Feel the thrill of victory as we hear the connections between sports and music in American life. With the World Series upon us, we’ll hear songs about baseball and its heroes in jazz and blues, country and folk. Plus comments from Yankee centerfielder and guitarist Bernie Williams, and 1969 Miracle Met (and music lover) Ron Swoboda. And get tips on hitting and the harmonica from Stan ‘The Man’ Musial. In hour two, it’s the music of basketball, boxing, horseracing and football. Meet the bugler at Churchill Downs, and hear about the pull of music in the of pianist and New Orleans Saints’ cornerback Ashley Ambrose. See you at the game.

This American Routes celebrates the blues during this, the official Year of the Blues—veering off Highway 61 to examine the east coast songster tradition and west coast/Kansas City jump blues. Maryland-based guitarist Warner Williams lets his guitar do most of the talking as he moves through a live set of Piedmont blues. Jump blues king and Creole chameleon Deacon John talks about his career as both a New Orleans sideman and fronting his own band, the Ivories. Plus great music from T-Bone Walker, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt and more.