History of the Lou - 97.1 FM Talk

A History of Baseball Through 50 Iconic Gloves

Did you know that Rawlings has been a St. Louis company since 1887? Oh, yes. It is in Maryland Heights today. Author Ed Wheatley is back, this time talking about his new book about Rawlings, the history of baseball gloves, and some iconic players who used them. The book is entitled, "The Finest in the Field" A History of Baseball Through 50 Iconic Gloves" with a forward by Johnny Bench. What were the first gloves like, and how did they come to be what they are today? What was Ozzie Smith's first glove? What a great story. Listen and find out!

Nikola Tesla was in St. Louis?

Yep. He did a show here near the Central Library building downtown in 1893, in association with the National Electric Light Association convention that was in town. People crowded into the building at Locust and Olive, and tickets were being scalped outside for crazy amounts of money. Fast forward to today...two local brothers, Mark and John Rogers have written an original rock opera called "Nikola Tesla Light It Up" about Tesla's amazing life. They join Sue to talk about Tesla himself, his show in St. Louis, and why it was his last one.

150th Anniversary of Forest Park

2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the amazing Forest Park. Co-authors of the new book, "Forest Park - St. Louis' Gathering Place Since 1876" Amanda Doyle and Cameron Collins join Sue for a discussion about the beginnings of the park (it was originally supposed to be 3000 acres) and the changes it has undergone in the last century and a half. There's even a story involving a camel!

St. Louis County Greek Festival History

Every Memorial Day weekend, The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on Des Peres Road hosts its annual Greek Fest. Long-time member Tony Theranos stops by to talk with Sue about not only the festival itself, but also his own family's story, beginning with his father coming over from Greece in 1917 and eventually settling in St. Louis. Find out the purpose of Greek Fest, and why it is held on Memorial Day Weekend. If you're headed to the event, you can find more at stlgreekfest.com.

The Last 40 Years of Media in St. Louis

St. Louisan and independent journalist Jack Grone joins Sue to talk about the last 40 years of print (and other media) in St. Louis. Jack's journalism background is interesting in and of itself, and he and Sue went to high school together in Kirkwood, MO. Remember the St. Louis Sun? What happened to it? How were the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat intertwined for awhile? Tune in and find out!