Sports Trivia: A Brief History of the Negro Leagues
This week in 1920, the Negro National League began play. Here’s some sports trivia from our archives that looks back on baseball’s other big leagues.
Sports
5 Great Athletes Who Became Great Businessmen
Uncle John’s new book, Lists That Make You Go Hmmm… is available now. Here’s a sample. Tony Hawk (professional skateboarder, 1982–99) Hawk was an entrepreneur before he was a household name. In 1992 he took out a second mortgage to cofound the BirdHouse skateboard company. Seven years later, he solidified his reputation as one of […]
A Toast to Andre the Giant
“As far as great drunkards go, there is Andre the Giant, and then there is everyone else,” wrote Richard English in Modern Drunkard about the professional wrestler and actor. He was a beer enthusiast whose bottomless thirst only had a little to do with his 7’4″, 500-pound frame—consuming as much beer as possible was partially a party trick, and partially a way to numb the physical pain from his wrestling career.
Baseball Trivia and Origins
America’s national pastime is more than just a game—it’s a tradition. The component parts are traditions, too. We got curious about where they come from and pulled together some great baseball trivia for you.
5 NBA Team Names That Don’t Make Any Sense
It’s an old joke about how the Los Angeles Lakers name doesn’t make any sense after the team moved from Minnesota, the “land of 10,000 lakes.” There are actual a few dozen lakes in L.A.—but the rest of these NBA team names really are perplexing.
7 Cool Amenities at Major League Ballparks
“Baseball game? No thanks, I’m just here for the orange train.” Pool! Old news: It’s extremely hot in Phoenix, particularly during summer baseball season. New news: the Arizona Diamondbacks play at Chase Field. The outfield stands feature a swimming pool where fans can cool off (as well as a hot tub). Fish tank! Most ballparks […]
6 More Deliciously Heart-Stopping Ballpark Foods
We wrote about deliciously bad-for-you ballpark eats just a month ago, but with Major League Baseball starting last week, there are even more culinary curiosities to sample.
4 of the Worst Ever NBA Playoff Teams
A whopping 16 teams make the NBA playoffs—more than half of the league. Result: Sometimes the field is a little weak.
7 Facts About the Iditarod
Another annual edition of one of the most grueling (and definitely coldest) events just wrapped up. Our daily fun facts take a dive into this amazing race.
Opening Day!
The new baseball season begins this week. Optimism runs high, but things can get weird. So in that spirit, we say, “Play ball!”
Sports Trivia: The Birth Of Baseball Cards, Part I
People in the U.S. have been collecting baseball cards for more than 100 years. Bubblegum hadn’t even been invented yet when Old Judge cigarettes gave birth to this American institution. This article was first publish in Uncle John’s Sport Spectacular Bathroom Reader.
History of The Masters
This week in 1934, golfer Horton Smith won the first ever Masters golf tournament. From Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Tees Off on Golf, here’s a look at the storied and tumultuous history of “the Super Bowl of Golf.”
We Promise to Win!
Two stories about teams whose wins were guaranteed…or were they?
8 Fun Facts About the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Some fun facts to fuel your March Madness.
- Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden (“The Wizard of Westwood”) took his team to 12 Final Four appearances, a record, and all over a 14-year period. Wooden won 10 championships overall in that time, including seven in a row.
Tallest, Shortest, Biggest, Youngest, Oldest: Major League Baseball Trivia
We’ve given you weird sports statistics about football and basketball. Now here’s some great Major League Baseball Trivia.
8 Fun Facts About the NBA All-Star Game
The best of the West meets the best of the East next weekend. Here are some fun facts about the NBA All-Star game.
Impossible Questions: The Champion of Champions (Answered!)
Have you guessed the answer? Keep reading to see if you nailed it. What man has been a part of a World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup final, and NBA Finals? Zelig. Forrest Gump. Al Michaels. Except unlike the first two, who have a knack for being present whenever history happens, being around for when […]
Whatever Happened to These Super Bowl-Winning Quarterbacks?
Some guys lead their teams to Super Bowl victories and become household names—Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, or Terry Bradshaw. Others have escaped the spotlight.
