The Tony Kornheiser Show – "Farewell to the Washington Post Sports Section"
Episode Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Notable Guests: Mike Wilbon (frequent co-host), Mark Feinsand, Steve Sands

Overview

This episode of The Tony Kornheiser Show is marked by a heartfelt farewell to the Washington Post’s sports section, with Tony reflecting on its legacy and decline, recounting a memorable gathering of former and recently-departed staff. The episode also weaves in engaging conversations about the current state of baseball and golf, featuring insights from MLB insider Mark Feinsand and golf broadcaster Steve Sands, and offering both nostalgia and sharp commentary on America's sporting landscape and media shifts.

Main Theme

A Farewell to the Washington Post Sports Section
Tony mourns the effective end of a once-great sports journalism institution, sharing a personal account of attending a gathering for former Post sportswriters. The discussion centers on the value of local sports coverage, the impact of media cutbacks, and the changing priorities of ownership (notably Jeff Bezos). Emotional resonance and a sense of loss underpin the episode, balanced by Tony’s trademark humor and wit.

Episode Breakdown

1. Quick Banter and Local Weather (01:41–05:16)

• Tony and Mike Wilbon riff on DC’s persistent gloomy weather, melting snow piles, and the impracticality of winter golf.
• Notable quote:

  "Golf course for me is unavailable because although it's open today, it's walking only and it's sloppy... All of that is okay because I can join my son in the simulator room." — Tony (03:24)

2. The Demise of the Post Sports Section (05:16–12:18)

The New Sports Section

• Tony describes the current Post sports section as "insulting" to locals—a bare-bones compilation of Associated Press wire stories, largely devoid of original reporting or local flavor.
  • The online version is dominated by European soccer/F1 content (06:26).
  • Recent improvements: an "agate page" (with standings/results) returned, but basics have been missing.

Reflection on Staff Cuts

• Tony attended a “goodbye” party at Tune Inn on Capitol Hill—a gathering of Post sports staff past and present, organized by Don Graham.
• Mike and Tony's Arrival:
  Struck by how many unfamiliar faces there were, reflective of industry turnover.
• Notable quotes:

  “…if you were a good enough sports writer to work at the Washington Post, you were in the top 10% of sports writers in the country. It's a great job. Now it doesn't exist.” — Tony (11:06)

• Tony felt like a "museum piece"—appreciated, but out of time.
• Guests at the event included D.C. sports legends—Don Graham, George Solomon, Sally Jenkins, Liz Clarke, et. al.

The Emotional Tone

• Mixed feelings among those gathered:
  • Anger at the way staff were treated by Post ownership, namely Jeff Bezos ("threw them overboard, without any life preservers" — 08:09).
  • Sadness and nostalgia for a golden era.
• Quote from Matt Rennie:

  “Matt Rennie called it an Irish wake. Oh, sure. Yeah. And it was. People felt good and felt sad and angry at the same time.” — Tony (12:18)

• Tony notes the broader damage to local journalism and root-for-success for new outlets like the Baltimore Banner.

Ownership and Legacy

• Bezos’s stewardship: lauded early, then cutbacks for business optics.
• “...for the first eight to 10 years, everybody loved them. ...Then suddenly there's a turn...I'm gonna do what I have to do for my business, for my legacy.” — Tony (15:35)
• Many good people now jobless, and Tony acutely conscious of his own continued employment.

3. World Baseball Classic and MLB Spring Training

Guest: Mark Feinsand (19:11–32:18)

World Baseball Classic (WBC)

• Import to Players:
  For many, it’s the closest thing to winning an Olympic gold (19:11). The end of the last WBC—Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout—is described as a signature moment (20:10).
• Talent and Excitement:
  This year’s Team USA pitching staff (Skenes, Skubal, Logan Webb) is the best ever, but participation is limited by MLB team concerns over injuries (21:17).
• Player Motivation vs. Team Anxiety:
  Teams can suggest but not forbid healthy players from participating. There are restrictions to protect pitchers. (22:28)
• “These are conflicting circumstances that are both valid.” — Tony (24:03)
• MLB is fully behind the WBC, despite individual owners’ reluctance (26:10).
• “For the good of the sport, this is definitely a positive.” — Mark Feinsand (27:31)

Spring Training Notes

• Yankees, Phillies, and Blue Jays will be strong; Cardinals look unrecognizable and very young (27:43).
• Nationals “stink,” but there’s faint cause for optimism (28:17).
• Pittsburgh’s Connor Griffin is a standout, and the ownership is under pressure to build a winning team around Skenes (29:39).

Drug Suspension Policy

• Braves’ DH (Profar) facing a 162-game suspension for a second violation; notable for the lack of “surprise” in the team’s statement (30:23).
• Tony: “There’s real teeth in these rules as opposed to…NBA.” (31:49)

4. Golf: Shane Lowry’s Collapse, New Stars, and the State of the Game

Guest: Steve Sands (34:11–49:07)

Shane Lowry’s Collapse

• Sands recounts calling the Cognizant Classic, where Lowry lost a three-shot lead with two wayward iron shots late (34:11).
• “I don't remember a worst shot in a spot like that from a really accomplished player.” — Steve Sands (35:42)
• The loss is seen as “humanizing” for golf, with Wilbon observing the recent chaos and drama on tour (36:40).

Lowry’s Reaction

• Lowry faced the press post-meltdown. “He manned up. I thought that was great…” — Steve Sands (38:09)
• On handling the loss:

  “He goes, I effed up. ...But you gotta get over it.”

  • A story from Lowry’s daughter, reminding him “what’s wrong with second,” lightened the mood (38:39).

Emerging Players

• Jacob Bridgeman and Chris Gotterup are young talents to watch; Sands gives the edge to Gotterup (40:24).

Apparel Oddity

• Tommy Fleetwood’s lack of a sponsor is a running joke, leading to peculiar wardrobe choices (41:29).

TGL (Tech-Driven Golf League)

• Tony calls it “bed sheet golf”—practice-range simulator shots on TV.
• Sands: “It's just not for me because it's not traditional sports. It's not real golf. They're hitting into a bedsheet.” (44:09)
• Sands criticizes virtual putting difficulties and notes TGL’s potential to divert players from PGA Tour events, affecting tournament fields (46:31).

Tiger Woods at the Masters

• Tony and Sands are both skeptical of Tiger’s potential, should he play Augusta after a long layoff.
• “The last thing you want is for him to go out there and not look great. You don't want Willie Mays playing for the Mets...You don't want that from your greatest athletes ever.” — Steve Sands (49:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It is a very insulting sports section. If you live in the Washington, D.C. greater area. It's a very insulting sports section. Doesn't give you anything you want." — Tony Kornheiser (07:33)
• On Bezos: "He has the biggest yacht in the world and told everybody, the Washington Post, come on the yacht. And then threw them overboard, threw them into the water without any life preservers." — Tony (08:09)
• "Matt Rennie called it an Irish wake...People felt good and felt sad and angry at the same time." — Tony (12:18)
• "If you were a good enough sports writer to work at the Washington Post, you were in the top 10% of sports writers in the country. It’s a great job. Now it doesn’t exist.” — Tony (11:06)
• On Shane Lowry's loss: “That was one of the worst tee shots...with an iron in his hand that you’ll ever see from a really, really good player.” — Steve Sands (36:35)
• On TGL: “They can’t [make a putt]. It makes me so happy. They stink.” — Tony (45:23)
• On Tiger Woods: "You don't want Willie Mays playing for the Mets...You don't want that from your greatest athletes ever." — Steve Sands (49:14)

Key Timestamps

• 02:44: Local weather, DC snow and golf banter
• 05:16: Introduction to the demise of the Washington Post sports section
• 08:09: On Bezos and the staff cuts
• 10:14: Tune Inn event and generational divide
• 12:18: “Irish wake” and emotional climate
• 19:11: Mark Feinsand on the World Baseball Classic
• 21:17: Pitchers’ risk at the WBC and MLB clubs’ perspectives
• 22:28: MLB teams’ influence and injury risk
• 26:10: MLB’s attitude toward the WBC
• 27:43: Spring training trends, Cardinals, Nationals, Pirates
• 30:23: Profar’s suspension and MLB drug policy enforcement
• 34:11: Steve Sands on Shane Lowry’s dramatic loss
• 38:09: Lowry’s post-round reaction and family story
• 40:24: Breakout PGA Tour players
• 41:29: The saga of Tommy Fleetwood’s sponsorship
• 44:05: TGL’s place in golf and effect on the Tour
• 47:35: The looming Tiger Woods question

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is at once nostalgic and sharp, with Tony’s signature blend of wit, indignation, and affection for the old guard of sports journalism.
• The decline of the Washington Post sports section is framed as a loss for local culture, press freedom, and American sports storytelling—an “Irish wake” for a great institution.
• Sports analysis is current and lively, especially the balance of excitement and risk in the World Baseball Classic and the relatable pressure and chaos of tournament golf.
• The issue of legacy—of newspapers, star athletes, and teams—is a thread throughout, as Tony and guests grapple with change in both the media and sports worlds.