Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel Season 14 Episode 4 The Love of the Game; Torii Hunter; Mike Coolbaugh; Staying Straight

The latest episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of sports, love, and addiction.

First up, we meet Torii Hunter, a former major league baseball player who's now a coach for the Minnesota Twins. Hunter opens up about his struggles with addiction, including how he turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with the pressure of playing at such a high level. He also speaks candidly about how he found love and support in his family and faith, which ultimately helped him overcome his addiction and live a fulfilling life off the field.

Next, we hear the tragic story of Mike Coolbaugh, a minor league baseball coach who died tragically during a game in 2007. The show examines how Coolbaugh's death has forced the baseball world to reevaluate its safety protocols and how to protect coaches and players from injury. With interviews from players, coaches, and Coolbaugh's own family, this segment is a powerful reminder of the dangers of playing a game we all know and love.

Finally, the episode concludes with a segment on "staying straight" – a term used to describe the challenges that athletes face when trying to stay sober and resist the temptations of drugs and alcohol. Through conversations with former athletes who have struggled with addiction and the experts who treat them, we learn about the surprising ways addiction can sneak up on players – and how they can find the strength to overcome it.

As always, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel delivers a thought-provoking and emotionally charged episode that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.