Hang Up And Listen

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by TV producer Mike Schur for a special episode: a debate on which sports have generated the best art and made the greatest contributions to culture. Topics discussed include Schur’s Field of Dreams adaptation, whether basketball or football has a greater canon, and if boxing will lose its cultural footprint.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh to talk about Luis Arraez’s run at a .400 batting average. The Athletic’s Steph Yang also joins to discuss the U.S. women’s national team’s World Cup roster. Finally, college golfers Maycee Kay Aycock and Sarah Marshall come on to explain why they stuck with the sport despite shooting some of the worst scores of all time.   .400 (3:14): Why it’s still a magic number in baseball.   USWNT (21:57): Will injuries doom them at the World Cup?   Bad golfers (42:26): How two women from Meredith College became sports heroes.   Afterball (1:02:08): Josh on meat judging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Joel Anderson talk about whether the Pelicans should trade Zion Williamson. Josh and Stefan are also joined by the Athletic’s Paul Tenorio to discuss the U.S. men’s national soccer team's wins over Mexico and Canada and the rehiring of Gregg Berhalter. Finally, Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal joins for a conversation about how Vegas became America’s No. 1 sports town.   Zion (4:47): The Pelicans are in a very tough spot.   U.S. soccer (27:35): Why Gregg Berhalter got his old job back.   Las Vegas (56:14): How it went from a sports desert to every league’s favorite destination.   Afterball (01:11:36): Stefan on the World Football League’s very colorful pants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to discuss how the Denver Nuggets took a commanding lead in the NBA Finals. Next, Slate’s Henry Grabar comes on to talk about Novak Djokovic’s record-setting French Open title. Finally, Josh is joined by Slate’s Alex Kirshner and the Fried Egg’s Brendan Porath to sort through the PGA Tour’s new deal with the Saudis.   NBA Finals (2:16): What makes Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray a historically great duo?   French Open (26:55): How Djokovic keeps winning.   Golf (49:37): Why the PGA Tour reversed its big moral stand.   Afterball (1:13:34): Josh and Louisa discuss her feature story on how pitcher Daniel Bard lost control, regained it, and lost it again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Jack Hamilton to discuss the NBA Finals. The New York Times’ Tariq Panja also comes on for a conversation about Saudi Arabia’s efforts to lure Lionel Messi and conquer global soccer. Finally, the Athletic’s Zach Buchanan discusses his piece on the pioneering mascot the San Diego Chicken. Nuggets-Heat (3:05): How Miami tied up the series. Saudi soccer (24:18): Can they get Messi? What are they trying to accomplish? The Chicken (42:49): What Ted Giannoulas created. Afterball (1:05:20): Josh on Rodney “Crash” McCray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Joel Anderson to talk about the Celtics’ Game 7 loss to the Heat. They’re also joined by Mike Simmonds of Luton Today for a conversation about Luton Town’s rise to the Premier League. And finally, writer Sam Miller comes on to discuss the indelible image of Randy Johnson killing a bird with a fastball.   Celtics-Heat (6:49): How Boston came so far, and then collapsed.   Luton Town (28:27): The inside scoop on an incredible underdog story.   Baseball and birds (47:15): Why we’re still talking about a pitch from 2001.   Afterball (1:07:07): Stefan on Tom Wambsgans and Bill Wambsganss and Josh on whether Clarence Thomas could dunk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis discuss the Heat and Nuggets and their stars Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jokic. They’re also joined by writers Dave Zirin and Jesse Washington to talk about the life and legacy of Jim Brown. Finally, Defector’s Maitreyi Anantharaman joins to assess Brittney Griner’s return, Becky Hammon’s suspension, and other WNBA storylines.   NBA (3:10): How Miami and Denver are steamrolling to the NBA Finals.   Jim Brown (24:00): He was a football star, a civil rights icon, and a domestic abuser. How should we think about him?   WNBA (54:25): Making sense of the busiest opening week in league history.   Afterball (1:13:56): Stefan on race, wealth, and baseball in Washington, D.C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to discuss the 76ers’ Game 7 loss to the Celtics and other NBA playoff storylines. Meg Rowley of FanGraphs also joins to assess the terrible Oakland A’s and the excellent Tampa Bay Rays. Finally, the New York Times’ Sarah Lyall talks about reporting on the Westminster Dog Show.   NBA (3:26): How Philly blew it and what to look for in the conference finals.   Baseball (30:15): Are the A’s one of the worst teams in history?   Dogs (52:13): How a breed few people have heard of won Best in Show.   Afterball (1:08:41): Stefan on Joe Kapp, NFL labor pioneer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Slate’s Jack Hamilton and Ben Mathis-Lilley discuss Nikola Jokic’s tiff with Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Kevin Durant’s quest for a third title. They also talk about Alabama’s head baseball coach getting fired in a sports gambling scandal. Finally, they assess Bronny James’ decision to go to USC.   NBA (3:11): The subplots and plot twists of the Suns-Nuggets Western Conference semis.   Gambling (24:58): The NCAA and the pro sports leagues are walking a thin line with legalized betting.   Bronny (47:50): What his decision to play college basketball says about the sport and his future prospects.   Afterball (1:05:00): Josh and Jack on gun violence, sports, and the three Virginia football players who were killed in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver to talk about the Warriors’ Game 7 win over the Kings. The Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur also joins to discuss the Bruins’ NHL playoffs flop and the Maple Leafs’ historic first-round victory. Finally, Extra Points’ Matt Brown assesses Deion Sanders’ gutting of the Colorado football team.   Warriors-Kings (3:26): How Steph willed the defending champs to victory.   NHL (6:08): Another year, another regular-season juggernaut that won’t win the title.   Colorado football (48:50): Are Deion Sanders’ roster cuts immoral?   Afterballs (1:11:20): Stefan on a Penn basketball star in the transfer portal and Josh on the time a German soccer club signed the entire Cuban national team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Jack Hamilton to talk about Draymond Green, Dillon Brooks, and NBA villainy. Chicago White Sox announcer Jason Benetti also joins to discuss how to call a baseball game in the pitch-clock era. Finally, Talia Barrington comes on for a conversation about same-sex pairs in figure skating.   NBA villains (3:01): The basketball playoffs need bad guys.   Jason Benetti (24:39): “We are covering a different sport now.”   Same-sex pairs (47:10): Is figure skating ready for a monumental change?   Afterball (1:05:24): Stefan on the Athletics’ long history of threatening to move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Defector’s Patrick Redford to talk about the Sacramento Kings’ first playoff win in 17 years. Defector’s Dave McKenna also joins to commemorate the (supposed) end of Dan Snyder’s ownership of the Washington Commanders. Finally, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim comes on to assess the WTA’s decision to return to China.   Kings (3:21): What it felt and sounded like when Sacramento beat Golden State.   Snyder (23:31): Will D.C. ever recover from his horrific tenure?   WTA (45:47): Is women’s tennis choosing profit over principle?   Afterball (1:07:47): Josh on a remarkable shift in American tennis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton to talk about what went wrong for the Dallas Mavericks and to preview the NBA postseason. Slate’s Jim Newell also joins to discuss Jon Rahm’s Masters win. Finally, they speak with LJ Rader about his Twitter and Instagram accounts Art But Make It Sports.   NBA (4:20): Why did the Mavs lose on purpose? And how is the Western Conference shaping up?   Masters (24:31): What the year’s first major means for LIV and the future of golf.   Art But Make It Sports (44:35): Sports photos + paintings = mash-up magic.   Afterball (1:03:30): Stefan on the baseball Hall of Famer who lived in his childhood home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant to discuss LSU’s victory over Iowa in the women’s NCAA Tournament. Tennis player Matija Pecotic also joins to talk about how he went from a full-time job to victory on the pro tour. Finally, Jody Avirgan discusses his podcast Good Sport and whether sports debate shows are hurting America.   Women’s NCAA Tournament (6:44): The on-court battles and the off-court controversies.   Pecotic (31:00): The star of one of the sports world’s best underdog stories tells all.   Sports debate shows (54:12): What has Stephen A. Smith wrought?   Afterball (01:15:30): Josh on some recent remembrances of Zelmo Beaty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant to talk about Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark. The Washington Post’s Chuck Culpepper also joins to assess the most surprising men’s Final Four ever. Finally, Tom Haberstroh of Meadowlark Media discusses the vitriol directed at NBA referees.   Clark (2:50): The secrets of the Iowa point guard’s success.   Men’s tourney surprises (26:33): Miami? San Diego State? Florida Atlantic?!?   NBA refs (44:20): Who’s responsible for all the rancor?   Afterball (1:07:20): Stefan on the Princeton basketball team’s not-so-sad Sweet Sixteen defeat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, are joined by Slate’s Alex Kirshner to talk about Fairleigh Dickinson’s huge upset over Purdue and Princeton’s run to the Sweet 16. Then, ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez comes on to discuss the historic matchup between the USA and Cuba at the World Baseball Classic. Finally, author David Epstein assesses the legacy of high jumper Dick Fosbury, who invented the immortal Fosbury Flop. Fairleigh Dickinson (2:18): Did the Knights pull off the biggest upset in college basketball history? World Baseball Classic (23:59): What it meant for the Cuban national baseball team to take the field in Miami.  Fosbury (42:41): Where does it rank on the list of all-time sports innovations? Afterball (1:01:32): Josh on Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas talk about what went wrong for the North Carolina men’s basketball team and other NCAA Tournament matters. They also check in on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s standoff with the Baltimore Ravens. Finally, the Athletic’s Nick Miller joins to discuss why the BBC pulled soccer commentator Gary Lineker off the air, and what happened next.   NCAA (5:54): Checking in on the Tar Heels and the sport’s other blue bloods.   Jackson (3:50): Why doesn’t anyone want to give the young star a guaranteed, mega-bucks deal?   Lineker (43:50): The controversy, the resolution, and what it says about the UK.   Afterball (1:00:52): Stefan on whether the Ivy League is ready to change with the times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Washington Post’s Molly Hensley-Clancy to discuss her reporting on the troubles surrounding Ja Morant. ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. also joins to talk about whether Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder will get forced out of the NFL. Finally, they speak to Slate’s Alex Kirshner about the quarterback dilemmas at the top of the NFL Draft. Morant (3:17): What comes next for the Memphis Grizzlies star? Snyder (22:07): The scandals are mounting. Will he finally get the boot? Quarterback prospects (42:07): Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, and the Bears’ big choice at No. 1. Afterball (1:01:05): Josh on podcast ads and the National Council on Problem Gambling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Joseph Goodman of AL.com to talk about the murder roiling the Alabama basketball program. They’re also joined by Jeremy Woo to discuss his Sports Illustrated cover story on French basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama. Finally, CNBC’s Alex Sherman comes on for a conversation about the death of regional sports networks.   Alabama (5:08): Why is star freshman Brandon Miller still playing?   Wembanyama (27:42): Inside the media rollout of the next NBA superstar.   RSNs (48:41): Is the sports TV business model dead?   Afterball (1:11:59): Stefan on a century of complaints about slow baseball games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Kevin Van Valkenburg of No Laying Up to talk about Tiger Woods’ return to tournament golf. Claire Watkins of Just Women’s Sports also joins to discuss the Canadian women’s soccer team’s fight for equal pay. Finally, Michael Baumann of Fangraphs comes on to assess Major League Baseball’s latest rule changes.   Tiger Woods (3:14): His competitors on the PGA Tour think he could win again.   Equal pay (24:46): How the labor battle in Canada is different from the one in the U.S.   New baseball rules (43:43): A pitch clock! Banning the shift! Bases as big as pizza boxes!   Afterball (1:06:19): Josh on ghost runners. Or are they zombie runners? Or something else? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices