Sports History Network

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week in NDN All-Stars history highlights Olympic legends, baseball milestones, championship boxing, and professional firsts across more than a century of sports history.

Jim Thorpe captures Olympic gold in Stockholm and receives one of the most famous compliments in sports history, while Lewis Tewanima earns a silver medal in the ten-thousand-meter race just one day later.

We also feature Virgil Hill continuing his championship-era success, Willie Stargell passing a Pittsburgh Pirates legend on the career home run list, and Pepper Martin helping make history in the very first Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Additional highlights include Jack Dempsey's knockout victory in Atlanta, Bob Johnson hitting for the cycle at Fenway Park, Early Wynn earning an All-Star Game start, and Ashton Locklear's selection as an Olympic alternate.

From Olympic greatness to baseball history and championship boxing, these stories continue to showcase the remarkable legacy of Native athletes across generations.

• Jim Thorpe wins Olympic gold in the Pentathlon

• Lewis Tewanima earns an Olympic silver medal

• Virgil Hill records multiple professional victories

• Willie Stargell passes Ralph Kiner on Pittsburgh's home run list

• Pepper Martin plays in the first MLB All-Star Game

• Bob Johnson hits for the cycle at Fenway Park

• Early Wynn is named an MLB All-Star Game starter

• Jack Dempsey scores another first-round knockout

• Terry Felix makes his professional soccer debut

• Ashton Locklear earns a place as a U.S. Olympic alternate

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.

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!

in 1982, Italy's Paolo Rossi, suspended for two years for match fixing, returned to the National Team, scoring three goals in a win over Brazil in the World Cup.

In 2015, US striker Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick in 18 minutes as the US women beat Japan to win their third World Cup.

In 1992, the US Men's Basketball team, aka 'The Dream Team,' officially qualified for the Olympics.

In 1905, Philadelphia Athletics' pitcher Rube Waddell outlasted Boston's Cy Young in a 21-inning pitcher's duel.

In 1910, Heavyweight champ Jack Johnson knocked out James Jeffries in the first of the 'Great White Hope' fights.

In 1919, challenger Jack Dempsey beat Jess Willard to win the heavyweight title.

In 1954, Hungary was beaten in the World Cup final by West Germany. Hungary had not lost in 32 consecutive games.

In 1990, England lost to West Germany 4-3 on PKs.

In 1939, Lou Gehrig gave his 'luckiest man' speech at Yankee Stadium.

In 1985, Atlanta Braves' pitcher Rick Camp hit a pinch hit home run to tie up a game in extra innings.

Ninety years ago, in 1936, American football underwent transformative developments that continue to resonate within the sport today. This episode provides a comprehensive examination of the pivotal events of that year, encompassing both college and professional football. We delve into significant occurrences, such as the inaugural NFL draft, where the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jay Burwanger, the first Heisman Trophy winner, thereby establishing a precedent for future drafts. Furthermore, we highlight the remarkable triumph of the Stanford Valboys in the 22nd Rose Bowl, a defining moment in collegiate athletics. As we traverse this remarkable year, we invite listeners to appreciate the foundational changes that have shaped the evolution of football in America.

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.

Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive.

Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga.

*OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars

Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel.

Contact us directly at [email protected]

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

Takeaways:

• The year 1936 was monumental in the history of American football, impacting both college and professional levels significantly.
• The introduction of the first NFL draft in 1936 revolutionized player selection and team strategies in American football.
• Stanford's Valboys, a group of dedicated players, achieved their vow of defeating rival teams during the 1936 season.
• The inaugural Associated Press writers poll introduced a new method of ranking football teams, emphasizing human judgment over mathematical formulas.
• Larry Kelly of Yale became the first winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1936, marking a significant milestone in collegiate football.
• The Green Bay Packers secured their first NFL championship victory in 1936, defeating the Boston Redskins in a neutral-site game.

In 1954, Babe Didrikson Zaharias won her third US Open while she battle cancer.

In 1968, NFL players went on strike for the first time, leading to the first Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In 1966, Atlanta's Tony Cloninger hit two Grand Slams in the same game, becoming the first and still only pitcher to hit two in one game.

In 1997, the Houston Oilers got the go-ahead to move to Nashville, TN.

In 2001, the Vancouver Grizzlies got the go-ahead to move to Memphis, TN.

StatMan and Robin is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

During the Orioles Magic era (1979-83) there were two weekend series that jumped out to us as truly magical. In part two of this discussion, we go back to mid-August 1980 when the Yankees came to Baltimore for a five-game series in the midst of a battle for the AL East lead. The stakes and intensity epitomized the teams' rivalry at the time.

STATMAN AND ROBIN BACKGROUND

The city of Baltimore has a rich sports history dating back to the “Hit ‘em where they ain’t” Orioles of the 1890’s. Since then, the Colts, Orioles, Ravens and nearby Maryland Terrapins have provided fans with thrilling victories and crushing defeats, and we’ve been there for them all going back to the 1966 World Series champion Orioles.

We’ll bring you the stories of our teams through the years featuring not just the action on the field, but memories of the players, coaches, executives and the city itself. From the champs to the bad teams that make us appreciate the good ones even more, there are stories we want to share for posterity. We hope the younger fans learn, and older fans relive those memories and perhaps learn something they didn’t know.

We’ll also occasionally add stories of some lesser-known Baltimore teams, in sports like indoor soccer, lacrosse, and even Canadian football. Also, don’t forget the Baltimore Bullets.

We hope you will enjoy our bi-weekly shows as much as we will enjoy reliving these great times of our lives.

HOSTS - JIM JOHNSON & ROBIN HAINES

Jim Johnson bio:

I’m Jim Johson (aka StatMan), one of the co-hosts of Baltimore Sports History. I escaped the doldrums of Washington, DC sports in the 1960s when I moved to the Baltimore area during the 1970 World Series, which the Orioles won, and met Robin Haines. We quickly bonded over sports, a bond that lasted past school years through families and careers.

I have written about sports for various websites over the years. I did “The Courtmaster” column covering ACC and Maryland Terps men’s basketball (and a National Championship) in the early 2000’s. I also wrote about college football in the mid 2000’s. More recently, I wrote about Baltimore football history and the AFC North for Baltimore Sports and Life from 2021-2023. Now happily retired, I enjoy going back to the history of my favorite teams and sharing it with Robin, and you.

Robin Haines bio:

I'm Robin Haines, a retired R.N. and lifelong Baltimore area resident who grew up hearing my dad talk about the pre-1954 minor league Orioles. The seed was planted for my growth into a die-hard Baltimore sports follower (and when you're named after a baseball Hall of Famer-well, there's a story there).

I met Jim Johnson when we were both around 12 years old, and we have shared the ups and downs (and many quirks) of the Baltimore sports scene for most of our lives. You know how a sports story or event you share with someone can instantly take you back to an earlier version of yourselves? That's how it is with Jim and me, and I hope to share that connection on this podcast.

In 1921, Jack Dempsey beat Georges Carpentier in a battle between a draft dodger and a war hero.

In 1903, Major Leaguer Ed Delahanty fell off a bridge and died after being kicked off a train.

In 1932, Englishman Henry “Bunny” Austin became the first man to wear shorts at Wimbledon instead of the traditional wool pants.

In 1967, Catherine Lacoste became the first foreign winner and the first amateur to win the Women's US Open Golf Championship.

The Official PFRA Podcast is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

LINKS

The Official PFRA Podcast Website

The Professional Football Researchers Association Website

EPISODE SUMMARY

Hear the story of a semi-pro star, as Hall of Famer Averell Harris joined George & Jon.

THE OFFICIAL PFRA PODCAST BACKGROUND

The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) was founded in Canton, Ohio in 1979 to foster the study of professional football as a significant and athletic institution; to establish an accurate historical account of professional football; and to disseminate research information. In each episode of The Official PFRA Podcast, co-hosts George Bozeka and Jon Bozeka will discuss the storied history of pro football, including interviews with prominent pro football historians and authors, and former players.

Born in Canton within walking distance of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, George is the current President of the PFRA. He has had a number of articles published in the PFRA’s official magazine The Coffin Corner and he is the lead editor for the PFRA’s Great Teams in Pro Football History book series.

Jon has been a radio broadcaster in the Canton area since 2014. He has been involved in every facet of radio sports coverage including play-by-play and color commentary for local high school and college football broadcasts. He is also a stringer for CBS Radio’s Eye on Sports show covering all Cleveland Browns Sunday home games.

Under the Radar is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

He's 'Under the Radar' now, but from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, Mac Wilkins was a top-ranked 4-time world record holder in the discus - representing the last time the US won medals in this throwing event. Hear what he's up to now and his thoughts on multiple topics.

UNDER THE RADAR BACKGROUND

Under the Radar: Olympic Athletes Ya Gotta Meet is a podcast dedicated to highlighting the stories of unsung Olympic athletes past and future who are little-known and yet well worth getting to know. True to the Olympic spirit, these athletes have either demonstrated their heroism in past Games or have a chance to shine in future ones. Your host is Doug Levy, a retired sportswriter, reporter, lobbyist, and business owner who brings his love for all things Olympic Games to each podcast.

Every month, Doug will help you learn about athletes who competed just outside the limelight – or have yet to bask in the media spotlight. Each episode will feature an interview with athletes about the Olympic Games journey they took or the Olympic Games story they hope to write. So, sit back and learn about some competitors that NBC-TV and the mainstream media either never really discovered -- or have yet to uncover.

HOST - DOUG LEVY

Doug Levy is a lover of all things sports with a special affinity for the magic that comes come with every rendition of Summer and Winter Olympic Games. A 1984 University of Oregon graduate, he began his career as a sportswriter and columnist, news reporter, and political reporter for two daily newspapers in Washington State. He then spent 35 years in government affairs and politics, including 25 years owning/operating his lobbying business.

After retiring from lobbying at the end of 2022, Doug returned to his roots and spent two years of research, interviews, and writing for his first book, “Hero Redefined: Profiles of Olympic Athletes Under the Radar.” The book was published in late January 2025 and has earned words of praise from Olympic athletes and sports luminaries such as Sebastian Coe, Frank Shorter, Mac Wilkins, Mitch Gaylord, Willie Banks, and the President of the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Schneider. Doug lives just outside of Seattle, Wash., with his wife of nearly 40 years, Teri, and their dog Riley. They have two sons, Zach, 33, and Cody, 30. To learn more about Doug, visit www.authordouglevy.com

HERO REDEFINED: PROFILES OF OLYMPIC ATHLETES UNDER THE RADAR (Amazon link)