I was never into pro sports. Collegiate rowing and distance running, sure. But beer-and-pizza stuff? Sorry, I had Chaucer class in the morning. Nevertheless, I got thrown on this UPS sports radio job aimed at shipping managers who listened to sports religiously. So I turned my ignorance into a campaign, inventing bogus origin stories for popular sports terms. Of course real fans knew the stories were false - just like the idea that UPS was only good at ground shipping. A few months after these started airing, I was at a party in Boston and heard someone recite "Baguette Ball" word for word. For the first time I thought: I may not actually suck at this job.
"Gurgenhelmen"
Who knew hockey was invented by vikings trying to get a live salmon into a hole in the ice using battle axes?
"Baguette Ball"
Or that basketball can trace its origins to a game played by off-duty French waiters?
"Hail Mary"
Or that football's most famous play was the result of a tragic hail storm?
"Cross Training"|
It's common knowledge that the more cross you get, the harder you play.
"Miner Leagues"
You'd want to move up to the pros too, if you were playing in underground mines.
