Sports History Network

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In 1987, Dale Earnhardt pulled off an amazing maneuver to save his racecar during the All Star Race.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS BACKGROUND

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact.

Today, we focus on trailblazer Eddie Kotal, the long-time scout for the Los Angeles Rams and the person responsible for putting together great Rams teams, including the 1951 NFL Championship team. Later, we will sit down with Pro Football Hall of Fame selector and member of the Hall of Fame’s Blue-Ribbon Committee for Contributors Clark Judge.

To learn more about trailblazing contributors in NFL history, visit our Historical Scouting Reports class, where the greats in NFL history. Check it out at the Football Learning Academy website at https://www.football-learning-academy.com/courses/historical-scouting-reports-and-contributor-profiles.

Football Learning Academy Website:

To learn more about the FLA, go to: https://www.football-learning-academy.com

Social Media:

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FootballLearn1

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footballlearningacademy/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@footballlearningacademy

Music By:

Jeff Nixon, Safety for the Buffalo Bills from 1979-82.

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In 1976, Golden State's Rick Barry refused to shoot for most of the second half because he was upset about something that happened in the first two minutes of the game.

In 1971, it was the 'Dream Mile' between American middle distance runners Jim Ryun and Marty Liquori.

In 1980, Magic Johnson filled the void created by Kareem Abdul Jabbar's injury, scoring 42 points in game 6 vs. Philadelphia.

In 1999, the New York Knicks upset the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA playoffs thanks to an Alan Houston game winner.

In 1976, the Montreal Canadiens beat the Philadelphia Flyers to win their first of what would be four consecutive Stanley Cups.

In 1981, Betty Ellis became the first female to referee a professional soccer match in the US.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS BACKGROUND

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stirling Soap - Shave Soaps - This DiSH Testimonial

This episode is brought to you by the Stirling Soap Company. I’m a big fan of shave soap. I’ve been using different brands for years. I recently gave Stirling’s shave soaps a try and I’ve been very happy with the results. Stirling’s shave soaps give you a great lather and a frictionless feel that allows the razor to glide over the skin for a super close shave. No skin irritation and a clean, refreshing feel with no soapy residue after. I can tell you without a doubt, it’s simply the best shave I’ve ever had. My wife has noticed too. And here’s the thing, with the ability to purchase one ounce sample pucks, you can try out different scents to find the right one for you. Give Stirling Soap a try today. Visit Stirling Soap dot com. That’s S-T-I-R-L-I-N-G SOAP dot COM.

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In 1990, the Edmonton Oilers beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in the longest Stanley Cup Finals game in history.

In 1912, Detroit Tiger Ty Cobb went into the stands and beat up a guy for heckling him.

In 1941, Joe Dimaggio hit safely in the first of what would be 56 consecutive games.

In 1981, Cleveland's Len Barker pitched a perfect game agains the Toronto Blue Jays.

In 1994, golfer Neal Lancaster won a six-player playoff to claim victory in the Byron Nelson Classic. The six player playoff is the largest ever at a PGA tour event.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS BACKGROUND

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact.

NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY is presented by the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Weightlifting at the 1972 Olympics occurred in Munich, Germany, from August 27 to Sept.6. In 1969, the International Weightlifting Federation added two new weight classes: flyweight (52 kg), bantamweight (56 kg), featherweight (60 kg), lightweight (67.5 kg), middleweight (75 kg), light heavyweight (82.5 kg), middle heavyweight (90 kg), heavyweight (110 kg), and Superheavyweight (over 110 kg).

Mark sits down with Conor Heffernan to talk about the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany (in the weightlifting competitions).

You can read the full blog post here.

SHOW BACKGROUND

My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan of the sport as well. I’m excited to share my newest adventure, a show dedicated to promoting weightlifting, while also looking back at some weightlifting history. I’ll share some of my own stories and interview weightlifters from both past and present.

I competed in Olympic Weightlifting from 1981 to 1989 and powerlifting from 2011 to 2019. Although I wasn’t what one might call “a naturally gifted lifter,” I managed to clean & jerk 140 kilos/308 lbs at 179 lbs body weight. In my later years, I achieved a 600-pound deadlift and a 431-pound front squat in my mid-fifties. Although I was more successful in powerlifting, setting New Jersey and New York State records in Masters Competitions, I’ll always consider myself an Olympic Weightlifter. I’ve also written a book on weight training titled No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training, which is available on Amazon.

No Nonsense, Old School Weightlifting book (Amazon affiliate link)

I hope that you will enjoy the show, and please leave a comment or offer a suggestion. And if you’re an Olympic lifter, past or present, let me know if you’d like to set up an interview, and I’ll do my best to have you on the show. Stay strong and God bless!

CHECK OUT YESTERDAY'S SPORTS (MY ORIGINAL SHOW)

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Gridiron Greats Magazine podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

Joe and I talk about Junk Wax and Junk Slabs-Collecting Football Cards in 2025

GRIDIRON GREATS MAGAZINE BACKGROUND

Gridiron Greats covers 140+ years of North American football history and memorabilia. It was founded in 2002 and published by Franklin Rose who then turned over to Bob Swick and Swick Enterprises starting with Issue 23.

Editor and publisher, Bob Swick has been collecting football cards since 1965. He has written about football cards and memorabilia since 1990 for several major sports collecting publications including Sports Collectors Digest and had his own column, Turning The Pages.

He self-published Bob Swick’s Football Times in the 1990s; he has been interviewed in Tuff Stuff, the Giants Report, the Packers Report, and the Beckett Football Monthly magazine. He has also been a contributor to the Beckett Annual Football Price Guide. Bob also collects programs, yearbooks, media guides, ticket stubs, pocket schedules, and team photos of the Green Bay Packers, of which he is a shareholder.

He is also a member of The Professional Football Researchers Association. Bob brings his expertise to the magazine in the form of his love of all things football-related. His BA in journalism and MS in Economics brings a unique focus to the niche of football memorabilia and history.

We want to thank everyone who takes the time to subscribe to and support Gridiron Greats Magazine. Besides our knowledgeable, generous contributors and most talented illustrator, Jared Kraus, all administrative activities are performed by Bob Swick and his wife, Brenda. Thank you all for your support. We are ever so grateful.

See our Contributors page for a bio on some of our fantastic writers. Without them, this magazine would not exist. We are grateful for their continuing support.

If you would like to be a contributing writer, or subscriber or want to advertise in Gridiron Greats, please contact the Publisher via the information above. Portions of the material presented are the opinion of the contributing writers and not necessarily those of Swick Enterprises, LLC. 

CONTACT US If you are interested in any particular football topic that you would like to either see featured in Gridiron Greats or would like to write about, and if you have a Super Collection you want to be considered for an upcoming publication please feel free to contact Bob via email. 

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

Music by Lobo Loco

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/Over_Midnight/Streetlife_-_Silentfilm_ID_981/

EPISODE SUMMARY

In 1938, England's soccer team played in Germany in a friendly. It was what happened prior to the match that was more the talk than what happened during it.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS BACKGROUND

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact.

Damon Bailey was probably the most hyped 13-year-old basketball player ever. In rural Indiana people were already predicting that Bailey would dominate the NBA someday. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated. But he never played a single NBA game. Bailey is one of thousands of players who showed NBA potential, but did not make it.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Take Care" by Julian Avila

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

sportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/

FACEBOOK

m.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/

BUSINESS CONTACT

[email protected]

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Phillies franchise dates back to 1883, when Chester A. Arthur was President of the United States. The Phillies were originally known as the Philadelphia Quakers, but they were renamed the Phillies in 1890. Despite some outstanding seasons, the Phillies did not achieve first place until 1915, when they lost to the Red Sox in the World Series, four games to one.

In 1932, Phillies outfielder Chuck Klein won the NL MVP award, and the following year, he claimed the elusive Triple Crown. Despite having some good players on the team, the Phillies wouldn’t win the NL Pennant again until 1950, with pitcher Jim Konstanty winning the NL MVP that same year. However, the Phillies had the misfortune of facing the powerhouse New York Yankees in the World Series and lost four games to zero.

From 1951 to 1975, the Phillies experienced just nine winning seasons and no pennants. One of the few highlights was when pitcher Steve Carlton won the Cy Young Award in 1972. However, that would all change in 1976.

You can read the full blog post here.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

This Day In Sports History is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In 1976, it was the final game in the ABA. New Jersey beat Denver to win the ABA Championship game, coming back from a 22 point deficit.

In 2005, Tiger Woods missed the cut for the first time in 142 starts.

In 1962 and again in 1973, golfer Bruce Crampton blew up on 18 on the final day to lose the same golf tournament 11 years apart.

In 1978, French golfer Philippe Porquier carded a 20 on a par 5 during a European Tour Event.

In 1973, Bobby Riggs beat Margaret Court in the first Battle of the Sexes.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS BACKGROUND

Relive the greatest moments in sports every day of the year. From the triumphs to the tragedies, the first to do it to the last time it happened, the unbelievable to the strange, This Day in Sports History is a 365-day journey remembering those significant events that made a lasting impact.