What was the MOST IMPROBABLE event from yesterday's MLB action?

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary: “What was the MOST IMPROBABLE event from yesterday’s MLB action?”

Date: August 7, 2026
Hosts: Mike Wilbon, Frank Isola (guest host for Tony Kornheiser)

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Overview

This lively PTI episode covers a wild set of MLB games with improbable comebacks and finishes, shifts to big news in the NFL regarding running back contracts, and then breaks down the NBA’s Clippers salary cap investigation, Jaylen Brown’s new start with the Sixers, and notable moments in WNBA and college sports. Throughout, Wilbon and Isola bring their classic blend of expertise, humor, and candid opinions.

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Most Improbable MLB Event (00:31–04:53)

Key Discussion Points

• Cubs' Dramatic Win: Down to their last strike, Alex Bregman ties the game with a two-run homer and eventually the Cubs win in 11 innings, with Pete Crow-Armstrong stealing the spotlight by not just driving in but then stealing the winning run.
• Red Sox's Gritty Comeback: Boston comes from behind five times and wins in 13, handing the White Sox a brutal loss.
• Acuna Jr.'s Unusual Homer: Home run bounces off colliding Marlins outfielders.
• Mets’ Unexpected Sweep: Mets sweep the Guardians days after being presumed sellers.

Insights & Memorable Quotes

• Frank Isola on the Red Sox's comeback:
  “They trailed by four runs this season. They were 0 and 26 in games where they trailed by four or more runs. And just like the Cubs in the ninth inning, they’re down to their final strike. They tie the game up. They finally win it in the 13th inning.” (02:11)

• Mike Wilbon on the Cubs’ walk-off:
  “Wrigley Field is 115 years old. That is one of the more thrilling endings I have ever seen in Wrigley Field... Pete Crow-Armstrong himself keeps it going. I’m going to drive in the winning run—fine. You want to throw him out? I will steal the winning run. It’s like Jackie Robinson. Unbelievable.” (03:28)

• Frank Isola on Acuna’s lucky homer:
  “It’s not as bad as off of Jose Canseco’s head, but it’s kind of close.” (04:46)

Segment Highlights

• 02:56: Wilbon on the impact of the White Sox’s loss and missed opportunities in AL Central.
• 03:16: Wilbon narrates Cubs’ wild finish and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s heroics.
• 04:10: Isola and Wilbon discuss base-stealing as a separator in today’s MLB.

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NFL: The Resurgence and Payment of Running Backs (04:53–07:32)

Key Discussion Points

• Record Contracts: Jameer Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor all signed massive guaranteed deals, signaling a shift in how the running back position is valued.
• Changing Philosophy: A return to viewing running backs as central pieces, not just supporting roles.

Insights & Quotes

• Wilbon celebrates the renewed emphasis on RBs:
  “Football coaches did this ... they emphasized to me the running backs were often the greatest players on the field ... Coaches went away from this so they could spread the field and use all these receivers they drafted and paid way too much money. They’re finally using [RBs] as such.” (05:23)

• Isola on the position’s perceived value:
  “Gibbs’s contract right now—58th highest paid offensive player in the league. If he was a wide receiver, he would be the 25th highest paid... So they still value the receivers more than the running backs.” (07:10)

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NBA: Clippers, Kawhi, and the Salary Cap Investigation (07:51–10:41)

Key Discussion Points

• New Allegations: Pablo Torre reports an undisclosed sponsorship deal between Kawhi Leonard and Daktronics, the same company that built the Clippers’ new scoreboard—a possible salary cap circumvention on top of an earlier probe.
• League Investigation: The fallout may impact pending trades and could result in suspensions or penalties.

Insights & Quotes

• Frank Isola on the threat to Kawhi:
  “This latest reporting does not bode well for the Clippers... I think there’s going to be a suspension for Kawhi Leonard. Now if it’s 20 games, it’s the worst thing about bigger penalty for ownership 100% and for the player." (09:29)

• Wilbon calls for union action if the punishment is uneven:
  “If they suspend Kawhi and don’t do anything to Steve Ballmer ... The players should stage a walkout simultaneously every damn game at 7:30 tip time. They should, because if there’s no offer then there’s no circumvention because the player has nothing to accept.” (09:41)

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NBA: Jaylen Brown's Trade Reaction, Philly Future, and Team Dynamics (10:51–13:34)

Key Discussion Points

• Jaylen Brown’s Feelings: He was shocked and emotional upon learning of the trade but optimistic now, despite not having spoken to Jayson Tatum.
• Team Hierarchy Issues: NBA stars increasingly caught up in “whose team is it?”

Notable Quotes

• Wilbon on Brown’s reaction:
  “Jaylen riffs on a lot of things. I find that he speaks from the heart ... They got to get those guys together. It doesn’t take weeks, it takes months.” (11:28)

• Isola on the root of Brown-Tatum friction:
  “I think he’s a little bent out of shape that the Celtics clearly decided it’s Jayson Tatum’s team...Brown has been respected. There’s a difference.” (12:37)

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WNBA: Chelsea Gray's Buzzer-Beater (15:42–17:14)

Key Points

• Chelsea Gray’s Heroics: Two buzzer-beating shots and a critical comeback win for her team.
• Indiana Fever’s Collapse: Failed to close out a big lead and missed key free throws.

Memorable Quotes

• Frank Isola:
  “I love the little dribble that creates space. She knows how much time is left...” (15:58)

• Wilbon on Fever choking:
  “There was a certain choke element to that on Indiana’s part.” (16:37)

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NBA: Anthony Davis & Wizards Contract Stalemate (17:18–19:08)

Key Points

• Tabled Talks: Both sides agree to delay due to Davis’s injury history, Washington’s youth, and salary cap implications.

• Wilbon:
  “I want [the Wizards' young picks] getting the ball for the next 12 years. I don’t need Anthony Davis. I’m not paying him $70 million to play 48 games.” (17:24)

• Isola considers AD’s future in DC doubtful:
  “Do you even think we’re going to see him in a Wizard’s uniform? ... I think the best thing for Washington, when you look at their timeline...” (18:12)

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Special Segments: Milestones & Anniversary Salutes (20:42–23:44)

Highlights

• Mike Trout Birthday:
  “Through his first eight seasons, Trout won three AL MVPs. Get this Frank. Finished 2nd four times ... sad he’s only played in one playoff series.” (20:42)

• Anniversaries:

  • Ichiro’s 3,000th MLB hit (22:01)
  • Greg Maddux’s 300th win (22:01)
  • Barry Bonds’s all-time HR record (22:01)

• Wilbon on Maddux:
  “What number did Maddux. Who did he share it with? ... Ferguson, Jenkins.” (22:55)

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Rapid Fire & Closing Thoughts (23:43–24:37)

• Purdue AD’s Jab at Indiana:
  “If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana.” (23:54)
• NFL Hall of Fame Inductees:
  • Wilbon gives special mention to Larry Fitzgerald and his late father. (24:05)
• USMNT Striker Transfer Rumor
• WNBA Matchups & Dodgers’ Slump Update

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Tone & Takeaways

The episode was fast-paced, humorous, and insightful, blending sharp analysis with personal sports memories and playful jabs. Wilbon was emotive and candid; Isola provided stats, historical context, and wit throughout.
Best Quote of the Day:

“Wrigley Field's 115 years old. That is one of the more thrilling endings I have ever seen in Wrigley Field ... It's like Jackie Robinson. Unbelievable.”
— Mike Wilbon (03:28)

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For more wit, rants, and real sports talk, listen to the next PTI after their break on August 27th!

Transcript

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[Mike Wilbon]

pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's our last show until August 27th. Frank.

[Frank Isola]

I'm Frank Isola. Wait, it is. I needed to scratch.

[Mike Wilbon]

We gotta get you another hustle.

[Frank Isola]

I got one for the league World Series. You're not going to little sideline.

[Mike Wilbon]

There's enough games. Yeah, there's enough games. And by the way, you like Williamsport?

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, they have nice hotels here. Remember you stayed at the four seasons that one year? No, that they built it just for you.

[Mike Wilbon]

Or else you would go AAU circuit for the four seasons.

[Frank Isola]

All those.

[Mike Wilbon]

Welcome to PTI. Tony has started his 19 day weekend already. So I'm thrilled to be joined by our great friend from the starting lineup on Sirius XM Mr. Frank Isola.

[Frank Isola]

They're ready for the 19 day break.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's a lot of energy for a Friday afternoon in July August. Wade. Let's start with the improbable events in baseball. The Cubs were down to their last strike against the Blue Jays yesterday at Wrigley when Alex Bregman hit this game tying two run homer and the Cubs went on to win in 11:11. The Red Sox came from behind five times. Frank to beat the White Sox at Fenway in 13. Ronald Acuna Jr. Meanwhile earned one of his two home runs when the ball bounced off the gloves of colliding Marlins outfielders. And the lowly Mets swept the Guardians just days after selling off. So which of these was the most improbable in your mind?

[Frank Isola]

Great day, great night for baseball. I'll let you focus on the Cubs. I'm going to go with the Red Sox because what they did.

[Mike Wilbon]

I watched that live.

[Frank Isola]

Number one. The game took 4 hours and 23 minutes. It was like a Yankees Red Sox game from 10 years ago. 2nd longest game since the pitch count came in and you mentioned them trailing. How about from the third, third inning until the 12th inning? They trailed every time they came to hit. Yeah, and that. And they. They trailed by four runs this season they were 0 and 26 in games where they trailed by four more runs. And just like the Cubs in the ninth inning, they're down to their final strike. They tie the game up. They finally win it in the 13th inning. Caleb Duran. Durbin had that single to win it 31 and five in the last 36 games. And Mike, how about this? They have now had six sweeps against teams that entered the series in first place. You talk about quality wins, they're getting it done.

[Mike Wilbon]

The White Sox are going to regret last night. They're going to live to regret that. Because not only do they lose a game when they're only three up in their division, but I think Minnesota lost and Detroit lost and Cleveland lost. And so they can gain a game in Fenway. That game was unbelievable. Live to watch, which I did. The White Sox, particularly when they get the last lead.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Homer over the monster and they still can't hold on. This is about the Cubs. We talked yesterday. We led this show with mvp. Talk of Shohei and mvp as in Pete Crow. Armstrong, who not only takes matters in his own hands, he has a base hit with a slower. One of our slower runners, Carson Kelly, the catcher on second. They throw Carson Kelly out at the plate. And then Pete just says to hell with it. He steals third. It's like Javi Baez going back 10 years. The throw is outside and off and off the glove. And Pete goes home. Listen, Wrigley Field's 115 years old. That is one of the more thrilling endings I have ever seen in Wrigley Field. And Pete Crowe, Armstrong himself keeps it going. I'm going to drive in the winning run. Fine. You want to throw him out? I will steal the winning run. It's like Jackie Robinson. Unbelievable.

[Frank Isola]

And remember, we had talked about that yesterday. You know, 60 stolen bases going into yesterday's game. He had a total of 50 the previous two years. And that was kind of the one thing that right now separates him from Shohei. How good he is in the field. And also on the base pass. By the way, we watched that game here on your little phone because you wouldn't make it go with a large screen. You're so cynical. You need to be. You gotta be positive like us in New York.

[Mike Wilbon]

I had 108 years to get one. So don't. Don't expect me to be.

[Frank Isola]

By the way, the Mets first sweep since May. And then how about the Acuna home run? Is that worse?

[Mike Wilbon]

It's not as bad as off the noggin.

[Frank Isola]

It's not as bad as off of Jose Canseco's. Head, but it's kind of close.

[Mike Wilbon]

The Braves are rolling too.

[Frank Isola]

Great night though. Great day for the Braves.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're rolling. They are.

[Frank Isola]

All right, let's move to the NFL where there's been a run on running backs this week. The Lions made Jameer Gibbs the highest paid back in league history yesterday with a three year extension averaging 22.5 million with 51.5 million guaranteed. Before Gibbs, there was Bijan Robinson's three year extension at 51 million guaranteed and Jonathan Taylor's two year extension, 39 million guaranteed. Mike, what do these contracts say to you about this position and which player impresses you most?

[Mike Wilbon]

It says that NFL coaches and NFL people, personnel people as well, have finally come to their damn senses making running back important again. That often the running back, who is not just a running back in college most of the time anyway, there's too much passing game that goes on from high school that they have to master. And so they are weapons. And so I'm not just talking about Jeremiah Love who now gets 50 million plus the biggest guarantee among running backs, but football coaches did this and I got a couple of old guys named Green. I'll let people figure out who they are. My peers who played at a time where they knew and they emphasized to me the running backs were often the greatest players on the field. Okay? And you got guys. Marshall Falk was the best player on the field. All right. Adrian Peterson was the best player on the field. And then coaches went away from this so they can spread the field and use all these receivers. They drafted and paid way too much money. Money. And these diva wide receivers and they change the game. I understand these guys are explosive. They're no better than those two dudes. And they're not better than Taylor on Indiana. Now. They're not better than the players you mentioned who often are the best players on the field and they're finally using them as such.

[Frank Isola]

I actually think that Saquon Barkley, the year they had a couple years ago in Philadelphia, same kind of changed things a little bit for the running backs because like when we're growing up and we're thinking about, you know, whether it's O.J. simpson, Franco Harris, your guy, Walter Payton, my guy, Chuck Foreman. It was a stretch in the late 70s for 10 years where the number one overall pick was a running back. I'm talking about George Robert.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, a lot of dudes.

[Frank Isola]

Bo Jackson, there hasn't been a number one pick since 1911.

[Mike Wilbon]

What's fault has that been?

[Frank Isola]

Well, it's Just the way they view the running backs. Unfortunately, they think the shelf life, it isn't that long. And here's the thing. Gibbs's contract right now. Yeah. 58th highest paid offensive player in the league.

[Mike Wilbon]

Still don't think much, Mike.

[Frank Isola]

If he was a wide receiver, he would be the 25th highest paid wide receiver. So they still value the receivers more than the running backs. We've seen over the last couple of years how important the running back position has been. And I think, like, listen, the players don't have to give anything to Saquon Barkley, but I think Barkley, the breakout year that he had, changed things a little.

[Mike Wilbon]

By the way, you got coaches now using not just two tight ends, but in the case of Ben Johnson, it looks like with the Bears, three tight informations where you can block and enhance what your running back is doing. You also don't have to have a receiver out there. You can still power football. Whatever happened to that other than spread

[Frank Isola]

the field, especially in bad weather games.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wake up and see who the best player on your team is, man. Now to the latest turn in the allegation that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap in the NBA to reward Kawhi Leonard. Pablo Torre finds out, reported last night a previously undisclosed multimillion dollar sponsorship agreement between Leonard and the company that made the Clippers massive scoreboard, Daktronics, the biggest scoreboard you've ever seen. That in addition to the original deal Pablo reported involving one time team sponsor aspiration. Frank, how's this latest report? Pablo, what are you doing? Change things for Ballmer and Kawhi, if at all.

[Frank Isola]

You know, it's almost been a since Pablo's original reporting with the connection with aspiration, whether or not they circumvented the salary cap and the investigation starts. And last week there were reports that it may go into 2027, which is hard to believe because that trade right now is still on hold.

[Mike Wilbon]

And they're not gonna put a trade on hold until 2027. Exactly.

[Frank Isola]

Well, you and remember you have Brandon Ingram and Grady Dick got traded.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Frank Isola]

So they're in limbo.

[Mike Wilbon]

You got two franchises, one who had nothing to do with this.

[Frank Isola]

But this latest reporting does not bode well for the Clippers. It doesn't bode well? You don't think so? Well, all right. He quoted a source at the Intuit Dome as saying that sponsorship deal was 1,000% a way to circumvent the salary cap. I still think and remember the league hired a Private invest law firm to investigate. I still think why the Toronto Raptors went to the Clippers and said we're going to hold up on this deal. I think they're waiting to see what the punishment is going to be. Not so much for the Clippers. I think there's going to be a suspension for Kawhi Leonard. Now if it's 20 games, it's the

[Mike Wilbon]

worst thing about bigger penalty for ownership 100% and for the player.

[Frank Isola]

But Kawhi is going to get something and then you know what's going to happen, Mike? The players union is going to get.

[Mike Wilbon]

The players union should order if they suspend Kawhi and don't do anything to Steve Ballmer who I like tremendously. The players should stage a walkout simultaneously every Damn game at 7:30 tip time. They should because if there's no offer then there's no circumvention because the player has nothing to accept. Let me just say this. I don't believe anything is going to happen.

[Frank Isola]

I don't really.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, you know what? Because David Stern, he may be turning over in his grave at this, but he ain't coming out of the grave. David Stern might suspend people, he might dock people, draft picks, might lower your salary cap. Does that seem to be the method of this commissioner? Does that seem to be Adam Silver's way to be as confrontational as his predecessor to you?

[Frank Isola]

I do think though if they're circumventing the cap, if you find that there has to be some kind of punishment for the Clippers. You are right about this though. The league loves Steve Ballmer. First of all, he's got more money than he knows what to do with it. He built an arena with his money.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's essential to things. They are doing big overseas and expansion projects.

[Frank Isola]

Is Steve Ballmer getting kicked out of the league? I don't think that's going to happen, no. But I do think there's going to be some kind of punishment for Kawhi. Why else would the trade be delayed?

[Mike Wilbon]

They're not only or this players union is going to be put to the test.

[Frank Isola]

Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram and Grady Dick are sitting thinking what's going on? All right, let's stick with the NBA. And now to Jaylen Brown's thoughts about what lies ahead with the Sixers and how he feels about the Celtics team that trade him away. Brown told reporters yesterday at his press conference that he threw his phone across the room. That sounds like Michael Wilbon when he first learned of the deal to arrival. But that he now sees it as an incredible opportunity that it doesn't have to be anyone's team in specific and that he hasn't really talked to Jason Tam. That's a little odd. But that has nothing but that. He has nothing but respect for him. Mike, how does Jaylen Brown sound right now?

[Mike Wilbon]

Like. Like Jaylen Brown. I mean, Jaylen riffs on a lot of things. I find that he speaks from the heart that he's. He means what he's saying. He's not doing it to troll people. And that's when one of the many things I like about Jaylen Brown, nothing in there surprised me. If anybody was surprised he said he hadn't talked to Jason Tatum yet. They shouldn't be. Right? I didn't expect them necessarily to be. They'll get to a point when they're older. You and I know about active beefs on teams where guys are playing. The NBA has been full of this over our time covering it so. So decades. It does not surprise me. I just think the thing that Jaylen Brown gave voice to, it's going to be hard to do this. They got to get those guys together. It doesn't take weeks, it takes months. And he knows that. He knows how hard it was on the Celtic team where he grew with the stars on the team. Now you're going to bring in guys that expect to do this overnight. So it sounded about like what I expect Jalen to say.

[Frank Isola]

I think a big thing with NBA players, especially the high level ones like Jaylen Brown. And he's accomplished a lot in his career. He's played in 142 playoff games. He's been a Finals MVP. I think they get a lot of times wrapped up in whose team is it and that becomes a big thing

[Mike Wilbon]

that has become a thing lately.

[Frank Isola]

And I think he's a little bent out of shape that the Celtics clearly decided it's Jayson Tatum's team. Because now both of you, and now here would be my question to you. Jaylen Brown said that this past season was his favorite season. You know who wasn't on the team? Tatum for most of the season. But neither was Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, he, Kristaps Porzingis guys that he won

[Mike Wilbon]

a champion he liked being dependent on.

[Frank Isola]

But he won a championship with them.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yep.

[Frank Isola]

He said this year. So now he's on a Philadelphia team that has embiid Tyrese Maxey a rising star in BJ coming. Oh, by the way, I don't know if you heard LeBron James is there.

[Mike Wilbon]

Different circumstances.

[Frank Isola]

So how is he going to. How is he going to take that?

[Mike Wilbon]

Different circumstances. He's going to have perspective from what he just went through in Boston. By the way, they were never keeping Jaylen Brown and Tatum. Tatum is beloved in Boston. Brown has been respected. There's a difference. So we should have seen that coming. I did see it coming. That was never gonna happen. The two of them were gonna finish their careers together in Boston. And now Jalen's gotta go through this all over. But he's been through it once.

[Frank Isola]

When you watch the Bulls on your little phone, do you scream at it too, like you did yesterday? So cynical.

[Mike Wilbon]

Lovingly.

[Frank Isola]

Be positive.

[Mike Wilbon]

Never cynical about Michael Jeffrey Jordan or Scottie Pippen. Let's take a break. When we come back. Or Phil Jackson or Steve Kerr. Chelsea Gray has a WNBA first to shout about. Or Toni Kukoc.

[Frank Isola]

And why would Anthony Davis want to delay contract talks with the Wizards?

[Mike Wilbon]

He might want to delay contract talks with him.

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[Mike Wilbon]

Time to turn this program over to the people. I'll get the first one you like that. Meal time. Give the people what they want Stealing that from Jalen Rose. Chelsea Gray, more impressive. Chelsea Gray shot last night. Her first buzzer beater or her second.

[Frank Isola]

I'll tell you what, the first one I liked a lot because first look at this, like a scramble situation. I love the little dribble that creates space. She knows how much time is left.

[Mike Wilbon]

I thought she was going to turn it over. I was worried.

[Frank Isola]

This is all on the Indiana Fever. Yeah. By the way, this is the end of the game with the steal by Asia Wilson. Turn over Caitlin Clark. And then Chelsea Gray nails this to win it. Just incredible at the buzzer.

[Mike Wilbon]

Chelsea Gray's so close, but the Fever

[Frank Isola]

gave it away, Mike. They led by 20.

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, they also led by three. And they had two free throws coming from an 86% shooter, and she couldn't convert.

[Frank Isola]

Kelsey Mitchell had the first. Missed a free throw with 10 seconds, which would have made it four. And then you're right, Caitlin Clark just made one of them. And the game's over.

[Mike Wilbon]

Indiana's in these impossibly big games already. Chelsea Grado, they say they're champs. They know how to do this. They know how to do it multiple times. I know there was a certain choke element to that on Indiana's part, by the way. You know, being a Chicago, and I can't be going around rooting for Indiana. And so I looked at this game. This is a wild game, because it could be a forecast of, you know what?

[Frank Isola]

Up to that point. When Caitlin Clark stepped to the free throw line seven seconds ago, she had made 35 of her last 38 free throws.

[Mike Wilbon]

She'd been great at the free throw line. She'd been great shooting threes one.

[Frank Isola]

And then the turnover is just.

[Mike Wilbon]

So what do you think happened? Nerves. Missing the three foot putt, the yips.

[Frank Isola]

She did tap herself in the head.

[Mike Wilbon]

Give a second letter.

[Frank Isola]

Let me read this one.

[Mike Wilbon]

Here you go.

[Frank Isola]

All right, here we go. The Wizards and Anthony Davis have tabled their contract talks. What does that suggest to you?

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, we know what it means. It means Rich Paul, Anthony's agent, In addition to LeBron's and other people and the Wizards, have agreed to sort of just sort of put this on the back burner. And, you know, you could put it on the back burner when Anthony Davis is going to get 62.8 million next season. Even he's getting about 60 mil this season. Four years, $275 million for a guy, Chicago guy. I root for Anthony Davis. He's averaged 48 games or so. Averaged 48. I got a team in which I got some bigs out there like Sar, who came on average 14 and a half points last year. He was the number two overall pick. I got Debanza, who's the number one pick. I want them getting the ball for the next 12 years. I don't need Anthony Davis. I'm not paying him $70 million to play 48 games.

[Frank Isola]

This is a no brainer. It is for Washington. And you met, you know, 71 games the last two years for Anthony Davis, only 20 last season. Now if Washington wasn't tanking, would he have played? Probably. But I don't. Do you even think we're going to see him in a wood in a wizard's uniform? I don't know. He's going to be 33 in March. I think the best thing for Washington, when you look at their timeline in

[Mike Wilbon]

mind, going home for the final trip

[Frank Isola]

to watch them on your phone.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, this sounds bad. It sounds like I'm ripping Anthony Davis. I'm not. I think that Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid are guys who are great, great talents who care deeply, whose bodies are not up to the rigors of a hundred game NBA schedule when you include the playoffs. And I am not about to rip those guys in terms of their intent. But if you're the Wizards and you got this young crew and you know, I could say to Trey, I could say to Trae Young, dude, you can go down to 15, 14 points a game. I need 11, 12 assists a game with these youngsters. He can do it. Cause Trae Young's that good.

[Frank Isola]

Yep. By the way, they have a Hall of Fame center on their team, Patrick Ewing, assistant for Washington.

[Mike Wilbon]

How about that? It's good to have Patrick back. It is. Thanks for your email. Let's take one last break. Still to come, the Dodgers try and snap that six game losing streak.

[Frank Isola]

Ah, you're gonna like this. Mike Purdue's new AD takes a shot at a national champ down in Indiana.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's not a shot I would take in state.

[Frank Isola]

Not smart enough by the way, I

[Mike Wilbon]

got away with on the Cubs thing. Say it with me. Mvp.

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[Mike Wilbon]

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[Commercial Announcer]

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[Mike Wilbon]

Time to get happy people. Happy 35th birthday. Mike Trout, 35 already the Angels star debuted in the majors at 19, cemented a Hall of Fame career by 28, then got overwhelmed by injuries. Through his first eight seasons, Trout won three AL MVPs. Get this Frank. Wow. Finished second four times, that's seven out of eight, and had an OPS of 1,000 while playing a stellar center field. But the last five seasons have been an IL odyssey in which his plate appearances have been cut in half. Perhaps the saddest part of all this is that Child has played in exactly one playoff series in his career. Swept by the Royals in 2014, the team hasn't even finished.500 the last 10 seasons and currently has the worst record in baseball.

[Frank Isola]

It's almost like he's the forgotten star this year 18 home runs, 40 RBIs and 93 games. Last year he played 130. He was looking up playing more than he was.

[Mike Wilbon]

There's too much like my idol Ernie Banks. Happy anniversary Ichiro, Greg Maddox and Barry Bonds. On this day 10 years ago, while playing for the Marlins, ichiro notched his 3,000th major league hit. He finished his career with 89 more. And if you add the nearly 1300 he had in Japan, Ichiro has a professional baseball record of 4367 hits. On this day 22 two years ago, while in his second stint with the Cubbies, Maddux got win number 300 on his way to 355. And on this day 19 years ago, what a day. Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's career record for home runs was 7, 5 6. He'd add six more in a 42 season. But after being indicted in the BALCO steroid case, no team offered him a playing contract for the following year.

[Frank Isola]

So Ichiro's 3,000th hit was a triple. How about that? I got a Maddox out for you. I covered him back in the day. He faced in his career 20,421 batters. If you take away intentional walks, yeah he only got in the count behind in the count, three zero. 133 times.

[Mike Wilbon]

Amazing, Mike.

[Frank Isola]

100. You talk about control.

[Mike Wilbon]

What number did Maddox. Who did he share it with? What? For the hall of Fame Cup?

[Frank Isola]

31.

[Mike Wilbon]

Ferguson, Jenkins. Thank you very much.

[Frank Isola]

I got the number right.

[Mike Wilbon]

You did get the number right. 31. Happy trails to Luis Arise's attempt to score. The Phillies new second baseman was hustling home on Alex Bohm's double in the first last night, but the throw beat him there. Arise hopped the tag, but soon realized he didn't have the wiggle to reach home plate through the back door. So he just. He just gives up. He jogs back to the dugout. This is. Look at this. This is so great. Arise didn't score there, but he did Drive in Phillies first run of the game in the team's 73 win, becoming the first Phillies midseason acquisition in more than 40 years. But RBI in each of the first three home games with the team? No, he didn't have the wiggle.

[Frank Isola]

It's a setup. So when they get to the playoffs and it happens, he's going to fake going to the dugout, turn around and dive and get touch on plate.

[Mike Wilbon]

We have no errors.

[Frank Isola]

Clean show today.

[Mike Wilbon]

We're running out of shoulders. Jump to the big finish. Purdue's new AD Tommy McClellan says, quote, we're here to win championships. If you don't want to win championships, go to Indiana.

[Frank Isola]

He needs a new speechwriter. He admit on the Pat McAfee show today that the joke didn't land. He's right about that. Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechley, Roger Craig and Adam Bennetteri all enter Canton tomorrow. Your thoughts?

[Mike Wilbon]

Larry Fitzgerald, who lost his dad, my dear friend Big Larry, Big Fitz, so close to this time. Our thoughts, all of us in your Chicago family are with you. Monaco striker Flo Baladan has reportedly been offered directly to top. What do you make of that?

[Frank Isola]

That would be great if he could end up there. Us striker and Tottenham. Tottenham's on the way up. By the way, Veronica Burton. Northwestern's Veronica Burton and the Valkyries are at the wings tonight. Are you intrigued?

[Mike Wilbon]

Big WNBA games. Yes. Last one. Dodgers back on the field tonight in Arizona, having lost six straight to spelling seven.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah. By the way, Arizona little under the radar, 61 and 55. We're out of time. Thanks for watching. I'm Frank Isola.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Wilbon. We are off the until Thursday, August 27th. Knuckleheads.

[Frank Isola]

We're gonna preseason football games.

[Grainger Announcer]

No 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-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by.