“The Lillehammer Jacket Controversy”

Summary

The Tony Kornheiser Show – “The Lillehammer Jacket Controversy”

Episode Date: April 22, 2026
Host: Tony Kornheiser
Guests: Craig Laughlin (NHL analyst), Dan Graziano (NFL reporter)
Theme: A lively exploration of current sports storylines—MLB performance, dramatic playoff developments in the NBA and NHL, and an in-depth NFL Draft preview—punctuated by Tony’s unique, irreverent takes and the camaraderie of his “network of friends.” The title references a running in-joke about a famed Olympic jacket, which becomes a springboard for listener engagement and nostalgia.

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Main Topics and Segment Highlights

1. Show Open & Listener Appreciation (02:00–03:00)

• Tony celebrates and thanks listener and show friend Jolene for sending in “Masters stuff.” This includes towels, cups, and napkins—fueling the community feeling.
  • “[Jolene] does this all the time for us and loves to go.” (02:40)

2. Washington Nationals Recap & Roster Critique (02:52–06:10)

• Dissects the Nats' recent 11–4 win over the Braves—wasn’t as easy as the score suggests due to missed early opportunities and shaky baserunning.
  • Tony’s persistent question: “Why is Garcia at first and Nunez at second?... Garcia is a major league second baseman. He’s not a good first baseman... What is the power of Nunez who gets caught off base every single game? Who is in love with him?” (04:34)
• On prospect redeployment: “If Jacob Young could hit .250, just .250, he plays every day in center.” (05:08)

3. NBA Playoff Surprises & Rant on Series Length (06:10–11:35)

• Tony and crew break down the surprising Philadelphia win over Boston without Embiid, Wembanyama’s concussion scare, and the Lakers’ improbable series lead.
  • “I am very surprised. Philadelphia beat Boston in Boston by 14 points—without Joel Embiid!” (07:12)
• Victor Wembanyama’s health update: “You don’t associate concussions with basketball the way you do with football... If he can’t play, Portland could steal one.” (08:55)
• Tony’s classic rant: dislikes all NBA and NHL playoff series being best-of-seven—prefers early rounds to be shorter, to allow underdogs more sway.
  • “The only reason owners do this is for money... I like the thought that somebody can steal a series.” (11:27)

4. MLB Notes: Mets’ Struggles (12:24–13:11)

• Tony critiques the Mets’ late-game collapse and questions the job security of their manager and GM.
  • “I don’t know how this manager survives, honestly, even until tonight.” (12:36)

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5. Craig Laughlin: NHL Playoffs, Ovechkin’s Future, Playoff Intensity

(16:40–27:06)

Ovechkin’s Future and the Capitals

• Will Ovechkin retire? Craig is “75/25” he returns, citing the lack of a new superstar:
  • “I want him to come back because… we don’t have that so-called superstar that’s ready to take the NHL by storm. You bring Obi back, he’s the biggest name in hockey. He’d be the biggest name in Russia, by the way. It’d be him and Putin.” (17:00)

Hockey’s Aging Challenge

• Laughlin explains the demands of a 40+ player; personal anecdote on leaving Germany for TV.
  • “I was playing my best hockey, felt the best... but then TV came along, Tony.” (19:40)

Analyzing the Playoff Format & Parity

• Hurricanes’ controversial overtime win: reviewing how long reviews and penalty shots disorient players, and why modern playoff hockey is so tight due to salary cap parity.
  • “There’s a lot of parity because of the salary cap... I love Carolina/Ottawa, I love Pittsburgh/Philadelphia... Philadelphia’s playing better than anybody ever thought.” (23:13)

Playoff vs Regular Season Intensity

• “Totally different...You hit harder, you hit more. If you look at the hits...way up over the season average...The regular season was at times god-awful this year, unfortunately. But the fans kept coming.” (24:38)

Cup Contenders

• Laughlin picks Colorado or Dallas/Minnesota in the West, Tampa in the East as his favorites.
  • “Colorado is loaded, Tony. You have McKinnon and Makar, the best forward and the best D in the business... The only team I pick in the east probably would be Tampa Bay.” (26:31)

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6. NFL Draft Deep Dive with Dan Graziano (28:12–40:48)

Why Is Top QB Prospect Skipping Draft?

• Tony asks about Fernando Mendoza not attending the draft—Graziano explains family/health (mother’s MS, wants to be with family).
  • “He’s not going to the draft because he wants to stay home and celebrate with his family. His mother...has health issues.” (29:53)

Scouting Notes on Mendoza & Quarterback Class

• Mendoza likened to “Matt Ryan”—intelligence, toughness, not a pure athlete like Caleb Williams.
  • “You’re getting a guy that has all the traits and the tools you need to be a franchise quarterback.” (30:40)
• This draft is “short on star power” especially at QB—most teams have “low teens” in first-round grades.
  • “This is generally seen as a draft that is short on star power, and...the lack of quarterback prospects that really have people fired up is part of that.” (33:45)

Big-Name Trades & Draft Value

• Tony floats: a trade for AJ Brown would be more dramatic than the draft itself, but rules make it unlikely until June.
• Discussion of why running backs rarely go top-10: “The reason it’s a mistake...is because the number three pick in the draft is going to get the exact same contract no matter what position he plays...So [a RB] is already among the highest-paid, even before he takes a snap.” (37:15)

Cincinnati’s ‘All-In’ Window

• The Bengals trade for defensive help, see a rare opportunity in their division, and must keep Joe Burrow healthy.
  • “They know they have a window...And yes, they know what they have in Joe Burrow...the trick now is there is an element of this that’s on Joe Burrow. He’s got to stay healthy.” (38:59)

On Aaron Rodgers’ Status

• “There are very, very, very few, if any, people in my business that have a line to what Aaron Rodgers is thinking...all signs point to a Rodgers return [to Pittsburgh].” (35:37)

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7. Listener Mailbag & The Lillehammer Jacket (41:33–49:00)

• Running bits about listener names and official “titles” for the show (many Tims, Tonys, Mikes vying for “official” status).
• The Lillehammer Jacket Controversy: Memories triggered by a listener whose late father bought a real medal-ceremony Olympic jacket.
  • “My dad...bought the offending jacket for my grandfather...after attending the Olympics there in 1994...hearing you discuss the Lillehammer jacket made me think of him. Brought a smile to my face.” (47:23)
  • Tony clarifies: “Mine was bought in the United States. That’s a different one. That has the official crest on it.” (48:31)

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8. Notable Quotes & Classic Tony

• “If Jeff Bezos had this much problem delivering packages, he wouldn’t have a business.” (01:26)
• “I don’t know anything, Big hockey guy. I don’t know anything.” (13:01, self-effacing, classic Tony)

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9. Memorable Moments

• Tony’s seven-game series rant: “I like the thought that somebody can steal a series.”
• Craig Laughlin’s stories of European hockey, relegation, and the quirks of international leagues.
• Dan Graziano’s lucid, detailed explanation of NFL rookie pay scales and positional value.

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10. Show Music and Community (14:40/28:12)

• Listeners’ music contributions and stories about the artists.
• Deep listener engagement demonstrated via the mailbag and personal stories, especially around the “Lillehammer jacket”—underscoring the community ethos of the show.

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Timestamps: Important Segments

• 02:52: Nationals win, roster gripes
• 06:10: NBA playoff surprises and injury updates
• 11:35: Rant on playoff series formats
• 16:40: Craig Laughlin: Ovechkin and NHL analysis
• 28:12: Dan Graziano: NFL draft intrigue
• 47:23: Listener mailbag and “Lillehammer Jacket” story

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Tone & Style

Friendly, opinionated, conversational—with classic self-deprecation and inside jokes. Tony’s wit shines, but the show is imbued with genuine affection for the sports world, for guests, and especially for its listeners.

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Summary

This episode ranges from MLB minutiae and the inefficiencies of modern sports broadcasting, to deep-dive NHL and NFL conversations, all wrapped in Tony’s signature blend of humor and skepticism. With spirited guest segments and heartfelt listener stories, including the now-legendary Lillehammer jacket, the episode crackles with personality while offering truly informed sports insight. It’s a prime example of why Tony Kornheiser remains a singular voice in sports talk media.

Transcript

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hey, it's Tony. On today's show, we will talk with Craig Loughlin about what's going on in the NHL playoffs. We'll also get a preview of the NFL draft from Georgetown's own Dan Graziano. But first, commerce.

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[Tony Kornheiser]

Previously on the Tony Kornhauser Show. Because it not only takes 10 minutes. Yeah.

[Craig Laughlin]

You gotta get out of the wall

[Tony Kornheiser]

into streaming to get 10 minutes to get to. And then it freezes up.

[Wilbourn]

No.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Freezes up for 30 seconds to a minute to a minute and a half. Just freezes up. What are they doing? If Jeff Bezos had this much problem delivering packages, he wouldn't have a business it. Am I wrong? It freezes up.

[Dan Graziano]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Who's doing it? Do they have like mice on a wheel? Is that their power source? This is General George Washington and you're listening to the Tony Kornheiser show. First thing we have to do is we have to thank Jolene. So unboxing Jolene Wojic. We have to thank her for all the stuff that she gave us. Very thoughtful. Which is master's stuff. Including a towel which I'm going to take and put on my bag. A master stuff represent. Oh, yeah, yeah. People say he's pretentious, isn't he? Okay. You know. Okay. I grant you that ball markers, which are beautiful. Napkins.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yes. With the napkins, you gotta host a party.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And cups. Did you bring back cups?

[Craig Laughlin]

I brought a few cups.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Craig Laughlin]

I gotta lemonade cup.

[Tony Kornheiser]

In case you had forgotten them. With the year on. So you don't need these.

[Craig Laughlin]

That's for you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I wasn't there this year.

[Craig Laughlin]

You can Put some snacks in it while you watch the Nats.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I could do that. So we're grateful to Jolene, who was very much so, a great fan of the show and a high character human being. Yes. And she does this all the time for us and loves to go.

[Craig Laughlin]

Again, we walk around the 18th green and I'm pointing out to Liz, this is where Jolene sits.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right. So that's just lovely. So that's number one. Number two, let me get to the Nats right away. The Nats won last night. It was not. The score was 11:4. Was not as easy as. As 11:4 sounds because the bulk of the runs came in the seventh and eighth, Right? Yeah. Seventh and eighth innings. They had the Braves pitcher on the ropes. They got to the Braves pitcher early. Lopez, they got to him early.

[Craig Laughlin]

Felt like a 10 year rewind with Lopez on the mound.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because he used to be the Nats.

[Wilbourn]

Yeah.

[Craig Laughlin]

Part of that Giulito trade.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Oh, that's right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And he's. He was terrible. They got him out in the second inning. But again, as they did the other night when they lost in extra innings by not being able to bring a run across with bases loaded and no out, they had gotten three runs off Lopez early. Two or three.

[Craig Laughlin]

Three in the first.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. But there was still bases loaded and no out when Lopez struck two guys out and got a ground ball to second base. So, you know, you can look at that. That's not an A. That's a B minus or a C plus. It's not an A. Yeah. And they do that a lot. And they are also, as we know, the worst baserunning team in the history of baseball.

[Craig Laughlin]

And the Braves, just in those middle innings these last two nights, just pick up solo home runs. And they come back, no lead, feels safe.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Three rookie of the year from last year got one. The center field.

[Craig Laughlin]

Listening on radio. I was. Because I had basketball practice with the, with the bootster and I just feel like it's one of those leads that should be a couple more at every step of the way.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But. But they scored a lot of runs late and so they won double digits again.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

They. They've got. When the offense clicks, it seems like it's really good.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Happy about that. My question is always. And I write this on the text chain that I'm on. I. Every single time I write the same thing. Why is Garcia at first and Nunez at second? Garcia is a major league second baseman. He's not a good first baseman. He doesn't pick up throws that are in the drink. Doesn't do it. What is the power of Nunez who gets caught off base every single game? Who is in love with him? Put Garcia back at second and get a first baseman. Maybe Mead is. You give him 10 games, give these people a legitimate tryout to see if he's the guy. And I also write that if Jacob Young could hit 250, just 250, he plays every day in center.

[Craig Laughlin]

It's amazing how often he comes up in a big moment and it just comes off soft.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, yeah. But if he could just hit 250, he drove in runs on the first inning yesterday. If he could just hit 250, then you have Lyle in left and you have Young in center and you have Wood and Wright every single day. Wood is an awkward looking fielder, but gets to the ball because he's six. Six and he moves. Yeah. Gets to the ball and hit another home run last night, opposite field again, right. Which is his standard opposite field home runs. And he gets to the point where that you have to walk him. Other managers, they just say, no, don't even pitch to him. And so he adds to people on the basis.

[Craig Laughlin]

So it feels like every at bat, it's like eight, nine pitches.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's important who you bat, who. Butera bats behind Wood. He's got Wood now leading off and you can make the case. All right. Shohei Ohtani leads off, you know, for the Dodgers. He's their best hitter. So, you know, maybe. Maybe get more bats that way.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Get more bats.

[Tony Kornheiser]

More bats.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Maybe more pressure on the pitcher early.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Maybe. By the way, there were two people on the team last year for whom there were very high hopes. Dylan Cruz and that kid Hassell. Has anybody heard from them? Is Hassle still in the organization as Dylan Cruz doing anything in the minor leagues or is it over? You know, this is the overall number two draft pick a couple of years ago with great fanfare. Is it over? All right, let me get to. If you can look that up. Let me get to the playoffs. We will get to the hockey players. Craig Loughlin will be with us today and we will get to the draft with Dan Graziano. We're not going to get to Wilbond's favorite thing that he loves more than anything, the NBA and the NBA playoffs. But there were three games last night. I am very surprised. By one. I am very surprised. Philadelphia beat Boston in Boston by 14 points. Yeah. Without Joel Embiid. I'm very surprised at that. I'm sure Mike watched that game. I didn't watch that game.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yeah, it was The Celtics got up to a good start in the second quarter. The. The Sixers just took over Edgecomb and Maxi.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, yeah, they're fine players. Yeah, they're not as good as the Celtics. No, they are in Boston.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

But they, they had terrific nights in Boston. Just never really got it together now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't. Look, I. These are seven game series. I'll get to my seven game series rant in a little bit, but I don't think that these things, you know, are consequential. But I'm very surprised by that. I am less surprised that San Antonio lost to Portland because Victor Wembanyama went out with what is being reported on ESPN early in the morning as a concussion. If you have a concussion, you're not playing the next game, are you?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

I would think you would have to sit that out. Protocol.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I don't know if the NBA protocol is the same as the NFL protocol. I don't know. I don't know. You know, you don't associate concussions with basketball in the way that you do with football. But if he came, he couldn't play last night. Portland won that game. This is the pro, not the problem. This is the worry with Wembanyama all the time. Will his body hold up now?

[Guest or additional commentator]

He.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He went.

[Craig Laughlin]

So with concussion, there's a minimum of 48 hours.

[Tony Kornheiser]

When is their next game?

[Craig Laughlin]

Don't know. Probably in three days.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That would be. Well, I don't know if it's two days, then 48 hours. He's not going to play the next game.

[Craig Laughlin]

If there is one.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The next game will be in Portland. If it. Is it definitely diagnosed as a concussion or is that.

[Craig Laughlin]

I don't think that's been reported yet.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, well, I thought it was that he had an actual concussion, but I'm not certain that's a big deal. That's a big deal. He's a great player already.

[Craig Laughlin]

He does suffer concussion.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. So.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

And they catch a break. The next game is not until Friday.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. And today is Wednesday.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Today's Wednesday.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So Wednesday, Thursday is 48 hours.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Craig Laughlin]

Okay, so this is the question. So first 24, it's very light activity. Then you have to be symptom free at rest and there's light, you know, biking and all that. So you can definitely work to try and get in there with that timeline.

[Tony Kornheiser]

If he doesn't play, that's troublesome for San Antonio. The third game is a surprise to me as well because the Lakers won again. Now, okay, the Lakers won at home, but Kevin Durant played in this game. Kevin Durant had 20 points in the first half in this game. He didn't have any. Hardly at all in the second half. But Kevin Durant played and the Lakers won. And Luke Canard scored over 20 again. Again, he had 27 in the first game. What did Canard have left?

[Craig Laughlin]

23.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is. This is. This is what he was when he was at Duke and then he got to the NBA and he was considered slow and a liability on defense, and all he could do was shoot. And if he didn't have a good day after four minutes, you took him out and he didn't play anymore. Lakers traded for him in the middle of the season, and at the moment he's their MVP because they don't have Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves. And I didn't think they could win games even if Durant didn't play. They're now up to nothing. Will they win? I still don't think so. I mean, I think Phoenix can win four out of five. I do. But that's not as surprising as Philadelphia beating Boston by 14. Not a surprise in Boston. Yeah.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

By the way, I have. Dylan Cruz is hitting.271 with two home runs and nine RBI in 70th bats in Rochester.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

And it looks like Robert Hassel.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Robert Hassel III.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Robert Hassle III. Yes. 243 is all, like, all the. All the stats I've got for him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not great.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

No, not particularly great.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Not great. So let me get into my seven game rant. I don't like the fact that the NBA. All the NBA series are seven. I don't. Are the NHL series all seven as well? I don't like that. I think the finals should be seven. I think the conference finals should be seven. And I think the other should be three out of five or two out of three. I like the way baseball does that. You can't do it the way football does. You can't have one game. No, we understand that. Can't have one. The only reason owners do this is for money. They open up their gyms more often and they get an influx of money more often. And the networks want this because the networks put games on. Every network in the world has these games now. You know, some of them don't freeze. Most do sprees. But I like. I don't like all these seven game series. I like the thought that somebody can steal a series. Yeah. You know, that the deep underdog can.

[Craig Laughlin]

And oddly enough, with baseball, ever since they added the, you know, the Wild Card that has actually made the division around more acceptable if you have someone come in and steal a series or. Or if it doesn't go as planned.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I think for a fan standpoint, it's better.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Well, just look at the two of the series. Just talked about with spurs, you know, and the Suns. I mean, that's tied 1:1. All of a sudden the Suns are like, we could take this the same with Philadelphia.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, yes. Well, not the Suns. No, the Suns are not tied 1 1. Oh, then they're losing to the Lakers. The six.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Oh, sixes. Yes. Who's it. Who was the middle series you talked about with? Who's San Antonio playing?

[Craig Laughlin]

Portland.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Portland. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Portland could steal one.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And then it would be very, very important. The concussion protocol.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Really, I mean, much more. These are the vagaries of sports that I enjoy. So I don't like all four out of seven. I really don't. So anyway, do I have anything else? Do you have something?

[Craig Laughlin]

I showed you the ending of the Mets game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Field in again, a chopper. The Mets lose again. And they get booed. Of course they get booed. I don't know how this manager survives, honestly, even until tonight, I don't.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yeah, they've got three walks at the

[Craig Laughlin]

top of that ninth.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I. This is what happens with relief pitchers. You watch this with the Gnats. They're walking people. Last night, the relievers on the Braves walk people as well. It's just, that's the. No, no. Better to hit a home than to give up.

[Craig Laughlin]

But everything else is going to script. You have Lindor hits a three early in the game.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yeah, yeah, 12 straight.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I, I don't. I don't think the GM can survive it long term, and I don't think that the manager can survive it short term. But we'll see. Gives us something to talk about other than the NBA today. So we will come back, Craig Lock, and we will talk about the NHL playoffs. As you know. You know, I don't know anything, Big hockey guy. I don't know anything. But Craig does. So we await his entry into the show. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Dan Graziano]

This is the Tony Kornheiser Show. Tony Kornizer Show.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Let's be honest, Mother's Day gifts can get a little predictable. Flowers, maybe a card. And they're nice, but they don't exactly last. And the older you get, the more you realize how much moms actually do the stuff you didn't fully appreciate growing up. And honestly, the advice you probably still call them for now. So it feels like they deserve something a little bit more lasting. And that's where Aura Frames comes in. Instead of something that fades after a few days, it's a gift that keeps evolving. You can keep adding photos and videos over time so it never feels static. It's also super easy to set up. It comes packaged beautifully. You don't have to overthink the presentation. It's just a more meaningful way to say thank you for everything past and present. Make Mother's Day special with Aura Frames named number one by Wirecutter. You can save on the gifts moms love by visiting auraframes.com for a limited time. Listeners can get 25 off their best selling Carver matte frame with the code Tony K. That's a U R A frames.com promo code Tony K. Aura. I've got one. It's wonderful. Love it. Enter the code Tony K at checkout to let them know where you heard about Aura. Terms and conditions apply.

[Guest or additional commentator]

This is the Tony Kornheiser Show.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This music is sent to us by Michael Granberry, which means it's great. And he writes, on the night of March 14, my wife and I went to a concert in Denver at a lovely venue called Swallow Hill Music. There were four headliners, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplanski, Patty Larkin, and Cliff Eberhard. I could not help but notice that three of the four have had their music sent to the Tony Kornheiser show by me. I decided on the spot to make it a sweep. So here are two songs by the brilliant Cliff Eberhardt, who almost from the moment he was born in Pennsylvania, grew up singing, playing and crafting his own special oeuvre. Quite early on, Cliff learned to savor the best of acoustic music, even becoming good friends and making music with the likes of Richie havens, who in 1969 was the opening act at Woodstock. But young Cliff also reveled in the brilliance of Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and Rogers and Hart. This particular song is what that Kind of Love. That Kind of Love. Cliff Eberhard. We have two songs by him and he plays in Craig Laughlin. And the segment with Craig Laughlin is brought to you by FanDuel. Play youy Game. Craig knows better than anybody that I don't know jack about hockey. I mean, I don't. I tried my best in my life, but I never, I never was able to figure it out. I mean, I. I lived in Long beach, which is where the New York rangers trained for 20 years. The Patrick family always wanted them to train at the City Rink in Long beach and I would even go and watch it. But I could never tell why somebody was better than the others. So my questions are simpleton questions. Craig will get them easily. Can I just. Before we get to the playoffs, you know Alex Ovechkin, do you think he will retire this year or do you think he'll be back?

[Guest or additional commentator]

Well, I go back and forth but I think by the end of the season I really think he's going to return. I think he's going to have an answer. I think after anybody plays a season number one, it's a grueling time for him, especially 21 seasons. But he's got to talk to his family, friends, confidants and make sure that he's ready to train number one, because he's going to have to train as a 41 year old and that's a big hurdle to try to do the things to get ready for the season. I think right now where it sits, I would go 75, 25, Tony, that he returns to the Caps next season.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Do you think the Caps will want him and if on the weirdness that they wouldn't want him, that he would want to play for another NHL team or he would simply go back to Russia and play in their league?

[Guest or additional commentator]

I think he'd go back to play in their league. I think, you know, he's a big part of Moscow Dynamo. He's one of the, I would call him an assistant GM over there. The KHL would love him. Morozov runs that league, who he knows very well, who played in Pittsburgh. And I think that when you look at that family structure that they have, his wife being from there, his, their whole family living there, I would think that would be an option for him. But I really think he wants to play another year in the NHL. It's the best league in the world, why not? It's just a matter of him getting ready, Tony, for the grueling season ahead. And I think the Caps would say, and I'm saying this for me, I want him to come back because we're not at the point here in Washington. We've got a lot of young studs coming up here in our program here for the Caps, but we don't have that so called superstar that's ready to take the NHL by storm. So you bring Obi back, he's the biggest name in hockey. He would be the biggest name in Russia, by the way. It'd be him and Putin. That would be the two biggest names over there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Guest or additional commentator]

And I think you look at it, I want him to come back for that reason, to allow the young players that we have to develop and be the stars. Hopefully they're going to be down the road.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's 40, be 41 during that season. How old were you when you admitted to yourself, if not anybody else, my body is not what it was. This is harder than it used to be.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Never admitted that. Tony. It was a family decision where I was going to go back to Germany to play as a 32 year old. I was actually playing my best hockey. The International Ice Hockey Federation wouldn't let me come back to play for St. Louis at the end of my season in 1990. So what I did was I said, well, what are the playoffs over here? You see, I didn't know anything about the international hockey situation when I signed in Germany. And then the GM said to me, Max Feeder, smoking a cigarette in his office, said, Craig, we've got 20 more games to play. And I'm like, 20 more games. I thought we'd play one series, two out of three and we'd probably be out of it. And I was going to return to the NHL. So what happened was, is we had to play a relegation round, which happens in soccer, which happens in everything. And I was asked to come back and they offered me a big contract to come back because we went 19 and 1. Because at the time you played Division 2 and Division 3 teams. We were the so called Division 1, the Bundeslig, the best league in Germany, which was like the American League or better. That was over here at the time. So I was playing my best hockey, felt the best. But then TV came along. Tony.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Guest or additional commentator]

They said, look, there's your chance. We want a player to be in the booth. And I replaced Al Coke and back in the day and it was a family decision. Do I take the chance? Would I ever get that chance ever again? And as a family with two young kids, I said, I will never, ever get that chance. So I actually had a tough decision because I felt I could still play, but I wanted to have a chance for this career because I felt I'd fit into the TV world. And it's been a great run here.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Much longer lasting career. Much longer lasting. Let me get to the playoffs. Did you see the Carolina game the other night? The double overtime game?

[Guest or additional commentator]

Absolutely.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I'm watching that. I'm not watching it live. I was watching it yesterday because I had to get up to speed in took so long, so long for them to get rid of that goal. And Say there was an offside. What does that do to players? It took literally five to six minutes for that to happen.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Yeah, I mean, you get a little cold on the bench and you're likely. I mean, I think, you know, when Carolina, I thought Ottawa had already left the bench and I thought the game was going to be over. But then you really watch that replay closely. It was a delayed penalty call.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So there was.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Yeah, yeah, there was going to be a delayed penalty. So they were going to go to the power play. They created that two on one at the blue line. And I thought it was actually the wrong call because I actually thought that Stahl had possession. And possession is a weird thing. It's a gray area in the NHL. Do you have to have your stick really on the puck? You. Not really, because I've seen it happen before where the caps got burned with a man coming over the blue line like Stahl was. Didn't have his stick on the puck, had a stick in the air, but he still had control of the puck because it was around him within the vicinity, which created that. Created the penalty that led to the penalty shot. And then finally the game winner by Martinique who missed that penalty shot. It was just a weird sequence.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Guest or additional commentator]

But I love that series. That series is fantastic. By the way, even though Carolina's up

[Tony Kornheiser]

two to nothing, that's only the fifth penalty shot in a playoff overtime in the history of the NHL. And all five have failed, Craig. All five have failed. You would never bet on that, right?

[Guest or additional commentator]

I would never bet on that. I would think it would be 1 and 4. The goalies are so darn good now, Tony. And in the shootout now they say the only way you can beat a goalie, which is like a penalty shot in overtime, past overtime, in our shootout, that you have a better opportunity to score. You've got to beat the goalie. You cannot shoot. And that's sort of opposite of what happened in the 80s when the goalies were wearing smaller equipment, smaller pads. Yeah, you'd want to shoot the puck, but now it's deaking is important. But no, I was surprised at that. But I would say this too. I very surprised because it was such a short spurt allowing him to have that breakaway so close to the net that I didn't think it was going to be called because a lot of times like that, you have breakaways like that that 8 out of 10 times are never called for a penalty shot. And in overtime, in the Stanley cup playoffs, I was sort of surprised. I thought they would just go to the power play, to be perfectly honest with you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'll tell you what surprises me the most in hockey and that is that the Detroit Red Wings now have the longest drought of not being in the playoffs in, in your lifetime. The Detroit Red Wings are one of the two or three best teams, right?

[Guest or additional commentator]

Absolutely. And that's the evolution unfortunately of the salary cap era, retooling, rebooting your team. You win the Stanley cup, you lose a lot of players. Now you have to retool. And they were so successful in that run. Those series I think will go down as legendary series, especially Detroit and Colorado. And they would, the goalies would fight, everybody would fight. They'd play the game the hard way. And to me, yeah, it's a sign of the times that everybody. Now you notice all the series, there's I think been 10 games so far in the Stanley cup that have all been one goal games. There's a lot of parity because of the salary cap. And I'm excited about this series. I love Carolina, Ottawa, I love Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, the Battle of Pennsylvania. Yes, Philadelphia is playing great. They're playing better than anybody ever thought they would.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And they got some kids, some 19 year old kid who's. Who' lighting it up.

[Guest or additional commentator]

So Martone. Yeah, he's a big student, Tony, he's going to be great.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, so let me ask you this. Because you played in the league for a long time, I have a sense when I watch an NBA playoff game that nothing in the regular season even, even comes close to this. The, the real intent to play hard and win in the playoffs in the NBA makes the regular season look bad. How different, if different. How different are playoff games in the NHL from regular season games?

[Guest or additional commentator]

Totally different. And I think the fact is that everything's on the line and these guys are proud athletes. And Tony, you hit harder, you hit more. If you look at the hits that they've come in the first part of this Stanley cup playoffs, way up over the season average, you look at the type of goaltending they're getting, how tight the games have been. One goal games everywhere. I think the fact that, I think we do it wrong sometimes in the NHL, especially this compressed season that we had because of the Olympics, which were great by the way, but it was compressed. It's hard, Tony, to play three games and four nights to play as physical and as tough. You do in the NHL in the playoffs. The playoffs are spread out. Every series game off, day off. Between games, you have two days off between usually game four and game Five before you head to another city. So to me it's the resting that we don't get. The type of play in the regular season. I thought the play during the regular season was at times God awful in the NHL this year, unfortunately. But the fans kept coming because they love the game and we had great attendance throughout the league. I think the fact that if we can spread out the schedule and next year is going to be no different.

[Tony Kornheiser]

There's no Olympics, right.

[Guest or additional commentator]

But we got a, we got a All Star game plus we have 82 games, Tony, or 84 games.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We're adding two more games.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Schedule. Yeah, we're adding two more games. So is it going to be as compressed. These athletes need rest and recovery and I don't think we're doing them right. Playing the type of four games in a week, five games in the week. Sometimes we had to play. It's just too much on the body, I think to play the style that you need to and can do if you're well rested is there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'll just get you out on this. Is there a team that you look at, you say, I think they're going to win. I mean we're months away. But do you think who would win this year?

[Guest or additional commentator]

Well, I'd go to the West. I would go. I mean Colorado is loaded, Tony. I mean you have McKinnon and McCarr, the best forward and the best D in the business. To me that would be an upset. I'm not sure on their goaltending, but that's a series I love and I think Colorado has a chance. But Dallas and Minnesota, either of those teams could also win. I think it's going to be a Western, Western team. The only team I pick in the east probably would be Tampa Bay because they've been there, done that. John Cooper's done a great job. So those would be my teams that I would look out for to win the cup.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Very nice to chat with you. Thank you, Craig.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Great. Thank you, Tony.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Craig Loughlin, boys and girls, the one who accurately identified Michael as a non hockey player. This segment with Craig Loughlin has been brought to you by FanDuel. Play your game and we will come back with Dan Graziano. I'm Tony Kornheiser. This is the Tony Kornheiser Show. Once again, this is Cliff Eberhardt as sent in to us by our friend Michael Granberry who writes what do you know? Cliff even has a strong connection to the DMV. In 2011 he got a call from the Folger Theater and Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington. Inspired by his song that Kind of Love, the Folger people hired Cliff to write original songs for the Shakespeare classic the Taming of the shrew. Then in 2018, he was hired by Aaron Posner in the Roundhouse Theater in Bethesda to write and perform a modern retelling of a play by Sophocles. And I hope he got some bagels as a result. Cliff is a truly great guitar player, terrific songwriter with a lyric baritone that accentuates the sheer beauty of his songs. This song is called the Long Road. Michael if independent artists want to send us their music to play, how do they do it?

[Craig Laughlin]

Send us your music by emailing it to jinglesonycornizershow.com plays in Dan Graziano, Georgetown's

[Tony Kornheiser]

own football expert I love the fact that Georgetown is a D3 football school and Graziano knows more about football than anybody in the world. Imagine if you'd gone to a school where they had football. Imagine what your career would be like, right?

[Dan Graziano]

When I went there, they still had respectable basketball is all I'm saying. I don't know what happened in the

[Tony Kornheiser]

meantime, but yeah, this is what I hear from Kelleher all the time. Kelleher has season tickets and can't stand how bad Georgetown is.

[Dan Graziano]

It's a shame.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's a shame, yeah. So maybe there's a story here and maybe there's not. This has intrigued me for the two weeks since I heard about this, that Fernando Mendoza has no intention to go to Pittsburgh for the draft tomorrow, where presumably he would be the number one pick. Do you have an explanation for that? And is it possible he won't be the number one pick? That pick will be traded?

[Dan Graziano]

I don't think it's possible, no. I think the Raiders have been operating for months as if Fernando Mendoza will be their quarterback of the future, that he'll be the number one pick. I've not heard anything else out of the Raiders throughout this process. I think it's a fait accompli. He's not going to the draft because he wants to stay home and celebrate with his family. His mother, if you'll remember from the playoff run, his mother has health issues. She has multiple sclerosis. It's difficult for her to travel and she needs a wheelchair to get around. So I think the family really decided and felt like the best thing to do was to stay home and celebrate as a family.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I find him tremendously attractive, and I base this on the fact that he graduated from Berkeley. You Know, I really do. I mean, I think, I think he's. His personality, the way he talks, all of that is wonderful. But I would ask what is the scouting on him? Is he that good?

[Dan Graziano]

You know, you're probably not getting like a Caleb Williams level athletic prospect. You know, like the magical stuff that some of these guys can do. You know, Jaden Daniels, guys like that. You're probably getting a more traditional kind of. I mean, you hear comparisons to guys like Matt Ryan. Right. Which would be. You'd take that, right? That'd be a pretty good career. So, yeah, you know, toughness, off the charts, intelligence, decision making. You know, he has the size, he can make the throws. It's a little bit. I don't, I hesitate to make this comparison because of the way that last year went, but like, remember JJ McCarthy when he came out, they're like, well, he wasn't asked to do much at Michigan. There were games where, where in terms of like making NFL caliber plays. Fernando Mendoza wasn't asked to do much during his run at Indiana. But there were also games where he was able to play the hero to an extent that I think goes well beyond a comparison, like the poor comparison, like the one I just halfway made with McCarthy. So I think you're getting a guy that has all the traits and the tools you need to be a franchise quarterback. Long term, there will be things. He has to work on translating his game from college to the pros, but the Raiders have confidence that he can do it under their new coach, Clint Kubiak. And they also have Kirk Cousins in the building who can start if they need more time to get Fernando Mendoza ready.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They also have Tom Brady.

[Dan Graziano]

He can't play, though.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I know, but you know, to teach, right?

[Dan Graziano]

Yeah. Oh, no. Look, the infrastructure should be very good, like, and Cousins will be. I mean, remember how annoyed Cousins was two years ago at the Michael Penix pick by Atlanta? He still was. He didn't like stomp around like he still helped Michael Pennock. So, you know, no, they're, they're. I think they feel like they have the right coaching and, you know, front office infrastructure in place to make him a success. What they're going to have to do is build him a team and the Raiders are going to have to get to work starting early in the second round on, you know, receiver, offensive line, all this other stuff.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't want to present myself as something that I'm not. I have no idea. Other than quarterbacks and the running back from Notre Dame who's in this Draft, I mean, it's for somebody other than me. But two years ago, there were like 20 quarterbacks that were drafted in the first, you know, five picks or something like that. This year, all you hear is Mendoza and the Alabama kid. And more people seem to doubt the Alabama kid than love the Alabama kid. How does that work?

[Dan Graziano]

I just say every year is different. Right. I mean, like, you're not like that year. You're talking about 20, 24. I believe it was. It. Was it six in the top 12.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Dan Graziano]

Five. Yeah. So. And most of them look pretty good. I mean, Jayden Daniels was rookie of the year. Caleb Williams, we saw what he did this past year. Bo Nix.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Dan Graziano]

You know, etc. So Drake Knight. Not every draft is the same. I think you have Drake's Maya in the Super Bowl. So the. Not every draft is the same. And, you know, year to year, just in terms of overall prospects, not just quarterbacks. I like to try and go and ask teams, you know, in the weeks before the draft, how many guys do you have first round grades on? Because the answer is never.32. And I find that interesting. Sometimes you'll hear like, 19, 20, 21. This year the numbers are pretty low. Like they're in the low teens. And so I think this is. This is generally seen as a draft that is short on star power. And I think the, you know, the lack of quarterback prospects that really have people fired up is part of that,

[Tony Kornheiser]

which leads me to say that if. And it's not going to happen because of cap purposes, but I would think that A.J. brown actually being traded would be a bigger deal than almost anything that happens in the draft day of. Right, Sure.

[Dan Graziano]

I mean, yeah, but as you mentioned, the Eagles have to wait till after June 1st or else the cap hit becomes very difficult for them to navigate. So even if that trade were to be agreed to and finalized, it wouldn't be official until June 2nd at the earliest. So, yeah, I think, you know, look, it's the monster. It'll do a monster TV rating if people get excited. It represents hope for everybody. You know, everybody wants to feel like they're getting the franchise savior. The guy's going to turn everything around or be the missing piece, you know, to a championship. And so it's a can't miss. But I do think, yes, in terms of storylines, in terms of, you know, the overall caliber of the guys at the very top and how many of them there are, it does feel like a little bit of a lighter year. You know, people nerd out over this Stuff, and the football people will find something every single year to dive into. And you hear it from teams and scouts and people are excited about this. But, yeah, in terms of selling it to the general public, it's tough to. It's tough to top a year where the six quarterbacks go in the top 12 pick. That's pretty rare.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The NFL is moving.

[Dan Graziano]

Completely unprecedented.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it is. The NFL is moving this around from year to year. They're in Pittsburgh this year. It's impossible to think of Pittsburgh and football right now and not think of Rodgers. What is he. Is he going to try and hijack the draft? I mean, does anybody have any sense of what this guy is doing and. And why Pittsburgh with a new coach would want him, though? That was his old coach in Green Bay.

[Dan Graziano]

Yeah. There are very, very, very few, if any, people in my business that have a line to what Aaron Rodgers is thinking. Let's start there. Like, I don't. There's not, like, sources close to. Aaron Rodgers is not something you hear a lot because he keeps it very tight. In terms of everything we've heard from the Pittsburgh Steelers and the way they've conducted themselves this offseason, all signs point to a Rodgers return to Pittsburgh. The timetable is up to Rogers, as it always is, and as a result, it becomes unpredictable. So, you know, they have Will Howard, who they drafted in the sixth round last year. They have. They have Mason Rudolph, who. It seems like it's been there forever, and they have 11 or 12 picks in this draft. So I think they'll address quarterback probably in the middle round somewhere. Take another guy a la Will Howard, who they think, you know, might turn into something down the road if we get. If he gets the right kind of development, but just sort of another potential option. But I do think that ultimately most people believe Rodgers will end up back there when, who knows, Maybe he'll do some triumphant thing on Thursday night or Friday night about at the draft.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That theory's maybe he'll take a helicopter right into the middle of it or dive out of a building.

[Dan Graziano]

Yeah, I mean, never, never know. That would be. That would be quite dramatic, certainly.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But we'll see the running back position, which is not devalued right now, but had been for eight to 10 years. And then this last year, running back became pretty important. The kid from Notre Dame, Jeremiah Love. A lot of people say you just can't pick a running back in the top three. Five, eight, 12, whatever it is. What is your feeling on where that kid's going to go I think he

[Dan Graziano]

could go that high, like as high as 3 or 4 or 5. The reason it's a mistake to take a running back that high is because the way the rookie contracts are slotted, the number three pick in the draft is going to get the exact same contract no matter what position he plays. So if you take a quarterback there, an edge rusher there, a running back there, a punter there, he's going to get a four year, 52 and a half million dollar contract that's fully guaranteed and has a fifth year option for the year 2030. Now if you take that four years, 52 and a half, that averages to a little over $13 million a year, which would make him the seventh highest paid running back in the NFL before he even takes a snap. So he now makes more than James Cook of Buffalo who led the league in rushing last year. It's fine if he plays that way for four years, but your best case scenario is you have a top running back and you're paying him as a top running back. Whereas if you use that pick on an edge rusher, he would be about the 34th highest paid edge rusher in the league at the time he signs. And if he plays great, you have exceeding value at that pick and can go use your cap space elsewhere. So because it's a salary cap league and because the rookie contracts are slotted the way they are, that's why there's no financial value in taking the running back that high. And you got to really hit on some of these middle and late round picks and find your value there at the more premium positions.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's fabulous. I never had that explained to me before and I'm sitting with Wilbourn who doesn't know anything and I don't know anything. And so that's good, that's good to know. I'll get you out of here on this. And it is a quarterback question and it's about Cincinnati. They seem to be doing exactly what Joe Burrow has asked them to do. What do you see when you, when you look at their picks and what they've done in the last month or so?

[Dan Graziano]

Yeah, and trading the 10th pick for a veteran player, that that's not a quarterback. That's very unusual. Dexter Lawrence is exactly what they need on defense. Defense has been abysmal the last couple of years while they've had a playoff caliber, possibly a championship caliber offense, when Joe Burrow has been on the field. So they know they have a window here with the special quarterback talent and they want to maximize it, the offense is great. The defense needs to be better. So they're all in, which is cool. I mean, it's fun when your team goes all in. You look at the Bengals. The Bengals also look around their division. They are the only team in the AFC north that didn't change head coaches this offseason. So they look at the Steelers and Ravens and Browns as to at least some extent in transition phases. And they're not. So they see an opportunity. And yes, they know what they have in Joe Burrow and there's a lot out there about, you know, could Burrow get unhappy and leave and all that stuff. That's speculation. But you know, people get annoyed when they're playing well and things aren't working out for them. So the trick now is there is an element of this that's on Joe Burrow. You know, he's got to stay healthy. He hasn't consistently done that throughout his career. And if he can do that, I think the Bengals think they're high level contenders. If not, and the defense flops again, then you could start to talk about how long is this window going to stay open.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They score 40 points a game. They only have to hold you to 39. They're not asking them to be the purple people eaters. You're not.

[Dan Graziano]

You know, there's some stat, and I might be about to get this wrong, but I think like the last three years when they score 33 points, they're 6 7, which is terrible. Like the rest of the rest of the league has like a.900 winning percentage when they score 33 points and they're

[Tony Kornheiser]

the cheapest team in history. So they're finally spending money.

[Dan Graziano]

There you go. I mean, they're spending it on the receivers, they spend it on the quarterback. Now they're spending it on deck for Lawrence. We'll see.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, thank you. It's wonderful to have you on and I just always assume you're going to be on get up and you can't be on the show. So thanks.

[Dan Graziano]

Tomorrow and Friday I'll be on Get Up. So I always appreciate it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Thank you. Dan. Dan Graziano, boys and girls. We will take a break. We will come back with email and jingle. I'm Tony Kornheiser. You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser Show.

[Wilbourn]

Here comes Tony Mailbag. Got your emails, your faxes and your notes. Here comes Mr. Tony's mailbag. Gonna reach out for all of you folks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Have mercy. Love that. Bruce Griffin. Love that. Just love it. Wish I could do that. You want to do the Bethesda bagel yet for us? Please?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yes. Every time I hear great piano, all I think of is Mitch playing the Elvis of the Mediterranean.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

So good. Yes. Bethesda bagels. We got hot bagels today. Always excited about that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hot bagels means they're fresh. Means they last an extra day. Yes.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Go to BethesdaBeagels.com for the location in the DC area nearest you. Then pop on in and you'll be thrilled.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And before we get to the mailbag, let me just say, look at me. I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree and I feel like clinging to a cloud I can't understand. I get misty just holding your hand. That is Johnny Mathis. In the late 50s and early 60s, Johnny Mathis was known as the makeout King.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Oh, really?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Because everybody played his music when they wanted to be together. I believe there is reference to that. I believe there's a scene in the great movie Diner which talks about Johnny Mathis. I believe I could be wrong. I could be wrong. But I believe that to be true. Thanks to our guests today, Craig Loughlin and Dan Graziano. Thanks as well to today's sponsors. Remember, you can listen to us on Apple podcasts Spotify and Audacy. If you get the show through Apple, please leave us.

[Craig Laughlin]

This is according to AI. Johnny Mathis is prominently featured in a memorable scene where characters debate whether to listen to, frankly, Sinatra or Mathis while making out. Eddie, played by Steve Gutenberg, grudgingly admits to model Paul Reiser that he prefers Mathis, highlighting his romantic appeal.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And that's in Diner. Yeah. Yeah. Well done. I had that one. You did had that one.

[Craig Laughlin]

Thanks, AI.

[Tony Kornheiser]

From Mike o' Brien in Fletcher, Vermont. On Friday show, there was a lot of talk about what name is the most read or most famous. Meanwhile, you read three letters from listeners named Mike and not one of them mentioned the latest contest. We are a boy above that. By the way, the frost heaves are gone. That's nice.

[Craig Laughlin]

I'm now Maryland Mike. I've always been a Michael Elementary School Michael K. Maryland. Once you cross state lines, Mike, does that happen? Everyone just assumes you're Mike

[Tony Kornheiser]

from John, the person formerly known as John and Herndon. In an effort to have more of my emails read on the podcast, I'm officially changing my name to Tim Elliot olshansky. In the 10 years that I've been listening to your high quality podcast, plus a few years before that, listening on the radio, I don't believe I'VE ever heard you read an email from another Elliot. It's only fitting, therefore, that I hereby submit my application to be the official Elliot the Tony Kornheiser Show. If approved, I can even write it in Sharpie on the I am the official blank of the Tony Kornheiser Show T shirt that the woman to whom I am related by marriage bought me last year for our anniversary. I would also like to tell you that my friend and college fraternity brother Tim Cahill, yet another Tim to eat it. But since he's actually finished in the top 10, the bracket contest, I haven't. I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Best regards from Albany county, where the nearest Nike factory store is over an hour away and I have no idea where I can recycle worn out shoes. From Tony in Portland. I'm hearing all these Tim's and Marks bringing the heat and I'm thinking to myself, let's go. We got Tony Hawk, Tony Montana and Tony Soprano. We're going to be all right. From John Maslow, where. Where is all the Johns without the A? So I was always under the impression Jonathan, that Jonathan led to Jon. If your name was Jonathan, often with an A, John, yes, it was Johan, but I don't know if that's true. From Tim Cree in Fort Collins, Colorado. Just an update for Colorado. Tim's driving south from Fort Collins through Loveland to get to other nearby locations. Construction on the southbound Taft into Loveland is still ongoing. The main problem is there's a Taft in Fort Collins that runs north south and one in Loveland, but the two Tafts are not connected. Whatever brainchild is responsible for that needs a mild beating from Dan Shuett in Durant, Iowa. My name is Dan. I'm good. I don't need to be the official anything. The number one Dan of consequence is Dan Byrne. Anyway, that's a good email. Yes, you don't need to be the official. No, you don't need to be. Doesn't matter. Tony Moyers, Martinsburg, West Virginia My name is Tony. Can I be the official Tony of the Tony Kornheiser Show?

[Dan Graziano]

No, no, no.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Actually can. No. Mike Roseberry in State College, Pennsylvania. Is this sort of half of it? Who wins a fight between a man named Kristen and a boy named Sue? Yes, these are the questions that trouble me in the middle of the night. I'd like to. I'd ask to be the official name Stanley, but called Mike by everyone, including parents, even though Michael is not my middle name in the Tony Kornheiser show. But I don't want to sully either of my good names. Wait a second. Your name is Stanley? Yes. And you're called Mike, and Mike is not even in your repertoire of names.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Yeah, it doesn't make much sense.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You need to call us. You need to let us know or write us.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

And that's not a cutoff email. It's the way it printed up. So that's the full email there.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

From Mark lynch in Camby, Indiana. Yeah. Both teams played hard money on. That's funny. Yeah, Both teams played hard on me.

[Craig Laughlin]

Yeah. It's a tough, tough question.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Jeff Holton, Kannapolis, North Carolina, in parentheses, home of Dale Earnhardt. Great. So now I have one more thing to worry about with my four teenagers. Every time I try to get a straight answer and they respond with, uh, yeah, or, well, the thing is, I have to wonder if a PR firm got to them. Patrick Vincenzio, Laurel, Maryland. Dear Doctor of Humane Letters. Yeah, that's the email. You need to listen.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's everywhere Justin writes. My name is Justin From Rochester, N.Y. a few weeks back, you all referenced the Lillehammer jacket, and I thought to myself, I've seen that jacket before. Sure enough, I was visiting my grandmother this past weekend, and in the closet by the front door, I came across this gem picture attached. It's blue. Mine is green. It's blue. My father, Jay, who worked as a hockey agent for many years, bought the offending jacket for my grandfather, his father in law, after attending the olympics there in 1994. My dad, unfortunately passed away last month after a long battle with cancer. And hearing you discuss the Lillehammer jacket made me think of him. Brought a smile to my face. I'm 31 now. Grew up watching PTI after school on weekdays with my dad saying, why are these two idiots always screaming at each other whenever he walked in? Gave me a chuckle to think about as well. Appreciate all the warmth and community around the show. If you ever find yourself in upstate New York, you're always welcome to join for a round of golf, as long as we wear our matching purple and teal green Lillehammer jacket. So that's purple, okay. Yeah, it's mine.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

Bigger picture in the back. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes. Okay. That's from Lillehammer. Yeah. Mine was bought to take to Lily Hammer.

[Guest or additional commentator]

Oh.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Mine was bought in the United States. That's a different one.

[Craig Laughlin]

That changes everything.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. That has the official crest on it. Well, I thought you knew that.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

No, I thought it was Lillehammer purchase like it was a gametime decision.

[Tony Kornheiser]

No no no. I brought it brought this jacket the heaviest coat I could find to take two Lilly hammer from Grant.

[Craig Laughlin]

I don't know what to believe anymore.

[Tony Kornheiser]

J E what Are you hurt?

[Craig Laughlin]

A little bit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't understand that. I've never I've never I think the

[Craig Laughlin]

mythical status of this jacket but it

[Tony Kornheiser]

would have had a lily hammer crest on it if I bought it there. It doesn't like the the scarves I have have a lily hammer crest. That's Grant Evgee E V J E in West Yellowstone, Montana. Absolutely nailed it with a last name pronunciation. Most people botch it just like Norwegian soft kitten. I'm also a Norwegian, not from Norway though I won't challenge their official title From Stevie Ray Hearing the Great Augusta Story by Taylor brought up my own what could have been golf story. About 30 years ago, I was three weeks into my dream job and I just finished attending a conference on the Disney property. Having a few hours to kill and being a golf nut, I decided to go to Bay Hill just to see it. My flight to another conference afforded me the time to do so. I walked in the pro shop. When I was chatting with the guy behind the counter, he said I could buy a bucket and hit on the range if I wanted. I absolutely did. Hitting a few. I looked up to see walking towards me, the Great Arnie himself. I was in shock as he said, we need a fourth. Can you play? Stammering I said, thank you so much sir, but I have a flight to catch. He smiled, shook my hand, walked to another guy on the range who absolutely said absolutely. Telling my boss the story. He said, I should fire you now for being so stupid. I said, but boss, I had a job to do. Being the best boss I've ever had. He said, next time call me. We will work it out. Needless to say, Taylor may get the chance to play Augusta. My chance with Arnie will never be that's a great email. Wow, that's a great email. From Don Hammack in Biloxi, Mississippi. Not only were Stan Musial, Ken Griffey Sr. And Ken Griffey Jr. All born in Donora, Musial and Griffey Jr. Share the same birthday, November 21 information.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Mike or another regular contributor)]

How about that? Yeah,

[Tony Kornheiser]

Josh Maisel In New Rochelle, N.Y. an extra week between Triple Crown races Sounds suspiciously like load management for horsies. Don't tell Wilbur. And from Greg Collins in Iuka R U K A Iuka, Illinois Lack of steadfastness Jeffrey Chaucer on the Washington Wizards Lack lak Steadfastness S T E D F A S T N E S S E Jeffrey Chaucer on the Washington Wizards. If you're out on your bike tonight, as always, do wear what look, mother,

[Dan Graziano]

I want to go to work in one hour.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We are the pros from Dover and

[Guest or additional commentator]

we figured to crack this kid's chest and get out to the golf course before it gets dark.

[Wilbourn]

No sailboat, no deep blue sea. No candlelight just you and me. No violins just jungle be just warm wet night City street Just your eyes and mine. No moon above. That kind of love. I can hear the noise as I try to sleep Hear your voice making love to me. I can hear some fool on a balcony Just a Shakespeare drunk killing poetry I think I know what you're dreaming of. That kind of love. Everybody worries everybody runs everybody run. Everybody searches Somebody settles Everybody want wants to be in love. No big house, no big hill little room no big thrill. Summer hot, winter chill I love you always will Tongue in cheek, hand in glove do you know when I'm thinking of that kind of love? That kind of love Love that kind of love. There are the ones that you call friends. There are the ones that you call late at night. There are the ones who sweep away your past One wave of the hand. There are the ones that you call family. There are the the ones that you hold close to your heart. There are the ones who see the danger in you. They won't understand. I can hear voice in the wind. Are you calling to me on the long road? Do you really think there's a name? I have followed my dream down the long road. You are the one that I met long ago. You are the one who saw my dream. You are the one took me from my home. You left me off somewhere. But somehow I feel you are here and you are waiting in that dream Somewhere down this road we will away will be at the start again. I can hear your voice in the wind. Are you calling to me? The long road do you really think there's a name with I lived my whole life down the long. I gotta find you tonight. Are you waiting for me down the long road? I will follow my dream. Now I live my whole life down the long road. Are you waiting for me? Are you calling to me down the wrong road? I followed my dream and I will never my whole life yeah I can hear voice in the wind. Are you waiting for me? Are you waiting for me? Can you your voice in the wind. Are you waiting for me? Can you? Voice in the wind. I can hear your voice. Long road. Long road.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Sa.