The Lost Teams Podcast: Recent Episodes
Andrew Lennox
At the Lost Teams Podcast, we tell the story of professional sports teams that have been lost, either by contraction, insolvency or just by moving to another market. More importantly, Lost Teams explains how these lost franchises changed the course of history and impacted modern pro sports.
In Episode 29, Andrew and Anthony discuss the Los Angeles KISS, an arena football team owned by the band KISS. the team lasted three years and was more of a circus than a successful football franchise. Check out more in this episode!
In episode 28, Andrew tells the story of the Detroit Caesars, a professional softball team in the American Professional Slo-Pitch Softball League. The team was owned by Little Caesar's founder and professional sports owner Mike Ilitch. Ilitch paid some of his players more than the MLB minimum salary and filled the team's home stadium. Find out more here!
In episode 27, Anthony tells the story of the New York/Brooklyn Americans. They were New York City's first NHL team and the second American NHL team behind the Boston Bruins. The Americans were wildly popular in their first season despite not being competitive. As a result, New York's second NHL team, the Rangers were founded and spelled the eventual end of the Americans. Find out more in episode 27!
In episode 26, Anthony tells the story of the Dallas Texans. The last NFL to disband without moving to another city or carrying on its legacy to any other team. The team helped integrate the NFL and break the color barrier but failed to support its black fans and players off the field. It was also coached by a man who preferred his players play volleyball or drink during practice but somehow is responsible for one of the biggest upsets in football history. Once it collapsed, the aftermath changed professional football forever in multiple cities.
In episode 25, Andrew Lennox tells the story of the Winnipeg Thunder basketball team, who made an honest effort to survive but ultimately succumbed in a league that only allowed players 6 foot 5 and below to compete.
In episode 24, Anthony tells the short but riveting story of the Spirits of St. Louis, an ABA basketball team that only lasted two seasons but carried a legacy that lasted almost four decades. From their star players to the startling upset they pulled and the insane ending of their franchise, the Spirits have a fascinating story.
After an uninspired first attempt at discussing the Las Vegas Thunder, Anthony and Andrew try again. This time with more energy and info on some of the NHL players that played on the Thunder including Manon Rheaume, the female goalie who played an exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Also find out which NHL referee played for the Thunder before his NHL reffing days.
In episode 22, Anthony tells the story of the Kentucky Colonels, one of the most successful ABA teams that did not get absorbed into the NBA. The Colonels not playing in the NBA set in motion a mind blowing series of events. Listen in to find out.
In episode 21 Part 12 Andrew an Anthony continue their interview with Shannan Mitchem Lovelady a member of the Colorado Silver Bullets women's professional baseball team. In Part 2 Shannan tells us more about Phil Niekro, some more funny and interesting stories from her time in the game and goes into the grind of what it was like being a female professional baseball player.
In episode 21 Part 1, Andrew an Anthony interview Shannan Mitchem Lovelady a member of the Colorado Silver Bullets women's professional baseball team. Shannan was a member of the team for its entire existence. She discusses life as a female professional baseball player including stories about her favorite teammates, her coach Phil Niekro, and what she and her teammates went through in a male dominated sport, playing against men.
In episode 20, Andrew tells the story of the Buffalo Stampede, a roller hockey team from Roller Hockey International, a league that existed through most of the 1990s.
In Episode 19, guest host Jeff Hardwick tells the story of the Quebec Nordiques, who began as a punchline in the WHA and worked their way up to becoming one of the league's flagship teams before being absorbed into the NHL.
In episode 18, Anthony tells the story of the Boston Minutemen, a professional soccer team in the NASL. The Minutemen had a number of imported international players including Eusebio, a Portuguese star who is considered the second best from that country all time after Christiano Ronaldo. The Minutemen were also involved in a riot when Boston played Pele's New York Cosmos.
Seattle Kraken Director of Corporate Partnership Activation Allison Bickford tells us about what it's like working for the Seattle Kraken and what we might expect when they debut in 2021. Allison tells us about the arena, the city's reception to the team, and some of the ideas around game experience and the history of Seattle hockey that people have been kicking around the office.
Special guest Kevin Ticen, author of "When It Mattered Most: The Forgotten Story of America’s First Stanley Cup, and the War to End All Wars," tells us about the Seattle Metropolitans, the first team based in the US to win the legendary trophy for hockey's best team. We also discuss the return of hockey to Seattle with the Seattle Kraken.
Special guest Drew Crossley, creator of funwhileitlasted.net tells us the story of the Pittsburgh Maulers, a pro football team that played one season in the USFL.
Anthony tells the story of the Leadville Blues, a baseball team from the late 1800s that hired a bunch of major leaguers to compete for their city, which is the third-highest city in the United States.
In Episode 14, Andrew tells the story of the Nashua Pride/ The American Defenders of New Hampshire, a former independent minor league baseball team in the Can-Am League.
In Episode 13, guest host "Rollie the Goalie" tells us the story of the Toronto Blueshirts, another team that predated the NHL but was a major reason the league came into existence. Find out why!
In episode 11, Anthony tells the story of the Vermont Expos/Lake Monsters, the short-season minor league baseball team that was an affiliate of the Montreal Expos and later the Washington Nationals and Oakland As.
In episode 11 of The Lost Teams Podcast, special guest Steve Kenton tells the story of Wimbledon F.C. an English professional soccer team that existed for over a century.
In episode ten of The Lost Teams Podcast, Anthony tells the story of Los Angeles' first professional sports franchise, the All-American Football Conference's Los Angeles Dons. Andrew goes over his favorite hockey nicknames and where they came from.
In episode nine of The Lost Teams Podcast, Andrew talks about the struggles of Continental Basketball Association's Flint Fuze and Anthony tells the story of the Montreal Wanderers, an Stanley Cup winning hockey team that predated the NHL.
In episode eight of The Lost Teams Podcast, Anthony tells the sad story of the ABA's Anaheim Amigos, the first team to officially identify as being from Anaheim. Andrew talks about the Colorado Silver Bullets, a women's professional baseball team sponsored by Coors brewing company that played mostly everywhere except Colorado.
In episode Seven of The Lost Teams Podcast, Andrew tells the ridiculous story of the American Soccer League's Chicago Cats. Anthony dicusses the history of an early NFL franchise, the Frankford Yellow Jackets
In episode six of The Lost Teams Podcast, Anthony tells the story of the NBA's Washington Capitols (not Capitals) and their historic contributions to the sport of basketball, including how they helped break the NBA's color barrier. Andrew lists his favorite early baseball nicknames!
In episode five of The Lost Teams Podcast, special guest Steve Duncan tells the story of the Philadelphia Blazers; a World Hockey Association team that flew by the seat of its pants, but changed professional hockey for the better in many ways.
In episode four of the Lost Teams Podcast, Anthony and Andrew talk baseball. Anthony tells the story of the Baltimore Terrapins, the legendary name they indirectly unleashed upon the MLB and the lawsuit they filed that still has a major effect on baseball. Andrew discusses the history of the Minneapolis Millers, a long time minor league team who has had its own legendary names grace its roster.
In episode three of the Lost Teams Podcast, Anthony tells the interesting and frustrating story of the Boston Braves football team and the controversial franchise they eventually became. Andrew discusses the short-lived existence of the NHL's Cleveland Barons, who struggled to reach a following and eventually became another lost team.
In episode two, Anthony tells you the story of the NBA's Toronto Huskies, the first Canadian team in NBA history who also played the first game in NBA history against the New York Knicks. Andrew discusses the Baltimore Stallions, the only successful team in the Canadian Football League's short-lived American division.
In our first episode, Andrew tells you about the history of long-lost ABA basketball team, the Pittsburgh Pipers, including their attempt to lure an NBA great. Then Anthony tells you the story of Southern California's first pro hockey team and how they indirectly changed the landscape of sports history and one of LA's most beloved franchises.