This Week in NDN All-Stars History: August 23–29, 2026

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

This week in NDN All-Stars history, a nineteen-year-old catcher steps onto a Major League Baseball field for the very first time — beginning a career that will eventually include ten Gold Gloves, fourteen All-Star selections, two Most Valuable Player Awards, two World Series championships, and a place in Cooperstown.

That young catcher is Choctaw legend Johnny Bench.

But there’s much more to discover from August 23 through August 29.

Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara boxing great Virgil Hill scores a first-round TKO. Cherokee heavyweight Jack Dempsey earns a fifth-round stoppage. Inupiaq basketball star Alissa Pili signs with the Los Angeles Sparks for the remainder of the WNBA season. Iroquois great Henry Armstrong adds more victories to his remarkable boxing career — and steps into the ring against Sugar Ray Robinson.

Mohawk race car driver Dexter Stacey carries an Every Child Matters paint scheme honoring the survivors and victims of Indigenous residential schools. Navajo and San Felipe soccer player Madison Hammond scores the first NWSL goal of her career — and it proves to be the match-winner against her former club. Cherokee pitcher Early Wynn throws a one-hit shutout. Salish and Kootenai boxing pioneer Marvin Camel earns another victory. And Cherokee slugger Bob Johnson drives in six runs in a single inning.

Travel back with NDN All-Stars as we bring great Native athletes from the past and present back into the spotlight for new generations.

This episode covers August 23 through August 29.

SUPPORT NDN ALL-STARS

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND

Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about.

This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history.

We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right.

Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.

Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like.

So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team.

You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us.

NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Network Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz https://sites.google.com/view/sportsfanztastic/sports-history-network?authuser=0