The Sports Experience Podcast with Chris Quinn and Dominic DiTolla

Episode 307 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the diamond discussing Mark McGwire.

“Big Mac” made a splash in Major League Baseball after a successful college career at USC.

At 6’5” 220 lbs., the enormous first baseman unanimously won the 1987 American League Rookie of the Year when he clubbed a then-rookie record 49 home runs for the Oakland Athletics.

Along with his “Bash Brother” partner, Jose Canseco, McGwire helped lead the A’s to three straight AL pennants from 1988-1990 and won a World Series in 1989.

Though injuries and the 1994 MLB strike prevented McGwire from producing effectively, his final two and a half seasons in Oakland saw him club 125 home runs before he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals midway through the 1997 campaign.

Yet it was 1998 when McGwire was celebrated as the “Savior of Baseball” after the negative fallout from the 1994 strike.

McGwire broke Roger Maris’ single-season home run record, and finished 1998 with 70 on the season! He hit another 65 in 1999 and hit a combined 61 in 2000 and 2001 before his retirement.

Sadly, these records came at a price. McGwire, thought to be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame as a 12x All-Star with 583 career home runs, was caught up in the scandal surrounding performance enhancing drug use in MLB during the 1990s and 2000s.

McGwire eventually admitted he took steroids during a 2010 interview with Bob Costas, and has been left out of Cooperstown like so many of his contemporaries who made the same choice.

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Ty Engle:

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S.E.P.:

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Episode 306 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re discussing one of the greatest bullfighters of all time, Manolete.

Born into poverty in Cordoba, Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez was born to be a bullfighter. Both his Father (known also as Manolete) and Uncle were bullfighters, and Manolete eventually rose to prominence as one of the greatest bullfighters of all time.

In the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, Manolete became a hero in Spain for his prowess as a torero. His stoic and controlled movements made him stand out among his peers, and he excelled as a professional during the 1940s.

From 1940-1945, he reportedly took part in 414 bullfights in Spain and spent 1946 bullfighting in Mexico. He was hailed as a national hero. Songs were written about him, dolls featured his likeness and he earned close to $8 million from 1940-1947.

After he spent the winter of 1947 with his girlfriend, Lupe Sino, Manolete returned to Spain for one last season of bullfighting.

Sadly, Manolete was gored to death in the ring in Linares on August 28, 1947 by a bull named Islero.

Join us while we discuss a Spanish and bullfighting legend.

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Chris Quinn:

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Ty Engle:

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S.E.P.:

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Episode 305 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the gridiron discussing Don Meredith.

The Dallas Cowboys are considered by their fanbase to be “America’s Team.” “Dandy Don” Meredith was the quarterback who brought them from a lowly expansion franchise to a dominant force in the NFL.

After a successful college career at Southern Methodist University during which he was named a 1st Team All-American in 1958 and 1959, Meredith became the first Dallas Cowboy after he signed a personal-services contract with future owner Clint Murchison before the 1960 NFL season. Meredith was then selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1960 NFL Draft and traded by George Halas to Dallas to help the new franchise compete with the Dallas Texans in the AFL.

Though Meredith struggled along with the rest of the Cowboys during the early 1960s, “Dandy Don” established himself as one of the league’s best passers over the rest of the decade. Meredith made three straight Pro Bowls from 1966-1968, won the Bert Bell MVP Award in 1966 and came within seconds leading the Cowboys to Super Bowls I and II.

The losses to Green Bay in the 1966 and 1967 (The Ice Bowl) NFL Title Games along with a loss the following year in the postseason to Cleveland prevented Meredith from reaching a Super Bowl.

Though Meredith retired following the 1968 campaign, he found legendary status in the “Monday Night Football” booth for ABC. A charismatic color commentator, Meredith was a perfect fit and remained near the game even after his retirement.

Though he never won a Super Bowl for the Cowboys, “Dandy Don” will forever be a legend and pioneer for the franchise.

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Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn:

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Ty Engle:

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S.E.P.:

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Episode 304 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the ice discussing Chris Chelios.

Born in the Chicago area, Chelios seemed destined for a career in hockey before his family moved to San Diego while he was in high school. However, Chelios eventually found success playing for a Junior team in Moose Jaw and then won a National Championship at the University of Wisconsin.

Selected 40th overall in the 1981 NHL Draft, Chelios joined the Montreal Canadiens towards the end of the 1983-1984 season. He then helped the veteran squad capture a Stanley Cup title after the 1985-1986 campaign, was the first non-French-Canadian captain in franchise history, made two All-Star teams and established himself as one of the NHL’s best Defensemen when he won the first of three career Norris Trophies after 1989-1990.

Chelios was then traded to his hometown Chicago Blackhawks before the 1990-1991 season, made seven All-Star teams in eight and a half seasons and helped lead Chicago to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1991-1992.

The ageless wonder then spent nine seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, made two All-Star teams and won two more Stanley Cup titles! He even won a gold medal with Team USA during the 2002 Winter Olympics during this span!

Then after one season with the Atlanta Thrashers, Chelios finally retired at the age of 48!

Chelios could do everything on the blue line for any team he played for, and in 2013 was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn:

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Dominic DiTolla:

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Ty Engle:

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S.E.P.:

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If you enjoy our podcast, please help support us:

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Episode 303 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the diamond discussing Dave Parker.An ultimate five-tool player in baseball, the incredibly athletic Parker (6’5” 230 lbs.) might have opted a career in football had a knee injury in high school not forced him off the gridiron.Parker rose through the minor league system of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the early 1970s, and then proceeded to become one of MLB’s best players by the end of the decade.Overall, MLB’s most brash and dominant player won back-to-back batting titles in 1977 and 1978, won three straight Gold Gloves from 1977-1979, won the NL MVP in 1978 and helped the “We Are Family” Pirates win the World Series in 1979!Sadly, the early 1980s were a disaster for “The Cobra” in Pittsburgh due to injuries, his team declining and falling out of favor with the media and fans due to his large contract. Parker encountered even more controversy after he testified in the “Pittsburgh Drug Trials,” and many believed his MLB career was finished by 1984.However, he returned to Cincinnati for the 1984 season and experienced a career Renaissance for his hometown Reds.The Right fielder made two All-Star teams for Cincinnati during his four seasons with the team, won two Silver Sluggers and provided veteran leadership for a talented franchise littered with young players who eventually won a World Series in 1990.Parker won his second World Series title in 1989 with the Oakland A’s, and even made the All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1990!Sadly, Parker’s Hall of Fame candidacy took a hit due to the “Pittsburgh Drug Trials” after his career ended. Despite his dominance, many sportswriters refused to recognize his greatness related to his brash personality and past drug use when it came to a spot in Cooperstown. Though he was finally elected to the Hall of Fame by the Classic Baseball Era Committee in 2025, Parker passed away from Parkinson’s 29 days before his induction. Watch, Subscribe & Comment on All Platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-sports-experience-podcast-with-chris-quinn/id1529622054Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1esgBLz04MZYrTgYMk5DvaConnect with us on Instagram!Chris Quinn: https://www.instagram.com/cquinncomedy/Dominic DiTolla: https://www.instagram.com/ditolladominic/Ty Engle:https://www.instagram.com/ty_englestudio/S.E.P.: https://www.instagram.com/thesportsexperiencepodcast/If you enjoy our podcast, please help support us:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-sports-experience-pod/support#sportspodcast#comedypodcast#baseballplayer#baseball#mlb#pittsburghpirates#cincinnatireds

Episode 302 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the ice discussing one of the NHL’s best modern players, Jeremy Roenick.

Born in Boston, Roenick displayed his hockey skills throughout North America during his youth. After he won two League Championships at Thayer Academy in Massachusetts, the Center was selected 8th overall in the 1988 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Roenick’s size, speed, scoring ability and toughness made him a fan favorite in Chicago. He made four straight All-Star teams and helped the Blackhawks reach the Stanley Cup Finals after the 1991-1992 season.

Following the 1995-1996 season, Roenick spent the next eight seasons in Phoenix and Philadelphia. He made the All-Star team another five times, and displayed the type of toughness and cockiness on the ice few possessed.

As his career wound down, Roenick established himself as one of the greatest players ever born in the United States of America. He finished with 

513 goals, 703 assists and 1,216 points.

Never one to shy away from controversy, Roenick has found a home in broadcasting and media since his hockey career ended. Finally, in 2024 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn:

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Dominic DiTolla:

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Ty Engle:

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S.E.P.:

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If you enjoy our podcast, please help support us:

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Episode 301 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re back on the hardwood discussing one of the NBA’s most exciting players of the 1990s, Larry Johnson.

After an incredible high school career in Dallas, many believed Johnson was headed towards a superstar career at SMU. However, controversy regarding his SAT scores caused Johnson to enroll at Odessa College for his first two post-high school seasons.

Johnson dominated the competition, and was the first player to ever win the NJCAA Player of the Year award twice! He then enrolled at UNLV and spent the next two seasons dominating the highest level of college basketball. In 1989-1990, he helped the Runnin’ Rebels win the NCAA Title. In 1990-1991, Johnson won the Wooden & Naismith Awards and led his team to the Final Four.

Blessed with an amazing combination of size, strength, agility and shooting ability, Johnson selected as the 1st Overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.

Johnson won the 1991-1992 NBA Rookie of the Year award, made the All-Star team in two of the next three seasons, helped establish the Hornets as a contender in the Eastern Conference and won a gold medal as part of “The Dream Team II” at the FIBA World Cup. He even popularized himself with his advertisements for Converse which featured him as “Grandmama!”

Sadly, a back injury sustained during the 1993-1994 season limited Johnson through the rest of his career. Though he still was able to play at a high level as both a Small and Power Forward, he was not as dominant as he was projected to be after his first two seasons. In addition, a fallout with Alonzo Mourning and Charlotte led to his trade to the New York Knicks in 1996.

Despite the injury and falling out with Charlotte, Johnson improved his outside game and even helped the Knicks make the NBA Finals in 1999.

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Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn:

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Dominic DiTolla:

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Ty Engle:

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S.E.P.:

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If you enjoy our podcast, please help support us:

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Episode 300 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & it’s a celebration! In this very special episode we discuss the greatest linebacker and possibly the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL: Lawrence Taylor!

Though he did not play organized football until his junior year in high school and did not play at a predominantly football-centric university, Lawrence Taylor was an absolute terror as a pass-rushing outside linebacker.

Taken second overall in the 1981 NFL Draft, Taylor was an absolute terror during his NFL career. Over the course of his first six seasons, he won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1981, won Defensive Player of the Year three times, won NFL MVP in 1986 and helped the New York Giants win Super Bowl XXI!

Taylor changed how offenses play elite outside linebackers, and was a nearly unstoppable force. Sadly, his appetite for legal and illegal substances became national news during the rest of his career and after it ended in 1993.

Nevertheless, L.T. recorded 142.0 career sacks, 56 forced fumbles, earned 10 Pro Bowls nods and won two Super Bowls and changed how the linebacker position was played.

Join us while we discuss an NFL legend and controversial figure.

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Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn:

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Ty Engle:

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S.E.P.:

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Episode 299 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re finishing our block of episodes on the greatest players in the history of the Negro Leagues.

It could be argued that Oscar Charleston was one of the greatest baseball players of the 20th Century.

After lying about his age to get into the U.S. Army at 15, Charleston left the Philippines to pursue a career in professional baseball in 1915 with the Indianapolis ABCs.

Though barred from playing in Major League Baseball due to his skin color, Charleston was the premier player of his era.

Though a pitcher originally, the left-handed Charleston found a home in center field where established himself as one of baseball’s finest “five tool players” of all time for a number of teams.

Compared to such greats as Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Rogers Hornsby, Charleston was electric at the plate and in the field.

He won three Triple Crowns, had a lifetime .365 batting average in American play, helped the Pittsburgh Crawfords beat the New York Cubans in the 1935 Championship and was a three-time All-Star in the Negro Leagues.

His play overseas in Cuba during the 1930s was incredible, and he remains a legendary figure in baseball to this day. Though other players who came after him in the Negro Leagues might receive more notoriety, Charleston is in a class of his own for what he put on display during his career.

Connect with us on Instagram!

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Episode 298 of “The Sports Experience Podcast” is here & we’re continuing our block of episodes on the greatest players in the history of the Negro Leagues.

Buck O’Neil was fantastic first baseman, a terrific scout and manager and an overall amazing ambassador to the game in general.

Born in segregated Florida, O’Neil realized that the game of baseball was a way out of hard labor in the celery fields of his youth during the 1930s.

Though forced to barnstorm and play in obscurity during his early years in professional baseball, O’Neil became a staple at first base for some of the greatest Negro Leagues teams of all time as a member of the Kansas City Monarchs.

O’Neil made two All-Star teams and was an integral part of the Monarchs’ 1942 Negro World Series championship squad. A great hitter and defender, O’Neil was sadly robbed of a chunk of his prime years when he served in the Navy in World War II.

After his service, O’Neil returned to the Negro Leagues and managed the Monarchs from 1948-1955 when the league was struggling financially in the post-integration era.

Armed with a keen eye for talent, O’Neil then became a scout for the Chicago Cubs and signed legends such as Lou Brock. He is even credited as being the first African-American manager in MLB history when he became manager of the Cubs in 1962 despite never getting to manage on the field.

He continued to enjoy decades of success as a scout for the Cubs and the Kansas City Royals, and even helped establish the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

A true pioneer and credit to the game of baseball, O’Neil was a legend. Finally, in 2022 he was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the National Pastime.

Connect with us on Instagram!

Chris Quinn: @cquinncomedy

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Producer: @ty_englestudio

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