Only A Game

Since 2018, Michael Henry Ortiz has been trying to run 100 100-mile races in 100 consecutive weeks. So what did he do when the COVID-19 pandemic kept him inside his New York City apartment? Run around his living room, of course! Also this week on Only A Game, the story of Sam Khandaghabadi, the Iranian American trans pro wrestler who created Hoodslam. And, we re-air our story on the horse named Onion who took on Secretariat ... and won. Join us!

Jeremy Lin joins us from China to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic — and his Be the Light campaign. Also this week on Only A Game, Rachel Balkovec shares her story of overcoming gender discrimination to become the first female hitting coach in an MLB organization. And Billy Mills revisits his historic underdog win at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. And a sports writer tries — briefly — to train like an NFL player during the pandemic. Join us!

While most sports leagues around the world remain shuttered, the KBO returned to play last week. This week on Only A Game, the story of one American man who's been following the league for years. Also, a Vermont couple prepares to part with a very valuable piece of wood. Plus, with the NBA season on pause, a reporter has some time to focus on his personal life. And we-revist one of our all-time favorite stories about hockey and the 1970 movie "Love Story." Join us!

Two months into the Almost No Sports Era, we're devoting this week's episode to the creative ways sports fans around the world are still getting their fix. First, a look at the British TV show "Taskmaster," which inspired people around the globe to turn their kitchens into tennis courts, ski slopes and other sports venues. Meanwhile, professional play-by-play announcers are calling everything from chicken feedings to street crossings. And a mother and son embark on a quest to play basketball. Join us!

Last fall, MLB announced its plan to cut ties with dozens of minor league affiliates. This week on Only A Game, how the COVID-19 pandemic makes the controversial proposal more likely to become reality. Also, within two years of becoming the U.S. all-around champion, Jennifer Sey left gymnastics. Now she's speaking out against abuses in the sport. Plus the WSJ's Jason Gay is learning that writing sports columns didn't prepare him to teach his own kids. And we re-visit our story on the birth of the Savannah Bananas. ...

After what he calls a "wake-up call" on his 55th birthday, author John U. Bacon started training for the 2020 Boston Marathon. But the the race was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This week on Only A Game, Bacon's 26.2-mile backup plan. Also, the San Antonio Food Bank gets a little "halftime coaching" from the Spurs' Gregg Popovich, the story of a 66-year-old jockey who's not ready to quit, and we re-visit one of our favorite stories about a sporting episode of "The Office." Join us!

With most sports leagues on hiatus, NASCAR is trying to fill the void ... with virtual racing. This week on Only A Game, driver Michael McDowell talks about the transition to iRacing. Also, the story of a GOLF Magazine editor who beat Rory McIlroy ... in a Peloton race. Plus, most respondents in a recent Seton Hall poll said they wouldn't go to sporting events until there's a COVID-19 vaccine. But predicting sports fans' behavior is complicated. And a tale about the "Hot Hand," Steph Curry and "The Princess Bride." Join ...

The global pandemic has put sports on hold, and that comes at an especially bad time for women's sports leagues. This week on Only A Game, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird talk about the NWSL, the WNBA and COVID-19. Also, the story of one man who split his time between pitching and punk rock. And in a world without live sports, can the "Jeopardy!" college championship fill the void? Plus, there may not be any MLB games, but you can still be entertained by Fenway Park organist Josh ...

It's normal to be feeling anxious during the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily, comedian/sports fan/mental health advocate Gary Gulman returns to Only A Game with some tips for staying healthy. Also, a look at how Dr. Anthony Fauci's basketball career prepared him to lead the U.S. response to the pandemic. Plus, the story of a former Super Bowl champ who's now treating COVID-19. And the City College of New York basketball team used to outdraw the Knicks — until a district attorney got involved. Join us!

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games are officially postponed. This week on Only A Game, a discussion about the economic impact of the delay. Also, lessons from the Spanish flu pandemic and the 1919 Stanley Cup finals. And Fenway Park groundskeeper David Mellor discusses getting treatment for PTSD after being hit by a car three times. And we re-revisit our story of a former Illinois state senator who spent several hours in a car with baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks following the 9/11 attacks.