This week on The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with Mark DeRosa—16-year MLB veteran, current MLB Network analyst, and Team USA manager. Mark’s journey from Ivy League standout at Penn to playing alongside Hall of Famers with the Atlanta Braves, and now leading America’s best on the international stage, is packed with incredible stories and wisdom. We reminisce about collecting baseball cards, childhood idols like Don Mattingly, and those pinch-me moments facing legends like Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. Mark opens up about mentoring Bryce Harper as a rookie, the art of building team chemistry, and the thrill (and heartbreak) of managing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. You’ll hear candid tales from inside iconic clubhouses, lessons from Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox, and why Mark’s passion for the game—and its next generation—remains as strong as ever.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Justin welcomes Mark DeRosa; they bond over Don Mattingly and baseball card collecting

(00:03:52) - Mark’s prized photo with Don Mattingly and childhood card collecting stories

(00:06:21) - Early fan moments: meeting Yankee players, the impact of player-fan interactions

(00:12:47) - First MLB at-bat vs. Randy Johnson; “pinch me” moments in Yankee Stadium

(00:15:43) - Facing Hall of Famers: Bobby Cox’s tough assignments, early struggles, and learning to belong

(00:21:35) - Braves clubhouse culture, Chipper Jones’ mentorship, and learning to add value

(00:25:09) - Reinventing his swing: Texas, Michael Young, and the turning point in Mark’s career

(00:26:59) - Greg Maddux stories, clubhouse pranks, and the art of pitching

(00:30:53) - Mentoring Bryce Harper, rookie lessons, and earning your place in the clubhouse

(00:34:36) - Buster Posey’s arrival and recognizing future stars

(00:36:06) - Yankees vs. Braves in the World Series; Mark’s dual loyalties and Judge admiration

(00:38:42) - Comparing Aaron Judge and Barry Bonds; Bonds as the most dominant opponent

(00:41:42) - 2009 World Baseball Classic: playing with Jeter, David Wright, and Jimmy Rollins

(00:43:27) - Managing Team USA: Trout vs. Ohtani, WBC heartbreak, and building a winning culture

(00:54:05) - Bringing back infield/outfield drills and team bonding at the WBC

(00:55:38) - Venezuela game: team meeting, Trey Turner’s grand slam, and the power of chemistry

(00:57:15) - Learning to manage on the fly, trusting instincts, and the challenge of leading stars

(01:03:27) - Family influence, choosing Penn, and the decision between football and baseball

(01:04:44) - Losing his father, playing one last year for himself, and the meaning of legacy

(01:06:27) - Rapid fire: favorite athletes, Big East basketball, and jersey numbers

(01:10:14) - Favorite positions, shortstop memories, and realizing his role in the big leagues

(01:13:31) - Reflections on leadership, Team USA’s future, and the dream of winning it all

💡Key Topics:

📌 Mark DeRosa’s MLB journey: Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and beyond

📌 Mentoring Bryce Harper and building veteran leadership

📌 Legendary teammates and stories: Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Jimmy Rollins

📌 Behind the scenes of Team USA and the World Baseball Classic

🧢 About Mark DeRosa:

Mark DeRosa played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, contributing to teams like the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants. An Ivy League graduate from Penn, he’s now a respected MLB Network analyst and serves as the manager for Team USA, bringing his wealth of experience and leadership to the next generation of stars.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

This week on The JustIn Time Podcast, we welcome Jeff Sluman-1988 PGA Champion, six-time PGA Tour winner, and one of golf’s most respected voices. We dive deep into Jeff’s remarkable journey: from his breakthrough major victory at Oak Tree, to unforgettable duels with legends like Sandy Lyle and Nick Faldo, and what it felt like seeing his name alongside Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen on the PGA trophy. Jeff shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories, including his unique friendship with Michael Jordan-complete with tales of competitive golf rounds and courtside seats during the Bulls’ dynasty. We also explore Jeff’s surprising bowling prowess, his memories of playing with Arnold Palmer, and his candid thoughts on the “alpha dogs” of golf, past and present. If you’re a sports fan who craves authentic conversation, rich history, and the human stories behind the headlines, this episode is for you.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:00) – Welcome & Introduction: Justin introduces Jeff Sluman, his PGA Tour legacy, and their first meeting at Cal Club

(00:02:50) – Early Career & First PGA Tour Win: Sluman’s journey through the Asian Tour, Tallahassee Open, and breaking through

(00:04:24) – The 1987 Players Championship Playoff: Facing Sandy Lyle, playoff drama, and the infamous fan in the water

(00:12:29) – Building Resilience: How the Players loss fueled his 1988 PGA Championship win

(00:13:39) – Hoisting the Major Trophy: Emotions of winning, seeing his name with golf legends

(00:16:44) – Growing Up in Rochester: Limited golf season, bowling background, and near-perfect games

(00:20:10) – Chicago Years & Michael Jordan: Golfing with MJ, Bulls dynasty, and unforgettable sports moments

(00:23:38) – Best Bulls Games & Chicago Sports Scene: Favorite in-person games, Sosa/McGwire home run race, city’s sports energy

(00:26:10) – Golfing & Competing with MJ: MJ’s golf handicap, competitive spirit, and gin rummy stories

(00:30:09) – Alpha Dogs of Golf: Curtis Strange, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, and today’s top competitors

(00:33:54) – Masters Memories: Rory’s dramatic win, Sluman’s hole-in-one at Augusta, and major championship emotions

(00:40:04) – 1992 Season Highlights: Top finishes at Augusta and Pebble Beach, struggles at The Open

(00:44:42) – Mentors & Meeting Legends: Jay Haas, Curtis Strange, Tom Watson, and early tour influences

(00:46:30) – Playing with Arnold Palmer: Childhood memories, playing as defending champ, and Arnie’s Army

(00:51:30) – Comparing Golf Icons: Palmer, Tiger, Jack, and Sluman’s relationships with legends

(00:52:28) – Assistant Captain Roles: Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup experiences, Miracle at Medinah

💡Key Topics:

📌 Jeff Sluman’s journey to becoming a PGA Champion

📌 Inside stories from the 1987 Players Championship playoff

📌 Playing and competing with Michael Jordan during the Bulls’ dynasty

📌 Reflections on golf’s greatest “alpha dogs”-Nicklaus, Watson, Faldo, and today’s stars

📌 Behind-the-scenes at the Masters, Ryder Cup, and President’s Cup

📌 Personal stories: Bowling feats, favorite courses, and memories with Arnold Palmer

🏌️‍♂️ About Jeff Sluman:

Jeff Sluman is a six-time PGA Tour winner and the 1988 PGA Champion, renowned for his consistency and sportsmanship over a career spanning four decades. He’s played alongside-and against-golf’s greatest legends, served as assistant captain in Ryder and President’s Cups, and remains a respected voice in the game.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#JeffSluman #PGAChampion #GolfLegends #MichaelJordan #SportsPodcast

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Drew Gooden, the 14-year NBA veteran and former Kansas Jayhawk star whose jersey hangs in the rafters at Allen Fieldhouse. In this captivating episode, Drew takes us on his incredible journey from being recruited by Nolan Richardson at Arkansas to his Final Four run at Kansas, and ultimately becoming LeBron James’ teammate during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first NBA Finals appearance. Drew shares jaw-dropping stories about witnessing LeBron score 29 straight points against the Detroit Pistons in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals and reveals how he knew LeBron since he was just 15 years old. This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes NBA tales, college basketball memories, and the authentic perspective of a player who experienced basketball at its highest levels.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00) - Drew’s recruiting story and almost committing to Arkansas


(05:34) - Getting cold feet after committing to Kansas


(12:31) - The star-studded 1999 recruiting class and choosing Kansas


(18:46) - Final Four experience at Kansas and losing to Maryland


(25:22) - Being drafted 4th overall by Jerry West and the Memphis Grizzlies


(31:15) - Getting traded to Orlando and meeting childhood hero Grant Hill


(37:42) - The Carlos Boozer situation that led Drew to Cleveland


(43:11) - Dan Gilbert transforming the Cleveland Cavaliers organization


(50:03) - LeBron’s leadership and championship prediction


(55:47) - The legendary 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit


(1:05:18) - LeBron’s basketball genius and basketball IQ


(1:12:42) - The Detroit Pistons dynasty being dismantled


(1:29:31) - Rapid fire questions: favorite city, best dunk, best teammate

💡Key Topics:

📌 Drew’s unique college recruitment journey and Kansas Final Four run


📌 Being drafted 4th overall by Jerry West and NBA career beginnings


📌 Playing alongside LeBron James during Cleveland’s first Finals run


📌 Witnessing LeBron’s historic 29-point scoring streak against Detroit


📌 Behind-the-scenes stories of NBA team dynamics and relationships


📌 Drew’s broadcasting career with Justin Kutcher and the Washington Wizards

🏀 About Drew Gooden:

Drew Gooden enjoyed a successful 14-year NBA career spanning 10 different teams, including being a key member of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2007 NBA Finals team alongside LeBron James. A former Kansas Jayhawk star whose jersey hangs in the rafters, Gooden was the 4th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and later transitioned into broadcasting, working as Justin’s broadcast partner with the Washington Wizards.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#DrewGooden #NBAVeteran #LeBronJames #ClevelandCavaliers #KansasJayhawks #NBAFinals #JustInTimePodcast #BasketballStories