CSR 397 Bobby Valentine

CSR 397 Bobby Valentine

Author: Bruce Wawrzyniak September 14, 2026 Duration: 31:46

He was a first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers and went on to play ten years and well over 600 games with five different Major League Baseball teams before then going on to 16 years as a manager for three different MLB teams, including taking the New York Mets to the World Series in 2000. He also spent time as a broadcaster with both ESPN and SportsNet New York and even authored a memoir that came out a few years ago. He has been inducted into a number of Halls of Fame -- including by the New York Mets a few months ago -- and was even the first American manager to win Japan's championship series. He established a sports academy bearing his name in Stamford, Connecticut, has served as an advisor to the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, spent eight years as Executive Director of Athletics at Sacred Heart University, and even has his own restaurant and sports bar.


Finding harmony between the roar of the crowd and the quiet of personal conviction is a challenge many face, and that's the central exploration of Catholic Sports Radio. Host Bruce Wawrzyniak facilitates conversations that go beyond scores and stats, delving into how faith informs competition, leadership, and life after the final whistle. Each episode features dialogue with Catholics involved in sports-from professional athletes and Olympic coaches to scholastic officials and clergy serving team communities. These guests share personal stories about integrating their spiritual journey with the intense demands of athletics, offering perspectives on perseverance, ethics, and purpose. The discussions are grounded in real experience, providing relatable insights for anyone navigating their own priorities, whether they are on the field, in the stands, or somewhere in between. This podcast creates a unique space where the parallels between spiritual discipline and athletic discipline become clear, fostering a sense of connection and reflection. It’s not about preaching plays but about understanding the whole person behind the jersey. You'll hear authentic narratives that resonate regardless of your background, highlighting universal themes of struggle, triumph, and balance. Tune in for thoughtful content that challenges the typical sports talk format and offers a deeper, more meaningful listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Catholic Sports Radio
Podcast Episodes
CSR 376 Sam Goodwin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:49
He played hockey growing up and then went on to not only play junior hockey in Dallas for the Texas Tornado, but from there earned a D1 athletic scholarship to Niagara University. During his freshman year at Niagara, he…
CSR 375 Dr Michael Donato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:17
He works as a sports medicine podiatrist. At Princeton University he had played four years of varsity baseball and one year of varsity hockey. In high school he had played four years of varsity hockey, freshman baseball…
CSR 374 Britta Curl-Salemme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
She just won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Italy in February as a member of the U.S. women's ice hockey team. She is a forward in her second season with the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women's Hockey Lea…
CSR 373 Michael Sharman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:12
A senior at Clemson University where he is a pitcher on the men's baseball team. Through his first six games played in 2026 he had a 4-1 won-lost record over 32 and two-thirds innings pitched and an earned run average of…
CSR 372 Mike Hoendorf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:25
He has been coaching and working within the game of baseball for over 20 years and has been working in Catholic ministry for over ten years. He has previously spent time coaching at every level of baseball from youth to…
CSR 371 Noah Kararo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
He currently plays for the ChiCity Orioles, as part of the Chicago Premier Baseball League. He is also Director of Baseball Operations for the Illinois Hawks, having previously served as their Director of Youth Developme…
CSR 370 Melanie Meza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:00
She had a long career as a student-athlete, playing basketball for Whittier College, El Camino College, and her high school, all in California. During her time at El Camino College she made the Academic All-State Basketb…
CSR 369 Joni Briganti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:23
She has earned USA Triathlon's Lifetime Achievement Award, among other honors. She went from being a USA racer/triathlete into an International World triathlete. In 2017 she qualified for Age Group Team USA Triathlon, an…
CSR 368 Daniel Gill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
He attended Benedictine College Preparatory, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete. He went on to play Division I soccer at Mount St. Mary's and Longwood University. He later coached at Benedictine for…
CSR 367 John Paul Raiger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
He was a free safety on the football team at the College of the Holy Cross, where he was selected to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. That followed a high school career during which he served as captain of the foo…