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Past Our Prime

Past Our Prime

By: Scott Johnston
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Summary

 Growing up on boxscores, the Game of the Week, and Sports Illustrated, three longtime Sports TV Producers reflect back on the world of sports through the lens of old issues of SI from 50 years ago. Larry Csonka and the Dolphins; Reggie Jackson and The Swinging A's; The Wizard of Westwood; The Golden Bear and Muhammad Ali are just a few of the many heroes showcased weekly by Scott, Bill and Marc on the Past Our Prime podcast. Stay up to date on what happened in the past as they go back in time and return to the glory days of sports week by week, issue by issue of Sports Illustrated starting in January of 1974 Baseball & Softball Football (American)
Episodes
  • 122. Jamie Moyer on the Phillies GOAT: Mike Schmidt

    122. Jamie Moyer on the Phillies GOAT: Mike Schmidt
    May 3 2026
    On the May 3, 1976 cover of Sports Illustrated, Mike Schmidt was exploding onto the national scene as the Phillies’ young power-hitting third baseman. Fresh off tying a major league record with 11 home runs in April — and just weeks after smashing four homers in one game on April 17 — Schmidt was quickly becoming must-watch baseball. In true Past Our Prime fashion, we dove right into that magical spring of ’76 when one of the greatest third basemen ever was just starting to flex. We also broke down the classic “Clouts and Outs” article, which perfectly captured Schmidt and Dave Kingman as the ultimate “power whiffers” — guys who could crush the ball a mile but paid for it with mountains of strikeouts. Schmidt was brutally honest with himself about it, while Kingman basically said, “This is who I am — deal with it.” Classic 1970s baseball drama at its finest. Our special guest, Jamie Moyer, brought the episode to life with great stories about facing Schmidt. The man who won 269 career games and pitched brilliantly at age 45 for the 2008 World Series champion Phillies had nothing but respect for Schmidt’s longevity, work ethic, and professionalism. Hearing Moyer talk about competing against one of the all-time greats was pure Past Our Prime gold as was when he reflected back on when he took a no-hitter into the 9th innings against... his home town Phillies. We also touched on everything else from that issue — the Kentucky Derby trail, wild NHL playoff violence, Olympic hopefuls, beanball wars, and even the rise of Sportianity in sports. Another fun trip back to the spring of 1976 with plenty of laughs, memories, and great conversation. That’s exactly why we do this show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • 121. An Original Aussie: Evonne Goolagong

    121. An Original Aussie: Evonne Goolagong
    Apr 26 2026
    Evonne Goolagong Cawley was on the cover of the April 26, 1976 issue of Sports Illustrated, a fitting spotlight for one of tennis’s most graceful and naturally gifted champions who was reaching the #1 ranking in the world in late April 50 years ago. Goolagong’s presence on the cover also reflected a much broader impact—not just as a star player, but as a trailblazer for Indigenous Australians in international sport. The winner of 7 Grand Slam singles titles, Evonne also won 6 more in double… and this week on Past Our Prime, we’re honoring Goolagong by playing a little doubles ourselves with not one, but two guests to reflect back on the brilliance of Evonne. Peggy Michel, Goolagong’s frequent doubles partner, was one of the top doubles specialists of her era and won 3 Grand Slam titles with Evonne at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in ’74 and the Aussie Open again in 1975. Goolagong could have teamed up with more well known players on the circuit, but she and Peggy were a formidable duo for many years. Peggy Michel, Goolagong’s frequent doubles partner, was one of the most accomplished doubles specialists of her era. Known for her sharp net play and tactical awareness, Michel complemented Goolagong’s smooth baseline game, helping the pair become a formidable team in major tournaments. Michel’s consistency and experience made her an ideal partner, and together they showcased the chemistry and coordination that define elite doubles tennis. Australian player Pam Whytcross was a respected contemporary of Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the 1970s and helped open up the world of tennis to women across the world when in 1973 at the age of 19, she was part of a meeting led by Billie Jean King that helped lay the groundwork for the formation of the Women's Tennis Association, underscoring her role in a pivotal moment for women’s tennis. Michel and Whytcross give us a keen insight on one of Australia’s greatest athletes , Evonne Goolagong, who was much more than just a tennis star… she was a mother. One of only three women to win a major while also holding done another full-time job… being a mom! Past Our Prime is going down under as we relive one of the best to ever do it—Evonne Goolagong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 45 mins
  • 120. Pete Demers: Royalty's Hall of Fame Trainer

    120. Pete Demers: Royalty's Hall of Fame Trainer
    Apr 19 2026
    The April 19, 1976 issue of Sports Illustrated had Ray Floyd on the cover after he absolutely ran away with the Masters, winning by eight shots at 17-under par in a wire-to-wire masterpiece. The story made it clear this was a different Floyd — more mature and more locked in than ever— while still giving props to guys like Ben Crenshaw who finished second. It was classic Augusta in the middle of the Bicentennial spring. On the baseball side, SI was excited about the Giants’ fresh start after new owners kept the team in San Francisco and packed the house for Opening Day. But while there was new found enthusiasm in SF, Brooks Robinson's days were nearing an end in Baltimore. The greatest defensive third baseman ever, was still grinding at the plate even as his hitting had slipped from his MVP days. quite a bit. The issue also had some wild stuff — a diver going into the giant shark tank at the New England Aquarium, Honest Pleasure looking like a Derby monster, and notes on the Yankee Stadium renovation. It was a fun snapshot of spring sports in 1976, mixing big moments with the raw edge of the era. And speaking of raw, the NHL section delivered with the “Week of Disgrace on the Ice,” where multiple Philadelphia Flyers players were charged with assault after a violent playoff game in Toronto. The piece also introduced readers to Pete Demers, the longtime head trainer for the Los Angeles Kings, who later earned his place in the LA Kings Hall of Fame, the PHATS Hall of Fame, the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame, and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Demers was the guy stitching up faces and taping ankles through all the blood and chaos of 1970s hockey — a true behind-the-scenes legend. Pete joins us on the podcast to talk about his time in the NHL, how tough the players were that he treated back then and how the players lined up at his door for treatment in order to play. He talks to us about how Wayne Gretzky almost cost him his job after his trade to L.A. and how the difference between owners Jack Kent Cooke and Bruce McNall. And he tells us how a beer he kept in his drawer for almost 20 years was the best tasting beer he ever had in 2012. It's a week of golf, horse racing, baseball, and the crazy days of 1970's NHL action relived by a man who saw it all... Pete Demers on the Past Our Prime podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 34 mins
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