Which MLB Teams Fumbled the Trade Deadline?!

Summary

PTI — "Which MLB Teams Fumbled the Trade Deadline?!"

Air Date: August 4, 2026
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Main Theme:
Tony and Mike break down the fallout from the 2026 MLB trade deadline, highlighting the gutsiest moves, any flops or fumbles, and what deadline shakeups mean for October. The episode also touches on college football scheduling (notably Indiana bailing on Notre Dame), horse racing’s redefined Triple Crown, and quick hits on a wide array of current sports stories.

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MLB Trade Deadline Reactions

Opening Banter

• The show opens with Tony and Mike sharing jokes about National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day but pivots quickly to the day’s MLB trade deadline fallout.
• “[The Cubs] put it on the line in a way I am not familiar with. The Cubs putting it all on the line to go after it.” – Mike Wilbon (02:21)

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dodgers, Cubs, and the Skubal Blockbuster (00:47–04:45)

• Tony introduces the segment: Touts the Dodgers’ move for Tarik Skubal, and the Cubs landing Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes.
• Wilbon’s take: The Dodgers aren’t risking much given their developmental pipeline; what they gave up is “like finding change in the cushions” (01:31). For Chicago, trading for Gausman and Holmes is “a big deal” and a rare all-in move.
  • “The Dodgers didn’t put anything on the line…they’re pros” – Mike Wilbon (01:29)
• Tony applauds the Cubs for dealing with a decimated rotation and getting aggressive.
• Strategic Moves: Dodgers’ acquisition of Skubal is as much about denying Philly, Chicago, Atlanta, and Milwaukee a shot at him as it is about bolstering themselves.
  • “What the Dodgers did was both offensive and defensive.” – Tony Kornheiser (02:41)
• Trade Timing: Tony surprised Detroit didn’t wait for more offers, calling the timing “strange” (03:25).
• Resource disparities: Wilbon notes teams like Milwaukee simply can’t match LA’s prospect depth (03:50).

Most Impressive Trade Deadline Moves (04:47–07:59)

• Red Sox land Adley Rutschman:
  • Tony calls it “the number one move,” noting Boston’s desperate need: “Even if you don't think that Rutschman is the great player you thought he was going to be, he's better than what the Red Sox had and he's 28 and he's in his prime” (05:24).
• Padres reload:
  • San Diego gets Robbie Ray and Casey Mize. Tony and Mike both highlight their revival now that Tatis and Machado are hitting; Mike points out they managed to keep Mason Miller (06:28).
• Division trades are rare:
  • Tony: “These were trades within the division that never happen. It just doesn’t happen” (06:05).
• Other Eye-Catching Deals:
  • Phillies trade for perennial batting champ Luis Arraez (Wilbon: “He wins the batting title every year. And gets traded every year.” 07:08).
  • Cleveland loaded up, with Tony predicting they’ll win their division: "Cleveland got Buster [Griffin from the Nats], Nathaniel Lowe, and Joe Adell" (07:26).
  • Rays surprisingly aggressive: “Tampa, which usually stands pat…got Freddy Peralta and Liam Hicks.” (07:44)

Notable Quotes

• “If I’m an Orioles fan…I am livid at my team for trading within the division.” — Tony Kornheiser (06:16)
• “Brewers, Phillies, and Cubs…might look at the Dodgers and go (sigh)…The Padres don’t. The Padres don’t give a damn.” — Mike Wilbon (06:32)

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Who Fumbled? Biggest Losers at the Deadline (08:05–10:49)

• Wilbon’s Top Losers:
  • Orioles: Traded away the “lynchpin,” Adley Rutschman. “How do you get rid of a guy who led you to 101 victories...he’s the guy you build around!” (08:17)
  • Braves: Did nothing, which both find "weird" (08:42).
  • Mets: Traded 8 major leaguers, which Tony calls “almost 30% of their roster…What a sinkhole that must be” (09:13).
• Tony’s Nationals Rant:
  • Criticizes the fire sale: “They traded Mead, their third baseman. Two days ago they traded Luis Garcia. Between them, 40 home runs and 124 RBI this year. Not replaced by anyone.” (09:22)
  • “They traded for nine pitchers. What does that tell you? Their pitching stinks.” (10:11)
  • Recounts Nats’ blown lead after deadline, furthering the complaint about a hollowed-out roster: “Just give me two of them to get one out. Cause their bullpen stinks.” (10:28)
• Wilbon, on Tony’s rant: “You were nuts yesterday…” (10:49)
  • Mike asks, “Why should anybody go out there and watch now, giving away your hottest hitter and your hottest pitcher?” (11:09)

Notable Quotes

• “The Nats…got back no everyday players. None.” – Tony Kornheiser (10:05)
• “Why the hell should anybody go out there and watch now?” – Mike Wilbon (11:09)

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College Football Scheduling: Indiana vs. Notre Dame (13:13–15:31)

• Discuss the news that Indiana is dropping Notre Dame while USC/Notre Dame resumes (13:22).
  • “Indiana–Notre Dame doesn’t matter a damn to anybody.” — Mike Wilbon (13:48)
• Tony laments Indiana ducking tough non-conference games: “I just think this is weak on the part of Indiana. Weak.” (15:22)
• Wilbon: "Indiana, Notre Dame ain't relevant." Tony: "Okay." (15:31)

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Horse Racing’s Triple Crown, Reimagined (15:52–17:47)

• Series shakeup:
  • Tony explains the new championship series (Derby, Belmont, others) that leaves out the Preakness. “The Triple Crown has actually been destroyed. And it's deliberate.” (16:31)
• Wilbon and Tony agree Pimlico and the Preakness marginalized themselves:
  • “They helped the marginalizing of self.” – Wilbon (17:20)

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Fast Finishes & Other Sports Headlines

Happy Time – Marv Levy Turns 101 (19:43–20:49)

• Notable for his longevity and philosophy: “He would caution people never to compare football to war.” — Mike Wilbon (20:31)

Best Baseball Catch Ever? (20:49–21:50)

• Tony and Mike marvel at Masato Akamatsu’s 2010 “Spider-Man” catch — “So I think we're both gonna go greatest catch of all time on this.” (21:33)

FIFA Drama (21:50–22:53)

• Infantino’s plan to sell a World Cup stake gets shot down.
• “The only question remaining is if Infantino will get to keep his job.” — Tony Kornheiser (22:07)
• Wilbon: “How long before somebody reintroduces this in a different form?” (22:25)

Quick Hits (the “Big Finish”) (22:56–23:46)

• Chicago Bears safety Kobe Bryant out for 8-10 weeks (22:56)
• Pochettino staying on as US Men’s Soccer coach (23:16)
• Falcons RB Bijan Robinson signs 3-year, $51M guaranteed (23:28)
• Alex Eala wins DC Open, “She is the greatest Filipino tennis player of all time and she's only 21.” — Tony Kornheiser (23:41)
• Cleveland’s WNBA team chosen as the “Sirens”
  • “It's not the sirens of a police car. It is the Sirens who tempt people on the sea. It's from the Odyssey.” — Tony Kornheiser (23:56)

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Memorable Moments and Notable Quotes

• “What the Dodgers did was both offensive and defensive.” — Tony Kornheiser (02:41)
• “These GMs…what they value, runs what they value.” — Mike Wilbon on perplexing trades of Luis Arraez (07:15)
• “Why the hell should anybody go out there and watch now?” — Mike Wilbon on the Nationals’ fire sale (11:09)
• “The Triple Crown has actually been destroyed. And it's deliberate.” — Tony Kornheiser (16:31)
• “He would caution people never to compare football to war, which, you know, coaches want to do that stuff all the time. Marv, no, don’t. No, don’t do it. Great man.” — Mike Wilbon (20:31)
• “It's the most Chicago centric show of all time.” — Tony Kornheiser (23:16)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Dodgers & Cubs at the Trade Deadline — 00:47–04:45
• Broader Deadline Winners — 04:47–07:59
• Biggest Losers at the Deadline — 08:05–10:49
• Tony’s Nats Rant — 09:22–10:49
• College Football: Indiana/Notre Dame Scheduling — 13:13–15:31
• Horse Racing: Triple Crown Changes — 15:52–17:47
• Happy Time/Notable Anniversaries — 19:43–21:50
• FIFA and Quick Hits — 21:50–23:46

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Overall Tone & Flow

The episode features lively, good-natured bickering typical of PTI, with playful Chicago/New York ribbing, and pointed, sometimes impassioned, critiques of baseball management. Tony is especially animated in his frustration with Washington’s front office.

The tone remains fast-paced and witty, with sports history references, quick sidebars, and a clear focus on pressing sports topics.

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Perfect for listeners who want a rapid-fire, insightful, and entertaining rundown of the 2026 MLB trade deadline (and assorted sports news), with sharp analysis and plenty of personality.

Transcript

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[Tony Kornheiser]

from beyond the logo, every.

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Did you see that moment, you big. What records are going to be broken this season? All of it. Right here. Lock in. It's the WNBA on ESPN all season long.

[Mike Wilbon]

Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbur. It's national Chocolate Chip cookie Daytone. You like chocolate chip cookies?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. I used to devour them, but then I started taking better care of myself. So I haven't had any in about an hour.

[Mike Wilbon]

Oh, in a whole hour, huh?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I do like them.

[Mike Wilbon]

I like chocolate chips.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't like the hard chocolate chip cookies. I like the soft, doughy chocolate chip cookies. And I like them warm. I like them warm. I would put them in the microwave for about 10 seconds. You don't want to fool around with the microwave. You don't want to go 30 seconds, then the cookies all over the microwave. Welcome to pti, boys and girls. In today's episode, the Nats confuse me. Indiana bails on Notre Dame and horse racing's Triple Crown could be done, but we begin today with Tarik Skubal making his debut start for the Dodgers tonight. Skubal will go against your Cubs, Will Bond, who added starting pitching at the trade deadline, and Kevin Gossman from Toronto and Clay Holmes from the Mets. Wilbon, which of these teams just put more on the line to win a title this year? The Cubs.

[Mike Wilbon]

The Dodgers didn't put anything on the line. They, they. Look, I'm not saying the players they traded away aren't of value and aren't highly rated. They're also like everybody else, finding some change in the crevices of your sofa. The Dodgers have more change. They have more of everything. They're not going to miss these guys because they're pros. They do such a great job of scouting and developing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's right.

[Mike Wilbon]

That when it comes time to do something like go to trade deadline and let's go.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's not just the major league team. They got teams up and down, all the way down.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah, triple, double, single, whatever, whatever it is, they got it. So the Cubs in, in acquiring Gosman and Holmes. This is a big deal. I, you know, I called you yesterday early because I was excited just about the Gosman news. The Holmes news comes later. The Cubs have had so many pitchers injured, by the way, Zephyr John from the Angels fireballing, as we used to say relief pitcher out of the bullpen with Palencia just coming back from season long set of injuries, that's going to help. But when you get those starters to join Cabrera and the starters the Cubs have, the Cubs have done marvelously to stay in this. They put it on the line in a way I am not familiar with. The Cubs putting it all on the line to go after it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Now this is what I love most about the show. It is the most Chicago centric show in the history of espn.

[Mike Wilbon]

New York centric is all.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I really like that. No Chicago centric. Look, I like what the Cubs did. They got 40 starters on the IL. So they went and got some starters. They did the right thing. And you are correct that the Dodgers don't need Tarek Skubal. They won two World Series in a row without him. But what they did was strategic. They said we're going to deny other teams that can beat us the chance to get Skubal. So it applies to the Phillies and it applies to the Cubs and it applies to the Braves and it applies to the Brewers. Because if you're in a two of three series or three of five series, what you don't want is to have to go against school and Misarowski. So what the Dodgers did was both offensive and defensive. I will tell you what surprised me. Surprised me. That deal was done on Saturday. The trade deadline was Monday. I understand these are good prospects. Maybe they're the greatest prospects in the world, but they're prospects. They're not everyday players right now I was surprised that the Tigers didn't wait another 36 or 40 hours and see if a National League team would throw some everyday players at them as well as prospects.

[Mike Wilbon]

That surprise me is that in looking at all these assessments and grading processes for who did well, who didn't do so well, which we'll get into in a second here. The brewers don't have the kind of prospects into anything. Well, they did a little something. They don't have the kind of prospects that the Dodgers do. So to me this is overstated. This whole notion that other teams would step in. They can't step in well because they're not as wealthy as the Dodgers in terms of resources.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Some teams are so. Well, the Yankees for example, if they

[Mike Wilbon]

wanted him, something like that, he's got pitching.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Look, I just don't want to hear, and I know you agree with me about this, I don't want to hear that this is terrible. Cuz the Dodgers just bought Scuba. No, no, no no, no. They are renting him for two to three months. They can buy him and they can buy him. He's going to get a king's ransom from somebody. But it doesn't mean it's necessarily them. It doesn't mean that they all could

[Mike Wilbon]

have done something they decided not to and that might have been prudent. But this whole Dodgers ruining baseball, they

[Tony Kornheiser]

don't, they don't ruin. They're better than others.

[Mike Wilbon]

Speaking of the Dodgers and my Cubs weren't the only trade deadline buyers. Boston added Adley Rushman from the Orioles, stunning us and everybody else. The AL leading Rays traded for right hander Freddy Peralta and catcher Liam Hicks. The Padres added two arms and Robbie Ray and Casey Mize. And even the Pirates guided on the action a little bit, acquiring bullpen arms including Luke Weaver. Tone beyond the Dodgers and Cubs, who made the most impressive moves at the deadline to you, okay, I would start

[Tony Kornheiser]

with the Red Sox who by the way swept the Dodgers recently. I would start with them forgetting Rutchman. Rutchman is a switch hitting catcher and multi time all star at one point the overall number one pick in the draft. And, and the Red Sox were terrible defensively and terrible offensively at catcher. So even if you don't think that Ruthman is the great player you thought he was going to be, he's better than what the Red Sox had and he's 28 and he's in his prime and I think that was the number one move. The number two move for me in terms of teams was the Padres. The Padres acquired starting pitching. They acquired Ray, right? Who else did they get?

[Mike Wilbon]

Robert Casey Myers from Detroit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So this is an important concept to me because a few weeks ago I think they were under.500. I think people thought they were dead.

[Mike Wilbon]

They were.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Now they have start. Now they are renewed with starting pitching and the fact that Tatis and Machado are hitting the ball very well. Now the one thing that jumps out at me, these two teams is this. These were trades within the division that never happened. It just doesn't happen if I'm an Orioles fan. If I'm a Giants fan, I am livid at my team for trading within the division.

[Mike Wilbon]

We're going to get back to the Orioles in a second. But let me go to the Padres for a second because what they're doing is adding Robbie Ray and Casey Mize to Michael King. Walker Bueller has not been lately what he's been. He was even earlier this season like in June and they didn't give up Mason Miller No. And the Padres, let me just mention the brewers, the Phillies and the Cubs, they might look at the Dodgers and go. The Padres don't. The Padres don't give a damn. The Padres have eliminated the Dodgers in recent years, the playoffs. So I think that was impressive. Phillies. I am not the only person left in the world who likes Luis Arise and would put him in a lineup, particularly in front of Schwaber, to set up Schwaber to have like 100.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let me ask you a question. He wins the batting title every year.

[Mike Wilbon]

Every year.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And gets traded every year. What is the deal with this guy?

[Mike Wilbon]

You know what the deal is. These GMs are the value runs, what they value.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He gets on base. You know, you got on base. Tony Gwynn got on base. So I wonder, you know, I wonder why he has traded all the time. You know who else did very well? Cleveland did very well. Let me tell you. Cleveland. Cleveland got Buster.

[Mike Wilbon]

Only shot Cleveland in favor of American League teams.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Boston Griffin from the Nats. They got Nathaniel Lowe from Cincinnati. And Joe Adell is a great fielder. They got him from the Angels. I think they're going to win the division.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'll give you another one. Tampa.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tampa, which usually stands pat. They don't have a lot of money. They don't have money.

[Mike Wilbon]

They got Freddy Peralta and Liam Hicks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Peralta was a disaster. A disaster.

[Mike Wilbon]

So change of scenery can't help a guy like Freddie Panto, who you've seen it from before.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It might be.

[Mike Wilbon]

And Tampa's already leading the division.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And it might be easier to play in Tampa than in New York City.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's gotta be.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's stay with the trade deadline, but move from winners to losers. I am going to unload on my Washington Nationals when it's my turn here. But, Wilbon, which team, other than the Nats, stay away from the Nats, do you think made the least of the trade deal?

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, we started with the Orioles. I mean, Ruthven, how do you get rid of a guy who led you to 101 victories, whatever it was three, four years ago?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, you.

[Mike Wilbon]

He's the guy. You drafted him. He's the Lynchman. He's the guy you build around. And then you go and never mind. We're going to start over again. And it was interesting watching Baltimore's brass try to defend this. Because if I'm a fan, and I've

[Tony Kornheiser]

heard from a few, I'm not going back if I'm a fan. I'm serious.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wow.

[True Crime Narrator]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, I mean, I. I'd be upset. Atlanta did essentially nothing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nothing did nothing.

[Mike Wilbon]

Which is sort of weird. Maybe they not. I thought Milwaukee did the Dodgers well, but Milwaukee. Tony, here's the difference. They already have Kyle Harrison to go with the flamethrower. Yeah, and Kyle Harrison's like 8 and 2 with a decent era. I'm okay. They're rebuilding away. By the way. They got Dusty May to add to that. I'm okay with what Milwaukee did. I think Milwaukee's a threat to the Dodgers.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're an absolute threat to the Dodgers.

[Mike Wilbon]

But they were already rebuilt.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But they let the Dodgers go past them when they allowed them to get Derek Google. And they didn't fight that. They can't. There's one other team I'll mention before I get to the Nats. The New York Mets traded eight players.

[Mike Wilbon]

Eight major leaguers.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's almost 30% of their entire roster. What a sinkhole that must be. And now I will talk about the Nats. The Nets. Recently they traded Mead, their third baseman. Then two days ago on Sunday, I believe they traded Luis Garcia to the Yankees who immediately hit a home run in his first game for the Yankees. Between them this year, they had 40 home runs and 124 RBI to now that's not replaced by anybody because they got no everyday players. They've also vacated first base and third base. They got nobody to play those positions. Then they trade the best pitcher they had this year. Foster Griffin was 12 3. And the Nats on the All Star team. The Nats were 166 in the games he started.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They got back no everyday players. None.

[Mike Wilbon]

You got those four prospects right handed.

[Commercial Voice]

Nine.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nine pitchers. They traded for nine pitchers. What does that tell you? What it should tell you is their pitching stinks. Particularly their bullpen. Not the one they traded away. As if on cue. As if on cue yesterday. Do you know what happened when they played? They're up three nothing in the seventh inning.

[Mike Wilbon]

I needed you to beat the Phillies.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Take the pitcher out. Three nothing lead in the seventh with two on. They bring in Cosgrove, walks the first batter, grand slam. See you around. They bring in the next inning beater walks the first batter, home run. They lose six. Three. I am. They got nine guys. Just give me two of them to get one out. Cuz their bullpen stinks.

[Mike Wilbon]

And yet all we hear about on the show is the Cubs. Wow. The Nationals yesterday was as exercised as I have heard. You just. I'm going to use a word to describe how long it's mine's been. Ever. You were Nuts. You were nuts yesterday. You. I mean, I. Look, I. I agree with you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You just lost first space to third base.

[Mike Wilbon]

You gave away people. Let me ask you something. Why the hell should anybody go out there and watch now giving away your hottest hitter, not your best hitter, and your hottest pitcher?

[Tony Kornheiser]

And the hottest hitter had been C.J. abrams all the last month. But Garcia was right there. You know why? You go. Because this Saturday night is Hawaiian Shirt and Shorts night. You get free Hawaii.

[Commercial Voice]

I want those.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's it. Are you paying attention to me? I want those.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, they're not.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's take a break. Coming up on Kirk Signetti and Indiana ducking Notre Dame A.

[Mike Wilbon]

Of course they are. And is horse racing's Triple Crown over as we know it?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Of course it is. We are always trading today for tomorrow and tomorrow never comes.

[Mike Wilbon]

You had a pretty good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You traded for today.

[Mike Wilbon]

You're like a game and a half out of the third wide. Very surprised. What are you doing?

[Tony Kornheiser]

We overachieved and then we got swept in Atlanta.

[Mike Wilbon]

Where's Rizzo? Where's the GM who put the World Series together?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not the GM now it's to Rich

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[Tony Kornheiser]

It is time to sift through the sludge of your E. I'll put on my glasses and I will get first when you ready.

[Mike Wilbon]

Hawaiian shirt.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really? Yeah. Hawaiian shirt and shorts. Not just shirt and shorts, pal. College football scheduling. Bigger deal. That USC will play Notre Dame again or that Indiana will not?

[Mike Wilbon]

Well, USC and Notre Dame are reportedly Resuming their series, which went forever. It's not going to start till 2030. I guess it goes four years, so through 2033. That's great. Meanwhile, Indiana is being reported as the villain in this. Basically saying we're not playing Notre Dame anymore. That's right. Let me just tell you this. I live next to Indiana, okay? Neighbor of Indiana.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Gonna be the home of your Bears soon.

[Mike Wilbon]

No, it won't.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, well.

[Mike Wilbon]

And you know what? Indiana. Notre Dame doesn't matter a damn to anybody. I can't even picture them on the same field. Cause they never played. It wasn't important. Usc, Notre Dame is important. That's a value in America in college football.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Indiana.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let me tell you something else about Indiana. And Signetti did a wonderful job. What they did last season.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tremendous, tremendous.

[Mike Wilbon]

Indiana's not a football power. Indiana's gonna go back to being what Indiana was. I don't mean bad.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Indiana won't matter.

[Mike Wilbon]

Indiana is irrelevant to college football season. So Indiana. Notre Dame is irrelevant. Notre Dame, sc. Very relevant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So we have a slight disagreement here. Personally, I think that USC and Notre Dame should play every year because they are great programs, traditional legacy programs. I also sort of think that Indiana should play Notre Dame for the rights to brag in the state. Although Purdue is in the same state. But still. But the point here, the bigger thing to me is Indiana for this reason. Kurt Signetti. All power to Kurt Signetti for what he did. But he ducks any good team. Non conference. This is who he played last year. Non conference. Old Dominion, Kennesaw State. Indiana State, 1 AA this year. North Texas. Howard, 1 AA. Western Kentucky. You always make fun of the SEC. You say they don't schedule anybody. Do you know the SEC has Indiana. The SEC has a rule that you have to play one powerful.

[Mike Wilbon]

They do now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

One power forward conference. Obviously the Big Ten does not. I just think this is weak on the part of Indiana. Weak.

[Mike Wilbon]

It is weak. So we don't disagree. All I'm saying is Indiana, Notre Dame ain't relevant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Mike Wilbon]

Can you picture their two teams in their jerseys on a field together? No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Cause I'd like usc. No, exactly. Indiana.

[Mike Wilbon]

More power to them. Except give me an over under on Indiana's record this year. What do you think they're going to be?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'd say they win at least 8. At least 8. At least 8.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm tempted to go under horse racing. Oh, this is just for you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Thank you.

[Mike Wilbon]

Is it fair for the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes to cut out the Preakness?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so this is what has happened. Churchill Downs has got a partnership with the New York Racing association of New York Racing, Belmont people, well, not just the Belmont people, the entire state. They're going to put together a series of races, it seems to me, in one year to crown a three year old champion. And the six races that are going to be involved in that are the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont, the Travers, the Jim Dandy, the Mat win and a championship race to be held at Churchill Downs. Not the Preakness.

[Mike Wilbon]

No Pimlico, baby.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not the Preakness. There is still a Triple Crown and there is still a Preakness. But who's gonna run in the Preakness? No trainer is going to run his horse in the Preakness two weeks after the Derby when you can wait five weeks and get to the Belmont and be part of this series. So what has happened in effect is Pimlico has been cut out and the Preakness has been cut out and the Triple Crown has actually been destroyed. And it's deliberate. It's deliberate.

[Mike Wilbon]

So this is basically somebody just taking the shiv. Yes, because they already did it to themselves. They were already dying. They don't run anyway. There wasn't a trainer worth a damn because they didn't want to run in the pit two weeks after they should have gone.

[Tony Kornheiser]

First Saturday, first Saturday, Saturday, May, June, July.

[Mike Wilbon]

Because they didn't.

[Commercial Voice]

They're done.

[Mike Wilbon]

They helped the marginalizing of self.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Mike Wilbon]

They did it to themselves.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What's the.

[Mike Wilbon]

What if Maryland State I live in, just spend to refuel.

[Tony Kornheiser]

$485 million.

[Mike Wilbon]

Like half a billion dollars and now it's over.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. No. Unless they're. Unless they pull a rabbit out of a hat. I don't know. I don't know what's the most important thing for the lay person in horse racing? The triple crowd.

[Mike Wilbon]

But it hasn't existed for Tony.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Three years.

[Mike Wilbon]

Every year I call you and go, where are your horses? In the Pimlico. Not there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's been recent. But there is a schedule fix that. You can make an easy one. You happens. Because unlike czars of basketball and football and hockey and baseball, there's nobody like that in horse racing. There's nobody with the authority to say, this is what we'll do and this is why we're going to do it. That's enough email. Let's take one last break. But still to come, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino could lose his job while Mauricio

[Mike Wilbon]

Pochettino keeps his buzzs are in Indiana to tell Notre Dame you gotta play. Tell Indiana you gotta play the Notre Dame. No czar there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Did I mention Hawaiian shirt and shorts night? Did I mention how much I want

[Mike Wilbon]

that we had a World Series team.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We haven't had a winning record since. We have because we keep trading for tomorrow. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy time, people. Happy belated 101st birthday. Marv Levy. Marv. That's right. 101. This was yesterday. The hall of Fame coach of the Buffalo Bills is the only NFL coach to go to four straight Super Bowls and of course, the only one to lose all four. Levy is in such good health that he attended a sports memorabilia convention this past weekend where Joe Theisman posted this picture of the two of them.

[Mike Wilbon]

Two of our faves.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Bill's current coach, Joe Brady, paid tribute to Levy at the start of training camp by repeating one of Levy's favorite sayings. Quote, when it's too hard for them is just right for us. Unquote. Coincidentally, Levy coached at William and Mary and Brady played there decades apart. Now they have the same job title. But Brady has miles to go before approaching Levy's accomplishments.

[Mike Wilbon]

Marv Levy, proud Chicagoan.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is that right?

[Mike Wilbon]

And the day after graduating from South Shore High School, he enlisted in the Air Force. And one of the many trillion great things about Marvol Levy is he would caution people never to compare football to war, which, you know, coaches want to do that stuff all the time. Marvel, no, don't. No, don't do it. Great man.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy anniversary. Masato Akamatsu. On this day 16 years ago, the center fielder of the Hiroshima Karp in the Japan League, made this amazing Spider man like climb up a wall to rob Chiuchi Marata of a home run. Look at this catch. No, really, look at this catch. In his entire 14 year career in Japan, Akamatsu won only one Gold Glove. It was in this year. It was probably for this catch. Akamatsu played 939 games, mostly in center field. Made only six errors. Batted.246 for the Hanshin Tigers and Hiroshima Carp, stealing 163 bases. Look, the Bo Jackson catch is great. It's great. This one is actually. Seriously, how did he do this?

[Mike Wilbon]

So I think we're both gonna go greatest catch of all time on this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Certainly. Well, wait, wait, wait.

[Mike Wilbon]

Mays 1954 back to home plate.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So then we're gonna talk greatest catches of all time in certain hemispheres.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's the way we're gonna do it.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's fair.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy trails to Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off part of FIFA that didn't last long. Federations around the world and even, even executives within FIFA rebuked Infantino's desire to sell off a chunk of the World cup to private investors. And the project has now been scuttled. The only question remaining is if Infantino will get to keep his job. The White House reportedly backs him, but countries like England and Finland have declared a lack of faith. And the president of Jordan Soccer association today accused FIFA of blackmail by withholding funds and support unless Jordan endorsed the Infantino. This has gotten really ugly really fast.

[Mike Wilbon]

Wilbon. The other question is this. How long before somebody reintroduces this in a different form?

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's gonna happen because you think everybody takes the money. Yes. And I think what UEFA did is Churchillian. It was moral things.

[Mike Wilbon]

True. It was moral. And now how soon before somebody reintroduces it with a little different twist?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not before next year.

[Mike Wilbon]

You don't believe in greed before next year?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think greed is there, but I just don't think this is it.

[Commercial Voice]

Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think you wait for standards. Correct. Let's go to the big finish.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's do it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

New Bears safety Kobe Bryant.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is out 8 to 10 weeks after hyper extending his knee. Cause for concern.

[Mike Wilbon]

Offseason acquisition. Yes, but it was. We thought it could be a lot worse news than it is. So we're going to get him back early in the season. We hope. Mauricio Pochettino is on board as head of the US Men's soccer team through next World Cup. Okay by you?

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's the most Chicago centric show of all time. Yes, it's okay by me. It's good by me. I think he deserves another chance. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has reportedly agreed to a three year deal worth $51 million guaranteed. That's significant.

[Mike Wilbon]

These guys aren't just running backs, they're weapons. Offensively, use them and pay them. Alex Diala upset Top See to Jess pugula in the D.C. open final right here yesterday. Big deal.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think it is a big deal. She is the greatest Filipino tennis player of all time and she's only 21. Yeah, I think.

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Last one. Cleveland's expansion WNBA team will be called the Sirens. Do you like it?

[Mike Wilbon]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Why not?

[Mike Wilbon]

It's hard to come up with nicknames now. They're all, it's not the sirens of a police car.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It is the Sirens who tempt people on the sea. It's from the Odyssey.

[Mike Wilbon]

Those English major don't show off.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Who, me? We're out of time. Trying to do better the next time. I'm Tony Cornheizer. Let me get the flag.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Robart. Same team time tomorrow. Knuckleheads.

[True Crime Narrator]

In a sunny Californian suburb, one family's home is unusually quiet.

[Mike Wilbon]

When detectives walked into that house, they said that it was like time just stood still.

[True Crime Narrator]

It's 2010, and the McStay family is nowhere to be found inside the home. No clear answer where the family could have gone.

[Commercial/Promo Announcer]

Husband, wife and two children, all gone. Like, poof.

[Mike Wilbon]

Disappeared.

[True Crime Narrator]

The search for the McStays quickly captures the nation. But for years, the search for answers only brings more questions.

[Mike Wilbon]

Who's ever heard of an entire family going missing?

[Commercial/Promo Announcer]

A family of four doesn't just drop off the face of the earth with no contact.

[True Crime Narrator]

Is this a family on the run? Or is the truth far more sinister? From ABC Audio in 2020, this is what happened to the mixed days coming August 11th, wherever you get your podcast or subscribe to 2020 True Crime plus on Apple Podcasts for ad free episodes or early access to new episodes and so much more.