Hang Up and Listen
A weekly sports discussion from Slate.
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576
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
577
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
578
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
579
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
580
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
581
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
582
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
583
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
584
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
585
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
586
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
587
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
588
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
589
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
590
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
591
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
592
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
593
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
594
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
595
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
596
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
597
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
598
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
599
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
600
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