

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

May 9, 2022 • 51min
David Dennis, Jr. on “The Movement Made Us”
This week we speak to Andscape’s David Dennis Jr. about his new book “The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride.” We talk about his writing process, his father’s influence over both the book and his life as well as his upbringing in the home of a Civil Rights legend.We have Choice Words about the overdue change in strategy in efforts to secure the release of jailed WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia. We have Just Stand Up awards for folks speaking loudly about the current assault on reproductive rights in this country and for former NBA player and ESPN analyst, JJ Redick, who called out the racist remarks of a fellow host. We have Just Sit Down awards for Tennessee Titans coach, Mike Vrabel for his involvement in a Trump rally. All that and more on this week’s show! Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. David Dennis, Jr.Twitter: @DavidDTSShttps://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-movement-made-us-david-j-dennis-jrdavid-j-dennis-srZirin, Finally a Change of Strategy in the Push for Brittney Griner’s Freedomhttps://www.thenation.com/article/world/brittney-griner-russia-prisoner/—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)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

May 2, 2022 • 44min
Life of a Minor Leaguer
On this week's show, we talk to Simon Rosenblum-Larson, a minor league baseball player with the Tampa Bay Rays about the ugly realities of playing Minor League Baseball. We discuss the intricacies of organizing workers in minor league clubhouses and what it takes to work with international baseball players.We also got Choice Words about the latest news with Brittney Griner’s case. We have Just Stand Up awards for the people advocating loudly for Brittney Griner's release, and Just Sit Down awards for those who have decided to keep quiet on the matter. Also in this episode, we've got a Kaepernick Watch about how owners are trying to reinvent history as it relates to the blackballed quarterback. All this and more on this week’s show! Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. Simon Rosenblum-LarsonTwitter: @simonrl18https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/04/25/minor-league-baseball-should-pay-living-wage/Zirin, Trevor Reed’s Freedom Should Spur Calls to Release Brittney Grinerhttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/trevor-reed-brittney-griner-russia/—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)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 22, 2022 • 30min
Jake’s Takes on the NBA Playoffs
We got a special episode this week as Jake Zirin joins the show to talk about the NBA playoffs as well as who he thinks is going to win the regular season awards.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 11, 2022 • 58min
Aaron Maybin Is In The True Trenches
Former NFL player, artist, and author Aaron Maybin has a new book about history, politics and his work doing mutual aid organizing and education in the communities of Baltimore. Aaron is always great to talk to and as usual, he doesn’t disappoint. On this week's show, we have Choice Words about the way that the North Carolina Tar Heels managed injuries in their national championship game against the Kansas Jayhawks. We have Just Stand Up awards for Brian Flores and the NFL coaches willing to tell the truth about the racist hiring practices employed by the league. For New York governor Kathy Hochul, who pushed for public welfare in the taxpayer funding of the Buffalo Bills new stadium, we have a Just Sit Down award. Additionally, I have special comment on the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color line. All this and more on this week’s show! Aaron MaybinTwitter: AaronMMaybinhttps://t.co/ZHfA0dfUpuZirin, The Bad Aftertaste of the NCAA Men’s Tournamenthttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/ncaa-march-madness/—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)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 4, 2022 • 51min
Why The Right Is So Mad About Trans Athletes
This week we speak to Purdue University’s Cheryl Cooky about her column defending trans swimmer Lia Thomas and the hellacious backlash that followed. It's a very fascinating discussion you don't want to miss.We've also got Choice Words about Brittney Griner, who continues to be imprisoned in Russia with a chilling silence surrounding the situation. There are Just Stand Up awards for some brave souls at the NCAA Final Four calling attention to Brittney Griner. And we give a Just Sit Down award to Coach K, who’s career has thankfully come to an end. Plus: a brand new Kaepernick Watch! All this and more on this week’s show! Cheryl CookyTwitter: ProfCookyhttps://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/we-should-be-celebrating-lia-thomas-we-did-jackie-robinson-ncna1292521?fbclid=IwAR0J7WWxUgYC6rw5BqDmJ_Rx3ylPdvGQ8NQMiQtLPn1fNFbckveDWNlyQ34Zirin, Portland Soccer Feels the Power of Protesthttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/portland-timbers-merritt-paulson-rctid/—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)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mar 28, 2022 • 38min
From Auschwitz To The NBA
This week we speak to Dan Grunfeld, author of the new book By the Grace of the Game: The Holocaust, a Basketball Legacy, and an Unprecedented American Dream. He talks about his family’s journey from Auschwitz to the NBA.We have Choice Words about the GOP’s selective interest in women’s sports. We're giving Just Stand Up awards to the great Cinderella stories taking place during both the men and women’s tournament and Just Sit Down awards to the NCAA for being its awful, normal self. All this and more on this week’s show! Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.Dan GrunfeldTwitter: dan_grunfeldhttps://www.triumphbooks.com/by-the-grace-of-the-game-products-9781629379227.phpZirin, A Tale of Two Women Athletes: Why the GOP Wants to Erase Brittney Griner and Lia Thomashttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/brittney-griner-lia-thomas/—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)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mar 14, 2022 • 41min
Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues Is Beyond Belief
This week we speak to NBA legend Muggsy Bogues and his co-author Jake Uitti about their new book, Muggsy: My Life from a Kid in the Projects to the Godfather of Small Ball. We talk to Muggsy about his life growing up in Baltimore, his near-death experience as a child, and what it was like to play in the ACC and NBA, dealing with doubters along the way.We also have Choice Words about the continued detention of basketball superstar Brittney Griner in Russia– a travesty on so many accounts. We also have a Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down award to baseball players forcing ownership to come back to the table during the lockout, and to the vicious and greedy owners, for whom nothing is ever enough. There's a new Kaepernick Watch, too. All this and more on this week’s show!Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.Muggsy BoguesTwitter: @muggsyboguesJake UittiTwitter: @jakeuittihttps://www.elliottbaybook.com/book/9781629379470Zirin, Baseball Is Backhttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/baseball-lockout-mlb/—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)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mar 8, 2022 • 52min
Talking Baseball Lockout With “The Real Ben Shapiro”
In this week's episode, we speak to baseball commentator Ben Shapiro about the MLB lockout.We also have ‘Choice Words’ about the move by organizations like the IOC and FIFA to isolate Russia, given their decision to stay silent when it comes to other conflicts. We also have a special “Keep Your Head Up” to WNBA star Brittney Griner who was locked up in Russia on absurd charges. And don’t miss a special NBA edition of Jake’s Takes as well. All this and more on this week’s show!Ben ShapiroTwitter: @benshapironyc1Zirin, Listen to Bernie Sanders and End the Bosses’ Baseball Lockouthttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/mlb-lockout-bernie-sanders-baseball/—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)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feb 28, 2022 • 38min
Hunter S. Thompson’s Sporting Life
This week we speak to Peter Richardson, author of Savage Journey: Hunter S. Thompson and the Weird Road to Gonzo, a new book about Thompson’s life as a sports writer. We talk about Thompson’s heroes, including Muhammad Ali, and the writer's contributions to "Gonzo Journalism."We also have Choice Words about Brian Flores’s new gig in the NFL as an assistant coach for the Pittsburg Steelers, plus Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards for the US Women’s soccer team on their victory in an important lawsuit and the people uncritically praising the ruling in that case. All this and more on this week’s show! Pete RichardsonBuy his book here. Dave ZirinTwitter: @EdgeofSportsSubscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Feb 14, 2022 • 55min
The Stories of Baseball Legends
This week we speak to legendary sportswriter Peter Golenbock about his new book, Whispers of the Gods: Tales from Baseball’s Golden Age, Told by the Men Who Played It. We talk about everything from Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Hall-of-Fame case to the integration of baseball and the Brooklyn Dodgers. We also have Choice Words about the NFL and its ongoing racism and attempt at gaslighting, plus Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards to the courageous activists in Los Angeles who are protesting the city’s refusal to address systemic issues plaguing the city and its people. Finally, we have our last NFL edition of Jake’s Takes. All this and more on this week’s show! Peter GolenbockBuy his book here. Dave Zirin Twitter: @EdgeofSportsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy