This week, Steve and Sydney talk about Wilt Chamberlain and pro basketball’s continued obsession with him even after his retirement in 1973…which was at its most farcical in 1979 with his alleged involvement with the Hawaii Volcanos [sic] of th

Ep. 04—The NBA’s First Network TV Broadcasts

Nov 17th, 2021 11m 25s

This week, Steve and Sydney discuss the NBA’s not-always-successful history with network television, focusing on its very first TV deal with the long-forgotten DuMont Network in 1953-54More important—the team announces its release of the only k

Ep. 03–The World Professional Basketball Tournament

Nov 9th, 2021 14m 4s

This week, Steve and Sydney revisit the legendary World Professional Basketball Tournament, a Chicago-based even in the 1940s that had a resounding impact on both professional basketball and society at large, as it presented blacks and whites o

Ep. 03 - The World Professional Basketball Tournament

Nov 8th, 2021 14m 27s

Ep. 02–The American Basketball League (1925-31)

Nov 1st, 2021 14m 55s

In this episode, Steve Holroyd and Sydney the Wonder Chug revisit the American Basketball League of the 1920s, the sports first attempt at a major, national league. After initial success, the league was ultimately doomed by the Great Depression

Ep. 01–Who Are We, Why Are We Here? (Introduction)

Oct 25th, 2021 12m 22s

Join hosts Steve Holroyd and Sydney the Wonder Chug as they introduce the podcast, explain the ground it hopes to cover…and clears up any misconceptions about the show’s title

Only The Ball Was Brown 2d Promo

Oct 22nd, 2021 56s

2d promo

Only The Ball Was Brown—Promo

Oct 9th, 2021 41s

Promo for Only The Ball Was Brown—coming soon!

On The X—Coming Soon

Mar 30th, 2018 23s

Episode 09--Billy Gonsalves

Jul 16th, 2017 14m 30s

After a long break, Steve and Sammy talk about the greatest American soccer player you've never heard of: Billy Gonsalves

Episode 08--The Dark Ages

Oct 6th, 2016 15m 1s

After a long break, Steve and Sammy return to discuss the era between the NASL and MLS, and the grass roots movement that grew in the D1 void.

Episode 07--The Last, Best Chance

Aug 11th, 2016 14m 25s

In this episode we examine another "lost league," the United Soccer League of 1984-85: pro soccer's last gasp before the arrival of MLS.

Episode 06--Another Lost League

Aug 5th, 2016 13m 40s

In this episode we return to history and discuss another "lost league"--the North American Soccer Football League of 1946-47

Episode 05--Making The Future

Jul 27th, 2016 14m 40s

In this episode, we look forward instead of backwards, and talk about what it will take to move US soccer into the "Big 4" of sports. The answer may surprise some...and anger others.

Episode 04--Finding Soccer's Atlantis

Jul 21st, 2016 13m 5s

In this episode, we talk about the rediscovery of the original American Soccer League--which was essentially "lost" to historians for almost 60 years.

Episode 03--More Soccer Wars

Jul 15th, 2016 13m 17s

In this episode we briefly discuss the new Soccer War on the horizon, the role of American anti-trust law in the battle, and previous challenges to USSF/FIFA authority.