

Edge of Sports
Dave Zirin / The Nation
Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 11, 2019 • 42min
The Hidden History of the 1936 US Olympic Basketball Team
This week we speak to author Andrew Maraniss about his new book Games of Deception about the 1936 US Olympic Basketball team’s foray into the Hitler hosted Berlin Olympics.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about the Nationals visit to the White House. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Mary Cain, the track athlete that came forward to speak in detail about her alleged abuse by a Nike coach, and Ryan Anderson and Kurt Suzuki, on the heels of their visit to the White House. All this and more on this week’s episode!
Andrew Maraniss
Twitter: @trublu24
https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/564456/games-of-deception/
Zirin, The Nationals’ Discordant White House Celebration
https://www.thenation.com/article/world-series-trump-white-house/
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Nov 4, 2019 • 41min
The Great Booing At Nationals Park
This week we speak to former Edge of Sports podcast producer Dan Bloom about his experience sitting in Nationals Park as the thousands rose up last Sunday to boo Donald Trump. A longtime Nationals fan, he also reflects on their historic World Series triumph.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about the demise of Deadspin. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Sean Doolittle, the Washington National who has already turned down Trump, and Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys. All this and more on this week’s episode!
Dan Bloom
Twitter: @danbl00m
https://theslot.jezebel.com/washington-nationals-fans-continue-their-hallowed-tradi-1839497434
Zirin, The Journalists of ‘Deadspin’ Refused to Bow Down
https://www.thenation.com/article/deadspin/
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Oct 28, 2019 • 43min
What Is Juiced? The Players? The Balls? Or The Planet?
This week we speak to freelance author Rob Arthur about his theories about the Major League Baseball home run boom. Arthur turns science into home run theories. Fascinating subject. Also I have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards and and more.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about the firing of Brandon Taubman of the Houston Astros. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Charles Barkley and Vice-President Mike Pence fans. We also have a special read. All this and more!
Rob Arthur
Twitter: @No_Little_Plans
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/48260/moonshot-the-baseball-is-juiced-again/
Zirin, The Astros Fire Brandon Taubman, but the Real Problem Remains
https://www.thenation.com/article/houston-astros-brandon-taubman/
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http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)
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Oct 21, 2019 • 1h 8min
NBA, China, and the Coming Season
This week we speak to The Athletic's National Basketball Association correspondent Michael Lee about all things NBA, China, and LeBron. We also preview the forthcoming season and I give my mighty predictions for the year.
We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to the NBA’s Harrison Barnes and New York Yankee fans. We also have a Kaepernick Watch. All this and more!
Michael Lee
Twitter: @MrMichaelLee
https://theathletic.com/author/michael-lee/
Zirin, LeBron James’s Politics Stop at the Water’s Edge
https://www.thenation.com/article/lebron-james-china/
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http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)
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Oct 7, 2019 • 44min
Ryan O'Callaghan's Life On The Line
This week we talk to former NFL player Ryan O'Callaghan about his book My Life on the Line, and what it was like to keep his sexuality hidden as an NFL player. It's a riveting story.
We also Have ‘Choice Words’ about California's new law giving student-athletes some rights when under the thumb of the NCAA. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Minnesota Viking Receiver Stefon Diggs and TheMaven’s decimation of a venerable sports media institution, Sports Illustrated. All that and more!
Ryan O’Callaghan
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/08/28/ryan-ocallaghan-who-came-out-gay-recalls-robert-kraft-support/2119775001/
http://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/my-life-on-the-line/
Zirin, The ‘Sports Illustrated’ Layoffs Are What Happen When We’re Ruled by Vampires
https://www.thenation.com/article/sports-illustrated/
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http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)
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Sep 30, 2019 • 29min
WNBA Finals Fever
This week we speak to WNBA aficionado Helen Welock about the WNBA finals between the Mystics and Suns.
We also Have ‘Choice Words’ about the cancellation of the FIFA Palestine Cup. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Felix Hernandez/the city of Seattle and NFL owners who are pushing to expand the regular season. All that and more!
Helen Welock
Twitter: @WomensHoopsBlog
https://www.si.com/wnba/2019/09/27/wnba-finals-preview-breaking-down-mystics-sun-series
Zirin, Israel Canceled the FIFA Palestine Cup for No Apparent Reason
https://www.thenation.com/article/fifa-palestine-cup/
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http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)
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Sep 23, 2019 • 45min
Maya Moore Makes History By Walking Away
This week we speak to one of the great basketball players of all time, Maya Moore, talking to us about her unprecedented decision to walk away from hoops to organize around the worst aspects of our criminal justice system.
We have ‘Choice Words’ about Colin Kaepernick and the NFL quarterback crisis. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to legendary wide receiver Calvin Johnson and NCAA football coach Mike Leach, and more.
Maya Moore
Twitter: @MooreMaya
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/30/sports/maya-moore-wnba-quit.html
Zirin, NFL Teams Are Desperate for Quarterbacks—but Colin Kaepernick Remains Unsigned
https://www.thenation.com/article/colin-kaepernick-nfl-quarterbacks/
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http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)
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Sep 16, 2019 • 53min
Steubenville to Antonio Brown
This week we speak to filmmaker Nancy Schwartzman about her film Roll Red Roll, a documentary about the 2012 sexual assault by members of the football team in Steubenville, Ohio.
We also have a long discussion with sports writer Charles Modiano about the Antonio Brown rape accusations and how the media is reporting on it. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to Kenny Stills and Tim Tebow/Kobe Bryant, and more.
Nancy Schwartzman
Twitter: @fancynancynyc
https://rollredrollfilm.com/
Charles Modiano
Twitter: @ChuckModi1
https://www.nydailynews.com/chuck-modiano-staff.html
Zirin, Rape Accusations Could Finish Antonio Brown
https://www.thenation.com/article/antonio-brown-rape/
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http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)
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Sep 4, 2019 • 50min
Bill Lester: NASCAR Trailblazer
This week we speak to African-American trailblazing NASCAR driver Bill Lester. I also have choice words about the retirement of Andrew Luck and the crisis of race and class it poses for the NFL.
We also have some ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ Awards to the Portland Timber fans and rap mogul Jay-Z as well as a very special Kaepernick watch.
Bill Lester
Twitter: @Bill_Lester
https://theundefeated.com/whhw/bill-lester-the-first-black-driver-to-win-a-grand-am-race/
Zirin, Andrew Luck and the NFL’s Looming Crisis of Race and Class
https://www.thenation.com/article/andrew-luck-nfl/
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http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)
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Aug 26, 2019 • 1h 2min
Race & Royce: Rebel Athletes
This week we speak to Fencer Race Imboden who took a knee at the Pan Am Games during the anthem to protest the injustice raging across America. We also spoke to Royce White, friend of the show and former NBA player who went viral this week speaking out on what he sees as the blackballing of Carmelo Anthony.
We also have choice words about Jay Z in the NFL, ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to some NFL players and a NFL coach’s playlist, and more!
Race Imboden
Twitter: @Race_Imboden
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/21/us-fencer-race-imboden-given-month-probation-pan-am-games-protest/
Royce White
Twitter: @Highway_30
https://sports.yahoo.com/royce-white-carmelo-anthony-being-blackballed-los-angeles-lakers-nba-mental-health-045632800.html
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