Sports Spectrum Podcast

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 

Episode 377 Sarah Roberts is the area director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Atlanta. As a wife of a coach and the daughter of a coach, as well as a mom to athletes, Sarah has followed her calling to connect women in sports to Jesus Christ.  In 2003, she began working for FCA and has served female coaches, female athletes, and coaches wives through Bible studies, chapels, speaking, writing and building relationships.  Sarah has also served with Oklahoma Football as the chaplain to the Sooner coaches wives as well as in the NBA as the OKC Thunder wives chaplain.  Sarah is the author of three books: "Just Ask" for the female athlete, "Just Ask" for the coaches wife and her latest, "Just Like," a group study for female athletes and coaches.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Sarah about her heart for ministry, how FCA played a huge role in her coming to faith, her families powerful connection with Christian Osterhout, winning an NFL contest and the divine appointments that God sets before us.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 376 Jeremiah Trotter is a former linebacker who played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Eagles, Redskins and Buccaneers. He was selected in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft (72nd overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles out of Stephen F. Austin.  Upon arriving in the NFL, Trotter was a staple at linebacker for the Eagles for eight of his eleven seasons. He's a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro who helped lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl berth in 2004.  In 2016, he was elected as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame. Known as the Axe-Man, Trotter remains a fan favorite with Eagles fans to this day. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Jeremiah Trotter about his NFL journey, knowing when to retire, how his faith played a huge part in his football career, moving forward after the death of his father, and the Bible verse that sums up his life.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 375 Barnabas Piper is the author of three books including his latest, "The Curious Christian."  He is an avid sports fan with allegiances to the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Twins. His father John Piper, is an influential pastor who leads Desiring God ministries.  On this episode of the podcast, Barnabas shares about growing up as the son of John Piper, his love/hate/love relationship with his sports teams, taking sports fandom too seriously, his love for books and his top 3 sports books.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com