Steelers get Ramsey, Dolphins get Fitzpatrick: Who Won the Trade?

Summary

PTI Episode Summary: "Steelers get Ramsey, Dolphins get Fitzpatrick: Who Won the Trade?"

Release Date: June 30, 2025

In this episode of PTI, hosts Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon delve into a plethora of sports topics, offering in-depth analysis, spirited debates, and insightful commentary. From high-stakes NFL trades to significant moves in basketball and baseball, Kornheiser and Wilbon cover the latest developments shaping the sports landscape. Below is a detailed summary of their discussions, featuring notable quotes and timestamps for key moments.

---

1. LeBron James Opts Into One-Year Contract

Timestamp: [01:12]

The episode kicks off with a significant announcement from LeBron James, who has chosen to opt into a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $52.6 million. This marks the first instance in his career where LeBron has exercised a one-year deal. Mike Wilbon expresses uncertainty about the move:

• Mike Wilbon [01:53]: “I have no idea what LeBron opting into his final year option says to you... I love seeing LeBron James play basketball and I'm glad we're going to see it for at least one more year.”

Tony Kornheiser adds context, speculating on LeBron’s potential future moves and the implications for the Lakers:

• Tony Kornheiser [03:22]: “LeBron shows no particular loyalty to any franchise... If he chooses not to [stay with the Lakers], where would he go? Cleveland, Denver, San Antonio, the Knicks...”

The hosts debate whether LeBron’s decision indicates a desire to win another championship or to explore opportunities with other teams, highlighting the strategic considerations behind such a high-profile athlete’s contract decisions.

---

2. NFL Trade: Steelers Trade Minka Fitzpatrick to Dolphins for Jalen Ramsey and John Smith

Timestamp: [06:30]

Transitioning to the NFL, Kornheiser and Wilbon dissect a blockbuster trade where the Pittsburgh Steelers sent three-time All-Pro safety Minka Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins, acquiring three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end John Smith in return.

• Mike Wilbon [06:47]: “The Steelers... Minka Fitzpatrick, while his production might have declined, is the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers... Jalen Ramsey... he's been overstated.”

Tony Kornheiser emphasizes the urgency behind the Steelers’ move, linking it to Aaron Rodgers' presence and potential departure:

• Tony Kornheiser [08:13]: “The Steelers... because of Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers, who is now publicly saying this is probably his last year... they have to win right now.”

The discussion highlights the Steelers' strategic shift to prioritize immediate success, potentially at the cost of long-term team stability. Wilbon remains skeptical about the trade's effectiveness, questioning whether Ramsey can sustain his performance.

---

3. Baseball Highlights: Skubal, Judge, and Wood

Timestamp: [09:30]

In the realm of baseball, Wilbon presents three noteworthy statistics from recent games:

1. Tarek Skubal of the Tigers achieved 13 strikeouts over seven innings in a 3-0 win against the Twins.
2. Aaron Judge hit two home runs in a victory over the A's, bringing his season total to 30.
3. James Wood of the Nationals earned four intentional walks in a single game, the most since Barry Bonds in 2004.

Tony Kornheiser weighs in on which statistic stands out the most:

• Tony Kornheiser [10:34]: “James Wood has 31... 31 is elite company. The strategy is simple...”

Wilbon agrees, highlighting Wood's prowess and questioning his longevity with the Nationals:

• Mike Wilbon [11:51]: “Does that mean... you stunned me with that?... Maybe Nathaniel Lowe can hurt you. So you put him on base and a team doesn't beat you, but they beat him anyway in extra innings.”

The hosts conclude that Skubal's 13 strikeouts are the most impressive, praising his dominance on the mound.

---

4. Soccer: US Men's Victory vs Costa Rica and Messi’s Inter Miami Loss to PSG

Timestamp: [14:42]

Shifting to soccer, Kornheiser poses a question about which recent result was more notable: the US Men's team's victory over Costa Rica in the Gold Cup or Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's defeat by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Club World Cup.

Mike Wilbon defends the significance of Messi’s loss:

• Mike Wilbon [14:57]: “Watching PSG beat Messi in Miami...”

Tony Kornheiser reflects on PSG's commitment to the match, suggesting that Messi’s presence was underwhelming:

• Tony Kornheiser [15:43]: “He’s got seven Wimbledons, but he’s got 10 Australians... If he wins this, retire on the spot, all the glory in the world.”

The discussion underscores the impact of star players like Messi on international club competitions and the challenges they face against top-tier European teams.

---

5. Tennis: Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon Ambitions

Timestamp: [16:28]

In tennis news, Novak Djokovic has declared that this Wimbledon could be his best chance to secure his 25th major title. Wilbon assesses Djokovic's prospects:

• Mike Wilbon [16:28]: “I’ll give him 15%... somebody else could beat Alcaraz and or Center.”

Kornheiser questions Djokovic’s confidence given his recent performances and the rising competition:

• Tony Kornheiser [17:00]: “I'm a little surprised Djokovic said this because he's got seven Wimbledons... if he's there, that's trouble for Djokovic.”

The hosts conclude that while Djokovic remains a formidable contender, the odds are stacked against him securing another Wimbledon title, especially with strong opponents in the mix.

---

6. Additional Sports News and Tributes

Timestamp: [19:12]

The episode also features heartfelt tributes and brief updates:

• Mitch Richmond, Hall of Fame guard and former Golden State Warriors player, celebrates his 60th birthday. Wilbon reminisces about Richmond's impactful career:

  • Mike Wilbon [19:54]: “I loved watching all three of them and got to know Mitch Richmond. Happy birthday indeed.”

• Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela are remembered for their remarkable pitching feats, both having thrown no-hitters on the same day 35 years ago.

• The passing of Dave Parker, a revered right fielder, is mourned. Wilbon reflects on Parker's legacy and his comparison to Roberto Clemente:

  • Mike Wilbon [21:39]: “Dave Parker... he upheld the position of right field in Pittsburgh.”

• D. Wayne Lucas, a legendary racehorse trainer with nearly 5,000 wins, including four Kentucky Derbies, is also honored.

---

7. Closing Remarks and Final News Bits

Timestamp: [23:35]

As the episode wraps up, Kornheiser and Wilbon touch upon a few last-minute updates:

• James Harden declines his one-year option with the Clippers but agrees to a two-year extension worth up to $81.5 million.

• Malik Beasley, a guard under investigation for allegations of gambling on NBA games, is scrutinized.

• The Mets suffer a sweep by the Pirates, leading to discussions about potential trades involving T.J. Watt.

Kornheiser expresses skepticism about the Steelers' willingness to listen to trade offers:

• Tony Kornheiser [24:16]: “I'm gonna start when we started this store, when we started this show. I have no idea what the Steelers are doing. Maybe they will listen. Unthinkable.”

Wilbon concludes the episode with his signature sign-off:

• Mike Wilbon [24:28]: “Same time tomorrow. Knuckleheads PTI.”

---

Conclusion

In this episode of PTI, Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon provide a comprehensive overview of recent sports developments, blending analytical insights with their characteristic banter. From LeBron James' strategic contract move to the intricacies of NFL trades and standout performances in baseball, the hosts ensure listeners are well-informed on the pressing topics of the day. Their discussions not only highlight the immediate implications of these events but also explore the broader narratives shaping the future of various sports.

Transcript

[Mike Wilbon]

Summer's here and Nordstrom has everything you need for your best dress season ever. From beach days and weddings to weekend getaways and your everyday wardrobe. Discover stylish options under $100 from tons of your favorite brands like Mango Skims.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Princess Polly and Madewell.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's easy too, with free shipping and free returns in store order pickup and more. Shop today in stores [e-mail] or download the Nordstrom app. Foreign the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's International Asteroid Day. Tony, you fear asteroids.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. If the big one hits, just please let it happen before we have to take the SportsCenter segment. So all I'm asking.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, don't wanna do that. Nobody even knows don't wanna do it. You know what an asteroid.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What?

[Mike Wilbon]

I mean, when is the last time that caused some major problem? When is the last time?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think they land and hit the earth every day. I think they're small asteroids.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's what I'm saying. So it's not a problem. You'll still have to do sports problem.

[Tony Kornheiser]

If it's a big one. If it's the size of Utah, it's a problem. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the Steelers deal, Minka Fitzpatrick Tarek Scubal is almost unhittable and Carlos Alcaraz struggles. But we begin today with LeBron James opting into a one year contract with the for $52.6 million. This is the only time in his career that LeBron has opted into a one year deal. His agent Rich Paul says LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, but he wants to win a championship now in what could be the 40 year old's last year. Wilbon, what does LeBron opting into his final year option say to you?

[Mike Wilbon]

I have no idea. I've gone back and forth on this since hearing the news, but I have no idea. And unlike you, I don't care to read tea leaves. I don't usually give a damn about what it is that people mean. If it's important enough for me to care, then say what you mean and mean what you say. And we know that LeBron and his camp often, you know, they have this passive aggressive approach and they're saying one thing, you gotta read it in social media four days later. As to what really it means, I don't care. I love seeing LeBron James play basketball and I'm glad we're going to see it for at least one more year. Don't know beyond that. I really do believe LeBron, like that night when he sat there at the end of the season, he said, I don't know. I don't know yet. That's, that's fair. He's earned the right not to know. My God. But the notion of, look, he wants to win another championship, or so it seems when you listen to Rich Paul. Well, then you might have to do something a little more creative so that you can go out and get another player who might be available, who. You might take less money, but you don't owe that. You don't owe anybody to take less money. But if you want a championship, then you might have to arrange it so that you do. But I don't know what he really wants other than the plan. We know this. Despite what he said last week about ring culture. He wants a ring. And I'm paying no attention to what he said about the culture. He, he wants a ring. And that's why you play. And he should. That's why we watch him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So I will help you with this as I explain what is going on here. First of all, we all need to agree on one thing. Yeah, we all have to agree on this one thing, which is that LeBron shows no particular loyalty to any franchise. He left Cleveland to go to Miami. He left Miami to go to Cleveland. He left Cleveland to go to the Lakers. Did this all on his own. Doesn't mind wearing another jersey. In fact, Mike, by 6:15 tonight, if he finds a deal somewhere and he's got another jersey on, he's going to be fine. Now, we have heard in recent days both rich Paul and LeBron James be very, very publicly praising of Jeannie Buss. You do that for two reasons. You know, two things you have to know about that. One is that Jeanie Buss no longer owns the Lakers. Really. So it's nice to pat on the back, but yeah, but she's out of there. And the second thing that it really says is that LeBron understands that the Lakers in the future belong to Luka Doncic. He's got this one year to play. If he chooses to play there, it is possible that he will decide, you know what? I don't want to play here anymore. I've got a no trade deal, so I can orchestrate a deal. So now I will give you some teams where he could go. I mean, I think he's going to play the year with the Lakers, but if he chooses not to, where would be spots where he could win right now? Well, One would be Cleveland, one would not be Houston because he's not going to be on the same team as Kevin Durant. One might be Denver if you could work that out. One might be San Antonio and one might be the Knicks. Think of the feather in LeBron's cap. If he won a championship with the Lakers and with the Knicks, that would be something, right? Could go. That's what I'm saying.

[Mike Wilbon]

It would be, but I don't know how the Knicks give up. You got to get $50 million going the other way and then you have, you know, I'm not saying it's impossible. LeBron still great teams. He, he's still great. Okay, Tony, that's right. What he meant, the finance. Every one of the economic situation.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He makes every one of those teams a championship contender and he helps the league by doing it.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, but you have a football team. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. I'm not letting that go. He doesn't make an contender. If they have, if they. No, I'm saying I don't know what he's talking about. I know what I'm talking about. If you have to send so much back to the Lakers that you don't have enough to contend, then he doesn't make them a contender. If you have to give up so much with that $50 million to the Lakers who are not going to just sit there and say we're in a charity case, then he doesn't make them a contender. And that's what the economic situation does. That wind horse comes on this show and tells us about all the time. So what he's talking about and the reality of today's NBA, they may not line up. So I don't know that he can make them contenders or not.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's just get out of the, let's just get out of this story with this, with this question. Do you think LeBron James will play the entire season this year with the Los Angeles Lakers, yes or no?

[Mike Wilbon]

I think so. I'll give you one of the team, only one.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, Golden State. Let's talk about, let's talk about a football trade that happened earlier today. Let's get off this. We're talking about a football trade.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's fine.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The Steelers traded three time all pro safety Minka Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins for three time all pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end John Smith. Wilbon, we have been awash in NBA drafts and trades and signings. What does this NFL trade say to you?

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, Tony, I go straight to the Steelers. And as to Emmett, to, you know, quote you, I'm going to the glasses because I look at what the Steelers have been doing this off season, you know, and they, they go and they get DK Metcalf, they. They sign Darius Slay, they trade for now for John who Smith, of course, they. But the two biggest parts of this are Aaron Rodgers for one year and dealing away Minka Fitzpatrick, which if we listen to people talk about the Steelers and former Steelers who are on the air talk about the Steelers and people who are with the Steelers talk about the Steelers. Minka Fitzpatrick, while his production might have declined, is the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And the Steelers don't go out and do things that seem just, you know, just irrational things. They don't do that. The Steelers are studied and very fairly predictable. And that's one of the reasons they win. They stick to, I don't want to say a script, but to a personality that fits who they are. I don't get any. I don't get most of that. And so I don't. I don't know what this means. Jalen Ramsey, okay, he's really good for a while and maybe he has a season or two left in him, but Tone, he's been overstated. Like so many of these cornerbacks who are great for three or four years and then, you know, like Revis island, they're here in the hall of Fame and they're gone tomorrow. He's like that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

So I don't. The Steelers, the Steelers. I'm going, whoa, what are they doing?

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is fine. You didn't know with LeBron. You don't know with the Steelers. I'm here to explain it to you. My ears are glad you're here for that. Every time the Steelers are mentioned and they do something like this now, why? Because of Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers, who is now publicly saying this is probably his last year. So no team in the league has a more urgent time to win than now than the Steelers, which is why they do these things. They're not looking at Jalen Ramsey for eight years. They're looking at winning this year. Jono Smith, last year, he's a tight end. Maybe the Steelers don't think that Aaron Rodgers can go deep down the field anymore, so they want to keep a couple of really good tight ends. He had 80. What did 88 catches last year, 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Mike, those were Dolphin records, all time records for a tight end. Again, an urgency of right now then to get to the other part of this, we all have to take a step back because these are the Steelers. And we have to ask ourselves, does this feel like the Steelers to us? Does this feel like Mike Tomlin to us? And then that voice inside of our heads comes out. And this is what the voice says, a familiar line. Buckle up. I think it's going to be a bumpy ride. That's what's going on.

[Mike Wilbon]

Next story to you is that the Steelers.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Did I just say no?

[Mike Wilbon]

Just.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I said no. But it's who they are right now because they have to win right now. Trying to win. But do they get right now the Steel, the Pittsburgh Steelers because of Aaron Rodgers, one year. He's a one year running.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right. Have some. Have some ayahuasca. And let's go to baseball. Three noteworthy numbers from Sunday's games. Thirteen is the number of strikeouts thrown over seven innings by reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarek Skubal. And in the Tigers three nothing win over the Twins. I watched a lot of that game. Two is the number of home runs Aaron Judge hit in a win over the A's, lifting him to 30 on the season. And four is the number of intentional walks earned by your boy James Wood of the Nats, the most in a single game since Barry Bonds 21 years ago. Tony, which of these is the most impressive number to you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, so I'm eliminating Aaron Judge right away. Not because I don't like him. I love him, he's great. But because this is the fifth time already this season, just to the end of June, where he's had multiple homer games. If he had hit three, I would have said, okay, you got me, it's three. But he didn't hit two. I watched a lot of the Tarek Skuba game as well. He's great, I guess. He struck out eight of the first nine. Nine of the first eleven. He struck out every single twin in the lineup. Every single one, which doesn't happen very often. And yeah, maybe he's headed for another side. It looks like it's either him or Max Freed in the American League. But you know that I follow the Nationals and I know about James Wood. The Nationals have a treasure in James Wood at the moment. Four intentional walks is insane. You said before it's the last time since. It's the first time, rather, since Barry Bonds in 2004. Barry Bonds at that point, Mike, in his career had 658 home runs. James Wood has 31. That's all he's got is 31. So that's elite company. The strategy is simple. Nobody else on the Nats can really hurt you. James Wood has 22 home runs this year. Maybe Nathaniel Lowe can hurt you. So you put him on base and a team doesn't beat you, but they beat him anyway in extra innings. Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

All right. The answer to this question is schuble, but you went over that so well, I'm not going to go back. I'm just going to go back to something you said. James Wood is a treasure. Does that mean 1. You stunned me with that? 2. Does that mean like every other great Nationals player, he's out the door in two years to make a billion dollars somewhere else with the Mets or pitch statistics.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He has played 163 games in the major leagues as of 162, he had 31 homers and 105 RBI. Juan Soto 31 and 107. Bryce Harper 31, 77. And they lost those two. You cannot lose this guy. Let's take a break. Coming up, the US Men beat Costa Rica in the Gold cup, but was there a more notable soccer result yesterday?

[Mike Wilbon]

And Novak Djokovic says this Wimbledon might be his best shot at major number 25. It sounds like Wood will be gone before I can get back to Washington to even go buy a ticket to see him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can't lose.

[C]

Pardon the Interruption is brought to you by AutoZone. Get in the zone. Baseball season is in full swing, but be honest, are you wearing a hat to support your favorite team or to hide your thinning hair? HIMS offers access to a range of prescription treatments that are a home run for hair regrowth so you can see big league results by the time your team is in the playoffs. HIMS offers convenient access to a range of prescription hair loss treatments with ingredients that work, including chews, oral medications, serums and sprays that offer doctor trusted clinically proven ingredients like finasteride and minoxidil, which can stop hair loss and regrow hair in as little as three to six months. Get started from the comfort of home. The process is 100% online, which means getting it has never been more convenient. No insurance is needed and treatment options start at just $35 per month. Start your free online visit today at himss.com PTI that's H I M S.com PTI for personalized hair loss treatment options. Hims.com PTI individual results may vary based on studies of topical and oral minoxidil and finasteride. Prescription required. See website for full details. Restrictions and important safety information. As you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Trying to find out what the rabble's babbling about in mail time. Let me see what's first here. More notable, the US Men beating Costa Rica in the Gold cup or Lionel Messi and Inter Miami getting crushed by PSG in the Club World Cup.

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, you know it's messy in Inter Miami getting crushed. You talked about this on your podcast this morning live time yesterday on the phone. Tony, remember how in the old days players, the greatest players would sit by the locker and they would have clippings of newspapers and they could see what the other people, other teams and coaches and managers has said about them and they'd work themselves into a lather and then go out and beat your brains out. This is like that. The PSG team just said what? What, what? Messi and Inter Miami and they just, they scored four goals. They could have scored eight. They had mercy in the second half that beat down. I realized the other game might have been more significant, but it was watching PSG beat down Messi in Miami.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I seem to recall that on Friday we did a preview segment of this and you said you thought PSG might not even care about this. And you said even if PSG loses, it wouldn't be a big deal in Europe cuz everybody in Europe would know that they didn't put a full effort into this. And then I asked you who's going to win? In fact, very tentatively you said to me, I think PSG is going to win. That's exactly right. And I thought he's not really believing in this. Yeah, 1:05 minutes in 4:0 into the fourth the other game. Don't tell me about beating Costa Rica. Let me know when they make the finals. Here we go. Next one. Novak Djokovic says this Wimbledon may be his best chance remaining to win a 25th major. What chance are you giving him?

[Mike Wilbon]

I'll give him 15%. Just somebody else could beat Alcaraz and or center and lead from a path. We've seen this. You you covered Wimbledon. You saw people like Johnny Mack and Connors and guys who played great on grass, though. Not Borg early and not Federer early. But we've seen some of the greats lose early on grass. And I think that would have to happen, Tony, because I don't think the joker can be center or Alcaraz in this tournament. 15% if somebody else takes them out.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So, you know, I'm a little surprised Djokovic said this because he's got seven Wimbledons, but he's got 10 Australians. I guess he's sort of convinced because he's been in the finals at Wimbledon the last six years, but the last two years he's lost to Alcaraz. I know Alcaraz had trouble in the first round, but Alcaraz, then, I take it, is playing in this tournament because if he's there, that's trouble for Djokovic. And Djokovic would have to beat Sinner in the semis. The last time they played in the semis was about a week and a half ago at the French, and Sinner won in straight sets. So, yeah, if Djokovic wins this, retire on the spot, all the glory in the world, because I don't think he.

[Mike Wilbon]

Can beat them both.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not female.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take one last break. Still to come, the Mets get right.

[Mike Wilbon]

Back to swooning and his trade partners begin to sniff around. Should the Steelers. The Steelers again consider dealing T.J. watt.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The Steelers, they're Monty sniffing around like vultures on dead animals.

[Mike Wilbon]

Get in the zone. AutoZone.

[C]

Welcome to AutoZone. What are you working on today? Hey, that's the spirit. Right now we're celebrating free with a free STP oil filter when you buy five quarts of oil. And free Duralast brake pads when you buy two rotors. Like always, free battery, testing, charging and recycling at every store. Celebrate free at AutoZone now through July 28th.

[Mike Wilbon]

Get in the zone.

[C]

AutoZone restrictions apply.

[Mike Wilbon]

I think you're on mute.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Workday starting to sound the same. I think you're on mute.

[C]

Find something that sounds better for your career on LinkedIn. With LinkedIn job collections, you can browse curated collections by relevant industries and benefits like Flexpto or hybrid workplaces so you can find the right job for you. Get [e-mail] jobs finding where you fit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

LinkedIn knows how.

[C]

Pardon the Interruption is brought to you by Charles Schwab Own youn Tomorrow.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time, people. Happy 60th birthday. Mitch Richmond, the Hall of Fame guard was 1/3 of the Golden State warriors exciting 1990s run TMC offense with Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullen. Richmond was a six time NBA All Star, five times with the Sacramento Kings who retired Richmond's number two. Richmond was NBA Rookie of the Year in 1989, then waited 13 years to get a ring. He was a reserve on the 2002 Lakers and it was Richmond who dribbled out the clock as the lakers completed a four game sweep of the nets. Richmond won a bronze medal as a collegiate in the 1988 Olympics, then won gold with NBA players in the 1996 Olympics.

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, I know they didn't win anything, but three of my favorite players in, I don't know, the last 35 years in the NBA are those three you just mentioned with Run TMC. They were so exciting. They were a big man away from stuff, but I just, I loved watching all three of them and got to know Mitch Richmond. Happy birthday indeed.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy anniversary. Dave Stewart and Fernando Valenzuela. This is posthumous for Valenzuela, but around the state 35 years ago, both men pitched no hitters on the same day was the first time that happened since 1898. Stewart pitching for the A's no hit, The Blue Jays 5 nothing in Toronto. Hours later in 2500 miles to the west, Valenzuela in Dodger blue no hit, the Cardinals 6 nothing. ESPN had a good day broadcasting both no hitters back to back. This was at the tail end of Valenzuela's legendary career with the Dodgers. It was likely Stewart's top regular season accomplishment, though he has three World Series rings.

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, I'm glad you said regular season because Stewart went on of course, to win a World Series with Toronto after winning one with the A's and one previously early in his career with the Dodgers.

[Tony Kornheiser]

A melancholy trails Dave Parker, the terrific right fielder passed away on Saturday at the age of 74, just one month before he was due to be inducted into the hall of Fame. Known as the COBRA. Parker played 19 seasons in the majors, peaking with the Pirates in the late 70s when he won two batting titles in MVP and a World Series. He won another championship while on the A's in 1989. Parker stood 6 5, was also a terrific fielder with a huge army on display here, throwing out Brian Downing at the plate in the 1979 All Star Game.

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, you know, I watched some clips on Dave Parker last night and stories and he came into baseball with the pressure of playing right field in Pittsburgh, which is where the great Roberto Clemente played. Yes, and he talked about Willie Stargell hall of Fame teammate saying him to don't worry about it. You can't follow Clemente. You just got to be you. Dave Parker. But when you see Dave Parker with that cannon of an arm throwing out of right field, how do guys like you and I not think of Clemente? And he upheld the position of right field in Pittsburgh.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's impossible, but he did it 100% agree with that. And also a melancholy trails to D. Wayne Lucas. The legendary racehorse trainer died Saturday night at the age of 89. Of his nearly 5,000 wins, Lucas horses won four Kentucky Derbies and 15 Triple Crown races overall, including six consecutive. He entered with four different horses spanning 1994 to 1996. Out of college, Lucas taught at a high school, coached the basketball team for nine years until his side hustle proved more lucrative and and he started training horses full time at the age of 32.

[Mike Wilbon]

Tony, how about that? At the behest of the great Andrew Beyer, our colleague and friend of many decades. I had a conversation with D. Wayne Lucas at Churchill Downs once. It was all about basketball. Him talking about it being his first love in coaching in high school and how he just couldn't get out of his blood. He was close with Bob Knight and lots of others and that was a fascinating thing for him to be that neck deep in more than one sport.

[Tony Kornheiser]

His nickname was the Coach. Let's go quickly to the big finish. The Trailblazers brought after Andre Ayton. The Bulls traded Lonzo Ball. The Jazz traded Collin Sexton. Most surprising move quick.

[Mike Wilbon]

Maybe Ayton. Tony. He's been in a Finals. He could help somebody. Lakers maybe, if they had any money. James Harden decline his one year option with the Clippers but has reportedly agreed to a two year extension worth up to 81 and a half mil. That makes sense, doesn't it? Of course.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He got two years money instead of one. Free agent. Guard Malik Beasley under investigation for allegations of gambling on NBA games. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

He has not been charged, but it has our attention. The Mets got swept by the Pirates. How bad was that, Tony?

[Tony Kornheiser]

This bat outscored 30 to 4. Last one. Adam Schefter reports. Teams are discussing trying to trade for T.J. watt. Think the Steelers will listen?

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm gonna start when we started this store, when we started this show. I have no idea what the Steelers are doing. Maybe they will listen. Unthinkable.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But maybe we're out of time. Try and be better the next time. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Wilbon. Same time tomorrow. Knuckleheads PTI.

[Tony Kornheiser]

In 1979, the first words.

[C]

Spoken on ESPN weren't just an announcement.

[Tony Kornheiser]

If you're a fan, they were a sports prophecy. What you'll see in the next minutes, hours and days to follow.

[Mike Wilbon]

Glad you're with us tonight. May convince you you've gone to sports heaven.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And right now you're standing on the edge of tomorrow.

[C]

This fall, the next era of ESPN begins. Sports forever.