This weekend was gut-wrenching for Chang and I. Our beloved pooch, Duky, passed away in our arms at the age of 15 after a very recent cancer diagnosis. Today, on SportsWrap, I remembered him in the only way I could. Hug your pets extra tight tonight. We don't have them forever

We need to have an intellectually honest conversation about @stephenasmith , "journalism" and the lie that persists over at ESPN. Stephen A. Smith isn't a journalist. Unfortunately, most people are unwilling to speak this. We can get to why that is another time. Stephen A. Smith is sports version of a Rachel Maddow or Sean Hannity. He's a talk-show host. While Stephen A. could claim he is a journalist all he wants and whenever it suits him, those journalist days are behind him. They slipped into the rear-view mirror the moment he decided to host a program called "First Take". A "take" is an opinion. Plain and simple. It isn't a carefully crafted and sourced story prepared for broadcast or a newspaper. There was a time when Stephen A. Smith was 100% a journalist. But that day has come and gone with him choosing to take on the role of an antagonist for two hours each morning and more than that on his own podcast. Over the last couple of days, SAS has been in the news. Then again, it feels like he is always in the news. Instead of us talking about the sports we love, we're talking about one man's OPINIONS on said sports which he sometimes chooses to present under a guise of journalism using "unnamed sources". The most recent example of this is Smith's comments about Jaylen Brown during the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals. Smith, citing an unnamed source read from his smartphone a message that stated that Brown isn't underrated, but he simply isn't liked because of a "I'm better than you attitude." It should be noted that after that, Smith said he didn't know that to be the case. You know what that is called? It isn't journalism. It's hearsay. It's gossip. So this is what Stephen A. Smith has been relegated to and what ESPN is more than willing to endorse, quietly or otherwise. It's become a place where somebody can host an opinions-based show for two hours daily and slander (through unnamed sources) anybody they want and then behind a completely fabricated claim of journalism to protect themselves from the incoming firew that is sure to come after making the kind of comments Smith made about Jaylen Brown. ESPN is in the entertainment business. Sure, they give you the occasional pieces of journalism that can make you feel something. 30 for 30 features are great and stand on their own and should be applauded. But we have to stop pretending Stephen A. Smith is anything other than what we all bare witness to each and every day. He's a guy with an opinion. Does he have friends and sources? It should be noted they are sometimes one in the same. Of course he does. But Sean Hannity has sources. We learned that during the Trump years. Lawrence O'Donnell or Rachel Maddow have sources too. But the moment you see fit to use those sources as part of an attempt to simply entertain, antagonize or jin up controversy, you're NOT a journalist. You're just noise operating beneath the facade of journalism.

The positively miserable look on Patrick Cantlay’s face makes the whole afternoon worthwhile. Such an insufferable human being. Hope Tommy takes as long going over the scorecard as Cantlay did standing over each shot. #TourChampionship

Good grief… I’ve done plenty of roundtables on news networks. Is there a more unlikeable, smarmy troll than @ScottJenningsKY? Could be the least likable “pundit”(and I use that term loosely) in all of cable news. Latest example. Look at the facial expressions. Zero respect.

If you watch, you can actually see the grass growing under Patrick Cantlay’s feet. Brutal. #TourChampionship

Again… here is the play, Machado is clearly out of the base path. Dodgers got screwed here.

It’s impossible to listen to @AndrewYang and not love the guy. He’s easily the most likeable of the remaining candidates. And he has a message that is resonating. I hope tonight continued to boost that message and his standing in the race. #DemocraticDebate

Hold on... this will be the answer. “You can’t perjure yourself if you are lying about a crime you didn’t commit.” There, I saved you the wait @AshaRangappa_ . You’re welcome.

We literally have a madman running our country. I am terrified.

Not the point. Point was him hiding behind journalism when he stopped wearing that hat ages ago.

Great retort to a legitimate point. 🤡

Pretty damn priceless moment just now with @brianstelter and former Fox News host Eric Bolling. Brian is currently being treated for a neck strain. He is expected to be ok.

If the Texans players wanted to make a statement today, they needed to walk off the field. Refuse to play the game. Thats a real protest.

USA Ryder Cup team in full self-destruct mode. Can we cancel the singles event for tomorrow? This just continues to be more and more embarrassing. #RyderCup2025 #rydercup

With the Yankees and Angels playing, MLB forces me to watch the Angels broadcast. And I have to say that @WayneRandazzo and @Markgubicza are a really enjoyable watch/listen. Total pros.

Wow... Just wow.

Did Troy Aikman really just say what I think he said? Did he really just say that it's time for the league to"take the dresses off"? The 60's called, they want their chauvinist back. Seriously @ESPN... do better than that crap. #MNF

Think about this @AndrewYang phenomenon. The guy gave out his own money while on the campaign trail to show the power of a UBI. Imagine a candidate that felt so strongly about a concept as to use his own money to provide proof of that concept. Amazing. #YangGang

I wonder if Juan Soto still thinks playing for the Mets gives him a better shot at winning. Enjoy watching the postseason Juan.

Manny Machado clearly runs out of the baseline. The ball hits him. How is that not reviewable in a playoff game? How is not reviewable at all? Could lead to a huge inning here for the Padres.

Oh look… It’s Viktor Hovland after a hard-earned half-point. Looks like he’s in a lot of discomfort too. Such BS. #RyderCup2025 #RyderCup

Vicente Fox… Dropping F-Bombs @CNN this morning… Alisyn Camerota jokes that she should have “taken that offer of a 5-second delay."

Somebody make this makes sense. Your eyeballs can tell you that this is a fumble. There is a clear catch and then a fumble of the football. This game is a total dumpster fire in every way possible. Jets and Broncos putting on the total opposite of a banger.

This is perfectly normal behavior from the leader of the free world... Carry on. 🙄

And this is the point. It isn’t personal for me. I sometimes disagree with his takes. Sometimes I agree. Its hiding behind journalism when somebody punches back that bothers me.

It’s kind of amazing to me how hellbent the mainstream cable news networks are to bury Joe Biden every chance they get. But a little reality check for you... the narrative would make you think he is being squashed in every single poll. He isn’t. (Cont.)

Hell of an interview with @brianstelter and @MichaelAvenatti. I thought it was a fair conversation and that Stelter took him to task on some issues of relevance when it comes tothe way Avenatti deals with media that is critical of him. Nice job Brian.

Wow… New Emerson poll has Andrew Yang beating @realDonaldTrump in New Hampshire. @AndrewYang… Wow. Impressive.

You get what you ask for. Being outraged after you bring on a guest like Clay who is known for the over-the-top stuff is kinda laughable.

Where is the GOP on the Wilbur Ross story? Seriously. This fits totalitarianism to a T. to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state Who will be the GOP hero? Does one exist @TheRickWilson?

Fox News coverage of these elections tonight can best be summed up this way. It’s everyone’s fault… except Trump. Yikes. #Election2025

The #YangGang must be ecstaic with this news... can hear those fundraising wheels turning. Goes back to something I said in terms of likability. Who is the Democratic candidate you would most like to hang out with and watch a game? Who is the most relatable? It’s @AndrewYang

Something amazing... CNN can't pull itself away from politics for even a couple of minutes to mention a 7.0 earthquake off the California coast and a Tsunami WARNING for the California and Oregon coastline. What are we doing in these newsrooms? Seriously? 20 minutes and no mention?

So I just hit up my friend @DaleScottMLB5, who is a former MLB ump. I’m wrong on the Machado play. Unlike many, if I find out I am wrong, I will admit it. Here is the convo I had with Dale and his explanation on why it is a legal play.

Wow… Just finished watching Season/Part 1 of #Lupin @netflix. What. A. Series. If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out. You won’t regret it. @Omarsy is terrific. Entire cast is great. Can’t wait for season 2.

Unreal… Story of Rory McIlroy’s career. Right there. #Masters2025

It’s funny to listen to the @VanJones68 and other politicos talk about @AndrewYang. They acknowledge him but it’s almost like he’s treated like an intermission act at an NHL game. The guy is legit. Just give him his respect. Don’t qualify it. He’s got chops. He’s growing on me

But not the voice of @AndrewYang? Curious…🧐

Just watched @jaketapper interview with @StephenMillerAL. Great job by Tapper as usual. Miller was on that show for 1 reason... to make @realDonaldTrump feel better after a bad week. Best line from Tapper after the break? “Welcome back to State of the Union... and planet earth”

I am stunned. Feels like somebody punched me in the stomach. So sad to learn of the death of Marlins P Jose Fernandez at the age of 24.

Or in your case… very few words for “i have no intelligent retort” 👍

@arielhelwani Good stuff with @heymanHustle. Have to get him on my show one of these weekends. He seems like a great guest.

When I am wrong, I admit it. Just talked with Dale Scott about it and he clarified it for me

Do yourself a favor and do a search of my posts. It takes 5 seconds. Search for skip bayless. I have crushed him plenty.

Rory… The Grand Slam is complete. He earned it. Gutty effort. Hats off. It’s never easy. #Masters2025 #MastersSunday

Let this be said. @asharangappa_ has become one of the very best analysts on TV when it comes to legal and national security issues. And I don’t just say that because she went to Yale, which is right next to my hometown of East Haven, Connecticut.

Who is the mystery man @WalkingDead_AMC? Damn!

It has to be exhausting for Chris Wallace. It was exhausting just to watch it.

Great @msnbc commercial with @Chrislhayes and @MMFlint with Moore blowing Chris’s spot as he watches the World Series during the show.

Oh look… The White House @PressSec found her safe space. Heaven forbid she should actually make an appearance in the Brady Press room to address reporters and take questions. Right @BrianKarem?

Parents who use drugs, have children who use drugs… Cue the frying egg in the pan too.

A note to Julie Chen… Your husband could be a "loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader,” and still have done the things he has been accused of by 6 different women. #JustSaying

Kudos to @greenfield64 for pointing out to @brianstelter that the media is contributing to the polarization around the U.S. 24/7 coverage of Trump and ignoring other big stories around the country isn’t healthy. The cable news network structure is broken and needs fixing.

Attack my physical appearance. Again, making my point for me. #blocked

I’m not crying… you’re crying. A truly human moment here with Djokovic. #Wimbledon

What on earth was this idiot thinking? He should be kicked out and banned for life. That bordered on assault. Just dumb.

Check out the interview with @AndrewYang @IowaPBS. It’s a terrific forum for Yang as he gets a chance to talk about his platform in an expansive way. It’s hard to find a candidate that makes more sense on the critical issues of this election. #YangGang pbs.org/video/andrew-yang-tu…

Meanwhile, @AndrewYang is raising comparable campaign donations to people named Biden and more than prople like Warren. Maybe the political experts and pundits will start treating him in a fashion worthy of a candidate people continue to rally behind? #YangGang

That’s a terrible thing to endure. Now tell me what that has to do with the interminable wait before he hits shots and his decision not to wear the US Ryder Cup hats two years ago when the rest of his team did because he thought Ryder Cup Players should be paid. I’m waiting.

This is some phenomenal reporting. This has some terrific reporting on the dismissal/parting of ways between NBC and @itsgabrielleu. Doesn’t look good for NBC and Simon Cowell. Having spent 24 years in media, not a single thing in this story surprises me. And that is sad.

Moderators for this debate would have been just as useful if they started the debate by saying “Go” and just sat there silently. They’ve been about that useful. #DemocraticDebate

Congrats to @brianstelter… You are breaking news! And taking up real estate in the feeble mind of @seanhannity.

1. Let’s try a little exercise... I want you to close your eyes for a moment. Now, imagine that it was 4 years ago and President Obama was out on a golf course for the weekend playing while a global pandemic was about to take hold. CONT.

Dan Wilson cut the blue wire when he was supposed to cut the red wire. Blue Jays lead 4-3 and are 5 defensive outs from a World Series. Mariners on the verge of an unthinkable heartbreak.

I’m actually physically ill at the latest revelations coming out tonight. nitter.app/aravosis/status/831712…

The wait is over. Catch my conversation with New York Times best-selling author and former GOP strategist @TheRickWilson in the newest episode of The Intersection @BleavPodcasts. We're talking about his new book and more. Listen and subscribe today. buff.ly/379EVdQ

I love Bob Costas… but enough with the bitching and moaning about baseball. This is the postseason. It’s the game’s biggest stage. Nobody wants to hear you whining about how long the game is. Jesus Christ… enough already. #ALDS

I’d even go a step further when it comes to this @GoCards story. If I were Louisville, I would leave up their 2013 Championship banner. It happened. They won it. The fans saw them win it. Leave it up.

Yep. @brianstelter is spot on. This is headed towards a brand new conservative all-news channel funded by @realDonaldTrump and run by Ailes.

So keep going ga-ga about Warren and Bernie. Talk about Buttigieg, who is literally unelectable, as he can’t get an ounce of the black vote. But one guy has led this thing since getting into the race despite all the slings and arrows coming his way. And it’s Joe Biden.

Look what arrived in the mail today! @TheRickWilson will join me on The Intersection Podcast dropping next Tuesday morning. Subscribe today! bleav.com/podcast/the-inters…

Could be the first time the Catholic Church has told a President to go fuck himself...

The death of the American workforce looks a lot like this. Last night, I heard almost nothing about it at the #DemDebate. Love @AndrewYang and his idea to combat the age of automation. We need more ideas! #YangGang

The facial expressions of @angela_rye while listening to a Trump surrogate are hilarious... hang with 'em Angela.

The President says this “snuck up on us” re: coronavirus. No, it didn’t sneak up on US. YOU ignored it. You called the reaction to it a Democratic “hoax”. This began in January and you’re just now taking it seriously. It may have snuck up on YOU. It didn’t sneak up on US.

Sitting here in Singapore at Midnight watching all of this and just said the same thing to my partner. Goldman has been amazing in this questioning of Sondland.

My heart goes out to @flashg88dwin. I don’t think anybody could have imagined what you’re going through as you played this game today. My hat is off to you Sir. @49ers

I can’t imagine how pathetic of an existance one must live such as @OldTakesExposed to go back years to look for tweets that people put out that were eventually proven wrong... especially about something as mundane as sports. Time to re-evaluate your life. Don’t ya think?

Whether @michelleisawolf bombed or not, this feigning of outrage from supposed “conservatives” over her performance is laughable at best and hypocritical at worst. These are the same “conservatives” that either worked for or defend a “p—-y grabber” on a daily basis. @aravosis

All due respect to Fat Joe… Yankees down 0-2 and needing a win. We couldn’t do better than Fat Joe? #WorldSeries

I am a victim of sexual assault. For the first time, I’ve decided to share my story. #WhyIDidntReport thejasonpageshow.com/index.p…

Even to the detriment of the sport and organization that has allowed you to make the living you make. Great logic.

Friday on SportsWrap, @sam_yarnell and I gave you picks for #ChampionshipSunday. Who do we like? And you can also learn about friends at @edgeboostbets. The debit card that is PERFECT for sports bettors. Use promo code WRAP for to get an upgrade! edgeboost.bet/guide/?oid=170…

Wow… @BackAftaThis getting love from my guy @AndrewMarchand… Best line from Marchand. "If you have to explain the ratings, you are losing.” Francesa is losing. The end is near. It’s just a question of when. nypost.com/2019/04/15/mike-f…

I don’t know @aravosis, it looks like more people for the March for our Lives than there were for @realDonaldTrump and his inauguration. This is the future electorate. And they’re pissed. The words and empty promises from both sides of the aisle will no longer suffice.

Verizon trying to do things with unlimited data to catch up with @JohnLegere and @TMobile. Reality is this. They aren’t even close.

Consider it a privilege to be followed by @JohnKasich on Twitter. Keep speaking out on the tissues that matter. I don’t think we agree on everything but I’d like to focus on the things we do agree on rather than our differences. We need more of that in government today.

People will chuckle when I say this... But the story of the @Firebirds will be one of the cooler sports success stories of the last decade or two when all is said and done... whether they win the Calder Cup or not. I've spent 28 years covering and talking about sports. Bringing hockey to the desert in a part of California where hockey is about as foreign as cricket, and having the success they have had both on the ice and in the box office is the stuff that dreams are made of. If you gave truth serum to @leiweketim before the season started and asked if this franchise could ever be this successful in year one, he couldn't predict this kind of success. The Coachella Valley is a hockey town. It's crazy. Who would've thunk it?

My buddy @ChrisCuomo got caught going hyperbolic when he said “10’s of thousands” at Trump’s rallies. @rosie called him out on it and he backed off. Good on Rosie. The reason I launched my own commentary series is that hyperbolism is rampant in network cable news. Has to change

As both a bowler and a broadcaster, I enjoy @RobStoneONFOX on the @PBATour broadcasts immensely.

Listen now to my conversation with White House correspondent @BrianKarem. He is a straight shooter when it comes to all things @realDonaldTrump. Check out the interview now! twitch.tv/intersectingmedia

I will say this… Mayor @PeteButtigieg looks/sounds the part of the future of the Democratic party. Very impressive. Rock star. #dncdebate

Brandon Hyde is in the wrong. You think Holmes is headhunting? Then you get mad when the Yankees show concern for the guy? Bad move by Hyde. That's embarrassing. Not a good look.

Meanwhile, new poll from Pennsylvania has him up big in that battleground state. Two new national polls released Wednesday have him leading as well. He’s also up huge in South Carolina. Again, all of this despite the fact that he gets more negative coverage than anyone (Cont.)

Again… missing the point. They are talk show hosts, not journalists!she is 8000 times smarter and more nuanced. But that isn’t the point. She is a commentator, not a journalist. Hannity is a commentator. Even if he’s bat-shit crazy

I love @McNuttMonica. She just crushed it on First Take and ended the segment with the mic drop of mic drops when she said to Stephen A Smith... "You could have been talking about the WNBA a long time ago" TKO.

That is a terrific job by Vince Carter and the folks with the Grizzlies. Love great sports stories like that. Well done @mrvincecarter15

A terrific short piece from @Olivianuzzi in the wake of the desparaging remarks from the President on the late-John Dingell and his wife, House Representative Debbie. Something you should read. No matter what side of the aisle you sit on. nymag.com/intelligencer/2019…

Nice tribute from @TonyReali and the folks @AroundtheHorn today for the great Bob Uecker. They broke the mold with that man. RIP

Look forward to talking with you about the upcoming book and more.

Shocking to hear White Sox announcers defending La Russa and trying to gloss over his tole in the downfall of Yermin Mercedes. Home-team TV largely = Propaganda