Steve Dittmore, PhD
@stevedittmore.bsky.social
Dean & Prof = Univ. of North Florida | Write about college sports (mainly) at Glory Days, my Substack | Author = Jim Gilliam: The Forgotten Dodger | 2x Olympics staff | SABR member | https://linktr.ee/stevedittmore
October 11, 1978 - 47 years ago today - was Jim Gilliam's funeral. It was the morning of Game Two of the Yankees-Dodgers World Series. Here is how I describe the scene in @forgottendodger.bsky.social and images of the funeral program I own. Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered the eulogy.
October 12, 2025 at 1:36 AM
October 11, 1978 - 47 years ago today - was Jim Gilliam's funeral. It was the morning of Game Two of the Yankees-Dodgers World Series. Here is how I describe the scene in @forgottendodger.bsky.social and images of the funeral program I own. Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered the eulogy.
At 10:55 pm in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 8, 1978 (47 years ago today), Jim Gilliam passed away. His death warranted front page coverage in the next day's Los Angeles Times. His funeral would be three days later, on the morning of Game Two of the Yankees-Dodgers World Series.
October 9, 2025 at 2:28 AM
At 10:55 pm in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 8, 1978 (47 years ago today), Jim Gilliam passed away. His death warranted front page coverage in the next day's Los Angeles Times. His funeral would be three days later, on the morning of Game Two of the Yankees-Dodgers World Series.
All I can think of is the glorious airbrush jobs Topps did with both SEA and TOR expansion teams in the 1977 set.
October 8, 2025 at 12:51 AM
All I can think of is the glorious airbrush jobs Topps did with both SEA and TOR expansion teams in the 1977 set.
Via D1.Ticker, Central Arkansas athletics opts out of House settlement, citing its role in campus enrollment. First such acknowledgment I have seen from a D1 program. Have I missed others?
July 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Via D1.Ticker, Central Arkansas athletics opts out of House settlement, citing its role in campus enrollment. First such acknowledgment I have seen from a D1 program. Have I missed others?
For the morning crowd... I was noticing an under the radar trend recently. Division I athletic departments are choosing to compete in track OR field, but not both. Is this a post-House cost-cutting measure? stevedittmore.substack.com/p/division-i...
July 1, 2025 at 12:37 PM
For the morning crowd... I was noticing an under the radar trend recently. Division I athletic departments are choosing to compete in track OR field, but not both. Is this a post-House cost-cutting measure? stevedittmore.substack.com/p/division-i...
I was noticing an under the radar trend recently. Division I athletic departments are choosing to compete in track OR field, but not both. Is this a post-House cost-cutting measure?
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/division-i...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/division-i...
June 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I was noticing an under the radar trend recently. Division I athletic departments are choosing to compete in track OR field, but not both. Is this a post-House cost-cutting measure?
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/division-i...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/division-i...
This is surreal... I am honored to participate in this weekend's Salute to the Negro Leagues through a book signing at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Thank you Bob Kendrick for the opportunity. Please connect if you will be at this weekend's events or Dodgers-Royals games.
June 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
This is surreal... I am honored to participate in this weekend's Salute to the Negro Leagues through a book signing at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Thank you Bob Kendrick for the opportunity. Please connect if you will be at this weekend's events or Dodgers-Royals games.
Radford University essentially traded men's and women's tennis for men's track and women's flag football. I attempt to explain this, and wonder whether more similar Olympic sports cuts are ahead in a post-House world.
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/what-radfo...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/what-radfo...
June 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Radford University essentially traded men's and women's tennis for men's track and women's flag football. I attempt to explain this, and wonder whether more similar Olympic sports cuts are ahead in a post-House world.
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/what-radfo...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/what-radfo...
Rather than face headwinds and logistics of staying in D1, Saint Francis University opted to transition to D3. What additional schools might also be considering a similar move?
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/saint-fran...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/saint-fran...
March 26, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Rather than face headwinds and logistics of staying in D1, Saint Francis University opted to transition to D3. What additional schools might also be considering a similar move?
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/saint-fran...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/saint-fran...
Like a lot of small private schools, Wittenberg University has seen significant enrollment declines the past few years. At the same time, the school's percent of athletes is up almost 25%. Is the school a cautionary tale of using sports as an enrollment strategy?
open.substack.com/pub/stevedit...
open.substack.com/pub/stevedit...
March 20, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Like a lot of small private schools, Wittenberg University has seen significant enrollment declines the past few years. At the same time, the school's percent of athletes is up almost 25%. Is the school a cautionary tale of using sports as an enrollment strategy?
open.substack.com/pub/stevedit...
open.substack.com/pub/stevedit...
As a first-time author, it is really gratifying to see an unsolicited review from a reader posted in the Facebook Baseball Books group. Thank you to all who have purchased @forgottendodger.bsky.social!
February 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
As a first-time author, it is really gratifying to see an unsolicited review from a reader posted in the Facebook Baseball Books group. Thank you to all who have purchased @forgottendodger.bsky.social!
Meeting and hearing from Carlis Wright Robinson was a highlight! Her father was Negro League pitcher Johnny Wright, whom the Dodgers signed for the 1946 season but never reached the big league club. Excited to swap books with Carlis and learn more about her father.
February 23, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Meeting and hearing from Carlis Wright Robinson was a highlight! Her father was Negro League pitcher Johnny Wright, whom the Dodgers signed for the 1946 season but never reached the big league club. Excited to swap books with Carlis and learn more about her father.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Central Florida SABR meeting today at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. Great discussions, tour of complex, and HBCU baseball. Enjoyed talking @forgottendodger.bsky.social and signing some books. More photos in thread…
February 23, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Thank you to everyone who came to the Central Florida SABR meeting today at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. Great discussions, tour of complex, and HBCU baseball. Enjoyed talking @forgottendodger.bsky.social and signing some books. More photos in thread…
Tomorrow is only a day away! Come join us at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex for a Central Florida chapter SABR meeting and the Andre Dawson Classic from MLB Develops. Oh, yeah, you can hear about @forgottendodger.bsky.social!
February 21, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Tomorrow is only a day away! Come join us at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex for a Central Florida chapter SABR meeting and the Andre Dawson Classic from MLB Develops. Oh, yeah, you can hear about @forgottendodger.bsky.social!
I am thrilled to talk about @forgottendodger.bsky.social's life this Sat., Feb. 22 at MLB's Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, the former Dodgertown where Gilliam he spent many spring trainings. Please message me if you are interested in attending the talk & the Andre Dawson Classic.
February 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I am thrilled to talk about @forgottendodger.bsky.social's life this Sat., Feb. 22 at MLB's Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, the former Dodgertown where Gilliam he spent many spring trainings. Please message me if you are interested in attending the talk & the Andre Dawson Classic.
Need some encouragement to order @forgottendodger.bsky.social? How about these blurbs from @amaraniss.bsky.social and @profloumoore.bsky.social, two authors who know a lot more than me about writing books. I'm grateful for their support during this process.
February 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Need some encouragement to order @forgottendodger.bsky.social? How about these blurbs from @amaraniss.bsky.social and @profloumoore.bsky.social, two authors who know a lot more than me about writing books. I'm grateful for their support during this process.
Today is release day! I am so grateful for all who have participated in this journey and shared their memories of Jim Gilliam. Paperback and ebook copies of @forgottendodger.bsky.social now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and other retailers. Thank you so much for support.
February 4, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Today is release day! I am so grateful for all who have participated in this journey and shared their memories of Jim Gilliam. Paperback and ebook copies of @forgottendodger.bsky.social now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and other retailers. Thank you so much for support.
We are three days away from the official release of @forgottendodger.bsky.social Amazon and other retail links will be live on Tuesday, Feb. 4. I hope you pick one up!
February 1, 2025 at 9:59 PM
We are three days away from the official release of @forgottendodger.bsky.social Amazon and other retail links will be live on Tuesday, Feb. 4. I hope you pick one up!
Happy Birthday to the pioneer! Jackie broke through the First Gate of integration in 1947, and the Second Gate (with Jim Gilliam) in 1954 when Brooklyn started more Black players than white in a game. @forgottendodger.bsky.social is officially released next week! Photo is 1953 spring training.
January 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Happy Birthday to the pioneer! Jackie broke through the First Gate of integration in 1947, and the Second Gate (with Jim Gilliam) in 1954 when Brooklyn started more Black players than white in a game. @forgottendodger.bsky.social is officially released next week! Photo is 1953 spring training.
A new normal in higher education? Albright College seeks a $25 million loan to cover operating expenses, and plans to add sports.
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/albright-c...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/albright-c...
January 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
A new normal in higher education? Albright College seeks a $25 million loan to cover operating expenses, and plans to add sports.
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/albright-c...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/albright-c...
Had a great breakfast here in JAX with amazing company and conversation! Thank you @drkarenweaver.bsky.social for making time during your travels!
January 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Had a great breakfast here in JAX with amazing company and conversation! Thank you @drkarenweaver.bsky.social for making time during your travels!
Nearly 40 NCAA institutions have added women's flag football in little more than 18 months, despite the sport not receiving status as an emerging sport for women. What is fueling the meteoric rise? Enrollment hopes? The NFL? The Olympics? All of the above.
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/womens-fla...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/womens-fla...
January 14, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Nearly 40 NCAA institutions have added women's flag football in little more than 18 months, despite the sport not receiving status as an emerging sport for women. What is fueling the meteoric rise? Enrollment hopes? The NFL? The Olympics? All of the above.
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/womens-fla...
stevedittmore.substack.com/p/womens-fla...
Yep… dinner in three photos with great northern beans.
January 11, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Yep… dinner in three photos with great northern beans.
This weekend I wrote about Montclair State’s curious decision to drop men’s and women’s lacrosse for women’s flag football. Predictably, the outrage is strong, and more than 8k signatures have already been collected on a petition to bring the sports back.
December 17, 2024 at 12:44 AM
This weekend I wrote about Montclair State’s curious decision to drop men’s and women’s lacrosse for women’s flag football. Predictably, the outrage is strong, and more than 8k signatures have already been collected on a petition to bring the sports back.
I was getting Ray Liotta vibes
December 16, 2024 at 9:27 PM
I was getting Ray Liotta vibes