Profiles In Sports

As the first player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season, Lynn helped lead the Boston Red Sox to the 1975 American League pennant and into a classic World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. He made the All-Star Game nine times and had a penchant for daring outfield play over the course of his 16 big league seasons. In our interview, Lynn discusses his most memorable All-Star outing as well as his noted fielding style – along with his memories of the seven-game Fall Classic that took place nearly 40 years ago. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and MLB Productions

It’s only appropriate that we talk baseball movies with the Academy Awards upcoming. The Washington Post movie critic provides her take on some of the noteworthy films – such as Field of Dreams, Pride of the Yankees, Moneyball and Eight Men Out. Photo from Orion Pictures/Bull Durham Audio clips from Orion Pictures/Bull Durham, Columbia Pictures/Moneyball, Warner Bros. Pictures/42, and MGM/Eight Men Out

The former Kansas City Royals slugger discusses his historic performance in the 1980 World Series, his severe involvement with cocaine and subsequent prison sentences, as well as his road to redemption. Aikens' biography, "Safe at Home" by Gregory Jordan, can be purchased at Amazon and other places books are sold. Photo courtesy of Getty Images Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports and HBO/"Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel"

The author of the newly-released book, "Marvin Miller, Baseball Revolutionary" discusses the moments that made him one of the sport's most important figures -- including the death of the long-standing reserve clause in 1975. Photo courtesy of USATSI Audio clip courtesy of "Baseball: Inning 9" by Ken Burns

During Marvin Miller’s tenure as the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, average player salary increased from $19,000 to over $240,000. Today, this union is acknowledged as one of the strongest labor organizations in the United States. Simply put, Miller changed baseball and the business of sports. That point is emphasized further by author Robert F. Burk in his new book, "Marvin Miller, Baseball Revolutionary." In Part 1 of our two-part interview, Burke discusses Miller’s life in the labor movement prior to involvement in baseball, his early years as the head of MLB’s players union, and the relationship he had with long-time commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Photo courtesy of snipview.com Audio clips courtesy of ‘Baseball: Inning 8’ by Ken Burns

Reaching a goal he had set out since youth, Brian Jordan distinguished himself with a feat rarely achieved in the world of athletics. Jordan’s professional career began as a safety with the Atlanta Falcons, where he played three seasons and became a Pro Bowl alternate in 1991. Then, it was on to the diamond – beginning with the St. Louis Cardinals. His stay in the major leagues lasted much longer – a 15-year career that was highlighted by four seasons of 20 or more home runs, a lifetime batting average of .282 as well as an All-Star selection and a World Series appearance in 1999. Brian Jordan dreamed big. Now, he encourages today’s youngsters to do the same through his charitable organization. For more on the Brian Jordan Foundation, visit brianjordanfoundation.com. Photos courtesy of sikids.com and 0hs.eu Audio clips courtesy of NFL Films and NBC Sports/Major League Baseball

In basic medical terms, it’s an ulner collateral ligament replacement procedure. In more understandable baseball terms, it’s Tommy John Surgery. A medical operation that is certainly one of the hot-button issues in the game today has its origins back to 1974, when Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe and left-hander Tommy John collaborated on a revolutionary treatment with the hopes of saving John’s pitching elbow as well as his Major League career. It became a wondrous success – and baseball has never been the same since. For more on Tommy John’s career and his “Let’s Do It” Foundation, visit tommyjohn25.com. Photo courtesy of horsehidetrivia.blogspot.com Audio clips courtesy of NBC Sports, MLB Productions, WAVY-TV Hampton Roads, and Fox Sports 1

For "postgame" analysis on last week's Hall of Fame vote, we had the pleasure of talking with two BBWAA members to discuss their own ballots, the voting results, and preview the 2016 candidates. Barry Bloom is an MLB.com national reporter who has more than 35 years of sports journalism experience – including a lengthy stint with the San Diego Union-Tribune, where he regularly covered the brilliant career of Tony Gwynn. He has his own blog, Boomskie on Baseball, and can be followed on Twitter (@boomskie). An author of four books, Joe Posnanski has been an NBC Sports national columnist since February 2013. Prior, he wrote for Sports Illustrated, Sports on Earth as well as The Kansas City Star (among other ventures) and has been the recipient of many awards for his work. He, too, has his own blog (Joe Blogs) and is @JPosnanski on Twitter. Photo courtesy of USA Today Audio clips courtesy of Associated Press and MLB Network

No other professional sports franchise has altered the course of human evolution like the Chicago Cubs. That is proven in great detail by author Scott Rowan in his recently-released book, "The Cubs Quotient: How the Chicago Cubs Changed the World." Nearly 200 stories, spread over 77 chapters, cover this team’s influence on various aspects of our society: from White House scandals to secret societies; firsts in medicine, psychology, architecture, music and race relations; covert relationships with underworld figures and unknown connections to some of the most notorious figures in American history. For more on "The Cubs Quotient," visit sherpamultimedia.com. Rowan’s book can purchased on Amazon.com as well as other retailers. Photo courtesy of lasordaslair.com

Determined, passionate, proud, talented -- all apt descriptions for Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. He was intent on not just earning respect for his play on the field, but to provide a charitable impact on communities less fortunate -- especially those in his native Puerto Rico. With 3,000 hits, four batting titles, two World Series rings, 12 consecutive gold gloves, many posthumous dedications as well as a litany of fans and players that revere him still, there's no doubt he accomplished those goals. It was a life well-lived, but a life that came to an untimely and tragic end on Dec. 31, 1972, when he was killed in a plane crash en route to aid earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Many thanks to Roberto Clemente Jr. for joining us as we honor the memory of his father on the anniversary of that fateful day. Photo courtesy of ct.gov Audio clips courtesy of MLB.com

'Baseball', a nine-part documentary by Ken Burns that premiered in September 1994, chronologically follows the history of the sport — profiling the key personalities and events in great detail over an unprecedented 18.5 hours. The initial broadcast was watched by 45 million viewers and the film won a 1995 Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series. In our discussion, done around the program's 20th anniversary, Burns talks about the film’s production, some of its notable interview subjects, and its legacy. Photo courtesy of freerepublic.com

Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell were among the best at their respective positions in the 1990s and were the faces of the Houston Astros franchise during that era. However, neither has received the call for Cooperstown. Biggio, a member of the 3,000-hit club, has come closest – falling just two votes short of election in January 2014. Bagwell received 54.3 percent of the vote in the most recent writer’s ballot. Larry Dierker got to know these two quite well – first as an Astros broadcaster and then as their manager from 1997-2001. As an advocate for both to enter the Hall of Fame, Dierker spoke about their outstanding baseball careers. Photo courtesy of blog.chron.com Audio clips courtesy of MLB.com

The fight between San Francisco Giants Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher John Roseboro was baseball at its worst. What happened in the coming years would be forgiveness at its best. John Rosengren, author of "The Fight of their Lives", discusses a story that goes well beyond what took place on August 22, 1965 at Candlestick Park. For more on John Rosengren and this highly-acclaimed book, go to fightoftheirlives.net and johnrosengren.net. Photo courtesy of Deadspin Audio courtesy of MLB Network

There are some stories that are so unbelievable that they have to be true. The tall tale perpetuated by Dock Ellis regarding June 12, 1970 in San Diego most definitely qualifies as such. On that date, the late Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander pitched a no-hitter against the Padres. And for years, he claimed to have completed this feat while under the influence of LSD. But Ellis’ career and personal life isn’t singularly defined by that experience, which was brought to light in "No No: A Dockumentary." He was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and one-of-a-kind personality on a Pirates team that was ahead of the curve as far as social standards were concerned. All of those facets of Dock Ellis were discussed with director and producer Jeffrey Radice. Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone

Many speak very highly of their time playing with and for Gil Hodges. Under Hodges’ guidance as manager of the New York Mets, Jerry Koosman thrived instantly with an outstanding rookie season in 1968. Becoming the top left-handed starting pitcher on a dominant staff, Koosman helped forge the New York Mets run to an unlikely World Series title one year later. Koosman speaks to the impact Hodges had on the Miracle Mets and the impact he has on him still to this day. Audio courtesy of MLB Productions and the New York Mets

Come Dec. 8, there will be ten baseball men who have another chance of being elected to Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. Among them are Tony Oliva and Gil Hodges. Mike Murphy, co-founder of VoteTonyO.com, speaks on behalf of Oliva's candidacy, while Gil Hodges, Jr. discusses his late father's legacy. Photos courtesy of notinhalloffame.com and lewpaper.com Audio clips courtesy of the Minnesota Twins, MLB Productions and NBC Sports