Sports' Forgotten Heroes

Ernie Lombardi retired from Major League Baseball in 1947 and was not enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame until 1986. Many theories abound as to why it took Lombardi so long to get in. But, facts are facts, and his enshrinement was way over due, after all, Lombardi did things as a catcher that few before, or since, have accomplished. Despite his lack of speed, he might have been one of the slowest to ever play the game, and that could have been one of the reasons it took him so long to make it to Cooperstown, he retired from the game with a .306 career batting average. Twice he led the National League in batting average. In 1938 he hit .342 and won the MVP award. In 1942, at the age of 34 with the Boston Braves, he again led the National League in batting with a .330 batting average. A 7-time All-Star, during the 5-year stretch of 1934 through 1938, Lombardi hit .305, .343, .333, .334, .342. He had a career OPS of .818. On this episode of SFH, guest Robert Baker and I look back at the 17-year career of Ern

The focal point of our discourse in this episode revolves around the extraordinary and multifaceted career of Charlie Berry, a unique figure in the annals of American sports history. Berry's exceptional achievements encompass his participation as both a player in Major League Baseball and the National Football League, as well as his subsequent roles as a prominent umpire and official in both sports. Throughout our exploration, we delve into the nuances of his career, which includes his notable contributions to the 1925 Pottsville Maroons, a team that, despite its championship aspirations, faced a controversial fate. Additionally, we examine Berry's remarkable tenure as a baseball umpire, where he officiated landmark events, such as Don Larson's perfect game in the World Series and the famed 1958 NFL Championship, often hailed as the greatest game ever played. As we progress, we aim to illuminate the significance of Charlie Berry's legacy, which, despite its obscurity in contemporary discourse, remains a testa

As NFL training camps get underway and the 2025 NFL Football Season commences, what better time than now to take a look back at the incredible story of the 1925 Pottsville Maroons, This team is listed as the No. 1 team atop the NFL standings in 1925 by NFL.com. Yet, even though they were originally noted as the NFL Champions of 1925, the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) are considered to be the champions. So much happened to cause this injustice. NFL President Joe Carr was ill and in the hospital, the Maroons played an exhibition game against the Notre Dame "Four Horsemen," the Frankford Yellow Jackets voiced their displeasure that the Maroons were going to play this exhibition game in Frankford's home stadium, Shibe Park in Philadelphia, and there was an issue with the Chicago Bears and Red Grange too. When all was said and done, the Maroons had their title stripped and it was given to the Cardinals. But, yes there's more, the Cardinals owner, Charles O'Brien, refused to accept the championship,

Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, some of golf's most legendary names strolled and dominated the fairways. Superstars like Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, and Sam Snead. These were the stars golf fans came out to see play. They were the golfers who grabbed the headlines. But there were others, less known stars, who also won their share of tournaments. Stars like Henry Picard, Horton Smith, and Tommy Armour. And then there was Paul Runyan. Certainly not an imposing figure standing at 5-foot-7, 130 pounds. But he was also one of the game's most dominant figures, especially during the 1930s. Known as Little Poison for his "deadly" short game, Runyan is one of only six golfers to ever win nine tournaments in one year, and the first to ever win more than eight in one season. In 1933, Runyan won nine times. Overall, he posted 29 wins, 28 during the 1930s. His two biggest wins came in the PGA Championship. In 1934, Runyan, when the PGA was still a match-play event, Runyan captured his firs

Johnny Mize is the answer to one of baseball's great trivia questions. You have to listen to find out what it is, but trust me, it's one of Major League Baseball's great statistics, something not even legends such as Babe Ruth, Henry Aaron, or Willie Mays can lay claim to. Mize had a terrific eye at the plate, especially for a power hitter. For his career, he hit 359 homeruns, had a career batting average of .312, and a career OPS of .959. Yet, one could argue, his career was overlooked. This could be because when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants, neither team made it to the post-season. Plus, Mize missed three of his prime years when he served during World War II in 1943, 1944, and 1945. The "Big Cat's" most notable years, however, just might have been the final five when he moved into a part-time role with the New York Yankees and he contributed to one of the game's greatest dynasties when the Bronx Bombers won five straight World Series, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953. On this ep

A name so few know ... Danny Gardella. Gardella played for the New York (baseball) Giants (now the #SFGiants) in 1944 and 1945. Then he battled management about his salary. Instead of accepting what the Giants offered, he challenged the reserve clause and lost. Rather than accept the terms, he opted to play elsewhere, in the Mexican League. It cost Danny his career. Banned from the Majors, Gardella did get one more opportunity to play in the Majors, with the St. Louis #Cardinals in 1950. But he only appeared in one game, and that was it. The Cardinals didn't see a future for Danny on their roster, demoted him to AA, and Danny never saw the light of day in Major League Baseball game again. Of course, those that followed and who challenged the reserve met with much more success, such as Curt Flood and Andy Messersmith. The free agents of today do not have to work within the confines of the reserve clause. But Danny did, and while he won a small sum of money in a lawsuit against #MLB, he lost his entire career.

n the early 1900s Roger Bresnahan was one of MLB's best catchers. He played for the New York Giants (now San Francisco Giants) and later was player-manager for the St. Louis Cardinals. While with the Giants, Bresnahan was beaned. It was a very scary instance in which Bresnahan's last rites were read. However, he survived and came back. He ultimately developed a batting helmet, but never wore it in a game. Another piece of equipment Bresnahan introduced was shin guards. Yes, Roger Bresnahan was not only one of baseball's great catchers, he was an innovator too! Perhaps, though, one of his finest moments occurred off the field. During a trip from Philadelphia to Boston, while he was with St. Louis, the train the Cardinals were on derailed and fell down an embankment. Miraculously, none of the Cardinals' players were hurt. However, several on the train died as a result of the crash. Bresnahan and the Cardinals did all they could to help rescue people from the catastrophic incident. On this episode of Sports' For

Maybelle (May) Blair is a baseball pioneer. In the movie, "A League of Their Own," Madonna's character was named after Maybelle, Mae Morabito. However, the character Madonna played was nothing like the real May. May did not join the AAGPBL (All-America Girls Professional Baseball League) until it was firmly established. But along the way, May certainly made her mark in baseball and softball. She played highly-competitive softball on the west coast, was discovered by a scout looking for great talent for a women's professional softball team, the Chicago Cardinals who were owned by the same Charles Bidwell who owned the NFL's Chicago Cardinals, and she made such an impression on everyone, that she ultimately wound up in the AAGPBL with the Peoria Redwings. While her career on the diamond is truly something to marvel at, today at the age of 95, she's still going strong making appearances and signing autographs, and remains a proponent of omen's professional baseball. In fact, there is a women's professional baseb

Going way back in history, sometimes you uncover incredible stories. This is one of them. Long before Louisville Slugger became synonymous with  @MLB , baseball players did whatever they could to make their own bats or have someone else make a bat for them. Pete Browning turned to an acquaintance when he failed to get a hit for two straight games. He considered that a slump! So, Browning's acquaintance went to his woodworking shop and crafted Pete a new bat, and it worked. Pete proceeded to end his slump. It was the birth of the Louisville Slugger. Browning was unique. Browning played in the American Association (at the time, the AA was recognized as a pre-eminent professional league), the Players League, and the National League. He believed that a baseball bat had a limited number of hits in it; he gave each bat its own name, and he had many, many quirks. Despite his career batting average of .341, Browning is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Of course, an argument can be made either way, but the

In 1924, the Washington Nationals (they were the Nationals, but also referred to as the Senators) won their first-ever World Series. It was a remarkable season for the Nationals. Owner Clark Griffith dismissed manager Donnie Bush just after the 1923 campaign and named Bucky Harris player-manager. It was a huge risk. Harris was only 27 years old and had only played four years in @MLB . How would the veterans on the team respond to taking orders from someone so young? What kind of experience and knowledge did such a young ballplayer possess? To the surprise of many, everyone accepted him, even aging veterans such as Roger Peckinpaugh and Walter Johnson. In fact, Johnson, who was coming off the first arm injury of his career, was hoping to rebound in his age-36 season, in what was supposed to be the final season of his career. Not only did "The Big Train" rebound he went 23-7 and won the MVP. He was sensational. Everything fell into place for Washington in 1924. A perennial second-division team, the Na

Connie Hawkins, simply stated, was a phenomenal basketball player. Inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, his career was robbed of five years of his NBA career. And not just any five, the first five. Hawkins was a legend on the playground in New York City. Recruited to play college ball at the University of Iowa, he was wrongfully accused of being involved in a point-shaving scandal that ultimately cost him his college career, which then led to him being banned by the NBA. Instead, Hawkins hooked on with the newly formed ABL (American Basketball League) and the Pittsburgh Rens. However, the ABL didn't make it through its second season. From the ABL, Hawkins wound up playing with the Harlem Globetrotters and then found his way to another startup basketball league, the ABA (American Basketball Association). and the Pittsburgh Pipers. Finally, after two years in the ABA, the NBA lifted the ban on Hawkins after it realized its ban on him wouldn't stand up in court, and Hawkins finally realized his

Jim Gilliam was a terrific infielder for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for 17 years. After starting his career in the Negro Leagues, he followed in the footsteps of his idol, Jackie Robinson. Signed by the Dodgers, like Robinson, he was sent to Montreal to play for the Royals. After a few seasons, he found his way to Brooklyn and was named Rookie of the Year in 1953. Gilliam, a favorite of Dodger manager Walter Alston, was called the ultimate team player. No matter where Alston needed him to play, Gilliam was up to the task. He was a terrific fielder and a career .266 hitter. Interestingly, though, Gilliam was always on the trading block and rarely got an opening day start because the Dodgers always thought they had someone better. But they didn't, and through it all, Gilliam was one of the most reliable infielders the team ever had. He played in seven World Series for the Dodgers and won four of them. He was so integral to the Dodgers' success that twice he was called out of retirement to help the tea

Frank Gifford was one of the great football broadcasters. A staple on Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith, it's fair to say that most people remember Gifford for calling a game. But how many remember him for what he did on the field, or even know that he was one of the best to ever play? As a halfback and flanker, Gifford combined to score 77 touchdowns during his Hall of Fame career with the New York Giants. An all-around star, he also kicked (on occasion), played in the defensive backfield where he also scored a touchdown, and he holds the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a career by a non-quarterback with 14. Yes, Gifford could burn you in so many ways. His career at the University of Southern California was also spectacular. In fact, two years prior to his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gifford was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame. His No. 16 is retired by the Giants as well. On this episode of SFH, Chris Willis, Head Researcher at NFL Films,

Arch Ward was a visionary. Sports editor of the Chicago Tribune during the 30s and 40s, Ward is the founder of several marquee sporting events. He created the MLB (Major League Baseball) All-Star Game, he launched the Chicago Charities College All-Star Game, a series that last 42 years where a team of college all-stars played a "serious" exhibition game against the defending NFL Champion. He also created the AAFC (All-American Football Conference) which challenged the NFL from 1946 to 1949. Three teams from the AAFC still play today: the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers. He also created the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament. Ward was also a terrific writer and author. He got his start at his alma mater, Notre Dame, where he worked as a publicity man for the legendary Knute Rockne. Ward wielded power unlike many of his contemporaries, and made long-lasting contributions to the world of sports. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, I take a look back at his amazing career with

The NHL has a catalog of trophies that can rival any of the professional sports leagues from around the world. The MVP Award is called the "Hart Memorial Trophy," the Rookie of the Year Award is called the "Calder Memorial Trophy,", the trophy awarded to the NHL's best defenseman os called the "James Norris Memorial," Trophy. There is even a trophy handed out every year to the NHL's "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high standard of playing ability." That trophy is called the "Lady Byng Memorial Trophy." There are several others. So, for whom are all of these trophies named? And, what is the relation to the NHL for some of the people for whom the trophy is named? On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes I will explore, in-depth, the Lady Byng, Hart, and Calder Memorial Trophies, and touch upon a few others, with my guest Eric Zweig. Eric joined SFH on episode 125 to explore the career of Art Ross and the trophy named after him. A huge shoutout

George Allen is one of the NFL's legendary coaches. So, to call him a "forgotten hero" is not exactly accurate. Certainly, most avid football fans know about his colorful career as the head coach of the Washington Redskins, and some might even remember him as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. But few know the "behind-the-scenes" story of George Allen and his journey to becoming the legend he was. The fact that he actually offered to pay University of Michigan coach Fritz Crisler for the opportunity to coach. Or, his falling out with Chicago Bears owner/head coach George Halas. Few know that George Allen actually traded the same draft pick to two different teams or that he was a good friend of three different U.S. Presidents. His paranoia when it came to the press or his disdain for seeing trash littered about the practice facility. Allen might actually be the "father" of film study. No one studied it like George Allen. And his attention to Special Teams was way ahead of his time. Allen knew more about t

In 1930 the NFL moved one of the original franchises from Dayton, Ohio to the borough of Brooklyn, New York and re-branded the "Triangles" to a very familiar name - Dodgers. Yes, that's right. From 1930 through the 1944 NFL season, the NFL placed a team in Brooklyn, Ebbets Field. Looking to capitalize on the same name as their baseball cousins, the Brooklyn FOOTBALL Dodgers had high hopes. In Dayton, the fact is, the community was too small to support an NFL team. The Triangles, as they were known in Dayton, played in a small stadium (5,000 seats) and couldn't sellout. Less than capacity crowds, financial struggles and the inability to attract the game's top talent, the NFL was left with no choice but to move the team in order to keep it alive. So, with baseball the No. 1 sport at that time and the NFL still trying to establish itself as a viable league, it was moving its franchises from small cities to larger metropolitan areas and tried to capitalize on names that would be instantly recognizable. But, it di

Before there was an NBA, before there was a BAA, professional basketball looked a lot different than it does today. Back in the early 1900s, professional basketball was largely made up of regional leagues spread out across the country. A particular hotbed for these regional leagues was the Northeast. One of the leagues, the NEBL (New England Basketball League), was also one of the more progressive leagues. In fact, it was the first to allow "colored" players and leading the way was Harry "Bucky" Lew. Now known as the first African-American professional basketball player, Lew was also one of the game's stars. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, author Chris Boucher joins as we discuss the career of Bucky Lew, how these leagues were set up and what the game of basketball looked like back then. Chris, who wrote the book, "The Original Bucky Lew", and I discuss how different the ball was and how difficult it was to dribble the ball. How basketball courts were boxed in by chicken wire, so there was no out

The podcast delves into the remarkable career of Mel Hein, a legendary figure in NFL history known for his exceptional skills as both a center and a linebacker. Celebrated as one of the greatest centers of all time, Hein is the only offensive lineman to ever win the NFL MVP award, a testament to his extraordinary impact on the game. He played 15 years with the New York Giants, earning accolades such as being named to multiple All-Pro teams and being part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's inaugural class. The discussion highlights Hein's athleticism, football IQ, and leadership qualities, which set him apart from his peers. Listeners will also learn about his unique journey, including how he transitioned from a player to a respected coach and official, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.When you think of NFL MVP's, you think of guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, great quarterbacks, great running backs and, every once in a while, a great defensive player. But, an offensive lineman? They're never part of su

Chuck Foreman was one of the NFL's most feared fullback's of the 1970s. In fact, he might have been the best fullback in the game during those years. Drafted in the 1973 first round by the Minnesota Vikings out of the University of Miami, Foreman was told by Vikings Head Coach Bud Grant that he would be the focal point of the Minnesota offense, but the way they would use him, despite the fact that he would rack up big numbers, he wouldn't get the recognition he deserved. Grant was right. Over the course of Foreman's 8-year career, he he combined to rush for and catch passes for 9,106-yards. He scored 76 touchdowns, in 1973 he led the NFL in receptions with 73. He was the 1973 Offensive Rookie of the Year, First Team All-Pro in 1975, Pro Bowl in 1973, 74, 75, 76. Led the Vikings to three NFC Championships and played in three Super Bowls. yet, with all of those accolades, somehow, Foreman's accomplishments got lost in the shuffle. Somehow, his numbers did not impress the right people and despite the fact that h