Jack Vita Show: Sports | MLB | Baseball | NFL | College Football | NCAA Basketball | NBA | Faith
Join published journalist and sports reporter Jack Vita each week for an in-depth breakdown of the latest news from the world of sports, featuring thoughtful analysis and exclusive interviews with athletes, coaches, executives and media members. Jack interviews athletes that provide a peak behind the curtain and a look at the daily life of a professional athlete. They also discuss life off-the-field and other various topics, including faith. Prominent guests include Brian Urlacher, Bob Nightengale, Jim Callis and Dan O’Dowd. This is the podcast feed for all sports content on the Jack Vita Show. For Jack’s entertainment and reality TV coverage, subscribe to Jack Vita Show: Entertainment, available wherever podcasts are found.
Episodes
![2020 MLB Preview Series - NL Central with Jordan Morandini](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog2015517/yelich_2_810de_300x300.jpg)
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
2020 MLB Preview Series - NL Central with Jordan Morandini
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
Wednesday Jun 03, 2020
Jack's MLB Preview series rolls on with a comprehensive preview of the NL Central. Is there any possibility that the Pirates improve significantly from their disappointing 2019 season, or are the Buccos stuck in rebuild mode? (7:42 - 24:40). The Reds made the most noise over the winter and have been a trendy pick; are they legit? What will they need to overcome in order to transform into a contender? (24:40 - 48:10). The Cubs fired Joe Maddon, replaced him with David Ross, and did very little else in the offseason. Will the managerial change move the Cubs back into contention in a crowded division? (48:10 - 1:10:59) The Brewers are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, with a healthy Yelich, will they continue to play October baseball? (1:10:59 - 1:17:50). The Cardinals are the defending division champions; will they retain the throne in 2020? (1:17:50 - 1:29:45) Who wins the NL Central? Episode complete with win projections and divisional picks.
![NFL Conference Championships Recap, Bachelor and Celebrity Big Brother Talk with Rachel Gerhardt](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog2015517/brady_dog_aemh9_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
Tuesday Jun 02, 2020
(From January 24th, 2019) Rachel Gerhardt stops by the Jack Vita Show to talk about NFL officiating and overtime rules, the Conference Championship games from the previous weekend, stories from the Cubs Convention, and early thoughts on The Bachelor and Celebrity Big Brother.
![5.28.20 'The Match', the NHL's Return, MLB Players + Owners Negotiations', Universal DH, and NBA at Disney World](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog2015517/bellinger_300x300.jpg)
Friday May 29, 2020
Friday May 29, 2020
Jordan Morandini returns to the Jack Vita Show to discuss the return of sports! Golf's "The Match" scored big in the ratings department on Sunday. We share some thoughts on the biggest sporting event since March (8:20 - 11:30). The NHL has preliminary plans to come back, will it pave the way for the return of other leagues? (11:30 - 20:40). In order for Major League Baseball to have a season in 2020, the players and owners must reach an agreement on number of games, salary, etc. Will a deal get done? We discuss potential solutions, brainstorm ideas and estimate a logical deadline for an agreement to be met (20:40 - 38:40). The MLB is floating around the idea of having a universal designated hitter and adding four more teams to its postseason. We share our thoughts on the DH (warning: anti-DH rant incoming!), ideas for changing the All-Star Game and World Series, and we discuss the prospect of expanded playoffs (38:40 - 1:18:18). Next, the NBA. Will we get basketball this summer, and what will it look like? Is Disney World the right host for the postseason? (1:18:18 - 1:37:05). If the MLB and NBA don't return in 2020, what teams from both sports are hurt the most? What teams could benefit from a shortened season? Are there strategies that teams may attempt to capitalize on, that they otherwise wouldn't in a full season?
![Last Dance Series' Finale Recap with Johnathan Clancy and Daniel Setzke](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog2015517/last_dance_300x300.jpg)
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Last Dance Series' Finale Recap with Johnathan Clancy and Daniel Setzke
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
With ESPN's The Last Dance docu-series coming to a close, Jack is joined by Johnathan Clancy and Daniel Setzke to discuss their favorite parts of the series. What were the series' weak points? How much should Jerry Krause's decision to break up the Bulls tarnish his legacy as an NBA exec? What was missing from the doc? And what made the series so great?
![Survivor S40 Winners at War Finale with Aimee Van Der Heyden + Aaron Leavitt](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog2015517/winners_at_war_646bk_300x300.png)
Monday May 18, 2020
Survivor S40 Winners at War Finale with Aimee Van Der Heyden + Aaron Leavitt
Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
Jack is joined by Aaron Leavitt and television producer Aimee Van Der Heyden to recap the Survivor: Winners at War finale, and discuss where the season ranks historically. What were the season's greatest strengths and weaknesses? Is it the greatest all-star season yet? How can Survivor top this format in their next returning players season? Where does the franchise go from here? Will there be a Survivor season in the fall? They also discuss Ben's decision, breakout stars from S40, favorite moments from the season, and Tony's phenomenal game play.
![Sports Jeopardy! LIVE (Feat. Anthony Franze, Conner Ennis and Peter Funk)](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog2015517/jackvitashowjeopardy8f6s9_300x300.png)
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Sports Jeopardy! LIVE (Feat. Anthony Franze, Conner Ennis and Peter Funk)
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Live from the official Jack Vita Show Facebook page (facebook.com/jackvitashow), special guest host (and chief meteorologist at NewsWest 9 in Midland, Texas) Anthony Franze emcees a sports trivia contest, featuring Conner Ennis, Peter Funk and Jack. Listen, and play along, as the trio competes in Sports Jeopardy, testing their knowledge in the world of sports. Play along from home and see if you have what it takes to compete in our next sports trivia contest!
![Michael Merritt and Jack Go LIVE On Facebook to Talk Life, Faith and Making the Most Out of Uncertain Circumstances](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/2015517/Logo_For_the_Jack_Vita_Show_2024_i6haat_300x300.jpg)
Friday Apr 24, 2020
Friday Apr 24, 2020
As the end of April approaches, there still are no sports. But that's not stopping us from podcasting! This week, Jack goes live with Michael Merritt on Facebook to catch up on life, talk about God, and discuss how we can make the most of this current period of social distancing amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
![2020 MLB Preview Series - NL East with Jordan Morandini](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog2015517/bryce_harper_ab5e6_300x300.jpg)
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
2020 MLB Preview Series - NL East with Jordan Morandini
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Sports STILL aren't being played, but that's not stopping Jack and Jordan Morandini from previewing the NL East! The East was one of the most competitive divisions in baseball last year, with four teams winning at least 81 games (the only division to do so in 2019). How far are the Marlins from competing? (7:05 - 12:45). The Mets accidentally found themselves in the middle of a postseason controversy, when newly hired manager Carlos Beltran was directly linked to the Astros' sign-stealing saga. After losing Zack Wheeler, what direction are the Mets moving in in 2020? (12:45 - 26:25). The Phillies added a few more big names this offseason, most notably manager Joe Girardi. Will they finally turn the corner this season, or are they headed towards another disappointment? (26:25 - 44:25). The Nationals shocked the world in 2019, winning the World Series. Will they avoid a championship hangover? (44:25 - 1:01:25). The Braves have been underestimated each of the last two years, winning the division in each year. After getting bounced from the playoffs in Division Series in back-to-back years, what will it take for them to take the next step? (1:01:25 - 1:22:10). Who wins the NL East? Episode complete with win projections and divisional picks.