ObscureBall
47 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsA sports storytelling podcast. New episodes are released occasionally
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Episodes
A Conversation About Immaculate Grid (and a preview for Our Beloved Medium)
June 12, 2024 20:28 - 15 minutes - 24.6 MBStuart speaks with Adam Darowski from Sports-Reference about how they aquired the game, Immaculate Grid. There's also a preview for a new Audio Documentary, to be relased as a podcast in 2025. Support OBM Pod: https://ourbelovedmedium.com/ Immaculate Grid: https://www.immaculategrid.com/ Sports Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/
Origins
February 26, 2024 12:00 - 38 minutes - 53.3 MBIn the mid-late 19th century, people were playing a few different bat and ball games. Baseball eventually emerged as fan favorite and this is the story of how that happened. This episode played out over a two and a half year period. Through conversations, research, and some field work, Origins tells three different stories in a single episode. To support future ObscureBall stories, please consider making a donation. DONATE INSIDE THE EPISODE How Baseball Happened by Tom Gilbert 21s...
Audience by Castos Re-Air: Realism in Audio Fiction
May 01, 2023 14:04 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBAs work on new episodes continue, here's an episode from a show I produce for Castos called Audience. My work with castos takes me behind the scenes of all different kinds of cool audip projects and a while back I got to profile a really cool podcast called Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio. So with the permission of Castos, I'm sharing that episode with you here. It was first published on August 4, 2022 and was produced, narrated and editied by me. If you enjoy behind the scenes looks at c...
Circa 1904 Chapter 3: The Grudge
March 30, 2023 11:55 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBToday the World Series is one of the most recognizable institutions in all of sports. When it debuted in 1903 it was met with widespread acclaim from sports writers and baseball fans all over America. For all of its successful, the World Series was almost dead on arrival. Petty grudges, cut throat business practices and difficult personalities almost derailed the whole thing. LINKS Support the Show Don Jensen's McGraw Bio for SABR "Called Out" A Novel of Baseball and America in 1908 by...
Circa 1904 Chapter 2: The Bad Ref
November 04, 2022 10:10 - 28 minutes - 39.9 MBOn April 29, 1904 Barbados Joe Walcott and Dixie Kid met for what was a historically significant boxing match. It was only the second time two black fighters competed for the Welterweight title. For 20 rounds, spectators watched as the two fighters duked it out. Then Referee Dick Sullivan did something that was truly baffling... Links: Knuckles and Gloves Patrick Connor on Twitter ObscureBall on Twitter Obscureball Websites Storyblocks Sources: http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/...
Coming Soon: Circa 1904 Chapter 2: The Bad Ref
September 30, 2022 22:08 - 1 minute - 1.85 MBComing soon: Support the Show obscureballpod.com
Circa 1904 Chapter I: Hell Race
August 30, 2022 11:36 - 26 minutes - 35.9 MBOn August 30, 1904 32 runners set off to compete in the Olympic Marathon in St. Louis. Only 13 would finish. This poorly planned event would be one of the worst sporting events of all time. Cramps, dehydration, wild dogs, hallucinatios, stomach hemorrrages, car wrekcs and scandal all took place that afternoon. In fact, it was just one of several sporting events in 1904 marked by scandal and trechary. And in this three part serires we'll explore three of those events. In this episode Dr. Pe...
From Obscure History- The 1945 Atom Bowl
June 30, 2022 03:15 - 35 minutes - 48.6 MBAs work on new stories continues you can check out Obscure History. Hosted by Josh, it's a weekly podcast that explores obscure historical events. On this episode, which first aired on August 23, 2021, Josh explores what he calls, 'The worst game ever played.' All other episodes of Obscure History can be found anywhere you get your podcasts.
From Obscure History- The 1945 Atom Bowl
June 30, 2022 03:15 - 35 minutes - 48.6 MBAs work on new stories continues you can check out Obscure History. Hosted by Josh, it's a weekly podcast that explores obscure historical events. On this episode, which first aired on August 23, 2021, Josh explores what he calls, 'The worst game ever played.' All other episodes of Obscure History can be found anywhere you get your podcasts.
An Update, A Conversation with Sports-Reference and a Mini Story
June 01, 2022 07:14 - 20 minutes - 36.3 MBTo help support this effort to tell great audio stories, please consider donating by clicking HERE Listen to previous episodes at obscureballpod.com More About Adam darowski.com @adarowski Sports-Reference sports-reference.com Seamheads seamheads.com
An Update, A Conversation with Sports-Reference and a Mini Story
June 01, 2022 07:14 - 20 minutes - 36.3 MBTo help support this effort to tell great audio stories, please consider donating by clicking HERE Listen to previous episodes at obscureballpod.com More About Adam darowski.com @adarowski Sports-Reference sports-reference.com Seamheads seamheads.com
Such is Fame
January 17, 2022 08:35 - 39 minutes - 56 MBThe 1914 Giro D'Italia was by virtually every metric, the worst bike race in history. 81 Riders entered the race. Only eight finished. There were floods, mud, rain, blizzards, injuries, sabotage, cheating, attempted bribery and all manner of insanity during a brutal 2,000 mile race lasting 15 days. Links ObscureBall Website Girnimo! Riding the Bery Terrbile 1914 Tour of Italy by Time Moore Podium Cafe Article by Fergal McKay Small League Productions 3 Clips ...
Such is Fame
January 17, 2022 08:35 - 39 minutes - 56 MBThe 1914 Giro D'Italia was by virtually every metric, the worst bike race in history. 81 Riders entered the race. Only eight finished. There were floods, mud, rain, blizzards, injuries, sabotage, cheating, attempted bribery and all manner of insanity during a brutal 2,000 mile race lasting 15 days. Links ObscureBall Website Girnimo! Riding the Bery Terrbile 1914 Tour of Italy by Time Moore Podium Cafe Article by Fergal McKay Small League Productions 3 Clips
Bring In the Clowns
August 06, 2021 11:15 - 37 minutes - 52.5 MBViewed through a certain lens, the Indianapolis Clowns can be seen as an inpsiring success story. As a black team in the segregated south they managed to endear fans of all races and all walks of life to their uniuqe fusion of comedy and baseball. But in reality, the their story is far more nuanced, complicated and misunderstood. Small League Productions Larry Tye Negro League Baseball Museum Brian Carroll Story Blocks Hyped Podcast Castos Mobil App Image Credit: K...
Bring In the Clowns
August 06, 2021 11:15 - 37 minutes - 52.5 MBViewed through a certain lens, the Indianapolis Clowns can be seen as an inpsiring success story. As a black team in the segregated south they managed to endear fans of all races and all walks of life to their uniuqe fusion of comedy and baseball. But in reality, the their story is far more nuanced, complicated and misunderstood. Small League Productions Larry Tye Negro League Baseball Museum Brian Carroll Story Blocks Hyped Podcast Castos Mobile App Image Credit: Kansas Hstorical ...
Take Nothing For Granted
April 01, 2021 02:59 - 1 hour1908 was a tumultuous year in baseball. It was a tumultuous year in America. On September 23, a single base running error set off one of the most bizarre chain of events in sports history. Bribery, arson, blackmail, forbidden romance, attempted kidnapping, organized Crime, and two of the best pennant races of all time all collided in just a few weeks. Links National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Small League Productions Alexander's Wood Emporium Storyblocks Contributors Stew Thornley Floy...
Take Nothing For Granted
April 01, 2021 02:59 - 1 hour1908 was a tumultuous year in baseball. It was a tumultuous year in America. On September 23, a single base running error set off one of the most bizarre chain of events in sports history. Bribery, arson, blackmail, forbidden romance, attempted kidnapping, organized Crime, and two of the best pennant races of all time all collided in just a few weeks. Links National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Small League Productions Alexander's Wood Emporium Storyblocks Contributors S...
42 Red
January 15, 2021 02:53 - 30 minutesWhen a plane carrying 11 members of the VVS Moscow Hockey Club crashed, everyone on board died. Then came the cover up... Contributions from: Brendan Daniel James Nickles Links: Russian Football News Small League Productions Storyblocks
42 Red
January 15, 2021 02:53 - 30 minutesWhen a plane carrying 11 members of the VVS Moscow Hockey Club crashed, everyone on board died. Then came the cover up... Contributions from: Brendan Daniel James Nickles Links: Russian Football News Small League Productions Storyblocks
Happy
December 03, 2020 08:09 - 45 minutesThe backstory of how a folksy, quick witted, singing politician from rural Kentucky helped integrate professional baseball The Negro League Baseball Museum nlbm.com Terry Bohn's SABR Page sabr.org/authors/terry-bohn/ Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral Histories, University of Kentucky Libraries https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ Chandler, Albert Benjamin, interview by William J. Marshall. September 03, 1980, A. B. "Happy" Chandler: Desegregation of Major League Baseball Ora...
Happy
December 03, 2020 08:09 - 45 minutesThe backstory of how a folksy, quick witted, singing politician from rural Kentucky helped integrate professional baseball The Negro League Baseball Museum nlbm.com Terry Bohn's SABR Page sabr.org/authors/terry-bohn/ Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral Histories, University of Kentucky Libraries https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ Chandler, Albert Benjamin, interview by William J. Marshall. September 03, 1980, A. B. "Happy" Chandler: Desegregation of Major League Baseball Oral History Project...
Home Field Advantage
October 19, 2020 04:24 - 31 minutesAs Baseball stadiums go, The Metrodome was quirky as they come. But did The Minnesota Twins manipulate the conditions to their advantage? Small League Productions Alexander's Wood Emporium Music for this episode was provided by Storyblocks
Home Field Advantage
October 19, 2020 04:24 - 31 minutesAs Baseball stadiums go, The Metrodome was quirky as they come. But did The Minnesota Twins manipulate the conditions to their advantage? Small League Productions Alexander's Wood Emporium Music for this episode was provided by Storyblocks
Hall of Shame
August 01, 2020 11:24 - 25 minutesTo the average baseball fan Mel Hall was a mediocre ballplayer with an outsized ego. To his victims, he was sexual predator and destructive figure. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks Greg Hanlon's piece, The Many Crimes of Mel Hall RAINN, Sexual Assault Hotline Image Credit: Getty Images
Hall of Shame
August 01, 2020 11:24 - 25 minutesTo the average baseball fan Mel Hall was a mediocre ballplayer with an outsized ego. To his victims, he was sexual predator and destructive figure. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks Greg Hanlon's piece, The Many Crimes of Mel Hall RAINN, Sexual Assault Hotline Image Credit: Getty Images
What's The Use?
May 26, 2020 10:25 - 21 minutesIn 1900, more than a century before The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox got in trouble for electronically stealing signs, a man named Pearce Chiles orchestrated a complex scheme to steal signs from opposing teams. Also, he went to jail for another thing he did THEN busted out and tried to play baseball again. Classic stuff. Bob LeMoine from The Society For American Baseball Research also helped out with this episode. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions ...
What's The Use?
May 26, 2020 10:25 - 21 minutesIn 1900, more than a century before The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox got in trouble for electronically stealing signs, a man named Pearce Chiles orchestrated a complex scheme to steal signs from opposing teams. Also, he went to jail for another thing he did THEN busted out and tried to play baseball again. Classic stuff. Bob LeMoine from The Society For American Baseball Research also helped out with this episode. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this ep...
The Guy Called Slim
April 06, 2020 04:26 - 21 minutesAs one of baseball's most prolific alcoholics, Ray "Slim" Caldwell was also a low-key talented player. But the right-handed pitcher is perhaps best known for the bizarre events of August 24, 1919. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
The Guy Called Slim
April 06, 2020 04:26 - 21 minutesAs one of baseball's most prolific alcoholics, Ray "Slim" Caldwell was also a low-key talented player. But the right-handed pitcher is perhaps best known for the bizarre events of August 24, 1919. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
The Autumn Wind
February 28, 2020 05:27 - 25 minutesThis episode is an abbreviated and by no means an all inclusive history of The Oakland Raiders ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks Closing music credits: Doug Hoyer via Audioblocks
The Autumn Wind
February 28, 2020 05:27 - 25 minutesThis episode is an abbreviated and by no means an all inclusive history of The Oakland Raiders ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks Closing music credits: Doug Hoyer via Audioblocks
The Club is Open
January 14, 2020 11:15 - 20 minutesBefore he was the high kicking, heavy drinking, prolific song writing front man of Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard was a star athlete who once threw a no hitter at Wright State. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
The Club is Open
January 14, 2020 11:15 - 20 minutesBefore he was the high kicking, heavy drinking, prolific song writing front man of Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard was a star athlete who once threw a no hitter at Wright State. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
The System
December 09, 2019 10:28 - 20 minutesScoring 100 points in a basketball game seems impossible. But there's a formula that can help a player do just that ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions
The System
December 09, 2019 10:28 - 20 minutesScoring 100 points in a basketball game seems impossible. But there's a formula that can help a player do just that ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions
Bob Short Stinks
October 07, 2019 06:30 - 18 minutesWhen Bob Short decided to move the Washington Senators from D.C to Texas...fans didn't take it particularly well Writer and journalist Dan Epstein is featured on this episode and you can visit his website here. His book, Big Hair Plastic Grass is also available on audiobook via Blackstone Audio. Music for this episode was provided by Audioblocks and broadcast clips can be found here. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought t...
Bob Short Stinks
October 07, 2019 06:30 - 18 minutesWhen Bob Short decided to move the Washington Senators from D.C to Texas...fans didn't take it particularly well Writer and journalist Dan Epstein is featured on this episode and you can visit his website here. His book, Big Hair Plastic Grass is also available on audiobook via Blackstone Audio. Music for this episode was provided by Audioblocks and broadcast clips can be found here. ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblo...
Spaceman
August 15, 2019 07:30 - 20 minutesBill Lee, or "Spaceman" as he was known, was an oddball for sure. He was also pretty good at baseball. This episode is all about him ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks Image Credit: Heinz Kluetmeier
Spaceman
August 15, 2019 07:30 - 20 minutesBill Lee, or "Spaceman" as he was known, was an oddball for sure. He was also pretty good at baseball. This episode is all about him ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
10 Cent Beer Night
July 10, 2019 02:05 - 13 minutes - 18.3 MBSome promotions in sports work. Some don't. Here's a story about one that didn't Be sure to check out The ConspiraTea Podcast I mentioned at the beginning. Listen here ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
10 Cent Beer Night
July 10, 2019 02:05 - 13 minutes - 18.3 MBSome promotions in sports work. Some don't. Here's a story about one that didn't Be sure to check out The ConspiraTea Podcast I mentioned at the beginning. Listen here ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
On Acid
June 06, 2019 07:45 - 15 minutes - 21.9 MBAt the time of this publishing, MLB has recognized 300 no hitters. 23 of those are perfect games. Only one of those (that we know of) was thrown by a person on LSD ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
On Acid
June 06, 2019 07:45 - 15 minutes - 21.9 MBAt the time of this publishing, MLB has recognized 300 no hitters. 23 of those are perfect games. Only one of those (that we know of) was thrown by a person on LSD ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
Big Ed Delahanty
June 06, 2019 07:40 - 16 minutes - 23.4 MBBig Ed Delahanty was one of baseball's earliest home run hitters. But on July 2, 1903 he died under bizarre circumstances. What actually happened? ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks
Big Ed Delahanty
June 06, 2019 07:40 - 16 minutes - 23.4 MBBig Ed Delahanty was one of baseball's earliest home run hitters. But on July 2, 1903 he died under bizarre circumstances. What actually happened? ObscureBall is produced by Small League Productions Music for this episode is brought to you by Storyblocks