Detroit City of Champions

1935. The Great Depression. Detroit is ranked as the hardest hit city in America. Speramus Meliora Resurgent Cineribus Akin to a miracle something incredible began to happen. Detroit began to win in a way that had never been seen before…or since. The Tigers, Lions and Red Wings all won their first Championships. An unknown Joe Louis would rise to international super stardom. Speed boat racing, tennis, track and field, golf, bowling, swimming, firearms…champions all and all from Detroit. In this calendar year the city could claim 33 national championships. A celebration followed that has no equal in the annals of American sport. Holidays were declared, a plaque was signed by the president as well as every governor in the country recognizing Detroit as THE City of Champions… …and then…the story was forgotten. What happened in 1935? How did it happen? Why was it forgotten? Why should we care? These topics and many more will be explored by veteran radio host Jamie Flanagan a

Podcasting since 2020 • 120 episodes

Detroit City of Champions

Latest Episodes

A Detroit Baseball Time Travel Story With Real History Inside

A dusty closet under a ballpark sounds harmless until it becomes a doorway to the past. We talk with author and genealogist Timothy Bernard Carr about Timing Is Everything, a fast-moving historical fiction time travel novel that starts in Detro...

April 02, 2026 • 42:01

World War II, Boxing, And Detroit’s Champion

A heavyweight crown can change a career. Fighting for dignity can change a country. We sit down with historian Randy Roberts to explore how Joe Louis moved from Detroit icon to global symbol during World War II, turning quiet resolve into a pow...

November 25, 2025 • 28:40

Champions Don't Sleep: How Detroit Dominated Every Sport in 1935 - Ep116

The remarkable story of Detroit's 1935 "City of Champions" status stands as perhaps the greatest untold achievement in American sports history. When the Lions captured the NFL championship, the Tigers claimed the World Series, and the Red Wings...

August 18, 2025 • 59:15

The Ivory Hunters: History of the Detroit Tigers Scouting and Development: Del Baker- EP 115

Ever wondered how a single year could define a city’s sports legacy? Join us as we revisit the exhilarating year of 1935 when Detroit's Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings each clinched their first championships, earning the city the moniker "City of ...

August 19, 2024 • 1:12:41

Ivory Hunters: History of the Detroit Tigers Scouting & Development Pt 5: Bob Coleman Ep 114

Step into the golden era of Detroit sports with us as Jamie Flanagan and Charles Avison unveil the meticulous research and dedication that brought the legendary athletes of 1935 back to life. Journey through time as Charles recounts his thrilli...

July 16, 2024 • 1:12:46

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