In this episode: World Cup final wrap — Spain grinds out control-over-chaos win; Messi's late look blocked by Mikel Merino; Emiliano Martínez's 11 saves, a final record. Tournament retrospective: 48 teams, 104 matches, Cape Verde's Cinderella run, Andres Cantor's legendary call, Messi's age-39 send-off, VAR/smart ball controversies, and whether Erling Haaland could be MLS's next big import. MLB trade deadline — White Sox surprise first-place run and Sandy Alcantara trade buzz; Red Sox's stunning turnaround (5.6% playoff odds on June 16, now solidly in a wild card spot) and the hunt for a right-handed bat at short (Zach Neto scenario); Hunter Greene as the deadline's biggest What If; Luis Robert Jr.'s trade market with the Phillies as a fit. High Horse: Keith Hernandez's Hall of Fame case — 131 career WRC+, the only Hall-eligible first baseman with positive defensive WAR, 11 Gold Gloves, 60.3 bWAR, the Steph Curry comparison for redefining a position, and why the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee (next vote: December 2028) is his path in. NFL training camp storylines — Vikings' real QB competition (Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy), Justin Jefferson's chip on his shoulder after being ranked No. 2, Chargers' new Mike McDaniel/Justin Herbert pairing, and the Rams' defensive overhaul highlighted by the Myles Garrett trade. Jets Look Back, Part 2: The 1986 season — Five straight losses to close the regular season, a shock Wild Card blowout of the Chiefs, and the gutting double-overtime divisional round loss to Cleveland (Bernie Kosar's then-record 489 passing yards, two missed field goals, an onside kick, a phantom-ish roughing call, and a 23-20 final that still stings). Lightning round: LeBron to Philly — What it means for Sixers-Knicks odds, Joel Embiid, and Scott's long list of Philly sports grievances (Flyers, Phillies, Eagles — Sixers get a pass). P.S.: Mini golf — Windmill holes, split-path strategy, multi-level holes debated, sand trap pet peeves, slow groups playing it like The Masters, and the final-hole "give us your ball back" scoring controversy. Subscribe to S&P's Why Not Us? on your favorite podcast player. Questions, comments, or a P.S. topic idea? Head to whynotuspod.com.
