The Longest of Long Shots won the Open Championship, Gaylord Perry and the Man on the Moon, and LeMond in Yellow - This DiSH for July 20

Pumpsie Green debuted for the Boston Red Sox, Bob Melvin tossed before the first pitch, and David Beckham's MLS debut - This DiSH for July 21

In 1959, Pumpsie Green became the first black player to play for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox were the last MLB team to integrate their roster. In 2024, San Francisco Giants' manager Bob Melvin was ejected before the first pitch was thrown. In 2007, David Beckham made his MLS debut with the LA Galaxy.

The Historical Significance of Ball Rotation Spots in Football

The crux of this podcast episode revolves around the intriguing evolution of the process involved in spotting the football, as elucidated by our esteemed guest, Timothy Brown, an expert in football archaeology. Our discourse delves into the historical nuances of how the game’s foundational rules regarding the placement of the ball have transformed over time, particularly examining the practices in antiquity when the rules were not as clearly defined. We explore the transition from an era where the ball’s placement was dictated by custom and player discretion to a more structured system governed by modern officiating protocols. Additionally, we discuss pivotal moments in football history that shaped the current regulations surrounding the rotation and positioning of the ball during play. Join us as we navigate through these historical developments that have indelibly influenced the game we know and cherish today. The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: The Twists and Turns of Spotting Dead Balls - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/the-twists-and-turns-of-spotting The discourse engages with the evolution of the fundamental aspects of American football, specifically the intricate process of how the ball is spotted during gameplay. The conversation unveils historical practices, revealing that the early iterations of football lacked a standardized method for ball placement, which was primarily dictated by custom rather than formal regulations. The dialogue emphasizes the transformative journey from a rudimentary and fluid style of play, akin to rugby, to the regimented and rule-bound game we recognize today. The speakers delve into the historical context, citing the contributions of notable figures such as Timothy Brown, who elucidates the significance of ball rotation and spotting techniques that have become integral to the sport. Through their discussion, they elucidate that the methods used to determine ball placement were not merely technicalities, but rather reflections of the game's evolution and the establishment of a more structured approach to play. ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 00:21 The Origins of Game Rules 01:49 The Evolution of Spotting the Ball in Football 04:31 The Evolution of Touchdown Rules in Football 09:35 The Evolution of Football Rules: The Ball Rotation Controversy 11:52 Understanding the Goal Line and the Ball's Position 15:12 Exploring Football History and Resources Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our Award-Winning book, "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars" at https://amzn.to/4rG6uVe 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 [https://pigskindispatch.com/]. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive [https://pigskindispatch.com/OfficialGame/]. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," [https://amzn.to/4otmwjH]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" [https://amzn.to/4hMWVQm] 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. [https://www.youtube.com/@pigskindispatch] Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website [https://pigskindispatch.com/].

The Longest of Long Shots won the Open Championship, Gaylord Perry and the Man on the Moon, and LeMond in Yellow - This DiSH for July 20

In 2003, Ben Curtis won the Open Championship at Royal St. Georges. It was first appearance in a golf major and his first professional win. In 1985, Mary Decker Slaney dusted Zola Budd and the rest of the field in a rematch of the 3000 meter debacle at the LA Olympics the previous summer. In 1969, Gaylord Perry proved his former manager Alvin Dark to be quite a fortune teller when he hit a home run about an hour after Neil Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon. In 1986, Greg LeMond became the first American to wear the Yellow Jersey as the leader of the Tour de France.

The Historical Timeline of Gridiron Football: An Alternate Theory of When It Began?

The discourse presented in this episode centers on the origins of American football, with our esteemed guest, Bert Gambini, positing that the pivotal moment in football's history occurred on October 16, 1880. Gambini articulates that this date marks the first instance of gridiron football being played under the critical rule of scrimmage, a significant departure from previous iterations of the game. Throughout the discussion, we meticulously analyze various claims regarding the inception of football, including widely accepted dates such as 1869 and 1876, yet we ultimately find them lacking in defining the essence of what constitutes football. Gambini's research highlights the importance of understanding the transformation of the game from its rudimentary forms to the establishment of structured play, notably through the introduction of possession rules. This episode serves not only as an exploration of football's historical timeline but also as an invitation to reconsider the narratives that have long shaped our understanding of the sport's evolution. 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 [https://pigskindispatch.com/]. Do you want more football history? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive [https://pigskindispatch.com/OfficialGame/]. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," [https://amzn.to/4otmwjH]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" [https://amzn.to/4hMWVQm] 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. [https://www.youtube.com/@pigskindispatch] Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website [https://pigskindispatch.com/]. A profound examination of the origins of American football unfolds in this enlightening discussion, wherein the speakers engage with the esteemed historian Bert Gambini. The discourse traverses various proposed starting points of football, including the commonly cited years of 1869, 1874, and 1876, culminating in Gambini's compelling assertion that the true inception occurred in 1880. Gambini articulates a critical distinction between earlier forms of the game and the establishment of scrimmage rules, which he argues fundamentally transformed football into the sport we recognize today. The conversation delves into the socio-historical context surrounding these developments, highlighting the necessity for a more nuanced understanding of football's evolution. Gambini's meticulous research, which includes references to contemporaneous newspaper reports, illuminates the obscured narratives and misconceptions that have persisted over time, challenging the audience to reconsider widely held beliefs about the game’s origins. This episode serves not only as a chronicle of football history but also as an invitation to engage critically with the sources that shape our understanding of the past. The speakers emphasize the importance of recognizing scrimmage as a pivotal moment in football’s development, underscoring that this rule change marked a departure from its rugby roots. Gambini’s insightful analysis prompts a re-evaluation of the historical timeline, advocating for a recognition of the 1880 game between Rutgers and the Stevens Institute as the first true gridiron football match. This perspective not only enriches our comprehension of football's lineage but also invites further scholarly inquiry into the myriad influences that have shaped the sport over the decades.

This Week in NDN All-Stars History | July 19–25 | One Record-Breaking Night, Boxing Legends & More

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear [https://sportshistorynetwork.com/]. EPISODE SUMMARY What do a record-breaking WNBA All-Star performance, one of boxing's fastest knockouts, and the greatest all-around athlete in history have in common? They all happened this week in Native sports history. Join Bill Black as we travel through the week of July 19–25, celebrating the incredible achievements of Native athletes from the past and the present. This week's featured story follows Shoni Schimmel as the Umatilla star steps onto the WNBA All-Star stage and delivers one of the greatest performances in league history. Along the way, we'll revisit memorable moments from Henry Armstrong, Virgil Hill, Jack Dempsey, Jim Thorpe, Cory Witherill, Bobby Madritsch, George "Comanche Boy" Tahdooahnippah, Dexter Stacey, Brandon Rios, Koda Glover, and Elizabeth Phillips. Every week brings another chapter in the story of Native athletic excellence. Imagine running through the tunnel and onto the court. The lights are bright. The crowd is roaring. You take one deep breath, knowing this could be the biggest moment of your life. For Shoni Schimmel, it was. This week, we celebrate one of the greatest performances in WNBA All-Star history while also looking back at unforgettable moments from boxing, baseball, mixed martial arts, and auto racing. THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 🏀 Shoni Schimmel rewrites the WNBA All-Star record book. 🥊 Henry Armstrong continues one of boxing's greatest careers with multiple victories. 🥊 Jack Dempsey scores one of the quickest knockout victories of his legendary career. ⚾ Jim Thorpe continues his professional baseball journey. 🏎️ Cory Witherill and Dexter Stacey represent Native excellence in motorsports. ⚾ Bobby Madritsch and Koda Glover reach the Major Leagues. 🥊 Virgil Hill, Brandon Rios, George "Comanche Boy" Tahdooahnippah, and Elizabeth Phillips add memorable victories to Native sports history. Visit NDNAllStars.com for more stories celebrating great Native athletes from the past and the present. 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 [https://ndnallstars.com/wp/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 [http://patreon.com/ndnallstars] 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 [https://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! Mentioned in this episode: Sports History Network Theme Song This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic/sports-history-network?authuser=0