Sports History Network

Sports History Network

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Sports History Network episodes

  • 1977 - The First "World's Strongest Man Competition"

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

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Mostly everyone, whether a fan or not, has seen some footage of the World’s Strongest Man competition. It’s truly mind-boggling how powerful these competitors are. But many people don’t know that the first competition goes back to 1977, which bears little resemblance to today’s organized and well-planned event.

    The 1977 competition had only eight contestants, and they could have named it “America’s Strongest Man” given that seven of the competitors were American. No one seems to know why they chose the eight men they did other than the fact that most were relatively well-known and quite strong. The three-day event took place at Universal Studios in California, and It was televised on CBS Sports Spectacular.

    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

    17 min
  • Episode 187 - The Dean Tolson Exclusive: A Retired Seattle SuperSonic's Message for the World

    Dean Tolson, former Seattle SuperSonic, has an incredibly powerful story of being illiterate through his professional playing days before going back to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as an adult. He now speaks to thousands of kids on the value of an education.

    Click here to purchase Tolson's book, Power Forward: My Journey from Illiterate NBA Player to a Magna Cum Laude Master's Degree!

    Click here to go to Tolson's website!

    

    CREDITS

    Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

    Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

     

    MUSIC

    "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]

    32 min
  • The Bizarre season of the 1970 St. Louis Cardinals

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

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    After winning the NFL Championship in 1947 and compiling a combined 21–5 record in 1947 & 1948, the Chicago Cardinals fell hard, having only two winning seasons in the next eleven seasons.

    The team moved to Saint Louis in 1960, giving them new life, as they had five winning seasons and only four losing seasons. In 1964, the Cards finished the season with a 9–3–2 record, but unfortunately, it was only good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference as the Browns finished with a 10–3–1 record and went on to win the NFL Championship.

    From 1965 to 1969, the team bounced up and down like a yo-yo, with a bad season in 65, a good season in 66, bad in 67, good in 68, and terrible in 1969, finishing 4–9–1.

    Cardinal fans didn't expect to have much to cheer about in 1970, but they were in for a surprise. The season didn't start too well. Receiver John Gilliam and tight end Jackie Smith gained over 100 yards, but the Cards allowed six sacks and turned the ball over four times. The result was a 34–13 loss to the Rams. Dating back to the 1969 season, it was their sixth loss in their last seven games......

    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)

    14 min
  • The Barbed Wire Punt Play with Guest Timothy Brown

    I have heard of many strange situations during football games throughout the ages. Ill weather, lost balls, and even nonplayers and vehicles out on the field of play. However, when I read the Football Archaeology.com Tidbit titled: Punting From Behind A Barbed Wire Fence

    It may just take the cake for being the strangest.

    I appreciate Timothy Brown for sharing his time and knowledge and the great story from yesteryear

    Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber

    Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.

    Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    16 min
  • 2024 NL East Preview

    One Guy With a Mic Presents: History of Dingers and Dunks is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION

    Breakdown of the NL East. Come join Mike Stanton, Jason Armstrong and myself discuss the NL East and how we think it shakes out.

    ABOUT ONE GUY WITH A MIC PRESENTS: HISTORY OF DINGERS AND DUNKS

    I am Chad Cain your host of One Guy with a Mic Presents: History of Dingers and Dunks. I am going to be bringing the history of baseball and basketball to life. For every one of you that doesn’t know anything about the history of baseball or basketball, this is your place to learn.

    If you know some knowledge about baseball and basketball this is your place to know more. If you have more knowledge than others around you this is your safe space. I can always learn from each and every one of you as well.

    1 hr 22 min
  • The 1939 College Football Season - Football History Rewind

    Despite the lack of undisputed champions, the 1939 season was pivotal for college football. It showcased the sport's increasing depth and competitiveness, with multiple teams vying for national relevance. Additionally, it paved the way for future discussions and advancements in determining a national champion, shaping the landscape of college football as we know it today.

    Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website and the Sports Jersey Dispatch to see even more Positive football news! Sign up to get daily football history headlines in your email inbox @ Email-subscriber

    Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.

    Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    12 min
  • BBH Moments Special - LeBron's 40k Points

    LeBron James just reached 40,000 regular-season career points. In order to commemorate this living moment in basketball history, Rick discusses the guys that first reached 10k, 20k, and 30k points, as well as what would be required in order for LeBron's record to ever be broken...

    CREDITS

    Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

    Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

     

    MUSIC

    "Broken" by AJ PRO

    "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]

    10 min
  • 126: Steve Wright - NFL

    Steve Wright played 12 years in the NFL as an offensive lineman with the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders and a two detour into the USFL with Oakland Invaders. His story is quire remarkable considering how he wound up a starter despite being undrafted out of the University of Northern Iowa. But his determination and persistence not only helped him make the Cowboys in 1981, but become a fixture on the O-Line. He played with and against some of the game's greatest and played under three unique coaches: Tom Landry, Frank Kush and Art Shell. His story is filled with the highs and lows you would expect. But it's also filled with magnificent stories as well, three of which are among the most historic in history. In his rookie year, he thought he was on his way to the Super Bowl until Dwight Clark caught a pass from Joe Montana to vault the 49'ers and end the dreams of Cowboy fans everywhere. He was on the field for the longest TD run in NFL history, 99 1/2 yards by Tony Dorsett and he was on the Baltimore Colts when they packed up and left overnight for Indianapolis. But Steve's exploits on the field are only a part of his story. What he did off the field while playing and after his playing days are a huge part of who Steve Wright is. Introducing Cloudburst (misting machines) to the NFL and the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, his charity around the world, his appearance on Survivor and so much more. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, Steve joins the podcast to talk about his career and his life after football in this most entertaining discussion.

    1 hr 10 min
  • Episode 186 - Basketball's Sheriffs: The Lawmakers of the Game

    In the early 1900s, basketball was at risk of branching off and developing into very different versions of the game all over the world. If it had not been for the early rules committee, who oversaw the game's development and ensured its safety, the game could have developed into different sports in different parts of the world. Because of their efforts, we have one game which allowed for it to become a global phenomenon.

    CREDITS

    Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

    Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

     

    MUSIC

    "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa

    "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]

    20 min
  • 1967 Los Angeles Rams

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

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    From 1956 to 1965, the LA Rams were not a good football team, posting just one winning season in 1958. But things began to change in 1966 with the hiring of George Allen as Head Coach. Allen had been the defensive Coach of the Chicago Bears.

    Allen's hiring paid off immediately, as he took a team that had finished the 1965 season with a dismal 4–10 record to an 8–6 record in 1966.

    The 1967 roster was loaded with talented players. They had two future Hall of Fame players on defense, Merlin Olsen at defensive tackle and David "Deacon" Jones at defensive end. They also had a future Hall of Fame offensive guard in rookie Tom Mack.....

    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)

    16 min

About Sports History Network

From the publisher's feed

The Sports History Network was founded in May of 2020 to bring together podcasters and bloggers covering the history of sports. Our mission is to create the Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear by…