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Houston Astros Pitcher JP France Talks Pitching, Minor Leagues, Mean Girls, Christian Faith

Houston Astros pitcher JP France has spent the last five years working his way through the Astros farm system. He was selected in the 14th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft out of Mississippi State University. In his last 17 appearances of the 2022 Triple-A season in Sugar Land, France logged a 2.52 ERA over 39.1 innings pitched. In November, France was placed on the Astros Major League active roster, and he hopes to make his Major League debut in 2023. His wife, Jessica McCain France, appeared on five different seasons of reality television series that aired on MTV between the years 2013 and 2016, including The Real World: Portland, The Challenge: Rivals II, The Challenge: Free Agents, The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II, and The Challenge: Rivals III. Jessica is currently pregnant with the couple's first child, and is due to give birth very soon.
 
France visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss a wide variety of topics including, his love for hunting and the movie Mean Girls, life in the minor leagues, changes that have come to minor league baseball in recent years — some of which that are soon coming to MLB, such as the pitch clock — preparing for fatherhood, his Christian faith, his wife's reality television career, pitching, and much more.
 
France has pitched both as a starter and a reliever. He pitched primarily out of the bullpen towards the end of last season. How does pitching as a reliever differ from pitching as a starter? France explains. He discusses his pitch mix, how to mentally turn the page from a bad outing, and how he attacks hitters. Tune in to the Jack Vita Show for an episode you will not want to miss!
 
We featured JP's wife Jess on the Jack Vita Show last summer. Check it out here!

Former Oakland A’s Pitcher Ryan Dull Talks Stephen Vogt, Christian Faith, ’Survivor’, Pitching

Former pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays and current MLB free agent Ryan Dull visits the Jack Vita Show to discuss his life in baseball, his Christian faith, and his love for the long-running reality television show 'Survivor.'
Ryan pitched for the A's from 2015 to 2019. He set a Major League Baseball record for stranding the most consecutive inherited runners. His jersey is in Cooperstown at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2016, Ryan did not allow a single one of the 36 straight runners he inherited to score. Ryan discusses his time with the A's, and what it was like playing with Barry Zito and Stephen Vogt, and others. Ryan also shares about his Christian faith and what role religion plays in an MLB clubhouse. He talks about having fellowship and community with other Christians on his team.
Ryan pitched for the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League in 2022. Ryan shares about his time in independent league as he tries to get back to the show.
Ryan's wife, Brittany Baldi Dull, was a contestant on multiple MTV reality competition shows, including The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II and Are You the One? Brittany currently hosts a popular sports lifestyle podcast, called "The BosBabes", available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever podcasts are found.
Ryan is also a huge fan of the Survivor. He has watched every season since he began watching during the show's second season, Survivor: The Australian Outback. Ryan and Jack talk Survivor. What are some of Ryan's favorite seasons, and who are some of his favorite characters? All this, and much more in a very fun conversation!

Will Trevor Bauer Pitch in 2023? Correa’s Medical Concerns, Eovaldi Contract (Feat. Survivor Historians Jay Fischer and Mario Lanza)

Cohosts of the Survivor Historian's Podcast Jay Fischer and Mario Lanza join Jack Vita for a lively conversation on the latest happenings from the Major League Baseball offseason. Since our last show, Trevor Bauer had his suspension reduced, making him available to play immediately in 2023. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that Bauer will be released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the Dodgers have yet to announce their decision on Bauer. They have until January 6 to make a decision. Jay, Mario and Jack discuss whether Bauer will play in 2023, and where he might land. Jay is a lifelong Dodgers fan. He weighs in on the club's offseason, after saying goodbye to franchise staples Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner. Jay, Mario and Jack discuss the latest on Carlos Correa's potential contract with the New York Mets, after the club was reportedly concerned after Correa's physical. The Texas Rangers signed veteran pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to a two-year, $34 million contract. Jack shares why he believes it may have been the best signing of the winter. Along the way, the three chat about why teams are spending more this winter than they have in winters past, their thoughts on Steve Cohen's aggressive strategy and the Mets' $500 million payroll. Mario also shares his thoughts on his Seattle Mariners' offseason, after the club traded for Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong and traded away Jesse Winker. All this, and much, much more in a fun MLB Hot Stove episode of the Jack Vita Show!

MLB Free Agency: Correa to the Mets? Best Shortstop Contract? Best and Worst Signings of the Winter

After a few weeks away, Jack is back to talk the latest from Major League Baseball's offseason with Ryan Pacatte. In the middle of the night, Carlos Correa's deal with the San Francisco Giants fell apart after a medical concern arose from his physical, and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen swooped in to give Correa a 12-year, $315 million contract early Wednesday morning. Correa is the last of the four All-Star free agent shortstops to find a new home this winter. Dansby Swanson agreed to a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, the Philadelphia Phillies inked Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million deal, and the San Diego Padres shelled out an 11-year, $280 million contract to Xander Bogaerts. Which team is getting the best contract among the four free agent signings? Ryan and Jack discuss, and also discuss what exactly happened between Correa and the Giants. Later, Ryan and Jack recap the major free agent signings of the winter, catching the listeners up on what they might have missed over the past few weeks, and also sharing which contracts they believe are the best and worst signings of the winter.

Little League Star Philipp LaGrossa with Survivor Star and Baseball Wife Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick

Three-time Survivor star and MLB wife Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick returns to the Jack Vita Show, bringing with her a very special guest... her 11-year-old nephew Philipp LaGrossa!
 
Philipp's Toms River East Little League team won the New Jersey State Championship earlier this year, and came within a game of going to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Virginia. Stephenie and Jack welcome Philipp to talk some baseball, Little League and more!
 
Hear about what Philipp's time was like playing on ESPN, and living in the dorms with his teammates! Philipp weighs in on his favorite team, the Philadelphia Phillies, watching his aunt Stephenie compete on reality television, drinking slushies and eating popcorn and hot dogs at little league games, favorite memories from the experience, his dreams to big a professional baseball player, and much, much more! Along the way, Jack and Steph share some stories from their own youth sports careers, respectively. Philipp also makes some NFL and college football picks for the week. It's a light-hearted conversation filled with fun and lots of laughs! (0:00 - 1:20:30).
 
Later, on a different note, Stephenie catches us up on the latest from her life, and shares some heartfelt thoughts after the sudden passing of her brother, less than a year after the passing of another one of her brothers. Steph and Jack talk life, social media usage, sports and reflect a little bit on the past year, before entering into the holiday season. (1:20:30 - END).

Dr. Sean Kenniff Dishes on Survivor: Borneo, Alphabet Voting Strategy, Life and Faith

Dr. Sean Kenniff is a neurologist and was a castaway on the first season of Survivor, Survivor: Borneo, on which he finished in fifth place.
 
On the latest episode of the Jack Vita Show, Sean joins Jack to discuss his time on reality television and share what he has been up to in the 22 years since he appeared on Survivor's first season.
 
The first season of Survivor, which aired in the summer of 2000, was a national phenomenon. 53 million people tuned in to the show's season finale, where Richard Hatch was awarded the million dollar prize. The show was such a huge success, it laid the groundwork for the franchise to create 42 more seasons, and counting, as Survivor has been on the air for over 22.5 years. Cast members from the first season became household names overnight, rubbing elbows with A-list celebrities at red carpet events. Sean shares about his experiences after the show, and how Survivor launched him to a career as a medical reporter at CBS. He also discusses what led him to applying for Survivor, what he hoped to get out of the experience, and how the cameras shaped his on-camera persona and strategy.
 
Sean dishes on his alphabet voting strategy. Why did he vote alphabetically? Sean explains the genius of the alphabet strategy. Sean also spills secrets about the first season of Survivor. Did production play a factor in the exit of Stacey Stillman? Sean shares his take and his experiences, pertaining to the Stacey Stillman lawsuit. Why didn't anybody outside of the 'Tagi 4' form an alliance? Has Sean been asked to return to Survivor?
 
Along the way, Sean and Jack talk life, and Sean shares how he became a Christian and why his relationship with Jesus is important to his life.
 
Sean recently created a new product, 'The Jerk at Work' doll. Sean shares about the creation and invention of his new product that he is rolling out this holiday season. Get your own in time for the holidays: https://thejerkatwork.com

Full 2022-2023 College Basketball Season Preview with Andrew Stem and Ryan Pacatte

Last week, Jack and Omaha World-Herald reporter Andrew Stem gave a short preview of the 2022-2023 college basketball season, sharing their National Championship picks, along with some major storylines to keep an eye on this season. This week, Andrew and Jack are joined by Ryan Pacatte for an in-depth preview of all things college hoops!
 
In the latest episode of the Jack Vita Show, Andrew, Ryan and Jack take a look at every major conference, providing a detailed, in-depth preview. Which conference will be the best this season, the Big 12 or the Big Ten? And which conference is the next strongest, after those two? They take a look at the ACC, American Athletic Conference, SEC, Big East, Pac-12, Missouri Valley and highlight some of the best mid-major programs to keep an eye on in 2022-23. It's an episode you will not want to miss!

World Series Recap + College Basketball Season Preview + TCU’s CFP Chances + NFL Week 9

Andrew Stem returns to the Jack Vita Show for the first time in too long, to recap and discuss the World Series, talk some NFL Week 9 news and games, preview the 2022-2023 college basketball season and share some thoughts on the latest from the College Football Playoff picture.
 
First, Jack congratulates Andrew on his Detroit Lions' 15-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers and discuss some story lines from the weekend, as well as the first half of the NFL season, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers' struggles, Tom Brady's potential turning point drive Sunday, and Geno Smith's 6-3 NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (0:00 - 17:40).
 
Then, Andrew and Jack break down the final two games of the World Series, and discuss Rob Thomson's decision to pull Zack Wheeler in the sixth inning of the Philadelphia Phillies' Game 6 loss Saturday night at 70 pitches. Andrew and Jack have some thoughts on managers taking their starting pitchers out early from games, a modern baseball trend. Andrew and Jack break all things down and discuss how the Astros won their second World Series in franchise history (17:40 - 53:20).
 
Later, Andrew and Jack share some thoughts on the week's college football games, news and stories, and dissect the College Football Playoff picture. Do the College Football Playoff committee's rankings really mean anything, this early (53:20 - 1:02:00)?
 
Finally, Andrew and Jack preview the 2022-2023 college basketball season, beginning Monday. What are some early storylines to be on the look out for, and who are each of them picking to win the NCAA Tournament next March (1:02:00 - END)?
 
You can follow Andrew (@astem00) on Twitter, and check out his work at the Omaha World Herald!