Rafael Devers joins the San Francisco Giants... WHAT HAPPENED?

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary: "Rafael Devers joins the San Francisco Giants... WHAT HAPPENED?"
Release Date: June 16, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon
Duration: Approximately 25 minutes

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Introduction and Episode Overview

In this episode of PTI, hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon delve into several high-profile sports topics, including the recent trade of Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants, the ongoing NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, and the much-anticipated return of Shohei Ohtani to the mound. The conversation is enriched with insightful analysis, passionate commentary, and notable moments that capture the essence of each story.

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Golf: JJ Spawn's Victory at Oakmont

Timestamp: [00:53] – [04:49]

The episode kicks off with a discussion about JJ Spawn's triumphant win at Oakmont during the US Open. Spawn's performance was remarkable, especially considering the challenging weather conditions, including heavy rain that delayed the tournament.

Michael Wilbon shares his excitement:
"Tony, it was a scream out loud reaction for me at least three times in the final seven or eight holes for JJ Spawn."
[01:33]

Tony Kornheiser offers a critical perspective on the tournament's management:
"I believe the USGA did not want that to happen because they wanted that Father's Day audience on television..."
[03:02]

The hosts commend Spawn not only for his under-par performance but also for his demeanor and personal story, highlighting his dedication as a father and a competitor.

Wilbon emphasizes the narrative:
"All of it. Just who he was and who he revealed himself to be. I'm in love with the story, Tone."
[03:02]

NBA Finals: Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Timestamp: [04:50] – [07:53]

Transitioning to basketball, Kornheiser and Wilbon analyze the tension-filled NBA Finals Game 5 between the Pacers and the Thunder, both teams currently tied two to two in the series.

Wilbon assesses the pressure dynamics:
"I think Oklahoma City is under more pressure to win tonight..."
[05:14]

Kornheiser counters by reflecting on the unpredictability of the Finals:
"I was wrong, consistently wrong on this series. I thought that Oklahoma City would win four games in a row... I think it's a coin flip as to who's under the most pressure."
[06:34]

The discussion highlights key players like Shea Gilgis Alexander and compares their performances to legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, emphasizing the high stakes and intense competition of the series.

Red Sox Trade: Rafael Devers to San Francisco Giants

Timestamp: [07:53] – [11:07]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the Boston Red Sox's decision to trade Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Devers' move has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

Kornheiser criticizes the Red Sox management:
"He made himself tradable when he became a very bad teammate and trade in management's eye..."
[08:23]

He praises the Giants' acquisition, noting Devers' impressive performance as a designated hitter with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs: "The last time the Giants had a player who hit 30 home runs in a year was Barry Bonds, 21 years ago. So they desperately need a power-hitting guy, which Devers is."
[08:23]

Wilbon expresses skepticism about the Red Sox's future prospects:
"It's not particularly promising at this point for Red Sox nation... it suggests you're like some mid-market team and you don't have the money and you don't want to do it."
[09:49]

The hosts conclude that the trade significantly strengthens the Giants while leaving Red Sox fans uncertain about the team's direction.

Advertisements Break

Timestamp: [11:07] – [13:29]

The podcast includes a brief advertisement segment promoting products and services from brands like Hims, Grainger, Wonderful Pistachios, and AutoZone.

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Shohei Ohtani's Return to the Mound

Timestamp: [13:29] – [16:00]

Post-advertisements, Kornheiser and Wilbon shift focus to Shohei Ohtani's highly anticipated return to pitching after nearly two years off the mound.

Kornheiser poses the question to his co-host:
"What are reasonable expectations for Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound tonight?"
[13:29]

Wilbon speculates on Ohtani's performance:
"I was thinking, maybe two to three innings... just to get him out there and they've got to get over this."
[13:42]

Kornheiser emphasizes cautious optimism:
"Does he have command of his pitches? Does his ball move? ... It's a laboratory experiment right in front of our eyes."
[15:37]

The discussion underscores the significance of Ohtani's dual-role impact on baseball and the careful management required for his comeback.

NBA Trade: Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic

Timestamp: [16:00] – [18:33]

The conversation transitions to the NBA trade of Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Orlando Magic.

Wilbon explains the strategic benefits for the Magic:
"He can both shoot volume of threes and do a lot of other things and hit 40% of them. But he can also defend."
[16:38]

Kornheiser offers a differing viewpoint, suggesting the trade reflects changes within the Grizzlies:
"They fired their coach with nine games to go and now they traded their second-best player... We're not counting on the present, we're counting on the future here."
[17:42]

The hosts agree that the Magic gains a versatile player in Bane, while the Grizzlies focus on rebuilding around Ja Morant.

Justin Jefferson's Birthday and Legacy

Timestamp: [20:30] – [21:43]

Celebrating Justin Jefferson's 26th birthday, Kornheiser reflects on his stellar performance and compares him to NFL legend Jerry Rice.

Wilbon lauds Jefferson's skills:
"Justin Jefferson may be [the] gold standard in the league full of great receivers now."
[21:43]

This segment highlights Jefferson's impact on the Minnesota Vikings and the broader NFL landscape.

Historic Baseball Moments and Soccer Updates

Timestamp: [21:43] – [25:14]

The hosts reminisce about notable baseball incidents, such as the confrontation between Mario Soto and Claudell Washington 41 years ago, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sportsmanship.

Kornheiser remarks on the ongoing progress in sports behavior:
"I'm just glad that those brawls are largely removed from baseball, largely removed from the NHL and just we don't need them."
[22:24]

Switching to soccer, they discuss the U.S. Men's National Team's recent victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the Gold Cup opener, breaking a long losing streak.

Wilbon comments on the relief:
"There could be less hysteria from those looking for results from Team USA at least for a few days."
[23:17]

Tribute and Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [23:24] – [25:24]

The episode honors the passing of Tom Howard, the original director of PTI, acknowledging his significant contributions to the show.

Kornheiser expresses heartfelt condolences:
"Tom made everything here look so good for so long, creating a playbook for the show and setting a standard we will try to live up to without him."
[23:24]

The hosts briefly touch on other sports updates, including a no-hitter by Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood and the DC Defenders winning the UFL title, before wrapping up the episode.

Kornheiser signs off with humor:
"Out of time. Do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser."
[25:12]

Wilbon concludes:
"Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads."
[25:14]

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Notable Quotes

• Michael Wilbon on JJ Spawn's Victory:
  "I'm in love with the story, Tone."
  [03:02]

• Tony Kornheiser on USGA Decisions:
  "They wanted that Father's Day audience on television between the hours of 7pm and 8pm with no competition at all from the NHL or the NBA."
  [03:02]

• Wilbon on Oklahoma City Thunder's Pressure:
  "I think Oklahoma City is under more pressure to win tonight..."
  [05:14]

• Kornheiser on Rafael Devers Trade:
  "He made himself tradable when he became a very bad teammate and trade in management's eye..."
  [08:23]

• Wilbon on Red Sox Prospects:
  "The prospects have to be a lot better than they've been to this point."
  [09:49]

• Kornheiser on Shohei Ohtani's Return:
  "You can't throw bullpen the whole time. You got to go out on the mound."
  [15:37]

• Wilbon on Desmond Bane Trade:
  "He can both shoot volume of threes and do a lot of other things and hit 40% of them. But he can also defend."
  [16:38]

• Kornheiser on Justin Jefferson:
  "Justin Jefferson may be that in the league full of great receivers now."
  [21:43]

---

Conclusion

This episode of PTI offers a comprehensive analysis of recent and pressing sports events, blending expert commentary with engaging discussions. From the unexpected triumphs in golf and baseball to strategic moves in basketball and the anticipation surrounding Shohei Ohtani, Kornheiser and Wilbon provide listeners with an in-depth look into the dynamics shaping the sports world in June 2025.

Transcript

[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's National Wish Fulfillment Day tome. Do you have any wishes you'd like fulfilled?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. World peace, good fortune. An effective topical ointment for this thing that's growing on my thigh. I could use that.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right, all right. We're starting the family show here.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think that's funny. An effective topical ointment. That's a good name for a rock and roll band. An topical ointment. I like that. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the Red Sox deal, Rafael Devers. The Pacers and Thunder are back on the court and Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound. We begin today with JJ Spawn winning his first major in the rain at Oakmont. Spahn finished minus one after birdying 17 and 18 to counteract a string of bogeys on his front nine. Spawn was the only golfer under par. So in that sense, Oakmont won Wilbon. You watched all of it, as did I. What is your reaction to what Spawn did and how he finished it?

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, it was a scream out loud reaction for me at least three times in the final seven or eight holes for JJ Spawn. I mean, the 40 foot birdie putt, I think it was on 12, which I was on the phone with you, and I'm just screaming out loud by myself in my house. And then the drive, you know, in 17 did. 314 yards to the pin and he goes driver and everybody. It seemed like 90% of guys had gone driver and they wind up in the five and a half inch rough or they wind up in one of the bunkers and they can't make it work. They certainly don't wind up putting for eagle like he did and tapping in for birdie and then the putt to win it. I mean, just all of it. And Tony, it's juxtaposed to hitting the flag stick and having it bounce 60 yards away. Where you got to go, you got to wedge back to a shot that could have gone in just all of it. And then his Demeanor. It's all about him for me. And the other people played central roles. When the thing started, I was rooting for Adam Scott. I was rooting for him for much of the weekend. But his demeanor and talking about what he had to do, waking up at three in the morning to go to CVS to look for something to help his daughter who wasn't feeling well overnight, his infant daughter. All of it. All of it. Just who he was and who he revealed himself to be. I'm in love with the story, Tone. Every inch of it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So I'm going to take a while here and I'm going to talk about things I believe in. I believe that they were very late in calling the golf off for the first time when it was raining. It was pounding rain. There was ponding on the greens. There was water in the fairways. I believe they were late on that. I believe they should have done it a second time as well. And they should have finished that tournament today. And I believe that the USGA did not want that to happen because they wanted that Father's Day audience on television between the hours of 7pm and 8pm with no competition at all from the NHL or the NBA. I believe that Sam Burns was hosed on that decision to make him play from water that you could see. You could see the ball was in water. I believe it cost Sam Burns his chance to win the tournament because when he birdied 10, I thought he was going to win the tournament. And I believed that J.J. spawn was hopelessly out of it. He bogeyed five of the first six holes. He was done. Put a fork in him. Get out of here. I believe that. And having said all that, Mike, I also believe that the US Open got a worthy champion. I a deserving champion. Spawn won this. Nobody lost it. He won it. He was minus three on the back. He birdied 17 and 18 to win a major. You know how many people have done that? Very few is the correct answer. And I think that ultimately, Mike, I think that putt 50, 60, 70ft, whatever it was, the fact that it went in erased all the bad memories that anybody could have had about the decisions that were made leading up to that. And they got NBC and the USGA got their Father's Day gift because he's drawing with his wife and his kids and his dad is there. He gets all of it.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. So, yeah, the drama was great.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So you and I love dogs. We're in accord. We are in accord. Love dog. Let's move to Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight, Indiana at Oklahoma City. The series is tied two to two after Indiana squandered a fourth quarter leading game four. They were outscored 31, 17 in that quarter. Each team has won on the other's home court. Wilbaugh, on which team is under more pressure to win tonight?

[Mike Wilbon]

I think okc, I think. But Tone, the thing about the NBA Finals and the Stanley cup final is I don't know what I don't know anymore. I mean the wild swings, the unpredictability of it, the drama, if you will. I don't know. I'm just going to sit and enjoy it. I don't want to pick it, but I think Oklahoma City is. Because I think. I don't think you want to go back to who's your land. Having to win to stave off elimination when you're the favorite, when you have been in control of the season to some small, tiny degree. The finals at this point, 2, 2 with home court advantage and Tony Shea Gilgis Alexander, you've hit Halliburton. Has it been a standoff? Kind of. But there was. I'm going to say this and you know how tough it is for me to go here. There's been a Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant like quality to some of the things she, Gildous Alexander has done. When you're behind and you hit that step back three and then you come back with that, you're staggering. You're about to fall. You get that two. Maybe you pushed off, maybe you didn't. I don't care. There are moments of that that look like championship basketball to me. From Shea Gilgis Alexander, who looks like the perfect star. Not just a great star, the perfect star. But you got to cash it in to finalize that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So I've been, I've been wrong, consistently wrong on this series. I thought that Oklahoma City win four games in a row after they lost game one and instead they won one in a row because then Indiana won game three. Now I did think that Oklahoma City would win game four. So I was right about that. And I will pick them to win tonight based on what I have said throughout the entire playoffs, which is that they've been the best team in the NBA all season. They have been the best team, but in terms of who's under more pressure. So okay, so if Indiana loses, they're down 32 and they face elimination. But if Oklahoma City loses, the down three two and they face elimination and they face it at Indiana. Yeah, they've already won in Indiana. But these are The NBA Finals. How many road games you think you're going to win? What if you're only going to win one? So, you know, I sort of think it's a coin flip as to who's under the most pressure. I will say this, though. If Oklahoma City wins tonight, Indiana will rue that fourth quarter. I mean, they had it on their racket, Mike. They had it on their racket. They made one basket in the last five minutes. They scored one point in the last three minutes. They missed all eight of the threes they took in the fourth quarter. They melted down. And if they lose this series, it goes back to that. I think it does.

[Mike Wilbon]

Agree, Tone. No disagreement there. Now to a big move by the Boston Red Sox. Sauks traded Rafael Devers to San Francisco for two players and two prospects. Devers had been unhappy since the Sox moved him off third base to make way for Alex Bregman, but he'd been hitting well as a DH, 15 homers and the third most RBI in all of baseball at 58. Tone, what does this deal tell you about the Sox, and what does it tell you about the Giants?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so I don't think anybody who follows baseball can be surprised that Rafael Devers was traded. He made himself tradable when he became a very bad teammate and trade in management's eye, spring trade, spin, management eye. And then so they said, okay. So then it became, where can we move him? Where he will hurt us the least. So they traded him out of the division, and they traded him out of the American League. They traded him as far away in the country as you could go. And they said, good riddance. Get out. I think this is a great trade for San Francisco. As you mentioned, he's got, after a terrible start, he's got the third most RBI in all of baseball. He is a power hitter. This is a remarkable number. I know you don't like numbers, but the last time the Giants had a player who hit 30 homes, not 40, not 50, 30 home runs in a year was Barry Bonds, 21 years ago. So they desperately need a power hitting guy, which Des is. So, I mean, I think it's a really good trade for them. Plus, I mean, it's a very competitive division. And he's got star power, like, sort of the guys on the Dodgers have star power. I don't know what it does for the Red Sox, Mike. I'm struggling to figure it out. You know, they traded Mookie Betts. It was a terrible trade. They replaced them with Devers. Now they traded Devers I don't know. I don't know. They appear lost. They're.

[Mike Wilbon]

The prospects have to be a lot better than they've been to this point. The prospects have to, they have to cash in there. And teams often do that. We look back at trades 6, 8, 11, 20 years earlier and we go, oh, how'd they get this guy? And you come in a trade like this. But it's not particularly promising at this point for Red Sox nation. If you sort of listening to what is coming out of New England and the disappointment they have, the Mookie Betts situation is what compounds it. And to me, Des ain't Betts all right? I mean, Betts is an mvp. Deverez is not that. He's not that level. But to get rid of both of them suggests you're like some mid market team and you don't have the money and you don't want to do it. Everybody says, well, they owe him two hundred and whatever million dollars by 2033. So what is the Red Sox but the Giants? Tony, more importantly for now. And you're right about Bonds, of course I know that number. I do care about. It ain't something 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 and 5. That's home runs in a lineup. And San Francisco, I think was third fewest runs produced in baseball this year. You got to fix that now in that division with Arizona, the Padres and the Dodgers. And they sought to do it with one big move.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Absolutely. It feels today like a big win for Buster Posey running the Giants. We don't know, but it feels like a big win. Let's take a break. Coming up, Shohei is back on the mound tonight. What is reasonable to expect?

[Mike Wilbon]

And does a Desmond Bane trade say more about the Grizzlies or the magic?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you feel the same way I do? I couldn't take my eyes off the open. I couldn't take my eyes off.

[Mike Wilbon]

I watched every swing. I watched every swing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it was theater.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, it was irresistible.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Time to give opinions to the minions in mail time. Let me see, what's mail time? Start with this. Glasses on. What are reasonable expectations for Shohei Otani's return to the mound tonight?

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony? You know, it's interesting when you sort of read and listen to what people expect, and I know he's been doing these simulated sessions. I was, I went into this thinking when I heard the announcement that he was going to pitch tonight. I was thinking, well, maybe, you know, two to three innings. But it sounds like less than that, sounds like an inning. They want to get him out there and they've got to get over this. And it might seem ceremonial at some point, but you know, they're counting on him. They don't have to do anything. They don't have to make any roster adjustments because he's already on the roster. So it's not like they got to call somebody up and demote somebody and have a slot. No, they don't. They don't need to do any of that. The Dodgers want to see Shohei out there. They've got this, this, this, this movement of pitchers based on all the injuries this has been going on with for a couple of years now, and it's already included Shohei. So, but just to get him out there, I don't Know, what am I supposed to get? 26 pitches and, you know, you know, 19 for strikes and a certain velocity. I don't know what it is they're looking for. I just think the notion of seeing the great Shohei out on the mound again for the first time in nearly two years is. There's great value in that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So, I mean, I think the first question you have to answer is, is he ready to pitch? Is his arm okay? I mean, that, that to me is a big thing. I don't expect him to pitch more than, you know, one inning or 20 pitches. Maybe if he has a clean inning and it's 10 pitches, you put him out there for the second to begin the second. Because you can bring in a reliever anytime you want. But Mike, I don't personally expect him to have a clean inning. The questions you answer are, does he have command of his pitches? Does his ball move? Do you see it move? Can he throw strikes? What we are seeing is a laboratory experiment right in front of our eyes because you can't throw bullpen the whole time. You got to go out on the mound.

[Mike Wilbon]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You have to go live hitting.

[Mike Wilbon]

Live hitting.

[Tony Kornheiser]

His record, his record is fabulous. 38 and 19 with a 301 ERA in all the times he's pitched. And he had 608 strikeouts and 481 innings. Can he be that again? I don't know. I want to see the beginning.

[Mike Wilbon]

We're not going to find out that tonight it's the start of it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, but this is the beginning. This is the journey of 10,000 steps. Starts with the first one is, oh, here's your wheelhouse. Is the Desmond Bain trade more about the Grizzlies or the Magic?

[Mike Wilbon]

The Magic. The Magic. Because in the east you can make a move. And Orlando was already making one with Bonchero and Franz Wagner. Franz Wagner, those guys, one is an All Star and the other one's going to be an All Star. And then you get Desmond Bain, who can be that. And Orlando struggled in that area, and they get a guy who can both shoot volume of threes and do a lot of other things and hit 40% of them. But he can also defend.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He.

[Mike Wilbon]

You could put. He could put the ball on the floor, as you see, and it gives them a core four. I mentioned Wagner and Bankero and Suggs when healthy and they got four guys who are a core. They're not a finished team yet. But when you got Boston and Milwaukee in flux and you're going to be behind initially The Knicks, Cleveland, Indy and the Pistons. It still moves you up depending on what the Celtics and Milwaukee become. You move up into the mix and who knows what Memphis is going to do because you got a guy who's a complete and utter wild card in Ja Morant. You can't count on him. You don't know what you can do with him. So right now it's Orlando and Anthony Parker. I mean, the gm, Good job out of him. And Jamal Moseley, the coach. I like what Orlando's doing. Love what Orlando's doing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right. So you say the answer is the magic. And then I say too much magic. Too much magic. My answer is it means more and says more about the Grizzlies. And I would remind people, Mike, that you had the Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, for most of them, they were in second seed when they were second.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right. So, okay, so they fired their coach with nine games to go and now they traded their second best player. So it says to me, we're not counting on the present, we're counting on the future here. Maybe they want to take these draft picks and build a team around John Morant. Rather than blame John Morant for the mess that they're in, which they could do, by the way, they could blame John Morant for all this stuff. I think it's a good trade for Orlando because of the threes. I think that's a good thing. And I would just say this in closing, that Memphis probably got more for Desmond Bain than the Red Sox got for Rafael Devers. Enough email. Let's take one last break. Still to come, an Arkansas pitcher does something that hadn't been done since 65 years ago.

[Mike Wilbon]

And Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese both put up big numbers and wins this weekend. Third best player, Tony. You gotta put Jaren Jackson after Josh.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do I have to? With the numbers that Bane has?

[Mike Wilbon]

Defensive Player of the year. Defensive Player of the Year makes you gets you some stat. I love Desmond Bane. I take him. I take him right now. I'm just saying, Triple J, they need big people.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time people. Happy 26th birthday. Justin Jefferson the Vikings wide receiver had 103 receptions last year for 1533 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jefferson averaged 14.9 yards per catch. He was Offensive Player of the year in 2022 and was first team all pro that year. And this past year at lsu, Jefferson teamed with Jamar Chase and they caught passes from Joe Burrow in their undefeated national championship season. Jefferson had 116 catches for 1540 yards and 18 of Burrows six touchdown passes. The overarching question for the Vikings offense is how will it work now that Sam Darnold has left for Seattle? Will JJ McCarthy find Jefferson the way that Darnold did?

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, if you think I crossed the line earlier in the show by mentioning SGA in the same breath as Kobe and mj, I'm gonna do it again. Justin Jefferson is the only guy a lot of great receivers, but I look at him and sometimes I think of Jerry Rice. Sometimes there are just some moments he plays up to that incredible level. Jerry Rice the gold standard. Justin Jefferson may be that in the league full of great receivers now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Agreed. Happy Anniversary Mario Soto and Claudell Washington. This is posthumous for Washington, but On this day 41 years ago, after getting brushed back in a previous at bat, Washington let go of his bat while swinging on the first pitch from Soto. Instead of retrieving the bat, Washington approached the mound to confront Soto. As they were about to go at it, Soto threw the ball at Washington from about five feet away. Umpire Lanny Harris got the worst of the entire exchange as he was knocked down early on as he tried to stop the fray. Now we concede this is probably not socially redemptive to celebrate this behavior, but it is terrific video.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, and I'm sure he places yet another what could be another Michael Jordan anniversary. Tony I'm just glad that those brawls are largely removed from baseball, largely removed from the NHL and just we don't need them. Not just the video, we don't need the activity.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy trails. Trinidad and Tobago the U.S. men's National Soccer team responded to last week's alarm by pasting Trinidad and Tobago 5 nothing in both teams Gold cup opener. The Americans are ranked 16th in the world and the Soca warriors are just 100th. But a win's a win and this one ends Team USA's longest losing streak in nearly 20 years. Next up, Saudi Arabia on Thursday, followed by Haiti on Sunday. Taylor Twelman told us last week it's a disappointment if the United States does not make the Gold card finals well.

[Mike Wilbon]

So there could be less hysteria from those looking for results from Team usa at least for a few days.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We would also like to note the passing of Tom Howard. Our friend, the original director of PTI passed away yesterday. Tom called the shots in the control room of this show from day one until he retired at the beginning of 2022. Tom made everything here look so good for so long, creating a playbook for the show and setting a standard we will try to live up to without him. Our love and deepest condolences to his family. Let's go to the big finish if we could. Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals are reportedly talking. That's significant, isn't it?

[Mike Wilbon]

Only if they get a deal extension or whatever you want to call it. A redo tone. He's been the sack guy for the last two years. They need him. Arkansas Gage Wood threw a no hitter with 19 strikeouts against Murray State in the College World Series today. Gotta be impressed.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It was the first no hitter in the College World Series in 65 years. My notes say that he hit a batter and there was one error and that's how people got on. Caitlin Clark had 32 in her return win against the Liberty and Angel Reese had a triple double in a Sky win over the sun, which is the bigger deal.

[Mike Wilbon]

I've done enough Hoosier skills slurping lately. It's a bigger deal for the sky who need the win more. Bigger deal to this person in Chicago. The Nats have lost eight straight, but have the Rockies coming into town tonight.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Drought over so 1012 days ago the Rockies beat the Marlins in a series. I think they beat him three nothing in games The Marlins just came into Washington over the weekend and they swept the Knacks. So I don't know that the drought is over. I don't Last one. DC Defenders won the UFL title, beating the Michigan Panthers. How are you gonna remember that?

[Mike Wilbon]

Ufl? Is that like the United Fighting League? I don't really know what's going on with that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, you didn't watch, did you?

[Mike Wilbon]

Congratulations.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Out of time. Do better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Bullbon. Same time tomorrow, knuckleheads. You can get the podcast on the app or app Store.

[Commercial Speaker]

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