Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman

Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman

2 Seasons

Welcome to Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman—the show where a cranky middle-aged sports writer who has seen it all takes you behind the scenes and into the stories. I’m your host, Jeff Pearlman.

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Press Box Chronicles with Jeff Pearlman
  • Ep.1 - Press Box Chronicles - Winning Time

    Episode 1

    This is the story of how my book 'Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s became optioned and turned into HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. I take you behind the scenes and deep into the story behind the story. This is episode one of Press ...

  • Ep.2 - Press Box Chronicles - John Rocker

    Episode 2

    This is my money story. The story that went 'viral' before being viral was a thing. This is the story of Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker - Misunderstood or just a d**k? You decide.

  • Ep.3 - Press Box Chronicles - March Madness Heartbreak

    It's 1992, and it's my first time covering March Madness. But not just any March Madness, I'm covering MY University of Delaware Blue Hens, who went 27-3 and won the North Atlantic Conference. I'm 19 years old, sitting courtside at the opening round game in Dayton, OH, as my Delaware Blue Hens - ...

  • Ep.4 - Press Box Chronicles - Barry Bonds

    Episode 4

    In this episode, I dive into the history of Barry Lamar Bonds. When I was writing my book 'Love me, Hate me: Barry Bonds and the making of an AntiHero,' I had heard the stories about Bonds being the world's biggest asshole. But after what I experienced, that description was light, to say the least.

  • Ep.5 - Press Box Chronicles - The Golf Chronicles

    Episode 5

    On this episode of Press Box Chronicles, I delve into my least favorite sport - in fact, it's a sport I hate. I hate golf. But of course, in the mid-to-late 90s, Sports Illustrated thought it'd be good if I covered a few events. It went ... not great. Here's the story.

  • Ep.6 - Press Box Chronicles - Lost and Found

    Episode 6

    Many of you are familiar with the 1996 NBA Draft - widely considered the greatest in NBA history. That draft saw the likes of Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Antoine Walker, and three high school students who made the jump to the NBA: Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal, and a kid from Wilmington, SC - Taj "R...

  • Ep.7 - Press Box Chronicles - Donald Trump and the USFL

    Episode 7

    In 1983, a fun, exciting & new football league was launched - The USFL. It was a viable competitor to the NFL with a bright future on the horizon. Then, Donald Trump got involved. By 1985, it was dead.

  • Ep.8 - Press Box Chronicles - Bo Jackson: Baseball

    Episode 8

    In this episode, I dive into one of the greatest athletes of my lifetime - or maybe the greatest athlete of my lifetime: Bo Jackson. Not only do we dive into Bo Jackson's greatest plays, but we take a look behind the scenes on how Nike hit a home run with the debut of the Bo Knows campaign at All...

  • Ep.9 - Press Box Chronicles - Bo Jackson: Football

    Episode 9

    In Part Two of this Bo Jackson series, I dive into Bo Jackson's short-lived but highly entertaining NFL career. Not only do we dive into Bo Jackson's greatest plays, but we take a look behind the scenes at what ultimately led to the end of a prolific two-sport career.

  • Ep.10 - Press Box Chronicles - 1984 San Diego Padres

    Episode 10

    This is a story I've long wanted to write a book on. A team that was the most absurd cast of characters, from all walks of life, that all hated each other, that came together to win the NL Pennant. This is the story of the 1984 San Diego Padres.

  • Ep.11 - Press Box Chronicles - Brett Favre

    While working on my Brett Favre biography, I had to cover everything, including the scandal involving Jenn Sterger, the d*ck pics, and the fall of a young reporter's career.

  • Ep.12 - Press Box Chronicles - 1989 Dallas Cowboys

    In this episode, I dive into the 1989 Dallas Cowboys and the birth of the Cowboys Dynasty. I go through Jerry Jones buying the team, Jimmy Johnson becoming head coach, the trade heist of all trade heists, and much more.

  • Ep.13 - Press Box Chronicles - Let’s Get Metsmerized

    In this episode, I dive into one of the many, many things that made the 1986 Mets so insane: their rap song Let's Get Metsmerized. In a time where sports teams all thought it'd be a good idea to do music, the Mets did it in the worst way possible.

  • Ep.14 - Press Box Chronicles - Kobe Bryant & The New Jersey Nets

    In 1996, there were two high school phenoms coming out in the NBA Draft - Jermaine O'Neal from South Carolina, and Kobe Bryant from Pennsylvania. The New Jersey Nets were all but sure to pick Kobe Bryant at No. 8 overall. Then, it all changed.

  • Ep.15 - Press Box Chronicles - J.R. Richard & The Houston Astros

    Today, we dive into one of my favorite players of all time: Houston Astros ace J.R. Richard. Richard was a 6'7" pitcher out of Louisiana who was a terror on the mound. Then one day, he had a stroke. And the Astros did nothing. His career - and his life - were never the same.

  • Ep.16 - Press Box Chronicles - Super Fight

    When Sugar Ray Leonard returned from retirement to face Marvelous Marvin Hagler, the world watched two legends collide. What followed wasn’t just a controversial decision—it was a turning point. One man walked into the sunset. The other walked into the spotlight. Hagler vs. Leonard: the fight tha...

  • Ep.17 - Press Box Chronicles - Walter Payton

    The 1985 Chicago Bears are one of the greatest NFL teams ever assembled. That year, the Bears went 15-1 and destroyed the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. Everyone was overjoyed and excited except Walter Payton. This is the story.

  • Ep.18 - Press Box Chronicles - Michael Irvin

    It's July 29, 1998, and Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin is at training camp in Wichita Falls, TX. All is good between Irvin, the Cowboys, and the league. Then, he goes in for a haircut. What followed is one of the biggest cover ups not just in Dallas Cowboys history, but in NFL...

  • Ep.19 - Press Box Chronicles - Lyle Alzado

    Today, we're going to talk about former Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Raiders lineman Lyle Alzado. A man who was once so feared by his peers across the league. A man who swore by hard work and dedication. A man whose years of anabolic steroid abuse he says led to his diagnosis ...

  • Ep.20 - Press Box Chronicles - Ricky Bell

    In 1977, Rick Bell was drafted No. 1 overall out of the University of Southern California by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's a 1,000 yard rusher, with speed, agility, size and strength. By 1984, he was dead. This is one of the most heartbreaking stories I've ever covered.