The Tony Kornheiser Show — “Open Up the Barn”
Episode Date: October 1, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the emotional letdown following the close of the Nationals’ baseball season and explores the current state of DC sports fandom. Tony Kornheiser, with his regular guests Michael Wilbon and Nigel, unpacks the action from the first games of the MLB playoffs, reflects on the Nationals' season, and the looming offseason. The show features in-depth segments with Chuck Todd (with his weekly NFL picks, joined by Reginald the Monkey) and Dan Kolko, who offers insight on the Nationals and broader MLB postseason. The episode maintains Tony’s trademark candid, sardonic tone, with the freewheeling blend of sports, local commentary, nostalgia, and sharp asides that fans expect.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The End of the Nationals’ Season and DC Sports Desolation
- Tony’s mood: Expresses a profound sense of loss now that the Nats' season is over, as baseball has been his six-month companion.
- “It gets me through six months. And now it's six months away and I have nothing.” (02:13, Tony)
- DC Sports Landscape:
- Tony laments the poor state of DC teams: The Wizards (“awful...shouldn't be allowed to charge any money”), never felt an affiliation for hockey/Caps, and finds little to look forward to in winter.
- Wilbon interjects, finding value in watching playoffs without expectations, allowing for new narratives.
2. Analyzing MLB Playoffs: Drama and Dominance
- Admiration for Pitching & Defense: The hosts dissect the opening wildcard games, focusing on exceptional pitching and missed situational opportunities.
- Tony details how games hinged on pitching, with few runs scored—except the Dodgers blowout (“a laugher for Los Angeles over Cincinnati”).
- Failures in Execution:
- Tony: “In a one run game, have a man on third, nobody out, and not score...as a team, you cannot.” (08:13)
- Yankee-Red Sox rivalry is highlighted as unpredictable, emphasizing their storied and intense history.
- Home/Away Dynamics & Series Predictions:
- Tony notes two home teams and two road teams won, questioning what that means.
- Predicts Dodgers to cruise, anticipates Detroit/Cleveland and Yankees/Red Sox could go to decisive games.
3. Remembering Baseball Legends & Broadcasting
- Pedro Martinez Revered:
- Discusses his record and competitive fire (“Bob Ryan believes that he is the smartest athlete he ever covered...you ought also to revere his record.” 13:22).
- Bob Carpenter's Farewell:
- Dan Kolko shares a poignant story about Carpenter’s sendoff, the emotional impact of players acknowledging his years as the Nationals’ voice, and reflects on the unique bond broadcasters have with teams (42:30).
4. The Football Picks Segment: Chuck Todd & Reginald the Monkey
Chuck Todd’s Insights & Banter
- Last Week’s Football Rollercoaster: Chuck describes a tie in Packers-Cowboys as feeling like a loss, lamenting coaching blunders and defensive lapses.
- “The Cowboys are the number one offense in the league...they have the worst defense in the league. That is extraordinary.” (20:38, Tony)
- NFL Picks & Matchups Explored
- Engaging breakdowns of key games: 49ers/Rams (injuries, rivalry), Cowboys/Jets (offensive woes), Eagles/Broncos, Bucs/Seahawks, Chargers/Commanders, Patriots/Bills, Chiefs/Jaguars.
- Memorable quote:
- Breeze Hall’s self-deprecating Jets assessment: “Other teams shoot themselves in the foot, and then we shoot ourselves in the head.” (25:02, quoted by Tony)
- College Football Angle:
- Chuck discusses the high stakes of Florida State-Miami and the perils of playing desperate teams (#33:09).
Reginald the Monkey — Theatrical Touch
- Entertaining summary of Reginald’s picks, plus anecdotes of his fictional off-Broadway "King and I" production.
- Reginald’s picks include Rams, Tampa Bay, and Chargers, justified through whimsical stories.
5. Nationals’ Offseason and Front Office Changes
- New Nats President (Paul Taboni):
- Kolko paints Taboni as a rare combination of analytics + scouting—a “smart hire” widely praised in MLB circles. At only 35, he's risen fast, credited for modernizing Boston’s draft process.
- Transition After Rizzo & Martinez:
- Kolko notes the emotional weight for staff and broadcasters following the end of an era, but recognizes the need for new voices after disappointing recent results. (“Results-oriented business... lately for the Nationals, the results have not been good enough.” 47:14)
6. Playoffs & World Series Outlook
- Kolko’s Postseason Favorites:
- Praises Phillies’ depth despite injuries, questions Dodgers’ bullpen, calls Mariners and Brewers potential dark horses (“the Brewers...just play a clean, aggressive, sound brand of baseball” 50:08).
- Hitting Difficulties in Key Moments:
- Discusses a trend of teams failing to get runners home from third with less than two outs, attributing it to both overpowering pitching and weaker contact skills today.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the desolation of offseason:
- “The desolation of winter... it was very irksome to me because I didn't have the Nats.” (03:15, Tony)
- On team planning timelines:
- “Their general manager is running this incredible scam where he says it's gonna take ten years. Ten years?” (03:15, Tony)
- Chuck Todd, on Packers’ coaching mishaps:
- “They don’t know the rules to the kickoff...That’s coaching.” (19:34)
- NFL comic relief (Jets):
- “Other teams shoot themselves in the foot, and then we shoot ourselves in the head.” (25:02, Tony quoting Breeze Hall)
- Tony & Chuck riff on Jacksonville:
- “Cornhizer is a bag of snakes.” (31:10, referencing the infamously unfriendly sign in Jacksonville)
- Kolko on the broadcaster’s grind:
- “You don’t rise that quickly in a quality organization like the Red Sox if people don’t think very highly of you.” (41:22, on Taboni)
- On play-by-play careers:
- “If you tell 12 year old me that I would be doing this for a living, I would just absolutely light up…” (45:32, Kolko)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Nats season closure & local DC sports talk: 02:15–05:00
- Playoff pitching/depth analysis: 06:26–12:59
- Red Sox/Yankees rivalry history: 12:31–13:26
- Chuck Todd NFL picks (main segment): 18:29–33:37
- Jets’ woes & quote: 25:01
- NFL/college football crossover: 32:05–33:34
- Reginald the Monkey’s picks & comedic break: 34:07–36:58
- Dan Kolko on Nationals offseason & Paul Taboni interview: 38:24–52:56
- Bob Carpenter tribute: 42:30
- Kolko career reflections: 45:32
- Playoff pitcher dominance/World Series discussion: 49:41–51:43
- Closing jingle and mailbag open: 53:04 onward
Overall Tone & Style
Tony Kornheiser’s signature blend of nostalgia, snark, and sincerity is on full display, with interludes of humor (Reginald, bantering insults), frank assessment of local teams, and deep appreciation for the rhythms of baseball and sports broadcasting. The show moves briskly from granular baseball talk to NFL breakdowns, never shying from strong opinions. Both guests, Chuck Todd and Dan Kolko, bring nuance and personality; Kolko’s behind-the-scenes anecdotes and empathy for the broadcaster’s journey stand out.
Conclusion
This episode is a classic example of the Tony Kornheiser Show’s enduring appeal: sharp sports talk filtered through personal experience and veteran insight, with enough storytelling and personality to engage even the casual listener. Whether you’re a DC sports diehard or following the national sports scene, the blend of melancholy (offseason blues), wit, nostalgia, and playful irreverence makes this a rich and timely listen.