Hang Up and Listen

Slate's new podcast One Year and will introduce you to people and ideas that changed American history--one year at a time. The show is hosted by your Hang Up and Listen host Josh Levin. And our first season covers 1977: a year when gay rights hung in the balance, Roots dominated the airwaves, and Jesus appeared on a tortilla.

This episode introduces you to Mary Shane, who made history with the Chicago White Sox as the first woman hired as a legitimate major-league baseball announcer. But in 1977, she had to fight to be taken seriously in one of America’s most sexist industries.

One Year is produced by Josh Levin, Evan Chung, and Madeline Ducharme. Mixing by Merritt Jacob.

Like this episode? Subscribe to One Year on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by New York Times Tokyo bureau chief Motoko Rich to discuss the troubled run-up to the Olympics. They also talk about the dominance and humility of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Finally, they review Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Olympics (2:53): The Summer Games face positive coronavirus tests, public antipathy, and heat and humidity.

NBA Finals (22:59): How Giannis led the Bucks back against the Suns.

Space Jam (42:50): Just how bad is the Warner Bros. sequel starring LeBron James?

Afterball (1:04:25): Stefan on pitcher Wayne Garland, who flopped in 1977 after signing one of baseball’s first big free-agent contracts. 

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Nicky Bandini of the Guardian to discuss Italy’s victory over England in the Euro 2020 final. Next, they talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo, Chris Paul, and the first three games of the NBA Finals. Finally, they assess the pitching and hitting phenom Shohei Ohtani.

Euro 2020 (4:19): Italy beat England but the final was marred by racist and violent fan behavior.

NBA Finals (25:04): Giannis Antetokounmpo is remarkable at a young age, Chris Paul at an old one.

Shohei Ohtani (46:22): Is the Japanese pitcher and hitter better than Babe Ruth?

Afterball (1:06:41): Josh on the reaction to Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon triumph.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson’s marijuana suspension. Penn State professor Amira Rose Davis joins to discuss Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry and Black women activists in sports. And finally, a look at the first week of new name, image, and likeness rules in the NCAA.

Sha’Carri Richardson (02:28): Why is marijuana a banned substance in the first place?

Black women activists (20:59) How athlete protests have evolved and what to expect at the Tokyo Games.

NIL (46:32): College athletes signed a range of deals in a wild first week of commercial rights.

Afterball (1:03:06): Stefan on a Myanmar men’s national soccer team player who protested against the military dictatorship.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss NFL player Carl Nassib’s historic announcement. They also talk about the key players and storylines in the NBA conference finals. Finally, they assess the Week in Sports Idiocy.

Nassib (1:55): The significance of an active NFL player coming out.

NBA (24:09): What Giannis Antetokounmpo and Trae Young have in common.

Week in Sports Idiocy (42:19): The Tour de France and the College World Series were prime idiot-spotting territory.

Afterball (56:44): Joel on 17-year-old track star Erriyon Knighton.

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss NBA injuries, Kevin Durant’s heroics, and Ben Simmons’ struggles. Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern also joins to assess the Supreme Court’s decision in NCAA v. Alston. Finally, David Epstein talks about distance runner Shelby Houlihan, who claims her positive drug test came from eating a burrito.

NBA (3:14): What does the data say about NBA injuries? And what happened to the Nets and Sixers?

Alston v. NCAA (24:13): Does this week’s unanimous ruling put the college sports business model in peril?

Houlihan (46:50): The case against the American track star, and why she might be telling the truth.

Afterball (66:33): Stefan on the on-field death of NFL player Chuck Hughes.

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen’s collapse at the UEFA European Championship. Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated also joins to talk about baseball pitchers slathering the ball with goo. Finally, Stefan and Josh interview Jon Wertheim about Glory Days, his new book on sports in 1984.

Eriksen (2:14): The agony of waiting to see if the soccer star was OK.

Sticky stuff (22:28): What will baseball’s powers that be do about the game’s latest scandal?

1984 (43:58): How Michael Jordan, Lakers vs. Celtics, Martina Navratilova, and more changed the sports landscape forever.

Afterball (60:25): Stefan, Josh, and Jon Wertheim on the French Open.

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin are joined by Sam Anderson to discuss Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets. They also discuss the U.S. men’s national team’s win over Mexico and the retirement of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Durant (01:52): What makes him unique among NBA superstars.

Soccer (21:44): Is the U.S. men’s national team’s latest victory meaningful or meaningless?

Coach K (42:06): Understanding the legacy of a college basketball legend.

Afterball (61:06): Josh on Mike Krzyzewski and Abar Rouse.

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

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Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin talk about what Naomi Osaka’s French Open withdrawal reveals about athletes and mental health and athletes and the press. They also discuss the spate of atrocious fan behavior in NBA arenas, and Rebecca Schuman joins for a conversation about Simone Biles’ latest feat of gymnastics excellence.

Osaka (2:20): How the controversy over her French Open comments played out, and what comes next.

NBA (25:44): Has fan behavior reached a new low or are we just paying closer attention?

Biles (45:47): Why her new vault is so amazing, and why judges are undervaluing it.

Afterball (63:26): Remembering Lee Evans, who staged a quiet protest at the 1968 Olympics.

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

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Joel Anderson and Josh Levin are joined by Shutdown Fullcast’s Spencer Hall to discuss the start of the NBA playoffs and the spate of injuries befalling NBA stars. They also discuss Phil Mickelson’s PGA Championship triumph and Tim Tebow’s possible NFL return.

NBA (2:46): How LeBron looks, and how injuries have changed pro basketball’s postseason outlook.

Golf (18:30): How the 50-year-old Mickelson did it, and what his victory means for older athletes.

Tebow (34:05): Will he make it as a tight end? Is it possible to have a good Tebow take?

Afterball (51:04): Josh on the found art of Major League Baseball transaction logs.

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

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