The K.P. Wee Podcast

The greatest mascot of all-time, the Famous Chicken makes an appearance on the podcast as Ted Giannoulas relives some of the most memorable moments of his career with host K.P. Wee. Originally known as the KGB Chicken and the San Diego Chicken, Ted began entertaining fans at Padres baseball games in the 1970s—while dressed in a huge yellow chicken costume. With his clever comedy routines and antics, he revolutionized in-game entertainment and revitalized attendance in San Diego, leading to other teams introducing their own mascots to entertain fans.

In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of the two-part conversation with Ted, who has also entertained at other sporting events and concerts, and has made appearances at trade shows, conventions, and parades, too. Please enjoy!

In March 1974—47 years ago this month—Ted Giannoulas was hired by KGB-FM Radio in San Diego to wear a yellow chicken costume as part of a promotion to distribute Easter eggs to children at the San Diego Zoo. Shortly after, Ted began appearing at Padres baseball games—and the rest was sports mascot history. Now known as the Famous Chicken and the greatest mascot of all-time, Ted Giannoulas makes an appearance on the podcast to relieve some of the most memorable moments of his career with host K.P. Wee. Here is Part 1 of a two-part series with the Famous Chicken. Please enjoy!

Today's episode features part of a conversation with former NHL goaltender Bill Ranford, who recalls his heroic 1990 Stanley Cup playoff run with the Edmonton Oilers. It's part of a longer chat with the winner of the 1990 Conn Smythe Trophy (as playoff MVP), which was recorded in February 2021 and will be featured in a new book that I'm writing.

Currently the goaltending coach of the Los Angeles Kings, Ranford (who was traded 33 years ago this week on March 8, 1988, from the Bruins to the Oilers) played 15 seasons in the NHL with Boston, Edmonton, Washington, Tampa Bay, and Detroit. His playing career also included a 1991 Canada Cup and a gold medal at the 1994 World Championships.

*If you enjoyed the music featured on the podcast, please check out Roger Chong (Twitter: @chongroger). The piece is titled "Taking It in Strides."

In this episode, a special "This Week in Baseball History" edition, sports consultant Jason Takefman joins host K.P. Wee to reminisce about baseball news and sports memories from the week of March 1st from past years. It's just two sports fans having fun talking sports. Topics include pranks, the importance of team chemistry in sports, and athletes "hanging on" too long.

Takefman—a long-time sports executive in Minor League Baseball, the NHL, and the UFC—also co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Baseball Writers: The IBWAA Podcast."

To connect with Jason Takefman, follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-takefman-executive-mba-5156a42a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonbtakefman (@JasonBTakefman)

Baseball Writers: IBWAA Podcast https://twitter.com/ibwaapodcast

Happy February birthday to Stephan Lebeau, who joins this episode to reflect on his National Hockey League career. The former Montreal Canadiens center went from being undrafted to scoring 31 goals in 1992-93 and winning a Stanley Cup with the Habs in 1993. Thirty years ago this month (February 20, 1991), Stephan also played on the same line with his brother Patrick Lebeau for the Habs. He shares some of those amazing memories with listeners in this episode.

For the book which Stephan referenced at the end ("The 1993 Canadiens: Seven Magical Weeks, Unlikely Heroes and Canada's Last Stanley Cup Champions," written by host K.P. Wee), check out:

https://www.amazon.com/1993-Canadiens-Magical-Unlikely-Champions/dp/1626015465

Former Los Angeles Dodgers team photographer Richard Kee joins the podcast for the second time, and reminisces about Tommy Lasorda, Jay Johnstone, and Don Sutton. He also discusses some of the more interesting photos in his collection and the stories behind them, including one featuring Dusty Baker and another on "Blue Monday" in the 1981 National League Championship Series.

Richard's work can be found on ultimategamefaces.com.

Milwaukee Brewers radio play-by-play broadcaster Jeff Levering, who also does college hoops on FS1 and the Big Ten Network along with college football games on FOX, discusses his career on the mic and shares memories about his journey to get to where he is today.

The 2020 National Sports Media Association Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year, Jeff also talks about some of the advice he has learned from some of the best in the business, and shares tips to students and others on what it takes to "get into the game."

Follow Jeff on Twitter: @JLevering4 (https://twitter.com/jlevering4)

In this episode, a "This Week in Sports History" edition, sports consultant Jason Takefman joins host K.P. Wee to reminisce about sports news and memories from the week of January 4th from past years. It's just two sports fans having fun talking sports. Topics include most impactful trades made by the teams they rooted for, favourite "most unbreakable records," and favourite stories about baseball Hall of Fame legends who passed away in 2020.

Takefman—a long-time sports executive in Minor League Baseball, the NHL, and the UFC—also co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Baseball Writers: The IBWAA Podcast."

To connect with Jason Takefman, follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-takefman-executive-mba-5156a42a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonbtakefman (@JasonBTakefman)

Baseball Writers: IBWAA Podcast https://twitter.com/ibwaapodcast

If you enjoyed the podcast intro music, "The Wonder of Stevie" by jazz guitarist and musician Roger Chong, please follow Roger on Twitter/Instagram: @chongroger

In this episode, Greg Savoie of "Pucking Funny" podcast stops by to talk about his amazing show dedicated to hockey and other sports, on which hockey is "discussed in a light and fun way." Born and raised in Montreal but now residing just outside of Sydney, Greg talks about what it's like following hockey in Australia. He also discusses what got him started with "Pucking Funny" podcast and also the special "Women in Hockey" series which he's running in December 2020.

"Pucking Funny," which features guests from hockey and other sports, can be heard wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Please subscribe, like, and leave a review!

To connect with Greg Savoie, follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregoire.savoie (Full name: Gregoire Savoie)

Instagram: @puckingfunnypod

In this episode, Montreal-based sports consultant Jason Takefman, also of "Baseball Writers: The IBWAA Podcast," makes his return to the podcast and discusses his thoughts on the Cleveland Indians' intention to change their team nickname and the Negro Leagues' being reclassified as a major league. The main part of the discussion, though, is a debate about the Baseball Hall of Fame and the candidacies of former Atlanta Braves center fielder Andruw Jones and others, with Takefman attempting to convince K.P. Wee about Jones, in particular.

Takefman is also a long-time sports executive in Minor League Baseball, the NHL, and the UFC.

To connect with Jason Takefman, follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-takefman-executive-mba-5156a42a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonbtakefman (@JasonBTakefman)

Baseball Writers: IBWAA Podcast https://twitter.com/ibwaapodcast