The strangest interview ever done by Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer? That one he gave while suspended 50 feet up in the air, of course.

Meet Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly, pioneer of the 1920s fad known as polesitting – unless you count a certain saint who lived in Byzantium in the 5th century AD…

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

“Shipwreck” script and story by Chris Kientz and Os Davis.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell.

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith.  Other tracks used in this episode include

•  “Void Glider” by Silverman Sound Studios, and

•  “Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer (Outro)” by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darrin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer –

coming soon!

On Father's Day, Pittsburgh Guardian newspaper assistant editor Marla Delft presents a somewhat obscure story about her dad, Guardian editor-in-chief Frank Delft...

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell. This episode co-stars Lennon DeLeon as Jay Johnson.  

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith. “Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer (Outro)” by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darrin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer – coming soon!

Grantland Rice has been credited with dubbing the all-time great quartet of backs who starred for the 1924 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team – Miller and Stuhldreher, Crowley and Layden – as “The Four Horsemen.” But did he get the expression from another source, namely Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer…?

October 1924. Like many of his peers in newsprint and radio, quasi-famous sportswriter Orville Mulligan is sent to Polo Grounds in New York City to cover college football’s game of the week between the top-ranked Irish and the Army Cadets of West Point.

Meanwhile back at the offices of Orville’s ’paper of employment, the Pittsburgh Guardian, editor-in-chief Frank Delft attempts to avert a follicular crisis with disastrous results…

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

“The Four Horsemen” script and story by Os Davis and Darin Hayes.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell. "The Four Horsemen" co-stars in order of appearance Molly Adams, Lennon DeLeon, Steve Silva, Gwyneth Doland, John Roberts, Vernon Poitras, Vincent Anastasiou and Caedmon Holland.

Directing by Eric Bodwell. Sound recording and primary editing by Don McIver.

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith.  Other tracks used in this episode include

•  “Cletus Train Music” by Mike and Gene Monroe;

•  “Jazz Club” by Kriss (available through fair-use agreement via FreeMusicArchive.org); and

•  “Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer (Outro)” by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darrin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer – coming soon!

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer co-producer Os Davis plays disc jockey in this special edition of the audiodrama podcast, presenting the listeners wit a handful of musical tracks used in the production of episodes 1 and 2 of the audiodrama podcast series.

Travel back in time (or simulate such) with:

•  “Dayton Triangles Rag (Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer theme) by Bruce Smith;

•  “Crinoline Days” and

•  “Hot Lips” by Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra;

•  “Dark Flashes” by Shane Ivers of Silverman Sound Studios (and, though not featured as a “single”, Shane Ivers’s “Posteriosis” is also used in this episode as score);

•  “Prohibition Blues” by Nora Bayes; and

•  “Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer (Outro Theme)” by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer - coming soon!

Episode 3 of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is still in the works, so this week Number 80 Productions bring you a “making of” of sorts.

Join the Sports History Network’s Greg James as he interviews Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer producers Darrin Hayes and Os Davis for an episode of the SHN Showcase podcast. Darin and Os talk the inspiration(s) for the show itself, their casting and production challenges (not to mention triumphs) and, invariably, what else but sports history.

So keep that dial on your podcast aggregator locked, and stay tuned for the next scintillating episode of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer. Coming soon!  

The 1924 World Series, a seven-game thriller between the Washington Senators and New York Giants, was a true “Fall Classic.”

As an ardent fan of our national pastime – though not quite as much as the First Lady – President Calvin Coolidge was so moved by an action-packed game 7 and the heroics of pitcher Walter Johnson that he immediately dashed off an official White House statement on the ’Series, an exemplar of the greatness of baseball.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell.

“President Coolidge on the 1924 World Series” features Ben Jones as the President. Text from the October 10, 1924, official statement from the White House.

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith. Outro music by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer - coming soon!

October 10, 1924. After six cliffhanging games between the New York Giants and Washington Senators making for an instant all-time classic World Series, the stage has been set for game 7 in the nation’s capital.

Orville Mulligan, sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Guardian has been lucky enough to draw the assignment of covering a game that will be remembered long into sports history. Additionally, Orville has also scored the best seats in the house, sitting front row alongside President of the United States Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge – the latter one of America’s very greatest baseball fans.

Meanwhile, Guardian editor Frank Delft has a surefire way to earn his ’paper some money and attention: A full-page photo of the president. If only he and trusty assistant Jay Johnson can get Frank’s less-than-dependable jalopy all the way to D.C. on time.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

“Calvin, Grace, Major and the Big Train” script by Os Davis; story by Os Davis and Darin Hayes.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell.

“Calvin, Grace, Major and the Big Train” co-stars in order of appearance John Robets, Vernon Poitras, Caedmon Holland and Lennon DeLeon.

This episode features Ben Jones as Calvin Coolidge, Fifi Carlisle as Grace Coolidge, Rodney Bowe as Major Taylor, and Jen Soliday as Enid Clark.

Directing by Eric Bodwell, with additional direction by Doug Fye. Sound recording and primary editing by Don McIver.

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith.

Other tracks used in this episode include:

•  “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”, lyrics by Jack Norworth, music by Albert von Tilzer and performed by Ed Meeker;

•  “Dark Flashes” by Silverman Sound Studios; and

•  “Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer (Outro)” by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer – coming soon!

A couple of hours before game 7 of the 1924 World Series – already an acknowledged instant classic after six – quasi-famous sportswriter Orville Mulligan tries out his poetic column lede on his peers Ernie “Doogs” Doogle and Max Mackey; debates the relative merits of radio vs print media with the doggedly persistent Freddy Carson; and reveals the incredible nature of his assignment…

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell. “Prelude to Game 7” co-stars in order of appearance John Robets, Vernon Poitras and Caedmon Holland. Directing by Eric Bodwell. Sound recording and primary editing by Don McIver.

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was written by Jack Norworth and Albert von Tilzer and performed by Ed Meeker. Outro music by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer - coming soon!

October 1924. It all starts as a typical day in the life of quasi-famous Orville Mulligan, Sportswriter, who's been given the task to score an interview with Walter Camp, creator of modern football.

But Orville’s follow-up assignment, covering the weekend’s Penn Quakers-Franklin & Marshall Diplomats football game, will force him to reckon with a new rival from the medium of radio – not to mention past tragedy and lost love.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is an audio drama podcast from Number 80 Productions and the Sports History Network.

"After You’ve Gone" script and story by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Additional research for this episode provided by author/historian Upton Bell.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer stars Doug Fye, Ilona Fye, and Eric Bodwell. "After You’ve Gone" co-stars in order of appearance Lennon DeLeon, Don McIver, Joe Gallegos, Gwyneth Doland, Steve Silva, Vincent Anastasiou, Caedmon Holland, Mindy Grossberg and Jenette Isaacson.  

Directing by Eric Bodwell. Sound recording and primary editing by Don McIver.

The theme song of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is “Dayton Triangles Rag” and was arranged and performed by Bruce Smith. Other tracks used in this episode include

•  “Crinoline Days” by Paul Whiteman & Orchestra;

•  “Cletus Train Music” by Mike and Gene Monroe;

•  “After You’ve Gone” performed by Marion Harris;

•  “Jazz Club” by Kriss (available through fair-use agreement via FreeMusicArchive.org);

•  “Hot Lips” by Paul Whiteman & Orchestra;

•  “Prohibition Blues” by Nora Bayes;

•  “Piano Romantisme” and

•  “Yearning” by Silverman Sound Studios; and

•  “Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer (Outro)” by David Liso of Dynamo Stairs.

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer is produced by Os Davis and Darin Hayes. Series concept by Darrin Hayes.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer - coming soon!

We want to introduce the Pigskin Dispatch and Jersey Dispatch listeners to Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer.

Check out the first few episodes of OMSW on this page.

We thank you for your feedback and support. You can find out more about Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer here.