“The circle of trust”

Summary

The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: “The circle of trust”
Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Tony Kornheiser, with Michael Wilbon and Nigel
Guests: Chuck Todd, Mark Feinsand

Episode Overview

This episode delivers Tony's signature blend of sports analysis, humorous anecdotes, pop culture tangents, and personal stories. The main themes revolve around recent World Series developments, in-depth NFL picks with Chuck Todd and Reginald the Monkey, and an extended, warm look at Halloween traditions with Tony and Michael Wilbon. And as always, the episode is peppered with friendly banter and memorable one-liners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Baseball and the World Series (w/ Mark Feinsand)

• Tony and Mark recap the dramatic extra innings World Series game, notable pitching performances, and clutch moments.
• Discussions about individual stars—especially Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman—and their outsized impact and likability.

Notable Discussion:

• Mark describes how he spent game 3 at the Kansas City Chiefs game with his sons and only caught part of the baseball marathon postgame (34:58–37:06).
• Extra-innings drama: "We were listening on the way home and got back to the hotel and it was, I think, the 10th inning just ended... I watched eight more innings until we got to the 18th and I dozed off right before Freddie Freeman hit the home run." —Mark Feinsand (36:04)
• Tony marvels at Ohtani: "Getting on base nine times—he was never out at first. Isn't that unbelievable? It's unbelievable." (42:36)

Insights:

• Gutty pitching: Both Mark and Tony praise bullpen arms stepping up, especially Will Klein's unexpected heroics (38:14).
• The "circle of trust": Ongoing theme about managers relying on certain relievers—Tony bemoans the continued use of Blake Trinen: "He shouldn't be in the circle of trust. He should be outside the circle. Yes. Way out." (03:01)
• The Freddie Freeman effect: Tony and Mark agree he's beloved even by rivals ("Every single person who stops on first base, whether they speak English or not, converses with Freddie Freeman." —Tony, 41:08).

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2. NFL Picks with Chuck Todd & Reginald the Monkey

• Chuck Todd reviews his previous week’s record and tackles a slate heavy with home underdogs.
• Conversation covers betting strategy nuances, player assessment, and gentle ribbing about quirky show tradition “La Cheeserie.”
• Reginald the Monkey, in his Halloween regalia, offers his own picks with playful celebrity cameos and fantasy narratives.

Segment Flow (17:16–29:32):

• Chuck’s record: "You were five and two last week... That's not bad. Five and two." —Tony (17:39)
• Philosophy of home dogs: "One of the great early gambling lessons I remember learning was from listening to your program way back in the 90s... weeks like this when there are six or more home dogs... Bet them all." —Chuck (20:27)
• Pick highlights & fun banter:
  • Miami vs. Baltimore: “You gotta bet on Lamar.” —Chuck (19:49)
  • "Do you trust Caleb Williams? That's me. Yeah.” —Tony (22:05)
• Reginald the Monkey’s cameo (29:38–32:28): Costume party vignettes, celebrity monkey friends, and wild sports analogies.

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3. Halloween Preparations and Traditions

• Tony and Michael discuss carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating logistics, and seasonal rituals as parents.
• Humorous takes on candy hierarchy and Halloween signals ('the pumpkin out front').
• Tips and nostalgia blend with parental exasperation and suburban commentary.

Memorable Exchanges:

• "We have a fine system where dad carves the top of the pumpkin, then the boys try and help scoop out the scoop..." —Michael Wilbon (09:31)
• Tony’s pragmatic approach: "I put a pumpkin outside to indicate I am participating in this holiday for a while. Yes. Until I turn my light off." (12:12)
• Candy tiers and leftovers: "By the end of the evening... I will have taken out the candies I like and put the candies I don't like in a jar or a tray or whatever that is, a bucket and tell you to take one. You know, take one, don't take four." —Tony (12:45)

Parenting & Pumpkin Highlights:

• Best pumpkin type: “A medium pumpkin that does not have the skin that's too thick... We have all the special tools. I used to just go at this with a steak knife...” —Michael (10:26)
• On pumpkin seeds: "They certainly are littered all over our front yard. So we'll see if they naturally grow." —Michael (10:48)
• The importance of using fake tea lights instead of candles for safety (11:28–11:43).

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4. Golf Tales and Swing Advice

• Tony recounts struggling with fast greens at Caves Valley and the wisdom of his playing partners (03:27–08:18).
• Golf swing mechanics: Tony and Michael exchange technique tips, referencing professionals like Justin Rose, and share humorous failures ("I went shank Epotamus on my second shot on 17," Tony, 07:16).

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5. Washington Sports Check-in

• Briefly discusses the Wizards’ collapse vs. the 76ers and tanking culture (09:01–10:09).
• Monday Night Football disappointment for Washington fans—"Kept it close for half, 7-7 going into the third quarter, but then gave up...I don't want to talk about that." —Tony (03:27)

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6. Community, Jingles, and Listener Interaction

• The show closes with a classic mailbag and music submissions, nods to familiar “Littles,” and playful extensions of show traditions.

“Tony’s mailbag...Gonna read it for all of you folks. That’s tremendous.” —Chris Brinkley jingle (47:30)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:01 | Tony | "He shouldn't be in the circle of trust. He should be outside the circle. Yes. Way out." | | 09:31 | Michael | "We have a fine system where dad carves the top of the pumpkin, then the boys try and help scoop out the scoop..."| | 17:39 | Tony | "You were five and two last week...That's not bad. Five and two." | | 20:27 | Chuck | "One of the great early gambling lessons I remember learning was from listening to your program way back in the 90s."| | 41:08 | Tony | "Every single person who stops on first base, whether they speak English or not, converses with Freddie Freeman." | | 42:36 | Tony | "Getting on base nine times—he was never out at first. Isn't that unbelievable? It's unbelievable." | | 30:57 | Nigel | "Reginald, as you know, always loves to dress up as a former US President. This year, he picked James K. Polk." |

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Timestamps for Main Segments

• Start / Banter / Halloween & Golf: 00:00–14:23
• NFL Picks w/ Chuck Todd: 17:16–29:32
• Reginald the Monkey's Picks: 29:38–32:28
• World Series Deep Dive w/ Mark Feinsand: 34:58–46:54
• Mailbag and Listener Interaction: 47:00–51:56

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Episode Takeaways

• This episode blends sports expertise, relatable domestic life, and sharp wit, perfectly encapsulating why Tony Kornheiser and his crew remain so beloved.
• Listeners get detailed sporting breakdowns, especially of the World Series and NFL, but also join Tony and friends as they muse about pumpkins and Halloween candy, sparking a sense of nostalgia and community.
• The guest segments with Chuck Todd and Mark Feinsand are insightful and fun, weaving in listener in-jokes and personal stories that make the analysis accessible and lively.
• The playful inclusion of Reginald the Monkey is a reminder that sports can be both serious and deeply silly.

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This summary captures the energy, wit, and depth of conversation typical of "The Tony Kornheiser Show"—equally rewarding for diehards and casual listeners alike.

Transcript

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hey, it's Tony. On today's show, we'll get football picks from Chuck Todd and Reginald the Monkey. And we will talk about the World Series with Mark Finesand after an impressive win by Toronto last night to tie up the series at two games apiece. But first, let's do some commerce. You know how some snacks just don't measure up? Well, Virginia Diner peanuts are on another level. They've been roasting peanuts for almost a century right from the peanut capital of the world. And trust me, these aren't your average grocery store peanuts. Virginia peanuts are big, crunchy and packed with flavor. Plus, Virginia Diner has tons of varieties, sweets and snack mixes that make the perfect gift. Or let's be honest, a treat for yourself. I have these peanuts. Yes, these peanuts are great. They are. Everybody on this show has these peanuts. These. These peanuts are great. Yes, they're great. They really are really good.

[Michael Wilbon]

Toasted pecans. You never even saw those?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, I didn't get a chance though.

[Michael Wilbon]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Previously on the Tony Kornheiser Show.

[Mark Feinsand]

Shohei Ohtani was seven years old the.

[Chuck Todd]

Last time that we saw a starting.

[Mark Feinsand]

Pitcher throw back to back complete games in the postseason.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So the starting pitchers in game three, on a personal level, to me, are very intriguing because I love Max Scherzer. I mean, I love him. I don't know what he's got left. I mean the. The outing that he had, I guess in Game 4 for Toronto the last series, it was fine. I mean he went five. Whatever he went, he yelled at the manager. That was all fun. That was theatrical. This is General George Washington and you're listening to the Tony Kornheiser. So that was on Monday, right before the 18 inning game?

[Michael Wilbon]

Yeah, doubleheader.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Like honestly, if you think back to that game, you don't even remember that Glasnow and Scherzer started the game it doesn't.

[Nigel]

It's too far back.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Completely irrelevant. So I won't talk about the baseball here right now because Mark Finesand is going to join us to talk about the baseball. And so we'll leave that up to his.

[Michael Wilbon]

Not talking about a pivotal pitching Change in the seventh inning where they put.

[Tony Kornheiser]

In Blake Trinen.1 inning. Blake Trinen now has gone. I didn't want to do this in the World Series. He's been out there twice. He's pitched 2/3 of an inning and given up five hits. He's no good.

[Nigel]

That's not what you want.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's no good.

[Michael Wilbon]

I mean, half of the batters faced have ended up on base.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Just. Yeah, I mean, come on, what are you doing? He's not any good. He shouldn't be in the circle of trust. He shouldn't be in the circle. He should be outside the circle. Yes. Way out.

[Michael Wilbon]

Guarding the door to the way outside.

[Nigel]

We'll call you if we need you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right. I'm also not going to talk about the Monday night game that Washington lost to Kansas City because it was. They were terrible.

[Michael Wilbon]

Kept it close for a quarter.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Kept it close for half 7. 7 going into the third quarter, but then gave up in that. They just. Okay. And they didn't have their starting quarter. I don't want to talk about that. I want to talk about a little bit, a little bit about the golf that I played over the weekend. Alan and I, the socialite and I went up to Caves Valley on Saturday and Alan had arranged that we were supposed to tee off like early, like 9 o' clock and it was too cold. So Alan arranged that we would tee off at noon. So we got. And you know, we got up there. I've talked to you about Caves Valley's.

[Michael Wilbon]

Beautiful sets you up for the lunch buffet.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, that's what we had. Caves Valley is so beautiful this time of year. Such a beautiful golf course. It's. They redid a bunch of the holes to make it harder actually, because the BMW that has played there has been played there at least two or three times, which is in the. The rota of tournaments leading up to the PGA final, the penultimate event. Yeah, and they've been great the, the tournaments that they've had. One of them, Patrick Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau went back and forth making 40 foot putts for like four holes. It was really good. And the next one last year, Scotty Scheffler wins it. And. And on number 17, the last par three on the course is not In a great position. He's off the green. He hits it on. He drops it. He drops it for a birdie. It's. It's okay.

[Michael Wilbon]

That's against McIntyre, right?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, Bobby McIntyre.

[Michael Wilbon]

He went long.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. And just, you know, so, so it's lovely. And I got to play with Steve Fader, who's been the president there for a while and has been in charge of all of these great tournaments that they've had, the BMW tournaments. And I played with his son Michael, who. Michael played golf in college.

[Michael Wilbon]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What? No.

[Michael Wilbon]

Michael.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Michael Fader.

[Michael Wilbon]

Oh, college golf.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He played golf in college. He asked about you playing golf in college. He's a little bit behind you. Okay. Played in the same courses, played in the same tournaments as you played in and had a wonderful time. And I was terrible, truly terrible. It had the fastest greens I've ever been around. I would be 20ft away and I would putt and then be 40ft away. I could not stop the ball. I just could not.

[Michael Wilbon]

Do you have a sense if you, if you visit a course, I'm a pretty good putter, say putting at a 10, 10 and a half, 11, which is country club fast.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I would say 13.

[Michael Wilbon]

Okay. And you've played a little course that we like to call Augusta National.

[Tony Kornheiser]

These were faster. Significantly faster. Or I was significantly worse, maybe at August. I was so afraid that I didn't hit it far enough. But this one.

[Michael Wilbon]

Or you have like, you know, you have muscle memory here because you've played it in past years.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I couldn't. Yeah, I just couldn't keep it on the, on the track at all. But Steve Fader said something to me. I don't know, we were in the. Maybe around 13 or 14, and he said, you know, you go up when you hit a tee shot. When you put the tee in the ground and you sit the ball on the tee, you make a good turn. You turn your body, you turn your shoulder, you get through the ball. There's no other shot that you hit where you do that. You sort of stop. Have you, have you noticed this? When I play?

[Michael Wilbon]

Yes. I think the big thing is with your irons, you tend to reset the lie angle before you take the club back. So when the ball is on a tee, it gets you more rounded. When you were. When I was younger, we used to call it your roller coaster. So you'd have that tick, tick, tick, tick, going all the way back.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So it's just. So I. I listen.

[Michael Wilbon]

You drive the ball like a single digit handicap.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I listen, I, I hit some Good drives there. I listened to him and then I went out Sunday at Columbia and I pared the first two holes, which I never do.

[Michael Wilbon]

How about that?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because I can't. I can't get to that. I can't get one on. But I hit a good wedge shot and pard the hole. I hit a good drive on two, got on the green part the hole, shot 41 on the front. It's fantastic. That's tremendous. Best I've done in years. Be trying to listen to him. I missed one shot badly. I went shank Epotamus on my second shot on 17. Like, I hit it due right three feet off the ground into the schmutz. Terrible. And got a six on the hole. But I, you know, I wasn't as good on the back, but on the front was really good. And I, I think he was right. And I sort of want to do it again. I want to go out there and it wasn't so much with the irons because I don't use a lot of irons because I'm too far away. It's with woods, it's with rescues. And I came into the ball better and I, you know, took a wider too, so I was happy.

[Michael Wilbon]

So big, big swing. Thought for you is when you get out onto that range, you can take a towel and tuck it underneath your armpits. That'll help you stay connected and get some turn, really. And then as you get more comfortable with that feeling, you can start to just do it with your left shirt sleeve, tuck it under the armpit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Isn't that what Justin Rose does?

[Michael Wilbon]

You've seen that a lot with pros, to feel that connection. Sometimes you can put a glove under there and try and hold it on the way back.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't want to put the glove on my hand because I can't. Then I have dementia. Just one small thing about the Wizards. The Wizards attempted and succeeded in losing last night, a game they could. No one could lose. They could. You can't lose this game. You're at home. You are ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers 110, 94 going into the fourth quarter. Yup. 16 going into the fourth quarter. You get outscored in the fourth quarter and overtime, 45 to 24. You tanked it. You didn't want to win it. Somebody said, I don't think players do that, though. I think players want to win it. What you're out there, coaches, you know, want to tank it and general managers want to tank it.

[Michael Wilbon]

So you're saying you wouldn't have bet the fourth quarter.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Wow. Just, you know, that was.

[Nigel]

That's surprising in Washington because when you're down in the fourth and you look up and you see those attendance banners, it's just so intimidating.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Intimidating, isn't it? Yeah. All right, let me get to the story of the day, as far as I'm concerned, which is Halloween is Friday, and, Michael, you have big news. You have carved pumpkins.

[Michael Wilbon]

We have carved pumpkins.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can you describe your technique in carving pumpkins?

[Michael Wilbon]

I don't carve pumpkins. We're at that magical age where carving pumpkins is an activity that is a canon one for the kids, and it is basically the burden on mom and dad. We have a fine system where dad carves the top of the pumpkin, then the boys try and help scoop out the scoop, which really just gets flung all over us and ruins their clothes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Michael Wilbon]

And then we're up against the clock. Every boy wants something different. The bootsy in his older boy, he gets a. He gets a silhouette of something. This year, it's a bat. And we have to figure out what's the negative space that you're carving out. So I'm doing that. The hammer wants something very simple. He's just going for the classic triangle eyes and nose with the buck teeth.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What about the baby?

[Michael Wilbon]

No one knows what he wants.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's just.

[Michael Wilbon]

So I carve the pumpkins. And then it's always trying to be like, how fine do you want this to be? Because the worst case is you actually break through one of the cuts as it's being finished, and they're just running around pushing you over.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is there a certain type of pumpkin you recommend for carving certain sizes?

[Michael Wilbon]

I don't know the varieties. I would recommend a medium pumpkin that does not have the skin, that's too thick. Because at that point, I mean, we have all the special tools. I used to just go at this with a steak knife and just realize that wasn't the safest.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I would have done that.

[Michael Wilbon]

And then you just take a pasta spoon. We finally upgraded. We now have those little, like, keep.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Any of the seeds so that they can plant pumpkin seeds.

[Michael Wilbon]

They certainly are littered all over our front yard. So we'll see if they naturally grow.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Michael Wilbon]

And of course, they come to, like, we want to check on our pumpkin seed that we planted last year. I'm like, I don't think it took, son.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You do it outside. You don't.

[Michael Wilbon]

You can't let the kids do this inside.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know, I just wonder. Okay, so now and the time you.

[Michael Wilbon]

Have to do this, you can't do it too early because then the squirrels will eat it before Halloween. I'm now worried because we have a big rain event coming through D.C. the day before.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Michael Wilbon]

So I'm probably going to put those under cover just to give them a chance to make it to Halloween.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Now, during Halloween, will you, will you put candles in them? So the. That's what I. When I was a kid, I think I remember that you put a candle.

[Michael Wilbon]

So our big upgrade, they don't burn the pumpkin, you know, maybe through like Stroh Snyder. And they always have these little setups at the, at the Giant or the Safeway. We got these electronic sort of tea lights that'll. They blink. They have an orange color.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, so you won't do the old fashioned lit candle.

[Michael Wilbon]

We will not do the old fashioned lit candle. But this way the kids, like the last couple nights, they will take their little, you know, light up candle and they'll put it in the pumpkin and we'll leave them on at night while they go to bed. So at least they. It is, as you said, it looks like we're buying into the holiday.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. I mean, it does, but I. So you worried about squirrels?

[Michael Wilbon]

Oh, the squirrels are going to go to town on these.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They just eat them.

[Michael Wilbon]

Oh, yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I don't do anything with a pumpkin. I get Michael to buy a pumpkin.

[Nigel]

And you just put it out front.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I put a pumpkin outside to indicate I am participating in this holiday for a while. Yes. Until I turn my light off. Don't take me the house and take the pumpkin down. All right.

[Michael Wilbon]

Now the pumpkin is the official signal for when you are open for business.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I will, I will in fact have candy and by the end of the evening, because I don't, I don't like KitKat. By the end of the evening, I will have taken out the candies I like and put the candies I don't like in a jar or a tray or whatever that is, a bucket and tell you to take one. You know, take one, don't take four.

[Nigel]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Be a slob on the honest. But I no longer. I, I don't think I ever did carve a pumpkin. I'm not dexterous. I can't do that. But I might have drawn on the pumpkin with magic marker. I might have tried to make a happy face or something. I don't even remember.

[Michael Wilbon]

So when the kids were younger, I could do these very elaborate. You know, we'd always try and do something that was related to D.C. sports. You like the Gnats? W. I used to.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The Wizard's L for loser. Yes.

[Michael Wilbon]

I used to do these. You know, I would do these silhouettes where you just carve half of the depth of the pumpkin skin so you'd have the light emerging from behind, but it would give this cool contrast to the actual cutouts. Clearly, I've thought too much about this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, you really have. What kind of candy do you have to give out?

[Michael Wilbon]

Well, there's candy that is for the kids. We got, like, one big mixed bag from Costco about a month ago so that we knew we would at least have something.

[Nigel]

How much is left?

[Michael Wilbon]

Certainly less with these late World Series games. I've been treating myself to a Reese's here or there. Right Again, I'm terrible at this. My favorite Halloween candy is Summing Gross. Skittles. I love Skittles.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, Skittles are great. Yes.

[Michael Wilbon]

But the original lime.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Skittles.

[Michael Wilbon]

Original lime. Not the green apple.

[Nigel]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Go have the lime.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So what have you left for the Travelers?

[Michael Wilbon]

Oh, nothing but Almond Joy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. Werther's Almond Joy.

[Michael Wilbon]

A warm Werthers.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I like Almond Joy.

[Michael Wilbon]

I've grown to appreciate an Almond Joy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Like, I mean, I liked Almond Joy and Mounds.

[Nigel]

Did the kid.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Did they still do dark chocolate? And Almond Joy had milk chocolate till you found out it was actually fake chocolate. Chocolate when you read the stuff's not really chocolate.

[Nigel]

Yeah. Do they still do unicef? Is that a thing for the kids?

[Michael Wilbon]

I have not seen that because they.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Pulled out of the UN.

[Mark Feinsand]

And on.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That note, we'll get out of here. Mark Feinstein is first for us. Or Chuck Todd.

[Nigel]

Chuck Todd is first.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Chuck Todd is first for us. I'm Tony Cornhole.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser. This is from Alexa Lash who writes I hope you all have been well to Tony, Michael and Nigel. Finally, after talking about it for over a year, I have released debut songs under my band name Alexa and the Old Fashions. I think of how long this journey has been, how many songs are in progress that I'm proud of. But I'm so grateful to you guys for sharing my art. Taking a chance on a from scratch artist from Miami, Florida. The album is called Witches, Wolves and Murder. That's joyful and here are a couple of tracks I hope you and the Littles will enjoy. This is called Witch in Disguise and she says a huge shout out to my Aunt Karen and friend Dave are both avid listeners of the show. This is called Witch in Disguise and it plays in Chuck Todd and I should read this week's picks with Chuck Todd and Reginald the Monkey are brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Make every moment more. You were, you were almost epic. You were almost epic. But you took Washington and they Kansas City, which last year never Covered at home one, but never covered. Covered comfortably covered by 21 points. Do you, do you regret that one?

[Chuck Todd]

Not really. I mean, Kansas City, you know, has that reputation. Plus, you know what I really appreciate, appreciate the fact that the that game kind of was a dud so that we could focus on maybe an epic game. Did you stay I know you didn't stay up for the game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Chuck Todd]

For the 18 innings. Not 18, but there was a reasonable chance. You got up to watch the end of the game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Because it was early enough in the morning. Had I known, had I known that it was going to go 18, I might very well have done that. But wraparound, you know, but I, I didn't know. I mean, and last night's game is dull in comparison. It was a dull game anyway. It was totally dull in comparison. So you were five and two last week. You're 27 and 29. Knock knock, knocking on the door of. Of 500. That's not bad. Five and two.

[Chuck Todd]

No, no, it's my first. It. It's taken this long in the season to get a five win.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So that's good. All right. We'll give you what we've got. And I again, I'm going to say this. We give Chuck these games. Yes. The monkey picks the monkeys games. Carville picks Carville's games. Ma picks Ma's games. Okay. It's harder when you are given games. So if you want to sit there and pick out five or six or seven games on your own, that's going to be easier. You're going to believe in it more. So it's harder for Chuck. I'm just. I put that out.

[Chuck Todd]

I appreciate that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But it's. It's also true. It has.

[Nigel]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

By the way, I should pass on. You know, as you know, I'll go out in public and people will say, you know, and all this stuff. But my favorite part is when somebody leaves a message for somebody that has no idea what that word means.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

And I was. And they go, hey, somebody wanted to. Had a message for you. Was at this conference. And it was like somebody organized. And they're like. It was a tesserie chesere. And I'm just like. You mean La Cheeserie? Yes, that's what they said.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Cheeserie.

[Chuck Todd]

And I'm like, you got to listen to Tony Konich. But, you know, they were not a listener. I'm sorry.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know, and many, many millions, hundreds of millions. Or not. Okay. Baltimore at Miami. Miami stinks. It's a team of your youth. Miami stinks. They won. Tua had four touchdown passes and didn't criticize any of his teammates. But Baltimore getting. Apparently getting Lamar Jackson back and coming out of a win without Lamar Jackson is a seven and a half. They are two and six. They're a seven and a half point favorite on the road in Miami. Who you got.

[Chuck Todd]

You gotta. You gotta bet on Lamar.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Every game's a playoff game. I think that Dolphin game was a. Was a dead cat bounce. Okay, let's don't. I can't. Maybe they've got one more in them. But you're just. And that had to be his firing game. Had they lost that game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Could have been. Very well. Could have been. Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Although this is the Thursday this actually. Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This could be. Because you have 10 days.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah, yeah. The mini buy. So this could be. This could be the end for this whole experiment down there too. And McDaniel.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So you will take the road favorite. You will take.

[Chuck Todd]

Well, you know, one of the great early gambling lessons I remember learning was from listening to your program way back in the 90s when you used to have Carville on.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

A lot doing all this. And he would talk about weeks like this when there are six or more road dogs. Well, this week, if you look at this slate, there are nine road dogs this week.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You mean no road favorites. You mean home dogs?

[Chuck Todd]

Excuse me, no home dogs. Road favorites. Home dogs.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Chuck Todd]

Forget the first time. I remember Carville throwing that out there and he's like, calm down. You bet them all. Bet them all. Don't even.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Look, you bet them all, but you're not betting Miami.

[Chuck Todd]

Not gonna. Can't. You know that's the problem, right? You look at this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can't.

[Chuck Todd]

And I. You can't do it. You look at these games individually, can't do it. But when you look at them collectively on Monday, I have a feeling we're gonna have. We're going to be snake bit on this stuff.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But yes, five of the seven games we are giving, you have home dogs. Here's another one. Chicago at Cincinnati this week.

[Chuck Todd]

It's unbelievable. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Chicago at Cincinnati. Chicago is a 2 1/2 point favorite at Cincinnati. Cincinnati scored 38 and lost the other day, but lost by one.

[Nigel]

So would have covered to a tough jets team.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Jets stink would have covered. Flacco has been fine. Sure. Flacco has been fine. Chicago, will you take Wilbond's Chicago Bears and give two and a half at Cincinnati?

[Chuck Todd]

Boy, do you trust this Bears team?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, I don't trust Caleb Williams. That's me. Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Boy, how'd the. How would the redraft go now? Well, Caleb wouldn't even be the second pick.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, he would not. Drake May would be the second pick right now.

[Chuck Todd]

Let me throw this one at you. Bo Nix or Caleb Williams.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Coming out of college. I would have said Caleb Williams, not bonus. I would have done that. Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah. So that's out of college.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Now, what about right now?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Bo Nix is in a better system. In a second year of a better system for him. But give Ben Johnson two years with Caleb Williams and then we revisit that question.

[Chuck Todd]

I think that's fair. It does feel like Caleb Williams is in the right direction. Mm, yeah, it's in the right direction. Boy, give me the Bengals, I guess. Okay, I. I am hopeful that this could. That could be their high scoring game of the week again with that terrible Bengals defense. Bears might get go off. That might be A fun game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, so you're gonna. But you're gonna take Cincinnati.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right. Here's a different kind of game. The road team is, you know, getting a lot of points. Minnesota, which now has to go to J.J. mcCarthy whether he wants to play or not. Because if he doesn't play now, you got to get rid of him. That means he doesn't. He doesn't want to play.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Minnesota's getting eight and a half at Detroit. Detroit's good. This is a division game and Detroit's pretty good. It's a big number. I. I would be tempted to take Detroit. How about you?

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah, it's at home. It's Detroit at home, too.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. Yes.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah. No, they. This is, this is one of those. You feel like they're. There's. And look, Minnesota's. You know, I'm. There's. It. That McCarthy thing, seems like it was more of a soft benching. Give me Detroit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. Okay. Atlanta, a team that, when people started saying Atlanta's pretty good and they got a really good defense, they immediately lost every game. They stink. They stink from the top down.

[Chuck Todd]

I don't want to bet on Atlanta ever again.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Chuck Todd]

I'm with you. I hate betting on that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Atlanta is now getting six and a half at New England, a team that maybe won three games last year. They're getting six and a half at New England. New England. New England is in actual turnaround with Drake May and Mike Vrabel. They're in actual legitimate turnaround. They're six and two at the moment. They haven't beaten great teams, but they're winning games. If you like New England, you're giving six and a half.

[Chuck Todd]

Nothing like that last place schedule. When you get to. When that first year of your turnaround and you get to. You get to do what New England's doing. Right. They're probably a 500 team, but they have a schedule that's going to give them 11, 10 or 11, maybe even 12 wins. But good grief, they got to blow up Atlanta, the whole thing, right? Both quarterbacks, all of it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know. I mean, Penix was out last week. Is Penix playing this week? Do we know?

[Nigel]

Not sure.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We don't know.

[Chuck Todd]

Kirk Cousins, the only player that scares you when Atlanta has the balls, that Bijan Robinson.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, he's a great player. He got nothing last week.

[Chuck Todd]

Right. He's. He. There's him and everybody else. Okay, Juggernaut. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Here is a game that I would stay away from this game. Me personally. Indianapolis is a Road favorite. They're giving three and a half at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh proves. Every time you watch them, they demonstrate that they're not that good. They're. They're not that good. Their defense isn't that good. Aaron Rodgers has okay statistics. They don't score a lot of points and they don't go down the field. You know, they go four yards and try to get yak. Indianapolis has been great. Probably due for a letdown. It's not a division games, conference game, not a division game. Indianapolis, if you like them, you're giving three and a half.

[Chuck Todd]

I have to say, this is, I think, a tough one. It's a short week for Pittsburgh and you're right about Indianapolis. There's going to be a letdown.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

And you're just, you're just wondering. But you know, I've, I've lost money chasing that. I keep chasing that last couple of. Last couple of weeks with them. I'm with you. I'd prefer to stay away from this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Game, but give me Indianapolis, we give you Indy.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You're going to take a road favorite. Here's another road favorite. And I honestly, I don't get this one. This. Kansas City at Buffalo. Buffalo, I believe, has beaten Kansas City at Buffalo.

[Chuck Todd]

Regular season of the regular season in this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

In this series, Kansas City's favored by one and a half. Kansas City's next three games are a gauntlet. At Buffalo, at Denver, home, Indy. If they can win one of those three games, they're going to want to win Denver. It's more important because it's a division opponent. I know Buffalo beat a bad team last week, Carolina, but I honestly, I didn't. I thought Buffalo would be favored because they have history, the same team. Right.

[Chuck Todd]

And they always don't. They always win the regular season version of this.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. And then they lose in the playoffs. Yes, Right.

[Chuck Todd]

Exactly.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Who you got?

[Chuck Todd]

It feels like Buffalo always cares a little bit more, but for some reason it feels like they've got the chip in this game. If they feel like they've got something to prove. Yeah, I'm not. Give me the. Give me the home favorite. The home dog. Sorry.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I would do that, too. Here's one more. And it's not surprising. Sunday night game. I think the country's going to get sick of Washington pretty soon in these. In these night games. Seattle coming out of a buy. Sam Darnold having a good year. Having a good year. Seattle. Both Washingtons are playing Seattle, Washington and Washington, Washington. Seattle is here across the country. A two and A half point favorite on Sunday night against Washington. You took Washington.

[Chuck Todd]

Mariota still.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hmm?

[Chuck Todd]

Mariota still.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know.

[Nigel]

I believe Jaden Daniels is expected to play.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. Yes.

[Nigel]

And I looked up Penix is expected to play this week as well.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, okay. Pennix is better than Cousins, yo.

[Nigel]

Yes.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Chuck Todd]

Oh, man. Geez. That was the goat. That was this. The. The player formerly known as Kirk Cousins. Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Terrible. Terrible.

[Chuck Todd]

Oh, I. Everything says take Washington here in this spot, Right? They're a home dog. They've lost the game. They're off a loss. The problem is short week. And the other problem is that Seattle defense is outstanding. They're really good. See if the Ravens are wondering where their defense went. I went to Seattle with that coach. Give me Seattle.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Take Seattle.

[Chuck Todd]

I know I'm going to regret this one. I have a feeling. I just have a feeling. But give me.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I thought you were going to go toward the bottom of the board and take three home dogs in a row, dog.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah, I know. I should. I should. But, you know, if you find him this week, wherever he's roaming, ask him about all these home dogs.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I will do that.

[Chuck Todd]

All right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We will do it. All right. Good luck.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah, it's gonna be a rough one. Be careful out there. All right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Thank you, Chuck.

[Chuck Todd]

See you guys.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And if we just gave you Chuck Todd, that would be more than enough. But we give you a monkey. See the monkey, he scritch, scritch scratching with the original iPad Smoking and laughing Hanging with Bud Grant Tap, tap, tapping on his purple attache Nigel's going to the zoo, zoo, zoo Reginald's got the.

[Nigel]

Fight Sometimes he throws boo, boo, boo.

[Tony Kornheiser]

When he's had too much Johnny Walker Blue Reginald had a winning week Reginald was 2 and 1 he's 9 and 15 overall, but he had a winning week. What do you got?

[Nigel]

First steps back towards Mount 500. That's what he likes to think. Well, of course, I went out to the. The National Zoo to confer with him about these matches, and it was a rather chaotic scene at the National Zoo, and I forgot it's the time of his annual Halloween bash he throws every year.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right.

[Nigel]

You know, the stars love to come out for that event. Alan Alda was there, Jennifer Lopez, Eric Haydn.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think one of the. Eric Haydn?

[Alexa Lash]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Eric Hayden, the speed skater.

[Nigel]

Yes. The Olympic gold medalist. Yeah. Apparently he and Reginald have some sort of connection way back when. Yes, I think one of the Kardashians was there. Maybe Zeppo Kardashian. I'm not sure, but just a Great night. Reginald, as you know, always loves to dress up as a former US President. This year, he picked James K. Polk.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There you go.

[Nigel]

Took a moment from the festivities.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You know what the K stands for?

[Nigel]

Kornheiser Knox.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is it Knox games? Knox. Poe. Wow.

[Nigel]

Did not know that. Well, I need to learn your country's history. Better, that is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I may be making that up.

[Mark Feinsand]

I think I'm right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Michael, look that up.

[Nigel]

So he took some time away from the festivities to go over these matches. The first one we gave him was the Bears giving two and a half at Cincinnati. I thought he'd go with the Bengals on this one, but he showed me a little video clip of him playing at Michael Jordan's course. Grove 23. Is that what it is?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Grove 23. And in that party, playing with the socialite.

[Michael Wilbon]

Get the drone.

[Nigel]

Socialite was there. Richard Dent was there. Michael Wilbon was there. Fergie Jenkins was there. So that tells me he's got ties to Chicago.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Nigel]

And he will lay the two and a half. Now, the next one we gave him was maybe the game of the week. Kansas City giving a point and a half at the Bills. And he showed me a very old newspaper clipping of him in the Paris to Dakar rally alongside in his car, Len Dawson, Larry Gura, and Lee Mayberry. So that tells me he's going.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So he's going Kansas City.

[Nigel]

He's going Kansas City in that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I just am surprised at the number.

[Michael Wilbon]

Yes.

[Nigel]

Seems like they should be getting points.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Nigel]

And the last match we gave, of course, was the Washington football team hosting Seattle, and Washington getting two and a half. And you both appreciate this. Show me a nice candid photograph of him, Reginald, eating at Duke Ziebert's alongside Riggo, Doc Walker and Al Noga.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So he will go Washington.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Nigel]

I don't think anyone spit salad on him during the dinner, but you never know.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Larry King spit salad all over my dog. This week's picks with Chuck Todd and Reginald the monkey have been brought to you by FanDuel's sportsbook. Make every moment more. And we're going to come back with Mark Feinstein. Yes. I'm Tony Kornheiser at City Harvest.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Keep the flavor.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

This is the Tony Kornheiser show once again. This is Alexa Lash and her band is Alexa and the old Fashioned. This is called Lone Wolf. They're very good.

[Nigel]

They're very good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

She's very, very good.

[Nigel]

She's got a tremendous voice.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Listen to our music. Very good, Michael. If original artists like Alexa Lash want to send in their music for us to play, how do they do it?

[Michael Wilbon]

Send us some music by emailing it to jinglesonycornizershow.com and we are officially in fall. Go check out johnnyo.com they have some really nice fall quarter zips, pullovers and some really nice button downs. TK Fly trap. Use the code. I used it myself.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Fly trap. Cool.

[Michael Wilbon]

Yeah, we've eradicated the flies.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, we don't have flies. But I can't get out of the trap. So it works on two different levels. Fly trap works on two different levels. This plays in the music. Plays in mark fine sand. And I don't want to go too heavily on this. Last night's game was dull in comparison. Almost anything would have been dull in comparison to game three. So let's start with game three and first, tell everybody where you were for game three.

[Mark Feinsand]

Well, like every good baseball writer, I was in Kansas City, Missouri, watching the Commanders and Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. My two boys and I were all big Washington fans and we had sort of circled this date on the calendar as a road trip to take. And it worked out, work wise that I was not going to be covering the games in the middle part of the World Series. So we were in Kansas City watching our team put up a very, very strong effort in the first half and nothing. And then they. And then they took the field in the second half.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, they took the field. Yes, they did. They were out there while Kansas City scored 21 points on three touchdowns by the greatest football player on the planet. Still is. He may not be the best quarterback. He's the greatest football player.

[Mark Feinsand]

And being able to see him in Arrowhead on a Monday night. That's something cool that I told my kids, look, this wasn't a great game for our team, but this is something you're going to remember when, when all is said and done with Patrick Mahomes career.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So when the football game was over, you still had eight or nine innings left of the baseball game, which I'm sure must have surprised you. What did you do to watch the baseball game? What happened?

[Mark Feinsand]

Yeah, we were listening on the way home and got back to the hotel and it was, I think the 10th inning just ended. And my kids were staying in one room and I was staying in the other and they said, do you want to come in our room and watch? I said, well, we have to get up at the 3 o' clock to.

[Chuck Todd]

Go get to the airport because our.

[Mark Feinsand]

Flights were at 5 and 6am so I'm gonna go in my room and pack and then watch it in bed and fall asleep when it's over. And So I watched eight more innings until we got to the 18th and I dozed off right before Freddie Freeman hit the home run.

[Alexa Lash]

Oh, no.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really?

[Mark Feinsand]

I woke up, I woke up at about, I think it was about 2:15am Central Time. So it was about 20 minutes after he hit the home run and I didn't realize that it had happened. And I looked up and the local news was on and I said, oh, I guess it ended. And I looked at my phone and saw that he hit the home run. I said, oh, wait, I have to get up and pack and leave. And so we left the airport 45 minutes later. But obviously I've, I've, you know, I've seen Freddie Freeman do some pretty incredible things. So it didn't surprise me that he was the one to hit that big home run.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't lie about these things. I was not up for that. But I will say that. Yeah, but I will say that looking at, looking at the highlights and reading about everything, the thing that strikes me most is what an amazingly competitive game it was in all of those extra innings, even without any scoring for hours. It was a compelling game. Right. Because everybody got people on. 37 people were left on base in that game.

[Mark Feinsand]

Well, just think about it this way. I mean, Ohtani had nine plate appearances.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mark Feinsand]

And you know, usually even in the 18 inning game, you don't get up every other inning. Right. So that's, you know, there were a lot of guys on base and I think it was a very compelling game, especially because, you know, once you got to the 11th, 12th inning it wasn't like you had your big gun relievers out there. You had guys out there who, if their first pitch went out of the yard, you wouldn't have been surprised. And they gave some gritty performances. You know, Eric Lauer was terrific and really, you know, gave the Blue Jays more than they possibly could have hoped for. Will Klein, a guy that I'm sure almost nobody had ever heard of going into the World Series, you know, gave them four scoreless innings and 72 pitches. He had never thrown either four innings or 72 pitches in his career.

[Nigel]

Yeah.

[Mark Feinsand]

Yeah. So for him to do that, I read something great when he got back from doing interviews and whatever, get back to his locker, and Sandy Koufax was standing there waiting for him to shake his hand, and he was like, wait, what? You know, he couldn't understand why Sandy Koufax knew who he was, let alone wanted to shake his hand. So he's been getting text messages from CC Sabathia and all these people telling him how gutty and gritty he was. And really, you know, guys like that are sort of the World Series heroes that you. That you love to see emerge out of a game like that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Did you have any thought as to how that was going to end? If you had to make a prediction, what would that have been?

[Chuck Todd]

That game?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, that game.

[Mark Feinsand]

Well, I mean, you know, I figured the Dodgers were eventually going to get to Eric Lauer.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Mark Feinsand]

You know, as I'm watching it, they kept threatening, and he kept getting the big outs he needed, and then the Blue Jews would come up against some, you know, Dodger pitcher I had never heard of or. Or who certainly you wouldn't have thought would be the one who is going to get Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Out with. With two men on base or, you know, I mean, Braden Fisher and, you know, went out there and gave them an inning in a third, scoreless. You know, the bullpens were. Were just spectacular. And these areas of the bullpens were not supposed to be the guys who were going to be the strength of this team. We've been talking all series and all postseason. You got to get to the bullpen for these two teams, and then you got a chance. Well, you know, these two teams went 10 scoreless innings before Freddie Freeman finally ended the game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Total anomaly for the Dodgers. I mean, in the circle of trust are two people, right? Sasaki and Blake Trinen. Blake Trinen doesn't deserve to be in the circle of trust. His last two outings both have resulted in runs. They haven't been Any good. But the Dodger bullpen, without him went 13 scoreless innings. It's unbelievable, right? Yeah.

[Mark Feinsand]

And, you know, I will say I was thinking of you as I watched Clayton Kershaw come into the game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Mark Feinsand]

You know, to get his one out. And it was a huge out. I mean, he came in, two outs, bases loaded, and, you know, you see him coming in for fear.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right. And you have fear.

[Mark Feinsand]

And I'm sort of saying to myself, God, I hope this isn't how it ends.

[Michael Wilbon]

Yes.

[Mark Feinsand]

Because the count goes full will be this huge narrative of, oh, once again, Kershaw can't get it done, and this and that. And I. It was. It was reminiscent to me of the 2000 Subway Series, Yankees, Mets. David Cohn came in. He was not starting in the series. He came in to face Mike Piazza in a huge spot in the fifth inning. A couple guys on base, and. And he got him out. And it was the only out he got in the series, but it was a huge out. And for Kershaw to come in and get that. That out, if that's the last pitch he throws in his career, you know, I think he'll be. He'll be pretty satisfied with that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Me, too. Freeman hits it out. I've noticed this. Freeman was the worst player in the world. If you were a Washington Nationals fan. He beat the Nationals all the time. And it doesn't even. For me, it isn't even grudging respect. I love the guy because I think he's that good. And every single person who stops on first base, whether they speak English or not, converses with Freddie Freeman. It appears that he is beloved. Am I wrong on that?

[Mark Feinsand]

No, you're not wrong on that at all. Freddie is. Is one of the good guys in the game. Media folks like Freddy. It's funny, there was a guy who used to be around the Dodgers and Freddie's first year there, he said to me at spring training, he goes, yeah, he's got a little, kind of like, phony good guy. And I'm not sure how much of it is an act and how much of it is real. I said, that's interesting. I haven't. And about a month or two later, I was talking to him, he goes, by the way, remember when I told you about Freddie in spring training? Yeah, I'm an idiot. He's the best guy ever. So, you know, it may take people a little time once they first meet him and get to know him, but, yeah, I think Freeman is a beloved guy all around the game. And so you Know, unless you're the. A fan of the team or maybe a player on the team who he's putting the dagger in your heart like he did at the end of game three or like he did to the Yankees last year in the World Series. Everybody likes Freddie Freeman.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I mean, I know that Shohei didn't pitch all that great last night and didn't have any hits and we could talk about that, but we have to mention getting on base nine times. It's 18 innings, but he was never out at first. He was never out. Isn't that unbelievable? It's unbelievable.

[Mark Feinsand]

You know, we sat here, what, a week or two ago talking about Wilt Chamberlain and, and all these things after his three home run, six inning game, getting on base nine times with 12 total bases in a World Series game. It may not be as impressive as what he did in that game in the alcs. It's pretty darn close. You know, the fact that it wasn't like they walked him nine times. No, they walked him last five. Yeah, but he had two doubles and two home runs in the first four bats. So. Yeah, look, I said this last time, I'm running out of words to describe what I watched with Ohtani, you know.

[Chuck Todd]

Yeah.

[Mark Feinsand]

Last night he wasn't great. He was good. Right. He was two, two runs through the first five, six innings. He kept him in that game on a day where they needed him to go out there and give them some length after the 18 innings the night before, you know, and they walked on the first at bat. And then Bieber kind of went after him and struck him out a couple times and got him the fourth. You know, he got up fourth time. But Tony's incredible. I mean, there's, you know, there's almost nothing he can do at this point that's going to surprise you. And remember the first six games of the playoffs we were talking about, what the heck's wrong with Shohei Ohtani? He's 1 for 21. And, you know, and the Phillies intentionally walked him to load the bases for Mookie. And everybody said, why would you intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani? He can't hit right now. Well, because he can hit and he's incredible and he can do damage anytime he has a bat in his hand. And even on his off nights, he's still scary when he gets up there. If you're the opposing team.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Bieber was quite good last night. Bieber was quite good. He was quite good. So, all right, so last night, pretty much of a dull game. You think to yourself. Toronto had to win that game. But I could make the case that the Dodgers had to win that game too, because now it's going back to Toronto no matter what happens tonight. Who do you like now?

[Mark Feinsand]

It's still hard to pick against the Dodgers because of the pitching they're going to throw out there. But I also have trouble at the moment picking against the Blue Jays. I think it's going to be go seven. I think it's going to be a great three games. The Blue Jays are one of these teams where every time you, you know, they take one of these gut punches and you think, oh, well, now they're done. They just bounce back and don't care. Right. I mean, they lost that 18 inning game. They came back and won the next day. Remember when Suarez had the grand slam against them in game five? And you're going, all right, well that, that, that's going to be too much for them to overcome. And then they came back and won the next day. Ernie Clement, the third baseman, after the game last night, somebody asked him about, about the win and about coming back. And his quote was, we are a team of uncommon men. Bringing out his inner Herb Brooks. And you know, he said, normal teams would have folded. I don't think we're normal. I think we're the best team in baseball and I think they believe that. So they're not going to be intimidated by anything. They see the Dodger come out there tonight and beat them 10 nothing. I don't think they're going to care. So I would pick the Dodgers if I had to make a pick. But I think it's going seven and I think you're talking about a coin flip.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. By the way, last night, I mean, just personal preference, I was watching the MLB Network national show, which I really like. I mean, I've watched it for a couple of weeks now. And then they had Brian Kenny on with Kevin Millar about 20 minutes before the game started. I know, you know, all of these people, those are very good shows. They're very good shows.

[Mark Feinsand]

Yeah, I was on Brian. Brian Kennedy does an afternoon show called MLB now that I was on about, I don't know, eight or 10 times in October. And BK is great. He's very, very insightful. The way he thinks about baseball. It's not just out there spewing cliches. He really digs into numbers. And I think the network. I'm biased because I'm on it, but I think they have some really great people who do a really great job and you know, I'm proud to be part of that team.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it's really good. It's really good. Okay, enjoy the rest of the series. Maybe we'll talk when it's over and we'll see if you were right. Thanks. Thank you, Mark.

[Mark Feinsand]

Head to the general managers meetings. After that, we can start talking about who's going to sign who because that's, you know.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okey dokey.

[Chuck Todd]

Much fun.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Mark Feinstein, boys and girls. We will take a break. We will come back with email and jingle. I am Tony Kornheiser.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser Show. The Tony Kornheiser Show. Here comes Tony's mailbag. Mailbag.

[Mark Feinsand]

Mail back email specs and your notes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And your notes. And your notes. Here comes Tony's mailbag. Mailbag. Mailbag.

[Mark Feinsand]

Go Tony.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Go Tony. Gonna read it for all of you folks. That's Chris Brinkley. What is that?

[Michael Wilbon]

That's tremendous.

[Nigel]

That was you doing an impersonation of.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Chessy howling at the sirens.

[Nigel]

The sirens?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. The ambulances, yes. Okay.

[Nigel]

Thought it was appropriate right around Halloween.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's fun. Yeah, that's fun. You want to do the Bethesda bagel ad?

[Nigel]

Yes. Do we identify who did that for us? Chris Brinkley. Yes. Job well done.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not David Brinkley.

[Nigel]

Not David Brinkley.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Nigel]

We don't think it was David Brinkley. Yes. Bethesda Bagels. We love him. You will as well. Just go to bethesdavagos.com for the location in the DC area nearest you. Then pop one in and you'll be thrilled.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Before we get to the mailbag, let me just say he's the hairy handed gent who ran amok in Kent. Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair. You better stay away from him. He'll rip your lungs out. Jim. I'd like to meet his tailor. Oh.

[Mark Feinsand]

Werewolves of London.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The late, great Warren Zevon. Thanks to our guest today, Chuck Todd. Mark Feinsand. Thanks as well to today's sponsors. Remember, you can listen to us on Apple Podcasts Spotify or to see if get show through Apple. Please leave us a review. I'm now reaching out to our official chocolatier, Mark Pole of Louisville, Kentucky, the TK Show's official chocolate brand marketer. I have gone through all the Hershey's Symphony he sent me and I really like him. So maybe he'll hear this.

[Nigel]

Gonna need a refill.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Maybe he'll send it's candy season. Yes it is. David Rivers Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin Talk of the Ohtani game raised the question on local Chicago radio possible such games within youth baseball. As you can see from the attached news item from the esteemed Montgomery County Sentinel, circa 1971, I had one such game after nine innings with nine strikeouts at age of 15. I'm not sure my arm was ever the same. However, I was heartened to learn that longtime umpire, referee and high school coach Jamie Hunter was rumored to say it was the best effort he ever saw in the Rockville Boys Baseball Association. I can hear the Boss singing Glory Days right now. By the way, I'm a retired applied social psychologist. May I be the official applied social psychologist Tony Cornister show?

[Nigel]

Yes, I think you misspoke. You said nine strikeouts. It was 19.

[Tony Kornheiser]

19.

[Nigel]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

After nine innings with 19 strikeouts. Did I say nine?

[Nigel]

I think you said nine.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Nine.

[Nigel]

Yeah, yeah. 1919 strikeouts.

[Tony Kornheiser]

A lot.

[Nigel]

Yeah.

[Mark Feinsand]

Well done.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Kyle Colwell from Edmonton, Alberta, Alberta, Canada. Canada Greatest Single Game May 13, 2017 John Wall that's it. That's the list. John Wall from John Schwartz in Tulsa. After a few days of the Ohtani talk about the greatest performances in sports, I couldn't help but think of its opposite the worst single day performance. For that I nominate Ron Wright, a DH and outfielder with the Mariners who got his long awaited debut on April 14th, a day that is familiar to me. 2002?

[Michael Wilbon]

You were how old 2002? 16. 16.

[Tony Kornheiser]

16. Remember that? 2001 was the year the Mariners won 116 games only to fall to the Yankees in the ALCS. So 2002 opened with a lot of promise and the DH call up got the start in the 13th game of the season. He got three at bats, one strikeout, one ground out into a double play, one ground out into a triple play. That's right. He averaged two outs for a bat sent back down, never to be called up again. Wow. Okay. The headline in this is Dementia Happens when Sam and Richmond Happens when James Carville give his picks and you think you know the teams. He's talking about dementia again. Ryan Sweeney, Columbus, Ohio. Your dementia on Monday reminded me of the time I saw Barry Bonds score a touchdown against the Washington Capitals in 1776. Jimmy from Apex, North Carolina the owner of Taste Buds Personal Chef Service My excitement that you played the 502s on my favorite podcast was palpable. My college sophomore daughter introduced me to them a couple of years ago. They are definitely going to be number one on my Spotify Rap. Ask Michael what that means Grandpa My shock at the email stating that we're going to trust an employee at a grocery store to cook up some A5 waigu was stunning. As a personal chef, I've only cooked it one time and my hands were shaking the whole time at $165 a pound. Luckily the client loved it. If you don't already have one, I would love to be the official Personal Chef of the Tony Kornheiser Show. Next time you're in Pinehurst, give me a call. I'll come cook a meal for you and all the bigs. Yes, this goes into the goes in the special pile from Gary Van giesen about the 502s. I greatly enjoyed hearing the 502s music on your fine podcast. Granted, they aren't quite the 5 and 11s, but still not there. John Voith Chevy Chase Hearing Wilbond talk about the Negro Leagues Museum reminded me of something that occurred to me when I visited the museum this summer. When you visit, you will notice that the Museum of Jazz is located in the same building. So the same building houses both Satchel and Satchmo.

[Nigel]

That's a pretty good deal.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Alex Cloninger, Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of California at San Diego On Monday's show, someone emailed you about Tony Cloninger as an incredible two home run game while pitching. I'm embarrassed that I didn't email this to you myself, given my last name. The story has been lore in my family since I was a child and talked about by every cloninger I know. It's highlighted as an all time cloninger accomplishment. The problem? I have no idea how I'm related to him. I know because I know I am. Because cloninger is a very specific name with a common origin from one person in North Carolina, so we must be related somehow, but I haven't been able to figure out the familial connection. Call it my David Aldrich moment for someone I've never actually met. And if any little is an expert in genealogy, please do reach out from Brett Hobbs in Linton, Indiana. The baseball stories you've been reading lately reminded me of a great memory. My older brother Rick and I played on the high school baseball team. Rick was a very good third baseman and I was just trying to find myself as a ball player. We're playing a double header against a local school when an opposing player slid into third base and his metal cleat took my brother's kneecap and placed it on the other side of his leg. Needless to say, he was in a lot of pain and an ambulance was called. When they attended to my brother, they asked me, as I was the only relative at the game, if I wanted to ride along with my brother to the hospital. I thought about for a moment but responded, no, I'm starting in the next game. Needless to say, he survived and I went 0 for 3 in the second game. It's a great story. Ryan Grove and Lee Pan Ryan Enrichment Proof that the connective tissue of the show knows no bounds. I learned I share a birthday with Tony Beeson while listening to Monday's show. I also own a piano, albeit an electric one that I don't know how to play. As for plans on my 42nd birthday, I doubt my local Kroger will grill a steak for me. But maybe if I'm sneaky enough, I can eat an entire tray of their sushi in the store without getting caught. By the way, that. That wagyu steak, you can buy that around here at the Butcher's alley. I bought it. It's.

[Mark Feinsand]

It's.

[Michael Wilbon]

If you're going to cook it on a grill, you have to be very careful because of the flare.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it's very, very tender. It's really very good. And it's pricey. I mean, you don't know, like until you go to pay. Excuse me. Give you a number. Emma Corey, your New York state government correspondent David Lombardo is Getting married Saturday, November 1st. That's a Saturday. As it happens, I have a distinct privilege of becoming Dave's new ball and chain and primary TK Listening buddy. As this is a second marriage for both of us, we need all the help we can get. Google tells me you've been married for some time. Would you be willing to record some words of wisdom that I could play for David? Our reception and if his previous partner requested the same, Given Dave's long standing fandom, pretend I never asked. Thanks very much. I just wish you both all the luck in the world. David and Emma, that's just wonderful. Yes, wonderful. I don't have any advice. There's no advice. Live long enough. Live long. Yes. From Eric Fulton in Rockville, Maryland. Monday's headline LSU fires Brian Kelly. Friday's headline Carvel and T Boy make Coast Guard plus 44 over Northwest East State 1,000,000 times Blue Plate Special Joe Seaford Clancy, Montana this summer I enjoyed the developing story of your potato farming. Was anxious to hear how it turned out came to a disappointing end. It sounds like I live in the woods above Helena, Montana. That's capital, a couple hours north of Bozeman, where Buster only now resides. I think it was probably the Dalai Lama, big hitter, the llama who said comparison is the thief of joy. You need to know that Mr. Olney, a newcomer to Gallatin Valley, lives in a newer housing development located on what was some of the richest, most verdant agricultural land in the Northwest. If you dropped the shovel of a backhoe in his yard and started to dig, you would go for several feet, perhaps 20ft, to rich, black, mostly unconsolidated soil, the kind they sell in bags at your home in the garden store. By contrast, it sounds as though the soil conditions in Tony's yard are not optimal for growing tubers, which need to be able to wander a bit as they grow. Should you have an urge to Compare taters with Mr. Olney next summer, I hope you do the necessary work to amend your soil condition to something close to what he enjoys. And don't neglect the watering. And don't be so hard on yourself. Save this. Oh yeah, next time we talk to Buster, we'll talk about that. From Peter Jennings, not that Peter Jennings. I am confident that this week's past week's PGA Tour event was not a ratings juggernaut and won't be the lead segment on pti, but it's a wonderful story nonetheless. Michael Brennan's past couple of months have been incredible, and this win was his first PGA event as professional. He and his family and caddy are exceptional people. The joy and tears from his parents after he won were so touching. And we need some feel good stories in sports right now. Are you familiar with Michael Brennan?

[Michael Wilbon]

Not really. I'm looking up now. I mean, I knew he won.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He was he wasn't on the Korn Ferry Tour. He was on some other, you know, sort of outside the United States Tour. And he goes in his first tournament and wins it. Folks are there. It's really lovely. It's a great scene. Neil Ervace with a flood of college football coaches being terminated and the amazement by you and other commentators at college assuming enormous buyouts which goes unmentioned. Is that based on the coaches contracts the actual buyout may not be nearly as large as the reported amount, which may underlie the midseason terminations. Many of the coaches employment agreements contain clauses requiring mitigation of buyout damages and offset provisions. Those terms require a terminated coach to employ reasonable good faith and diligent effort to obtain new employment either in coaching or broadcasting at market rate compensation in order to continue to receive the buyout and to regularly report those efforts to the college. Any compensation a coach receives from the new job is offset against what the college owes him, which may substantially reduce the college's obligation and no doubt make it easier on the wallets of boosters. In fact, several of the recently fired coaches have their large buyouts conditioned on mitigating offset provisions. James Franklin, Mike Gundy, Billy Napier and Sam Pittman. What will make you raise your eyebrows is the fact that Jimbo Fisher and Brian Kelly, the two former coaches with huge buyouts who are not restricted by those provisions and can sit around, collected their money, were both hired and had their contracts negotiated by the same ad, Scott Woodward. LSU would be wise to also jettison Mr. Woodward before he can hire a replacement for Mr. Kelly. All this should provide comfort for you and other Binghamton alums who are at no such risk of being a constant to fund a buyer. You might be concerned about the coach of the debate team. I learned that yesterday about Scott Woodward. He hired Jimbo Fisher at A and M and he hired Kelly at lsu and they're disastrous. And how can he keep his job?

[Nigel]

I would think he would.

[Tony Kornheiser]

How can he keep his job? Right?

[Nigel]

Yeah. That's terrible.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't know him, but come on. From Amanda, proclaiming Joshua Jackson as having probably the most successful post show career.

[Alexa Lash]

That's great.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Has Michelle. Huh? Continue. Has Michelle Williams screaming at Crystal Lizard a holder. Beer. Emmy winner, Golden Globe winner, SAG Award winner, BAFT Award winner, Tony Award winner, five time Oscar nominee. Overall record 160 nominations, 52 wins. Pretty sure Joshua has none of those.

[Nigel]

Yeah, I think that's fair to say.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What is. Does Chris know anything about this?

[Michael Wilbon]

And that's the sound bite.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Michelle Williams. Michelle Williams.

[Alexa Lash]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Very talented. All right. From Michael Baranick, Akron, Ohio. My birthday is October 30th. That's tomorrow. Yes. For the annual phone call. Is the number for Chatter still valid? Asking for a friend. Monte Visto, Monte Vista, Colorado. I asked Alexa to make me a Kirkjin playlist with Dan Fogelberg, yellow card, Kenny Chesney and Pitbull. An ambulance was immediately dispatched to my home. Assuming I had suffered a stroke from Josh Hurts in Cape Coral, Florida, formerly Kenosha, Wisconsin. Last week you read an email from someone whose home course is Kenosha Country Club. I thought, hey, I know that place. My first job at 14 was at that country club for five years I was a short order cook inside the gazebo by the pool during the summers and bus tables inside during the rest of the year while navigating high school and early college. Fond memories there of watching the OJ chase a grease trap fire that nearly burned down the whole gazebo, making grilled cheese sandwiches with custard instead of butter because someone grabbed the wrong container and helping to escort out overserved members who got a bit handsy with the waitress. Good times. But the discount has About David Walter Schmo, you're out on your bike tonight. Everyone, as always, do wear white. Hello. Would you like to have a roll in the hay? It's fun.

[Alexa Lash]

Take a look in my eyes gonna cast a spell make all them pretty BO it's a hell of a time check out these blue sweats to let go you're gonna dance I'm gonna b in the blood of my enemies under the moonlight I am a moon darkness inside me shouting the sun come on with the things that go bump in the night it's scary how much we have enough is a terrifying close so break all the mirrors in this house if you want to look into me you look in the sky going to eat you alive you wish your words were s wor tell me your fears and your manifestations tell me tell me the truth say that again I don't need a God I just pass delusions take a look in my eyes it's a hell of a time time check out this you're going to dance with me feel without consequences giving me high expectations knock them all down I know if I delve any deeper I'll break the illusion of you I turn the light on the mind got me all turned around mistake after mistake or bother somebody else you complain, you complain you complain this is how we been living I been worried about you so long who's looking after myself it's not you you you you you you it's not you it's not you you you you you the imagine my head to get down the breeze in my face it feels like the light has been guiding me back to my home you never know I've been lost because home is a heart not a place I've been looking for yours for so long I'm losing s on my own it's so true True, true, true, true, true it's so true.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It'S so true.

[Alexa Lash]

True, true, true, true, true it's untrue I better be moving I rather be alone One things sa no more mistakes no more complaining no need to bend until I break no more I'm fill with everything I need to move on I rather be alone Doing all things Howling out the moon Howling through those trees Running fast as by l fast and free I you.