This podcast is a result of many years of research into the life and legacy of Eddy Hamel. My interest was piqued by Simon Kuper's book, Ajax, the Dutch, the War, in which a chapter recounts the story of Eddy Hamel as told by Holocaust survivor Leon Greenman. The story fascinated me. Eddy and I were both born in New York City. And he played for my favorite club, Ajax of Amsterdam. I couldn't let it go.

So in 2002, I traveled to London with my friend and colleague Menno Pot to meet Leon in his home, where we sat and listened for more than two hours. Leon had shared a bunk at Auschwitz with Eddy, witnessed his selection for the gas chamber, and kept talking about Eddy whenever the subject of football came up, whether in casual conversation or with the media. Because that's what you do if you want to keep someone's memory alive. You say their name, and tell their story. 

This podcast is dedicated to the memories of Eddy, Johanna, Paul and Robert Hamel, to Leon, Else and Barney Greenman, and to all victims and survivors of the Holocaust.