Hang Up And Listen

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the end of the Tokyo Olympics. They also discuss NFL players who’ve refused to get the COVID vaccine, and what the league should do about it. Finally, author Simon Kuper explains the tearful end of Lionel Messi’s brilliant career at F.C. Barcelona.   Olympics (3:31): The troubled 2020 Olympics could reset how fans view athletes and the games.   NFL (22:32): Kirk Cousins would rather surround himself with Plexiglas than get vaccinated.   Lionel Messi (42:12): Why did it have to end this way? And what’s next for Messi and his longtime club?   Afterball (57:53): Joel on the tiny countries that bagged Olympics hardware for the first time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the latest in the saga of Simone Biles at the Tokyo Olympics. They also assess the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s semifinals loss to Canada and other stories from the Summer Games. Finally, Jeff Passan of ESPN joins to talk about Major League Baseball’s trade deadline.   Biles (2:31): What are the bigger picture lessons of the gymnastics legend’s Tokyo opt-out? Olympics (23:45): A surprise in the men’s 100 meters and a smile in the men’s high jump.   Baseball (42:34): MLB’s trade deadline was the craziest in history.   Afterball (1:04:55): Stefan on the return of Olympic Channel News, the state-run broadcasting service of the Summer Games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA’s first Black female CEO. After spending 36 years in senior management at AT&T, Cynt pivoted to the sports industry where her values-based leadership has transformed the Mavericks’ culture to emphasize community and employee engagement. Cynt’s authentic and humanizing perspectives shed light on how empathy and technology can help us stay connected and enhance shared experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the weirdness of the Tokyo Olympics being staged without spectators. They also assess the wobbly starts by the U.S. men’s basketball and women’s gymnastics teams. Finally, they examine the implications of Texas and Oklahoma seeking to leave the Big 12 for the powerhouse SEC.  Olympic atmosphere (2:39): The absence of fans has made for a weird start to the Summer Games.   Olympic sports (24:41): Simone Biles and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team stumbled in the preliminary competition.   SEC (47:11): Will Texas and Oklahoma usher in a major realignment in college sports?   Afterball (1:09:12): Josh on baseball broadcast pioneer Mary Shane, the subject of the latest episode of his new podcast series, One Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate's new podcast One Year and will introduce you to people and ideas that changed American history--one year at a time. The show is hosted by your Hang Up and Listen host Josh Levin. And our first season covers 1977: a year when gay rights hung in the balance, Roots dominated the airwaves, and Jesus appeared on a tortilla. This episode introduces you to Mary Shane, who made history with the Chicago White Sox as the first woman hired as a legitimate major-league baseball announcer. But in 1977, she had to fight to be taken seriously in one of America’s most sexist industries. One Year is produced by Josh Levin, Evan Chung, and Madeline Ducharme. Mixing by Merritt Jacob. Like this episode? Subscribe to One Year on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by New York Times Tokyo bureau chief Motoko Rich to discuss the troubled run-up to the Olympics. They also talk about the dominance and humility of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Finally, they review Space Jam: A New Legacy.   Olympics (2:53): The Summer Games face positive coronavirus tests, public antipathy, and heat and humidity.   NBA Finals (22:59): How Giannis led the Bucks back against the Suns.   Space Jam (42:50): Just how bad is the Warner Bros. sequel starring LeBron James?   Afterball (1:04:25): Stefan on pitcher Wayne Garland, who flopped in 1977 after signing one of baseball’s first big free-agent contracts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Nicky Bandini of the Guardian to discuss Italy’s victory over England in the Euro 2020 final. Next, they talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, and the first three games of the NBA Finals. Finally, they assess the pitching and hitting phenom Shohei Ohtani. Euro 2020 (4:19): Italy beat England but the final was marred by racist and violent fan behavior.   NBA Finals (25:04): Giannis Antetokounmpo is remarkable at a young age, Chris Paul at an old one. Shohei Ohtani (46:22): Is the Japanese pitcher and hitter better than Babe Ruth? Afterball (1:06:41): Josh on the reaction to Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon triumph. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s marijuana suspension. Penn State professor Amira Rose Davis joins to discuss Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry and Black women activists in sports. And finally, a look at the first week of new name, image, and likeness rules in the NCAA.   Sha’Carri Richardson (02:28): Why is marijuana a banned substance in the first place?   Black women activists (20:59) How athlete protests have evolved and what to expect at the Tokyo Games.   NIL (46:32): College athletes signed a range of deals in a wild first week of commercial rights.   Afterball (1:03:06): Stefan on a Myanmar men’s national soccer team player who protested against the military dictatorship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss NFL player Carl Nassib’s historic announcement. They also talk about the key players and storylines in the NBA conference finals. Finally, they assess the Week in Sports Idiocy.   Nassib (1:55): The significance of an active NFL player coming out.   NBA (24:09): What Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young have in common.   Week in Sports Idiocy (42:19): The Tour de France and the College World Series were prime idiot-spotting territory.   Afterball (56:44): Joel on 17-year-old track star Erriyon Knighton. Podcast production by Margaret Kelley. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss NBA injuries, Kevin Durant’s heroics, and Ben Simmons’ struggles. Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern also joins to assess the Supreme Court’s decision in NCAA v. Alston. Finally, David Epstein talks about distance runner Shelby Houlihan, who claims her positive drug test came from eating a burrito.   NBA (3:14): What does the data say about NBA injuries? And what happened to the Nets and Sixers?   Alston v. NCAA (24:13): Does this week’s unanimous ruling put the college sports business model in peril?   Houlihan (46:50): The case against the American track star, and why she might be telling the truth.   Afterball (66:33): Stefan on the on-field death of NFL player Chuck Hughes. Podcast production by Margaret Kelley. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen’s collapse at the UEFA European Championship. Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated also joins to talk about baseball pitchers slathering the ball with goo. Finally, Stefan and Josh interview Jon Wertheim about Glory Days, his new book on sports in 1984.   Eriksen (2:14): The agony of waiting to see if the soccer star was OK.   Sticky stuff (22:28): What will baseball’s powers that be do about the game’s latest scandal?   1984 (43:58): How Michael Jordan, Lakers vs. Celtics, Martina Navratilova, and more changed the sports landscape forever.   Afterball (60:25): Stefan, Josh, and Jon Wertheim on the French Open. Podcast production by Margaret Kelley. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Sam Anderson to discuss Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets. They also discuss the U.S. men’s national team’s win over Mexico and the retirement of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. Durant (01:52): What makes him unique among NBA superstars.   Soccer (21:44): Is the U.S. men’s national team’s latest victory meaningful or meaningless? Coach K (42:06): Understanding the legacy of a college basketball legend. Afterball (61:06): Josh on Mike Krzyzewski and Abar Rouse. Podcast production by Margaret Kelley. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about what Naomi Osaka’s French Open withdrawal reveals about athletes and mental health and athletes and the press. They also discuss the spate of atrocious fan behavior in NBA arenas, and Rebecca Schuman joins for a conversation about Simone Biles’ latest feat of gymnastics excellence. Osaka (2:20): How the controversy over her French Open comments played out, and what comes next.   NBA (25:44): Has fan behavior reached a new low or are we just paying closer attention? Biles (45:47): Why her new vault is so amazing, and why judges are undervaluing it. Afterball (63:26): Remembering Lee Evans, who staged a quiet protest at the 1968 Olympics. Podcast production by Margaret Kelley. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by Shutdown Fullcast’s Spencer Hall to discuss the start of the NBA playoffs and the spate of injuries befalling NBA stars. They also discuss Phil Mickelson’s PGA Championship triumph and Tim Tebow’s possible NFL return. NBA (2:46): How LeBron looks, and how injuries have changed pro basketball’s postseason outlook. Golf (18:30): How the 50-year-old Mickelson did it, and what his victory means for older athletes. Tebow (34:05): Will he make it as a tight end? Is it possible to have a good Tebow take? Afterball (51:04): Josh on the found art of Major League Baseball transaction logs. Podcast production by Margaret Kelley. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham to discuss the rise of the New York Knicks and the start of the NBA playoffs. The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings also joins to talk about the start of the WNBA season. Finally, Joe Drape of the New York Times assesses the case against racehorse trainer Bob Baffert. NBA (3:42): Does the Knicks’ return to non-terribleness matter? And what are the big storylines going into the playoffs? WNBA (24:42): The return of Sabrina Ionescu and other big news from the league’s opening weekend. Horse racing (42:58): Is the sport turning on Bob Baffert after yet another doping scandal? Afterball (58:39): Joel on Sam Houston State’s football championship. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Podcast production by Margaret Kelley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the upcoming NBA play-in tournament. They also discuss the latest brouhaha over violence in the National Hockey League and they assess NFL wide receiver DK Metcalf’s performance against pro sprinters.   NBA (2:49): Why LeBron James hates the play-in games and most everyone else loves them.   NHL (21:21): Does hockey have a cultural problem or a Tom Wilson problem?   DK Metcalf (43:03): He didn’t come close to winning. He still proved something.   Afterball (61:37): Josh on Armando Galarraga’s almost-perfect game, 10 years later. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Podcast production by Margaret Kelley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin welcome a trio of guests. Master Tesfatsion of Bleacher Report discusses the NFL draft. Ben Lindbergh of the Ringer explains why moving back the pitcher’s mound could boost Major League Baseball’s anemic offenses. And Rebecca Schuman talks about the leotard, the unitard, and the sexualization of female gymnasts.   NFL draft (3:06): Five quarterbacks got picked in the first round. No one really knows if they’ll succeed.   Baseball (26:09): A minor league is moving the mound back one foot. Will the majors try it next?   Gymnastics (48:48): Why it’s revolutionary that a trio of German women have ditched the leotard.   Afterball (01:06:26): Joel on why high school sports matter, especially for transgender athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Tariq Panja of the New York Times to discuss European soccer’s Super League fiasco. Stefan, Josh, and Joel Anderson then talk about Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s absurd month. Plus, an interview with researcher Joanna Harper about transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.   Super League (2:11): Why did it implode? What comes next?   Stephen Curry (26:04): Assessing one of the most incredible months in the history of the NBA.   Joanna Harper (43:45): An interview with the transgender runner and researcher about the science, politics, and culture war around trans girls and women in sports.   Afterball (63:34): Josh on the many grudges of new LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.  Podcast production by Margaret Kelley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Ken Early of the Irish Times to talk about European soccer’s proposed Super League. They also discuss the NFL’s top quarterback prospects and they debate whether Triller Fight Club is the future of boxing.   Super League (2:10): What is this new soccer proposal? Why is it making everyone so mad? Is there any way to stop it?   Quarterbacks (21:40): What we know about Trevor Lawrence and crew, and why so many QBs will likely get picked at the top of the first round.   Boxing (38:52): Are Jake Paul, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Evander Holyfield the salvation for a dying sport?   Afterball (52:19): Stefan on the San Diego Sockers music video “One for the Thumb.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the sports world’s pandemic purgatory. They also ponder what sports feats have still yet to be achieved. Finally, Luke Epplin joins to discuss his book Our Team and the story of Larry Doby, the second player to break baseball’s modern color barrier. Pandemic purgatory (3:11): What to make of the Texas Rangers’ full stadium and the Vancouver Canucks’ 20-plus positive COVID tests. Rare sports feats (20:30): The Padres have, at last, thrown a no-hitter. What achievement can we cross of the list next? Larry Doby (35:37): The first Black player in the American League was a pioneer in his own right. Afterball (54:30): Joel on North Carolina’s JV men’s basketball team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices