Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 384 King McClure is a former college basketball player with the Baylor Bears. Coming out of high school, King was ranked the 36th player overall on ESPN's 100 high school list in 2015 but his basketball career almost didn't happen because of a heart ailment. In late September, King signed a deal to become a basketball analyst for ESPN On this episode of the podcast, we learn the basketball journey of King McClure, making the decision to play at Baylor, how his faith helped him through the news of his heart ailment, being told he couldn't play in the NBA, and trusting God through it all.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 383 Melanie Newman is a broadcasting pioneer. She is one of only five women in the nation to call play-by-play for a professional affiliated baseball team.  The versatile talent is the lead broadcaster for the Salem Red Sox (Boston's High A affiliate) and serves as the sideline reporter for Liberty University football games for ESPN plus.  She is a former play-by-play broadcaster for Texas Rangers AA affiliate in Frisco, host for WKSY-TV, Media Communications Coordinator for the Arizona Fall League, announcer, host and correspondent for the Mobile BayBears (ARI-AA), Atlantic Sun Conference and Sun Belt Conference. A Troy University graduate, Melanie majored in Broadcast Journalism and earned a double minor in Leadership Studies and Sports Information. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Melanie about her crazy broadcasting grind, her viral reporting moment at Liberty Football's home opener, being a baseball broadcasting pioneer, encouraging young media professionals and why living for Christ is her greatest goal.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

David Johnson is an NFL running back with the Arizona Cardinals. He was selected in the third round (86th overall) by Arizona in the 2015 NFL Draft.  Today we throw it back to October 2017 and our interview with David on Episode 45 of the podcast where we ask him how his faith grew coming into the league as a rookie.  You can listen to the entire interview with David here, or by searching his name and Sports Spectrum on Apple podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio or everywhere podcasts are found. 

Episode 382 Danny Graves is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1994 MLB Amateur Draft by Cleveland and made his MLB debut two years later with the Indians in July of 1996. He would go on to pitch for ten more years for three different teams, accumulating 182 career saves and two appearances in the MLB All-Star Game (2000, 2004).  Danny is the only Vietnam-born player in the history of Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcasting analyst with the Cincinnati Reds Radio Network.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Danny about being born in Vietnam in 1973, pitching in the steroids era, how his faith helped save him during a difficult time of depression and drugs and his favorite All-Star game memories.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com  You can watch Danny's appearance on HBO's Real Sports by clicking here. 

Episode 381 Collin Radack just finished up his second season as the hitting coach for the Richmond Spiders.  An All-American outfielder, Radack was drafted in the 20th Round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played in 203 games during his minor league career before retiring to begin coaching. Over his three-year playing career, Radack advanced as high as Double A, playing with the Springfield Cardinals in the Texas League. He finished his professional career with a .279 average with 33 extra-base hits including five home runs.    While a player at Hendrix, Radack ended his career with school records in games played, starts, at bats, runs, hits, triples, intentional walks, stolen bases and fielding percentage. He is also tied for first in total bases, second in doubles and hit by pitch, third in average, fourth in on base percentage and stolen base percentage and fifth in RBI.   In 2017, Radack walked away from pro baseball at the age of 25 and is now devoted to using the game of baseball as a ministry to make disciples and share God's love.  On this episode of the podcast we talk to Collin about his role with Richmond, why the offseason is vital in developing as an athlete, his journey to pro baseball, walking away at age 25 and his desire to make disciples.  For more information, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 380 Jonathan Isaac is a forward for the Orlando Magic in the NBA. Selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Magic, Jonathan is beginning his third pro season. In his rookie year of 2017-18, Isaac struggled on the court with injuries, but grew personally and spiritually, beginning his walk with Jesus. In 2018-19, he was able to remain healthy and was a key contributor on a team that reached the playoffs averaging 9.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and starting 64 of the 75 games he appeared in.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Jonathan about his second NBA season, how his faith has grown, traveling overseas in the offseason, the state of faith in the NBA and how Jonathan continues to be outspoken about Jesus with his platform increasing.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

On this bonus episode of the podcast, we talk to author and evangelist Ravi Zacharias.  Ravi is the president and founder of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and the author of numerous books including "Can Man Live Without God" and "The Grand Weaver." Ravi is one of the most respected voices on the Christian faith and speaks to audiences across the world about the saving grace of Jesus. On Friday, October 4, 2019 at 730pm, Ravi will team up with Tim Tebow for an event titled "Face to Face," where they will demonstrate the value of in-person conversation through a night of honest discussion about challenges faced, lessons learned and insight into living intentionally in today's culture. You can watch Ravi and Tim's "Face to Face" event here.   On the podcast, Ravi shares his testimony of coming to faith and how he almost ended his life as a teenager until Christ transformed and changed everything. We also talk to Ravi about how sports can be such a great outlet to share the Gospel and what living intentionally in a world of distraction and technology looks like. 

Episode 379 Taurus Montgomery is a pastor at Pioneer Memorial Church Harbor of Hope in Michigan and is the author of the book "Set On Fire: How Life's Devastations Can Lead You To Your Destiny." From age 12 to 19, Taurus was trapped in a lifestyle of crime, fast money, and drug abuse. His bad decisions led to poor academic performance and wasted athletic opportunities. His life took a turn when one night of devastation changed his destination. He has since traveled the world sharing his inspiring story in places such as Zambia, Indian, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and Mexico.  On this episode of the podcast, we learn about Taurus Montgomery, his incredible story of perseverance and forgiveness and how God brought him out of a life of crime and drugs to a life of purpose and meaning.  You can learn more about Taurus at his website, TaurusMontgomery.com 

Jeremy Affeldt pitched 14 seasons in Major League Baseball from 2002-2015 and is the recipient of three World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Today we look back to May of 2018, Episode 111 of the podcast and our conversation with Jeremy where he shares an awesome story of pitching in the clinching game of the 2012 World Series and how God really worked in his life at that time.  You can listen to the entire interview with Jeremy Affeldt by clicking here, or by searching his name on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio or anywhere podcasts are listened to.

Episode 378 Kent Bottenfield is the head baseball coach for Palm Beach Atlantic University. The former MLB pitcher was selected in the fourth round of the 1986 draft by the Montreal Expos. He made his MLB debut on July 6, 1992, for Montreal and went on to play 10 MLB seasons with the Expos, Rockies, Giants, Cubs, Cardinals, Angels, Phillies and Astros. In 1999, Bottenfield was named to the National League All-Star team in a year that saw him go 18-7 with St. Louis. In February 2012, he replaced Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter as the new head coach for Palm Beach Atlantic. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Bottenfield about his MLB career, pitching in the steroid era, the McGwire/Sosa home run chase in 1998, how former teammate Gary Carter influenced his faith, and the unfortunate circumstances that led him to becoming the coach at Palm Beach Atlantic. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com