The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast - podcast cover

The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast

Peter Shawshows.acast.com
This is the podcast that dives deep into the stories of great teams that did not win a title. They came close, but as the old carnival barkers said, "No cigar!" Even though these teams never won the big one, they still deserve to be recognized. Whether the team was undone by poor timing, injuries, hubris or just plain bad luck, they all have a tale worth telling. In season 2, the theme is "Unknown Legends," I tell the stories of sports legends from around the world you don’t know but should, hence the title. In season 3, the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last" and I look at less famous firsts in the history of sports.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

If You're Not First, You're Last! The Steagles

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of the WWII era merger between the NFL's Steelers and Eagles, a team affectionally called "The Steagles." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 02, 202511 minSeason 3Ep. 11

If You're Not First, You're Last! Ron LeFlore

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of Ron LeFlore, the first person to go from jail to becoming a Major League Baseball player, even making the All-Star Team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 25, 20258 minSeason 3Ep. 10

If You're Not First, You're Last! Pete Gogolak

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story Hungarian-born Pete Gogolak, the first American football kicker to use the "soccer-style" approach, changing the kicking game forever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 18, 20258 minSeason 6Ep. 9

If You're Not First, You're Last! Libby Riddles

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the arduous Iditarod sled dog race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 20257 minSeason 3Ep. 8

If You're Not First, You're Last! Pudge Heffelfinger

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of the dawn of professional sports in the United States, exemplified by one Pudge Heffelfinger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 04, 202515 minSeason 3Ep. 7

If You're Not First, You're Last! Errol Tobias

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of Errol Tobias, the first black to represent South Africa in the face of apartheid playing the sport they value most as a nation: rugby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 202512 minSeason 3Ep. 6

If You're Not First, You're Last! Emlen Tunnell

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of Emlen Tunnell, the first African-American to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but that was only after becoming a war hero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 202510 minSeason 3Ep. 5

If You're Not First, You're Last! Akebono

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of American-born Chad Rowan, who would join the ancient world of sumo wrestling as Akebono and become the first foreign born grand champion, a yokozuna! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 202511 minSeason 3Ep. 4

If You're Not First, You're Last! Jay Berwanger

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of Jay Berwanger, the first winner of the Heisman Trophy and the first player taken in the first NFL Draft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 07, 20258 minSeason 3Ep. 3

If You're Not First, You're Last! Kathrine Switzer

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon...even though women were not allowed to run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 202512 minSeason 3Ep. 2

If You're Not First, You're Last! Moses Malone

In season 3 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If You're Not First, You're Last!" In this episode, I tell the story of Moses Malone, the first basketball player in the modern era to go straight from high school to professional basketball. More than a trivia answer, he became a legend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 202513 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Unknown Legends - The Springbok Minyan

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of the "Springbok Minyan," the ten Jewish players who have represented the South African national rugby team, one of the best in the history of international rugby. There was an Afrikaner myth that a Jewish player was good luck to have on the team, but is it true? Listen to the last episode of the season and find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

Mar 22, 202427 minSeason 2Ep. 12

Unknown Legends - Urban Shocker - A Pitcher with a Cool Name and Cooler Story

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of Urban Shocker, a little-known Major League pitcher who had an awesome name, great success but who sadly died too young. One of the last legal spitball pitchers, he toiled in obscurity for the poor St. Louis Browns before finishing his career with the team that cast him away for no good reason at the start of his career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Mar 15, 202411 minSeason 2Ep. 11

Unknown Legends - The Morgan State University Lacrosse Team

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of the first lacrosse team at a historically black college/university: the Morgan State University Bears. This team began with a shoestring budget in1970, but would go on to upset several NCAA powerhouse teams before the team was dissolved in 1981 because of inadequate funding brought on by Title IX mandates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

Mar 08, 202418 minSeason 2Ep. 10

Unknown Legends - The Designated Runner

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of the Herbert "Hurricane" Washington, a track star at Michigan State who became the only designated runner in Major League Baseball History for the dominant Oakland A's. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 01, 20248 minSeason 2Ep. 9

Unknown Legends - Pittsburgh, the City of Basketball Champions?

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of the Pittsburgh Pipers, the first champions of the American Basketball Association who did everything possible to not become a dynasty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 23, 202414 minSeason 2Ep. 8

Unknown Legends - Is There a Goalie in the House?

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of two amateur goalies who get to play in NHL games as emergency goalies and have their moment in the sun (on the ice, really). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 16, 20247 minSeason 2Ep. 7

Unknown Legends - Let's Play Two!

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of Nate Colbert, the first star of the expansion Padres in the late 60's and early 70s who had the best hitting day ever, even besting his childhood idol for a day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 09, 202411 minSeason 2Ep. 6

Unknown Legends - A Face in the Crowd

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of the English fanatical soccer (football) fan who gets put into a match for his favorite professional club, West Ham United. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 02, 202410 minSeason 2Ep. 5

Unknown Legends - The Small College Football Powerhouse

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of the Plainfield (NJ) Teachers College, their star running back and their unprecedented 1941 season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 202410 minSeason 2Ep. 4

Unknown Legends - The Flying Prince of Rugby

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of Prince Alexander Obolensky, the Russian prince who starred for Oxford University and the English national rugby team during an amazing, but all-too-brief career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 20247 minSeason 2Ep. 3

Unknown Legends - The First "American" Soccer Star

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of Joseph Gaetjens, the Haitian who may have scored the most important goal in United States soccer history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 12, 202413 minSeason 2Ep. 2

Unknown Legends - The Gaijin Home Run King

In season 2 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "Unknown Legends" of sport. In this episode, I tell the story of Randy Bass, an Oklahoman who became a Japanese baseball legend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 04, 202414 minSeason 2Ep. 1

The Long, Cold Road to Valhalla - Part 3

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1968-1978 Minnesota Vikings. My co-host this week is Bruce Stone, Minnesota native who comes from a long lineage of suffering Vikings fans. Part 3 of 3. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 04, 202149 minSeason 1Ep. 12

The Long, Cold Road To Valhalla - Part 2

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1968-1978 Minnesota Vikings. My co-host this week is Bruce Stone, Minnesota native who comes from a long lineage of suffering Vikings fans. Part 2 of 3. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 31, 202154 minSeason 1Ep. 11

The Long, Cold Road to Valhalla - Part 1

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1968-1978 Minnesota Vikings. My co-host this week is Bruce Stone, Minnesota native who comes from a long lineage of suffering Vikings fans. Part 1 of 3. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 202144 minSeason 1Ep. 10

Brown Out in Cleveland - Part 2

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1985-1989 Cleveland Browns. My co-host this week is Jeff Gordon, the labor lawyer, not the NASCAR driver. Part 2 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 202153 minSeason 1Ep. 9

Brown Out in Cleveland - Part 1

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1985-1989 Cleveland Browns. My co-host this week is Jeff Gordon, the labor lawyer, not the NASCAR driver. Part 1 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 8

The Pick and Roll Meets the Running of the Bulls - Part 2

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1988-1998 Utah Jazz, a great team who had the bad timing of peaking at the same time as Michael Jordan's Bulls. There is no co-host because I know no Jazz fans. Part 2 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 07, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 7

The Pick and Roll Meets the Running of the Bulls - Part 1

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1988-1998 Utah Jazz, a great team who had the bad timing of peaking at the same time as Michael Jordan's Bulls. There is no co-host because I know no Jazz fans. Part 1 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 202125 minSeason 1Ep. 6
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