Sports Spectrum Podcast

Episode 347 Jim Leyritz played 11 years in the Major Leagues with the Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Red Sox, Padres and Dodgers. Known for his versatility, Leyritz played catcher, first base, third base and the outfield.  He was undrafted after playing his college ball at Kentucky and was signed by the New York Yankees as a free agent in 1985. Five years later, he made his New York Yankees debut on June 8, 1990. During his time with the Bronx Bombers, Leyritz hit two of the most memorable home runs in Yankees playoff history. In 1995, he hit a walk-off 15th inning home run in the 1995 Divisional Series against Seattle at Yankee Stadium to give New York a 7-5 win. One year later, in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series, Leyritz hit a game-tying three-run home run off the Braves closer Mark Wohlers that would catapult the Yankees to three straight wins and their first championship in 18 years.  After 1996, Leyritz would play for four different teams including the Angels and Rangers in 1997 along with the Red Sox and Padres in 1998. He would return to the World Series in 1998 with San Diego and again in 1999, winning his second ring with the Yankees. Jim's journey after baseball is one of fame, tragedy, redemption and faith. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jim Leyritz about his baseball success, winning two World Series titles, his post-baseball troubles away from the field, and finding freedom in Christ after returning to church in California.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 346 Danielle Scott is one of the most decorated female volleyball players of all-time. In 1993, she was the National Player of the Year and national champion with Long Beach State. A two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, she participated in five Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012). She holds the U.S. Female Volleyball athlete record for Olympic apperances and was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2016. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Danielle about her storied volleyball career and participating in the Olympics. The conversation then takes a turn as we discuss the very tragic events that occurred in November of 2018 when Danielle's sister Stefanie was killed by her estranged husband. Danielle was present that day and suffered wounds to both of her palms and her left thigh, knee and lower leg. We hear Danielle's emotional story of forgiveness, pain, and trusting in God throughout this very difficult season of life. 

Episode 345 Mike Donehey is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the award-winning Christian rock band Tenth Avenue North. Since 2000, he has been sharing the truth of the gospel in front of millions of people through song and speaking. Mike was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up a sports fan. Music wasn't on the radar. Starring on the soccer team at his high school in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Mike and his two teammates were driving to a game in September of 1998 when his Honda swerved out of control, flipped several times and crashed into a tree. Mike's injuries were numerous, a fractured skull, fractured vertebrae, 96 stitches, five days in intensive care and was told he would never walk again.  Two months later, Mike proved the doctors wrong and was up and moving and walking again. It was during that time in his recovery that he picked up a guitar for the first time and discovered a love for music that has taken him down a road he has remained on for the past 20 years.  In August of 2019, Mike released his first book, "Finding God's Life For My Will" where he shares his life story and shows why it is important to see God as the plan for our life, not as the formula to the plan. Tenth Avenue North is also releasing their new album "No Shame" on August 2, 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Mike about why he decided to write his first book, his love for sports, being "sort of" famous, being applauded for showing up to work and why he's not a fan of the term "leader."  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 344 Mark Richt is the former head football coach with the University of Georgia and the University of Miami (Fl). He played his college football with the Hurricanes from 1979-1982, serving as the backup quarterback to now hall of fame QB Jim Kelly. After stints in the NFL playing behind John Elway with the Broncos and Dan Marino with the Dolphins, Richt entered the coaching world in 1990, where he would serve as an assistant coach under Bobby Bowden at Florida State. He was a part of two national championship teams with Florida State in 1993 and 1999. In 2001, he became the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs and was named SEC Coach of the Year twice (2002, 2005). In 2016,  he moved to Miami to coach the Hurricanes. He was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2017, winning the Walter Camp Coach of the Year that same season. After the 2018 season, Richt announced his retirement from coaching and is now beginning his first year as a broadcaster with the brand new ACC Network.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Mark Richt about his decision to retire from coaching, watching football for the first time in 35 years instead of coaching, the powerful story of him coming to Christ during his time at Florida State, the impact coach Bobby Bowden had on him spiritually, and why adoption is so important to him.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Today we look back to April of 2018, Episode 100 of the Sports Spectrum podcast with softball legend Jennie Finch. Jennie is a two-time U.S. Olympic softball player. She won a gold medal in 2004 and a silver in 2008. The seven-time USA Softball world champion went to the University of Arizona, where she was a picture of pure dominance. She went 32-0 her junior year with an ERA of 0.54, 279 strikeouts and a national championship. For her four-year college career, she went 119-16, with an ERA of 1.08 and 1,028 strikeouts. She was named by the NCAA as the No. 2 greatest college softball player. In 2017, Finch was named the youth softball ambassador by Major League Baseball and despite retiring in 2011, she continues to teach young girls about the game. She holds Jennie Finch Softball Camps across the U.S. and has a softball academy at Diamond Nation in Flemington, N.J., and she also hosts the Jennie Finch World Series in Louisiana. Jennie's faith in the Lord is strong and she shares on this portion of the podcast, about where that faith was birthed in her. You can listen to the entire interview with Jennie from Episode 100 here or by searching her name on iTunes/Apple, Spotify or anywhere podcasts are listened to. 

Episode 343 Levi Wallace plays cornerback for the Bills. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by Buffalo in 2018 following a successful college career that saw him win a National Championship in 2017 with Alabama.  He started 14 games his senior year with the Crimson Tide with 3 interceptions, 46 tackles and a championship ring.  In 2018, he not only made the Bills roster, but had 7 starts, 37 combined tackles and 3 pass deflections, earning him the highest grade among all rookie cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Levi about overcoming obstacles, making the Alabama team as a walk-on, the whirlwind year of 2018, his powerful testimony of coming to Christ after his Dad's passing and his welcome to the NFL moment. 

Episode 342 Chris Young is entering his 11th year as the Director of Tennis at Oklahoma State. He's also the head women's tennis coach, having led his team for eight straight years into the NCAA Tournament. He's led OSU to the National Championship game in 2016, the Elite Eight in 2017 and the Sweet Sixteen in four of the past 5 seasons. In 2019, Oklahoma State went all the way to the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament before losing to No. 1 North Carolina. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Chris about walking the walk of faith as a tennis coach, the tough challenges that come in being a college coach, how his faith has been tested in helping his wife through a health scare, and how he stays fed in his walk with God as a coach. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com.

Episode 341 Akbar Gbajabiamila is the host of NBC's Emmy-nominated obstacle course competition series American Ninja Warrior. He also hosts Universal Kids' spin-off American Ninja Warrior Junior, as well as NFL Network's NFL Fantasy Live.  A former NFL player, Akbar was signed by the Oakland Raiders in 2003 after going undrafted out of San Diego State. He played 5 seasons with the Raiders, Chargers and Dolphins before retiring in 2008. Akbar's book "Everyone Can Be a Ninja" was released in May of 2019.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Akbar about readers responding to his new book, how a dream he had challenged him in his Christian faith, having a platform to share about God with empathy and love, the greatest NFL lesson he learned, and his surprising 2019 NFL Super Bowl prediction.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 340 Donnell Jones is the character coach for the University of Maryland Men's Basketball and Football teams. He's also the chaplain for the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the lead pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Washington D.C.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Donnell about his involvement with the Nations of Coaches, wearing the different hats of husband, dad, character coach, chaplain and lead pastor, his powerful story of crying out to God in his lowest point and how he was able to reconcile with the son he had never met. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 339 Jordan and Mary Richards are our guests on this edition of the podcast. Jordan is a safety with the Oakland Raiders. He was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He's been a part of two Super Bowl teams and won a ring with the Patriots Super Bowl LI win over the Falcons in 2017.  On August 31, 2018, Richards was traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a conditional 2020 seventh-round draft pick and then signed a 1-year deal in March of 2019 with the Raiders.  Jordan and Mary married in 2018 and on this episode of the podcast, share their journey of marriage, faith and football, preparing for a new season in Oakland, appearing on HBO's Hard Knocks, and at the end of the interview, make a big announcement.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com