The Tony Kornheiser Show: “Seeds of Hope”

Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Guests: Michael Wilbon, Dave, Buster Olney

Overview

Monday’s episode of “The Tony Kornheiser Show” dives into a whirlwind of sports recaps—from wild college football upsets and nail-biting NFL games to the drama of the MLB playoffs. Tony is joined by regular contributors Michael Wilbon and Dave to break down a weekend full of surprises and strange moments. Baseball expert Buster Olney later stops by for an in-depth look at the postseason, the Yankees' implosion, bullpen theory, and Tony’s own gardening mishaps (complete with potato woes). The show’s trademark banter blends nostalgia, expertise, and plenty of self-deprecation.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NFL and College Football Roundup

[00:56–14:55]

• Surprising NFL Week:

  • Tony marvels at the unpredictability this weekend. Dramatic moments included:
    • Arizona’s disastrous end zone fumble:

      “Some guy from Arizona is about to score on an 80 yard run and just lets the ball go before he gets into the end zone … his team ends up losing to Tennessee, a team that had never won all season.” (01:01)

    • Tony references the “Holy Roller” Oakland Raiders play and is surprised the fumble-advance rule hasn’t changed more.
    • Baker Mayfield’s “MVP-worthy” performance for Tampa Bay (29/33, 329 yards):

      “Their point differential in those four games is nine points. That’s all it is. Amazing.” (02:18)

    • Washington’s unexpected win over the Chargers in California
    • Dak Prescott’s value to Dallas amid a struggling defense
    • Jaden Daniels emerging as a critical piece for the Commanders
    • Michael Wilbon:

      “You gotta have a quarterback.” (03:34)

• Uniform Critiques:

  • Tony and Dave roast the Buffalo Bills’ white alternative uniforms:

    “Hated them … That’s not the Buffalo Bills to me.” (03:59)

• College Football Chaos:

  • Shocking upsets: Penn State loses to an 0–4 UCLA (fired their coach two weeks ago), Maryland’s collapse from 20–0 up, Texas (Arch Manning’s struggles), Alabama’s late bad beat, Miami’s rise.
  • “Bad Beat” anecdote: Tony calls gambling friend Jeff Ma after Alabama blows the spread with a meaningless late TD.
  • Mike Locksley and James Franklin’s job security discussed.

2. MLB Playoff Breakdown

[08:31–13:24, 32:41–48:39]

• Yankees and Cubs Flounder:

  • Yankees “crushed”—allowed 22 runs in two games. Tony doubts if they can recover at home, Buster Olney agrees on their dire spot.
  • Candid moment about Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s future:

    Buster: “No. … The owner likes this group of people running his team. … Until that changes, they’re going to remain.” (39:49–40:46)

• Pitching Performances:

  • Tony marvels at Shohei Ohtani pitching and musing on whether his outings at the plate suffered on pitching days.
  • Discussion of Teoscar Hernández’s game-saving home run after outfield blunder.
  • Dodgers and Phillies discussed as possible best teams in baseball; either could exit early due to playoff matchups.
  • Milwaukee dismantles the Cubs with an 8-run inning.

• Stat and Strategy Analysis:

  • Playoff structure (“does the bye hurt?”): Home teams are 4–2—not as much trouble as Tony and Wilbon expected.
  • Use of ace pitchers out of the bullpen—Kershaw for Dodgers:

    “Kershaw has done this in the postseason … his message to Dave Roberts all year has been, ‘Hey, whatever you need.’” (46:20–47:04)

3. The Mark Sanchez Story – A Weekend Oddity

[13:54–14:55, 29:52–32:30]

• Tony and Wilbon dissect former NFL QB Mark Sanchez’s bizarre headline—an apparent altercation involving stabbings at a hotel. Alcohol noted as an obvious factor.

• Wilbon: “When alcohol is involved, everything is possible … That’s what the reporting and statements from police suggest.” (30:12, 32:06)

• Tony: “When this is all said and done, he will go to some sort of treatment, don’t you think?” (30:56)

4. Tony’s Gardening Fails (with Expert Consultation)

[34:26–36:32]

• Tony laments his rock-like potato harvest and accidental giant squash.
• Buster Olney, the resident “farm consultant,” offers hope:

  “These are the seeds for next year’s potatoes … These are seeds of hope, not signs of failure in you.” (34:59–35:13)

• Brevity of the advice: swap potato and squash locations, freshen soil, keep going next year.

5. Banter, Nostalgia, and Listener Emails

[49:17–end]

• A flood of listener emails reflects warm commentary on Tony’s lifestyle musings, food, vacations, and the show’s reach—a tribute to its community feel.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Absurdity of the NFL Weekend

• Tony Kornheiser: “The rationalizations, I freely admit them. … This weekend was great. You had baseball playoffs … you had things going on in front of you in the red zone, which were almost unbelievable.” (00:56)

On Baker Mayfield’s Emergence

• Tony: “I believe ... the three leading [NFL MVP] candidates would be Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones of Indianapolis and Dak Prescott. ... The question for years and years, is Dak worth the money? Yeah, he’s worth the money. Defense isn’t. Dak is worth the money.” (02:05)

On Penn State Football

• Tony: “Is there an honest future for James Franklin at Penn State?”
  Wilbon: “I did talk to people … who think they will sit down at the end of the year and they will move on from James Franklin …” (27:53–28:46)

Gardening and Potatoes

• Buster Olney: “These are seeds of hope, not, not signs of failure in you.” (35:08)

On Mark Sanchez

• Wilbon: “When alcohol is involved … everything’s on the table.” (30:10)

On Playoff Baseball

• Tony: “It looks bad. Well, let me ask the obvious question. If they get swept … does Aaron Boone lose his job?”
  Buster: “No. … The owner likes this group of people running his team.” (39:48–40:46)

On Kershaw’s Role

• Buster: “Kershaw has done this in the postseason. … If you need me to start, I can do that. … It’s his victory lap as he finishes up this hall of fame career.” (46:20–47:04)

Important Segment Timestamps

• NFL Recap & Surprises: 00:56–07:15
• College Football Upsets: 08:05–09:50
• MLB Playoff Overview (Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies): 09:50–13:27
• Tony’s TV Channel Confessions: 12:30–13:27
• Golf, Turkey BLT, and Weekend Life: 13:27–13:54
• Mark Sanchez Story: 13:54–14:55; 29:52–32:30
• Buster Olney’s Gardening Tips: 34:26–36:32
• In-depth Baseball Playoff Coverage: 36:32–48:39

Final Thoughts

“Seeds of Hope” exemplifies the unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and deep sports discussion that defines “The Tony Kornheiser Show.” From NFL head-scratching moments to the existential pain of Yankees fans, listeners are given equal parts rant, reason, and reassurance. Regulars like Wilbon and Buster Olney bring credibility and comfort, while Tony’s gardening tales provide a universal lesson in humility—and, of course, hope.

Want more?
Because this episode is packed with recap, debate, and laughs, it is perfect both for sports obsessives who missed the games and those who simply love the candid camaraderie.