Ken Anderson was an all-around athlete in Batavia, IL whose friend and neighbor was NBA Hall of Famer Dan Issel. After four years at Augustana College he became Bill Walsh's protege in his new passing scheme called the West Coast offense. 4 passing titles and an MVP award later, it's pretty clear that #14 was up to the task. Great lessons from a legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Gene Tenace could have played football for Woody Hayes at Ohio State but opted instead to play in the Majors as a Catcher and First Baseman. He won 3 World Series with the Oakland A's, earning MVP honors in 1972. He won another title as a key backup for the '82 Cardinals. Even today, he ranks 3rd all time for catchers in OPS, and 4th in On Base Percentage. Listen for some great stories from those Charley Finley-era Swingin' A's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoice...
Steve Bartkowski was an All American in both baseball and football at Cal. He would be the #1 overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, and despite some early injuries, he would lead Atlanta to its first three playoff appearances. The Falcons were an exciting team which seemed to always be pulling out a last-minute win, with many of the heroics orchestrated by #10. He is still one of only 10 men in league history to throw 30 TD's in consecutive seasons. Listen in for some great stories. Learn more abo...
From high school through to the pros Lester Hayes played virtually every position but QB. His All Pro career at Cornerback was greatly influenced by his time as a Linebacker at Texas A&M ("I'm a linebacker mentally...playing cornerback.") A lot of the receivers he played the bump and run against would agree. Great stories from a legend. The Judge holds court once again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Listen as Randy Cross tells some great stories about growing up in LA in the 60's, playing at UCLA and winning the Rose Bowl in the 70s, and then being an anchor on the offensive line in San Francisco for the 80's as the Bill Walsh dynasty won 3 Super Bowls. Fun stuff about actor/QB Mark Harmon, Dick Vermeil, Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, and so on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Lance Parrish had to decide between a football scholarship at UCLA or a career as a Catcher in the majors. Detroit Tigers fans are happy he chose the latter as he was an 8x All Star, he won 3 Gold Gloves and 6 Silver Sluggers, and he hit the deciding home run in the final game of the '84 World Series to clinch the title. Great stories from a legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Legendary basketball coach Digger Phelps led Fordham to the Sweet 16 before embarking on a 20 year run at Notre Dame that included a Final Four, 2 Elite 8's, 7 Sweet 16's and 6 Top 10 finishes. He learned about the media from none other than Howard Cosell and used that knowledge to enjoy a 20 year career in broadcasting when his coaching days ended. Great stories from the Undertaker's son. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Peter Stastny grew up in what was then Czechoslovakia, helping that country win 2 World Championships in the 70's. He then fled to North America in a cloak and dagger escape that is the stuff of movies, and embarked on a Hall of Fame career in Quebec with the Nordiques. For an encore? As GM he led his native Slovakia to a World Championship of its own in 2002, and then served a decade in the European Parliament representing his country. Truly amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...
Joe Washington talks about his legendary high school career in Texas, his years at Oklahoma on some of the great NCAA teams of all time, and then an NFL career that included Pro Bowls, Super Bowls, and playing for and with Joe Gibbs, Mercury Morris, Bert Jones, Joe Theismann, and John Riggins. He also tells the story behind those iconic silver cleats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Buck Williams tells some great stories about growing up in rural North Carolina, playing in the cauldron that is ACC basketball at Maryland, and then an NBA career that included long stays in New Jersey and Portland playing with, for, and against, some real legends. Fun stories from one of the greatest rebounders of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is considered one of the greatest post-season players of all time. The '93 World Series MVP is also one of only 5 men in MLB history to bat .300, get 3,000 hits and steal 500 bases. Listen for some great stories as he talks about playing with Gorman Thomas, Rollie Fingers, Robin Yount, Dave Parker, Joe Carter, Kirby Puckett and many others. None other than Ted Williams said 'I see Joe DiMaggio' when he watched Molly bat. Doesn't get any better than that. Learn more abo...
Hall of Famer Rick Barry made the All Star team each of his first 12 years in the NBA and ABA. He played for championship squads in both leagues, and was named to the 50th and 75th Anniversary teams. He is the only man to have won scoring titles at the NCAA, ABA, and NBA levels. And in addition to being a 2-time all state basketball player in HS, he was also 2-time all state in baseball. Great stories from a legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Shutt tells some great stories about his career in Montreal. It was once said of him that "when you say the name Steve Shutt, you think of two things: goals and Stanley Cups." Hard to imagine a bigger compliment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nolan Cromwell was one of the greatest athletes of his era. All-State in football, basketball, and track in high school, he then went to Kansas where he was an All Big 8 defensive back early on, and then an Honorable Mention All American QB. He also competed in the decathlon against Bruce Jenner (he lost) and qualified for the '76 Olympics as a hurdler. And then all he did was play 11 years in the NFL as an All Pro Safety for the Rams, 4x being named Defensive Back of the Year for the League. Gr...
After his playing career at Alabama ended, Danny Ford would become the youngest Head Coach in history to win a National Championship when his 1981 Clemson Tigers knocked off Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Through his career his teams beat squad's coached by the likes of Joe Paterno, Woody Hayes, Vince Dooley, Barry Switzer, Bobby Bowden, and Tom Osborne. Ever humble, he makes clear that his kids won those games, not him. Listen for some great stories from a fun era in college football. Learn more ...
The NFL Network ranked John Hannah as the greatest Guard in NFL history. Bear Bryant called him the greatest offensive linemen he ever saw. Grab a seat and listen to John "Hog" Hannah talk about his days growing up in Alabama, playing for the Bear, and then his 13 years in New England and the NFL.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Whether leading the Houston Oilers to consecutive AFC Championship games, whipping a football 87 yards downfield (true story), or winning drag races vs 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits, Dan Pastorini has always been a 'must-see' athlete. On the latest Chasing Hardware, Dan and I talk about being drafted by the Mets, his Santa Clara years, and being part of the first 'Year of the Quarterback' draft class along with Jim Plunkett and Archie Manning. Great stories from the leader of the 'Luv Ya Blue' Oilers....
Cowboys legend Charlie Waters discusses his career in Dallas where he played in 5 Super Bowls, winning 2. He is still tied for the most postseason interceptions all time, and along with Cliff Harris formed one of the greatest safety tandems ever. Fun stories from a mainstay of the Doomsday Defenses of the 70's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Larry Robinson's name appears on the Stanley Cup an astounding 10 times; 6 as a Hall of Fame Defenseman for Montreal, 2 as an assistant coach with New Jersey, 1 as the head coach for New Jersey, and 1 as an executive with St Louis. Also, he is the NHL's all time leader in +/- at +722, over 25% ahead of the next closest, Bobby Orr. Listen as Larry tells some great stories about legendary players and teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Rob McClanahan was one of the leading scorers on the most iconic team in US sports history, the 1980 Miracle squad at Lake Placid. He was on the ice for the last crazed minutes of the seminal Russia game, and two days later his his 3rd period goal vs Finland clinched the gold medal. In addition to the many stories about Herb Brooks and that Olympic team, he also talks about his days growing up in Minnesota and playing at the 'U', and then his years in the NHL. Great stories from an American spor...
Bill Raftery had a stellar career as a player in New Jersey and at LaSalle, and then went on to coaching success at FDU and Seton Hall. But 42 years ago he turned to broadcasting, and a Hall of Fame career began. When we are not talking 'onions' and 'Send it in Jerome', we are talking about all the players, coaches, and broadcasters he has crossed paths with (and maybe bent an elbow with) over the last 4+ decades. Great stories from a legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...
Lou Whitaker formed one half of the greatest double play combination in Major League Baseball history. He went to 5 All Star games, won 4 Gold Gloves and 3 Silver Slugger awards. His WAR is 7th highest all-time among second basemen, and of the 6 in front of him, 4 played before WWII. He was also a key member on one of the greatest teams ever, the 1984 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers. Listen for some great stories and observations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
On the latest Chasing Hardware, Hall of Famer Dan Hampton talks about his days at Arkansas and then with the iconic Bears of the 80s. He was one of the anchors of the '85 defense which is heralded as the best of all time. Tons of great stories about playing for Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan, as well as Frank Broyles, Lou Holtz, Jimmy Johnson, and Monte Kiffin, and alongside legends like Dent, Mongo, Singletary, and Walter Payton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jan Stenerud's path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame might be the least likely of all enshrines. He was a ski jumper from Norway on scholarship at Montana St when he got discovered almost by accident. 27 years later he was the first pure kicker ever to put on a gold jacket. Great stories from a football legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dan Dierdorf grew up a mile and change from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He went to the groundbreaking in 1962. What he never would have guessed on that day was that 34 years later, after a stellar career both at Michigan and then with the St Louis Cardinals, he himself would be putting on a gold jacket and finding his place among the immortals of the game. Beyond that, all he did was spend 30 years in the broadcast booth alongside the likes of Bob Costas, Verne Lundquist, Dick...
Rick Dempsey was one of the best defensive catchers of his generation, and he caught 11 different 20-game winners over his career (as well as 4 19-game winners). He elevated his play in the post-season, batting 70 points above his career average while leading the '83 Orioles (he was MVP) and '88 Dodgers to World Series titles. Hear some great stories about playing for Billy Martin (2x), Earl Weaver, and Tommy Lasorda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Basketball Hall of Famer Rudy Tomjanovich talks about his days at Michigan and then his amazing 33-year run in the Rockets organization. He led Houston to two titles, and then coached the US men to Olympic gold in 2000 in Sydney. Great stories from a basketball legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the last 50 years, 9 managers have won multiple World Series titles. Tom Kelly is one of them. The Minnesota Twins championship in 1991 is arguably the greatest WS ever; it featured 5 1-run games, 4 games decided on the final play, 3 extra-inning contests, and a 10-inning, 1-0 win in Game 7 that is one of the most iconic games in MLB history. Hear all the stories from a Twins legend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
The latest Chasing Hardware features an interview with Super Bowl XXV MVP OJ Anderson. OJ was one of the players who laid the foundation for the Miami Hurricanes' rise to prominence. He was a perennial 1,000 yard rusher with the Cardinals where he was both Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler. And then, after a trade to the Giants, he racked up 2 Super Bowl wins, scoring TDs in each, and was voted Comeback Player of the Year in 1989. Listen for some great stories from a Hurricane, Cardinal, and G...
Ken Bowman was the primary Center on Vince Lombardi's last 3 Championship teams. Those Packers are 1 of only 2 squads in NFL history to win 3 straight titles, and the other was over 90 years ago. In the legendary Ice Bowl game, he was a key figure on one of the most heralded game-winning drives in NFL lore, and he and Jerry Kramer teamed up to make one of the most iconic blocks ever, paving the way for Bart Starr's go-ahead touchdown. Listen for some great stories from a guy who was in the middl...
