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 Ernie Lombardi, the highlights, and the depressing low lights as well.

Charlie Berry is one of the most unique individuals in the history of sports. Not only did he play Major League Baseball for 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox, he also played in the NFL with the Pottsville Maroons in 1925 and 1926. Pottsville, which owned the best record in the 1925 season to claim the NFL Championship, was stripped of its title (check out SFH episode 158 for more), due to a series of administrative controversies, none of which stemmed from playing the game. After his playing days were over, Berry became an American League umpire and was on the field for Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. In fact, Berry was an umpire for over two decades. At the same time, Berry was also a head linesman in the NFL and was a part of the crew that officiated the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the New York Giants and Baltimore Colts, the game commonly referred to as the "Greatest Game Ever Played." On this episode of SFH, we look back at the career of Berry with guest Jeffrey Payne.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Sports History Network
• Sports Forgotten Heroes
• Charlie Berry
• Cal Hubbard
• Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Baseball Hall of Fame
• Pottsville Maroons
• Don Larson
• New York Giants
• Baltimore Colts
• Philadelphia Athletics
• Boston Red Sox
• Chicago White Sox
• Eager Sculpture
• Ingersoll Rand

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, and for many years, there was no team known as the 1925 NFL Champions. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, Darin Hayes and Jeffrey Payne, who co-wrote the book "Marooned," join the podcst to talk about the Maroons, their history and the incredible season of 1925.

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 first Major by downing Craig Wood on the 38th hole of play, 1-up. But it was his 1938 win at the PGA Championship that stunned the world of golf when he crushed Snead 8 and 7 in the most lopsided final round in the history of the PGA. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, I take a look back at the wonderful, Hal of Fame career of one of golf's forgotten heroes, Paul Runyan.

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 episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, I take a look back at the career of Johnny Mize with special guest Jerry Grillo who wrote the book, "Big Cat, The Life of Baseball Hall of Famer Jonny Mize."

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. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, we take a look back at the brief career of Danny Gardella and his fight with MLB and the New York Giants about the reserve clause with my guest Robert Elias who authored the book, "Dangerous Danny Gardella."

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' Forgotten Heroes, author John R. Husman, "Roger Bresnahan: A Baseball Life," joins the show for a terrific discussion about this Hall of Fame catcher and the baseball life he led.

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 baseball league set to launch in May 2026. May's off the field life is also quite remarkable. And on today's episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, Kat Williams, author of the book, "All the Way," a biography on May, joins the show to discuss the life of this baseball pioneer.

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 fact is, he was one of the best - if not the best - hitter of his time. On this episode of SFH, Tim Newby the author of "The Original Louisville Slugger," joins the show for a wonderful discussion on a baseball pioneer, Pete Browning.

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 Nats/Sens surprised everyone, won the American League, and then defeated the heavily favored New York Giants in the World Series to capture their first and only World Series Championship. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, author Gary Sarnoff who wrote the book, "A Team of Destiny," joins the show for a wonderful discussion of a team that time has forgotten, the 1924 Washington Nationals (Senators).

In this enlightening discussion, the focus shifts to the extraordinary 1924 Washington Senators, a team that defied expectations and emerged victorious in the World Series. The podcast intricately details key players such as Bucky Harris, the young player-manager, and Walter Johnson, a legendary pitcher who made a remarkable comeback after an injury. Their contributions are highlighted as the episode explores the dynamics within the team and the strategies employed by management. The narrative encapsulates the essence of teamwork, perseverance, and the spirit of competition that characterized this historic season. Listeners gain insight into the societal and cultural impact of this team's success amidst the backdrop of early 20th-century America, making it a compelling narrative that transcends the realm of sports.

Takeaways:

• The Washington Nationals, originally known as the Senators, have a complex and storied history in Major League Baseball, marked by numerous team changes and relocations.
• The 1924 season was significant for the Washington Nationals, culminating in their first World Series championship, a feat that remains a historic highlight for the franchise.
• Walter Johnson, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, finally achieved his lifelong dream of winning a World Series game during the 1924 championship series.
• Bucky Harris, at the age of 27, became the youngest manager to lead a team to a World Series victory, demonstrating exceptional leadership and resilience throughout the season.
• The support of the Washington fans, coupled with the team's unexpected success, created an electrifying atmosphere during the 1924 World Series, showcasing the city's deep connection to baseball.
• The narrative of the 1924 Washington Nationals reflects themes of perseverance and redemption, particularly through the careers of Walter Johnson and Bucky Harris.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Washington Nationals
• Washington Senators
• Montreal Expos
• Texas Rangers
• Minnesota Twins
• American League
• National League

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 lifelong dream, a career in the NBA. Many say Hawkins was Dr. J. before there was a Dr. J., and that's what the NBA missed, and that's what Hawkins was robbed of. A no-doubt first-round talent, Hawkins made his way to the Phoenix Suns and wound up averaging 24.6 PPG in his first year with the team. But, by then, knee injuries had slowed him down. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, author Mark Whited joins the show along with Sean Hawkins, Connie's grandson, as we look back at the legendary career of the "Hawk."