In this episode of the Heart of Sports, hosts Jason Springer and Jeff Cohen dive into the excitement of playoff hockey and basketball, but primarily focus on the thrilling final round of The Masters golf tournament. They discuss the mental toughness displayed by Rory McIlroy, the broadcasting excellence during the event, and the unique character of golf courses. The conversation then transitions to baseball, specifically the Philadelphia Phillies, analyzing their performance and concerns to start the season along wit, the future of umpiring with ABS technology. They talk some NBA playoffs and mass transit too.

We start the show with Inquirer Sixers Writer Keith Pompey delving into the many challenges faced by the Philadelphia 76ers during the season and moving forward, discussing coaching issues, team culture, and the impact of player injuries. We explore the future of key players like Joel Embiid, the need for a cultural shift within the organization, draft strategies and the perspectives of fans who are grappling with the team's direction. Then it's Masters week and we have an engaging conversation as Michael Arkush discusses his book 'The Golf 100', detailing the rigorous process of ranking the greatest golfers of all time. He explores the criteria for greatness, the significance of major championships, and the challenges of comparing players across different eras. Arkush also reflects on the impact of personality in golf and shares poignant stories of players who left a lasting legacy, despite their careers being cut short.

We start the show talking baseball before being joined for an engaging conversation with Doug Glanville shares his insights on the excitement of the baseball season, the significance of Opening Day, and the challenges players face when adapting to new ballparks. He discusses the evolution of bat technology and its implications for the game, as well as the enduring legacy of Jackie Robinson and the importance of equality in sports. The conversation also touches on the current state of diversity in baseball and concludes with Glanville's thoughts on the Philadelphia Phillies' prospects for the season.

We start the show talking some baseball with the Phillies starting their season before being joined by AP Writer and Author Dan Schlossberg to go back in the baseball time machine talking his book the New Baseball Bible.

We open the show talking March Madness and the tourney before talking Jackie Robinson page being removed from the DOD website. Then we revisit our interview with the late John Feinstein.

In this conversation, author Aaron Bracy discusses his book 'A Soaring Season,' which chronicles the inspiring journey of the 2003-2004 St. Joe's Hawks basketball team. He shares insights from his extensive interviews with players and coaches, revealing surprising stories and the impact of Phil Martelli's coaching. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by modern college basketball teams, the importance of competition, and the future of Philadelphia basketball.

It's March which means basketball, so we start talking NCAA Tourney before being joined by Coach Phil Martelli who reflects on his coaching legacy, the importance of gratitude, and his involvement with the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. He discusses the evolving landscape of basketball, including the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, while emphasizing the need for community support in fighting cancer. Martelli also shares insights from his new campaign aimed at making a difference in people's lives through meaningful connections and gratitude.

Former MLB closer David Aardsma shares his journey from the minor leagues to the major leagues, discussing memorable experiences, the challenges of adapting to professional baseball, and the evolution of pitching in the sport. He delves into the impact of analytics, the importance of specialization in roles, and the mentality of closers. Aardsma also shares his thoughts on the introduction of robot umpires and reflects on the vibrant atmosphere of the Waste Management Open.