Baseball Hall of Fame-caliber manager Bobby Valentine joins Neil Smith and Vic Morren for the premiere NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series episode. The former manager of the Texas Rangers (7 years), New York Mets (NL pennant), Boston Red Sox, and two-time champion in Japan shares a lifetime of stories. From playing for 17-year-old Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod to the iconic 1999 mustache disguise, managing Mike Piazza's emotional 9/11 home run that healed New York, pioneering American success in Japanese baseball, teaching ballroom dancing exhibitions, and calling Shohei Ohtani the greatest athlete in a baseball uniform. Plus the 40-15 prediction he nailed exactly, George W. Bush partnership, Tommy Lasorda's influence, Sacred Heart University athletic director tenure, and philanthropic work with Special Olympics. This is Bobby Valentine uncensored.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] - Welcome to NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series premiere with baseball legend Bobby Valentine

[01:00] - Fifth franchise: stepping outside hockey to learn from sports icons across disciplines

[02:00] - Bobby joins from Valentine Sports Academy in Stamford, Connecticut on exercise bike

[03:00] - 1994 Stanley Cup photo at Shea Stadium: Rangers or Devils cup with Doug Romano

[04:00] - Age 17: playing for Lou Lamoriello in Cape Cod League 1967

[05:00] - Lou's baseball background: Providence College coach, Pan-Am League player at 23-24

[06:00] - First-generation Italian parents: couldn't spell Cape Cod, Bobby spent summer in Yarmouth

[07:00] - Lou's discipline from day one: couldn't ride in trunk of car to road games

[08:00] - Baseball vs hockey management: everyday grind, respect of opposition and teammates

[09:00] - Accountability on ice same as diamond: only difference hockey players drink more (Canadian thing)

[10:00] - Texas Rangers: seven years as manager with George W. Bush as GM/owner

[11:00] - Bush made change 1992: "good idea, I was there long enough, time to move on"

[12:00] - Japanese GM's mission: finding first non-Japanese manager for professional league

[13:00] - Going to Japan: "right-eyed and bushy-tailed gonna teach everyone everything"

[14:00] - Learning while teaching: rewarding experience understanding Japanese baseball culture

[15:00] - Spectacular Japanese players: Ogasawara and others, closed society not up for change

[16:00] - Hideo Nomo: first real MLB player, threw no-hitter when Bobby won championship

[17:00] - Cross-section working: 1934 Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig exhibition to modern day

[18:00] - Cooperstown Hall of Fame: Ichiro Suzuki induction, US-Japan baseball exhibit

[19:00] - Shohei Ohtani: best athlete in baseball uniform ever seen, either side of Pacific Ocean

[20:00] - 2006 draft: wanted two-way player, first baseman/pitcher threw 95 mph, drank beer instead

[21:00] - What Ohtani's doing is really tough: unprecedented two-way excellence

[22:00] - Chiba Lotte Marines: attendance doubled, hosting ballroom dancing classes

[23:00] - International ballroom dance champion: teaching chacha to community before games

[24:00] - Exhibition in tuxedo with partner: full ballroom dress on field before national anthem

[25:00] - Changed costumes during anthem, came out to manage game immediately after

[26:00] - 2005 return to Japan: bringing American fan-friendly atmosphere post-1995 MLB strike

[27:00] - Kids running bases, autograph sessions: opening up Japanese baseball culture

[28:00] - June 1999 Mets: eight-game losing streak, GM fired three coaches instead of addressing players

[29:00] - Predicted 40-15 in next 55 games or would quit: media ready to hold feet to fire

[30:00] - Catcher's balk: Mike Piazza stepped outside box before Pat Mahomes (Patrick's father) released

[31:00] - Randy Marsh call: read about it for years, never seen it