Hang Up and Listen
A weekly sports discussion from Slate.
Get more Hang Up and Listen with Slate Plus! Join for weekly bonus episodes of Hang Up and Listen and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Hang Up and Listen show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/hangupplus for access wherever you listen.
601
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
602
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
603
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
604
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
605
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
606
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
607
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
608
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
609
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
610
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
611
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
612
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
613
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
614
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
615
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
616
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
617
HUAL World Cup Extra: The Myth of Jogo Bonito E...
In this episode of Dummy, David Goldblatt, Danny Karbassiyoon, and George Quraishi sift through the aftermath of the semifinals. They also talk with reporter Matt Negrin about his experience covering the only indigenous professional team in Brazil.
40 min
618
HUAL World Cup Extra: The Dutch, Masters of Gam...
On today’s episode of Howler Magazine's Dummy, David Goldblatt, Danny Karbassiyoon, and George Quraishi discuss Dutch diving, conflicts faced by African teams, whether crowds are representative of Brazil's typical soccer-watching demographics, and more.
46 min
619
Hang Up and Listen: The Going Mouth to Mouth Ed...
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss Neymar, Messi, penalties, and other World Cup matters. The New York Times’ Ben Rothenberg also joins to talk Wimbledon, and Major League Eating CEO George Shea chews over the state of competitive eating.
72 min
620
HUAL World Cup Extra: The Tim Howard Is Everywh...
In today’s episode of Howler Magazine’s Dummy, David Goldblatt, Danny Karbassiyoon, and George Quraishi talk about the U.S. loss to Belgium. They’re also joined by Dr. Emilio Bruna to discuss the Brazilian government’s failed...
34 min
621
Hang Up and Listen: The Soft Rock and Salary Ca...
Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsis, and Mike Pesca discuss the end of the group stage and the beginning of the knockout round at the World Cup. They also talk about team-building in the NBA and MLB and debate the strategies of the 76ers, Astros, and A’s.
64 min
622
HUAL World Cup Extra: The Undead in the Group o...
In today’s episode of Howler Magazine’s Dummy, David Goldblatt, Danny Karbassiyoon, and George Quraishi talk about the USA advancing in the World Cup, the Luis Suarez incident, the best and worst of the group stage, and what’s ahead...
35 min
623
HUAL World Cup Extra: The Miguel Herrera is Ple...
Hang Up and Listen presents Howler’s World Cup podcast DUMMY. Today, David Goldblatt, Danny Karbassiyoon, and George Quraishi break down the USA-Portugal draw and the scenarios for the U.S. to advance. Plus, NBA MVP and soccer fan Steve Nash.
36 min
624
Hang Up and Listen: The White Elephant in Manau...
Stefan Fatsis, Mike Pesca, and Grantland’s Bryan Curtis discuss American soccer’s emotional rollercoaster in Brazil and talk to Slate contributor Luke O’Brien about the scene at the U.S.-Portugal game. Finally, they ponder the legacy of Tony Gwynn.
52 min
625
World Cup Dummy: The Now We Believe! Edition
Hang Up and Listen presents a special World Cup extra from our friends at Howler Magazine. Topics discussed in this episode of Dummy include the U.S. victory over Ghana, Costa Rican wunderkind Joel Campbell, and the health of Luis Suarez.
42 min