In 1941, the USGA cancelled the U.S. Open because of World War II. But the strange thing about the cancellation is the fact that the USGA still staged a tournament, the Hale America National Open. Now, while it was moved from Interlachen in Minnesota to the new Ridgemoor Country Club just outside of Chicago, there were very few differences between the Hale America and a U.S. Open. Ridgemoor was an easier course. The U.S. Open Championship trophy was not awarded. But consider this: there was qualifying, just like today; guys like Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Jimmy Demaret, Lloyd Mangrum and Bobby Jones all entered, a medal very similar to the one handed to winner of the U.S. Open was handed to the winner of the Hale America, and the list goes on. So, why did/does the USGA not consider the Hale America National Open a U.S. Open? Peter May, author of the book, "The Open Question" is here to explore that question. We discuss the many similarities. If the Hale America was considered to be a U.S. Open, amazingly, it would have been the first Major Championship won by Ben Hogan and, in total, Hogan would have won the U.S. Open five times! As it is, only Hogan, Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones and Jack Nicklaus won the U.S. Open four times. Should Hogan be credited with a fifth? Well, of course he thought so. Listen to today's podcast about this forgotten tournament, one of which the USGA has basically stricken from the record books, and decide for yourself.
One Guy With a Mic Presents: History of Dingers and Dunks is part of the Sports History Network, the headquarters for sports yesteryear.
The CFL, Canadian Football League, launches its 2022 campaign on Thursday, June 9 when the Calgary Stampeders host the Montreal Alouettes. On Friday, June 10 the Winnipeg Blue Bombers start their journey to try and win a third-straight Grey Cup when they host the Ottawa Redblacks. Winnipeg has quite the history. They were the first western-based team to win the Cup when they topped Hamilton 18-12 in 1935. The road to the championship was an interesting one for the "Winnipegs". Yes, they were only known as the Winnipegs during their first few years of play. The Winnipegs were a decent team, but not a very strong team. To turn their fortunes around, and to become a stronger championship-contending team, the Winnipegs looked to the Lower-48 for help. They found it. Today, I'm not so sure the way the Winnipegs put their team together would be greatly appreciated. The Winnipegs were dominated by an American presence in the form of stars like Bob Fritz, Bert Oja, Joe Perpich, Bud Marquard...
Tim Coffeen, the host of “Tim Coffeen Talks Indy car and Racing History,” will share stories and memories from his long career with top Indy car teams.
Sam Byrd had a bright future ahead of him in baseball. A solid hitter and an even better outfielder, he had one huge issue facing him. He played for the New York Yankees and there was guy named Babe Ruth ahead of him. So, Byrd took his seat on the bench and patiently waited for an opportunity. When he got a chance to play, he did well. But never enough to supplant Ruth. In his spare time, Byrd not only worked to improve his game at the plate, but he also continued to refine his skills on the golf course. In fact, he was so good on the links, that guys like Ruth never stood a chance against him. Sam would enter a tournament, here and there, and win. He toyed with the idea of playing highly competitive golf on the PGA TOUR, but baseball paid the bills. When Sam finally got a chance on the diamond, he got hurt and when he returned he again had to take a seat on the bench. After trying to breakthrough with the Yankees for six years, Sam finally realized his dream of taking the field every day by virtue of a trade to the Cincinnati Reds. Now 27-years old, Sam was the team's regular right fielder. He hit a respectable .262 with nine home runs and 52 RBI. But it wasn't enough to earn the starting job the following season, 1936, and Sam once again found himself on the bench. At the end of the 1936 season, Sam was released by the Reds and claimed by the St. Louis Cardinals. However, Sam had had enough. All along, he continued to work on his golf game and decided to make the PGA TOUR his full time vocation (he actually joined the TOUR in 1933). What a great choice. Instead of riding the pine and playing second-fiddle in MLB, Sam walked the fairways with the likes of Hogan, Nelson and Snead. Over the course of a career that wound down in 1949, Sam won 11 times, finished as high as 3rd in The Masters (1941), 2nd in the PGA Championship and 16th in the U.S. Open. He won the Greater Greensboro Open, the Chicago Victory National Open and The Texas Open in 1945. A solid career as a professional golfer, Sam is the only person to have appeared in a baseball World Series and The Masters. Stephen Rice, who penned a terrific biography about SAM for the BioProject for SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) is on this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes to talk about the great dual career of Samuel Byrd.
One of the greatest baseball movies ever is, "The Natural." The similarities surrounding the shooting of Roy Hobbs can be traced back to the careers of two former baseball players: Eddie Waitkus of the Phillie and Billy Jurges of the Cubs. On this episode of SFH, we explore the career of Jurges, his being shot in a hotel by a showgirl he once dated and much more with author Jack bales of "The Chicago Cub Shot For Love."
Lloyd Mangrum is one of the greatest to play on the PGA TOUR. 36-wins, 1946 U.S. Open Champion. Inducted into the World Golf HOF in 1998. Twice a Vardon Trophy winner. Yet, so few remember how tremendous a golfer he was competing against the likes of Hogan, Nelson and Snead. Golf writer/author Peter May joins this edition of SFH for a wonderful conversation about a golfer long forgotten.
Effa Manley was the first woman inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame. One of very few woman to own a baseball franchise, Manley owned the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League and her story from her upbringing to her mission to integrate baseball is extraordinary. Author James Overmyer of "Queen of the Negro Leagues" joins the podcast for a fascinating conversation about a true baseball pioneer.
Once upon a time, Cleveland had a team in the NHL - the Barons. Originally the California Golden Seals, the Barons lasted just two season: 1977-78 & 1978-79. Author Gary Webster of "The NHL's Mistake by the Lake" joins for an in-depth conversation on all that went wrong and the history of a team very few in Cleveland remember.
Leo Houck was a championship-caliber middleweight in the 1920s who beat the champion but never won the title. According to BoxRec, Houck went 144-39-27 over 20+ plus years and was never knocked out! Author Randy Swope of "Leo Houck: A Biography of Boxing's Uncrowned Middleweight Champion" joins SFH for a wonderful conversation about this forgotten hero.