Profiles In Sports

The name ‘Andretti’ is forever synonymous with racing excellence. Mario forged an unmatched legacy that continues to this day. Having won – among countless other accomplishments – the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula One World Championship, he’s the only man to achieve this remarkable feat. As we reach the 100th edition of the Indy 500, the legendary driver talks about his 1969 victory, as well as the many near misses by him and his family. Photo courtesy of Formula1.com Audio clips courtesy of ABC Sports and YouTube

By 1975, Muhammad Ali had ascended to world icon status and, arguably, the most recognizable figure of that day. Ali’s magnetism drew the attention of many, including Tim Shanahan. Soon after they first met, this relationship evolved into morning runs together, which then developed into a close friendship that has now spanned more than 40 years and is detailed in his newly-released book, appropriately titled “Running with the Champ.” Photo courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio clips courtesy of HBO Sports and ABC Sports

The Indianapolis 500 can produce spectacular highs and devastating lows – a gamut of emotions that make it one of the best one-day sporting events. For Bobby Rahal, the 1986 edition proved to be his greatest moment in a successful career. With a dramatic pass in the final laps, he earned an emotional victory for his ailing car owner. Rahal would go on to win three CART season championships (1986, ’87, ’92), and would later enjoy Indy glory as an owner in 2004. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of ABC Sports

No gymnast in U.S. history has had a more decorated career. Shannon Miller came onto the world stage at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where she earned three bronze medals and two silvers. Gold would come four years later in Atlanta, in the form of an individual honor on the balance beam and also as part of an unforgettable group that captured the all-around team competition -- while capturing the hearts of the country in the process. By battling and beating cancer in 2011, she became a further inspiration to the many others battling this disease. Photo courtesy of archive.feedblitz.com Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports

Jackie Robinson’s legacy as a Hall of Fame player and a civil rights pioneer is one that will endure forever. His breaking of the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947 makes him the most significant figure in the history of our national pastime. But there’s much more to the story, as Ken Burns depicts in his latest work, “Jackie Robinson”, a two-part, four-hour documentary which premiers April 11 and 12 on PBS. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio credit: “Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?” by Buddy Johnson and Count Basie

Golf’s greatest player on golf’s grandest stage is sure to create a memorable occasion. But the final round of the 1986 Masters took it a step further. That’s because Jack Nicklaus, at age 46 and thought to be finished as a serious contender, once more reached back and displayed the talents that made him a legend – winning a sixth green jacket and 18th major thanks to a back nine performance never to be forgotten. Making it all the more special was that “The Golden Bear” got to share this magical moment with 24-year-son Jackie, who was there as his caddy. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of CBS Sports

In the 1985 NCAA Championship, David prevailed over Goliath. Georgetown appeared invincible – seemingly on its way to a second straight national title. But that didn’t faze the underdogs from Villanova, a Big East rival who had endured two close losses to the Hoyas during the regular season. Using familiarity, and by connecting on an amazing 79 percent of their field goal attempts, the eighth-seeded Wildcats – led by Ed Pinckney – stunned the basketball world with a 66-64 win and the school’s first NCAA crown. The victory would be extra special for the senior forward from The Bronx, who was named the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player. Photo courtesy of BET.com Audio clips courtesy of CBS Sports

Through their supremacy on the field and their escapades off of it, the 1986 New York Mets remain one of the Big Apple’s most memorable teams – not to mention one of the best. With an entertainment value worthy of the Broadway stage, much has been written about that season itself – as well the aftermath – in the three decades since the dramatic seven-game World Series triumph over the Boston Red Sox. But thanks to author Erik Sherman’s latest work, "Kings of Queens: Life Beyond Baseball with the ’86 Mets", many relatively unknown and captivating stories of are unearthed. Photo courtesy of Penguin Books Audio Courtesy of “Mets 1986: A Year to Remember”, ABC Sports, NBC Sports, and “Great Sports Moments of the ‘80s”

It’s one of the true rarities in team sports: perfection. For men’s college basketball, the last group to achieve this feat was Indiana University – 40 years ago. The starting guard and co-captain of that revered 1976 squad recalls the close calls encountered on the road to 32-0, how the team of the previous season was equally – if not more – capable of also going unbeaten, as well as the Hoosiers’ accomplished and intense head coach, Bob Knight. Photo courtesy of Malcolm Emmons/USA Today Sports Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and CBS Sports

When the final buzzer sounded on the 1966 NCAA Championship between Texas Western and Kentucky little did anyone in attendance at Cole Field House in College Park, Md know the impact of the Miners’ 72-65 victory. Don Haskins’ team – and its five African-American starters – beat Adolph Rupp’s top-ranked Wildcats – and their five white starters – in a game that did more than simply alter the course of college athletics. Three members of that Texas Western starting lineup helped commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic event: guard Willie Worsley, center David Lattin, and forward Willie Cager. Photo courtesy of The El Paso Times Audio courtesy of YouTube and UTEP Athletics

No defense in NFL history ever enjoyed more sustained greatness than Pittsburgh’s famed “Steel Curtain.” This group played a major role in the Steelers winning four Super Bowls over a six-year span and featured four eventual Hall of Famers. Among this collection of stars was Ham, the premiere outside linebacker of the 1970s. His quickness and intelligence would help him reach eight Pro Bowls, be named a First-team All-Pro on six occasions, and earn No. 59 a spot in Canton in 1988. Photo courtesy of Manny Rubio/NFL Photos Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals have set the standard that all other MLB clubs aspire to match. Over the past 16 seasons, they have reached the postseason 12 times, won four NL pennants and two World Series. And thanks to a farm system that is as deep as any other, they don’t seem to be letting up any time soon. Megdal discusses his newest book, “The Cardinals Way”, and how a franchise has managed to blend new wave ideals while maintaining an old school approach. Photo courtesy of St. Martin’s Press Audio courtesy of FOX Sports

His is a football life that has taken him to some of the sport's premier locations – from Green Bay to Baltimore to Tuscaloosa. He’s played for a trio of Hall of Fame coaches and was a starter in three of the first five Super Bowls – including the two that were most responsible for laying the groundwork of what we now know as America’s biggest sporting event. Photo courtesy of billcurry.net Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and CBS Sports

The former Dodgers general manager talks about how his background in journalism led to him starting out as a public relations executive, the critical moves that helped win the 1988 World Series, a trade he still regrets, and how the blockbuster deal that moved Mike Piazza out of Los Angeles in 1998 – a move made behind his back – led to dismissal after 30 years with the organization. Photo courtesy of yahoo.com Audio clips courtesy of “1988 World Series Film” by MLB Productions, NBC Sports, and MLB.com

The nationally-recognized writer is back for a second straight year on the show to discuss all things Hall of Fame – including the recent voting results, the legacies of Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza, as well as a preview of what’s to come for 2017. Audio courtesy of MLB Network, “The Dan Patrick Show”/Premiere Radio Networks, ABC Sports, MLB.com, and NBC Sports Photo courtesy of The Associated Press

Joe Jackson, Lefty Williams, Happy Felsch, Buck Weaver, Swede Risberg, Chick Gandil, Eddie Cicotte, Fred McMullin. Eight names forever linked in baseball infamy. They, of course, are the members of the Chicago White Sox who received lifetime banishment from baseball for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series against Cincinnati. While the dark cloud that hovered over the sport would eventually fade away, the discussion hasn’t. Charles Fountain examines the myriad details in his new book, “The Betrayal,” released on October 15. Photo courtesy of Oxford University Press Audio clips courtesy of “Baseball: Inning 3” by Ken Burns

The excitement of the first five games of the 1975 World Series was nothing compared to what took place over the final two. On October 21, Fenway Park played host to arguably the greatest game in World Series history – a four hour, 12-inning classic that ended with Carlton Fisk’s unforgettable home run to keep the Red Sox alive. Game 6 is forever an all-timer, but the deciding Game 7 was also tremendous theatre – ultimately decided in the ninth. Cincinnati came out a winner, and so did baseball. Once again, taking us through the dramatic conclusion are four key figures from the series: -Fred Lynn, Red Sox center fielder as well as the ’75 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP -Tony Perez, Reds Hall of Fame first baseman who drove in 109 runs that season -Bernie Carbo, Boston outfielder and a former member of Cincinnati -Bill Lee, Red Sox left-handed starting pitcher and winner of 17 games Photo courtesy of AP Images Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports, “Baseball: Inning 8” by Ken Burns, and “1975

It wasn’t just one of the best-played World Series of all-time; it probably was the most impactful. Millions around the country were witness to a true Fall classic 40 years ago – a showdown between two talent-laden clubs that was taken to its limit. Providing first-hand accounts from this series are: -Fred Lynn, Red Sox center fielder as well as the ’75 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP -Tony Perez, Reds Hall of Fame first baseman who drove in 109 runs that season -Bernie Carbo, Boston outfielder and a former member of Cincinnati -Bill Lee, Red Sox left-handed starting pitcher and winner of 17 games In Part 1 of a two-part retrospective, we look back at the build-up to this match-up, the pitching prowess of Luis Tiant in Games 1 and 4, and the controversy that ensued in Game 3. Photo courtesy of sikids.com Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and “1975 World Series Film” by MLB Productions

The story of Frank Tanana's major league career can be divided into two acts. He quickly rose to stardom with the California Angels as a strikeout pitcher – fanning as many as 269 in 1975. But a shoulder injury in 1979 necessitated a wholesale alteration to his throwing style. Tanana eventually regained a winning form, compiling 240 victories – the most notable of which occurred on the final day of the 1987 season, in which he shut out the Toronto Blue Jays to propel his hometown Detroit Tigers to the American League East title. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of MLB.com and ABC Sports

The 56-game hitting streak for Joe DiMaggio. Cal Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games played. Cy Young’s 511 victories. All are baseball records which will never be surpassed. Bob Wolff also holds an unbreakable record. Covering everything from the National Football League to the Westminster Dog Show, Wolff has been on the air since 1939. The baseball-related feats of this 1995 Hall of Fame inductee include countless interviews, being the play-by-play voice of the Washington Senators, and calling several World Series games – including the finest pitching performance in postseason history. Photo courtesy of The New York Times Audio clips courtesy of MLB.com and the National Baseball Hall of Fame