Hang Up and Listen
A weekly sports discussion from Slate. Hang Up and Listen features Slate sports editor Josh Levin, writer Stefan Fatsis (author of A Few Seconds of Panic), Slate writer and Slow Burn host Joel Anderson, and a selection of interesting guests from around the sports world.
501
The Save It for Judge Judy Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mary Pilon talk about the NBA Finals, including LeBron James’ inefficient dominance. Sports Illustrated’s Tim Layden also joins to discuss American Pharoah’s Triple Crown. Finally, they preview the Women’s World Cup.
62 min
502
Hang Up Extra: Sepp Blatter To Resign
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who announced today that he will step down amid a corruption scandal at soccer's international governing body.
Show notes at slate.com/hangup
12 min
503
The Good Nat, Bad Nat Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss whether there’s any hope that FIFA will reform itself. Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski also joins to talk about the Stanley Cup Finals. Finally, they assess Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.
65 min
504
The Screwing the Kicker Again Edition
Hang Up and Listen on Stephen Curry’s head and the NFL’s feet.
56 min
505
The 0-162 or Bust Edition
In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca take listeners’ questions in a special spring call-in show. Topics include how the worst baseball players in history would do against a te
51 min
506
The Hours of Something Approaching Pleasure Edi...
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and Seth Stevenson talk about the Wells report on the Patriots’ underinflated balls and how the NFL should punish Tom Brady. They also discuss Bill Simmons’ imminent departure from ESPN and the rise of daily fantasy sports.
63 min
507
The Snooze of the Century Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about Floyd Mayweather’s victory over Manny Pacquiao. They also discuss the Los Angeles Clippers’ Game 7 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and how the NFL handled “character issues” in the 2015 draft
63 min
508
The Cracking on Hacks and Hack-a-Shaq Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about whether intentional fouls have a place in the NBA. They also discuss Floyd Mayweather’s history of domestic violence and assess Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price’s profanity-filled tirade.
67 min
509
The Our Dump Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about whether the Warriors and Hawks will dominate the NBA playoffs. Andrew Zimbalist also joins to talk about Boston’s Olympic bid, and they discuss the New York Islanders’ last season in Nassau Coliseum
63 min
510
The Lord Stanley's Coffee Urn Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about Jordan Spieth’s runaway Masters win. They also interview Sonny Vaccaro about the new documentary Sole Man. Finally, they ogle the Stanley Cup and speak to the trophy’s keeper Philip Pritchard.
61 min
511
The Earworm Madness Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about Wisconsin’s upset victory over Kentucky and the start of the 2015 baseball season. They also interview composer Bob Christianson, who has written more than two dozen sports television theme tunes.
65 min
512
The UConn Territory Edition
Special guest Kate Fagan of ESPN joins hosts Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin.
66 min
513
The Stuffed Sparrow on a Cricket Ball Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament and the early retirement of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland. They’re also joined by writer Andrew Miller to discuss the Cricket World Cup.
63 min
514
The Hate, Hope, and Hockey Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about the NCAA tournament and ESPN’s I Hate Christian Laettner. They also discuss all the player movement during NFL free agency, and Bruce Arthur joins to assess the imploding Toronto Maple Leafs.
67 min
515
The College Hoops in Crisis Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about college hoops’ slow pace with Ken Pomeroy. They also discuss the decline of the NFL running back and interview Errol Morris about his new series of short sports documentaries for ESPN.
63 min
516
The Good News for People Who Love Stat News Edi...
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton to talk about the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. They also discuss Larry Sanders’ decision to leave the NBA and Ben Rothenberg joins to examine match-fixing in tennis.
61 min
517
The Two Guys Punching Each Other in the Face Ed...
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by Grantland’s Eric Raskin to discuss Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. They also compare Alex Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant, and they look at new rules designed to make baseball speedier.
63 min
518
The Twerking Unicorns Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about Kevin Durant’s anti-media rant. They also discuss Jackie Robinson West Little League losing its U.S. title and Slate’s Daniel Engber joins to explore the art and science of free-throw distraction.
66 min
519
The Not-So-Menacing Red Menace Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by Sports Illustrated‘s Alexander Wolff to talk about Dean Smith, by Nathaniel Vinton to discuss U.S. ski racers, and by Jonathan Hock for a chat about his Soviet hockey documentary Of Miracles and Me
68 min
520
The One Yard From Stardom Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about New England’s 28-24 Super Bowl win. Grantland’s Bryan Curtis joins to discuss the game’s surprising stars and NBC’s lead producer Fred Gaudelli gives a behind-the-scenes look at the TV broadcast
74 min
521
The Good Sport, Bad Sport Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about Deflategate. They also interview John Biever, who’s photographed every Super Bowl, and tennis player Tim Smyczek, who’s been lauded for his sportsmanship after losing a tight match to Rafael Nadal.
76 min
522
The Deflated Balls Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about the Seahawks’ comeback win and the Patriots’ allegedly deflated balls; interview NBC producer Fred Gaudelli about televising the Super Bowl; and talk to Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski about the NHL.
83 min
523
The Football Move Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about the NFL playoffs and Dez Bryant’s disputed catch. ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh joins to assess the NBA’s Hawks and Pistons and Andrew Bisharat talks about the first free ascent of El Capitan’s Dawn Wal
71 min
524
The Great Scott Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk about the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs and the inaugural college football playoffs, wherein the SEC went down to a crushing defeat. ESPN’s Jay Harris also joins to discuss the death of Stuart Scott.
59 min
525
The Troubleshooter, the Faluter, and the Kid Ed...
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca take listeners’ questions in a special year-end call-in show. Topics range from their greatest sports moments to what to watch on TV when you can’t sleep to gender bias in the sports media.
58 min