Winners and Losers of the NBA Draft!

Summary

PTI – "Winners and Losers of the NBA Draft!"

Host(s): Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon
Guest: Brian Windhorst (ESPN Senior NBA Writer)
Date: June 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the NBA Draft fallout, coaching contract controversies, and the ripple effects of gambling investigations in college football. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst joins for an in-depth "Five Good Minutes" on NBA free agency, big trades, and looming roster dilemmas. The episode blends analysis, banter, and insight, perfect for fans seeking both news and personality.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NBA Draft Reactions: Winners, Losers, and Intrigue

[00:51 – 04:30]

• Top 4 Picks (As Expected):

  • AJ Debanza (Washington)
  • Darren Peterson (Utah)
  • Cameron Boozer (Memphis)
  • Caleb Wilson (Chicago)

• Freshman Frenzy & Trades

  • Eight straight college freshmen were selected to start the draft—seen as a testament to the youth movement.
  • Seven draft-night trades impacted rosters.

• Wilbon's Standout Teams & Picks:

  • OKC: Surprised by picking 7'3" Adai Mara (Michigan, nat’l champ) and defensive guard Bennett Sturtz.
  • San Antonio: Drafted Taurus Reed and Jaden Quaintance, building "bodyguards" around Victor Wembanyama.
    • “When they got Win Bunyama, they don't want [him] taking all this abuse. It's like they drafted security, they drafted bodyguards.”—Wilbon [02:35]
  • Lakers: Landed explosive shooter Cameron Carr. Wilbon laments the Bulls passing on Carr.

• Tony’s Draft Philosophy:

  • Tony confesses he never watches drafts: "To me it's like walking into a VFW hall and hearing a guy go, B14. That's all it is to me." [03:08]
  • Skepticism about immediate draft grades, referencing dubious 2018 draft outcomes.

2. Portland’s Unusual Coaching Contract

[04:42 – 07:25]

• Micah Nori’s Hire:
  • New Trail Blazers head coach; contract is only one year guaranteed, plus team options.
  • Raises concern about job security and precedent for coaching contracts.
  • Chris Finch (Timberwolves coach) criticizes the narrative; Wilbon agrees owners should be called out for cheap deals.
    • "A guy who takes a one year deal like that feels insecure about never getting another job, so he takes a one year deal... I hope this guy wins 100 games because he's betting on himself. Good for him." —Tony [07:14]
  • Coaches' Association unlikely to be pleased.

3. Brendan Sorsby, NCAA Gambling, and NFL Supplement Draft Saga

[07:33 – 10:28]

• Background:

  • Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby banned by the NCAA for gambling.
  • Wins right to play, then tries to enter NFL supplemental draft—but NFL won’t hold one this year.
  • Must wait until 2027 draft.

• NFL’s Stance:

  • Wilbon and Tony agree the NFL is on solid ground, but point out the league's hypocrisy due to its own gambling ties.
    • "Basically what the NFL said was, you can't drive up here and order food like we're a takeout. You have not shown particular contrition about this." —Tony [08:50]
  • Concern about precedent, player recourse, and the optics.

• League Gambling Ads vs. Player Punishments:

  • “The NFL wants everybody to take accountability except the NFL.” —Wilbon [09:41]

4. NBA Front Office Insider: Five Good Minutes with Brian Windhorst

[12:29 – 18:00]

A. Lakers: Austin Reaves, LeBron, & Cap Strategy

• Austin Reaves signs max deal; doesn’t affect Lakers’ cap for external signings, but every dollar for LeBron subtracts from possible other free agents.

  • "...every dollar that LeBron signs for is one less dollar that the Lakers can give another free agent. And that right there is why NBA teams have 10 person strategy capology departments." —Brian Windhorst [12:54]

• Backcourt of Reaves & Doncic exciting but expensive; need for rim protection and defense.

• LeBron to Warriors?

  • Tony and Wilbon ask if LeBron might be lured by Steph Curry/Golden State.
  • Windhorst: Unlikely until LA situation is resolved, but Warriors on his short list. [14:16]

B. Miami Heat’s Giannis Gamble & Roster Challenges

• First priority: Strike deal with Andrew Wiggins, restructure his salary.
• Only $18M in cap space for 5 roster spots; likely lose Norm Powell.
• Heat’s strengths: Defensive front line. Championship contention may not come until 2027-28.
• "There is a size arms race going on in the Western Conference." —Windhorst [17:02]

C. Celtics & Jaylen Brown’s Cloudy Future

• Brown wasn’t traded, but Brad Stevens’ comments were noncommittal.
  • "He said many words about Jaylen Brown...but none of those words were 'I'm not going to trade him.'" —Windhorst [16:10]
• Market interest is high; expect ongoing trade talks.

D. Thunder, Big Men, and the ‘Wembanyama Effect’

• Adai Mara drafted specifically to guard against Victor Wembanyama.
• Holmgren, Hartenstein, and even last year’s draftee Tomas Sorber form an ultra-tall front line.
• "You need a village to deal with Victor Wembanyama." —Windhorst [17:06]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wilbon, on big man race in the West:
  • "Quaintance reminds me of a young Charles Oakley. You know what that's for? When they got Win Bunyama, they don't want [him] taking all this abuse." [02:23]
• Tony, on draft skepticism:
  • "To me it's like walking into a VFW hall and hearing a guy go, B14. That's all it is to me." [03:08]
• Wilbon, on Portland's contract:
  • "The coaches and the coaches association can't look at this and feel good about it in any way." [06:55]
• Windhorst, on LeBron’s options:
  • "The warriors would be on that short list. But I do think he's got to decide and make his peace with the Lakers before he can even consider that." [14:16]
• Windhorst, on Celtics and Jaylen Brown:
  • "[Stevens] said many words about Jaylen Brown...but none of those words were 'I'm not going to trade him.'" [16:10]
• Windhorst, on the arms race:
  • "There is a size arms race going on in the Western Conference." [17:02]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:51 | Start of NBA Draft Recap | | 02:23 | Wilbon on bigs vs. Wembanyama "bodyguards" | | 03:08 | Tony's draft take ("like a VFW hall...B14") | | 04:42 | Portland's Nori contract discussion | | 07:33 | Brendan Sorsby and supplemental draft saga | | 09:41 | League gambling accountability vs. player discipline | | 12:29 | Brian Windhorst joins ("Five Good Minutes") | | 12:43 | Windhorst on Lakers, LeBron, and cap math | | 14:00 | LeBron-to-Warriors speculation | | 14:47 | Heat's roster/Cap challenges with Giannis | | 16:10 | Celtics and Jaylen Brown’s status | | 17:06 | Thunder's bigs, Wembanyama effect, arms race | | 18:00 | Windhorst departs |

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Tone & Style

• The episode features signature banter, irreverence, and rapid back-and-forth between Tony and Wilbon.
• Brian Windhorst brings measured, practical front office analysis, especially on salary cap and transactional realities.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• The show breaks down the NBA’s ongoing youth movement, the strategic arms race in big men out West, and details how off-court finance and contract issues are reshaping the league.
• Coaching contracts, NFL supplementals, and gambling ethics get blunt and timely treatment.
• Windhorst delivers sharp, actionable insight on the Lakers’ roster strategy, Miami’s cap headaches post-Giannis, and keeps the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown sweepstakes in perspective.
• If you want insight beyond the surface—and delivered with PTI’s iconic wit—this episode is a must.

Transcript

[A]

This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web. Like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense. There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required compatibility and availability various 18 plus

[B]

pardon the interruption but I'm Mike Wilbon. Tony, a man just set a Guinness world record by skateboarding across America in 39 days. Have you ever skateboarded?

[C]

I'm Tony Kornheiser. Not since I fully got shinnered on a 540frontside air with a mute grab. Not since then. What? Do I have to repeat it for you? Yeah. No fry, no shinner.

[B]

Here's what I got that far. I know you in the seventies.

[C]

Skateboarding. Roller skates. No roller skates on Long Island. Skateboarding on Long Island. Skateboard in an island park on Long Island. A place called Oil City with a total dropdown. It's a long time ago. I don't even know if skateboards were invented then. I was on something on wheels. Welcome to PTI boys and girls. In today's episode, Mike and Nori's contract, Brendan Sorsby's future and Brian Windhorst joins us for five good minutes. But we begin today with the first round of the NBA draft. The first four picks went as largely predicted. AJ DeBonso to Washington, Darren Peterson to Utah, Cameron Boozer to Memphis and Caleb Wilson to Chicago. Sir. There were eight straight college freshmen taking to start the draft and a total of seven draft night trades. Will bon you love the draft go.

[B]

Well, Tony, I. I just made some notes here. I'm going go to the glasses even quicker than you. Let me. Let me start with some things that are not those four. And yes, I loved Caleb Wilson going to my board.

[C]

Good for you.

[B]

I am so excited about seeing AJ Deban locally here right around the corner. You and I can go watch him in person play for the Wizards. You can. And Darren Peterson could make could convert. Utah is going to be a force in two years if not right right away they are. Darren Peterson fits what they're doing and the Ainge boys know what they're doing. Now let me go to what really got me. Okc. What are they doing? They're playing San Antonio. Even now they're playing San Antonio last night because they go and they get adai Mara the 7 foot 3 kid from Michigan who's wearing a national championship ring. And they draft a guard, Bennett Sturtz, who's a strong defensive guard, who can shoot it. San Antonio, to counter, they get Taurus Reed. And even before that, they get Jaden Quaintance. Big strong guys. Quaintance reminds me of a young Charles Oakley. You know what that's for? You know what that's about? When they got Win Bunyama, they don't want taking all this abuse. It's like they drafted security, they drafted bodyguards. San Antonio and OKC can't resist each other. And the Lakers, I mean, I gotta give Rob Pelinka some credit. They waited out patiently. They get Cameron Carr, who goes 40 inches off the ground and shoots the hell out of the three. And I thought I wanted the Bulls to draft him with the 15th pick. They didn't get him, but the Lakers did. Good for them.

[C]

Now, you know, I did not watch

[B]

one minute because you're watching the. Sorry.

[C]

I did not watch one minute. I am not a draft person. Not the NBA, not the NFL, not the NHL. I'm not a draft person because to me it's like walking into a VFW hall and hearing a guy go, B14. That's all it is to me. So it doesn't really matter to me. I'm glad that you have this analysis of it, but this morning, everybody tries to grade the draft. You can't. It's grading in a vacuum. You've never seen these people play with these teams. A couple of days ago, we did a happy anniversary to the 2018 draft not that long ago in which we both agreed that the top two choices, we'd be redrafted.

[B]

They'd be out of the top. They're not top 10.

[C]

Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley. Right. They would be out of the top 10 at that point. If I had one question that I could have asked last night, I would have gone to Dusty May and I would have said, you got three Michigan guys here. Why'd you pick this one?

[B]

Easy.

[C]

Okay. But that would have been my one question.

[B]

Did you know why? You watched enough of Michigan and by the way, to know that kid can help Cooper Flagg in the front court. He can.

[C]

I am curious about demand. So I am. I would have picked a bandsaw. But how many people have to say that Peterson scores more and Boozer is more complete and Wilson has a larger upside.

[B]

Four terrific players at the top and we are going to see Debanza and we're going to get you out of the gnats gear and get you into some Wizards gear.

[C]

I watched the Nats because as you always say to me, watch games. I watched the games. It was a thrilling game. It didn't end up on the right side for me, but I watched it.

[B]

We'll get to that later.

[C]

Yes, we will.

[B]

They gagged. They went, Reggie.

[C]

Oh, gagged.

[B]

Let's go to an unusual coaching contract in Portland. The Trail Blazers hired longtime Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori to be their new head coach, but gave him just one year guaranteed with the team options. Team options for years two and three. T Wolves coach Chris Finch said, quote I thought it was a shame that a lot of the story about Micah's great opportunity was overshadowed by the nature of the deal that he signed. Tone, is the short contract justifiably a bigger story than the hire itself?

[C]

Let me just first say that I read what Chris Finch said. I agree with it 100%. There are very few of these jobs. They are precious. If you get the opportunity, I think you have to take it. If I'm answering this directly, yes, the length of the contract is a bigger deal than the higher. There's just no question about that. Nobody knows who Mike Annoury is except for Minnesota. Yeah, he's a guy in a quarter zip at a bench like 10 or 15 guys at every single team. He may be a diamond in the rough. He may turn out to be great. This was I believe his seventh opportunity in an interview situation and they offered the job and he took it. They could fire him by January because it's not going to cost him anything because he's only on a one year or he could become the best coach in Portland since Rick Adelman and Jack Ramsey.

[B]

All true. But the story here is and by the way, we both like Chris Finch. Chris Finch a hell of a But Chris Finch to me should have gone out there with the job security he yes. Still has and going to have for the next job if he goes to one. He should have stepped out there and ripped the Portland owner. Ripped him. A guy who wants to spend no money and thank God he doesn't cuz he led a hell of a coach Thiago splitter walk out of a team he led to the playoffs.

[C]

You like him.

[B]

He's in Chicago circumstances to my team.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you Mr. Portland Owner for he's. He's just a guy who has decided I'm going to do this my way and spend nothing. So let him. But that's a story and the coaches and the coaches association can't look at this and feel good about it in any way.

[C]

But you know what it says, A guy who takes a one year deal like that feels insecure about never getting another job, so he takes a one year deal. Let me ask you three questions. You think John Calipari got a one year deal at Arkansas? No, he didn't. You think Dusty May. You think he just got a one year deal in Dallas? Got a one year deal? No, no, no, no. Do you think there's only one year for Lane Kiffin at lsu, but he. You know what? I hope this guy wins 100 games because he's betting on himself. Good for him.

[B]

Yeah, we just.

[C]

Good for him.

[B]

Just let a coach walk out of town who went 42 and 36 in port. What is it?

[C]

You're happy about it?

[B]

I'm thrilled about it.

[C]

Let's go back to the Brendan Sorsby news from yesterday. He's the Texas Tech quarterback who was banished by the NCAA for gambling and then legally won the right to play for Texas Tech, causing a hailstorm of pushback from the Big 12. Sorsby then relinquished that right to declare for the NFL supplemental draft. But the NFL says it won't hold a supplemental draft this year and and told Soursby he can wait and enter the 2027 regular NFL Draft. Wilbon, did the NFL make the right call in denying Soresby the opportunity of a supplemental draft?

[B]

I don't know right or wrong. But what? Just from what we know, which may very well be only the tip of the iceberg, from what we know, the NFL is standing on solid ground and says no, no, no, because we got all this stuff right here. Now, I know the Sorsby and his representatives sound like there might be an appeal of some kind either with the NCAA or elsewhere to put them back on. But I would just say, are you sure you want discovery? Are you sure you want to go through the process? Because here's what the NFL's investigators know. If there's more, they know it. And they'd be standing on even more solid ground.

[C]

I was so surprised by this. I did not remember that the supplemental draft isn't held every year.

[B]

I thought it was, it was like every generation.

[C]

I didn't know that it was up to the discretion of the NFL. And it's written that way so that everybody other than me understand. They bounce. This kid, they told this kid to pound sand. This kid. Now he gave up the right to go back to college unless he goes to A juco. Maybe he can go to a UFL or something like that. But basically what the NFL said was, you can't drive up here and order food like we're a takeout. You have not shown particular contrition about this. And by the way, kid, we. We're on our clock. We're not on your clock. So I don't. I don't know what this.

[B]

Kid, I don't see any recourse. There's no recourse.

[C]

I thought the NFL was brilliant. But I will point out for you and for me, the NFL has contracts with gambling operations, as does the NBA and the NHL and baseball and this

[B]

network that we are broadcasting partners. Yes, the NFL wants everybody to take accountability except the NFL.

[C]

They were. All the leagues are like that.

[B]

But again, Tony, all the leagues are like that. It's their business. And they got him by the short hairs.

[C]

I don't know that anyone will object if they say, take a year off and work on your gambling problem because they didn't banish him. They didn't ban him. You know what they did, Mike? They kind of sort of backdoor wait, listed him. That's what they.

[B]

Okay, but. But they don't have to let him in the 27 draft.

[C]

They said they would. They said they would do that. They said they would do that. I don't think he should skate. He gambled so much. He had to know. Take a break. When we come back, what does Austin Reaves new Max deal with the lakers mean for LeBron? We're going to ask Brian Windhorst.

[B]

We'll also ask him about the Heat plans for Giannis and what the Celtics may or may not be doing with Jaylen Brown.

[C]

Don't athletes know you can't gamble on your sport? Shouldn't everybody know that?

[B]

But you know what they do? They watch the TV and they watch

[C]

ads for all the leagues and all

[B]

the networks gamble on sports.

[A]

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[C]

Let's get back into the NBA with some bigger picture questions for our great friend ESPN senior writer Brian Windhorse. Brian, let's start with this. The Lakers agreed with Austin Reaves on a max deal. What does this mean for LeBron?

[D]

So this is a strange situation. Wilbourne Watch how I make Tony freak out here when I say these like this Austin Reeves signing this contract does not affect the Lakers salary cap. They can still spend the exact same amount of money they could before even though he signed a max. However, every dollar that LeBron signs for is one less dollar that the Lakers can give another free agent. And that right there is why NBA teams have 10 person strategy capology departments. And so this is the complex nature. The Lakers still have to be very careful with what they give to LeBron James because every dollar they give him is less money they can give somebody else. And while I believe that Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic are are a powerhouse backcourt and will score a ton of points and will lead to many wins if you have those two guys as your backcourt making $100 million a year because that's what they're going to make pretty soon here you've got to have a back line to help them. You've got to have a rim protecting center and you've got to have wings that can defend and that's expensive. So the Lakers got to figure out who those players are and then what's Left over. Offer LeBron James. Will he accept that? Does LeBron understand and agree with the concept that Austin's money doesn't affect his money. We'll find out.

[B]

I gotta go off script and ask a follow up. I am so excited by the notion that LeBron could be sort of seduced by Steph Curry to play in Golden State. Bryant, are you giving that any run, any run in your thoughts at all about where LeBron might be?

[D]

I really think there's only a couple of places LeBron would consider. The warriors would be on that short list. But I do think he's got to decide and make his business and his peace with the Lakers before he can even consider that.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Okay, Alex, NBA Finance is 4,000. The heat, of course, landed Giannis. I know from us talking and listening to you yesterday, they got to make moves the Heat to fill in a roster. What else do you think they can and actually will do?

[D]

Yeah. So the first thing they got to do is they got to come to a deal with Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins has a player option for $30 million. They don't want him to make 30 million. Okay. They want to come to an agreement with them where they give him more money and they spread it out over a couple of years and that gives them a little bit of room. And the reason they need that room, guys, is because again, Capology 101, they've only got $18 million and they got assigned five players. Not $18 million in theory, not $18 million, plus an exception or whatever. $18 million. And that is hard to fill out a team. And they are not going to probably be able to retain Norm Powell, who was their all Star last year. They're going to have to get shooting around him. They're going to have to get ball handling around him. And really, I think that the Heat are going to have a terrific defensive front line. I really think they're going to win a lot of games playing that way. But it might take a couple of transaction cycles to restock this roster. I'm talking about this summer, maybe next deadline and maybe even next summer. I think the Heat will be at there. I think they'll be fun to watch this year, but I think they will be more competitive towards a title competition in 27, 28, not 26, 27.

[B]

Well, change them slightly, Alex, and go NBA in your feelings. 4,000. The Celtics, of course, did not trade Jaylen Brown, and yet Brad Stevens says Brown is a big part of us. Hmm. What do you think's gonna happen here, Brian?

[D]

Well, he said many words about Jaylen Brown after the draft last night, but none of those words were I'm not going to trade him. Okay. And he also said that he met with Jaylen Brown before this process started to communicate with him where the organization was. Basically, they were telling him, we might trade you, and you don't do that unless you're really seriously intending to trade him. And so while they didn't find this deal with Giannis, I do think that there won't be other opportunities for them. I think their phone, they don't even have to make the calls. Once the league found out that Jalen was available, I think they've been getting lots of reach outs. They're going to have multiple different trade options and they'll probably try to pick one. I suspect Jaylen Brown, not for sure, but I suspect he's played his last game of the Celtic.

[C]

You know, I would have voted for him for MVP this year. I would have done that. Let's get you out of here on this. What does The Thunder drafting 7 foot 3 Adai Mara mean for their other bigs, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein?

[D]

It means that Victor Wembanyama is a beast and they need all the help they can get. Those guys are all going to be back. You didn't even mention Tomas Sorber, who they drafted in the first round last year, got injured and missed this year. I had a chance to talk to Adai Mara right after he got drafted. Within 90 seconds of him talking, he was talking about going up and facing Victor Wembanyama, knowing that he might face him and the Thunder need him to do so. That's one of the reasons why the Thunder drafted him. He's not afraid of that. You need a village to deal with Victor Wembanyama. The Thunder know that it's even possible they could play 7 foot 2 Chet Holmgren and 7 foot 4 Mar together in some incredibly crazy long backline if they had to against the team. And by the way, the spurs, they drafted two big men yesterday as well. There is a size arms race going on in the Western Conference. That's why the Lakers really need big men immediately.

[C]

This is great. Thank you so much, Brian. Thank you.

[B]

Appreciate it.

[D]

Take care, guys.

[C]

Let's take one last break. Still to come, Mauricio Pochettino. Or is it Pochettino?

[B]

Pochettino.

[C]

Pochettino says he's open to staying on as head coach of the United States men's soccer. That's a good idea, isn't it? Yeah.

[B]

Unless they get blown out in the knockout round. What?

[C]

I think it's Pochettino.

[B]

I think it's Pochettino. Tony's Gnats suffer an epic collapse last night. I was on the phone with him, right?

[C]

I was watching whining no, no, I think it's Pochettino in my ear.

[B]

They said Pochettino in my ear. Somebody's saying Pochettino.

[C]

Get rid of the guy in your ear.

[A]

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[C]

Happy time people. Happy 68th birthday John Tortorella Torts. Who ever thought the Torts would be out of a job? After coming in late to keep the Vegas Golden Knights from capsizing, Tortorella finished the regular season 7. 01, got all the way to the Stanley Cup Final Series. On the way, he swept Colorado, the best team in the league. But even after leaving his clothes in Raleigh with the promise he'd be back for Game 7. Tortorella could not get Vegas through Game 6. A few days later, the Golden Knights hired 44 year old Ryan Craig from their minor league system to coach Vegas. Tortorello won a Stanley cup with Tampa Bay. He's twice a been Coach of the Year in a coaching career spanning 24 seasons or parts thereof.

[B]

If you're torts, why do you need to work between Halloween and Easter anyway? You just wait. Somebody goes like this. You come in wherever you're needed to a contender in the playoffs and let's go.

[C]

It's the Lou lamarind Lamorillo symbol. Yes, that's what it is. Happy Anniversary Phillies. On this day two years ago, the Phillies turned a rare 135 triple play, Major League Baseball's first 135 since 1929, to highlight an 81 win over the Tigers in Detroit. Tiger hitter Matt Verling hit a broken bat line drive back to pitcher Aaron Nola, who caught it for the first out, then threw to first baseman Bryce Harper to double up baserunner Carson Kelly. Harper then threw the ball to third baseman Alec Bohm to force out Zach McKinstry, who had broken for home thinking the ball was a base hit. According to the Sabre database, triple plays are so rare there have only been 800 such plays since the first one in 1876.

[B]

How many unassisted triple plays do you think there have been?

[C]

1? 1?

[B]

15?

[C]

15?

[B]

As recently as 2009? I would never have gotten that either.

[C]

No, I wouldn't have.

[B]

Way more.

[C]

I would have said one.

[B]

I did say one.

[C]

Exactly. Happy trails to lollipops on the field for Jazz Chisholm Yankee manager manager Aaron Boone yesterday banned his second baseman from eating lollipops while playing the field or at bat after cameras caught Chisholm doing both recently. Chisholm went on to hit a two run go ahead home run last night and celebrated by showing off the lollipop container to the dugout camera, said Chisholm, quote, I couldn't resist it. My teammates were egging me on. Unquote, said Boone, quote the Lollipop Kid came through tonight in a big way. He can have all the lollipop pops he wants now. As long as he doesn't take it out to second base with him, we're good.

[B]

What a great nickname, the Lollipop Kid.

[C]

It is very.

[B]

You're in New York with every marketing so and so in the world. Why wouldn't you turn this into something big?

[C]

But would you allow him to have a lollipops out on the field. On the field.

[B]

Dusty Baker had a toothpick.

[C]

What?

[B]

Did Ricky. Ricky Henderson have a toothpick too?

[C]

This is more important. A bonus. Happy trails. To a sure win for my Nash. The Nats scored three in the eighth to go up eight six on the Phillies. Last night, they had the Phillies down to their final strike. With the bases empty in the ninth one, it all fell apart. Trey Turner singled, Brandon Marsh homered to tie the game. Three batters later, Bryson Stott had a three run homer. In all, the Phillies scored eight runs on eight straight hits and won 14 9. The Nats lost a game to the Giants a month ago in which they've been up nine to one in the eighth. This is worse. This was at home against the division rival. And you know what? It was one of the greatest games I've ever watched. Even though my team lost. Wilbourn, you laughed at me because I was watching this.

[B]

Because you got one TV like you're Ralph Kramden.

[C]

I do.

[B]

It's not 1958 Norton.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

What are you doing?

[C]

In the words of Ralph Cramdon, bang, zoom. Okay, let's go to the big finish. The IOC set up a fund of more than $100 million to award $10,000 grants to Olympics athletes through the 2028 Olympics. That's significant.

[B]

Ten grand might not get you what it used to, but to some people, it's going to be very significant. Yes. Rafael Devers apologized to manager Tony Vitello for trying to wave off that pitch runner the other night. Your thoughts?

[C]

A public apology is important.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

So he doesn't look like an egomaniac, which everybody assumes he is to begin with. Your Cubs put two more starters on the il. Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera. How's that taste?

[B]

It's tough. This is. This is a bad year for us. I might go and start throwing my support just for the summer this year to the Southsiders. I might. I might just really get lost. Okay. On the way. Get off a 35th.

[C]

Will they let you throw out the first pitch? They will ban me from Wrigley Field

[B]

if I actually do that. Mauricio Pochettino says he's open to continuing as U.S. coach. Does that even matter?

[C]

What he. Can we just call him Pooch? Cuz Pooch is such a great. Yeah. Does it even make sense? Look, if he does well with this team, of course we're going to want him back. Of course we will. But he's going to get great opportunities everywhere else. Last one. Both Tarek Scubal and Shohei Otani pitch tonight. Who are you more interested in watching?

[B]

Scubal's going against the Yankees. That's, you know, that's a bigger deal.

[C]

Fashion town against the 995. We're out of time. Try to do better the next time. Happy Birthday, Walkman. Nine years old.

[B]

Wow. I'm Mike Lobon. Same time tomorrow, Knuckleheads.

[C]

MLB TV on ESPN is your home

[D]

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[C]

Catch your favorite teams and players, plus MLB Network and ESPN app features like multi view, syncing your stats, key plays, bets and fantasy all in one place. Sign up now for MLB TV in the ESPN app. Separate subscriptions required. Blackouts and other terms apply.

[D]

Visit stream.espn.commlbtv for more information.