On the Sports Clock

I had the privilege of sitting down with Wally Backman, a key member of the 1986 World Series Champion New York Mets on my podcast. We covered it all: Stories from the unforgettable 1986 Mets season, including winning the World Series, the iconic ticker tape parade, and the thrill of playing in New York City. His epic YouTube-famous meltdowns with umpires—there’s so much more to the story than meets the eye. The Playing for Peanuts documentary, where he managed the South Georgia Peanuts in an unfiltered, all-access look at a season in independent baseball. His managing career, including leading the Long Island Ducks to a championship and managing at every level of the minors and in independent baseball. What it’s like as a manager to tell a player they’re heading to the MLB. Playing for legendary managers Davey Johnson, Jim Leyland, Joe Torre, and Lou Piniella. Backman, who played 14 MLB seasons with the Mets, Twins, Pirates, Phillies, and Mariners, brings unparalleled insight and stories from the diamond. Don’t miss this episode! Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform. #WallyBackman #1986Mets #WorldSeriesChampion #MLB #PlayingForPeanuts #EpicMeltdowns #BaseballHistory #IndependentBaseball #MinorLeagueBaseball #BaseballManager #LongIslandChampionship #MetsNation #BaseballPodcast #SportsStories #onthesportsclock

🎙️ Catch the Latest Episode with Coach Bill Rowe! 🏆 I'm thrilled to have Missouri Sports Hall of Famer Coach Bill Rowe on my latest episode! Coach Rowe is a legendary figure in Southwest Missouri, having served as Head Baseball Coach at SMS/MSU from 1962-1982 and then as Director of Athletics from 1982-2009. We dive into his experiences and insights: The multifaceted job of an athletic director Hiring renowned coaches like Steve Alford and Barry Hinson The thrilling 2003 College Baseball World Series run His incredible tenure as both Coach and AD Personal stories about my time at MSU and the profound influence Coach Rowe and his family have had on my life Don't miss this episode packed with wisdom, history, and heartfelt memories! 🔔 Subscribe and join the conversation! #CoachBillRowe #MissouriSportsHallOfFame #SMSBaseball #MSU #AthleticDirector #SteveAlford #BarryHinson #CollegeBaseball #SportsTalk #Inspiration #SportsHistory #AthleteStories #PodcastInterview

🏀 Kicking off 2023 with SMU Assistant Basketball Coach Chris Kreider! 🏀 For our first episode of 2023, I'm excited to bring you an exclusive interview with SMU Assistant Basketball Coach Chris Kreider from the suburbs of New York City in Carteret, New Jersey. Chris and I go way back to his time at George Mason, where I worked basketball camps every summer during college. In this episode, we dive into: Our experiences at GMU Chris's diverse coaching journey The current season at SMU His time under legendary coach Paul Hewitt at Georgia Tech and George Mason Chris brings 20 years of coaching experience to the Hilltop, including three successful seasons at Georgia State, where the Panthers won the Sun Belt Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. He has also made significant impacts at Rice, VMI, George Mason, Georgia Southern, and USC Aiken. Don't miss this insightful and engaging conversation with one of the best in the business! 🔔 Subscribe and watch now! #Basketball #SMUBasketball #ChrisKreider #CollegeBasketball #CoachLife #PaulHewitt #GeorgeMason #GeorgiaTech #GeorgiaState #NCAA #BasketballCoach #SportsTalk #Inspiration #BasketballJourney #PodcastInterview

🏀 Kick off 2022 with Former Head Coach Barry Hinson! 🏀 For our first episode of 2022, I'm thrilled to welcome former head men's basketball coach Barry Hinson! With an impressive career leading teams at Oral Roberts University, Missouri State University, and Southern Illinois University, Coach Hinson brings a wealth of experience and stories. He also served as an assistant coach at the University of Kansas under the legendary Bill Self and is currently a basketball analyst for Oklahoma State University. In this episode, we dive deep into: Coach Hinson's fascinating career path His extensive time at SMS/MSU And of course, his love for BBQ! Don’t miss this captivating conversation packed with insights, anecdotes, and a few laughs. 🔔 Subscribe and watch now! #Basketball #BarryHinson #CollegeBasketball #OralRoberts #MissouriState #SouthernIllinois #KansasBasketball #BillSelf #OklahomaState #BasketballCoach #BBQ #SportsTalk #Inspiration #PodcastInterview 4o

I am joined today by Willard, Missouri Baseball Coach Scott McGee. Coach McGee led Willard Baseball to its first ever state title and first ever state title in school history in boys sports this year. We talk about the state title run, how the program has grown over the years, reflect back on stories from my time managing under him, and of course end with "Tyler's 5". 

What an awesome episode! Former New York Mets and Chicago Cubs Pitcher Ed Lynch, who also went on to be the GM for the Cubs, joins me with former Cubs Director of Media Relations, Sharon Pannozzo. We talk everything from their background working in sports, Wrigley Field, the 1998 Home Run Chase and Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game, what they are doing now, and they give advice to those looking to get into sports. 

Chip Caray joins me on my podcast. Chip is the former Orlando Magic and Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer. He is the grandson of Harry Caray and currently is the Atlanta Braves play-by-play broadcaster.  Chip talks about growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, his time studying at the University of Georgia, his play-by-play stints and gives us a preview of the Braves baseball season. As always, we end with "Tyler's 5"-you won't want to miss that part either! 

2008 World Series Champion and former MLB player (Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies) Scott Eyre joins me on the podcast. What an AWESOME conversation! We talked everything from playing at Comiskey Park and Wrigley Field, what World Series wins do for a city, being on a World Series team, and his current coaching duties. We as always end with "Tyler's 5" and Scott makes his Super Bowl pick. 

Olympic Gold Medalist, 1989 Stanley Cup Champion, and NHL All-Star Theo Fleury joins me on my podcast. Theo played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and the Chicago Blackhawks. We talk everything from his playing career, writing two books, the important work he is doing now through his speaking and his Breaking Free Foundation, and of course end with Tyler's 5.  Follow Theo at @theofleury14

St. Louis, Missouri native and National Radio Host and Milwaukee Brewers post-game show host Matt Pauley joins me on the podcast. We talked about his time growing up in Missouri, his journalism career that started off with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and then professional baseball stops in Evansville, Indiana; Albany, Georgia; Burlington, Iowa; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. We ended the podcast talking about his current role with the Milwaukee Brewers. 

The director of the baseball documentary "Playing for Peanuts", John Fitzgerald, joins me on my latest podcast episode.  We talk everything from filming the documentary to the 2007 South Georgia Peanuts season and being around Peanuts (current Long Island Ducks) manager Wally Backman.  

My guest today is a 14 year professional baseball manager with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League. The team is based in Sauget, Illinois.  Phil talks about his high school and college playing days, playing independent baseball and then how he transitioned into becoming the manager of the Grizzlies. He also had some cool stories about being on the road and talking about his favorite ballparks in the league. As usual, we also have a great segment of "Tyler's 5". 

Former Major League Baseball player (St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins) Xavier Scruggs joins my podcast. He currently owns Xtraordinary Athletes which is a baseball training facility in Tampa that is focused on mental skills for athletes. Xavier talks about Xtraordinary Athletes, his MLB playing days, playing for the Springfield Cardinals, and what it takes to become better at life.  Check out his website: https://www.xoathletes.com/

42 year high school baseball coaching veteran and former coach with professional baseball teams; South Georgia Peanuts, Joliet Jackhammers, and currently the High Point Rockers joins me. We talk everything from coaching high school ball, coaching with Wally Backman, and the documentary "Playing for Peanuts". 

Mike Janela is the gameday stadium host/emcee for the New York Mets. He talks about his time going to Syracuse and working his way up in broadcasting through the college and professional ranks to become an employee of the San Diego Padres and New York Mets. He was also the first player ever on ABC's "$100,000 Pyramid" show to win both the $150,000 and the vacation prize. Mike has been on 

Former SMS (now Missouri State) Lady Bears and Michigan head coach joins me "On the Sports Clock" to talk about coaching and coaching the 2 NCAA Final 4 runs, what she is doing now and the current state of the Lady Bears.