The focal point of our discourse in this episode revolves around the extraordinary and multifaceted career of Charlie Berry, a unique figure in the annals of American sports history. Berry's exceptional achievements encompass his participation as both a player in Major League Baseball and the National Football League, as well as his subsequent roles as a prominent umpire and official in both sports. Throughout our exploration, we delve into the nuances of his career, which includes his notable contributions to the 1925 Pottsville Maroons, a team that, despite its championship aspirations, faced a controversial fate. Additionally, we examine Berry's remarkable tenure as a baseball umpire, where he officiated landmark events, such as Don Larson's perfect game in the World Series and the famed 1958 NFL Championship, often hailed as the greatest game ever played. As we progress, we aim to illuminate the significance of Charlie Berry's legacy, which, despite its obscurity in contemporary discourse, remains a testament to the rich tapestry of sports history.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Sports History Network
• Sports Forgotten Heroes
• Charlie Berry
• Cal Hubbard
• Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Baseball Hall of Fame
• Pottsville Maroons
• Don Larson
• New York Giants
• Baltimore Colts
• Philadelphia Athletics
• Boston Red Sox
• Chicago White Sox
• Eager Sculpture
• Ingersoll Rand

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

As NFL training camps get underway and the 2025 NFL Football Season commences, what better time than now to take a look back at the incredible story of the 1925 Pottsville Maroons, This team is listed as the No. 1 team atop the NFL standings in 1925 by NFL.com. Yet, even though they were originally noted as the NFL Champions of 1925, the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) are considered to be the champions. So much happened to cause this injustice. NFL President Joe Carr was ill and in the hospital, the Maroons played an exhibition game against the Notre Dame "Four Horsemen," the Frankford Yellow Jackets voiced their displeasure that the Maroons were going to play this exhibition game in Frankford's home stadium, Shibe Park in Philadelphia, and there was an issue with the Chicago Bears and Red Grange too. When all was said and done, the Maroons had their title stripped and it was given to the Cardinals. But, yes there's more, the Cardinals owner, Charles O'Brien, refused to accept the championship, and for many years, there was no team known as the 1925 NFL Champions. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, Darin Hayes and Jeffrey Payne, who co-wrote the book "Marooned," join the podcst to talk about the Maroons, their history and the incredible season of 1925.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, some of golf's most legendary names strolled and dominated the fairways. Superstars like Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, and Sam Snead. These were the stars golf fans came out to see play. They were the golfers who grabbed the headlines. But there were others, less known stars, who also won their share of tournaments. Stars like Henry Picard, Horton Smith, and Tommy Armour. And then there was Paul Runyan. Certainly not an imposing figure standing at 5-foot-7, 130 pounds. But he was also one of the game's most dominant figures, especially during the 1930s. Known as Little Poison for his "deadly" short game, Runyan is one of only six golfers to ever win nine tournaments in one year, and the first to ever win more than eight in one season. In 1933, Runyan won nine times. Overall, he posted 29 wins, 28 during the 1930s. His two biggest wins came in the PGA Championship. In 1934, Runyan, when the PGA was still a match-play event, Runyan captured his first Major by downing Craig Wood on the 38th hole of play, 1-up. But it was his 1938 win at the PGA Championship that stunned the world of golf when he crushed Snead 8 and 7 in the most lopsided final round in the history of the PGA. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, I take a look back at the wonderful, Hal of Fame career of one of golf's forgotten heroes, Paul Runyan.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Welcome to the NDN All-Stars podcast! Join me, Bill Black, as we celebrate the many great Native American athletes who have made an impact in their sports!

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SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARS

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

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NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND

Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about.

This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history.

We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right.

Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.

Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like.

So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team.

You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us.

NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

Johnny Mize is the answer to one of baseball's great trivia questions. You have to listen to find out what it is, but trust me, it's one of Major League Baseball's great statistics, something not even legends such as Babe Ruth, Henry Aaron, or Willie Mays can lay claim to. Mize had a terrific eye at the plate, especially for a power hitter. For his career, he hit 359 homeruns, had a career batting average of .312, and a career OPS of .959. Yet, one could argue, his career was overlooked. This could be because when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants, neither team made it to the post-season. Plus, Mize missed three of his prime years when he served during World War II in 1943, 1944, and 1945. The "Big Cat's" most notable years, however, just might have been the final five when he moved into a part-time role with the New York Yankees and he contributed to one of the game's greatest dynasties when the Bronx Bombers won five straight World Series, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, I take a look back at the career of Johnny Mize with special guest Jerry Grillo who wrote the book, "Big Cat, The Life of Baseball Hall of Famer Jonny Mize."

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

A name so few know ... Danny Gardella. Gardella played for the New York (baseball) Giants (now the #SFGiants) in 1944 and 1945. Then he battled management about his salary. Instead of accepting what the Giants offered, he challenged the reserve clause and lost. Rather than accept the terms, he opted to play elsewhere, in the Mexican League. It cost Danny his career. Banned from the Majors, Gardella did get one more opportunity to play in the Majors, with the St. Louis #Cardinals in 1950. But he only appeared in one game, and that was it. The Cardinals didn't see a future for Danny on their roster, demoted him to AA, and Danny never saw the light of day in Major League Baseball game again. Of course, those that followed and who challenged the reserve met with much more success, such as Curt Flood and Andy Messersmith. The free agents of today do not have to work within the confines of the reserve clause. But Danny did, and while he won a small sum of money in a lawsuit against #MLB, he lost his entire career. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, we take a look back at the brief career of Danny Gardella and his fight with MLB and the New York Giants about the reserve clause with my guest Robert Elias who authored the book, "Dangerous Danny Gardella."

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

n the early 1900s Roger Bresnahan was one of MLB's best catchers. He played for the New York Giants (now San Francisco Giants) and later was player-manager for the St. Louis Cardinals. While with the Giants, Bresnahan was beaned. It was a very scary instance in which Bresnahan's last rites were read. However, he survived and came back. He ultimately developed a batting helmet, but never wore it in a game. Another piece of equipment Bresnahan introduced was shin guards. Yes, Roger Bresnahan was not only one of baseball's great catchers, he was an innovator too! Perhaps, though, one of his finest moments occurred off the field. During a trip from Philadelphia to Boston, while he was with St. Louis, the train the Cardinals were on derailed and fell down an embankment. Miraculously, none of the Cardinals' players were hurt. However, several on the train died as a result of the crash. Bresnahan and the Cardinals did all they could to help rescue people from the catastrophic incident. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, author John R. Husman, "Roger Bresnahan: A Baseball Life," joins the show for a terrific discussion about this Hall of Fame catcher and the baseball life he led.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

Maybelle (May) Blair is a baseball pioneer. In the movie, "A League of Their Own," Madonna's character was named after Maybelle, Mae Morabito. However, the character Madonna played was nothing like the real May. May did not join the AAGPBL (All-America Girls Professional Baseball League) until it was firmly established. But along the way, May certainly made her mark in baseball and softball. She played highly-competitive softball on the west coast, was discovered by a scout looking for great talent for a women's professional softball team, the Chicago Cardinals who were owned by the same Charles Bidwell who owned the NFL's Chicago Cardinals, and she made such an impression on everyone, that she ultimately wound up in the AAGPBL with the Peoria Redwings. While her career on the diamond is truly something to marvel at, today at the age of 95, she's still going strong making appearances and signing autographs, and remains a proponent of omen's professional baseball. In fact, there is a women's professional baseball league set to launch in May 2026. May's off the field life is also quite remarkable. And on today's episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, Kat Williams, author of the book, "All the Way," a biography on May, joins the show to discuss the life of this baseball pioneer.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

Digits Dynasty is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

HIGHLIGHTED SHOW - DIGITS DYNASTY

“Digits Dynasty” is an engaging podcast where we debate the greatest athletes to don each uniform number in sports history.

Each episode focuses on a specific number, featuring passionate discussions, stats, and anecdotes across all of sports history, that highlight the legends who wore it. From iconic moments to personal stories, we break down the impact these athletes had on their teams and the game itself.

Learn more about the show on the Sports History Network.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

Going way back in history, sometimes you uncover incredible stories. This is one of them. Long before Louisville Slugger became synonymous with  @MLB , baseball players did whatever they could to make their own bats or have someone else make a bat for them. Pete Browning turned to an acquaintance when he failed to get a hit for two straight games. He considered that a slump! So, Browning's acquaintance went to his woodworking shop and crafted Pete a new bat, and it worked. Pete proceeded to end his slump. It was the birth of the Louisville Slugger. Browning was unique. Browning played in the American Association (at the time, the AA was recognized as a pre-eminent professional league), the Players League, and the National League. He believed that a baseball bat had a limited number of hits in it; he gave each bat its own name, and he had many, many quirks. Despite his career batting average of .341, Browning is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Of course, an argument can be made either way, but the fact is, he was one of the best - if not the best - hitter of his time. On this episode of SFH, Tim Newby the author of "The Original Louisville Slugger," joins the show for a wonderful discussion on a baseball pioneer, Pete Browning.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz