Only A Game

In 2015, Hana Hall and her three sisters joined the family of elite runners Ryan and Sara Hall. This week on Only A Game, how Hana began an impressive running career of her own. Plus, the story of a former state senator who spent several hours in car with baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And singer José Feliciano tells the story of his controversial national anthem performance at the 1968 World Series. Join us!

Des Linden returns to Boston on April 15 looking to defend her 2018 Boston Marathon title. But in the year leading up to last year's competition, Linden almost abandoned elite running entirely. This week on Only A Game, Linden shares her journey. Plus, how an 82-year-old amateur poet and a college football walk-on honored the 1966 Texas Western basketball team in a rap. And Wright Thompson shares memories of Augusta National Golf Course and his late father. Join us!

In 2013, filmmaker Billy Corben met with Alex Rodriguez to discuss his involvement in a documentary about the Biogenesis steroid scandal. This week on Only A Game, how Corben's documentary "Screwball" found a more compelling story to tell. Also a former Harvard hockey coach and player remember their roles in the making of the 1970 movie "Love Story." And a look at the graduation rates of this year's NCAA tournament teams. Join us!

Tyler Smith started on the 2000–01 Penn State men's basketball team that reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAAA tournament. But he knew he wasn't NBA material. This week on Only A Game, how Tyler's international basketball journey took him places he never imagined. Also, how one British soccer club remembers its lifelong fans. And a Syrian refugee pursues his dreams of playing pro soccer. Join us!

Tukker Halpern is a 6-foot-8 former college basketball player. Sophie Hawley-Weld is a fellow Brown alum who had no interest in college sports. Together they're Sofi Tukker, a twice-Grammy-nominated musical duo. They share their story, this week on Only A Game. Plus, a young woman who used ping pong as a form of feminist resistance. And how the Chevalier de Saint-Georges fenced his way into the hearts of 18th-century French nobility. Join us!

Nicki Collen was named WNBA Coach of the Year in her first season with the Atlanta Dream. But before she pursued her basketball head coaching dreams, Collen spent years working as an assistant coach — for her husband. This week on Only A Game, Nicki and Tom Collen share their journey. Plus, we talk about happiness in the NBA in the age of social media. And we revisit the story of Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill and his family. Join us!

Peter Sagal is the host of NPR's Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me! He's completed 14 marathons. But his relationship with running hasn't always been smooth. This week on Only A Game, Sagal discusses his struggles with male body image. Plus, tragedy strikes a basketball-crazed community. And two Indiana high school football coaches share a lasting bond. Join us!

Cousin Stizz wrote his first rap lyrics on his hours-long commute to his suburban high school. Today, he's the voice of the Boston Celtics. This week on Only A Game, Stizz shares how he did it. Plus, a story about basketball, mental illness and friendship at a San Diego junior college. And the story of an Olympian who got an unexpected second chance. Join us!

Jared Wells has cystic fibrosis, and he weighed just 117 pounds a year ago. But in 2018, Jared started bodybuilding. This week, Only A Game and WBUR's Endless Thread team up to share Jared's incredible journey. Plus, an NFL reporter joins a women's semi-pro team. And the story of the American Classic Arcade Museum. Join us!