Peter Shaw

The "Close But No Cigar" Sports Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 47 episodes

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...

Author

Peter Shaw

Episodes

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! Bloodgate 04.05.2026 14:31

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! The Dirtiest Players in Pro Hockey History 27.04.2026 14:12

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! The Dirtiest Players in Pro Basketball History 20.04.2026 7:20

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! The Dirtiest Players in Pro Football History 13.04.2026 15:21

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! Fishermen Angling for An Advantage 06.04.2026 10:46

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! Home Field Advantage 30.03.2026 7:07

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! Unsporting Long Distance Runners 23.03.2026 8:03

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! The 1951 New York Giants Baseball Team 16.03.2026 15:09

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! The Hand of God 09.03.2026 11:15

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 inform...

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! Is There A Ball Doctor in the House? 02.03.2026 11:54

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! The Spanish Paralympic Basketball Team 23.02.2026 6:40

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.

If You Ain’t Cheatin’, You Ain’t Tryin’! The City College Basketball Team 16.02.2026 12:26

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! The Steagles 02.05.2025 10:35

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Ron LeFlore 25.04.2025 8:20

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Pete Gogolak 18.04.2025 8:08

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Libby Riddles 11.04.2025 6:45

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Pudge Heffelfinger 04.04.2025 15:22

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Errol Tobias 28.03.2025 11:31

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Emlen Tunnell 21.03.2025 9:49

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Akebono 14.03.2025 10:31

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Jay Berwanger 07.03.2025 7:52

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Kathrine Switzer 28.02.2025 11:50

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.

If You're Not First, You're Last! Moses Malone 21.02.2025 12:31

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.

Unknown Legends - The Springbok Minyan 22.03.2024 27:26

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? Liste...

Unknown Legends - Urban Shocker - A Pitcher with a Cool Name and Cooler Story 15.03.2024 11:16

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 h...