Sports History Network

In 1932, Babe Ruth appeared to call his shot in Game 3 of the World Series.

In 1961, New York Yankee Roger Maris hit home run #61.

In 1962, the San Francisco Giants grounds crew took some artistic license with the dirt around first base to slow down the speedy Maury Wills.

In 1975, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier faced each other in the Philippines in the 'Thrilla in Manilla.'

Mentioned in this episode:

Stirling Roastery - This DiSH

Ed Kleese and I engage in a thorough discussion regarding Week 5 of the NFL's 2025 season, during which we offer our bold predictions for the upcoming matchups. This episode is underpinned by our collective assertion that the outcomes may indeed astonish listeners as we delve into various games and their intricacies. We scrutinize the ramifications of injuries and performance fluctuations across teams, thereby highlighting the unpredictable nature of the league. Our analysis extends to the potential implications of coaching strategies and the psychological dynamics at play, particularly when teams confront the specter of desperation or momentum shifts. Join us as we navigate the complexities of this week’s contests, offering insights that may challenge conventional expectations.

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news!

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.

Takeaways:

• The discussion centers around the bold predictions for Week 5 of the NFL 2025 season, including unexpected outcomes.
• The significance of timing in matchups is highlighted, emphasizing the impact of teams' performance leading up to games.
• Injuries play a critical role in the dynamics of the NFL, affecting team performance and predictions.
• Both hosts express excitement for the upcoming games, while also reflecting on previous games and their outcomes.

The NBA was struggling financially in the late 1970s. They needed something to turn things around. In 1979, two rookies joined and led their teams to the two best records in the entire league and made the NBA popular and fun again.

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

Mark's friend and fellow sports historian, Dave DePaola, joins Mark to talk about the "2 careers of George Foreman." This is part 1 of that conversation.

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)

In 2007, the Detroit Lions scored 31 in the fourth quarter to beat Chicago.

In 2012, the European side erased a four point deficit on the final day to win the Ryder Cup.

In 1990, NASCAR rookie Rob Moroso was killed in a crash on his way home after a race in Wilkesboro, NC.

In 1916, the New York Giants won their 26th straight MLB game and then had it ended in game two of a doubleheader.

In 1945, Detroit's Hank Greenberg hit a grand slam home run to put the Tigers into the World Series.

In 1972, Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente picked up his 3000th hit of his career. He died three months later in a plane crash.

In 1954, New York Giants centerfielder Willie Mays made the catch to save a couple of runs from scoring in game 1 of the Cleveland Indians.

In 1989, boxer Tony Wilson got a little help from his mom.

In 1985, Washington QB Joe Theismann punted for the first and only time. His career punt average was 1.0 yard.

In 1923, Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen played what many consider to be the greatest match play battle in golf history.

In 2007, golfer Woody Austin fell backward into a pond after attempting a shot during the President's Cup.

In 1987, New York Yankee Don Mattingly hit his MLB record 6th Grand Slam of the season.

The focus of this podcast episode is an engaging discussion with author Hank Gola, who recounts the extraordinary story of a high school football team that achieved remarkable success just before World War II. Gola's book, entitled "City of Champions," delves into the 1939 National Championship High School Football Game, where Garfield High School from New Jersey triumphed over the formidable Miami High School in a dramatic clash held in the Orange Bowl. The narrative not only chronicles the game itself but also situates it within the broader historical context of the Great Depression and the impending global conflict, exploring how the experiences of these young athletes foreshadowed their eventual service in World War II. We are afforded a glimpse into the lives of these players, who transitioned from the innocence of high school football to the harsh realities of the battlefield. This episode promises to captivate those with an interest in both sports history and the profound impact of historical events on individual lives.

Also, check out more of Hank's writing at HankGola.com

Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news!

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.

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

An Open Forum with Co-Host Joe Squires on some auctions and cards sets.

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. 

In 1951, Roger Maris scored 5 TDs (four of which were returns for TDs, 2 KO, 1 Punt, 1 Int) in a high school football game.

In 1951, LA Rams QB Norm Van Brocklin threw for an NFL record 554 yards and five TDs.

In 1951, New York Yankees pitcher Allie Reynolds pitched his second no-hitter of the season, becoming the first American Leaguer to do it.

In 1941, Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams went 6-8 on the final day of the regular season to boost his average to .406.

In 1960, Williams closed out his MLB career with a home run in his final at bat.

In 1969, Cincinnati Bengals QB Greg Cook was injured in the third game of his career. It was an injury that led to the premature end to his career.

In 1991, the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers played the first outdoor game and it took place in Las Vegas with game time temps around 90.

In 1998, Prairie View's football broke their 80-game losing streak.

In 2000, US Greco-Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner beat Russian Alexander Karelin to win Gold in the Olympics .

In 1968, St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Bob Gibson closed out the regular season with a 1.12 ERA. His performance was so dominant that major league baseball lowered the mound the following season.

In 1930, Bobby Jones won the US Amateur to win golf's first and only official Grand Slam.

In 1998, St. Louis Cardinal Mark McGwire blasted two home runs for numbers 69 and 70 on the season for a new major league record.