Darryl Strawberry Lost it All. Here's What Saved Him

As the 2026 World Cup comes to a close, we sit down with two key figures in bringing the beautiful game to the United States.First, we hear from former U.S Soccer President Alan Rothenberg, the architect of the 1994 World Cup, who was a key figure in the World Cup back to the United States this year. He walks us through what this year's competition could mean for the future of soccer in our country.Then, we dive deep with U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan. Six-time MLS Cup Champion and the U.S. men’s all-time leader in goals and assists, Landon has single-handedly changed how we view soccer in America. But after his 16-year career, one of the toughest challenges he faced was confronting his relationship with his father. We’ll get into Landon's new self-titled memoir, which shows how an under-privileged kid from Southern California can grow up to be one of the best soccer players the United States has seen. Show Notes Landon: A Memoir  Final 6 Minutes of USA v. Algeria | FIFA Every Single Landon Donovan World Cup Goal | FIFA Landon Donovan opens up about forgiving his father | FOX Landon Donovan’s 2010 World Cup goal: the moment that changed soccer in the United States | Onefootball Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

The 2026 All-Star Week is officially underway in Philadelphia, and we’re talking about it with John Stolnis. He’s the co-host of a podcast called Hittin’ Season, which is all about baseball and especially the Philadelphia Phillies. He’ll tell us what to expect from the exhibition game and what it means as we head into the rest of the baseball season.Then we’ll speak with an eight-time All-Star himself: Darryl Strawberry. He spent 17 years in the MLB playing for the Mets, the Dodgers, the Yankees, and the Giants. He won three World Series and racked up 335 home runs and 1,000 RBI’s. But his legacy isn’t as simple as those exceptional stats.Since he retired in 1999, Darryl Strawberry has lived a million lives: from a Florida state prison, to cancer treatment, to the pulpit as a newly minted minister. In this episode, he tells us about each chapter in his life story.Show Notes Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher | Darryl Strawberry with Jerome Preisler Remembering when Mets star Darryl Strawberry hit a HR off the roof in Montreal | SNY Take a look back at some of Strawberry’s best moments | MLB Fame, fortune, failure: Darryl Strawberry’s story of addiction and redemption | WAPT Hittin’ Season Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Long before he became the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro was just a kid calling into radio stations to talk through the highs and lows of being a sports fan. In this special episode, recorded live at the World Cup, we spoke with Governor Shapiro to talk about what it means for the city of Philadelphia to host a global event. We’ll dive into his earliest sports memories, hear about the rise in sports gambling on kids' phones, and learn if sports really bring us together in the way we think they do.Then, we sit down with journalist Colby Itkowitz, who has covered Governor Shapiro for years. We’ll talk about what to look out for in 2028 and the authenticity of sports fandom in politics.Show Notes Gov. Josh Shapiro on antisemitism, Trump and 2028 | Washington Post Rahm Emanuel shares why Chicago said no to the FIFA World Cup & talks possible presidential run | NBC Chicago How much of an economic boom is the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the U.S. hosting cities? | NPR Dr. J famous "Rock the Baby" Cradle Dunk against the Lakers Governor Josh Shapiro speaks at Eagles Super Bowl Parade | FOX 29 Philadelphia Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Some of the best athletes in the world are in the United States right now, competing in World Cup games all over the country. For American athletes, the pressure to perform on their home turf can be intense. But that’s nothing new. Dominique Dawes has been there before. She was a part of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in 1996, when the Olympic Games came to Atlanta. She competed on a squad that became known as the Magnificent 7, who the world believed had a shot to win the first team gold medal in women’s gymnastics in American history. To get to the top, Dominique would have to survive racism, abuse, and the all-consuming pressure of the world stage, all while she was still a teenager.In this episode, we’re going to turn back the clock 30 years, when all eyes were on seven American teenagers hoping to make history — and on U.S. soil. If the pressure didn’t get to them first.Show Notes The Chicago mayor who said ‘no’ to the World Cup – a dome on Soldier Field was the last straw | The Athletic Dominique Dawes 1996 Floor Final | The Gym Spot Kerri Strug Vaults at Atlanta 1996 | Olympics Olympian Dominique Dawes shares emotions, details about recent miscarriage | TODAY The Dominique Dawes Academy Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaAdditional Production: Sherri Daye ScottTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is in full swing in North America — but unlike the U.S. women’s team, the men’s national team has never won the tournament. They’ve never even made it to the finals. This week, we sit down with ESPN soccer writer Ryan O’Hanlon to figure out why the men’s team always falls short. And with last week’s dominant win against Paraguay, could this year’s World Cup be any different?Then, we’ll hear from one of the best players that the U.S. men’s national team has ever seen: Jozy Altidore. A son of Haitian immigrants, Jozy is the third-best scorer in the team’s history. We’ll hear how Jozy learned to put the world’s expectations off to the side, and remember his legendary goal that helped the USA beat an undefeated Spain in 2009.Show Notes When the USA stunned super Spain | FIFA Jozy Altidore’s best goals, highlights, skills | Major League Soccer Jozy’s stanky leg 13 Stats that prove USMNT will win the World Cup | ESPN The USMNT is a mess. That's the price of the U.S. becoming a 'soccer country' | ESPN Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup officially kicks off this week and for the first time it will be hosted by three countries across North America. First, we preview the epic tournament with global soccer reporter Meg Swanick to learn what we can expect from this year's Cup, the key players to watch, and which country is likely to take home the title.Then, we’ll sit down with one of the most influential voices in sports, a man who’s been at the forefront of bringing soccer to American audiences. Roger Bennett is a British-American journalist and founder of Men In Blazers, the largest independent soccer media network in North America. We’ll hear about his latest book, We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event, where he shares his favorite memories from World Cups past and the ways soccer tournaments can help unite a divided world.Show Notes We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event | Roger Bennett Check out the Men in Blazers Podcast  A World Cup for a continent that’s falling apart | POLITICO From national pride to fascism: how countries have used the World Cup to build identity | The Guardian The Swan Dive with Megan Swanick on Substack Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike Villers, Charlie KaierTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network

There are just two teams left in the fight to become NBA champions this year, and they are two teams that no one expected to get this far: the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. What can we expect from this underdog matchup? We’ll talk it out with Marcus Thompson, a lead columnist who covers the NBA at The Athletic.Then we’ll hear from someone who’s no stranger to NBA championships: Michael Cooper. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the ‘80s, during an era of basketball defined by flashy moves and a run-and-gun style of play. Powerhouse players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson were at the forefront. But in the background was Michael Cooper, silently but consistently delivering a defense that cemented their legacy.This week, we sit down with Michael Cooper to learn about how he turned a behind-the-scenes role into one worthy of a highlight reel. He’ll also talk through the insecurity he faced as a young player making it in the league, and how he moved past it to become an NBA Hall of Famer. Show Notes COOP: The Making of a Showtime Lakers Legend | Michael Cooper and Jake Uitti Michael Cooper’s Defensive Career Highlights | Basketball Action Despite His Success in 12 Years With Lakers, Michael Cooper Never Quite Believed He Was Good Enough For them | LA Times The Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals seemed unlikely before the playoffs. They saw it coming | The Athletic Victor Wembanyama on Gregg Popovich after Game 7: "He goes through some things we can't even imagine | YouTube Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineers: Mike Villers, Charlie KaierTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

For nearly two decades, Robert Parish built a reputation on the Boston Celtics as a steady force. He was durable and consistent, winning nine All-Stars and four NBA championships alongside greats like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.But before Parish became the silent backbone of the Celtics dynasty, he was just a shy kid from Louisiana who barely knew how to dribble. In his recent memoir, “The Chief: The Story of the Boston Celtics’ Most Enigmatic Icon,” Parish shares an inside look at his life story — from brutal 1980s rivalries in Boston to the personal controversies that complicate his legacy. Today on Sports in America, Parish reflects on a life shaped by toughness both on and off the court. Show Notes The Chief: The Story of the Boston Celtics' Most Enigmatic Icon | Robert Parish and Jake Utti The Ultimate Robert Parish Highlight Experience | NBC Boston Robert Parish clobbers Bill Laimbeer | NBC Boston Larry Bird’s Epic Steal vs Pistons 1987 | NBC Boston The disturbing incident between Robert Parish and his then-wife | Basketball Network Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

Some say sports and politics should be kept separate — that athletes should just “stick to sports.” But for others, politics and sports can’t be separated at all.This week, we sit down with Kevin Blackistone, an award-winning national sports columnist who focuses on the intersection of sports and politics. We’ll talk about why he believes it’s impossible to separate the two, how the Trump administration is showing up in the sports world today, and how athletes respond when they’re told to “shut up and dribble.”Then we’ll hear from an athlete who’s made a name for himself by speaking out. During his 11 years in the NBA, Enes Kanter Freedom played for five teams, including the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Enes has built a reputation as an advocate, putting human rights at the forefront of every conversation — even when it has led to personal consequences for himself and his family.Show Notes In the Name of Freedom: A Political Dissident's Fight for Human Rights in the NBA and Around the World | Enes Kanter Freedom Enes Kanter Freedom: Why I Became an American | The Atlantic Enes Kanter’s family disowns him over Turkish political issues | NBC ‘My dad has been released’: Enes Kanter celebrates father’s freedom in Turkey | The Athletic Turkey’s Erdogan Blasts Syria, Israel | Morning Edition Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network

This year, the Buffalo Sabres have made a complete 180, ending a 14-year playoff drought and now contending to be NHL champions. To celebrate their historic turnaround, we sit down with Sabres mega-fan Scott Lee, who went viral hoisting his 40-lb welded-steel Stanley Cup replica on social media with other fans. Then we’ll talk to an NBA first-round draft pick turned Twitter star. These days, most people recognize Rex Chapman for sharing heartwarming videos online, but during his prime, he went up against some of the best to ever play and won. This week, we ask Rex about the game in 1996 when he put up 39 points against Michael Jordan. We’ll also hear how the pressure he felt coming into the league led to depression and a devastating battle with addiction, and why he now uses his platform online to advocate for social change. Show Notes Fan shows off stainless steel Stanley Cup Replica | WGRZ Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls 1996 | Highlights How Social Media Helped Rex Chapman | ESPN Check Out Rex Chapman’s Twitter It’s Hard to Live With Me | Rex Chapman and Seth Davis Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.