Tom Rinaldi Presents: Sacred Acre

Episode Two explores Ed Thomas's early years as head coach in Parkersburg, focusing on his first captain, Dave Becker. A standout player who set multiple tackling records, Becker formed a strong bond with Thomas, who even helped him meet his future wife, Joan.

We delve into the Becker family's story and their connection to Ed and the football program. Additionally, we address the challenges faced by their son, Mark, as he navigates mental health issues and substance use. Join us as we examine the lasting impact Ed Thomas had on the families he inspired.

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Episode One explores the life and legacy of Ed Thomas, a legendary football coach from Aplington-Parkersburg, Iowa, who was tragically killed. Over 36 seasons, he led his team to two state titles and helped four players reach the NFL, all from a town of just 2,000.

Hear from NFL alumni Casey Wiegmann, Brad Meester, Jared DeVries, and Aaron Kampman as they share their experiences with Coach Thomas. We examine why he was named the NFL's National Coach of the Year in 2005 and his coaching philosophy that emphasized effort and character.

We also hear from Ed’s grandson, Gavin, the quarterback for the 2023 Falcons, reflecting on his grandfather's lasting influence. Join us for a tribute to a coach who made a profound impact on his community and the sport.

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Tom Rinaldi is back with Season 2 of Tom Rinaldi Presents: Sacred Acre as he delves into the inspiring legacy of Ed Thomas, the revered high school football coach from Parkersburg, Iowa.

This 6-part series chronicles Thomas’s journey from being the 2005 NFL High School Coach of the Year to his heroic efforts in rebuilding his community after an EF-5 tornado. Tragically, Thomas's life was cut short when he was murdered by a former player.

Through powerful interviews, discover how his values of Faith, Family, Football, and Forgiveness continue to resonate in Parkersburg today.

New episodes every Thursday.

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We make the drive with Yuovene to Inglewood Park Cemetery, to return to Lyman’s grave. She hadn’t allowed herself to visit in more years than she could remember, as she tries to reconcile his loss, and her memories of their time together.   

We hear from those Wesley touched, as they consider his life and its legacy.

We also return to Gary to see what became of the man who killed Leonard Smith and Tom tries to come to terms with the regrets of his encounter with Leonard. The series finale. 

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Leonard Smith, the man who admitted to killing Lyman Bostock in a jealous rage, a man arrested more than half a dozen times, receives the jury’s verdict. The decision stuns the courtroom, and the country. And leads to thoughts of vengeance.

Years after the verdict, we tried to find Smith, to ask him about his life after the murder. He was living back in Gary, 6 blocks from where he killed Bostock.

The encounter still echoes for Tom years later, as he replays that interaction with Smith.

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Family, friends and all in baseball are in shock over Lyman’s murder. Yet the Angels play their scheduled game the next day. The game includes a moment that brings Carney Lansford and his other teammates to tears.

Later that week back in California, players join Yuovene and nearly a thousand other mourners at an emotional funeral in L.A. A young reporter named Skip Bayless covers the funeral, and remains moved to this day by what he witnessed.   

Back across the country in Indiana, the case against Lyman’s killer appears to be straightforward. It doesn’t turn out that way. At all. 

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By September 1977, Lyman is in the top 10 in the AL in hitting after starting his first season with the Angels in a huge slump. With the Angels in playoff contention during a late season series against the White Sox, he returns to Gary to spend the night with family after a game in Chicago.  

Youvene thought about surprising him on the trip, but decided against it.  

Visiting Gary was Lyman’s ritual whenever he played in Chicago, but this trip would cost him his life.

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Bostock breaks out in Minnesota, becoming one of the best hitters in the league. After playing out his contract and betting on himself, he’s recruited by more than half a dozen teams, including Reggie Jackson, George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees.

Lyman ultimately lands one of the richest contracts in all of sports when he decides to go home to Southern California to play for the Angels. 

He starts his time there in the worst slump of his career, and makes an unprecedented request: he wants to refuse his salary.  

Soon after, he proves to be one of the best hitters in baseball…

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Motivated by what he believes are scouts who misjudge him based on his “trouble” in college, Bostock is motivated more than ever to make it.

He makes the decision to enter the MLB draft. Selected 595th overall, he rises more rapidly than anyone expects--but there are hard lessons along the way. Especially when it comes to the business of baseball, and how the Minnesota Twins value players.

He forms a bond with a veteran teammate, whose influence lasts the rest of his career: Rod Carew.

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Bostock spent part of his childhood in Gary, Indiana: the murder capital of the United States.  

The city helped shape Bostock, and with his family ties there, its grip lasted throughout his life… with tragic result.

Bostock’s other home was California. His first week in college in the San Fernando Valley, he meets his future wife, Youvene. And in his first semester there, his role in a student protest (sparked by a white coach assaulting a Black athlete), would have dire consequences--from arrest, to felony charges, to time in jail. 

At a time when peers and classmates were urging him to give up the game and walk away from baseball, Bostock makes a choice, setting a course toward the rest of his life.  

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