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 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.

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.EPISODE SUMMARYWelcome to the NDN All-Stars podcast! Join me, Bill Black, as we celebrate the many great Native American athletes who have made an impact in their sports!--------------------------------------------------------------SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARSIf 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. 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 page.---------------------------------------------------------------NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUNDHey 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. 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 SongThis theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic/sports-history-network?authuser=0