Profiles In Sports

In a career that covered 24 seasons and four decades, Rick Dempsey possessed endearing qualities as both a durable catcher and a unique personality. Our lineup of topics discussed with Rick includes: -His relationship with his Orioles Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver -How the World Series loss in 1979 to the Pittsburgh Pirates was motivation to winning it all in 1983 against the Philadelphia Phillies, a series in which he was named the Most Valuable Player -His heavyweight home plate collision with Bo Jackson -The inspiration behind his comic “rain delay theater” Photo courtesy of The Baltimore Sun Audio clips courtesy of ABC Sports and This Week in Baseball’s Greatest Plays by Major League Baseball Productions

The 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates, as he put it, were a team of destiny. Dick Groat, the National League’s Most Valuable Player that season, was one of many key contributors who led the Bucs to their first title in 35 years – culminating in the unforgettable Game 7 bottom-of-the-ninth home run off the bat of Bill Mazeroski. An MVP and two World Series rings are feats not many major leaguers get to experience. But Groat has an additional accomplishment on his athletic resume – a two-time All-American basketball player at Duke University and a short stint in the NBA before choosing to stick with baseball. That knowledge and love of basketball hasn’t left him, and is currently used in his long-standing position as radio analyst for the Pittsburgh Panthers. Photo courtesy of SI.com Audio clips courtesy of “1960 World Series Film” by Major League Baseball Productions, “Baseball: Inning 8 by Ken Burns, and IMG College Audio Network

The 1986 Mets didn’t just dominate the major league competition. They ruled New York City in a way that hasn’t been matched since. Filmmaker Heather Quinlan is in the late stages of developing a documentary on this team that won 108 games with brash and bravado and would go on to capture the World Series over the Boston Red Sox with a remarkable comeback spirit. For more on the project, including interview clips with Dwight Gooden, Mookie Wilson, Bill Buckner, Lenny Dykstra, and Kevin Mitchell, go to http://86metsmovie.com. Part of this episode also features sound from the music video “Let’s Go Mets,” created in 1986 by Shelly Palmer and available on iTunes. Photo courtesy of metshotcorner.com Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports, “Let’s Go Mets” by Shelly Palmer, and “1986 Mets: A Year to Remember” by Major League Baseball Productions

The list of accomplishments in the storied life of Lawrence Peter Berra is just about as long as the many endearing and humorous quotes that will forever make him the indelible Yogi. But there could very well be one more honor headed his way in the near future. Thanks to a petition initiated by the board members of his learning museum in New Jersey and signed by thousands of admiring fans, this all-time great is under consideration from the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Lindsay Berra speaks on her grandfather’s legacy as a Hall of Fame catcher and citizen. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Berra Audio clips courtesy of Baseball: Inning 7 by Ken Burns, NBC Sports, and WCBS-TV New York

There was plenty to talk about with the veteran of 15 big league seasons and 176 wins – from his college days at St. John’s to the grand stage of the World Series to coaching some of the top young arms of the New York Mets’ minor league system – and “Sweet Music” was happy to oblige. Among the topics discussed with Frank Viola: -His role in what many consider to be the greatest game in college baseball history, when he and Ron Darling dueled into extra innings during the 1981 NCAA Northeast Regional -The Minnesota Twins’ run through the 1987 postseason, ultimately leading to the franchise’s first title and the World Series MVP -How the assignment of pitching Game 1 of that ’87 World Series conflicted with another major responsibility -The Cy Young Award-winning season of 1988, in which he tallied 24 victories -Why attaining his 20th victory of the 1990 season for New York wasn’t without a moment of public embarrassment -His thoughts on the potential of the current crop of talented Mets pitchers

The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony isn’t just a special time for those honored. It’s a focal point of the baseball calendar – when the sport has its eyes on Cooperstown and when many fans of the game make the trek to the tiny village in upstate New York. But, in fact, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum is a year-long attraction for the history buffs of our national pastime. President Jeff Idelson plays a key role in helping preserve that history. In addition to discussing this year’s Hall of Fame class, Jeff talked about his background in baseball, how the museum obtains the materials for some of its exhibits, and how it will deal the dilemmas surrounding performance enhancing drug users. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of Fox Sports Houston, WNYW (New York), CBS Sports, and Turner Sports

Having earned plaudits as one of baseball's best and most respected journalists, Tom Verducci embarks on his second turn as an All-Star Game color analyst for FOX. Here's a lineup of some of the topics discussed: -The 1970 All-Star Game, which also took place in Cincinnati, and showcased the competitiveness of Pete Rose -Memories of watching the Midsummer Classic as a youngster, covering it as a reporter, and broadcasting it from the TV booth last year -His thoughts on the Franchise Four voting, which is set to be revealed at Great American Ballpark in a pregame ceremony Photo courtesy of onwardstate.com Audio clips courtesy of WLW-AM and NBC Sports

One of the stars who powered the Big Red Machine, Tony Perez' standout years in Cincinnati earned him a ticket to the Hall of Fame. In total, he played 23 seasons with the Reds, Red Sox, Expos and Phillies. Among the topics discussed: -How those who have recently made the daunting journey from Cuba to the United States relate to his transition in 1960 at age 17. -His critical home run in the sixth inning of Game 7 of the 1975 World Series, which got the Reds on track toward the victory over Boston. -Election into the Hall in 2000 after nine turns on the ballot, becoming the first Cuban-born player to receive that honor -Historical comparisons to Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and the National Baseball Hall of Fame

From the high of being an All-Star starting pitcher to the low of homelessness, J.R. Richard has experienced both extremes. By 1980, he had established himself as the most intimidating pitcher in the game – coming off of two consecutive 300-plus strikeout seasons and helping lead the Houston Astros into pennant contention. But in late July, the 30-year-old suffered a major stroke, and would never pitch in the majors again. Within 15 years, he would hit rock bottom. Financial issues led to him living under a bridge in Houston – a mere eight miles from the Astrodome. It’s been only positive since then, as he now serves his community and has penned a new book, “Still Throwing Heat.” Photo courtesy of Bill Ames/Triumph Books Audio clips courtesy of ABC Sports

In a straight-laced sport such as baseball, Bill Lee – better known as “Spaceman” – was a distinctive personality. Through 14 big league seasons and 119 victories, he was as crafty on the mound as he was opinionated off of it. But Lee has defied age by pitching competitively into his late 60s. So, even though he may have left the majors in 1982, Bill Lee has really never left baseball. It only makes sense that this outrageous character will be the subject of a biographical film based on one of Lee's books, with Josh Duhamel in the lead role. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and “Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey” by Mangito Enterprises

Jackie, Pee Wee, Duke, Campanella, and Hodges – names that still resonate strongly in the borough of Brooklyn and make up one of the most indelible teams in baseball history. Another name that will long be remembered is Carl Erskine, a right-hander who threw two no-hitters, won 20 games in 1953, and set a then-World Series single game record that same year with 14 strikeouts. But the greatest memory of his career, along with the careers of those other great players, has to be the 1955 World Series – as the Dodgers broke through to finally win a long-awaited championship over the crosstown rival New York Yankees. Photo courtesy of Dodger Insider Audio clips courtesy of “Baseball: Inning 6” by Ken Burns, “1955 World Series Film” by MLB Productions, and “Baseball: Inning 7” by Ken Burns

From the Dave Winfield sweepstakes to Fernandomania, Pete Rose’s National League hit record to the comeback Dodgers ultimately capturing the World Series, the 1981 season -- and the winter that preceded it -- wasn’t lacking for storylines. But the biggest news was about the games that weren’t played. A players strike in June caused a rupture in the schedule, in addition to the obvious division between the owners and their high-priced employees. Jeff Katz, author of “Split Season” (not to mention the mayor of Cooperstown, NY), details this historic year in baseball – both on the field and in the boardroom. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of KABC, NBC Sports, and ABC Sports

He was not your prototypical power hitter. Yet Jimmy Wynn slugged 20 or more home runs eight times during his 15-year career. Seven of those seasons were while wearing the colors of the Houston Astros – and dealing with the pitcher-friendly dimensions of the Astrodome. But the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” which opened 50 years ago, was much more than just a spacious ballpark. It was the first fully air-conditioned multipurpose domed stadium, and brought about many revolutionary and radical innovations. Among other topics, “The Toy Cannon” recalls his memories of playing in the Astrodome during its early days, his resurgence with the pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974, and speaks on his most towering homer. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of Universal Newsreel, MLB Productions, and NBC Sports

Once an established pitcher and now a respected broadcaster, Jim Kaat has been one of baseball's finest representatives. Soon after his 25-year playing career ended, Kaat seamlessly transitioned from sporting a glove to using a microphone. He's been a lead color analyst on MLB Network since 2009. But from 1995-2006, he did local broadcasts for the New York Yankees. Those years, plus his stint in pinstripes as a player, make up most of the stories found in his new book, "If These Walls Could Talk: New York Yankees." Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of "1965 World Series Film" by MLB Home Video, NBC Sports, MSG Network, and MLB Network

Trying to describe Billy Martin in one word is no easy task. Belligerent, mercurial, intelligent, aggressive, confusing, and insightful would all qualify. Because of that, he can best be remembered as a complex character. Bill Pennington’s new book, "Billy Martin: Baseball’s Flawed Genius", describes the former Yankee player and manager’s life in great detail – from his upbringing in Berkley, CA to his untimely death in a car accident in upstate New York, as well as every significant moment in-between. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and MLB Productions

Some players deal with obstacles on their road to achieving Major League status. But Jim Abbott is in a class all his own. As has been well documented over the years, Abbott was born without a right hand. Nonetheless, he pursued baseball – despite a steepened learning curve. He would be more than up to that challenge. Not only did he succeed immensely as a pitcher in high school and college, Abbott earned a complete game victory in the gold medal game of the 1988 Summer Olympics. Those accomplishments, though, paled in comparison to his no-hitter in 1993 against the Cleveland Indians – as this unlikely story added one more incredible chapter. Today, Abbott is a motivational speaker – giving further inspiration to those with similar adversities. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and MSG Network

Babe Ruth’s legacy is eternal. That statement holds true some 80 years after he played his final big league game. From a stellar pitching record with the Boston Red Sox to an unbelievable home run-hitting ability that had been unseen before, Ruth’s career leaves little doubt as to who is baseball’s all-time greatest player. The Babe’s only living daughter, 98-year-old Julia Ruth Stevens, was more than happy to share some fond memories of her famous father. Photo courtesy of TenSportsClub.com Audio clips courtesy of “Just Pals”, “Baseball: Inning 4” by Ken Burns, MLB Productions and “Baseball: Inning 6” by Ken Burns

The average Major League Baseball career today lasts 5.6 years. Jerry Reuss had nearly four times that length. During his 22 seasons, this left-handed starting pitcher won 220 games, played on seven different teams and earned a World Series ring as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 – with the help of his Game 5 victory. Tales of more than two decades at the game’s highest level is described in his 2014 book, "Bring in the Right-Hander!", and is also shared in our discussion. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of KTVU-TV and ABC Sports

There’s no denying Pete Rose’s place among the greatest and most passionate players the game has ever seen. However, the man with the most hits in baseball history is still without a Hall of Fame plaque. That doesn’t do much to suppress the outpouring of support from his legions of fans – including Terry Lukemire, who grew up following the Reds in the heyday of “The Big Red Machine.” His 2010 documentary is just a small example of how Rose continues to be revered in Cincinnati even though he may not yet be recognized in Cooperstown. For more on Lukemire’s film, go to www.4192movie.com Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of “4192: The Crowning of the Hit King”, MLB Productions and WLWT-TV

The national pastime in our nation’s capital is a perfect match. But it wasn’t too long ago that baseball was absent from Washington D.C. – a 33-year break, to be specific. Then came the Washington Nationals nearly ten years ago. It was a much-anticipated moment for the city – especially for long-standing residents who went as much as three decades without a ballclub. Among them was Phil Wood, whose childhood includes following both versions of the Senators. The longtime Washington baseball historian reflects on the evolution of Nationals franchise since 2005 and the events that preceded its arrival. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of WWDC-FM and WJFK-FM