PTI - Spain Moves on to the World Cup Final

Episode Date: July 14, 2026

Tony Kornheiser and Frank Isola discuss the World Cup, the Home Run Derby, and the LA Rams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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That's me. I'm that person or that thing or that fossil. That's me. I'm a loving. You're in your prime. So old. Now I'm way bad. But thank you.

Welcome to PTI, boys and girls. Wilbon has the day off. And so I am joined by our great friend from the starting lineup on Sirius XM, Mr. Frank Isola. That's good. That's good. Let's start with Spain beating France two-nothing in this afternoon's World Cup semifinal. This was supposed to be a heavyweight matchup, but Spain controlled the game,

scoring on a first half penalty kick and again on a second half give and go. Frank, what did you think about Spain winning and how it won? Well, I was one of those people that told you I thought France would win the World Cup. They look like the best team all tournament long. That's not to take anything away from Spain. But Spain, they are the defending European champions, and they had an unbelievable game. They've had a great tournament. They don't give up any goals.

They've only got won all tournament. You know, France early on, they gave it the penalty kick. I thought that penalty was deserved. Lamin Amal did get kicked by the defender on France. And from that moment on, France looked rattled. Their centerback, William Saliba, who plays at Arsenal, he went down with an injury, and they just never seem to be in a groove. And Tony, you look at, you know, you've talked about it,

how the stars have shown up at this World Cup. Yeah. And you look at Mbapé, they got Dembelli, who's the Ballandoor winner. That's, you know, the best player in the world. He just won that award. You know, he didn't have a great game. It just didn't feel like Michael Oluise, he didn't play well. So France's best players just did not have great games.

And Spain is a machine. I get it. Laminia Mall is a great play. He played well. But it's more about. the team. They're great defensively. Their midfield controls the ball, and they take advantage of the opportunities they get. Spain has earned their trip to the finals in New Jersey on Sunday. They were outstanding. So I'm glad that you said you had picked France. Everyone that I had talked to

had picked France. So, of course, I was thinking France as well. But you make a very good point. Spain has now scored 13 goals in the World Cup and only given up one. Like, you know, what is the doomsday defense. You know, I mean, they are shutting people down all over the place. I think they gave up one goal to Belgium. And I did not know this until this morning. But Spain has now beaten France nine of their last 11 meetings. Do they own France? Is there something we should see in that? I think it just shows you how great of a team there. And think about it from France's standpoint. In 22, they went to the World Cup final. They lose to Argentina in penalty kicks. That in theory counts as a draw. They won in 2018.

The last time they lost a World Cup game was on July 4th of 2014 in Brazil. They're a difficult team to beat. Give Spain all the credit in the world. In Dallas today, the way that they played against a great, great opponent. I'm just going to ask one small question here. Do you think that Spain now goes through and wins the final as well? Do they have that kind of momentum and that kind of ability if you had to pick right now? And you've seen this before, Tony, when you've seen this before, Tony, when you're

think you're watching the two best teams in the semifinals, sometimes that team gets through. Hey, waiting for them is going to be a terrific England team or the defending champs Argentina. It is not over yet. The championship was not decided today. Okay. Let's move now to last night's home run derby where Philadelphia fans got the chance to do what they do best. Boo everybody who isn't wearing a Philly shirt. In the end, they were stunned into silence when the Cardinals Jordan Walker caught and passed Philadelphia's Kyle Schwerber. by hitting six home runs in a row when he was down to his last out. Frank, what did you make for the change in format and how Walker won? Yeah, well, the format works if the last home run is going to be a walk-off home run.

And you know what? They have something here which the NBA never could seem to get with the slam dunk contest, which is the featured event of their weekend. You're getting some young players, but you're also getting a lot of the big-name stars participating. And, you know, the first guy that came up was Wilson Contreras, and he was actually, he was hitting bomb after bomb. And that stadium is perfect for a home run derby. The first time I ever went there, I went as a fan, and I saw Jose Reyes hit three home runs. The ball flies out of that ballpark.

So I thought you had, did it take a long time, Tony? Absolutely. But I thought it had a lot. I think the drama was good. The fact that you got the hometown guy in the final was good. And the crowd was terrific. They added something to the event. There's no question about it.

I liked everything about it. I liked where it was. I liked how it was constructed. I like how it ended. 20 swings is much better than a clock. A clock, the pressure is on the pitcher to deliver quality pitches. With 20 swings, the pressure is where it ought to be on the batter.

You have 20 swings in the first round, I believe 15 swings in the successive rounds after that. I was really impressed with Schwerber. And I know you're going to say, well, he had the crowd behind. them. Yes, but that adds a tremendous amount of pressure. You saw what it did to Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper did not make

the second round. But what Jordan Walker did, that was extraordinary. He comes in here. He only has a total of 11 big league home runs in 2024 and 2025. So he's certainly not a favorite. And Schwerber goes out and posts a number and Walker

gets to the point where if he misses, if he hits anything not in a home run area, he's done. And he hits six in a row. Boom, boom, boom. And at the end, you know, there's silence from the Philadelphia fans. But I will bet you this. I will bet you that every big time Philadelphia fan is saying,

can we get this guy? Can we get this guy? Because this guy performed with perseverance even beyond what Wyndham Clark did when he was being booed at the U.S. Open. This was a tremendous performance, was. And you mentioned that, you know, that's a lot of pressure. You have all those fans are against you. I love the shots of his family, though, how excited they were from winning it.

Jordan Walker certainly put on a big show. All right, let's move to the signs that it really was. Let's move to the signs that Aaron Donald could be coming back to the Rams. How about this? TMZ spotted Donald at a workout at the Rams facility last week, and Adam Schaefter told Pat McAfee yesterday, quote, it's just a question of whether he wants to go through it and do it. My guess is in the end he will, just a guess. Tony, given all of this, let's play oddmakers here.

what are the chances of Aaron Donald returning to the ramps? Okay, so first of all, I have to mention that I watched the video of this thing of the workout, alleged workout by Aaron Donald. It appeared to be shot from a rooftop five miles away, and maybe that was Aaron Donald, or maybe that was Luke Donald. I'm not sure. I am influenced by his coming back by this. Obviously, Miles Garrett is now on that team, which means a 35-year-old Aaron Donald's

never going to be double team because Miles Garrett's always going to be double team. Unless they change the rules and say the offense can have 12 people out there. So, I mean, that makes it easier to persuade him to come back. And maybe I'm influenced, Frank, by Serena Williams. Serena Williams came back for Wimbledon. I think she's going to come back for the U.S. Open as well, and she's 44 years old. LeBron James, 41 years old, he's still playing. Novak Djokovic, 39, he's still playing.

The star of the World Cup, Lionel Messi, 39 years old. So, you know, Donald looks like a kid next to them. So I think he may very well want to come back, yes. Yeah, and we know this too with all these players as they get up in age. They don't want to go through training camp. So if he can survive training camp and you think that the Rams would probably come to an agreement, you don't have to practice all the time, these silly preseason games you want to have to be a part of. Because, Tony, let's go back when he did play.

I mean, when I think of the greatest defensive players in my mind, I think of, you know, Lawrence Taylor and certainly. Ray Lewis, Ronnie Lott. This guy is, he's one of those players. He is a dominant, dominant player. I understand that he's been out of the sport for a couple of years. As long as he hasn't lost it mentally, I don't think physically he's lost it. He still can go out there and be dominant.

I mean, I'm going to agree with everything you're saying, but I'm going to say this. There's a big difference between a workout in July and full pads in August and game action live in September. So even when he says, if he's, He says, I'm feeling good. I'm ready. I'm really thinking about it. I would say, as they say at the track,

hold all paramutual tickets until this race is official. Because I'm not going to base anything on that video. Not on that video. Yeah. I'm not. Yeah. Yeah.

All right, let's move to more speculation about where LeBron James might land. There is reporting that his top two choices are the Warriors and the Cavaliers with the Cavaliers currently assuming the favorite role. Frank, which team would give LeBron the best shot at a compelling final chapter? Well, Tony, there's no question about it. The most compelling opportunity would be in Cleveland because that's where he has a chance to win.

If he goes to Golden State, it's a lot of old guys. So I think he'll be playing a lot of golf with Steph Curry if he went there? Absolutely. But in terms of making a legitimate run at a championship, and everyone says he's not chasing rings, there's nothing wrong with that. If he went back to Cleveland and won, that's great. But here's another reason why I think Cleveland makes sense. By the way, I still think he's going to Golden State.

But this is why Cleveland makes sense. If he goes to Miami, yes, they could win. But there's nothing there for him in the future. He's not going to become a part owner. That's not going to happen in Philly or in Denver or Golden State. I think he's always wanted that. He's not going to get it now in L.A. It sounds like the expansion team in Vegas he's not going to be a part of.

By going back to Cleveland, you almost wonder if he could become the Magic Johnson of that organization, maybe part ownership, some type of role. In terms of his storybook ending, the perfect storybook ending, it's him going back to Cleveland. So let me talk about this in terms of what is a compelling ending, because I think it does have to have rings. I mean, he's not going to the senior prom. He's trying to catch Michael Jordan. And Rich Paul can say all night long, he can say he's not chasing rings. But the truth of the matter is, nobody says, oh, he'd look good in Portland or he'd look good in Sacramento. No, he is chasing rings and there's

nothing wrong with that. That's why he's still playing at 41. That's why he left the Lakers. He didn't leave L.A., right? He still lives in L.A. Now, you look at these teams, so let's not kid ourselves about chasing rings. You look at these teams, this group with the Warriors, they have won rings.

This group with Cleveland has not yet won rings. I can see a great comfort level for LeBron playing with Steph Curry and for Steve Kerr, just like he did in the Olympics. And they hired Frank Vogel, who was the coach of the Lakers, when LeBron won with the Lakers. But I agree with you about Cleveland in this sense. If you go back to Cleveland, you're born near there, you played there before, there's great familiarity.

It seems like it is a perfect circle. It seems like there's a certain amount of poetry. But, and there's always a but, Frank. If he goes to the Warriors and he wins, he becomes the only person all time in the NBA to win in four different places. And that's what you throw on the table for goat. That's what you throw on the table. So, you know, let's take a break. Go ahead.

I was going to say he might make the announcement Thursday at that Fanatics Fest in New York. And that's something to keep in mind. It sounds like we're going to get an announcement sooner than later, thankfully. Okay, let's take a break. But still to come, several standouts are missing tonight's All-Star Game.

Does the Midsummer Classic need changes? We're going to Gas Buster only. We'll also ask him which teams are most likely to snap up big stars at the trade deadline. I mean, if he's not chasing rings, why is he playing? Isn't that what great players are supposed to do? And why is Rich Paul saying... If the Knicks didn't win. Because that's what everyone would be connecting him to, New York.

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Let's take the Cadillac. Find out more at Cadillac Canada.ca. Luxury sales claim based on S&P Global Mobility Canadian New Vehicle Total Registrations for calendar year 2025 for the Cadillac definition of luxury. The All-Star game is tonight. We've got baseball questions for our great friend ESPN senior baseball writer, PTI Farm, Bureau Chief Buster, only baking in the sun, so let's do this quickly.

Buster, I love the home run derby last night. I even loved the crowd. I did, the way they booed and the way they were so into it. You were there. You know, what did you think about the home run derby? It was terrific. Jordan Walker was terrific, but I agree with you. The star, the derby were the Phillies fans who demonstrated their competitiveness, their bitterness.

I mean, right from the get go, when Ben Rice wearing Yankees' uniform is booed, they set the tone for this event. And then after that, when Junior Caminero was introduced, they booed him because he was perceived to be the biggest threat to the Philly Sluggers. Then they booed Wilson Contreras, they booed Jordan Walker. And Tony, I swear to you, at the moment that Jordan Walker hit that walkoff home run at the end, I looked down at the stands and the Phillies fans were in the aisles. As Kyle Schwerber is congratulating Jordan Walker and being gracious, Philly fans are out of here.

It's like they flipped the board game and they were out of here. They were just not going to sit there and celebrate with him. Yeah, it was great last night. Let's hope that tonight we get something because, as you know, Buster, a lot of the big stars not participating in the game. What is the state of the game itself? Fragile, Frank. I think it's fragile because you're not getting buy-in from a lot of the great players. Look, Shohei Otani's not here.

is not here, injury involved there. But it's clear a lot of teams are lining up the premier starters over the weekend so they don't have to pitch in the All-Star game. So we're not going to see Paul Skeens. We're not going to see Jacob Mizorowski the pitcher that everybody right now wants to see. And it's too bad. Like this is a midsummer classic. You have casual fans tuning in. And the best players are not going to be on the field. I hope in the next CBA negotiations, the players, Major League Baseball, get on the same page to restore some of the preeminence of this event. All right, the next big event after the All-Star game, you get the trade deadline on August 3rd. Which teams right now have been the most active?

Yeah, and let's face it, the American League standings are affecting everything because there's a morass at teams just at this point trying to establish themselves in these races. In some respects, I think the Red Sox and Tigers are ruining the trade deadline speculation game, right? For the last six weeks, we've been talking about Terrick Scouble and Sonny Gray and Eraldus Chapman. Casey Mize, but those teams are climbing back into it. So the big questions I'm getting now from general managers is what teams are actually out there selling? The San Francisco Giants, I think the Cincinnati Reds are going to sell Colorado Rockies, but to this point there's not a lot of product out there. It looks like it's going to be a seller's market.

I love the trade deadline too. I really do. I love the action around the trade deadline. So we will get you out of here on this. We have asked you before who poses the greatest. challenge to the Dodgers this year. And if I remember correctly, you said the Phillies. Are you sticking with the Phillies? I'm sticking with the Phillies because of all the veterans and the great starting pitching they have with Zach Wheeler, Christopher Sanchez, Hazelho,

but watch the Milwaukee Brewers, who of course were beaten by the Dodgers in the playoffs last year. The fact that they have the aircraft carrier, the Jacob Mizorowski, it is a separator for them. because on any given day, he can outdole any pitcher in baseball the way that he has ascended this year. He throws harder than anybody. He dominates more than anybody. He is the big X factor as we go down this stretch here. It's really remarkable because, you know, a year ago, people said the exact same thing about

schemes and then in his own league, in his own league, you know, somebody has passed already. Thank you so much, Buster. Thanks, Buster. Thanks, guys. Let's take one last break still to come and update on the health of Tennis Star. Carlos Alcaraz. And Wilbon's guy, Caleb Wilson, has another night of highlights. Frank, do you think that's Mizorowski's nickname the aircraft carrier or is that a busterism?

Because that's a pretty good nickname, the aircraft carrier. Right? I like it. I like it. He should be there. Happy time, people. Happy 94th birthday, Rosie Greer. History lesson, kids. Roosevelt Greer was a defensive tackle for the New York football Giants and Los Angeles Rams. where he was on the famed fearsome for some with Merlin Olson, Lamar Lundy, and Deacon Jones.

Greer played college football at Penn State, drafted by the Giants in the third round in 1955. Greer was on the Giants' 1956 NFL championship team. But Greer's enduring fame stems from being with Olympic decathlon champion Rayfer Johnson near Senator Bobby Kennedy when Kennedy was shot and killed at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles in 1968, after just winning California's Democratic presidential primary. God bless Rosie Greer. You know, Tony, people of my generation, Merlin Olson, Deacon Jones, Rosie Greer, we know them from television shows and commercials and from broadcasting,

but when you read about all of them, unbelievable players as well. Rosie Greer is a very heroic figure to me. Happy anniversary, Pat Riley. On this day, 22 years ago, as president and head coach of the Miami Heat, Riley traded away Karan Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a future first-round pick who turned out to be Jordan Farmer to the Lakers for Shaquille O'Neal. The Shaq move was successful, as was Riley's later courtship of LeBron James, as both resulted with NBA championships.

Will the recent acquisition of Janice Anta Tocompo produce another championship in Miami? Riley has won NBA championships as a player, a coach, and an executive. his basketball career rates just under his former teammate Jerry West, and Riley, of course, a better dresser. The best dresser ever, Pat Riley. And Pat Riley's always big game hunting. He haven't gotten out of the first round the last three years. In fact, this year didn't even make the playoffs,

but I think he hit a big one with Janice and Teddicoomba. He has not lost his fastball. Happy trails to the Bulls in last night's summer league game. Chicago lost to Utah. But Bull's rookie Caleb Wilson provided more highlights, including a fourth quarter throwdown that got the attention of Darren Peterson, who was sitting out in street clothes. Wilson had 19 points this time out, down from 35 in his debut on Friday. But that hasn't diminished Wilbon's enthusiasm.

He is calling and texting me constantly about this kid. I was having a hard enough time with Caleb Williams. A second Caleb in Chicago may break me. To all Chicago, Caleb's, I apologize in advance for my saltiness. blame Wilbon. Yeah, I think Mike's going to be pretty happy because this kid looks like he's really good. And think about it, Tony.

He was the fourth pick. The three guys that went above him are terrific players, but Chicago did not get a consolation prize. Caleb Wilson, it looks like he's the real deal and that dunk was something else. No, it was. Yeah, I saw that this morning. It was really good. Really good.

Let's go to the big finish if we can. La Verdead reports that Carlos Alcaraez's wrist is, quote, completely healed. Are you excited? Yes, because that means he could play in the U.S. Open. This is why you had to win the French in Wimbledon without him, because now he's coming back, and he will be a tough out. Erling Holland's souvenir from America is a taxidermine raccoon holding a whiskey bottle. You like that?

We've been doing this show for almost 25 years. That's the first time the word taxi dermid has been on this show. I'm a big fan of that word, especially holding a whiskey bottle. Come on. Tyler Hero says he's trying to move past his altercation with Bam Out of Bio. Does that make sense to you? Well, it's his decision. I mean, he was assaulted. He could have pressed charges. Totally out of line what Bam Out of Bio did. He should be suspended by the NBA. Scotty Sheffler says he doesn't play for a place in history. Do you believe that? I believe that he believes that. I believe that he believes he only plays to win. But if you win enough, you get a place in history. It's one in the same. Last one, who you got tonight? The AL or the NL?

Well, I grew up a National League guy, so I'll go with the National League. The only thing about this All-Star game, you know, Buster mentioned all the great pitchers, no Aaron Judge, and no Shoah Otani, which is kind of a bummer. We are out of time. We'll try to do better the next time. I'm Tony Cornhusen. And I'm Frank Isola. Thanks for watching.

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