Chasing Hardware: Recent Episodes
Rich Lumelleau
Join host Rich Lumelleau as he interviews athletes and others tied to the world of sports. The one thing each guest has in common is that they were trying to win titles and championships....they were Chasing Hardware.
So many great stories from Kansas City Chief icon and NFL Hall of Famer Bobby Bell. An all-around athlete growing up in Shelby, NC, he went to the University of Minnesota, won a National Title, and finished third in the Heisman race despite being an interior lineman. In KC, he went to 9 Pro Bowls, never missed a game, won a Super Bowl, and redefined how the Outside Linebacker position is played.
John Franco went to 4 All Star games, was the MLB saves leader 3x, and was Reliever of the Year 2x in his iconic 22-year career. A New Yorker to the core, he went to the same HS in Brooklyn as Sandy Kofax, played college ball at St John's with Frank Viola, and then Captained the Mets (a rarity for a pitcher). When he retired, he was 2nd all-time in saves (he is still 7th), and no lefty has saved more games. Great stories from a pitching legend.
The definition of a Renaissance man, NFL Hall of Famer & Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page shares some great stories from an extraordinary life.
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So many great stories from Heavyweight prizefighter Gerry Cooney on the latest Chasing Hardware.
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Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts shares some great stories from his iconic career in San Diego.
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World Golf Hall of Famer and 3-time Major winner Nick Price shares some great stories from his legendary career.
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Bob Golic shares some great stories from his days growing up in Cleveland in a true football-playing family, his iconic run at Notre Dame, and his All Pro career w/ the Patriots, Browns, and Raiders. You will be laughing all the way. Legend.
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Peter Mahovlich is an all-time great hockey player, as well as a legendary storyteller. He won four Cups with Montreal in the 70s and played key roles in the '72 Summit Series and the '76 Canada Cup. He shares some great anecdotes from a golden era of hockey; we cover his brother Frank, Gordie Howe, Ken Dryden, Scotty Bowman, Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Vladislav Tretiak and many more.
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Hall of Famer Larry Little was the anchor of one of the greatest Offensive Lines of all time, which in turn blocked for one of the greatest backfields of all time. Great stories from one of the only residents of "Perfectville."
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Great stories from Dwight Hicks who won 2 Super Bowls and went to 4 Pro Bowls as the leader of one of the most dynamic defensive backfields in NFL history. In the 105 years that pro football has been played, only his '84 49ers and the '76 Pittsburgh Steelers have sent all 4 DB's to the Pro Bowl. Legendary.
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Hometown hero Kent Hrbek is the ultimate Minnesota guy. He could see the lights of the old Metropolitan Stadium from his bedroom window, and he spent his entire 14-year career with the Twins, winning two World Series titles. He even went duck hunting the morning of Game 7 in '87! Great stories from an icon.
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Hockey icon Brad Park tells some great stories from his Hall of Fame career in New York, Boston, and Detroit, as well as sharing really interesting insights from the 72 Summit Series classic between Canada the Soviet Union.
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Hall of Famer Andre Dawson went to 8 All Star games, won 8 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers, and a National League MVP. Great stories about Gary Carter, Tony Perez, Pete Rose, Spaceman Lee, Ryne Sandberg, Popeye Zimmer, Mitch Williams, Roger Clemens, Larry Doby, Duke Snider, Greg Maddux, and Bruce Sutter...the toughest pitcher he ever faced.
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Will Perdue won 4 NBA titles; 3 in Chicago with the Michael Jordan-led Bulls and then another in San Antonio, helping give Gregg Popovich his first championship. Terrific stories from the former SEC Athlete of the Year.
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No player scored more points in the 1980's than Alex English. The Hall of Famer went to 8 All-Star games in an era defined by amazing talent at the small forward position. Give a listen for some terrific stories on the NBA of the 70s and 80s as the league went from finals being played on tape delay to being the global phenomenon it is today.
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The NFL Network ranked John Hannah as the greatest Guard in NFL history. Bear Bryant called him the greatest offensive linemen he ever saw. Grab a seat and listen to John "Hog" Hannah talk about his days growing up in Alabama, playing for the Bear, and then his 13 years in New England and the NFL..
Whether leading the Houston Oilers to consecutive AFC Championship games, whipping a football 87 yards downfield (true story), or winning drag races vs 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits, Dan Pastorini has always been a 'must-see' athlete. On the latest Chasing Hardware, Dan and I talk about being drafted by the Mets, his Santa Clara years, and being part of the first 'Year of the Quarterback' draft class along with Jim Plunkett and Archie Manning. Great stories from the leader of the 'Luv Ya Blue' Oilers.
Cowboys legend Charlie Waters discusses his career in Dallas where he played in 5 Super Bowls, winning 2. He is still tied for the most postseason interceptions all time, and along with Cliff Harris formed one of the greatest safety tandems ever. Fun stories from a mainstay of the Doomsday Defenses of the 70's.
Larry Robinson's name appears on the Stanley Cup an astounding 10 times; 6 as a Hall of Fame Defenseman for Montreal, 2 as an assistant coach with New Jersey, 1 as the head coach for New Jersey, and 1 as an executive with St Louis. Also, he is the NHL's all time leader in +/- at +722, over 25% ahead of the next closest, Bobby Orr. Listen as Larry tells some great stories about legendary players and teams.
Rob McClanahan was one of the leading scorers on the most iconic team in US sports history, the 1980 Miracle squad at Lake Placid. He was on the ice for the last crazed minutes of the seminal Russia game, and two days later his his 3rd period goal vs Finland clinched the gold medal. In addition to the many stories about Herb Brooks and that Olympic team, he also talks about his days growing up in Minnesota and playing at the 'U', and then his years in the NHL. Great stories from an American sports hero.
Bill Raftery had a stellar career as a player in New Jersey and at LaSalle, and then went on to coaching success at FDU and Seton Hall. But 42 years ago he turned to broadcasting, and a Hall of Fame career began. When we are not talking 'onions' and 'Send it in Jerome', we are talking about all the players, coaches, and broadcasters he has crossed paths with (and maybe bent an elbow with) over the last 4+ decades. Great stories from a legend.
Lou Whitaker formed one half of the greatest double play combination in Major League Baseball history. He went to 5 All Star games, won 4 Gold Gloves and 3 Silver Slugger awards. His WAR is 7th highest all-time among second basemen, and of the 6 in front of him, 4 played before WWII. He was also a key member on one of the greatest teams ever, the 1984 World Series Champion Detroit Tigers. Listen for some great stories and observations.
On the latest Chasing Hardware, Hall of Famer Dan Hampton talks about his days at Arkansas and then with the iconic Bears of the 80s. He was one of the anchors of the '85 defense which is heralded as the best of all time. Tons of great stories about playing for Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan, as well as Frank Broyles, Lou Holtz, Jimmy Johnson, and Monte Kiffin, and alongside legends like Dent, Mongo, Singletary, and Walter Payton.
Jan Stenerud's path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame might be the least likely of all enshrines. He was a ski jumper from Norway on scholarship at Montana St when he got discovered almost by accident. 27 years later he was the first pure kicker ever to put on a gold jacket. Great stories from a football legend.
Dan Dierdorf grew up a mile and change from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He went to the groundbreaking in 1962. What he never would have guessed on that day was that 34 years later, after a stellar career both at Michigan and then with the St Louis Cardinals, he himself would be putting on a gold jacket and finding his place among the immortals of the game. Beyond that, all he did was spend 30 years in the broadcast booth alongside the likes of Bob Costas, Verne Lundquist, Dick Enberg, and Greg Gumbel. Oh, and 12 years on Monday Night Football with Al Michaels. Great stories from a legend.
Rick Dempsey was one of the best defensive catchers of his generation, and he caught 11 different 20-game winners over his career (as well as 4 19-game winners). He elevated his play in the post-season, batting 70 points above his career average while leading the '83 Orioles (he was MVP) and '88 Dodgers to World Series titles. Hear some great stories about playing for Billy Martin (2x), Earl Weaver, and Tommy Lasorda.
Basketball Hall of Famer Rudy Tomjanovich talks about his days at Michigan and then his amazing 33-year run in the Rockets organization. He led Houston to two titles, and then coached the US men to Olympic gold in 2000 in Sydney. Great stories from a basketball legend.
In the last 50 years, 9 managers have won multiple World Series titles. Tom Kelly is one of them. The Minnesota Twins championship in 1991 is arguably the greatest WS ever; it featured 5 1-run games, 4 games decided on the final play, 3 extra-inning contests, and a 10-inning, 1-0 win in Game 7 that is one of the most iconic games in MLB history. Hear all the stories from a Twins legend.
The latest Chasing Hardware features an interview with Super Bowl XXV MVP OJ Anderson. OJ was one of the players who laid the foundation for the Miami Hurricanes' rise to prominence. He was a perennial 1,000 yard rusher with the Cardinals where he was both Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler. And then, after a trade to the Giants, he racked up 2 Super Bowl wins, scoring TDs in each, and was voted Comeback Player of the Year in 1989. Listen for some great stories from a Hurricane, Cardinal, and Giant legend.
Ken Bowman was the primary Center on Vince Lombardi's last 3 Championship teams. Those Packers are 1 of only 2 squads in NFL history to win 3 straight titles, and the other was over 90 years ago. In the legendary Ice Bowl game, he was a key figure on one of the most heralded game-winning drives in NFL lore, and he and Jerry Kramer teamed up to make one of the most iconic blocks ever, paving the way for Bart Starr's go-ahead touchdown. Listen for some great stories from a guy who was in the middle of it all.
NFL and College Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff was the MVP of Super Bowl XI. He retired as the most prolific receiver in post-season history. The nations's top collegiate receiver each year is honored with the Biletnikoff Award. And he is part of the only QB & receiving trio in league history where all 4 are in the Hall (Stabler, Branch, Casper, and himself). Great stories from a true legend.
Phillies legend Larry Bowa talks about his nearly 50 years in a major league uniform as a player, coach and manager. Larry went to 5 All Star games and retired as the best fielding shortstop of all time. He was a spark plug of the 1980 World Series champ Phillies, batting .375 and notching 3 stolen bases. He also led the Cubs to their first postseason in nearly 40 years, and he won an NL Manager of the Year award. Listen for some great stories.
John Salley won 4 NBA rings with 3 teams in 3 decades in 2 millenniums. He was an original member of Detroit's Bad Boys and a practitioner of the Jordan Rules, and then won w/ MJ & Phil Jackson in Chicago and Shaq & Kobe in LA as a believer in the Triangle. He also tells some great stories about the fabled NYC basketball scene in the late 70's and early 80's, and then the golden years of the ACC with Georgia Tech under Bobby Cremins. As he himself said, "I played well in big games because I played all games like they were big." Enjoy...
Talk about a winner; Rocky Bleier's HS team went undefeated 3 straight years, then he won a National Title at Notre Dame (where he was also Captain), and then 4 Super Bowl rings with the Steelers. Oh, and he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star in Vietnam. Great stories from a real hero.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy White tells great stories about growing up in Delaware, choosing University of Maryland football over signing with the Phillies, and of course, the Dallas years. Hell, he is even in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame for his work as a cutting horse champ. Tune in and be entertained.
NFL Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure talks about being a true Great Lakes player...from growing up in Detroit to playing for Michigan State, Buffalo and Cleveland. Joe was the first player to block for both a 2,000 yard rusher and a 4,000 yard passer, and he played for some of the most prolific offenses in the history of the league. He was also diagnosed with CTE and dementia over 10 years ago and talks about it very candidly. Great stories from a great player.
When Ron Cey retired he was in the top 5 of Third Basemen all-time in almost every offensive category. He was a 6-time All Star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, led them to 4 World Series appearances and was the co-MVP of the '81 WS. He also helped lead the Cubs to the playoffs in '84 after a nearly 40 year drought. AND he was part of the most iconic infield in MLB history. Great stories from a baseball legend.
George Rogers is on the very short list of men who have won a Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl championship. He rushed for over 7,000 yards in 7 seasons (2 strike-shortened), and tells some great stories about playing with and for Bum Phillips, Earl Campbell, John Riggins, Darrell Green and many more. Give a listen to the former Gamecock, Saint, and Redskin legend.
Dale Murphy was the most prolific hitter of the 80's...he had more hits and RBI's, and the second most HR's, of any player in the decade. He is one of only 4 outfielders in history to win back-to-back MVP awards. And the guys from R.E.M. even wrote a song about him. Hear his stories on the latest Chasing Hardware.
World B. Free was one of the most electrifying players of his generation. He played with, and tells some great stories about, Dr J, Darryl Dawkins, George McGinnis, Bill Walton, Bernard King, & Hakeem Olajuwon. From his days in Brownsville Brooklyn and Guilford College through to the NBA, he played with style and heart. Get ready for a great listen.
Hall of Fame Coach Nolan Richardson talks about his '40 minutes of hell' mentality, his championships at Arkansas and Tulsa, and some of the greats who influenced him, including Don Haskins, John Thompson, Don Chaney, and George Raveling. Great stories from a coaching legend.
Ken Houston is on the very short list of best strong safeties in NFL history. He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer who recorded 49 INTs and 21 fumble recoveries in his career, as well as a then-record 12 TDs. Hear some great stories and takes from the pride of Prairie View, the Houston Oilers and the Washington Redskins.
NHL Hall of Famer Gerry Cheevers led the Boston Bruins to 4 Stanley Cup finals in the 70's, winning 2. He helped change the economics of the NHL by jumping to the WHA for 4 years. As a coach, he still ranks in the top 15 all time in win % for those with over 250 games coached. And, without a doubt, he has the most iconic goalie mask of all time. Listen to some great stories from a hockey legend.
Roman Gabriel was the NFL's MVP with the Rams, the Comeback Player of the Year with the Eagles, and a 2x All-American and 2x ACC Player of the Year at North Carolina State. Tom Landry called him one of the strongest players in pro football. Listen to some great stories from one of the toughest QB's to ever take a snap.
Bill Madlock is simply one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. 14 guys have won 4 or more batting titles and only 5 of those have come in the last 50 years. He is one of them. His performance in the '79 Series for Pittsburgh is legendary. And he recounts playing for Billy Martin, Chuck Tanner, Tommy Lasorda, and Sparky Anderson. Give a listen for some great stories and interesting perspective.
No coach in NHL history has won more regular season games, playoff games, or Stanley Cups than Scotty Bowman. And on top of his 9 championships in Montreal, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, he won 5 more as an executive. He tells some great stories about building teams, the importance of good goaltending, and how you have to adapt to keep your edge.
Dolphins legendary Safety Dick Anderson talks about playing for Don Shula, the 'No-Name Defense', & the back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Plus some great stories about his Defensive Backfield mate in college at Colorado - Hale Irwin.
Cedric 'Cornbread' Maxwell led UNC-Charlotte on an improbable Final Four run in 1977, and then was the MVP of the '81 NBA Finals with Boston. And then before Game 7 in the '84 Finals vs the Lakers he told the team to get on his back. 24 points, 8 boards and 8 assists later, they were Champs again. Hear Cornbread's great stories.
NHL Hall of Famer Denis Potvin discusses his 15 year career with the Islanders, including the four consecutive Stanley Cup wins and his 3 Norris Trophies. And to be clear, he didn't suck.
Calvin Hill discusses growing up in Baltimore, going to prep school in NYC, playing for a nationally ranked Yale team, and then his career in the NFL w/ Dallas, Washington, and the Browns. He also talks about when he knew his son Grant was the best basketball player in the house. Great stories from a great guy who had a great career.
Hall of Famer and former US Congressman Steve Largent retired with more catches for more yards and more touchdowns than anyone in NFL history. Hear his stories about growing up in Oklahoma, backing up Drew Pearson at Tulsa, and then his record-breaking NFL career that got off to a bumpy start. And then hear about his time in Washington.
Basketball Hall of Famer Billy Cunningham played at North Carolina for Dean Smith, won a title in Philly with Wilt Chamberlain, and then coached Dr J and Moses Malone to another championship with the 76ers. He tells some great stories...listen to them here.
Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez tells some great stories about growing up in New Mexico, playing at Tulsa, and her many years on the LPGA tour. Her amazing career included 3 Player of the Year Awards, 3 major championships and one of the most impressive winning streaks any sport has ever seen.
In the history of Major League Baseball, nobody has umpired more games than Joe West. You might not always agree with the call, but you will agree that he tells great stories. Give it a listen.
John Madden once said if a Martian landed in his backyard and wanted to know what a football player was, he'd go find Jack Youngblood. Listen to Jack talk about his Hall of Fame career at Florida and the LA Rams. And yes, we talk about him playing 4 games on a broken leg.
Bob Lilly is "Mr. Cowboy." Listen to him talk about growing up in Texas, playing at TCU, and his 14 years in Dallas. Great stories from his Hall of Fame career.
Paul Maguire was recruited to the Citadel by Al Davis, won 3 AFL titles with San Diego and Buffalo, and then spent over four decades behind a microphone on NBC and ESPN. And he enjoyed every single minute of it. Hear his stories.
Hall of Famer Ron Yary talks about growing up in LA, his days at USC, and playing for Bud Grant's legendary Vikings teams. He also discusses the offensive and defensive linemen he admired and respected most.
Basketball Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore talks about growing up in Florida, the Final Four run with Jacksonville, his ABA days in Kentucky and then the Bulls and Spurs years in the NBA. And hear his takes on the various centers he went up against in a great era of NBA big men.
Lenny Wilkens discusses his amazing career, which includes membership in the basketball Hall of Fame as a player, a coach, and a member of the '92 Dream Team. He retired with more assists than any player in history, and retired as a coach with more wins than anyone before him. Hear his stories.
Bert Jones talks about his years at LSU and with the Baltimore Colts. The '76 MVP also discusses his father Dub and what it was like growing up with a dad who played for the legendary Paul Brown.
Bob McAdoo tells some great stories about growing up in Greensboro and playing for Dean Smith at UNC, winning the NBA MVP in '75, enduring a number of rebuilds, and then getting two rings with the Lakers. And then he enjoyed even more success in Italy and as a coach and scout for the Heat.
Listen as Hall of Famer Mel Blount talks about growing up in Georgia, playing against stiff competition at Southern University, playing for the Steelers dynasty of the 70's, and the Mel Blount Youth Home.
Chuck Foreman broke the mold for running backs in the NFL by being a dual-threat rusher and receiver for the 1970's Vikings. Listen as he talks about growing up in Maryland, playing at Miami, and being coached by Bud Grant.
Listen as Mercury Morris talks about his years at West Texas St, his rivalry with OJ Simpson, the perfect '72 Dolphins, and being a part of arguably the greatest backfield of all time.
When Gary Fencik retired he was Chicago's all-time leader in interceptions and tackles. He was the starting free safety on the dominant '85 Bears defense, and he tells great stories about Buddy Ryan, Mike Ditka and Walter Payton among others. John Madden once said that Gary Fencik playing at Yale was like saying 'clean dirt'. Enjoy this interview.
Verne Lundquist's career as an announcer spans over 6 decades and includes some of the most iconic calls of all time. Listen as he gives the background on some of those calls, talks about the Masters, the SEC, the NFL and the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding saga.
Greg Pruitt talks about his days at Oklahoma, including playing in the Game of the Century, and then the Browns and a Super Bowl win with the Raiders. He recounts stories about Barry Switzer, Johnny Rodgers, Leroy Kelly, Lyle Alzado, and many more.
Bill Curry talks about winning 3 championships and playing for Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, and Don McCafferty. He snapped the ball to Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas. And then he coached at Georgia Tech, Alabama, and Kentucky. He has led a football life.
Oakland great Phil Villapiano talks about growing up at the Jersey Shore, catching the eye of Al Davis while at Bowling Green, and his years with the swashbuckling Raiders of the '70s. Hear great stories about Matuszak, Tatum, John Madden, and more.
Billy Kilmer recalls his UCLA days, including playing basketball for John Wooden. He talks about being a running back early in his career, the ups and downs of playing with the expansion Saints, and the fun he had with Sonny Jurgensen in Washington.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner played for legends Eddie Robinson, Paul Brown, Bill Walsh and Don Coryell. Hear him talk about playing with Fouts and Winslow, against Lott and Blount, and the famous 1981 playoff game in Miami.
Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven is a born story-teller. From the Netherlands, Saskatchewan and California, he won 2 World Series and tells great stories about playing with Gaylord and Jim Perry, Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Willie Stargell, and Kirby Puckett.
Join host Rich Lumelleau as he interviews athletes and others from the world of sports. The one thing each of these guests had in common was that they were trying to win titles and championships; they were Chasing Hardware.