Jane Leavy

In this highlight reel, guest insights shine bright. Annanya Raghavan dives into Google Trends, revealing a surge in WNBA interest and how analytics drives fan engagement. Brandon Copeland advocates for college athlete rights, explaining NIL's evolution and the need for collective bargaining. Jane Leavy critiques modern baseball strategies shaped by analytics and proposes changes to revive the game. Dean Oliver explores NBA analytics, discussing player evaluation and emerging talents like Victor Wembanyama. Each guest offers a unique perspective on where sports are heading.

Jane Leavy, an acclaimed baseball biographer known for her works on legends like Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle, shares fascinating insights on how analytics have reshaped baseball. She argues that data-driven decisions have stripped the game of its traditional narratives and fan connection. Leavy proposes reforms, such as allowing longer pitching starts and improving marketing strategies to re-engage younger fans. She also discusses the impact of technology on game pace and player access, offering bold ideas to revitalize the sport.

Jane Leavy, a former sports journalist and author renowned for her biographies of baseball legends, dives deep into the life of Babe Ruth. She unravels his troubled childhood in a Baltimore boarding school and how it set the stage for his rise as America’s first superstar athlete. The conversation explores Ruth's hunger for fame, his groundbreaking influence on sports marketing, and the evolution of celebrity culture. Leavy also sheds light on the myths surrounding Ruth, contrasting his public persona with his personal struggles and legacy.