Hang Up and Listen

A weekly sports discussion from Slate.


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Sports
Sports News
501
The Semenya Dilemma Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by ProPublica’s David Epstein to discuss Caster Semenya. Eugene Monroe also joins to talk about his retirement from the NFL and medical marijuana advocacy. Finally, they assess Ichiro Suzuki.
68 min
502
The Granny Shot Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the IOC’s decision not to make a decision about Russian Olympians; interview Tanisha Wright of the New York Liberty about WNBA players’ support of Black Lives Matter; and examine free throw psychology.
69 min
503
The Boiling Point Edition
Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Mike Pesca are joined by the Cleveland Browns’ Andrew Hawkins to discuss athlete activism. Jason Gay also joins to assess the Tour de France, and they discuss the paltry pay for minor league baseball players.
68 min
504
The Fleek Five Edition
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and June Thomas discuss Serena Williams’ Wimbledon win. They’re also joined by the Irish Times’ Ken Early to talk about Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory, and Meghan O’Rourke joins for a conversation about the evolution of gymnastics.
64 min
505
The Kevin Durant Just Broke the NBA Edition
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and Shira Springer discuss Kevin Durant’s move to the Warriors. Then they’re joined by Sky Sports’ Bryn Law to talk Wales’ unlikely run in the Euros. Finally, they speak with Sally Jenkins about the life and legacy of Pat Summitt.
74 min
506
The Cry for Argentina Edition
Stefan Fatsis and Mike Pesca are joined by Sam Borden to discuss Messi’s retirement announcement and the Euros. They talk to NBA agent Doug Neustadt about the international players. Finally, Josh Levin and Stefan interview Olympic boxer Claressa Shields.
79 min
507
The Struggle Makes It Worth It Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the Cavs’ Game 7 win over the Warriors. Scott Raab also joins to describe the joy of the Cleveland sports fan, and Sports Illustrated’s Michael Bamberger explains the golf rules kerfuffle at the U.S. Open.
67 min
508
Hang Up Extra: The NBA Finals Have Gone Totally...
Hang Up Extra: The NBA Finals Have Gone Totally Mad Edition
34 min
509
The Balls Don’t Lie Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Draymond Green’s suspension and the United States’ first-place group stage finish in Copa America. They're also joined by the Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur for a conversation about Gordie Howe.
65 min
510
The Great, Greater, Greatest Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca evaluate LeBron James’ playoff record, talk to The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis about how Muhammad Ali changed sports writing, and discuss Novak Djokovic’s growing popularity with the New York Times’ Ben Rothenberg.
64 min
511
Hang Up Extra: The Understanding Ali Edition
with Robert Lipsyte
26 min
512
The Three Is Worth More Than Two Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the Warriors' Game 7 win over the Thunder and the firing of Baylor football coach Art Briles. They’re also joined by Ken Early of the Irish Times to evaluate Cristiano Ronaldo’s skill and his ego.
73 min
513
The Stud Muffins and Rumble Ponies Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by ESPN’s Ethan Sherwood Strauss to discuss the Golden State Warriors; by Brandiose’s Jason Klein to talk minor-league team names; and by the New York Times’ Greg Howard to assess The Undefeated.
86 min
514
The Corny Sneakers Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the NBA playoffs. Slate’s John Swansburg also joins to talk about why Stephen Curry’s shoes don’t have cultural cachet. Finally, they assess whether the Olympics should be cancelled due to the Zika virus.
65 min
515
The Bartolo and Pancho Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mina Kimes discuss Bartolo Colon’s first career home run; the Globe and Mail’s James Mirtle joins to discuss the NHL playoffs; and they discuss the marketing of WNBA stars Skylar Diggins, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner.
61 min
516
The Perverse Ingenuity Edition
Laremy Tunsil, Leicester City, and The Only Rule Is It Has to Work
70 min
517
The Live From a Major Media Market Edition
In a special live show, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss whether Bryce Harper can make baseball fun and Curt Schilling's firing by ESPN. Ali Krieger also joins to discuss the U.S. women's national soccer team's push for equal pay.
82 min
518
The San Antonio Big Macs Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Kobe Bryant's last game and whether refs are biased against Jeremy Lin; the Rams' trade for the top pick in the NFL draft; and the NBA's move to put ads on the front of jerseys.
61 min
519
The Putting on Buttered Crusts Edition
The Hang Up team talks about Jordan Spieth's historic collapse on the back nine of the 2016 Masters, the Golden State Warriors' pursuit of the record for most wins in an NBA season, and Jeff Passan's new book, "The Arm."
71 min
520
The Absolute Travesty Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the U.S. women's soccer team's push for equal pay with Briana Scurry; Bruce Schoenfeld joins to assess the Golden State Warriors' owners; and they examine baseball's mysterious surge in home runs.
73 min
521
The Feller vs. Motorcycle Edition
Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and Jonathan Hock talk about the NCAA Tournament and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's handshake line hijinks. Ken Early also joins to discuss the death of Johan Cruyff. Finally, they review Hock's latest documentary, Fastball.
71 min
522
The Always Reppin' Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the slew of upsets in the NCAA tournament, Sue Bird joins to discuss UConn and analytics in women's sports, and Allison Benedikt of Mom and Dad Are Fighting comes on to discuss kids in baseball clubhouses.
60 min
523
Hang Up and Listen Extra: The Greatest Taunt in...
In this Hang Up and Listen Extra, Josh Levin delves into the history of the greatest taunt in sports: the “air ball” chant.
15 min
524
The We're All Doomed Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the leaked March Madness bracket and NCAA tourney snubs; review Fantastic Lies, ESPN's documentary on the Duke lacrosse case; and speak with Ben Rothenberg about Maria Sharapova's positive drug test.
74 min
525
The Other Bridgegate Edition
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss LSU's freshman basketball phenom Ben Simmons. Luke O'Brien also joins to discuss the upsets at UFC 196, and the New Yorker's David Owen explains the recent cheating scandal in professional bridge.
70 min