Shows
Sports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 164: Andy Katz - A Sports Legend Living His DreamAndy Katz is one of college basketball's finest reporters. On this episode of Sports Connections, Andy and David discuss college basketball on a national level. The two talk about their favorite locations in the sport. Andy also goes in-depth on his friendship with former President Barack Obama.
2022-11-2130 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 163: Mark Neely - A Broadcaster DividedMark Neely has been a broadcaster for many years, including some of the biggest games in College Football, Major League Baseball and other sports. In this episode of Sports Connections with David Smale, Mark and David look back on their careers and discuss their favorite moments in sports.
2022-11-1438 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 162: Rich Gannon - Quarterback EvangelistRich Gannon played 18 seasons in the NFL and now he works as an ambassador for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Rich and David discuss how being a leader is important in today's society and how the skills he learned during his time on the gridiron apply to his life today.
2022-11-0735 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 161: Rece Davis - Exceptional SportscasterRece Davis is one of the premier broadcasters in the sports industry. In this interview, David talks with Rece about his background, the sports world, and his faith.
2022-10-3150 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 156: John Mangini - A Collection of America’s PastimeJohn Mangini is like many men his age. He grew up collecting baseball cards. But unlike many of his contemporaries, he still has much of that collection—and a lot more. He now has more than 100,000 cards, plus a museum-worthy assortment of other baseball memorabilia in his collection. The native of the Pittsburgh area has spent a lifetime enjoying the game of baseball through collectibles.
2022-05-1140 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 155: Adam Wainwright - “Uncle Charlie” Still Has ItAdam Wainwright recently became the first pitcher older than 40 to pitch seven scoreless innings and allow one hit since 2009. Yeah, he’s still got it. But “Uncle Charlie,” the nickname he earned for his outstanding curveball, is more than just a great competitor; he’s also a great guy. He was the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award winner, given to the MLB player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team. He’s active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Pro Athletes Outreach.
2022-05-0923 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 154: Tim Grunhard - Draft GuruHow does it feel to have your name announced at the NFL Draft? Tim Grunhard, who was a second-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990, joins us to talk about how he felt. He also shares what it felt like the first time he walked into Arrowhead Stadium. Grunny helps us analyze the Chiefs draft and how those pieces might fit into the six-time defending AFC West champs!
2022-05-0450 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 153: Dan Saleaumua - Plan B was Plan AThe Draft is behind us and now NFL teams are filling their rosters with undrafted free agents and cuts from other teams. It wasn’t that long ago that the short-lived Plan B free agency was a part of roster-building, and no one did it better than the Kansas City Chiefs. One of the best examples was Dan Saleaumua, who came to the Chiefs after two years with the Detroit Lions. He had great success with the Chiefs, helping them to a run of playoff appearances. He joins us today to talk about what was attractive to Kansas City.2022-05-0259 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 152: Curry Sexton - Navigating a New World in College AthleticsThe new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rule has created a seismic shift in college athletics. Now, student-athletes can make money by using their name or face to promote products and services. It might be the biggest off-field change since colleges started offering athletic scholarships. Curry Sexton, a former K-State receiver, has helped create a collective that helps K-State student-athletes connect with revenue sources, and he joins us to talk about how it might help his alma mater.
2022-04-2745 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode151: Carl Peterson - Kingdom BuilderWhen Carl Peterson took the role of Chiefs President/CEO/General Manager, the franchise was in disarray. They had not won a playoff game—they had lost the only two they played in—since winning the Super Bowl almost 20 years before. Worse yet, they were an afterthought in the league and even in their own community. No one wanted to go to Arrowhead Stadium for a Chiefs game. More than 30 years later, the Chiefs are a model NFL franchise and one of the standard-bearers for how to engage a fan base.
2022-04-2559 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 150: Chris Klieman - Following a LegendChris Klieman had the unenviable task of following College Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder as the head coach at Kansas State following the 2018 season. Klieman has taken the Wildcats to bowl games in two of his first three seasons, with the crazy season of 2020 as the outlier. He’s established his program as one of the best in the Big 12, one that won’t back down to anybody (the Wildcats are 2-1 against Oklahoma). And he’s done it with his own style and personality.
2022-04-2033 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 149: Ken Morrow - Biggest Win in American Sports History“USA! USA!” The loud chant reverberates in our minds as American sports fans. Did you know that chant began at the “Miracle on Ice” during the 1980 Olympics? Our guest, Ken Morrow, was part of the USA team that won the game against the Russians, the heavily favored four-time defending Gold Medal winners who defeated the American team 10-3 in an exhibition game days before the Olympics began. But on that perfect night in Lake Placid, N.Y., the Americans won 4-3 in front of a small, but frenzied crowd on their way to the Gold Medal. That memory will never fa...2022-04-1839 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 148: Bryce Weiler - Breaking Down ObstaclesWe all have barriers to get through to accomplish things in our lives. But what if you passion carried a built-in obstacle that was impossible to ignore? Bryce Weiler is a sports broadcaster who can’t see the action he’s describing. Blind since birth, Weiler doesn’t let that slow him down, as he “listens” to the game and describes why and how what just happened came about. He’s also taking the attention he’s been receiving to help other people defeat the challenges in their lives. We guarantee you’ll be inspired by this story.
2022-04-1128 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 147: Charlie Mechem - Among FriendsHave you ever played “Can you top this?” with your friends? That’s where you’re comparing who you know, and each person tries to one-up the previous person. Our guest today, Charlie Mechem would win that every time, and he joins us to talk about his upcoming book “Arnie and Jack: Stories of My Long Friendship With Two Remarkable Men, the story of his relationships with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Can you top that?
2022-04-0634 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 146: Homer Drew - Championship DadA year ago tonight, Homer Drew was in the stands watching his son Scott coach the Baylor Bears to the national championship in Division I men’s basketball. Another son, Bryce, helped get Homer on the national stage 24 years ago during the tournament when he hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to help Valparaiso—coached by Homer—defeat Mississippi in a first-round game. Homer joins us today to talk about basketball…and life.
2022-04-0435 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 145: Charles Barkley - Round Mound of RenownA generation of basketball fans may only know Charles Barkley only as a wisecracking studio analyst for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and NBA television broadcasts. But the self-deprecating Barkley was one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Shorter than the average power forward at just 6-4, he used strength, quickness and hustle to be selected as one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History.
2022-03-2845 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 144: ”Sister Jean” Schmidt - Divine InterventionCollege basketball fans fell in love with “Sister Jean” at the tender age of 98, when her Loyola Ramblers shocked the world by reaching the Final Four in 2018. She’s the face of Loyola basketball when she’s not still working for the university by building relationships with students. She played high school basketball back in the 1930s, and she still knows plenty about the game.
2022-03-2335 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 143: Dan Shulman - Right At Home Behind the MicDan Shulman, like many of us, grew up playing a lot of sports, though he admits that he didn’t play them well. But his skill at capturing the essence of the game makes the games he calls “must watch” television. He’s the primary voice of ESPN’s massive college basketball coverage, and he considers himself fortunate to be able to cover games all across the country inside the best arenas in America. He’s also the voice of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball, so he never has a chance to get out of practice of being beh...2022-03-2129 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 142: Brian Hanni - Wheels Under His PrayersBrian Hanni grew up loving sports, but he knew he probably wouldn't compete beyond high school. He set a goal to be a professional broadcaster, and then went to work to make it happen. His boundless energy, whether it's broadcasting Kansas' perennial basketball powerhouse or the Jayhawks' under-performing football team, comes from his love of the game and his gratitude for the opportunity.
2022-03-1447 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 141: Jon Sciambi - In Love with His JobJon Sciambi is known throughout the ESPN-inspired sports world as "Boog" because of his strong resemblance to former MLB All Star and MVP John "Boog" Powell. But Sciambi is carving his own path. One of the best college basketball broadcasters in the business, Sciambi is in Kansas City this week to broadcast the Big 12 Championship, and there's no place he'd rather be.
2022-03-0931 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 140: Jimmy Dykes - True to His HeartJimmy Dykes is at home every time he’s near a basketball court. Whether it was in his days as a player at the University of Arkansas, or his days as a coach throughout the southeast, or for most of the last 30 years as a college basketball analyst for ESPN, he loves his time around the game. But even more, he loves his time around home, and he’s willing to share that message with individuals or groups. His book, The Film Doesn’t Lie, examines how our lives reflect our mindset from the perspective of a coach.
2022-03-0727 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 139: Bill Self - Best in the BusinessBill Self’s teams have won or shared an astonishing 76 percent of their conference titles in his first 25 years as a head coach, which landed him in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. As the head coach at Kansas, he’s won nearly 82 percent of his games, including 80.6 percent of his games in the Big 12, arguably the best conference in college basketball. He’s in his 19th season at Kansas, and his teams have lost just 16 games at home during that time. He’ll likely win or share his 16th conference title this season, meaning he’ll have as many ri...2022-02-2828 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 138: Alec Lemmon - Putting His Money Where His Heart IsWhen Alec Lemmon was in grad school at Mid-America Nazarene University, he had a class in which his professor asked the class to ponder what they’d do with their lives if they didn’t have to worry about money. A former national-caliber youth soccer player, Lemmon thought about how he could use his love for “the beautiful game.” He wanted to create a youth soccer experience for kids that focused on more than just soccer skills development and winning at all costs. He founded TOCA FC, a competitive soccer club based on the values of faith, family and futbol...2022-02-2352 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 137: Pat Warren - Fast DevelopmentThe sport of NASCAR caught fire in the 1970s and spread beyond its southeastern roots. Tracks popped up around the country in every time zone. Kansas Speedway opened in 2001 and quickly became one of the drivers’ favorite tracks. The development around the speedway includes Children’s Mercy Park and Legends Field, plus acres of retail spots. Pat Warren has led the efforts of the Speedway for nearly a decade, and he joins us to talk about the impact racing has on our community.
2022-02-2140 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 136: Nick Lowery - ‘Nick the Kick’With the Super Bowl now behind us, we take a look back at one of the all-time great kickers in NFL history. When Nick Lowery retired, he had the most made field goals in NFL history and had the highest percentage of made field goals. He led the league in longest field goal multiple times, and he was probably the best-dressed kicker in the league as well. He joins us today to talk about his kicking career, and his second career as a motivational speaker.
2022-02-1430 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 135: Jeff Lewis - Wrapped Up in the FlagDo you love the game of football, just not the violence associated with it? Then flag football is for you. The American Flag Football League was founded in 2016 and has taken off quickly. So far, all the competitions have been in tournament formats, but there is movement toward adopting a regular season approach. Jeff Lewis, the founder of the league, joins us to talk about the league, which he expects to be world-wide in a few years.
2022-02-0944 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 134: Wade Davis - Wader, Check PleaseWhen Kansas City Royals reliever Wade Davis came into the game during the Royals back-to-back World Series seasons, the game was all-but decided. He was part of the team’s back end of the bullpen that shut down opposing offenses. After an injury took out closer Greg Holland, Davis became the closer. He had an ERA under 1.00 over those two seasons. Now retired, Davis and his wife, Katelyn, will focus their full attention on their favorite charity, The Battle Within, which helps former military and first responders deal with PTSD. They join us to talk about their passion for th...2022-02-0735 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 133: Seth Greenberg - Analyze ThisIf you’re a fan of college basketball, you’ll know the name Seth Greenberg. Greenberg had a long, successful career as a head coach, but he’s become better known through his work on ESPN. He’s part of the College Game Day crew, and he also does studio work during the week. He’s not afraid to voice his opinion, even when he disagrees with the common perception or with his fellow analysts. He joins us to talk about his life in college hoops.
2022-01-3124 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 132: Luke Ritter - Minor AdjustmentsMost people’s perspective of Minor League Baseball probably comes from one of many baseball movies, like “Bull Durham,” “Major League” or “Trouble With the Curve.” But is that what the game is really like at the lower levels of professional baseball? Luke Ritter is entering his third season in the New York Mets organization, and he’s thrilled to be around the game. Yes, there are challenges associated with being a professional ballplayer out of the limelight. But Ritter is excited to be playing the game he loves and getting paid to do it. You’ll love this young man, and may...2022-01-2629 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 131: Pat Mahomes Sr. - Kansas City’s Favorite DadHe’s better known for being the father of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He might even be better known for being the grandfather of Sterling Mahomes. But Pat Mahomes had a 12-year career as an MLB pitcher, where he introduced his oldest son to the world of professional sports. He credits that exposure with helping Patrick adjust to being an NFL star so easily. Pat joins us to talk about his own career, and the integral role he played in getting Patrick ready to be the biggest star in American sports.
2022-01-2435 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 130: Blair Kerkhoff - Man of Many TalentsIf you’ve been a sports fan in the Kansas City area at any point in the last 30-plus years, you know who Blair Kerkhoff. He’s been a columnist for The Kansas City Star since 1989, and he has covered local and national colleges, the Chiefs and Royals, Kansas City’s World Cup bid, and everything else the editors at The Star have thrown his way. He’s talented, but about as easy-going as you’ll find. Blair is in our prayers, as he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called hairy cell leukemia after we recorded this inter...2022-01-1951 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 129: Dayton Moore -Definition of Strong LeadershipRunning a baseball franchise in a small market has been a challenge for a long time. You not only have the discrepancy of money available because of smaller than average local television contracts, it’s harder to make your franchise an attractive landing spot for free agents. Dayton Moore built the AL champion Royals in 2014 and World Series champions in 2015, the first small-revenue team to reach back-to-back World Series since the Oakland A’s from 1988-1990. As genuine and nice as they come, Dayton joins us to talk about the challenges and rewards of operating in a small market.
2022-01-1745 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 128: Stephone Paige - Not Just a One-Game WonderWhen Stephone Paige set the NFL record with 309 receiving yards in 1985, he did it on only eight catches. He’s one of three receivers to catch passes for more than 300 yards in a single game, but he’s the only one to do it on fewer than 14 catches. But Paige had an outstanding career that is over-shadowed by his record-breaking day. He joins us to talk about that game, what he’s been doing since retiring from the NFL, and what it’s like to be a Chiefs fan in the heart of Raiders country (hint: it’s pretty good right...2022-01-1231 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 127: Jim Nantz - In a Smooth GrooveIf you turn on a sporting event and hear, “Hello, friends,” in a silky-smooth voice, you know it’s a big event, because Jim Nantz is there. Whether it’s with Tony Romo and Bonnie Bernstein for an NFL match-up, Grant Hill and Bill Raftery for a college hoops classic, or Nick Faldo and a cadre of analysts for a PGA tour weekend, Nantz transitions from one event to the next. Nantz has been with CBS since his college days at Houston in the early 1980s, and he’s “comfort food” for every sports fans’ appetite.
2022-01-1018 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 126: Joseph Kennedy - Lightning RodJoe Kennedy never sought the limelight, but it found him. A high school football coach, he knelt in prayer after every game, something the local school district didn’t like. Even though he was exercising his First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of religion, the district requested that he stop, and then fired him for continuing. His fight is likely to go all the way to the Supreme Court as a test case for the individual rights of public figures. He joins us to talk about the motivation for fighting for those rights.
2021-11-2925 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 125: Jorden Paige - Jacked Up!What’s your impression of a NASCAR crewman? Jorden Paige probably doesn’t fit it, but he soon might. The jackman for the No. 23 car, driven by Bubba Wallace, Paige didn’t grow up following the sport, and his sport of choice was football. He worked his way through a NASCAR internship and quickly fell in love with the job of jackman. The agility and athleticism required to rush the quarterback from the defensive end position comes in handy when you jump the wall, jack up a 3,300-pound car with two quick pumps and throw a tire on the car, a...2021-11-2433 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 124: Matt DiBenedetto - Racing for a Higher CallingThe NASCAR season is now complete, but “Silly Season” is well underway. Matt DiBenedetto just completed a two-year contract driving the iconic No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, and he’s looking for a new team. He wants a team with a similar “family” approach as the Wood Brothers. He joins us to talk about how the racing community is one big family. They might “duke it out” going 190 miles per hour on the track, but that doesn’t keep them from caring deeply about each other off the track.
2021-11-2225 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 123: Ron Polk - A Coach‘s CoachCollege baseball has no better champion than College Baseball Hall of Fame coach Ron Polk. The “Father of Southeastern Conference Baseball” compiled a 1373-702-2 record, making him the ninth winningest baseball coach in Division I history. He has fought for the cause of more scholarships in college baseball for years, and he has no plans to quit now. Join us to hear what makes Ron Polk the legend that he is.
2021-11-1736 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 122: Dennis Dodd - Insider’s ViewDennis Dodd has been covering college sports for more than 40 years. He was there back in the “good ol’ days” when the only thing that mattered was who defeated whom. He was there for the original conference realignment 10 years ago, and he was there for the recent shakeups. And knowing Dennis for most of those 40 years, I can guarantee that he’ll be there for the next round of changes. He joins us today to talk about what’s happened and what he expects to happen next.
2021-11-1532 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 121: Jacie Hoyt - Rising StarJacie Hoyt learned how to win at an early age, as her mother is one of the all-time winningest basketball coaches in Kansas high school history. Jacie played for her mom, then played at Wichita State. She now heads the women’s basketball program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she took the team to its first ever conference regular-season title in 2019-20. She just signed a contract extension, so Kansas City will be her home for many more years. She joins us to talk about where she sees her program going in the coming years.
2021-11-1034 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 120: Danny Duffy - Forever One of OursDanny Duffy will forever be a part of Kansas City Royals lore with his contributions to the 2014 American League champions and 2015 World Series champions. The Southern California native became a Kansas Citian, to the point where, when rumors swirled that he might be traded one off-season, said, “Bury me a Royal.” He stayed with the franchise several more years before finally being traded at the 2021 trade deadline. But wherever his career takes him from here, he says that Kansas City will always hold a special place in his heart. The feeling is mutual.
2021-11-0837 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 119: Paul and Chase Coffman - Fondness for Football and FamilyChase Coffman grew up with a famous father, as his dad was a former pro football player who eventually became a member of the Packers Hall of Fame. Paul never forced Chase or his brothers to pursue football, but he was there for guidance and inspiration as they all chose to do so. Chase became a three-time all-state performer and consensus All-American as a senior at Missouri. They both played tight end in college and in the pros, but the similarities don’t stop there. They both have a fondness for each other that comes through loud and clear as...2021-11-0352 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 118: Mike Matheny - A Softening of the HeartThere’s no question that Mike Matheny hit the ground running as a Major League Baseball manager. With no managerial experience, Matheny led the St. Louis Cardinals to the postseason in each of his first four seasons at the helm, including three straight National League Central titles. But after starting the 2018 season at 47-46—he never had a losing season in seven seasons—he was fired. Much of the criticism was his handling of the clubhouse culture and lack of acceptance of analytics. But two seasons into his Royals tenure, Matheny has fully embraced the role of analytics in the ga...2021-11-0139 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 117: Rob Lofthouse - Paying Tribute to a Real-Life HeroThe term “hero” is thrown around so loosely. Anyone who can throw a ball, run fast or jump high is called a hero. But how do you define a real hero in this sports-crazed world? How about someone who volunteers to join the military before graduating from high school, knowing that combat is almost guaranteed? How about someone who leads men many years his senior into said battles, many times putting himself in harm’s way? How about someone who spends more than 20 years in service to his country and becomes one of the most-decorated soldiers in American Army histor...2021-10-271h 00Sports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 116: Dick Vermeil - Heading to the Hall of FameDick Vermeil said he always hoped his career was good enough to be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he didn’t know if it would happen. So when he got a call this fall telling him that he had been selected by the coaches committee, he was taken back. He believes there are several other coaches who belong in the Hall before him, but he’ll gladly accept the honor once the whole committee votes him in—a foregone conclusion. He was one of the most entertaining coaches in NFL history and his team always entert...2021-10-2543 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 115: Billy Mauldin - Finding the Silver Lining in a Sky Filled With CloudsThey say that baseball is a game of failure, where even the best fail seven out of 10 times. How about a sport where only one of 40 competitors is successful? Welcome to the world of auto racing, specifically NASCAR. The public persona of a race car driver is a tough, self-sufficient dude, focused only on winning the next weekend’s race. But that’s not necessarily true. Drivers, crew members, team owners and everyone involved in the sport have lives away from the track, including family issues and questions about their own mortality like every other human being. Billy Mauldin lead...2021-10-2036 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 114: Michael McDowell - Overnight Sensation…After All These YearsMichael McDowell is a 20-year veteran race-car driver who has been competing in some aspect of racing for 33 of his 36 years on Earth. But he pushed himself to the top of racing with his career at the 2021 Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of racing. He became the eighth driver in NASCAR history to win his first race at the circuit’s biggest race. But that win didn’t change him. He joins us to talk about what keeps him focused and humble as he seeks to build on that career-changing victory.
2021-10-1825 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 113: Steve DeBerg - Fun-Loving QuarterbackSteve DeBerg spent more than 20 years around professional football. Not bad for an undrafted free agent who didn’t think he would ever play in the NFL. He laid the groundwork for three future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, always with an Alfred E. Newman “What, Me Worry?” approach. He joins us to talk about some of his favorite memories with the eight different teams he played for, including shattering his finger in a game and coming back to play later in the game.
2021-10-131h 20Sports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 112: Frank White - Native SonFrank White grew up in the shadows of Kansas City’s old Municipal Stadium, the original home of the Royals. An outstanding athlete at KC’s Lincoln Prep, he was on the construction crew of the Royals’ new stadium in the Truman Sports Complex. He also was an integral part of the growth of the Royals from an expansion team in 1969 to World Series champions in 1985. He is one of 180 Major League Baseball players to spend at least 10 years in the game and play for just one club, as he spent his entire 18-year career with the Royals.
2021-10-1153 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 111: Dick Kaegel - Lifelong Love of the GameDick Kaegel began his career as a sportswriter while he was still a senior in high school in Belleville, Ill. After getting his degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, he worked at three different newspapers, covering his first World Series in 1964. He was the editor-in-chief of The Sporting News from 1979-85. He went back to “beat writing,” where he stayed until his retirement at the end of the 2014 season. One of the most respected baseball writers around, he joins us to talk about his illustrious career.
2021-10-0643 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 110: Tom Verducci - Field of His DreamsAnyone who has watched baseball on a national telecast knows about Tom Verducci, the sideline reporter for Fox Sports’ baseball coverage. He’s been immersed in the sport since his youth, and he’s made a successful career of writing and talking about The National Pastime, from his days at Newsday through Sports Illustrated and even in the booth with Fox. He joins us to talk about his love for the game, and some special memories of being at the Field of Dreams game.
2021-10-0441 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 109: Erik Boland - ‘That New York Media’We’ve all heard the expression, usually in derision, “that New York media.” It implies a mean-spirited group of journalists trying to get an inside scoop in the crowded world of New York sports. While some of the public impression may be true, most of it is merely a factor of the sheer numbers of media covering the multiple sporting events in the largest city in America. Erik Boland has been covering the New York Yankees for more than a dozen years, and he’s experienced it from the inside. He joins us to talk about the fact and fiction...2021-09-3051 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 108: Fran Fraschilla - A Career Choice With Family in MindFran Fraschilla was a successful basketball coach at the NCAA Division I level. But in his early 40s, with two pre-teen boys, he made a career move and he's never looked back. He decided to join ESPN as a broadcaster and analyst, and he's approaching 20 years with the network. He loves what he's doing. He's stayed involved with the game he's loved since he was a teenager, but he still gets to focus on his family first! He joins us to talk about priorities and the great game of college basketball.
2021-09-2845 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 107: Curt Nelson - Living Out HistoryCurt Nelson grew up in Oklahoma, but the Kansas City Royals were always his favorite team. He liked other sports, but baseball was his favorite, and he followed the team fervently. He cried, as a 12-year-old in 1980 when the Royals lost in six games in the World Series. He cried (tears of joy) when they won the 1985 World Series. He’s been the director of the Royals Hall of Fame since a formal structure was opened, and he’s a walking encyclopedia of Royals history. He reminds all of us that what is a current event today will be tomo...2021-09-221h 14Sports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 106: Bill James - Analyze ThisBill James has changed the game of baseball, though his work is better known than he is. Analytics are as much a part of baseball as peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Launch angles, spin rates, wins above replacement and defensive shifts have made how the game is played and viewed totally different from the game you fell in love with as a kid. He joins us to talk about the good—and bad—results of his impact on the game.
2021-09-2057 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 105: Robert Streb - Making a Living Playing a GameRobert Streb has rarely been at the top of the leader board at the end of a professional golf event, winning twice on the PGA Tour and six times overall in his 13-year professional career. But he’s carved out a very handsome living. He also understands, and is willing to discuss, how hard it is to make the PGA Tour and stay there. His two career PGA wins came eight years apart, and he knows that hard work will pay off.
2021-09-1519 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 104: Howie Schwab - Always Ready with the AnswerWho is the only Heisman Trophy winner to play in the Final Four? Who is the only player to win a World Series and an NBA championship? These are just a couple of the questions Howie Schwab has been asked by total strangers on the street after he became famous for being a sports trivia expert on ESPN’s “Stump the Schwab.” He won 80 percent of the contests during the four-year run of the show, and he’s not afraid to talk about the 16 times he didn’t come out on top.
2021-09-1343 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 103: Doug Tucker - Taking Advantage of Being in the Right Place at the Right TimeDoug Tucker came to Kansas City to be the lead sports writer for the Associated Press just when the Kansas City Royals were getting good. He not only covered their first World Series appearance in 1980 but their first World Championship five years later. He also covered their two most recent World Series appearances, including the 2015 World Series championship. He also covered national championships and near-misses for area college sports teams and a pretty successful run for the Kansas City Chiefs.
2021-09-0853 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 102: Tom Shieber - Roaming the HallThere’s an old expression that says if you find a job where you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. If that’s true, Tom Shieber hasn’t had to work since 1998 when he joined the staff at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The native of St. Louis who became a fan of the Cardinals at an early age in spite of the fact that his parents and siblings weren’t baseball fans, Shieber leads the department that “tells the stories” of America’s pastime.
2021-09-0748 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 101: Vitali Valui - Paying It ForwardWhen Vitaly Valui was a young man in recently liberated Belarus, he roamed the streets looking for money and picking fights. But his connection with visiting missionaries, who used sports to connect with local youth, helped Valui change his life. For the past three decades, he has used sports to reach the young people of his country with a better way of life. And he’s been very successful at it, winning international competitions as the Belarussian national rugby coach.
2021-09-0126 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 100: Joe Lunardi - The Changing Culture of College AthleticsWhen Joe Lunardi joined us for our first episode in January, we were all giddy that the NCAA tournament appeared to be returning. With our 100th episode, there’s a dark cloud hanging over all of college athletics. College football—actually the money associated with college football—is changing everything we know and love about rivalries and traditions of college sports. Joe joins us to talk about his predictions of what’s to come. And there’s a surprise at the end!
2021-08-301h 04Sports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 99: Mel Tjeerdsma - A Winning CultureChampionship-level coaches will tell you that staying at that level often is harder than getting there. But when getting there means taking an 0-11 team and turning them into a 15-0 national champion in five seasons, getting there is pretty spectacular. That’s what Mel Tjeerdsma did at Division II Northwest Missouri State. The year after winning the school’s first national title, the Bearcats backed it up with another title, a four-overtime contest that stands as one of the greatest college football games in history. He then won another national title a few years later before turning it over...2021-08-2537 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 98: Jeff Montgomery - How We Spell ReliefJeff Montgomery is the Kansas City Royals’ all-time leader in saves, but he’s just as comfortable behind the mic as he was on the mound. He never possessed overwhelming “stuff,” but he recorded 304 saves by outsmarting the opposition. He now is part of the Royals’ pre- and post-game broadcast crew, as well as providing pitching insights during the game for the play-by-play crew. His second passion is golf, and we managed to keep him off the course long enough for a fun look at baseball from a pitcher’s perspective.
2021-08-2355 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 97: Daniel Wawrzyniak - Finding the Common GroundDaniel Wawrzyniak has been in the same general role for more than 30 years, but the 50-year-old former competitive basketball player still feels like a kid. As one of the directors of sports camps for Proem Ministries in Poland, Wawrzyniak uses sports to cross all kinds of barriers, bring people of different cultures, nations and economic circles together to compete and find the similarities in all of us.
2021-08-1848 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 96: Callum Williams - For the Love of the GameCallum Williams has been broadcasting soccer professionally in Europe and North America since he was barely out of his teens. His enthusiastic delivery makes him a fan favorite for whatever club for whom he’s calling their matches. A native of Birmingham (England, not Alabama), his love for “football” came at an early age when he rooted on his beloved Aston Villa. He’s now the “voice of Minnesota United FC” in MLS, and he joins us to talk about “the beautiful game.”
2021-08-1644 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 95: Steve Hall - Tossing It AroundWe all grew up tossing a Frisbee around the backyard or the park. It probably didn’t take long for a competition to break out if your family or friends are like ours. For the past 10 years, that has been taken to the next level with the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL). Steve Hall, a former Ultimate competitor is the commissioner, and he is taking the league to new heights with expansion in the near future. He joins us to talk all things “disc.”
2021-08-1132 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 94: Johnny Russell - Johnny Be GoodJohnny Russell is not an intimidating-looking athlete. But get him on the soccer pitch and he becomes almost unstoppable. Whether he’s scoring goals with his powerful left foot or setting up teammates for better scoring chances, Russell has become a crowd favorite with Sporting Kansas City. The native of Glasgow, Scotland, Russell is a joy to talk with, because he’ll tell you—in his delightful Scottish brogue—what’s on his mind, not just some rehearsed “coach speak.” He came to the U.S. in 2018 to play for Sporting, because he wanted to venture away from Europe to see what el...2021-08-0939 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 93: Ariel Torres - A Diversion Becomes a PassionAriel Torres took up karate as a young child because his parents were looking to channel his energy. A highly active 6-year-old boy, he was a perfect candidate to learn the discipline required in this martial art. Ariel was born in Cuba, but he is now a proud American, and with karate making its debut in the Olympics this year—actually, he will be competing beginning tomorrow—Ariel joins us to talk about the excitement of being part of the introduction of the sport on the world’s biggest sports stage.
2021-08-0434 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 92: John Wathan - Fast..for AnyoneJohn Wathan bristles—if only in jest—when people say he was “fast…for a catcher” in his 10-year MLB career. He stole 105 bases in his career at a 75-percent clip, including a major-league record for catchers of 36 steals in one season. He was part of seven postseason appearances by the Royals between 1976 and 1985, and he jokes that he “carried” George Brett, Hal McRae and Frank White for all those seasons.
2021-08-0238 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 91: Jackson Yueill - Back on TrackWhen the US Men’s National Team lost to Trinidad and Tobago in the final qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup, it set the sport back in America. A run of nearly 30 years of reaching the World Cup came to a crashing end and began the transformation to a youthful and more athletic roster. The USMNT is preparing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup with a lot of confidence because of young stars like Jackson Yueill of the San Jose Earthquakes. Jackson joins “Sports Connections” to talk about the future of soccer in America, including his prediction for how close...2021-07-3032 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 90: Jeff Miner - Getting Right MentallyIt’s one of Yogi Berra’s best-known quotes. He said, “Ninety percent of (baseball) is half mental.” He wasn’t a sabremetrician who had devised a formula that says that 45 to 55 percent of the game relies on the mental aspect of the game. He was just being Yogi. But it’s pretty obvious that what he was trying to say is true. The further you get up the ladder in baseball, the more important being able to focus, to redirect negative thoughts and to channel an inner calm, the more successful you’ll be. Every major leaguer has talent, but th...2021-07-2855 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 89: Alexi Lalas - Voice of ExperienceAlexi Lalas burst onto the American soccer scene with flowing red hair and a beard as part of the US Men’s National (Soccer) Team for the 1994 World Cup, hosted on American soil. As we approach the 2022 World Cup, and especially the U.S.’s next opportunity to host (2026), Lalas is a voice of experience and expertise as the lead analyst for Fox Sports’ coverage of men’s soccer. He had an outstanding career as a player and a general manager, and now he’s shining as a commentator.
2021-07-2644 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 88: Ron Jackson - Everybody’s BuddyRon “Papa Jack” Jackson spent 10 years on a variety of Major League Baseball teams. Everywhere he went he was a favorite teammate. His bubbly personality and competitiveness made him the guy you wanted on your team, and he even had friends on the opposition, long before that was common in baseball. He joins “Sports Connections” to talk about life as a big leaguer.
2021-07-2336 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 87: Aly Trost - Rising StarAly Trost was hired by a local sports radio station to help with social media and marketing. But her knowledge of and enthusiasm for sports has propelled her to a couple of prominent roles with the local soccer teams. She’s still helping the station in the areas for which she was hired, but her legion of fans proves this was more than a good hire. She joins “Sports Connections” to talk about her love for soccer and how that bubbles over into everything she does.
2021-07-2141 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 86: Fred Lynn - The NaturalWherever Fred Lynn went in sports, success seemed to follow him. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school. He attended the University of Southern California, where he played baseball, and the Trojans won national championships all three years he was there. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox and made his debut a little more than a year after he was drafted. His first full season (1975), he became the first player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and his league's MVP in the same season. Injuries were the only thing that slowed him down...2021-07-1949 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 85: Chuck Swirsky - From a Profession to a PassionChuck Swirsky has spent the last 40-plus years in and around the world of sports. He began collecting audio clips to be aired the next morning. He became a pioneer in the world of sports talk radio. For more than 20 years he’s been the play-by-play voice of two different NBA teams. Grab some “salami and cheese” and pull up a chair, as he joins us to talk about his passion for the NBA game.
2021-07-161h 00Sports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 84: Janelle Paulson - Farm Livin’ Was Not the Life for HerJanelle Paulson grew up on a farm in rural South Dakota, but she couldn’t wait to get off the farm and see the rest of the world. As a fitness instructor, she relies on much of what she learned on the farm: hard work, planning and keeping with the plan, and teamwork, in her own training and with the clients she helps. She joins us to talk about how you can take the girl away from the farm, but you can’t really take the farm out of the girl.
2021-07-1446 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 83: Gianluca Busio - Living the DreamGianluca Busio, who made his USMNT debut last night, is the son of an Italian immigrant. He learned to love soccer at a young age. It has always been his dream to play in Europe. When he signed with Sporting Kansas City at age 15, he became the youngest player to sign an MLS contract in more than a decade. He rose through the Sporting system to be the star of the senior team, and he’s being pursued by multiple teams in Europe. Soon, he’ll be living his dream, but he won’t forget the city that embraced him an...2021-07-1229 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 82: Meghan Fardelmann - Rink RatMeghan Fardelmann’s father played college football and eventually college hockey at West Point. When his military career took him and his family to the Midwest, he didn’t leave the love for hockey behind. Meghan had to travel around the area to find competition, often against boys her age. She ended up playing collegiately at Boston College, where she was an integral part of the Eagles first run to the Women’s Frozen Four. She joins us to talk about her hockey career.
2021-07-0934 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 81: John Burgman - Driving Us Up a WallJohn Burgman fell in love with climbing when he was in college, and it has become an obsession. Now that competition climbing is set to make its Olympic debut later this month, he’s among the thousands of enthusiasts who is excited to share the world’s stage. John joins us to talk about the nuances of the sport and to give those of us unfamiliar with how—and why—people race up 50-foot walls a glimpse into why this sport is growing among the youth of today.
2021-07-0740 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 80: Brian McRae - Making His Own NameBrian McRae had big shoes to fill when he was drafted in the first round of the 1985 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals, the team his father, Hal, helped lead to the World Series title later that season. But when he debuted in the 1990 season, he had his sights set on proving he belonged and not just because his name was McRae. When his father took over as manager early in the 1991 season, he became the fourth manager to manage his son in the big leagues. Brian joins “Sports Connections” to talk about playing for his dad and maki...2021-07-0632 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 79: Dani Welniak - Super Bowl ChampionDani Welniak grew up in Texas, where football is a religion. But for girls, the roles generally were confined to cheerleader or kicker. But Dani didn’t want to limit herself. So she tried out—and made—the local team in women’s pro football. She was an outstanding receiver and running back, and has the jewelry to prove it. She joins us to talk about her playing career.
2021-07-0243 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 78: Allison Mayfield - Metaphor for LifeAllison Mayfield grew up playing all different sports. She thought she might even play college basketball. But she fell in love with volleyball and decided to pursue that when some of her coaches pointed out that she had the ability to play at the next level. She played professionally around the globe before beginning her coaching career. She joins us to talk about a harrowing story of escaping Peru before the borders closed due to Covid.
2021-06-3032 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 77: Tim Melia - Saving GraceTim Melia took a different path to get to the highest level of soccer in the U.S., but once he arrived he has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in MLS. His specialty is stopping penalty kicks. Worldwide, the average save percentage among goalkeepers on PKs is around 17 percent, while Melia has stopped better than 40 percent. He joins us to talk about how preparation has helped him achieve such an outstanding statistics, and he’ll talk about the song Sporting KC fans sing about him.
2021-06-2827 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 76: Jim Eisenreich - Making the Game Fun AgainJim Eisenreich was a rising star with the Minnesota Twins in the early 1980s when an affliction he had dealt with since childhood became too much to bear. He took two full seasons away from the game he loved to learn to deal with the effects of Tourette syndrome. After he figured that out, he came back and played 12 more seasons. Now his foundation helps kids who suffer with Tourette’s lead normal lives by providing resources to the families and the educational system. He joins us to talk about his journey that inspired so many people.
2021-06-251h 01Sports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 75: Mike Swanson - A Lifelong Love of the SportMike Swanson never played an inning of professional baseball, but he’s played a big role in how generations of fans have come to love and appreciate the game. He grew up around sports, with his mother working for the Kansas City Athletics and later the Chiefs. Preparing for his first year of college, he interned with the Royals and fell in love with the behind-the-scenes aspect of the game. He’s highly competitive—just try approaching him in the press box when things aren’t going well for the team—but his love for the game shines through. He joins u...2021-06-2351 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 74: Dennis Leonard - The Way the Game was Meant to be PlayedTo say that former Kansas City Royals pitcher Dennis Leonard was a competitive athlete is an understatement. How competitive was he? One time when a “camper” at the Royals Fantasy Camp got a hit off him during one of the games, and then bragged about it from first base, that player wore one in the back the next time he came up. Leonard remembers fondly the rivalry with the New York Yankees that saw George Brett and Graig Nettles exchanged blows during a game and neither one got thrown out of the game. He joins us to talk about “the go...2021-06-2150 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 73 - Vahe Gregorian - A Man of Many LettersVahe Gregorian comes from a family with a rich tradition in education, led by his father, Vartan, who helped lead two different Ivy League schools and eventually restored the New York Public Library from shambles to honor. Vartan recently passed and Vahe joins us to talk about his both his mother and father instilled in him and his brothers that they didn’t really care what they did professionally, as long as they did it to the best of their ability.
2021-06-1859 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 72: Brian Cooper - Fit and CutBrian Cooper’s story is not unlike a lot of former athletes. He was disgruntled about how his playing career ended, and he made some bad choices as a result. Heavily overweight, he was impacted when his younger brother told him he was afraid that Brian was going to die if he didn’t get things turned around. He set out to lose weight—nearly 140 pounds in all—and took up bodybuilding as a motivating goal. He now helps others—bodybuilders and average folks—learn about nutrition, training and overall fitness.
2021-06-1634 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 71: Steve McCrath - In the Image of His FatherSteve McCrath got to play college soccer for his father—legendary coach Cliff McCrath. While saying he was not the type of player he would recruit today, because of a lack of maturity, he relishes the years he spent playing and coaching for his dad. He’s now the highly successful coach at Barry University, where he won the 2018 national championship, joining his father as a championship coach, one of only two father-son combinations in that lofty group. He joins us to talk about being the “coach’s kid.”
2021-06-1445 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 70: Cliff McCrath - Didn’t See That One Coming…Cliff McCrath had his sights set on playing for his hometown Detroit Redwings in the late 1950s. But a challenge from a college roommate drew him to the soccer field, where he started in the first game he ever saw four days later. His career has spanned more than 60 years, impacting countless coaches and players across the country and around the world. He joins us to chat about his life’s journey in his own unique way.
2021-06-1459 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 69: Paul Mills - Meeting ExpectationsWhen the Oral Roberts University basketball team knocked off No. 2 seed Ohio State in the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, most of the world was shocked. But not head coach Paul Mills. When the Golden Eagles followed that up with a victory over No. 7 seed Florida, the world was shocked again. Not Mills. Mills has instilled confidence and belief in the system to his players, and the results have been impressive. The former assistant under Scott Drew at Baylor joins us to talk about how faith—in a system and in God—can have profound impact.
2021-06-1148 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 68: Daniel Salloi - Returning to FormDaniel Salloi was one of the up-and-coming stars of MLS following the 2018 season, when he led Sporting Kansas City in goals. But rough 2019 and 2020 seasons, when he scored just one goal had folks wondering what was wrong. He has responded so far in 2021, returning to the same confident, aggressive style of play that has him finding the back of the net with regularity and has Sporting near the top of the Western Conference table. He joins us to talk about the importance of playing with confidence.
2021-06-0927 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 67: Dima Rachkovskiy - Giving Back to Make an ImpactDima Rachkovskiy had a promising career ahead of him as a youth in basketball crazy Ukraine. But some bad experiences with coaches—some of whom coached through negative reinforcement and others who didn’t seem to care about the individual at all—he lost the joy of playing the sport. Through an experience at a basketball camp in nearby Poland, he found the love again, and now he helps coaches in his homeland discover a new way to pour into their athletes.
2021-06-0736 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 66: Seth Davis - Right Where He’s Supposed to BeSeth Davis isn’t quite sure what he’d be doing if he weren’t writing about—and talking on television about—college basketball. The son of an attorney and a 1992 graduate of Duke University, he’s probably smart enough to excel at anything he chose. But he says he didn’t enjoy applying himself to prospects outside of sports. After trying his hand at other sports and other levels, he’s made his living covering the great game of college basketball.
2021-06-0432 minSports Connections with David SmaleEpisode 65: Wayne Tinkle - Don't Forget About UsOregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle said even he was a little surprised about the success his team had in the recent NCAA tournament. Being on the “left coast,” Pac-12 hoops doesn’t get the credit the conference’s coaches believe they deserve, but did anyone expect the success the conference enjoyed in 2021, when five teams (the fifth highest total of bids) had the most wins (13) and the highest winning percentage (.772). Four of the five teams made the Sweet 16, and three made the Elite 8, including Tinkle’s Beavers.
2021-06-0240 min
Arrowhead Kingdom CHIEFScastDavid Smale InterviewAuthor David Smale joins to talk about his podcast and many published titles. Visit David Smale Books for his many titles, and Sports Connections for his many stories and interviews.2021-05-181h 01
The Maker Series PodcastEpisode 10 - David Smale MusicianListen to David Smale talk about his career journey into becoming a musician. Music by David Smale track 'The Tiger in Molly's House' from the Album 'Magic Madness Sadness'2021-05-1243 min
KC Business HuddleEp 4: The Stories Behind the Books with Author David SmaleDavid Smale is one of the great sportswriters in our country, and he resides right here on the outskirts of Kansas City. You might have heard about his new book chronicling the history the Chiefs, which we’ll discuss on the show, but we wanted to hear more of the stories behind the other 20+ books he’s written during his career. Read more about this show here: https://www.kcbusinesshuddle.com/sports/ep-4-the-stories-behind-the-books-with-author-david-smale/163/ About our guest: https://davidsmalebooks.com/ What we discuss on this show: 0:45 – Ba...2020-10-2239 min
OTwithOliverDavid Smale- The Keys to the Kingdom: An Illustrated Timeline of the Kansas City ChiefsFor his latest passion project, David takes us from KC's first snap to Super Bowl Champs. Fun stories outside of Arrowhead too.2020-10-0557 min