A decorated sports journalist for over 20 years, one highlight of Nancy Newman’s career was her interview with superstar Garth Brooks before his concert at Yankee Stadium, where Brooks discussed his journey while being the first guest on the premiere episode of the YES Network show Stars and Pinstripes. In the show, Newman takes Brooks upstairs inside Yankee Stadium to the Yankees Stadium Museum where the curator opened the vault and allowed Brooks to hold Babe Ruth’s bat. Brooks was clearly touched.

Stars and Pinstripes features more than just celebrities discussing their current engagement with their favorite sports. They also explain the history of their fandom and the influences a team or interest in sports had on them growing up. Some episodes pair the guest with an athlete from the guests’ sport of choice, especially athletes who have impacted their life. At times, guests also use the show to bring awareness to issues in sports and/or life that they care about. Newman interviews her guests mostly at Yankee Stadium but also goes to her guest’s home turf.

The YES Network produced Stars and Pinstripes. The show began in 2016, airing on the YES Network’s TV channel and digital platforms. Stars and Pinstripes was nominated for an Emmy in 2017 as Best Interview Program.