Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network, Mark and fellow sports historian Dave DePaolo take on the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the growing gap between how modern players are inducted versus legends from earlier eras. They discuss how today’s nonstop media coverage has changed the conversation, creating pressure for instant, first-ballot inductions, while many past greats waited years to receive the same honor.

Dave explains the Hall of Fame voting process, including modern-era and senior candidates, the role of the 50-member committee, and how personal biases and media influence can affect outcomes. Mark and Dave also reflect on numerous historical players who waited far longer than today’s stars, reinforcing their shared belief that Hall of Fame discussions should focus less on hype and more on true impact, longevity, and what a player meant to the game.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

Mark invites author Jack Bethel to join Yesterday's Sports to talk about many topics in in sports history, but focusing heavily on the California and Los Angeles areas. Jack is author of many books, but the one of particular interest to Mark for this conversation "Decades Across Redondo," where "cheers meets sports history....."

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

Mark invites author Jack Bethel to join Yesterday's Sports to talk about many topics in in sports history, but focusing heavily on the California and Los Angeles areas. Jack is author of many books, but the one of particular interest to Mark for this conversation "Decades Across Redondo," where "cheers meets sports history....."

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

Dave and Mark talk about a bunch of 1970s NFL Playoff games, including:

1 - 1971 Playoff - Dolphins vs Chiefs

2 - 1972 Playoff - Steelers vs Raiders

3 - 1974 Playoff - Raiders vs Dolphins

4 - 1976 Playoff - Raiders vs Patriots

5 - 1977 AFC Championship - Broncos vs Raiders

And much more.....

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

The San Francisco 49ers franchise began in 1946 in the All-American Football Conference. The team posted a winning record in all four seasons of the league's existence and had an impressive 12–2 mark in 1948. But they were in the same division as the Cleveland Browns, the league's best team. With the league struggling to survive, down to one division and only seven teams remaining, the 49ers finally got their chance to face the Browns in the 1949 Championship game, but lost 21–7.

The league folded, and the 49ers joined the NFL in 1950. From 1950 to 1959, their record was 63-54–3. Their only postseason appearance came in 1957, when they blew a 27–7 lead to the Lions.

From 1960 to 1969, the 49ers' record was 57–74–7, and they never made the postseason. After a 4–8–2 record in 1969, there was no reason to expect the 1970s to be any different. But the 49ers surprised everyone by going 10–3–1 in 1970 and then upsetting the heavily favored Vikings in the playoffs. They lost to the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game, but returned to the title game the following season, where they lost to the Cowboys again.

In 1972, they lost to the Cowboys again, this time blowing a 21–3 lead in the divisional playoff game. They never recovered, and from 1973 to 1980, the 49ers' record was a dismal 39–79. But the 49ers were about to shock the football world in 1981.

You can read the full blog post here.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

The San Francisco 49ers franchise began in 1946 in the All-American Football Conference. The team posted a winning record in all four seasons of the league's existence and had an impressive 12–2 mark in 1948. But they were in the same division as the Cleveland Browns, the league's best team. With the league struggling to survive, down to one division and only seven teams remaining, the 49ers finally got their chance to face the Browns in the 1949 Championship game, but lost 21–7.

The league folded, and the 49ers joined the NFL in 1950. From 1950 to 1959, their record was 63-54–3. Their only postseason appearance came in 1957, when they blew a 27–7 lead to the Lions.

From 1960 to 1969, the 49ers' record was 57–74–7, and they never made the postseason. After a 4–8–2 record in 1969, there was no reason to expect the 1970s to be any different. But the 49ers surprised everyone by going 10–3–1 in 1970 and then upsetting the heavily favored Vikings in the playoffs. They lost to the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game, but returned to the title game the following season, where they lost to the Cowboys again.

In 1972, they lost to the Cowboys again, this time blowing a 21–3 lead in the divisional playoff game. They never recovered, and from 1973 to 1980, the 49ers' record was a dismal 39–79. But the 49ers were about to shock the football world in 1981.

You can read the full blog post here.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

Monday Night Football (Part 2) - Mark and Dave Relive The Early Days of Monday Night Football

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS HOME PAGE

EPISODE SUMMARY

Monday Night Football (Part 1) - Mark and Dave Relive The Early Days of Monday Night Football

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)