It’s the final episode of The Approach Shot Podcast! And we go out with one of our all-time favorite interviews. It’s Michael Ortman, Author of the Best-Selling book, 50 For 50. Once you listen this will be one of your favorite episodes too. Before we say “goodbye” to our loyal audience for the last time, let us also say “Thank you”. Thank you for listening, for following. For your support and kind words over the past two years. Feel free to peruse all of our archived episodes. They will be here in perpetuity (or forever, whichever comes first). Enjoy and Thank You all again.

We revisit our conversations with Andy VanSlyke. He was an outstanding outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is also one fot he funniest men you have ever heard. Great baseball stories from one of the greats, Andy VanSlyke once again this week on The Approach Shot Podcast.

Levon Kirkland was a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Stealers. He was smaller than many others who played the position. He was faster than many too. In fact, it has been said that Levon Kirkland created what has become the modern Line Backer position. And after seeing what Levon did to Emmet Smith in the Super Bowl XXX you probably don’t want to argue the point. Levon Kirkland talks college football, the NFL, and golf on this week’s edition of The Approach Shot Podcast

Jerry Reuss (born June 19, 1949)—pronounced "royce"—is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Reuss played for eight teams in his major league career; along with the Dodgers (1979–87), he played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1969–71), Houston Astros (1972–73), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1974–78). At the end of his career (1987–90), he played for the Cincinnati Reds, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Pirates again (Reuss is one of only two Pirates to have played for Danny Murtaugh, Chuck Tanner, and Jim Leyland, the other being John Candelaria). With the Dodgers, he won the 1981 World Series over the New York Yankees. In 1988 he became the second pitcher in history, joining Milt Pappas, to win 200 career games without ever winning 20 in a single season.[1] Reuss is one of only 29 players in major league history to play in four different decades.[2]

Jerry Reuss (born June 19, 1949)—pronounced "Royce"—is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Reuss played for eight teams in his major league career; along with the Dodgers (1979–87), he played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1969–71), Houston Astros (1972–73), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1974–78). At the end of his career (1987–90), he played for the Cincinnati Reds, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Pirates again (Reuss is one of only two Pirates to have played for Danny Murtaugh, Chuck Tanner, and Jim Leyland, the other being John Candelaria). With the Dodgers, he won the 1981 World Series over the New York Yankees. In 1988 he became the second pitcher in history, joining Milt Pappas, to win 200 career games without ever winning 20 in a single season. Reuss is one of only 29 players in major league history to play in four different decades. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NJ/ NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customers only. Min. $25 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply and product offerings vary by state. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

This week on The Approach Shot Podcast we are pleased to have author Michael Ortman is our guest. Michael has written a great book called “Opening Day 50-for50”. It’s a collection of stories of how one man attended 50 Opening Day baseball games in 50 years. Inside the book and on the podcast today you will hear some great stories of teams and players whose names you may have forgotten but the memories will come flooding back with Mr. Ortman’s passionate telling of his stories from 50 years of opening day baseball games. Another fun, funny, entertaining edition of The Approach Sahot Podcast

This week on the Approach Shot Podcast we have Coach Lon Kruger on to talk about College Basketball, Coaches Against Cancer, and how easy it is to get 4 or 5 career aces on the golf course. You probably have never heard a more humble Hall of Famer talk. He learned early from his dad that there is no “I” only “we”. You will get a whole new appreciation of the upper echelon of College Coaches after hearing 45 minutes of interview with Lon Kruger

Brian Hammons spent over 29 years at the Golf Channel doing play by play and studio anchoring for live golf tournament coverage. Each time he was at a Solheim Cup, A President’s Cup, or a Ryder Cup he always thought it would be a lot of fun for regular golfers to have that style of competition. So he created it: The Country Club National Championship. This year it will be held in Myrtle Beach this October. Brian explains the concept, the genesis, and the way you and your team can enter and win. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

Andy Van Slyke is a former member of both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates where he won 5 gold gloves and made 3 All Star teams. He has some great stories about baseball, his golf game, and sports in general. His stories are indeed great, but even better one-liners. For instance, Andy told us: “they asked me to play 3rd base like Brooks and I did…like Mel Brooks”. This is another fun, funny, and entertaining look into the life of one of baseball's truly great players on this edition of The Approach Shot Podcast. And we welcome a new sponsor: Draft Kings. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

This week on The Approach Shot Podcast our guest is former NHL Goalie, John Vanbiesbrouck. Vanbiesbrouck was a hybrid goaltender who combined the butterfly style and the more traditional stand-up style. He was strong at playing his angles and challenged shooters well. Small for a goaltender, standing only 5' 8", he relied on his quickness to regain his feet after making saves or to make additional saves in goalmouth scrambles. Vanbiesbrouck was aggressive when it came to playing the puck, which helped him tie the Rangers single season record for assists by a goaltender and set the Rangers career record as well. (Since broken by Henrik Lundqvist). Vanbiesbrouck is the Rangers all-time leader in penalty minutes by a goaltender, with 212. Another fun, funny, and oh so entertaining edition of The Approach Shot Podcast.