Hang Up and Listen

Joel Anderson and Stefan Fatsis talk with track writer Jojo Gretschel about sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s last-place finish in her return from a suspension. Former pro basketball player Rod Benson discusses Draymond Green’s revealing conversation with Kevin Durant and the future of athlete-driven sports media. Finally, an interview with Claire McNear of the Ringer about her blockbuster reporting that brought down the new host of Jeopardy!Sha’Carri (5:23): Track writer Jojo Gretschel on Sha’Carri Richardson’s 100-meter flop. Dray and KD (22:31): Ex-basketball pro Rod Benson on Draymond Green’s revealing interview with Kevin Durant.Jeopardy! (40:57): Claire McNear of the Ringer on the comments that brought down Alex Trebek’s successor.Afterball (1:04:54): Stefan on pro ultimate frisbee.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about Major League Baseball’s Field of Dreams game. Writer Jessica Luther also joins to discuss the Deshaun Watson and Trevor Bauer cases. Finally, they review the documentary Malice at the Palace. Field of Dreams (4:42): Is this kind of nostalgia good or bad for baseball? Watson and Bauer (26:02): How should leagues handle allegations of sexual misconduct? Malice at the Palace (46:35): What the Netflix documentary leaves out. Afterball (1:07:16): Stefan on hockey players fighting fans in 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about the end of the Tokyo Olympics. They also discuss NFL players who’ve refused to get the COVID vaccine, and what the league should do about it. Finally, author Simon Kuper explains the tearful end of Lionel Messi’s brilliant career at F.C. Barcelona. Olympics (3:31): The troubled 2020 Olympics could reset how fans view athletes and the games. NFL (22:32): Kirk Cousins would rather surround himself with Plexiglas than get vaccinated. Lionel Messi (42:12): Why did it have to end this way? And what’s next for Messi and his longtime club? Afterball (57:53): Joel on the tiny countries that bagged Olympics hardware for the first time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the latest in the saga of Simone Biles at the Tokyo Olympics. They also assess the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s semifinals loss to Canada and other stories from the Summer Games. Finally, Jeff Passan of ESPN joins to talk about Major League Baseball’s trade deadline. Biles (2:31): What are the bigger picture lessons of the gymnastics legend’s Tokyo opt-out?Olympics (23:45): A surprise in the men’s 100 meters and a smile in the men’s high jump. Baseball (42:34): MLB’s trade deadline was the craziest in history. Afterball (1:04:55): Stefan on the return of Olympic Channel News, the state-run broadcasting service of the Summer Games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA’s first Black female CEO. After spending 36 years in senior management at AT&T, Cynt pivoted to the sports industry where her values-based leadership has transformed the Mavericks’ culture to emphasize community and employee engagement. Cynt’s authentic and humanizing perspectives shed light on how empathy and technology can help us stay connected and enhance shared experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the weirdness of the Tokyo Olympics being staged without spectators. They also assess the wobbly starts by the U.S. men’s basketball and women’s gymnastics teams. Finally, they examine the implications of Texas and Oklahoma seeking to leave the Big 12 for the powerhouse SEC. Olympic atmosphere (2:39): The absence of fans has made for a weird start to the Summer Games. Olympic sports (24:41): Simone Biles and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team stumbled in the preliminary competition. SEC (47:11): Will Texas and Oklahoma usher in a major realignment in college sports? Afterball (1:09:12): Josh on baseball broadcast pioneer Mary Shane, the subject of the latest episode of his new podcast series, One Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate's new podcast One Year and will introduce you to people and ideas that changed American history--one year at a time. The show is hosted by your Hang Up and Listen host Josh Levin. And our first season covers 1977: a year when gay rights hung in the balance, Roots dominated the airwaves, and Jesus appeared on a tortilla.This episode introduces you to Mary Shane, who made history with the Chicago White Sox as the first woman hired as a legitimate major-league baseball announcer. But in 1977, she had to fight to be taken seriously in one of America’s most sexist industries.One Year is produced by Josh Levin, Evan Chung, and Madeline Ducharme. Mixing by Merritt Jacob.Like this episode? Subscribe to One Year on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by New York Times Tokyo bureau chief Motoko Rich to discuss the troubled run-up to the Olympics. They also talk about the dominance and humility of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Finally, they review Space Jam: A New Legacy. Olympics (2:53): The Summer Games face positive coronavirus tests, public antipathy, and heat and humidity. NBA Finals (22:59): How Giannis led the Bucks back against the Suns. Space Jam (42:50): Just how bad is the Warner Bros. sequel starring LeBron James? Afterball (1:04:25): Stefan on pitcher Wayne Garland, who flopped in 1977 after signing one of baseball’s first big free-agent contracts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Nicky Bandini of the Guardian to discuss Italy’s victory over England in the Euro 2020 final. Next, they talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, and the first three games of the NBA Finals. Finally, they assess the pitching and hitting phenom Shohei Ohtani.Euro 2020 (4:19): Italy beat England but the final was marred by racist and violent fan behavior. NBA Finals (25:04): Giannis Antetokounmpo is remarkable at a young age, Chris Paul at an old one.Shohei Ohtani (46:22): Is the Japanese pitcher and hitter better than Babe Ruth?Afterball (1:06:41): Josh on the reaction to Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon triumph. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s marijuana suspension. Penn State professor Amira Rose Davis joins to discuss Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry and Black women activists in sports. And finally, a look at the first week of new name, image, and likeness rules in the NCAA. Sha’Carri Richardson (02:28): Why is marijuana a banned substance in the first place? Black women activists (20:59) How athlete protests have evolved and what to expect at the Tokyo Games. NIL (46:32): College athletes signed a range of deals in a wild first week of commercial rights. Afterball (1:03:06): Stefan on a Myanmar men’s national soccer team player who protested against the military dictatorship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices