Two Writers Slinging Yang

On why tacos with an Astros catcher didn't sell him on a career covering sports; on the complexities and nuances of free speech; on having Talib Kweli as a sibling; on the fairness of new restrictive voting laws. 

On how sports journalists used to receive such tremendous access; on Tiger Woods' parents; on understanding Johnny Unitas via his former teammates.

On delving into his family's past and not fearing what he might find; on writing an open letter to the University of Miami and urging the school to give up football; on why Milt Wagner should have been the next Dr. J; on the sad decline of magazines.

To celebrate the 200th episode, I go back in time 26 years and reflect upon a weird, funky, amazing, cool, stressful run inside the Sports Illustrated Bullpen–where rivalries were fierce, opportunities were golden and journalism careers could be made (or broken).

On the highs and lows of first-time authorship; on trying to get a book to Jerry Seinfeld; on tracking down the catcher with the yips; on having a book release delayed and living to tell about it.

On how we, as an industry, are covering LGBTQ-related issues; on earning the trust of two teen athletes; on describing a scene without having witnessed the scene; on the importance of Sue Bird coming out.

On transitioning from a mainstream publication to starting his own shop; on why the modern athlete is willing to talk to reporters from nontraditional outlets; on his moment in the spotlight with Aaron Rodgers.

On fighting her way into locker rooms and press boxes; on flying with Denzel Washington and having Paul Newman slam the phone; on how to respond when Mickey Mantle passes a note that says, WANNA FUCK?

On tracking down the reclusive Shelly Duvall; on Pee Wee Herman and a diner; on getting celebrities to open up.

On walking the line between ownership, players and the press; on how to handle conflict with reporters; on the high of the 1986 World Series and the low of a player's death; on finding stories when a team stinks.

On rising through the ranks at Sports Illustrated; on interviewing a naked 400-pound coach in his hotel room; on the perfect cover letter and approach to landing a job in journalism.

On the dazzling experience of covering a mediocre baseball team; on why college sports demand athletes play (and for free); on leaving a newspaper after nearly two decades and landing on his feet.

On deep diving into the impact COVD is having on education; on finding ways to have parents and students open up and engage; on Texas' oft-strange approach to schooling.

On being inside the U.S. Capitol as the building was under attack; on what it is to be dubbed "the enemy of the people"—then have a mob of angry #MAGA loons come looking for you; on how one can simultaneously be terrified and report.

On how early Hollywood disappointment led to success; on writing Johnny Lawrence—a character who is both loved and hated; on the greatest REO Speedwagon-centered scene in TV history.

On lasting and surviving and thriving at a newspaper; on covering a very young Baker Mayfield; on what sports looks like from a pandemic viewpoint.

On making sure every page of a script includes Christmas; on the art of peppy, smart dialogue; on why Hallmark Christmas movies work.

On landing that first book deal; on tracking down Phil Knight and a Pointer Sister for interviews; on the satisfaction of sitting in an empty book shop and knowing you've arrived.

On giving up a sought-after journalism job at age 28; on working for the ruinous evil empire that is Gannett; on what it is to be a modern newspaper scribe in a crumbling newspaper world; on Derrick Henry and Mike Vrabel and life inside the NFL bubble. Search Results Web results Derrick Henry

On why one would think, "You know what demands a book? Kiss without makeup!"; on delving deep into the genius that was Blind Melon; on the 1980s New York Jets and life without a literary agent.

On the repeated torture that is the life of an author; on convincing Rudy Tomjanovich to open up; on Bobby Knight's temper, Steve Kerr's decency and being confused for the Miami Heat mascot.

On the challenges of writing in another person's voice; on landing a book deal; on covering year after year of New York Mets baseball (and living to talk about it)

On covering the 2020 presidential election; on the highs and lows of being a reporter when politicians go out of their way to make your life miserable; on writing the most important story of your life on deadline from home during a pandemic.

On covering politics during the craziest of years; on his new book, "Donald Trump V. The United States: Inside the Struggle to Stop a President"; on sharing a name with the greatest third baseman in baseball history.

On her masterful piece, "The 31-day campaign against QAnon" and all the little nooks and crannies of a one-of-a-kind profile.