Should the MLB Implement a Salary Cap?

Summary

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PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Should the MLB Implement a Salary Cap?
Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Special Guest: Steve Young

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the question of whether Major League Baseball should adopt a salary cap, following massive new player contracts and increasing discontent among owners about competitive balance. They also discuss turmoil with the New York Knicks, NFL coaching dynamics, and bring in Hall of Famer Steve Young to break down NFL playoff quarterback performances and a wild college football play. The show is packed with sharp banter, strong opinions, and memorable moments in classic PTI style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knicks' Struggles and Players-Only Meeting

[00:55–03:40]

• Current Knicks Slide: The Knicks have been 7-11 since their NBA Cup victory and are facing increasing pressure.
• Wilbon’s Take: The Knicks will easily beat the struggling Brooklyn Nets at home and are still in a good position, despite the noise.
  • “They're playing them in Madison Square Garden… where they will beat Brooklyn tonight by 27, 28 points.” – Mike Wilbon [01:42]
• Tony’s Skepticism: Kornheiser points to ignoring Cleveland and Detroit and worries about a troubling defensive slide.
  • Defensive Regression: Knicks dropped from 13th to 29th in defensive rating.
  • “The trouble is on defense. ...This year, the last 18 games, they're 29th… next to last in points allowed per 100 possessions.” – Tony Kornheiser [02:48]
  • The dubious impact of a players-only meeting is highlighted as a sign of deeper issues.
• Cup Complacency: Both suggest the team may have mentally checked out after winning the in-season NBA Cup.
  • “I believe they won that Dopey cup and they decided that meant something. ... I think they're cruising.” – Tony Kornheiser [03:27]

2. MLB Salary Cap Debate

[03:46–06:47]

• Dodgers Set Off Owners: The Dodgers paying Kyle Tucker $240 million is sparking owner outrage and calls for a salary cap.
• Tony’s View: A salary cap could be fair if it includes a minimum spending floor to ensure all teams invest in competitiveness, not just punishing big spenders like LA.
  • “I think a salary cap is fine as long as there's a floor... to make sure they're trying to be competitive and spending money.” – Tony Kornheiser [04:38]
• Wilbon’s Take: While caps work in NBA/NFL, baseball’s union is incredibly strong and unlikely to agree, even if it means strikes.
  • “The baseball union is 100 million times stronger than the other two unions combined. ...They'll miss a whole season.” – Mike Wilbon [05:36, 05:49]
  • “A guy who's never hit 35 home runs… is now being treated like Henry Aaron. Are you kidding me?” – Mike Wilbon [05:53]
• Collective Skepticism: Salary cap implementation seen as probable cause for major labor unrest and possible lost season.
  • “It's in the DNA of players to strike… This is a lost season coming.” – Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon [06:47, 06:50]

3. Giants Coaching Structure – Harbaugh’s Role

[07:00–10:35]

• Unconventional Reporting Line: New Giants coach John Harbaugh will report directly to ownership, bypassing the GM (Joe Shane).
• Harbaugh’s Stance: It's overblown, as long as it works.
  • “I think it's overblown... The main thing is it works and we work together.” – John Harbaugh (quoted by Kornheiser) [07:00]
• Wilbon’s Opposition: Strongly believes a coach should not have final say; GM is vital for balance and accountability.
  • “I am steadfastly against any sort of coach being the final say... you cannot have that structure.” – Mike Wilbon [07:39]
• Tony’s Counterpoint: Ownership always has true final authority. Cites successful coaches—Reid, McVay, Belichick—whose GMs are mostly anonymous.
  • “There are great general managers... but can you name the GMs for those coaches? No, you can't.” – Tony Kornheiser [08:32]
• Underlying Friction: Tony advises Shane (GM) to accept the new order; Wilbon predicts future friction and possible failure.
  • “He should be happy to have the job.” – Tony Kornheiser [09:48]
  • “We'll revisit this when the Giants… underachieve.” – Mike Wilbon [09:52]

4. Steve Young Joins for “Five Good Minutes” (NFL Playoff QB Talk)

[12:40–19:40]

Stidham’s Readiness for the Broncos

• Big Q: Does lack of game action doom a playoff QB?
• Steve Young’s Verdict: Absolutely. Speed, intensity “cannot be made up in practice reps.”
  • “There's a speed of the game ... you cannot get ready for even if you played all year. ...He's running into a wall.” – Steve Young [13:03]
  • Stidham must be careful not to become the reason his team loses, not try to be a hero.

Matthew Stafford’s Recent Struggles

• Wilbon: Can Seattle replicate the Bears’ defensive performance against him?
• Young: Cold hurt Stafford, but his experience will steady him. Warns Stafford not to fall into “swashbuckler” heroics.
  • “If he can play that lately that really kind of buttoned up... he's tough to beat. That dude has got it figured out.” – Steve Young [14:41]

Caleb Williams’ Wild 4th Down Throw

• Wilbon: Play evoked Young’s own mobility and improvisation.
• Young: Play was five consecutive “NOs”—total chaos—but Williams’ athletic gifts and improvisation made it work. Calls the defensive lapse “inexcusable.”
  • “Fourth down... it’s one of those no, because nothing good is going to happen… then all of a sudden, he catches it. …That play can only work in pee wee football.” – Steve Young [16:14]
• Follow-Up: Young explains mobile QBs often throw best in chaos; planning can hurt accuracy. Regrets that a loss muted the play’s legacy.
  • “The best throws you ever make are the ones that you don’t think about... fourth down. No, no, no, no. Triple — NO. YES.” – Steve Young [17:36, 18:29]

Baker Mayfield’s “Chip on the Shoulder”

• Tony: Baker feels dumped by former coach, now motivated for revenge.
• Young: Differentiates “creative tension” (healthy motivation) from “toxic tension.” Supports using disrespect as motivation, but not to the point of self-destruction.
  • “There's a lot of creative tension, and I think Baker's trying to tap into that.” – Steve Young [18:53]

5. Hall of Fame, MLB Hot Stove, and Other Headlines

[22:40–25:52]

• Akeem Olajuwon’s birthday: Salute to his career and mentorship of Victor Wembanyama.
• Anniversary of Jordan’s “Con Game” vs. the Knicks, with banter about his competitive edge and gamesmanship.
  • “Come watch me.” – Michael Jordan (as recounted by Wilbon) [24:00]
• Carlos Beltran and Andrew Jones inducted into MLB Hall of Fame; debate over PEDs vs. sign-stealing-era candidates and snubs like Torii Hunter and Jim Edmonds.
  • “Writers... are not taking the same stance against the Astros sign stealing scandal, of which Beltran was reportedly a ringleader.” – Tony Kornheiser [24:37]
• Lewis Robert Jr. trade, Mike McDaniel to Chargers rumor, and other quick sports news.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On MLB Salary Cap Strikes:
  • “Baseball's been great lately and there could very well be no strike. It's in the DNA of players to strike. They've done that to the war.” – Tony Kornheiser [06:47]
• On the NBA's “dog days”:
  • “We're not going to get out until the Super Bowl. It's like the NFL season means something to NBA players.” – Mike Wilbon [03:47]
• Harbaugh Reporting Structure:
  • “You cannot have that structure, whether you are John Harbaugh or anybody else. ...If I'm the owner, I am not having a general manager who's just a figurehead.” – Mike Wilbon [08:01]
  • “There are great general managers out there, though we cannot name them.” – Tony Kornheiser [08:32]
• Steve Young on wild QB moments:
  • “Fourth down. No, no, no, no. Triple. NO. YES.” – Steve Young [18:29] (re: Caleb Williams’ throw)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Knicks struggles & dog days of NBA | 00:55–03:40 | | MLB salary cap discussion | 03:46–06:47 | | Giants coach-GM power structure | 07:00–10:35 | | Steve Young interview (Five Good Minutes) | 12:40–19:40 | | Hall of Fame talk (Olajuwon, Beltran/Andrew Jones) | 22:40–24:52 | | Quick fire news / big finish | 24:52–25:52 |

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Tone and Style

The episode is fast-paced, laced with playful jabs, signature sarcasm, and robust disagreement. Both Tony and Wilbon keep the conversation dynamic—Wilbon is emphatic and passionate; Tony, acerbic and analytical. Steve Young brings a mix of humor and deep football insight, providing practical wisdom (“don’t be the reason your team loses”) and memorable imagery.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you want the spirit of PTI without listening:

• Kornheiser and Wilbon are united against a quick MLB salary cap—unless it compels small teams to meaningfully spend.
• The Knicks are slumping post-cup, but Wilbon says it’s temporary NBA “dog days,” while Tony is more skeptical.
• Giants’ new coach Harbaugh reporting straight to ownership divides the hosts on best management practices.
• Steve Young’s “Five Good Minutes” is a must-listen, offering gold on playoff QB pressure and wild, one-of-a-kind moments in football.
• Ending on Hall of Fame talk and classic PTI banter about legends, league drama, and the quirks of sports writing.

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Transcript

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[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's National Hugging Day. Tony, have you hugged anybody today?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser, the UPS guy. It was awkward.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah. Maybe a fist bump.

[Commercial Narrator]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I shouldn't have drawn him in quite like that.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, no.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You had packages. Yeah. I was so happy, like things were being delivered to the house. It made me so happy. So I figured it's National Hugging Day.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm hoping to do something like that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Why not? Welcome to PTI bo. Hey, girls. In today's episode, the Yankees bring back Cody Bellinger. John Harbaugh and Joe Shane claim to be on the same page. And Steve Young joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with the struggling New York Knicks playing New York's other team, the terrible Brooklyn Nets, tonight in Madison Square Golf. Since winning the NBA cup, the Knicks are 7 and 11, including 29 lately. They were booed at home the other night, losing to Dallas. And then Jalen Brunson called a players only meeting. As former Knick Michael Ray Richardson once observed, the ship be sinking. Wilbon, how badly do the Knicks need a win tonight?

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, not all that badly. They're going to get one. They're playing Brooklyn.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They stink.

[Mike Wilbon]

And they're not playing them over across the bridge. They're playing them in Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous arena, where they will beat Brooklyn tonight by 27, 28 points. That's just the way that's going to happen. And it's not going to take any pressure off the Knicks. The Knicks have plenty of pressure. They came into the season with the pressure. Boston is without its best player most, if not all of the season. The Indiana Pacers, another conference finalist out. I mean, without their best player all or most of the season. So the Knicks came into this expected to win the Eastern Conference at the very least, and they see. You think I'm showing too much faith in the Knicks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I mean, I just think you're part of a crew that has this drumbeat going on that you see on television all the time, that forgets about Cleveland, just ignores Cleveland, ignores Detroit, ignores everything. And ignores the Knicks history, which is.

[Mike Wilbon]

Not to Knick, Knicks history. I'm ignoring that. I'm looking at what they got now. And so is Jalen Brunson. He's looking around. You know, who they don't have, and I know you and I agree on this. We haven't talked about it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's exactly what I want to say.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay, I'll leave that part to you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because there is trouble there right now. And the trouble is on defense. And so people look around knowing that Tibbs was a defensive guy and they say, well, this is what you get when you fire that guy. And Mike Brown started off very good. They looked very good for a while. But last year with Thibodeau, The Knicks were 13th in the league on defense. That's fine. That's good enough. This year in the last 18 games, they're 29th. They're next to last in points allowed per 100 possessions. They're allowing a tremendous amount of points. Dallas isn't any good. They were up 75, 45, you know, legitimately. So. Okay, but here's the other part of the trouble, Mike. Players only meetings with a first year coach that doesn't reflect well. I believe this, Mike. I believe they won that Dopey cup and they decided that meant something. And I think they're cruising.

[Mike Wilbon]

I agree with you completely what they're doing. You know what, Tony? But you know, there are dog days of the NBA and we are in them.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You talk about it all the time.

[Mike Wilbon]

We're in the dog days. We're not going to get out until the Super Bowl. It's like the NFL season means something to NBA players. They're going to wake up on February 9th and go, Whoa, wait a minute. We've only got 25 games left. The Knicks are going to be okay. Not saying they're going to beat out Detroit ultimately in the East. I'm just saying they're going to be okay. Let's move to baseball, where Cody Bellinger will return to the Yanks for five years. $162 million, that's a lot. But nowhere near the $240 million for four years. The Dodgers are giving Kyle Tucker. Overrated Kyle Tucker in my book. The athletic reports that baseball owners are raging about the size of the Dodgers payroll and that deal and will push for a salary cap with with 100% certainty. Is this something the owners should be doing?

[Tony Kornheiser]

So me personally, I Think a salary cap is fine as long as there's a floor. As long as you make sure that teams, and I'll name a few, the Marlins, the Pirates, the A's, the White Sox, the Nationals. As long as you make sure they're trying to be competitive and spending money. And if you want to balance that out a little bit, maybe you make the luxury tax even more punitive than it is right now, you know, but look, I'm not against the Dodgers. I admire the Dodgers. They spend a lot of money, but they spend the money wisely. Rob Manford is happy with the Dodgers. He has said we like a great team in a big city.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, but he represents the small team.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is the whole point. He represents all the owners. Even the cheap ones, even the dumb ones. Okay? So he's got to be challenged. It feels. It feels like most of the owners are asking for a set of guardrails to guarantee a competitive balance. And they believe that a salary cap will do that. It works in other sports.

[Mike Wilbon]

It does. Baseball, they've gone without it. And one reason we got to acknowledge is that the baseball union is 100 million times stronger than the other two unions combined.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're never going to go for it.

[Mike Wilbon]

They'll miss a whole season. And so I think the Tucker deal is the tipping point. A guy who's never hit 35 home runs, who's never hit 300, and he is now being treated like Henry Aaron. Are you kidding me?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't.

[Mike Wilbon]

So if I don't see it that way, if not the other owners.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Look, by the way, the Dodgers haven't made any mistakes in the people I brought in.

[Mike Wilbon]

Tell me there's two ways of looking at this. All right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

You're looking at it. The Dodgers owner.

[Mike Wilbon]

I know. And the Dodgers owner is purple and I know him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Here's the problem.

[Mike Wilbon]

And he has done the right thing every step of the way with his team.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The Mets spent a lot of money. Of money in the play.

[Mike Wilbon]

Two ways of looking at it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, look, the baseball players are never gonna go for a salary cap. They're thrilled that Tucker got this money. They're thrilled when anybody gets this money. Cuz they're saying, maybe I'll get the money the next time. And it's a shame because baseball's been great lately and there could very well be no strike. It's in the DNA of players to strike. They've done that to the war.

[Mike Wilbon]

This is a lost season coming. If the owners.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The next one.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, right. If the owners truly are 100% certain about the insistence of a salary cap work stop.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There's got to be a wall. There's got to be a way to make the floor such that players will say, I'll live with this. The ceiling may not be here, but if the floor is, it's gotta be a way. The New York Football Giants introduced John Harboy yesterday as their new coach. He said he was seeking a championship for a great city. Who's going to argue with that? But there's a secondary issue that's interesting. That is that Harbaugh will report directly to ownership, not to general manager Joe Shane. Harbaugh said, quote, I think it's overblown the way it works. The main thing is it works and we work together, unquote. Wilbon, is Harbaugh right, that who has the final say here is being overblown?

[Mike Wilbon]

No, it's not being overblown. You know, I am steadfastly against any sort of coach being the final say. All right? And I know that Parcels has that great line about shopping for the groceries, but there was still some guardrails to use The.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, there's ownership earlier. Ownership has the final say.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, but you need a general manager, Tony. It doesn't work. We know this in Seattle, that when the head coach was reduced to just head coach, they went from also ran to winning a Super bowl and should have won another one. Now, all I'm saying is you cannot have that structure, whether you are John Harbaugh or anybody else. I am not having. If I'm the owner, I am not having a general manager who's just a figurehead who doesn't have the same.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What coach are you referring to in Seattle? I'm talking to Mike Holmgren.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yes. Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Mike Holmgren.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Look, so we differ in this. There are great general managers out there, though we cannot name them. We can name great coaches. Andy Reid is a great coach. Sean McVay appears to be a great coach. Bill Belichick was a great coach. Can you name the general managers when they were there? No, you can't. And because it's not.

[Mike Wilbon]

Maybe they were doing their jobs. You don't need to be able to name them.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I believe that ownership always has the final say. I also believe this, that John Harbaugh, when he coached at Baltimore, reported to Steve Boschotti, the owner. So he is used to this. Joe Shane, who's the general manager, they're paying Harbaugh $100 million over five years. You think they're paying Shane that? Let me go through this. You know what Shane's record is as the general manager? Giants to this point? It's 2245.

[Mike Wilbon]

Him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, you're saying he's the GM. You know who. You know who Saquon Barkley walked on his.

[Mike Wilbon]

Harbaugh also had to answer too. And I know this. Ozzie Nome.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He wasn't there in the last four or five, six. And did he win?

[Mike Wilbon]

Did Harbaugh win with Ozzie Newsom or without Ozzie?

[Tony Kornheiser]

He continued to make the playoffs.

[Mike Wilbon]

Most he didn't win. That's why he got fired.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know what I think? Here's what I think about Joe Shane. I'm sure he's a fine man. Well, I do that question is Joe Shane. One of the things I think is this. He shouldn't worry. He should understand why Harbaugh won't necessarily report to him. And he shouldn't worry when they have a meeting of ownership and Harbaugh and him. He should ask people, do you want coffee or tea? He should be happy to have the job.

[Mike Wilbon]

We'll revisit this once again when the Giants 22, 45 and 1 are the new Ravens and underachieving and when it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Comes to John harbor doesn't change them in three years he will be fired. And if they make great in three years, he will get the yes, three years. Let's take a break. Coming up, how raw will Jared Stidham really be when he starts for the Broncos against the Patriots? We're going to ask Steve Young.

[Mike Wilbon]

We'll also ask him about the degree of difficulty on Caleb Williams incredible touchdown pass Sunday night. I ain't having that structure. I'm not having it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You're fine with the gm. Is he the right gm?

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't know. I don't know about him. I'm not defending him. I'm talking about the structure. I'm saying John Harbaugh didn't get it done.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You have to have it straight to the owner. Right GM with the right coat. Yes. Pardon the interruption.

[Steve Young]

Is brought to you by Taxact.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's get them over with.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's get back into the NFL with our great friend, the man who took my suggestion to tuck and run when he had a lane, hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. Let's start with this. Jared Stidham of the Broncos has not thrown a pass in a game for two years. Is the lack of game action, Is it a huge deal or can it somehow be made up for in practice reps?

[Steve Young]

No, no. Like there's a speed of the game and we all guys have played a lot in the playoffs. There's a preseason speed, there's a first game of the year speed. It's more like playoffs and then there's a regular season and then there's a like first round of play, a second round. By the time you get the championship game, the intensity, the focus, the new Rockne's famous right because he made a speech and everyone emotionally went got that's what the championship game brings out is this intensity that you cannot get ready for even if you played all year. It takes a second to kind of get used to it. And like. And so he's running into a wall. And that's why I'm grateful that Sean Payton's there with him. They've got to be careful because you lose championship games, any playoff game, you lose so quickly, a couple of bad series, couple of turnovers, it's over. And so he needs to be very, very careful that he's not the reason they lose. That's his goal is just don't make. If we lose, just make it. Not about. Not that he's trying to prevent accountability, but just like I don't want to take away from the team, I don't want to be the reason if they're asking him to be the reason they win. That's Rudy stuff, right? That's Hoosiers. That's insanity. Right. That's Mendoza. No, I'm just kidding. But way too much to ask to have him kind of lean in in a championship game and thrive. You can't do that from a standing start. No way.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, it's not too much to ask of Matthew Stafford, presumed MVP who struggled against the Bears. And Steve, I'm wondering if you saw anything on Sunday night in Soldier Field that Seattle could replicate or do to give him problems again.

[Steve Young]

Yeah, if it's, you know, minus five, you saw the ball when people, they threw it, okay, but it was, you know, jumping off people's. It's slick, it feels odd. The cold air, it's minus five. Windchill or whatever it was is different. And so in playoff atmosphere, minus five, it was Matthew Stafford in those conditions. And I think he managed through it, which he's a vet, he gets that. And I don't think that's going to happen again. He gets a decent day up in Seattle. Now I will say Matthew has fought the vulnerability to being the swashbuckler, right? The guy that's going to rip one down and cause a couple of himself. He's been able to manage that out of his game. That's why he's winning super bowl and getting to Super Bowls. If he, he can play that lately that really kind of buttoned up. Classic, beautiful. I learned in a more sophisticated era quarterback football game, he's be tough to beat now. Seahawks are all of that, by the way. So, you know, good luck to everybody. But Matthew, Matthew is all of that. And I buy back Matthew no matter what. That dude has got it figured out.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, he certainly is the quarterback who advanced out of that nice game. But I gotta ask you about the throw, the fourth down throw Caleb Williams made. You were one of the people I thought of immediately because modesty aside, not gonna let you be modest. You were one of the few guys who could have made that Play or something damn close to it in his prime. What did you think? Did it make sense to you? What was your reaction?

[Steve Young]

My reaction is fourth down and the second he turned his back and started to run backward. It's one of those no, because nothing's good is going to happen. It's like, no. Then he turned back again. No. Like there was five nos in a row. And then he kind of squared himself up and let one go. And I'm like, no ball thrown from the 40 to the end zone and the last play of the game in a, in a professional NFL defense is going to be completed. There's no, that's not. And then all of a sudden the balls, he catches it. Like no one's around. Like, did the defenders just take the. Did they, were they already in the tunnel? Did they thought it was over? Like, that play can only work in pee wee football. But the physical part of it was amazing. Like the idea that you can turn back three times and then square yourself up and throw a ball in the -5 degree. So Caleb's. All of that. But the idea that it worked kind of works against the expertise of NFL. Like how does, how does, how do the Rams allow that? That's just inexcusable that somebody was just wide open in the end zone after all that.

[Mike Wilbon]

A quick follow up. How does someone who struggles with accuracy on sort of regular plays make that play? And to play the previous week on fourth down, how does, how do you reconcile that?

[Steve Young]

I do relate with Caleb in this way. When you are mobile, highly mobile, you love the game fast, you love it in motion. And the second you get a little time to kind of think it through and watch your arm and your brain, kind of like, well, let's be more careful and more precise. And it's like in a way, the best throws you ever make are the ones that you don't think about. And that was one that he. I mean, I can't imagine the desperation he felt about that. But the fact that it. And I think all of Chicago, I mean, I just, I hated that they didn't win it because that now the play doesn't get the full measure in a way, right in history. You can't talk about it the same way. But I think just the stadium, you were there, that must have been one of the all time moments in athletics. All time. You just like, fourth down. No, no, no, no. Triple.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. Yes.

[Steve Young]

Like national. No way to say it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let me get you out of here on this. I love this. It's a small story, but I love it. Baker Mayfield says he's still waiting for a call from Kevin Stefanski, who he says shipped him off like a piece of garbage. And now Baker Mayfield is looking forward to playing the new Falcons coach twice a year. Were you a chip on your shoulder guy, and did it help you?

[Steve Young]

Well, first of all, it sounds like what he's saying is he didn't get a call. Like, he didn't even call him, which is. I mean, if that's true, that's pretty cheap. I mean, that's bad. And do you have a chip on your shoulder? Yes. I would make the differentiation. I call it creative tension and toxic tension. Toxic tension. When you get so overwrought about the anger you have at somebody, it actually hurts your game. But there is a lot of creative tension, and I think Baker's trying to tap into that. Like, I'm going to see you twice and I'm going to play better than you've ever seen. And I think in that way, that chip on your shoulder, that creative tension, I think it'd be super cool. And I think it's going to be fun to see how that plays out.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's great to talk with you all the time. Totally great today. Thank you, Steve. Thank you.

[Steve Young]

Okay, love you guys. See you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take one last break. Still to come, Carlos Beltran and Andrew Jones make the haul. But did others deserve better?

[Mike Wilbon]

And are the Chargers the right fit for Mike McDaniel? Not Michael McDonald's?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm gonna be there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, but not. Also not Mike McDonald from the Seahawks who was originally from Baltimore.

[Mike Wilbon]

No more Max.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not the Doobie Brothers.

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

O'Reilly Auto Parts can help take the guesswork out of your check engine, ABS or maintenance light with O'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified master technicians. O'Reilly Veriscan can identify the most likely problem with just one scan. If you need help, O'Reilly Auto Parts can recommend a shop for you. Don't ignore a check engine, ABS or maintenance light. Ask for O'Reilly Veriscan today, a free service exclusively at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Happy time people. Happy 63rd birthday, Akeem Olajuwon it feels like Olajuwon has been around forever. He goes back to the University of Houston and Fi Slam and Jama. In the early 80s. Olajuwon never won the NCAA championship, losing to Michael Jordan, once in the semifinals, to Patrick Ewing, once in the finals, and once most famously to Jim Valvano and NC State in the finals. Elijah won, became the first pick in the 1984 draft, going to Houston where he won two NBA championships, once where he got some revenge over Patrick Ewing in the Knicks and once in a four game sweep over Shaquille O'. Neal. When he was with Orlando, Elijah played 18 seasons, averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks. Here's an obvious choice for the hall of Fame, and lately he's been tutoring Victor Wembanyama.

[Mike Wilbon]

How smart of Victor Wembanyama. If there's all the people in the universe you can go to now, he's way up to help you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's way, way up at the top.

[Mike Wilbon]

Of that is Lodge.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Way up there. Not so Happy Anniversary, Jeff Van Gundy on this day two 29 years ago, weeks after Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy called Michael Jordan a con man, though in context, Van Gundy said it respectfully and with admiration. Jordan scored 51 points on the Knicks and took every opportunity to glare at and shout at Van Gundy after each made basket. This game is known in Jordan lore as the Con Game. Van Gundy had said, quote he uses everything to his advantage. He cons them by inviting him to his movies. He cons them with his commercials. He pretends to enjoy guys and befriends them, and all he wants to do is win. Unquote. Jordan's coach at the time, Phil Jackson, said, quote, it was a tactical mistake by the coach of the Knicks to attack Michael in the press. Unquote. You think?

[Mike Wilbon]

Listen, Jordan never pretended that all he wanted to do was win. He never pretended that's what he wanted to do. But a night or two before that game, Jordan saw a bunch of us people in the media, you know, and he said, what are you doing tomorrow night? I don't know. I'm going to Salt Lake. No, you don't want to do that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Come watch me.

[Mike Wilbon]

You want to come watch this?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy trails to the. Wait for the hall of Fame for Carlos Beltran and Andrew Jones. The two center fielders earned more than 75% of the vote to gain induction into the hall. Jones got 78%, Beltran, 84%. Clearly, the baseball writers that have taken such a strong stand against performance enhancing drugs are not taking the same stance against the Astros sign stealing scandal, of which Beltran was reportedly a ringleader. Andrew Jones was a great center fielder, but where were the votes for Torry Hunter this year, who got just 5.1%? Or Jim Edmonds in 2016, who got just 2.5% automatically booted off the ballot?

[Mike Wilbon]

Fair question. But I'm gonna ask you a question now, quick. It seems as if you hold the steroid era and the Astros cheating thing equally. I don't. At all.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I know you don't. We have talked about this. No, no, I. I hold it in higher esteem than you do. Let's go to the big finish quickly. The Mets traded with the White Sox for Lewis Robert Jr. Significant.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's a big talent, but spends a lot of time underachieving. It seems to me Mike McDaniel is reportedly joining the Chargers as an offensive coordinator. Doc, good fit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, because he's got Justin Herbert and he believes in the run game. UCLA upset number four, Purdue. Is that a big deal?

[Mike Wilbon]

No, just another night, you know, a Tuesday night in the Big Ten.

[Commercial Narrator]

No.

[Mike Wilbon]

A judge ruled that Duke quarterback Darion Mensah can enter the portal but not sign until a ruling on Duke's request for an injunction.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What is that? Nobody understands what's going on.

[Mike Wilbon]

Nobody.

[Tony Kornheiser]

By the way, another night in the Big Ten with ucla.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's funny. Last one.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Naomi Osaka, back on the court at 3am My favorite tennis player. I know we're out of time. We'll try to do better. The next time. Shirley Spearman. Happy birthday.

[Mike Wilbon]

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

[Tony Kornheiser]

Welcome back to. Oh, yeah, that's a pepper thing. First up, we've got Harrison wrapping his Dr. Pepper in a tiny quilt so it feels at home. Oh, how tender. That's a pepper thing. And over to Becca, who's whispering affirmations to her can. You're sweet, you're unique. You're the best thing I ever poured over ice.

[Steve Young]

She swears it makes it taste better.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's not a science thing, but it's a pepper thing. Why do they all do it? All for that sweet, delicious, truly one of a kind. Taste of Dr. Pepper.

[Steve Young]

It's a pepper thing.