The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the story of the English professional rugby player who turned the sport upside down by pretending to bleed during a match. But was it really his idea? You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the stories some of the dirtiest pro hockey players of all time. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the stories some of the dirtiest pro basketball players of all time. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the stories some of the dirtiest pro football players of all time. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" Fishermen are known for their tall tales, but in this episode, I tell the story of fishermen trying to put one over one their judges and opponents when money is at stake. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the story of how home teams in different sports get an edge on opponents. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the story of marathon runners in high profile races who took the low road and short cuts to win. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the story of the 1951 New York Giants baseball team that used an elaborate scheme to help their hitters carry them to the World Series. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the full story of Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal that sent the Argentinian soccer team to new heights and the English team to a crashing disappointment. And it should have been disallowed. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the story of the baseball pitchers that mastered the art of the spitball and other tricks to make their pitches harder to hit. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the story of the dominant 2000 Spanish Paralympic basketball team, whose members were not so disabled after all.  You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In season 4 of The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast the theme is "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!" In this episode, I tell the story of the CCNY basketball team of the early 1950's who became famous for their victories but more famous for their point-shaving. You are welcome! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 information.

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 more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1990-1992 Pittsburgh Pirates. The guest co-host is Rob King. a veteran sports anchor covering the Pirates and Penguins for AT&T Sportsnet in Pittsburgh for over 20 years. This is part 2 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1990-1992 Pittsburgh Pirates. The guest co-host is Rob King. a veteran sports anchor covering the Pirates and Penguins for AT&T Sportsnet in Pittsburgh for over 20 years. This is part 1 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1979-1983 San Diego Chargers The guest co-host is my brother Tim Shaw, former star defensive back of the 1992 NESCAC Football Champions, the Middlebury College Panthers. This is part 2 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast we discuss the 1979-1983 San Diego Chargers . The guest co-host is my brother Tim Shaw, former star defensive back of the 1992 NESCAC Football Champions, the Middlebury College Panthers. This is part 1 of 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a short preview to introduce you to the podcast and tell you its cool origin story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.