Jack Vita Show: Sports | MLB | Baseball | NFL | College Football | NCAA Basketball | NBA | Faith

Jack Vita Media
Jack Vita Media
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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.

  1. Oct 3

    Why Jed Hoyer's Chicago Cubs Were Built to Lose in October | Wild Card Series Recap | Manny Randhawa

    MLB.com reporter Manny Randhawa visits the Jack Vita Show to recap the Wild Card Series, and preview the American League and National League Division Series! The Chicago Cubs have won one playoff series since 2017. The club hasn't placed above the Milwaukee Brewers in a full, 162-game season since 2017, despite having at least $100 million higher payroll each year. The Cubs finished 14 games worse than the Brewers this season despite having an eight-game lead on the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card race in August, fell out of the top Wild Card spot, before getting swept by the Friars, scoring just one measly run over two games. What gives? Why haven't the Cubs yielded better results since Jed Hoyer took the reigns from Theo Epstein after the 2020 season? On the flipside, what did the Padres do right in this series? What is clicking for them at this time, and just how deep of a run can they make in the postseason? Is this their best shot at a title in the AJ Preller era? The Chicago White Sox just picked up their first postseason series win since 2005. Do they have enough magic to take down the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians? Has the Philadelphia Phillies' window closed? Later, Manny and Jack preview the ALDS and NLDS matchups, sharing their picks. It's a fun episode you will not want to miss! Follow Manny on Twitter (@MannyOnMLB) and buy his book, The Blake Street Bombers, on Amazon. The Blake Street Bombers chronicles the Colorado Rockies' lineups of the mid 1990s, which featured sluggers Dante Bichette, Ellis Burks, Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga and Larry Walker.

  2. Sep 24

    Dan O'Dowd Talks Seattle Mariners' Collapse, Torey Lovullo's Future | 2026 MLB Playoff Preview

    MLB Network analyst and former Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd returns to the Jack Vita Show to chat about the Major League Baseball playoff picture, with days just remaining in the regular season. Before diving deep into potential playoff matchups, Dan answers questions from the GM chair, as the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners face what could be some difficult decisions. Both teams are on the edge of elimination. If the Diamondbacks miss the playoffs, it could spell the end of Torey Lovullo's time in the desert. He has made two playoff appearances over the course of ten years. How does a GM make a decision on whether or not he brings back a longtime manager who has worked well with the front office? Dan weighs in, sharing a story about a conversation he had with former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein about how front office members and managers generally shouldn't hold the same position with a club for more than ten years. Dan also weighs in on the Ketel Marte fiasco, after Marte failed to show up for a game, something that has happened now each of the last four seasons. The Mariners were baseball's biggest disappointment in 2026. The club was outs away from its first American League Pennant ever last October and entered 2026 as a trendy favorite to win the AL. Entering play Thursday, the M's have a 74-84 record and will finish the season with a sub.-500 record. What went wrong for Seattle this season? Dan calls attention to a system issue the Mariners have failed to address, relating it to the Coors factor he dealt with from 1999 to 2014, when he ran the Rockies. Then, Dan and Jack turn their attention to the National League Wild Card Series, previewing potential matchups featuring the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. Which team would Dan least want to play out of the three potential Wild Card clubs? Later, Dan and Jack assess the American League, and chat about the Chicago White Sox' impressive turnaround, which should earn them their third playoff berth since 2008. Lastly, Dan gives a heartfelt tribute to longtime White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper, who tragically passed away on Wednesday. Check out Dan's booming tech company WIN Reality, which simulates a virtual reality experience for baseball and softballs hitters, in order to improve their swings.

  3. Sep 16

    What College Football Coaches are on the Hot Seat? | 2026 College Football Preview with Haley Sawyer

    USC Trojans beat reporter for The Orange County Register Haley Sawyer returns to the Jack Vita Show for the third installment of our three-part 2026 College Football season preview! Today, we are discussing the biggest storylines surrounding college coaches entering the 2026 season. What coaches enter 2026 on the hot seat? What new hires will impress this season? Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss to coach LSU, while trying to recruit professional players has undoubtedly made him the villain of the sport. How will the Tigers fare in their first season under their new coach, after the Brian Kelly experiment failed miserably? Curt Cignetti is building a legacy at Indiana University, a school known better for its basketball than its football. What kind of season will the Hoosiers have in 2026, without quarterback, Heisman winner and future no. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza? What type of season will TCU transfer Josh Hoover have in Bloomington? Later, Haley has a fun exercise cooked up special for the podcast, as she compares college football coaches to Jersey Shore characters! It's a jam-packed episode you will not want to miss! You can follow Haley on Instagram and TikTok, and follow her USC coverage all season long in The Orange County Register!

  4. Sep 8

    Will Lincoln Riley, USC Turn a Corner in 2026? Haley Sawyer's USC Trojans Football Preview

    USC Trojans beat reporter for The Orange County Register Haley Sawyer visits the Jack Vita Show for the second installment of our three-part 2026 College Football season preview! Today, we are diving deep into USC football! The Trojans are off to a strong, 2-0 start, coming off convincing victories over non-conference opponents San Jose State and Fresno State. The team entered the season ranked no. 14 in the nation, and through two weeks, it has maintained its ranking. Haley and Jack look ahead at the team's schedule. With games against Louisiana and Rutgers, the Trojans have a clear path to a 4-0 start, before hosting no. 6 Oregon at the LA Coliseum, in what could be a gutcheck game September 26. Is this a make-or-break season for head coach Lincoln Riley? Could the hot seat warm up in his fifth season in Southern California? Or, will this be the year that USC finally turns a corner? Haley gives her assessment of the team. This podcast episode was taped Thursday, August 20, but is just now being released. It is the second part of our three-part College Football Preview Series. You can catch Part One, where Haley and Jack discussed Heisman candidates, Big Ten vs. SEC, potential College Football Playoff expansion, favorite college football traditions, and so much more! Next week, Haley and Jack will discuss the biggest coaching storylines entering the 2026 season, coaches on the hot seat and more! Make sure you are subscribed, so you don't miss it! You can follow Haley on Instagram and TikTok, and follow her USC coverage all season long in The Orange County Register!

  5. Sep 2

    Top 10 Heisman Candidates for the 2026 Season | College Football Preview with Haley Sawyer

    USC Trojans beat reporter for The Orange County Register Haley Sawyer visits the Jack Vita Show for the first installment of our three-part 2026 College Football season preview! In part one, Haley and Jack discuss the biggest storylines heading into the 2026 season. First, they preview the Heisman race, chatting about the top ten players with the highest Heisman odds entering 2026. Will Arch Manning live up to his potential in his second year under center? Will Dante Moore's decision to return to Oregon result in him being the number one pick in the 2027 NFL Draft? Can Trinidad Chambliss improve from his stellar, surprising 2025 season? Next, Haley and Jack discuss the battle for college supremacy between the Big Ten and the SEC. Which is the superior conference, at the top of the sport? The Big Ten opens the season with the top two teams in the AP preseason poll, no. 1 Ohio State and no. 2 Oregon. With Indiana at no. 6, the Big Ten makes up half of the top-six preseason teams. However, the SEC boasts six (Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, LSU) of the top 11 eleven teams. Which conference is stronger right now? Later, Haley and Jack debate potential College Football Playoff expansion. Would they like to see a larger CFP field? Jack makes the case for a CFP expansion that would give each conference champion an automatic bid. Do they think playoff expansion is coming? Haley and Jack discuss. Lastly, Haley and Jack share their favorite college football traditions, and talk about why they love this sport so much. All this, and much, much more, only on the Jack Vita Show! Next week, we'll be releasing Haley's USC season preview, and Jack's top coaching storylines entering the season! Make sure you are subscribed to the show, so you don't miss it. You can follow Haley on Instagram and TikTok, and follow her USC coverage all season long in The Orange County Register!

  6. Jul 21

    How the 2026 World Cup Captivated America + Big Brother 28 with Elissa Reilly Slater, Mirjam Swanson

    Los Angeles Times columnist Mirjam Swanson makes her Jack Vita Show debut, discussing the staying power of soccer in the United States, coming off a highly successful World Cup. Jack caught World Cup fever and couldn't miss a game of this tournament, after years of neglecting soccer. Surely, he isn't the only born again soccer fan. So, what happens now? Where do all the new soccer fans go? Is soccer here to stay? Mirjam is here to talk all things World Cup, a day after Spain won its second World Cup in 17 years. Mirjam covered the World Cup this summer for the LA Times, where she recently started as a columnist, after many years spent with the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News and the Southern California News Group. Her work included a compelling column she wrote two weeks ago titled Trump’s World Cup meddling only made matters worse for rattled U.S. squad. Mirjam and Jack discuss why they believe so many people caught World Cup fever, and what they think the staying power is for soccer. Should new soccer fans turn their attention to the MLS, or to European soccer? Later, Mirjam and Jack chat Big Brother 2, with special guest, Big Brother 15 fan favorite and Amazing Race alum Elissa Reilly Slater! It's a fun episode that you will not want to miss! You can follow Mirjam on Twitter (@MirjamSwanson) and find her work in the LA Times!

  7. Jun 29

    Jonathan Mayo Explains Why MLB Teams Can't Trade Draft Picks, Has Grady Emerson Over Roch Cholowsky

    MLB Pipeline senior prospect and Draft analyst Jonathan Mayo visits the Jack Vita Show less than two weeks out from the 2026 MLB Draft! He provides an updated look MLB Pipeline's latest mock draft, centered around the Chicago White Sox' critical decision at the top of the board which appears to be between UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Fort Worth Christian High School shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. This, just two weeks after his colleague Jim Callis visited the show, proclaiming that he would take Emerson over Cholowsky if he had the number one pick. A common question asked following last episode is why can't MLB teams trade draft picks? Should they be able to trade picks? Would it make for better entertainment? Jonathan shares why the trading of picks is currently not permitted, but that could change in the near future. He and Jack discuss whether teams should be able to trade picks or not. Could the MLB Draft become more like the NFL Draft? Jonathan explains why he believes shortstops Cholowsky and Emerson top Lackey, a catcher. How much does their position matter, when it comes to drafting best available player? How much does organizational depth play a factor in a team's selection? Then, Jonathan and Jack take a look at the next grouping of players. Gulliver Prep (FL) High School shortstop Jacob Lombard, UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora and Oak Grove (MS) High School outfielder Eric Booth Jr. are regarded by MLB Pipeline as the fourth, fifth and sixth-best players, respectively, in this year's Draft. Jonathan puts them under the microscope. The MLB Draft Combine took place last week, as well. Jonathan was on-hand for it. He shares some thoughts and takeaways from this year's Combine, which included the nephew of Barry Bonds, Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds, turning heads. All this, and much more, only on the Jack Vita Show!

  8. Jun 11

    Jim Callis Reveals Why the Chicago White Sox Might Pass on UCLA Star Roch Cholowsky in 2026 MLB Draft

    MLB Pipeline Draft and prospect analyst Jim Callis returns to the Jack Vita Show to preview the 2026 MLB Draft and the 2026 College World Series! Between 1989 and 2019, Jim attended all but one College World Series in Omaha. Due to other work obligations, he hasn't been back to Omaha since 2019. He will finally make his long-awaited return next week! A proud alumnus of the University of Georgia, Jim has enjoyed watching his Bulldogs play. The Bulldogs are hot off a thrilling Super-Regional victory over Mississippi State, but will have their work cut out against a deep Texas Longhorns team. But before setting the stage for the College World Series, Jack and Jim chat about the MLB Draft. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky entered the season as the consensus number one overall pick and has comfortably at the top of mock drafts, with the Chicago White Sox picking first for the first time since 1977. However, in recent weeks, Fort Worth Christian High School shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey have been gaining ground. Jim explains why he might take Emerson over Cholowsky, while many scouts believe Emerson has a higher ceiling than the 2025 Baseball America College Player of the Year does. Could the White Sox stun everybody and draft a catcher instead? There have been recent rumors that the White Sox could pass on Cholowsky due to his financial demands. Jim debunks this, explaining that the White Sox will use the number one pick on whichever player they feel is the best in the Draft and the best fit for their organization. Later, Jim and Jack chat about MLB Draft prospects to watch for in the College World Series, beginning Friday. Jack shares why North Carolina centerfielder Owen Hull caught his eye, and why he makes an interesting Draft prospect. Then, Jim and Jack preview the College World Series action, sharing their picks! It's a loaded episode you will NOT want to miss!

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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.

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