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Sports Bizarre
Sports Bizarre
Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy are on the hunt for the most bizarre stories to ever occur in the world of sport. Sports Bizarre delves into the history of sport to find the stories that you wouldn’t believe if they hadn’t happened. No sport
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Season 2
Trump VS USFL: Part One
On March 6 1983, the new United States Football League (USFL) season kicked off with a plan to bring American football to springtime. What unfolded was a wild tale of early success, crazy players and crazier owners, and the undoing of the entire league by a little-known property developer from New York, Donald J Trump. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy begin their three-part look at one of the wildest leagues in history, a league that featured ex-criminals, a defensive end who gained fame for trapping his head in the sunroof of a car, and the bodyguard of Rick James. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Trump VS USFL: Part One
On March 6 1983, the new United States Football League (USFL) season kicked off with a plan to bring American football to springtime. What unfolded was a wild tale of early success, crazy players and crazier owners, and the undoing of the entire league by a little-known property developer from New York, Donald J Trump. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy begin their three-part look at one of the wildest leagues in history, a league that featured ex-criminals, a defensive end who gained fame for trapping his head in the sunroof of a car, and the bodyguard of Rick James. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
39:25
EP18 - S2
4 Jun 23
Dodgy Denny McLain
Few players have burned so bright and fallen so far as Detroit Tigers Denny McLain. In 1968, 'The Year of the Pitcher', Denny would win 30 games, a World Series, release a record through Capitol Records, Denny McLain at the Organ and drink 24 bottles of Pepsi daily. The fall was fast; it involved fraud, the mafia, his house burning down, and jail time. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy looked at an athlete as brilliant as he was dodgy. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Dodgy Denny McLain
Few players have burned so bright and fallen so far as Detroit Tigers Denny McLain. In 1968, 'The Year of the Pitcher', Denny would win 30 games, a World Series, release a record through Capitol Records, Denny McLain at the Organ and drink 24 bottles of Pepsi daily. The fall was fast; it involved fraud, the mafia, his house burning down, and jail time. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy looked at an athlete as brilliant as he was dodgy. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
58:23
EP17 - S2
28 May 23
Weirdest Sport Injuries Ever
Athletes get injured; it comes with the territory, but a lot of them get injured in weird ways. From damaging a tooth eating a microwaved chocolate doughnut, having your own dentures bite you, to falling asleep in a sunbed. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at the weirdest sport injuries of all time, and wonder how exactly you injure yourself by running into a moose. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Weirdest Sport Injuries Ever
Athletes get injured; it comes with the territory, but a lot of them get injured in weird ways. From damaging a tooth eating a microwaved chocolate doughnut, having your own dentures bite you, to falling asleep in a sunbed. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at the weirdest sport injuries of all time, and wonder how exactly you injure yourself by running into a moose. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
38:55
EP16 - S2
21 May 23
James Hunt vs Niki Lauda
In the final of our series on James Hunt, we look at his 1976 battle with close friend Niki Lauda for the World Championship, the greatest season of F1 ever. We then look at his commentary career, where he once said French driver Jean-Pierre Jarier had “a mental age of 10” and should be given a short suspension for poor driving before adding: “for being himself, he should receive a permanent suspension.” Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy finish off their tribute to the most entertaining F1 driver of all time. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
James Hunt vs Niki Lauda
In the final of our series on James Hunt, we look at his 1976 battle with close friend Niki Lauda for the World Championship, the greatest season of F1 ever. We then look at his commentary career, where he once said French driver Jean-Pierre Jarier had “a mental age of 10” and should be given a short suspension for poor driving before adding: “for being himself, he should receive a permanent suspension.” Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy finish off their tribute to the most entertaining F1 driver of all time. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
35:34
EP15 - S2
14 May 23
James Hunt and Hesketh Racing
When Lord Hesketh started Hesketh Racing team, he needed a driver, and he found the perfect one, James Hunt. Everything about Hesketh Racing was fun. “We had failed in both Formula 2 and Formula 3, so Formula 1 was the only logical place to go, said Lord Hesketh on entering the big leagues. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molly continue their series on James Hunt, covering his time at Hesketh and his interesting marriage. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
James Hunt and Hesketh Racing
When Lord Hesketh started Hesketh Racing team, he needed a driver, and he found the perfect one, James Hunt. Everything about Hesketh Racing was fun. “We had failed in both Formula 2 and Formula 3, so Formula 1 was the only logical place to go, said Lord Hesketh on entering the big leagues. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molly continue their series on James Hunt, covering his time at Hesketh and his interesting marriage. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
40:48
EP14 - S2
7 May 23
Superstar James Hunt
Perhaps no other Formula One Driver has captured the imagination of racing fans as much as James Hunt. For a man who said, “my first priority is to finish above rather than beneath the ground," he spent an enormous amount of his early career crashing. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy begin looking into the life of James Hunt, race car driver, international playboy and keen breed of budgerigars. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Superstar James Hunt
Perhaps no other Formula One Driver has captured the imagination of racing fans as much as James Hunt. For a man who said, “my first priority is to finish above rather than beneath the ground," he spent an enormous amount of his early career crashing. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy begin looking into the life of James Hunt, race car driver, international playboy and keen breed of budgerigars. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
41:44
EP13 - S2
30 Apr 23
The World's Greatest Pedestrian
In the late 19th century, one sport stood above all others in terms of popularity, pedestrianism. That's right, walking. Tens of thousands of people would come to watch the top pedestrians walk for five days. Arguably the greatest was Edward Payson Weston, a man who walked wearing a costume of 'black velvet, white silk hat, blue sash, white kid gloves, top boots reaching to the knees on the outside of the pantaloons, and a gold-mounted riding-whip.' Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy examine the career of arguably the greatest pedestrian of all time and the rise of his great rival, Daniel O’Leary. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
The World's Greatest Pedestrian
In the late 19th century, one sport stood above all others in terms of popularity, pedestrianism. That's right, walking. Tens of thousands of people would come to watch the top pedestrians walk for five days. Arguably the greatest was Edward Payson Weston, a man who walked wearing a costume of 'black velvet, white silk hat, blue sash, white kid gloves, top boots reaching to the knees on the outside of the pantaloons, and a gold-mounted riding-whip.' Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy examine the career of arguably the greatest pedestrian of all time and the rise of his great rival, Daniel O’Leary. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
01:04:23
EP12 - S2
23 Apr 23
Shadow Games
Sport is fun, but it's a lot of effort to organise, run a whole competition, and then fix the result so you can win a lot of money through betting. The simple solution is to run your own event, or even better, just convince people you ran one and take their money. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at some of the greatest sporting events that never happened. From one of the great scams of all time the Trodmore Race Day to the IPL match that was played on a farm. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Shadow Games
Sport is fun, but it's a lot of effort to organise, run a whole competition, and then fix the result so you can win a lot of money through betting. The simple solution is to run your own event, or even better, just convince people you ran one and take their money. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at some of the greatest sporting events that never happened. From one of the great scams of all time the Trodmore Race Day to the IPL match that was played on a farm. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
43:12
EP11 - S2
16 Apr 23
The Voyage of the 1932 Brazilian Olympic team
In 1932, with the world going through the Great Depression, Brazil had no money to send its Olympic team to Los Angeles. Then a government official had an idea—load a ship with 50,000 bags of coffee, and have the Olympic team sell the cargo to fund the entire trip. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at a strange trip which included pretending the ship was a warship, and civil war breaking out. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
The Voyage of the 1932 Brazilian Olympic team
In 1932, with the world going through the Great Depression, Brazil had no money to send its Olympic team to Los Angeles. Then a government official had an idea—load a ship with 50,000 bags of coffee, and have the Olympic team sell the cargo to fund the entire trip. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at a strange trip which included pretending the ship was a warship, and civil war breaking out. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
31:39
EP10 - S2
9 Apr 23
Jese Rodriguez
Jese Rodriguez was a future star in the soccer world, but things like a music career and discovering he was a father via Instagram sent things sideways. Despite a career that included stints at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, it was off the field Jese shone, like when he spent €5,000 on text messages to vote an ex-girlfriend off the show Big Brother. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy examine the life and loves of Jese Rodriguez, a man who could resist anything except temptation. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Jese Rodriguez
Jese Rodriguez was a future star in the soccer world, but things like a music career and discovering he was a father via Instagram sent things sideways. Despite a career that included stints at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, it was off the field Jese shone, like when he spent €5,000 on text messages to vote an ex-girlfriend off the show Big Brother. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy examine the life and loves of Jese Rodriguez, a man who could resist anything except temptation. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
36:57
EP09 - S2
2 Apr 23
The Dangerous World of Speed Gluing
In the final of our series on Table Tennis, we look at the use of glue to cheat in table tennis. When Hungarian player Tibor Klampár discovered volatile glues gave the rubber on bats 30 per cent more spin and speed, it led to an arms race for the most toxic glues. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at the dangerous trick that led to players passing out and police raiding table tennis shops. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
The Dangerous World of Speed Gluing
In the final of our series on Table Tennis, we look at the use of glue to cheat in table tennis. When Hungarian player Tibor Klampár discovered volatile glues gave the rubber on bats 30 per cent more spin and speed, it led to an arms race for the most toxic glues. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at the dangerous trick that led to players passing out and police raiding table tennis shops. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
30:47
EP08 - S2
26 Mar 23
Mao and Nixon play Ping Pong
In the early 1970s, with China and the United States locked in a Cold War struggle, it took Ping Pong to save the world. With diplomatic ties severed between Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao, the US Table Tennis team were sent to China to mend relations. Things got off to a rough start when one member of the US team converted to Communism and two others played an imaginary game of table tennis in the street, almost starting a riot. Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy examine the rise of Table Tennis in China and how the US Table Tennis Championships were once kicked out of a venue by El Mongol, a not-so-famous wrestler. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Mao and Nixon play Ping Pong
In the early 1970s, with China and the United States locked in a Cold War struggle, it took Ping Pong to save the world. With diplomatic ties severed between Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao, the US Table Tennis team were sent to China to mend relations. Things got off to a rough start when one member of the US team converted to Communism and two others played an imaginary game of table tennis in the street, almost starting a riot. Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy examine the rise of Table Tennis in China and how the US Table Tennis Championships were once kicked out of a venue by El Mongol, a not-so-famous wrestler. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
49:22
EP07 - S2
19 Mar 23
Stalin, Hitchcock and table tennis
The sport of table tennis or ping pong, or as it was once known, Whiff Waff, has arguably had a more significant impact on world history than any other sport. In this episode, we look at the life of Ivor Montagu, the man who built table tennis into an international sport while also making films with Alfred Hitchcock, hanging out with Charlie Chaplin and spying for the Soviets during the War. Mick Molloy and Titus O'Reily examine a sport that connects Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin, Chairman Mao, King Charles, HG Wells, George Bernard Shaw and General Douglas MacArthur. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Stalin, Hitchcock and table tennis
The sport of table tennis or ping pong, or as it was once known, Whiff Waff, has arguably had a more significant impact on world history than any other sport. In this episode, we look at the life of Ivor Montagu, the man who built table tennis into an international sport while also making films with Alfred Hitchcock, hanging out with Charlie Chaplin and spying for the Soviets during the War. Mick Molloy and Titus O'Reily examine a sport that connects Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin, Chairman Mao, King Charles, HG Wells, George Bernard Shaw and General Douglas MacArthur. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
46:28
EP06 - S2
13 Mar 23
Jimmy "The Whirlwind" White
By the time Jimmy White was 13, he was skipping school and travelling around England in a black cab to play snooker and hustle adults out of their money. Turning professional, Jimmy quickly became the most beloved snooker player in the world while living a lifestyle that involved month-long benders with Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy, UB40, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy examine the career of one of the greatest snooker players of all time, a man who lost six World Championship Finals and once took his dead brother on a pub crawl. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Jimmy "The Whirlwind" White
By the time Jimmy White was 13, he was skipping school and travelling around England in a black cab to play snooker and hustle adults out of their money. Turning professional, Jimmy quickly became the most beloved snooker player in the world while living a lifestyle that involved month-long benders with Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy, UB40, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy examine the career of one of the greatest snooker players of all time, a man who lost six World Championship Finals and once took his dead brother on a pub crawl. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
01:07:48
EP05 - S2
5 Mar 23
The very odd Marquis of Queensbury
Completing our look at the early days of boxing, we pick up where the sport moves from having no rules whatsoever to having at least three of them. It's the nanny state gone mad. We meet the man who lends his name to these new rules, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, whose main claim to fame, apart from his rules, is a high-profile dispute with Oscar Wilde which leads to Wilde's imprisonment. Titus and Mick examine the civilisation of boxing, the invention of boxing gloves and Hezekiah Moscow, a boxer/bear tamer who quit boxing to tour England as a comedy sketch artist in 1892. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
The very odd Marquis of Queensbury
Completing our look at the early days of boxing, we pick up where the sport moves from having no rules whatsoever to having at least three of them. It's the nanny state gone mad. We meet the man who lends his name to these new rules, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, whose main claim to fame, apart from his rules, is a high-profile dispute with Oscar Wilde which leads to Wilde's imprisonment. Titus and Mick examine the civilisation of boxing, the invention of boxing gloves and Hezekiah Moscow, a boxer/bear tamer who quit boxing to tour England as a comedy sketch artist in 1892. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
35:30
EP04 - S2
26 Feb 23
The unruly early days of boxing
In the seventeenth century in England, the earliest form of modern boxing emerged, a wild free for all style of fighting that included eye gouging, hair pulling, spitting, head-butting, shin-kicking, stomping and kicking downed opponents. Out of this world emerged the first heavyweight champion, James Figg who fought a total of 270 fights and lost only once. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at the early days of boxing, the first ever rules, the invention of boxing gloves and the first championship "belt"—made of lionskin and sterling silver. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
The unruly early days of boxing
In the seventeenth century in England, the earliest form of modern boxing emerged, a wild free for all style of fighting that included eye gouging, hair pulling, spitting, head-butting, shin-kicking, stomping and kicking downed opponents. Out of this world emerged the first heavyweight champion, James Figg who fought a total of 270 fights and lost only once. Titus O'Reily and Mick Molloy look at the early days of boxing, the first ever rules, the invention of boxing gloves and the first championship "belt"—made of lionskin and sterling silver. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
52:33
EP03 - S2
19 Feb 23
Chaos Agent John Daly- Part Two
If you thought Part One was crazy, Part Two is looser than a night out with John Daly. We pick up just after Daly had signed a sponsorship contract with a 'no alcohol or gambling' clause. What follows is an awful lot of drinking and gambling. Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy finish off the series on John Daly, or as he is more commonly known 'Mick's Spirit Animal'. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Chaos Agent John Daly- Part Two
If you thought Part One was crazy, Part Two is looser than a night out with John Daly. We pick up just after Daly had signed a sponsorship contract with a 'no alcohol or gambling' clause. What follows is an awful lot of drinking and gambling. Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy finish off the series on John Daly, or as he is more commonly known 'Mick's Spirit Animal'. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
45:26
EP02 - S2
12 Feb 23
Chaos Agent John Daly- Part One
Golfer John Daly may be one of the most relatable sportspeople ever, having once said, “I don’t think I’ve ever stepped in the gym – they won’t let me smoke there.” Daly took the golfing world by storm, winning the 1991 PGA Tournament with his impossibly long drives. Off the course, Daly racked up marriages, scandals and suspensions far faster than he ever won tournaments. In part one, Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy examine a man who once got into a fight on a golf course with another golfer and that golfer's entire family. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
Chaos Agent John Daly- Part One
Golfer John Daly may be one of the most relatable sportspeople ever, having once said, “I don’t think I’ve ever stepped in the gym – they won’t let me smoke there.” Daly took the golfing world by storm, winning the 1991 PGA Tournament with his impossibly long drives. Off the course, Daly racked up marriages, scandals and suspensions far faster than he ever won tournaments. In part one, Titus O’Reily and Mick Molloy examine a man who once got into a fight on a golf course with another golfer and that golfer's entire family. Follow Sports Bizarre on: Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok YouTube
56:24
EP01 - S2
5 Feb 23
Season 1
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