it. Wow.

Mike Wilbon (14:25)

Too bad he's going to be out for a bit. Booger. Number six, Oregon at number three, Penn State. I don't care about the rankings. I don't care about where the game is. To me, Penn State is going to get just wasted by Oregon. I have seen Oregon once in person this year, but tell me if I'm crazy. What do you see happening in in that game?

Booger McFarland (14:49)

You know what, it's a very astute opinion by you and I think it's going to be shared by most. Oregon is the fastest team, the most athletic team I've seen on tape all year. Dante Moore to transfer from ucla. Now he is doing his thing up there, the dual threat quarterback. They got this tight end, Kenyon Sidiq. He's the best tight end in America. He's a matchup nightmare. And so I'm looking forward to seeing this team on the road in a white out in Happy Valley against Penn State. And let's be honest, Mike, we really don't know what Penn State is like. They're supposed to be this giant this year. They got everybody coming back. Drew, Aller, Singleton, Allen, everybody came back this year. I've heard about them, but I haven't seen them. Kind of like Bigfoot. I want to see if the real Penn State is going to show up in a whiteout, in a big game, and if they do, then we can announce Penn State as a national championship contender. If they don't, then a lot of people are going to say, same old Penn State led by James Franklin.

Mike Wilbon (15:48)

Yep, I got to see some proof. Booger on that one. I was waiting for Illinois to provide some proof last week against Indiana. That fell flat as it could possibly fall. Indiana, they're 15 and two under Kurt Signetti. Booger, is he that good a coach? What do you see from him?

Booger McFarland (16:08)

You know, it's all about attitude, Mike. If you think about this like usually a team takes the identity of the head coach, the identity and personality. Think about those Alabama teams led by Nick Saban. They were always, they played on in the edge. They were always very detailed, very fundamentally sound. Now look at Kirk Signetti. He's got a little bit of an ego. Remember, he's the same guy that said, if you want to know who I am, guess what, Just Google me, baby. You can find out who I am if you want to know. And that team plays that way. They play with an edge, they play with a confidence, they play with a little bit of brashness. And they got this quarterback, I don't know if you heard of him. His name is Fernando Mendoza and he's playing the position at a high level. They could have hung 70 on poor old Illinois and Brett Bielema had no idea where they were coming from. They're well coached, they're on the fundamentals. But I think the most important thing, because they have talent, the most important thing is they got swagger. And they get that from their head coach because when they walk on the field, they think they're the best team on the field. And you can only get there from the head coach. And Kirk Senetti has got that swag. And if you don't know it, just Google it.

Tony Kornheiser (17:14)

Yeah, book. I'll tell you this. Wilbourne and I had this discussion after that game and I said to him, did this guy run it up? Because 63 points in a conference game and attitude. Yeah, big attitude. Let's get you out of here on this. Let's go to the SEC, which is your conference. Do you expect 17th ranked Alabama to present real problems for number five, Georgia?

Booger McFarland (17:40)

I do. I completely do. And I know people are going to say, well, what about what happened against Florida State for Alabama? Alabama has bounced back, they've beaten Wisconsin. And I think it was a little bit of early season let down by Maybe they didn't take FSU seriously. Maybe FSU is better than we thought. But I think the reason they're going to pose problems for Georgia is this. It's not that they are more talented. I think both teams are going to be equally, equally as talented. But think about this, guys. Kirby Smart is 1 in 6, if I'm not mistaken, against Alabama, and that's 1 and O against Caleb DeBoer. Kaylin DeBoer has beaten him one time last year. And I think it has to do with, you know, we always talk about styles, make fights. When Kirby went to Georgia, he tried to make Georgia like Alabama. And so I think every time these two teams face each other, Alabama simply says this. They want to be like us.

Mike Wilbon (18:30)

We are us.

Booger McFarland (18:32)

And so I think this game comes down to the six inches between their ears. Alabama realizes they are trying to mimic what we do. And in an old phrase like, we started this gangster stuff, if you want to be like us, you got to come take this. And I just think Georgia has struggled, especially in these games where they've been tight, where they've been favored. I think Alabama has the edge mentally. So to answer your question, Tony, I think this is going to be a close game. It's at Georgia. It's between the hedges. And don't be surprised. That same Alabama team that we saw get blown out in Tallahassee. Don't be surprised if they go into Athens and get a victory.

Tony Kornheiser (19:07)

Ooh, ooh. I got to say, I would be surprised. That's just me. A booger, as always.

Mike Wilbon (19:13)

Good booger.

Tony Kornheiser (19:14)

Thank you so much. Thank you, man.

Mike Wilbon (19:16)

Appreciate you.

Booger McFarland (19:17)

Appreciate it, guys. Go usa.

Tony Kornheiser (19:20)

Let's take one last break. But still to come, the Dodgers may have found a solution to their bullpen issues.

Mike Wilbon (19:26)

And who has the edge in tonight's game between the two in one Seahawks and the two in one Cardinals? I think that's the Seahawks I want the edge to.

Found Advertiser (19:36)

If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started, Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful, ready to go templates to express your brand style and Forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place, from inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic Purple Shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.comnetwork. go to shopify.comnetwork shopify.comnetwork if you're dealing with hair issues like thinning or shedding, but feel totally stuck on what to try next, it can feel overwhelming. There are so many products out there and it's hard to know which ones are actually going to do anything. That's exactly why Nutrafol deserves a closer look. It's not just hype, it's physician formulated, clinically tested and even recommended by dermatologists. Nutrafol is the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over one and a half million people. You can feel great about what you're putting into your body since Nutrafol hair growth supplements are backed by peer reviewed studies and NSF Content Certified. The gold standard and third party certification for supplements. See Thicker, stronger, faster growing hair with less shedding in just three to six months with Nutrafol For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you go to nutrafol.com and enter the promo code sports find out why Nutrafol is the best selling hair growth supplement brand@nutrafol.com spelled n u t r-a f o l.com promo code sports that's nutrafol.com promo code sportstime people.

Tony Kornheiser (22:10)

Happy 92nd birthday Eubie Brown. We love you. Everybody loves UB. UB retired from broadcasting basketball games this last February. His last game was the 76ers at Milwaukee. Milwaukee is special to UB because it was the Bucs who gave him his first professional coaching position as an assistant in 1970. Before that, UB coached in high school and in college as an assistant at William and Mary and Duke. In the late 60s, Eubie was head coach at the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA where he won a title. He coached the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies and he went on television to tell us about the Young man with a drop step and enthrall us with his love for and knowledge of the game.

Mike Wilbon (22:50)

Tony, is there a better person to sit at a hotel lobby with with after a basketball game ever than Hubie Brown?

Tony Kornheiser (22:57)

No.

Mike Wilbon (22:57)

Best ever.

Tony Kornheiser (22:58)

Best. Happy anniversary. Al Kaline. This is posthumous but on this day 70 years ago, the Tigers 20 year old phenom outfielder became the youngest batting champ ever when he ended the season with a.340 batting average to win the American League batting title. He was the first 20 year old major league player to win the batting title. So since Ty Cobb did it in 1907. Kaline was an 18 time All Star, a 10 time Gold Glove winner, a World Series champ in 1968 and a first ballot hall of Famer after 22 seasons, all with Detroit. The youngest player ever to win the National League batting title is Juan Soto who did it at 21 with the Nationals. The line of truly great Tigers hitters starts with Cobb and goes through Hank Greenberg to kaline to Miguel Co Cabrera.

Mike Wilbon (23:47)

With apologies to LOL and McLean, tramel and Whitaker. I think the Mount Rushmore of tigers Tony is Cobb, Kaline, Greenberg and Cabrera. You mentioned them. I think that's the list that's a long. That covers a lot of years. Doesn't does those four guys.

Tony Kornheiser (24:03)

Happy trails to the rotation for Roki Sasaki and Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers got a bullpen boost from two starters left last night. Sasaki came off the injured list to pitch a scoreless seventh against the Diamondback, striking out two and Kershaw worked a clean ninth as the Dodgers won 11. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was particularly impressed with Sasaki who struggled before going out in May saying quote, he looks like a different person. There's just a lot more confidence and conviction. Entering last night, the Dodgers bullpen at a September era of.569.

Mike Wilbon (24:37)

You didn't need some help, Tony. I was watching that game live and to see Kershaw come in that way, it was weird. It was straight, whoa, what's going on here?

Tony Kornheiser (24:49)

That's the right if you want to be in the World Series, that's the change you have to make.

Mike Wilbon (24:53)

The Dodgers, it looks like one error.

Tony Kornheiser (24:56)

The Yankees only have one more win than the Mariners, not three. That's my bad. Let's go to the big finish.

Mike Wilbon (25:01)

Let's go.

Tony Kornheiser (25:01)

Phillies hit eight home runs last night. Are you impressed?

Mike Wilbon (25:05)

Yes. Particularly with my man schwarber who hit two of them. 56. Unbelievable. Tony. Six scoreless innings in his final start of the season for Mr. Skeens, you giving him the side? I am.

Tony Kornheiser (25:18)

It's a 197 ERA. He pitches for a terrible team. That gives him no support. Yes, I am giving him the side. Jets quarterback Justin Fields practiced today but is still in concussion protocol. Your thoughts?

Mike Wilbon (25:30)

I hope he's cleared and able to play. Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox beat your boy Max Scherzer of the Blue Jays last night. Was that significant?

Tony Kornheiser (25:41)

Crochet's really good. Okay, I love Max Scherzer, but Crochet's really good. All right, last one. Seahawks at your Cardinals tonight. Who you got?

Mike Wilbon (25:49)

If I was betting, I would go with Seattle, but I'm not. And I'm rooting for the Cardinals to go three one. That division. Division. That division's pretty darn good, Tony. AFC west, indeed.

Tony Kornheiser (26:02)

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

Mike Wilbon (26:06)

And I'm Mike Wilbon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads.

Personal Message Speaker (26:11)

Yo, this is important, man. My favorite Lululemon shorts, the ones you got me back in the day. I think they're Pace breakers. The ones with all the pockets. Well, I just got back from vacation and I think I left them in my hotel room. And, dude, I need to replace these shorts. I wear them, like, every day with that Lulu hoodie you got me. Could you send me the link to where you got them? Thanks, bro. Talk soon.

Mint Mobile Disclaimer Voice (26:32)

Looking for your newest Go To's shop? Lululemon's bestsellers now at Lululemon.