Double Play

Only A Game's "Double Play" series. Giving columns and pieces from around the sports world a "second play" through radio theater.

Steve Carlton in the Game 2 of the 1980 World Series. (AP)

Double Play: Sportswriter Diane K. Shah Writes Her Revenge

In 1980, Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton used a bucket of water to avoid speaking with the media. Three years later, sports writer Diane K. Shah got her revenge.

Only A Game

06:29Jul 24, 2020

The master control room at ESPN headquarters in 1995. ESPN first went on the air in 1979. (Bob Child/AP)

Double Play: In The Early Days Of ESPN, A Sports Junkie Gets Hooked

Sports columnist Leigh Montville experienced ESPN for the first time in April of 1981. The 24/7 coverage held him captive.

Only A Game

07:35Nov 1, 2019

Double Play: Bill Plaschke's Mother's Day Tribute

Bill Plaschke calls his mother, Mary Margaret Plaschke, "the strongest person I know."

Only A Game

05:45May 10, 2019

Ernie Banks was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. (AP)

Double Play: A Former State Senator's Car Ride With Ernie Banks

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, former Illinois State Senator William Marovitz drove from Omaha to Chicago with Cubs legend Ernie Banks.

Only A Game

09:15Apr 12, 2019

Billy Miske's last fight in the ring, on Nov. 7, 1923, earned him a $2,400 check -- enough money to bring his family the best Christmas they'd ever have. (Agence Rol - Bibliothèque nationale de France/Wikimedia)

'Twas The Fight Before Christmas': A Dying Boxer's Final Bout For His Family

Short on money in the final months of his life, Billy Miske got in the ring to give his family one last Christmas.

Only A Game

05:48Dec 28, 2018

"'I have no idea who put his name on there,' says his wife. 'And I have no idea why.'" (Adam Joe / Flickr)

The Story Behind The Name: USC's Jim Sterkel Court

Jim Sterkel played USC basketball for two seasons in the mid-1950's. He never broke any scoring records, and his team didn't win any titles. He didn't even graduate. So why...

Only A Game

06:50Sep 28, 2018

Mike Morrow continued Indiana’s cycle of life. He got married. Had two girls. Taught them how to shoot baskets. (Courtesy Mike Morrow)

Double Play: 'An Old Barn. A Basketball Rim. An Indiana Story.'

Mike Morrow's barn in rural Indiana is faded red. But the net on the basketball hoop looks brand new.

Only A Game

06:47Sep 21, 2018

Rebecca Lobo, middle, hadn't seen her 1996 Olympic gold medal since she was 22. So she and her family took a trip to the bank. (Bob Daemmrich/AFP/Getty Images)

Double Play: 'Finding A Long-Forgotten Gold Medal'

Rebecca Lobo was watching the 2012 London Olympics when one of her children asked about her gold medal from the 1996 Games. That's when she realized she hadn't seen it...

Only A Game

07:18Sep 15, 2017

'A Life On The Flip Side': A Boy, A Hoop And A Future NBA Coach

A teenage boy and his best friend set out to meet their famous neighbor -- and thus began a life-long friendship with late NBA coach and executive Flip Saunders.

Only A Game

06:53Jun 9, 2017

'Twas The Fight Before Christmas': A Dying Boxer's Final Bout For His Family

Short on money in the final months of his life, Billy Miske got in the ring to give his family one last Christmas.

Only A Game

05:43Dec 23, 2016

"'I have no idea who put his name on there,' says his wife. 'And I have no idea why.'" Bill Plaschke writes in his 2006 piece titled "Floored". (Adam Joe / Flickr)

The Story Behind The Name: USC's Jim Sterkel Court

Jim Sterkel played USC basketball for two seasons in the mid-1950's. He never broke any scoring records, and his team didn't win any titles. He didn't even graduate. So why...

Only A Game

06:54Nov 11, 2016

26 Jan 1994: Indiana Hoosiers head coach Bob Knight looks on during a game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Indiana won the game, 78-66. Mandatory Credit: Gary Mook /Allsport

Where In The World Is Bob Knight's Chair?

Just five minutes into the first half of a college basketball game in 1985, Indiana coach Bob Knight was tossed from the game -- but not before he tossed a...

Only A Game

06:05May 14, 2016