Our two guests today impacted the game of baseball with their hitting prowess in different ways. Sammy Sosa brought baseball back to life with his charisma and home run magic, while Ryan Howard embodied the modern power hitter, leading a new generation of sluggers who could change the game with one swing.

Sosa opens up about his journey from the Dominican Republic to becoming one of the faces of baseball in the 90s, competing with Mark McGwire, what it was like sharing Chicago with Michael Jordan, and the truth behind his iconic home run hop. He also reflects on his legacy, the toughest pitchers he faced, and his thoughts on today’s MLB.

Howard joins the show to talk about his rise from the minors to becoming an MVP and World Series champion, the brotherhood with Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, the heartbreak of his 2011 Achilles injury, and how he’s carrying the game forward through media and mentorship. Two of the most feared hitters of their eras. Two stories that shaped modern baseball.

This is Sammy Sosa and Ryan Howard on ALL THE SMOKE.

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All The Smoke is back and going LIVE for the 2025-26 NBA season preview 🔥 Matt, Stak & Vernon Maxwell break down the biggest offseason moves, team shakeups, and who’s really built for a title run. Tap in and join the convo — it’s about to get real.

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Before Victor Wembanyama, there was Ralph Sampson, the original unicorn. One of the nation’s first super recruits, Sampson appeared on six Sports Illustrated covers in four years at the University of Virginia and once more as a member of the Houston Rockets. Matt and Stak sit down with the Hall of Famer to reflect on his legendary career, from NBA brawls and battles with Michael Jordan and Dr. J to facing greats like Moses Malone and teaming up with Hakeem Olajuwon. He shares wild stories about receiving death threats in college, Bob Knight smacking a cop while coaching Team USA, running into Mad Max in jail, and the Puma deal that became a lifetime contract. Sampson remains one of the most under appreciated talents in basketball history, and this conversation proves why.

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