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.
526
The Inside the NBA Insider Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Kentucky's surplus of basketball talent. They also talk with Sports Illustrated executive editor Jon Wertheim about the future of sports TV and assess Yahoo NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski.
55 min
527
The I Love It When a Plan Comes Together Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Kobe Bryant’s legacy and the NBA’s conference imbalance. They also talk to Baseball Prospectus’ Sam Miller about MLB’s winter meetings and interview attorney Sharon Vinick about NFL cheerleader law
67 min
528
The Transactions vs. Transgressions Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the pairings for the inaugural College Football Playoff and look at UAB’s decision to drop its football program. They also interview legendary journalist Robert Lipsyte about his tenure as ESPN ombudsman
80 min
529
Hang Up Extra: Brooklyn's Baseball Graves
Slate's sports podcast pays a visit to the final resting places of Henry Chadwick, Charles Ebbets, and others
15 min
530
The Rice Reinstated Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the decision to overturn Ray Rice’s suspension and the injury-riddled careers of Robert Griffin III and Derrick Rose. Gideon Haigh also joins to talk about the on-field death of cricketer Phillip Hughes.
68 min
531
Hang Up and Listen: The Beckham Doesn’t Need St...
Slate’s sports podcast on Odell Beckham Jr.’s amazing catch, painkiller usage in the NFL, and Adrian Peterson’s extended suspension.
61 min
532
The Superfest East, Live in Brooklyn Edition
Hang Up and Listen joins the Political and Culture Gabfests, onstage at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with emcee Dan Kois, for a blockbuster show in front of a live audience.
75 min
533
The Whore No More Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk to Whore of Akron author Scott Raab about LeBron James’s return to Ohio. They also examine the NFL’s obsession with London and review ESPN’s documentary about Livan and Orlando Hernandez, Brothers in Ex
72 min
534
The SEC Ganks Noobs Edition
Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin ask Paul Finebaum about ESPN’s alleged pro-SEC bias. They also talk to Amanda Hess about Lauren Hill and inspirational sports moments and quiz Seth Stevenson about the video game League of Legends and the rise of e-sports.
61 min
535
The Greatest Bull in History Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Madison Bumgarner’s World Series dominance and the latest claim that baseball is dying. They also talk to UNC whistleblower Mary Willingham and assess the bull Bushwacker with PBR statistician Slade Long
63 min
536
The Whimsy Watch Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk to Grantland’s Jonah Keri about the Royals-Giants World Series. They also discuss the ethics of NBA teams tracking their players’ biometric data, and Bob Ryan joins to talk about his new book Scribe.
63 min
537
The Flaccid Hagiographic Concatenation Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Fox Sports 1’s sabermetric-friendly NLCS broadcast and debate Georgia football player Todd Gurley’s suspension. They also talk to Dvora Meyers about superstar gymnast Simone Biles.
60 min
538
The Live at Galapagos Edition
In a special live show in Brooklyn, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the baseball playoffs and the NBA’s TV deal. Roy Blount Jr. joins to discuss his classic book About Three Bricks Shy of a Load, and the hosts do a listener Q-and-A.
79 min
539
The These Are My Bosses Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss ESPN’s decision to suspend Bill Simmons, talk about the Kansas City Royals with Grantland’s Rany Jazayerli, and look at the turmoil surrounding the Michigan football program with Slate’s Ben Mathis-L
68 min
540
The What Are We Going to Do With These People? ...
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca talk to ESPN’s Jane McManus about the NFL and domestic violence. They also discuss Jameis Winston, Hope Solo, and what their teams should do about them. Finally, Grantland’s Ben Lindbergh joins to talk basebal
66 min
541
The Will Goodell Go? Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the NFL’s continued failures and whether Roger Goodell will go. They also examine the U.S. team’s dominant win at the FIBA World Cup and interview SB Nation’s Jon Bois about his Breaking Madden serie
67 min
542
The Ravens Cut Rice Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the Ravens’ decision to cut Ray Rice. Slate’s Jamelle Bouie also joins to discuss the Atlanta Hawks owner’s racist email. Finally, Josh interviews Josh Keefe, the worst high school quarterback ever.
46 min
543
The Jerry Loves Johnny Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss college football’s opening weekend bonanza of games at NFL stadiums. They also interview ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. about his profile of Jerry Jones and talk to SI.com’s Courtney Nguyen about the U.S.
62 min
544
The All’s Fair in Love and WAR Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the pros and cons of NFL preseason. They also talk about MVP candidate Alex Gordon and baseball’s search for an all-in-one stat, and speak with ESPN’s Kevin Pelton about Cleveland acquiring Kevin Love.
68 min
545
The "Are the Kids Alright?" Edition
Stefan Fatsis and Mike Pesca discuss the election of Rob Manfred as the new MLB head. They also speak with author Mark Hyman about Little League baseball and talk to ESPN's Bonnie Ford about Canada’s bid to host the Women’s World Cup on turf fields.
67 min
546
Hang Up and Listen: The Tragedy at Canandaigua ...
Josh Levin and Mike Pesca interview Motorsport.com’s Steven Cole Smith about the death of Kevin Ward Jr.; talk to Grantland’s Shane Ryan about Rory McIlroy’s PGA win; and chat with the New York Times’ Marc Tracy about big changes in college sports
60 min
547
Hang Up and Listen: The Breaking News Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Paul George’s leg injury and its implications. They also talk with Slate’s Emily Bazelon about college sports and sexual assault, and interview Baseball Prospectus’ Sam Miller about MLB’s trade dea
66 min
548
Hang Up and Listen: The Suspension and Disbelie...
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and special guest Jason Gay discuss the NFL’s suspension of Ray Rice. They also break down the Astros’ failure to sign top overall pick Brady Aiken, and Kathryn Bertine joins to discuss her push to get women in the Tour de Fran
66 min
549
Hang Up and Listen: The Losingest Winner Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Mike Trout’s fame or lack thereof, interview the Iroquois Nationals’ Ansley Jemison about the World Lacrosse Championship, and talk to NBC Sports’ Joe Posnanski about Washington Generals coach Red Kl
61 min
550
Hang Up and Listen: The Ohio Player Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Germany’s World Cup win, Lionel Messi’s loss, and what the heck happened to Brazil. They also talk about LeBron James’s return to Cleveland, and his decision to make the announcement in Sports Illust
61 min