165: Bill Mazeroski - MLB

Magical Orioles Weekends Pt 1

StatMan and Robin is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear [https://sportshistorynetwork.com/]. EPISODE SUMMARY During the Orioles Magic era (1979-83) there were two weekend series that jumped out to us as truly magical. In part one, we go back to the final series of the 1982 season, where the Orioles hosted the Brewers needing a sweep to win the AL East. It was also the time to bid farewell to manager Earl Weaver. STATMAN AND ROBIN BACKGROUND The city of Baltimore has a rich sports history dating back to the “Hit ‘em where they ain’t” Orioles of the 1890’s. Since then, the Colts, Orioles, Ravens and nearby Maryland Terrapins have provided fans with thrilling victories and crushing defeats, and we’ve been there for them all going back to the 1966 World Series champion Orioles. We’ll bring you the stories of our teams through the years featuring not just the action on the field, but memories of the players, coaches, executives and the city itself. From the champs to the bad teams that make us appreciate the good ones even more, there are stories we want to share for posterity. We hope the younger fans learn, and older fans relive those memories and perhaps learn something they didn’t know. We’ll also occasionally add stories of some lesser-known Baltimore teams, in sports like indoor soccer, lacrosse, and even Canadian football. Also, don’t forget the Baltimore Bullets. We hope you will enjoy our bi-weekly shows as much as we will enjoy reliving these great times of our lives. HOSTS - JIM JOHNSON & ROBIN HAINES Jim Johnson bio: I’m Jim Johson (aka StatMan), one of the co-hosts of Baltimore Sports History. I escaped the doldrums of Washington, DC sports in the 1960s when I moved to the Baltimore area during the 1970 World Series, which the Orioles won, and met Robin Haines. We quickly bonded over sports, a bond that lasted past school years through families and careers. I have written about sports for various websites over the years. I did “The Courtmaster” column covering ACC and Maryland Terps men’s basketball (and a National Championship) in the early 2000’s. I also wrote about college football in the mid 2000’s. More recently, I wrote about Baltimore football history and the AFC North for Baltimore Sports and Life from 2021-2023 [https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/author/jim-johnson/]. Now happily retired, I enjoy going back to the history of my favorite teams and sharing it with Robin, and you. Robin Haines bio: I'm Robin Haines, a retired R.N. and lifelong Baltimore area resident who grew up hearing my dad talk about the pre-1954 minor league Orioles. The seed was planted for my growth into a die-hard Baltimore sports follower (and when you're named after a baseball Hall of Famer-well, there's a story there). I met Jim Johnson when we were both around 12 years old, and we have shared the ups and downs (and many quirks) of the Baltimore sports scene for most of our lives. You know how a sports story or event you share with someone can instantly take you back to an earlier version of yourselves? That's how it is with Jim and me, and I hope to share that connection on this podcast.

Tiger Woods Unreal US Open win, Golf Digest identified the World's Worst Golfer, and the Red Sox score 17 - This DiSH for June 18

In 2000, Tiger Woods blitzed the field at the US Open, winning by a record 15 shots. In 1985, four golfers competed at TPC Sawgrass to determine the World's Worst Avid Golfer. In 1941, Joe Louis narrowly escaped with a win, knocking out Billy 'the Kid' Conn in the 13th round. In 1953, the Boston Red Sox scored a modern major league baseball record 17 runs in the inning.

The Greatest World Cup Match ever, USMNT beat Mexico Dos a Cero, and the OJ Bronco chase - This DiSH for June 17

In 1970, a flurry of goals by West Germany and Italy in extra time in a World Cup Semifinal had some calling this the best World Cup game ever. In 2002, the US beat Mexico 2-0 in a round of 16 match at the World Cup. In 1973, Johnny Miller shot a 63 to win the US Open. It was the lowest round at a US Open until 2024. In 1994, the OJ Bronco chase enraptured television viewers despite there being several sporting events taking place such as the NBA Finals, the World Cup starting and Arnold Palmer playing his final round in his US Open career.

The Birth of Professional Football: A Pivotal Gathering in Canton, Ohio

On September 17, 1914, a pivotal gathering occurred in Canton, Ohio, wherein a confluence of football team owners convened to establish the nascent framework of professional football, an event that would ultimately culminate in the formation of the National Football League. This episode delves into the disorganized state of American football prior to this meeting, characterized by rampant player poaching, spiraling salaries, and a complete lack of structure. We explore how Ralph Hay, an automobile showroom owner, recognized the urgent need for order amidst chaos and took it upon himself to invite other team owners to collaborate on a solution. The ensuing discussions led to the establishment of foundational principles aimed at regulating player contracts and ensuring the integrity of the sport. As we recount the birth of what would become a $200 billion industry, we reflect on the profound legacy of that fateful meeting and the enduring impact of the structures instituted by those early visionaries. 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/].

166: Baseball & The Korean War - MLB

Baseball’s golden age collided with one of the most turbulent periods in American history when war broke out on the Korean Peninsula in 1950. In this episode of Sports’ Forgotten Heroes, author Steven P. Gietschier joins the show as we discuss his book, "Warm Summers and Cold Winters," and explore the profound impact the Korean War had on Major League Baseball, its players, and the U.S. Together, we examine how the conflict interrupted careers, sent players from ballparks to battlefields, and forced baseball to navigate the realities of a country once again at war. The discussion highlights the stars who left the game to serve, the opportunities created for younger players, and the ways the Korean War shaped pennant races, team rosters, and baseball’s postwar evolution. Beyond the statistics and standings, this episode explores the personal sacrifices made by players and their families, the relationship between patriotism and professional sports, and why the Korean War’s influence on baseball has often been overshadowed by World War II. Gietschier shares fascinating stories from his research, offering a fresh perspective on a pivotal era when America’s pastime and military service became deeply intertwined. If you enjoy baseball history, military history, and the stories of athletes whose lives extended far beyond the diamond, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Join us as we uncover the little-known connection between Major League Baseball and the Korean War.