The Lead

Last week, just days before the start of their training camp — and a few weeks before the start of the NBA season — the Minnesota Timberwolves made a decision that shocked a lot of people, firing their President of Basketball Operations, Gersson Rosas. The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania reported on all the factors that led the team to fire Rosas now — including the impending ownership change to Mark Lore and Alex Rodriguez — and today, Jon joins us to break it all down. Read Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania’s story about the Gersson Rosas firing: https://theathletic.com/2843710/2021/09/22/gersson-rosas-and-his-downfall-why-the-timberwolves-fired-him-just-days-before-training-camp/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After three weeks of competitive action, it looks like the AFC West is the most competitive division in the NFL. The Los Angeles Chargers upended the five time divisional champ Chiefs, while the Raiders and Broncos remained undefeated. Today, The Athletic's Ted Nguyen breaks down the already white hot divisional race out west and he tells us if Justin Fields rough debut in Chicago could have a long-term impact on the rookie quarterback's development.Read all of Ted Nguyen's NFL coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/ted-nguyen/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the time he started playing baseball, Sang Ho Baek told his parents that he was going to become a famous pitcher, and would buy them a house someday. Then, after the family moved to the U.S. and Sang began blossoming as a player, his dream seemed within reach. But now the family is trying to bear the weight of a terrible tragedy -- and is looking for answers.Read Stephen Nesbitt's story about Sang Ho Baek:https://theathletic.com/2837568/2021/09/22/his-name-is-sang-he-is-a-pitcher-a-familys-american-dream-their-unbearable-loss/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AC Milan is one of the most successful clubs in European soccer history. The Italian giants won 7 European titles and changed the way soccer was played on the continent on more than one occasion. Over the past decade, the once indomitable team has fallen on hard times. Two failed ownership bids and poor financial management meant the club had to completely revamp the way it did business. Fortunately, those new methods appear to be working. The Rossoneri made their much delayed return to the Champions League last week and are at the very top of Serie A. Today, we talk with The Athletic's James Horncastle about the fall -- and rise -- of one of Europe's greatest teams.Read James Horncastle's story about AC Milan here: https://theathletic.com/2081869/2020/09/23/inside-ac-milan-waking-a-sleeping-giant/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a season where they have legit Super Bowl aspirations, the Los Angeles Rams are off to a 2-0 start, and their defense — led by superstars Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald — has been a huge part of that equation. But this season, the Rams’ high-powered D is also in the hands of a new coordinator — former NFL head coach Raheem Morris — and today, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue tells us how Morris is handling L.A.’s stars, and how his own larger-than-life personality is impacting this team on the field. Read Jourdan Rodrigue’s story about Raheem Morris: https://theathletic.com/2774151/2021/09/06/it-cant-be-ego-driven-how-raheem-morris-hopes-to-take-over-the-rams-defense-make-an-impact-along-the-way/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Milwaukee Brewers are absolutely running away with the NL Central this season, and that’s thanks largely to their incredible pitching staff. So what exactly is going on in Milwaukee? The Athletic's Eno Sarris recently crunched the numbers and spoke with MLB insiders, and he joins us today to talk about what sets the Brewers' pitchers apart, and how a forward-thinking front office has led to explosive results on the mound. Then, we turn from brewers to breweries and look at why the national craft beer boom has not translated to better beer selections at many ballparks. Eno's story about the Brewers:https://theathletic.com/2816670/2021/09/10/sarris-theres-some-nasty-stuff-and-stuff-brewing-in-milwaukee/Eno's story about the brews:https://theathletic.com/2800477/2021/09/14/as-craft-beer-booms-around-the-country-why-isnt-it-thriving-at-the-ballpark/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Back in January, after a third straight losing season, the Detroit Lions hired a new head coach — former NFL tight end Dan Campbell — who wasted no time in making an unforgettable impression at his introductory press conference. With the Lions set to face the Packers on Monday Night Football, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Chris Burke and Nick Baumgardner, who spoke to former friends and teammates to learn more about the cowboy who now coaches in Detroit. Read Chris Burke and Nick Baumgardner’s story about Dan Campbell: https://theathletic.com/2812356/2021/09/08/dan-campbells-cowboy-chronicles-partying-til-dawn-metallica-living-in-a-camper-and-now-lions-head-coach/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the key pieces to last year's Super Bowl run by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- and an important part of their title hopes once again this season -- is wide receiver Mike Evans. But as important as Evans has been on the field for the Bucs, he has become even more beloved off it -- both in Tampa and in his hometown of Galveston, Texas. Today, Greg Auman, who covers the Bucs for The Athletic, explains how Evans has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to win the hearts of fans across the country.Read Greg Auman's full story about Mike Evans:https://theathletic.com/2807881/2021/09/15/a-beacon-of-hope-in-bucs-mike-evans-galveston-cherishes-its-favorite-son/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Jon Gruden returned to the Raiders, big promises were made about the team's return to its historic winning ways. But so far, wins and postseason berths are in short supply in Las Vegas. Despite numerous changes to the roster, the coaching staff, and the front office, the Raiders are still in the doldrums of NFL mediocrity. Today the Athletic's Vic Tafur takes us through all the ups and downs of Gruden's second go round with the Raiders and tells us if he thinks this is the season when the Super Bowl winner finally finds the perfect recipe to get Vegas back to the mountain top.Read Vic Tafur's Story About Jon Gruden: https://theathletic.com/2819294/2021/09/13/now-or-never-jon-gruden-isnt-on-the-hot-seat-yet-but-its-time-for-the-raiders-to-win/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lately, one of the hottest teams in baseball has been one with a flair for the dramatic: the Toronto Blue Jays, led by Cy Young contender Robbie Ray and MVP candidate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath to look at everything this team has been through in 2021 — including not having access to their home field — and why they are, all of a sudden, so dangerous. Read Kaitlyn McGrath’s story about the Blue Jays’ improbable comeback victories: https://theathletic.com/2820852/2021/09/12/blue-jays-continue-to-embody-no-quit-attitude-in-pair-of-high-scoring-comeback-wins-over-orioles/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.