Hang Up and Listen

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by the Wall Street Journal’s Ben Cohen to talk about the latest on the coronavirus and sports. They also interview Cohen about his book  The Hot Hand: The Mystery and Science of Streaks . Finally, they assess a chaotic week in New York professional basketball.   Coronavirus (1:52):  When will our sense of American exceptionalism end and reali...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the rise of Zion Williamson. They also discuss the legends and myths of the NFL’s scouting combine and assess how the spread of the coronavirus will affect sports around the world.   Zion (3:59):  Understanding   the might and charisma of the teenage NBA superstar.   NFL combine (19:49):  Is pro football’s annual scouting carnival actually us...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the push for a 17-game NFL season and John Beilein’s short, tumultuous tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Joseph Bien-Kahn also joins to discuss ultrarunner Jim Walmsley’s quest to qualify for the Olympic marathon. NFL (01:42):  The pros and cons of a longer professional football season. Beilein (17:31):  He was a great college basketball c...

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and special guest Lindsay Gibbs talk about the fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. They also discuss WNBA free agency and the rise of Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu. Finally, they review the Netflix docuseries  Cheer . Astros (03:13):  What should we make of baseball players’ anger toward their Houston brethren? Women’s basketball (19:53):  What’s the deal...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the opening weekend of the new XFL. They also discuss the Houston Rockets’ small-ball experiment and review ESPN’s new Michael Vick documentary. XFL (01:57):  Is the latest iteration of Vince McMahon’s NFL competitor built to last? Rockets (22:48):  Is playing super-duper small a smart idea, a desperate ploy, or a smart idea that’s also a des...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the Chiefs’ win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Stefan and Josh are then joined by the New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas to discuss the wins by Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin at the Australian Open. Super Bowl (01:31):  The great Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a comeback victory as Andy Reid outcoached Kyle Shanahan. Australian Open (24:34):  H...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Kobe Bryant’s on-court and off-court legacies with NPR’s Gene Demby and Lindsay Gibbs of the Power Plays! newsletter and the Burn It All Down podcast.   Kobe’s shocking death (00:50):  What we felt when we heard about the helicopter crash, and why his peers thought Kobe was Michael Jordan’s heir.   Kobe on the court (14:09):  Why so many fans...

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about how the Chiefs and 49ers made the Super Bowl. They also discuss the new Netflix documentary  Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez . Finally, Fatsis and Mike Pesca interview the greatest  Jeopardy!  player of all time, Ken Jennings. Chiefs and 49ers (02:49):  On Patrick Mahomes,   the 49ers’ running game, Andy Reid, and Kyle Shanahan. Aa...

Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and new Hang Up and Listen co-host Joel Anderson revel in LSU’s win over Clemson in college football’s title game. ESPN’s Jeff Passan talks about MLB’s punishment of the Houston Astros. Finally, Daniel Engber discusses his story on a rape accusation against three New York Mets, and how those players were never charged. LSU-Clemson (04:21):  How the Tigers from Baton Roug...

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Slate’s Seth Stevenson to discuss the Patriots’ playoff loss and the post-NFL life of Rob Gronkowski. ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan also joins to talk about the legacy of NBA commissioner David Stern. Finally, they interview Theo Anthony about his documentary  Subject to Review .   Patriots and Gronk (01:39):  Why couldn’t Tom Brady and Bill Belichick pull it t...

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by Spencer Hall to talk about the College Football Playoff. They also interview Matthew Goodman about his book on the CCNY point-shaving scandal,  The City Game . Finally, they review the greatest sports moments of the decade.   College Football Playoff (01:45):  How LSU destroyed Oklahoma and Clemson squeaked out a win over Ohio State.   The City Game  (23:...

Josh Levin and Stefan Fatsis are joined by the Ringer’s Bryan Curtis to discuss the Dallas Cowboys’ demise. Power Plays’ Lindsay Gibbs also joins to talk about WNBA owner and incoming GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler. Finally, “barking dog” Jason Holt on his moment of basketball glory.   Cowboys (01:24):  Why has owner Jerry Jones accepted mediocrity for so long? And what’s next for one of the NFL’s showca...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Undefeated’s Lonnae O’Neal to talk about Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Sports Illustrated’s Emma Baccellieri also joins to discuss baseball free agency. Finally, author Damon Young chats about the rise of Bronny James.   Lamar Jackson (01:24):  What’s the   larger significance of this particular black quarterback?   MLB free agency (18:4...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Banner Society’s Spencer Hall to discuss the college football playoff. The Athletic’s Wosny Lambre also joins to talk about the surging Los Angeles Lakers. Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Louise Radnofsky explains skaters’ strange obsession with Schindler’s List.   College football (01:53):  Why Clemson is mad, how LSU got good, and other playoff-relat...

At a live show in Washington, D.C., Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by NPR’s Gene Demby to discuss the state of sports media. Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson also joins to talk about her comeback as a mother. Finally, Demby, Lindsay Gibbs, and Dave McKenna ponder ethical dilemmas in sports.   State of sports media (01:38):  How have our consumption habits changed since the death o...

Josh Levin interviews the Athletic’s John Hollinger about his career inside and outside the NBA. Topics discussed include the rise of Luka Doncic, how Hollinger came up with player efficiency rating, his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, and trading Marc Gasol.   Luka Doncic (02:15):  How the 20-year-old became a star and how he could keep getting better.   PER (07:55):  The birth of the NBA’s mo...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Nate Jackson to discuss Colin Kaepernick’s workout and Myles Garrett’s helmet smash; the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh assesses the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scheme; and Asif Kapadia talks about his documentary  Diego Maradona . Kaepernick and Garrett (02:58):  Did Kaepernick hurt his chances to play in the NFL? And what should we make of Garrett’s burst of...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Banner Society’s Spencer Hall to discuss LSU’s win over Alabama; by Slate’s Joel Anderson to chat about the NCAA going after Ohio State’s Chase Young and Memphis’ James Wiseman; and by the New York Times’ Lindsay Crouse to talk about runner Mary Cain’s allegations of abuse against Nike and coach Alberto Salazar.   LSU-Alabama (02:17):  How the Tigers brok...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by former Deadspin staffers Megan Greenwell, Tom Ley, and Barry Petchesky to discuss the site’s demise and what caused it. Topics covered include the conflicts between writers, editors, and management; journalism and private equity; and how Deadspin evolved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh to discuss the Astros’ massive World Series comeback. Deadspin’s Laura Wagner also joins to talk about Houston’s front office debacle, and the New Yorker’s Vinson Cunningham assesses Week 1 of the NBA season.   World Series (03:37):  How Houston   turned it around and how Max Scherzer’s neck undid Washington.   Astros front offi...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by ESPN’s Jeff Passan to discuss the World Series matchup between the Astros and Nationals. The Ringer’s Kevin Clark also joins to talk about the Rams’ deal for Jalen Ramsey, and Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl assesses the U.S. men’s national soccer team.   World Series (01:45):  How Houston and Washington made it and what to watch for when they square off....

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic’s Ethan Strauss to talk about LeBron James’ comments on China; the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh discusses the Nationals’ playoff run and why baseballs aren’t flying as far; and Ed Caesar assesses marathon record breakers Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei.   LeBron, the NBA, and China (02:19):  Why the league’s travails are getting worse, and what th...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Joshua Keating to talk about the NBA’s China kerfuffle. ESPN’s Sam Miller also joins to discuss the baseball playoffs and David Epstein assesses Alberto Salazar’s doping suspension and the world track and field championships in Qatar. NBA and China (02:02): How Daryl Morey’s tweet about the Hong Kong protests instigated an international incident a...

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Slate’s Allison Benedikt to answer your questions about youth sports. Topics covered include whether and how to teach your kids how to talk trash, how to balance sports time with family leisure time, and whether it’s ethical to watch football if you don’t want your child to play football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Undefeated’s Jesse Washington to talk about the latest allegations against Antonio Brown and the story of a high school wrestler who was instructed to cut off his dreadlocks. The Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh also assesses the disappointing Cubs and Red Sox and the surprising Twins. Antonio Brown (01:17): What we should make of the latest twists in the Brown...