Sports History Network

In 1992, San Francisco' Steve Young and Buffalo's Jim Kelly went head-to-head in an offensive air assault. It became the first NFL game with zero punts.

In 1981, the Atlanta Falcons scored 31 points in the 4th quarter against Green Bay to tie an NFL record.

In 2015, Tennessee Titan Marcus Mariotta became the first rookie QB to put together a perfect QB rating in his first start.

In 1958, Florida State's Vic Prinzi became the first player to score a two-point conversion.

In 1951, Jake LaMotta knocked out Laurent Dauthuille with 13 seconds remaining in the bout to retain his Middleweight title.

In 1902, it was the first time the double play trio of Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker, and Frank Chance started at their respective positions. They became famous after the New York Daily Mail's Franklin Pierce Adams wrote the poem ‘Tinker to Evers to Chance’.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stirling Roastery - This DiSH

Today, we have two very special guests to the show: Todd Marinovich and Lizzy Wright. Todd was a former first-round draft pick with the Oakland Raiders back in 1991.

Todd and Lizzy just published Todd’s memoirs, titled: Marinovich: Outside the Lines in Football, Art, and Addiction, which can be purchased at marinovichbook.com. In this memoir, Todd is very open about the struggles that he faced with substance abuse over the years, and we dove into those details in this episode.

As far as Lizzy Wright, our long-time listeners will remember her husband Steve Wright as a guest in season one of our podcast. She co-authored Steve’s book, as well, which was titled Aggressively Human.

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Music By:

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

In 2009, Serena Williams exploded at a linesman after a foot fault. It cost her the match and a record amount of money.

In 1992, Michael Chang and Stefan Edberg played a record setting marathon match at the US Open.

In 1971, Johnny Miller won his first PGA Tournament after canceling a fishing trip.

In 1976, Niki Lauda made his return to F1 just 33 days from a fiery crash.

In 1995, the Harlem Globetrotters lost in Vienna, Austria to a team composed of former NBA stars including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Who Invented This Sport? is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

It looks like a mace, but the implement used for the sport of hammer throwing is not a decedent of medieval weaponry. In fact, hammer throwing athletes didn’t begin hurling a 16-pound iron ball attached to a wire that is attached to a handle until the beginning of the 1900s. 

In this episode, we’re going to give you a historical overview of this elegant sport—a sport with many athletic intricacies and a sport with an exciting past and present.

We’re most excited to share with you our interview with Dr. Kevin Becker, a former champion collegiate hammer thrower and expert on the sport. Kevin—a high school pole vaulter, hurdler, discus thrower, and quarter-miler—draws a vivid picture of the track and field event he loves the most. 

Enjoy the show and take a look at the related videos listed below:

Evolution of the sport over 108 years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDGgRQTHSAo&list=PLyR2-9faxdvSDU2mN9kNIm7SPQkEFlLiK&index=5

2012 U.S. Olympic Trials--Kevin Becker placed 11th out of a field of 22.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhl2RM_pblw&t=19s

World record holder Yuri Sedykh training Kevin Becker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMhFcpbChXY&list=PLyR2-9faxdvSDU2mN9kNIm7SPQkEFlLiK&index=1

WHO INVENTED THIS SPORT? BACKGROUND

Who Invented This Sport? is a sports time machine invented by two lifelong friends who are obsessed with the origins of sports as diverse as basketball and bobsledding and beyond. Each episode, we travel back through time and share with you a particular sport’s sources and evolution. The heroes of these treasure hunts are the sports inventors, innovators, and pioneers. And since history is not only the past but also the present and future, we interview sports experts, who will discuss their sport’s yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The Who Invented This Sport? podcast spans the sports globe and travels through time to report on gems from the fascinating and ingenious world of sports origins history.

HOST BIOS (ROGER HARB AND DAVID DREWS)

Roger Harb and David Drews are the creators and producers of Who Invented This Sport, a podcast that spans the world of sports origins stories. 

Roger and David’s life-long friendship began in college, where one summer they started their first business adventure together–a window washing partnership. Under a scorching Tennessee sun, the two washed windows and further bonded while discussing sports and other important matters. 

Later collaborating on numerous media projects, including documentaries, these two sports enthusiasts dreamed of one day finding a means to share unique, intriguing sports stories with fellow students of sports history. The advent and popularity of podcasts opened the door for Roger and David to create and launch Who Invented This Sport.       

Roger has 30 years experience in radio and television marketing, broadcasting, and production. Over the past 40 years, David has transitioned from being a commercial banker to a high school English teacher to a filmmaker and novelist.  David is the author of the recently released  Iron Tigers–a novel inspired by the team that conquered Dixie and launched Southern football.

 Roger and David are grateful for the opportunity to explore and share a variety of sports origin stories and how each evolved.

In 1985, Pete Rose picked up hit number 4,192 to pass Ty Cobb as the all-time MLB hits leader.

In 1906, Boston Americans right fielder Jack Hayden and his teammate, second baseman Hobe Ferris got into a horrific fight that led to Hayden losing teeth and both being arrested.

In 1991, it was an unusual combined no-hitter in Atlanta.

In 2015, Meadville (Pa.) High School beat DuBois (Pa.) High School in a high school football game, 107-90. There were records for passing yards and rushing yards.

In 2010, FCS representative James Madison beat #13 Virginia Tech 21-16.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stirling Roastery - This DiSH

In 2016, Central Michigan benefitted from an officiating error to get an untimed down and then shocked Oklahoma State on the final play.

In 1978, the Oakland Raiders pulled off the 'Holy Roller' to beat San Diego.

In 1972, an imposter jumped into the men's Olympic marathon with about a kilometer to go and then ran around the track as if he was the leader.

In 1983, a linesman was struck by ball during a US Open tennis match. The shot caused him to fall backward and hit his head on the hard court surface. The impact knocked him out. He was taken to a hospital but died five days later.

In 1992, it was a big win for NFL players when New York Jets running back Freeman McNeil along with 7 others won their court case against the NFL’s Plan B free agency.

Week one of the NFL season for 2025 has concluded. As we transition into week two, it is imperative to reflect upon the performances and predictions from the previous week. Our discussion will reveal the bold forecasts made regarding teams and players, evaluating the accuracy of our insights, particularly those of Ed Kleese and me. The episode will shed light on these performances, with particular emphasis on underwhelming showings that may incite concern among fan bases, including the Miami Dolphins and the Carolina Panthers. As we embark on this analytical journey, we shall also proffer our predictions for the upcoming week, aiming to discern trends and outcomes in this ever-evolving landscape of professional football. Therefore, I invite you to remain engaged as we delve into these intriguing narratives that define our beloved sport.

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.

The ABA did everything they could to land Lew Alcindor as an ABA player with the New York Nets. They prepared a file on him and were ready to offer nearly a million dollars more than the Milwaukee Bucks. So, why did Alcindor sign with the Bucks? The ABA misread the negotiations, and this is that story.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"60s and 70s Rock" by Hyde

"Horizons" by Roa

SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK

sportshistorynetwork.com

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

FACEBOOK

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

BUSINESS CONTACT

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

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode, Mark sits down with Ed Kleese to discuss the Washington Redskins' storied past. From the glory days of the 1991 Super Bowl champions to the challenges of the 1980s, Ed provides a heartfelt look at what it means to be a fan through thick and thin.

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 1972, the US Men's basketball team had their Gold Medals stolen from them by the Soviets and FIBA.

In 2020, the Atlanta Braves scored 29 runs to set a new National League record.

In 1965, LA Dodger Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs. The game set records for fewest hits in a game (1) and baserunners (2).

In 1960, the Denver Broncos and the Boston Patriots played the first ever regular season football game in the new American Football League.

In 2007, the Patriots were caught stealing the opposing teams signals from an area they were not supposed to be.