Last week, the man that many people consider the greatest sports broadcaster of all time, Vin Scully, died at the age of 94. For 67 years, Scully was the iconic and unmistakable voice of the Dodgers, who started out calling games in Brooklyn in 1950, and signed off for the final time in 2016. Today, five writers share their memories of Vin Scully the broadcaster, the storyteller, and the person. Our guests on this episode:Steve RushinJayson StarkFabian ArdayaGustavo ArellanoRich HammondSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Remembering Vin Scully

Last week, NBA legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell passed away at age 88. In his 13 years with the Boston Celtics, the 6-foot-10 center -- who changed the way basketball was played -- won 11 NBA championships, including two while serving as a player-coach. (That also made him the first Black head coach of a professional North American sports team). But those who knew Russell admired him even more for what he did off the court, which included being a powerful voice in the civil rights movement and fighting back against ongoing racism. Today, three sportswriters and one historian join us to reflect on Russell's life and legacy.Our guests:Jared WeissRyan JonesGary WashburnKeith ReedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reflections On Bill Russell's Life and Legacy

Plus: Two young superstars don’t waste any time making their marks in the Premier League. And a 20,000 to 1 shot takes home one of golf’s most storied titles.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting Five: Will The Padres Ever Beat L.A.?

Over the last few weeks, few teams across Major League Baseball have been hotter than the extremely talented, previously disappointing — and suddenly surging — Toronto Blue Jays. Today, we're joined by The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath to look at why this team came up short in the first half, and three key factors that have helped power their turnaround — including emerging young ace Alek Manoah, and a fun-loving new manager who recently surprised everyone by bringing a DJ into the clubhouse. Plus, after sub par seasons so far, is there still time for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to finish strong? Follow Kaitlyn McGrath’s coverage of the Blue Jays: https://theathletic.com/author/kaitlyn-mcgrath/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest DJs, Trash Talk, A New Ace: 3 Keys To The Blue Jays’ Turnaround

Back in March, the Chargers made a big bet on former Patriots defensive back J.C. Jackson, an undrafted free agent in 2018 who had a staggering journey just to reach the NFL. When Jackson was 19 years old, he was facing the possibility of anywhere from 40 years to life in prison in connection with an armed robbery. Today, Jeff Miller from the L.A. Times tells us the story of Jackson's football odyssey — from small town Florida to five days in a Gainesville courtroom — and everything his parents sacrificed to keep their son's football dream alive.Read Jeff Miller's full story about J.C. Jackson: https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2022-07-25/jc-jackson-family-chargers-nfl-florida-robbery-chargesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From A Gainesville Courtroom To The NFL: J.C. Jackson's Football Odyssey

A sexual assault allegation involving members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship team has reached the highest levels of government and dominated the airwaves in Canada recently. Investigative reporter Katie Strang of The Athletic joins us to discuss the details of the case, and why it has sparked a national moment of reckoning. *Warning*: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault and might be triggering for some listeners.Read Katie Strang, Dan Robson, and Ian Mendes's full story about the case:https://theathletic.com/3441414/2022/07/22/hockey-canada-2018-sexual-assault/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Sexual Assault Case, And Hockey Canada’s Day Of Reckoning

The Tour de France wrapped up in Paris this past Sunday, along the famous Champs-Elysées. And on that very same day, on that very same road, something historic happened -- a Women's Tour de France began. Today, reporter Maggie Mertens explains why it took nearly 120 years for the world's most famous cycling competition to finally offer a truly professional women’s stage race, and how it was born from the sweat and determination of many women – with a big assist from an online game company. Then, South African pro cyclist Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio joins us from France, where she is currently competing in the Tour, and is fresh off a podium finish.Read Maggie Mertens's full story about the history of the Women's Tour de France.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sweat, Grit, and The Pandemic: How The Women’s Tour de France Was Born

Plus: U.S. track and field’s newest supernova blows away the competition And cycling’s newest rivalry comes with a side of sportsmanship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting Five: Aaron Judge’s Quiet Home Run Record Chase

This spring, eight-time Pro Bowler Von Miller announced that he was leaving the reigning Super Bowl champions — the L.A. Rams — to join the Buffalo Bills. It was a decision that surprised a lot of people, and also one that almost didn’t happen. Today, The Athletic’s Dan Pompei tells us why Miller ultimately chose upstate New York over the bright lights of Hollywood, and about the gut check moment when he ultimately decided to follow through with the big decision. Read Dan Pompei’s full story about Von Miller joining the Bills: https://theathletic.com/3387676/2022/07/07/von-miller-bills-rams-broncos/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

‘Buffalo Just Chose Me’: How Von Miller Landed With The Bills

Fans of the U.S. women's national soccer team have been hearing the same names for quite a few years. But now, a new generation of players is starting to take over. Today, reporter Gwendolyn Oxenham gives us an inside look at one of those up-and-coming stars -- 22-year-old defender Naomi Girma -- and explains how her unlikely rise to stardom was fueled by an entire community of people. Plus, why Girma, a first-generation Ethiopian-American, represents a new kind of American women's soccer star. Read Gwen's full story about Naomi Girma.Check out her podcast, Hustle Rule: The Untold Stories Of Women's SoccerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Power Of Community: Naomi Girma’s Rise To Soccer Stardom

Plus: One of baseball’s brightest young stars may be on the move. And the Chosen One takes his talents to a high school gym in South L.A.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting Five: A Mulleted Aussie Snatches The Claret Jug

Last weekend, Novak Djokovic won his fourth consecutive WImbledon title. But the real story of the tournament wasn't the Serbian superstar. It was opponent in the final -- the highly polarizing Nick Kyrgios. The talented Australian dominated headlines for two weeks, thanks to his usual brand of entertaining, breathtaking tennis, coupled with a series of hotly debated actions -- spitting toward a fan, breaking Wimbledon's all-white dress code, and provoking one opponent into an uncharacteristic emotional implosion. Today, Matt Futterman of the New York Times explains the many complicated questions around tennis’s top villain, and why tournament organizers will or won't try to rein him in.More from Matt Futterman: https://www.nytimes.com/by/matthew-futtermanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spitting, Baiting, and Trick Shots: What Comes Next For Tennis’s Top Villain?

We have less than one week to go until the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, and during the first half of the season, we’ve seen a near-record-setting pace from the Yankees, more absurd pitching/hitting superlatives from Shohei Ohtani, and a Braves-Mets NL East showdown that is heating up in a hurry. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Stephen Nesbitt to look at one key storyline to watch in each MLB division. Plus, one of the wildest stories of the first half of the season, featuring an ejection, a heartbroken fan, and the pizza delivery that changed everything. Read Stephen Nesbitt’s full story about Jesse Winker and the pizza delivery: https://theathletic.com/3384932/2022/06/27/jesse-winker-mariners-angels-brawl-pizza/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yankees Dominance, Super Shohei, And One Unforgettable Pizza 🍕

Plus: Nick Kyrgios can’t upend Djokovic’s winning ways at Wimbledon. And MLB’s All Star Game turns into a family affair.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting Five: An NBA Star Actually Wants To Stay Put?

On Tuesday night, after seven weeks on the sidelines due to an oblique injury, 37-year-old Max Scherzer made his return for the Mets, and looked like… Max Scherzer — right down to a play where he nearly barreled over teammate Pete Alonso on a routine pop fly to first. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd, who recently talked to a number of Scherzer’s former catchers and coaches to get a better idea of what makes Scherzer so famously intense, why he’s sometimes able to channel Tiger Woods on the golf course, and his extreme passion for fantasy football. Read the full story on Max Scherzer from Rustin Dodd and Jayson Jenks: https://theathletic.com/3336028/2022/06/27/max-scherzer-catchers-legend/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Legend of 'Mad Max' Scherzer, As Told By His Catchers

This spring, the tragic deaths of several college athletes again opened a conversation about mental health and college sports. In light of that, we’re replaying an episode that originally aired back in September, 2019. It's the incredible stories of two elite college football players whose lives followed very different paths – one tragic, and one uplifting – and what we can learn from their stories today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Life Lost, A Life Saved: College Athletes and Mental Health (Rebroadcast)

Last week, many of the top college basketball players in the country heard their names called in the NBA draft. But others, including some of the most recognizable names in the game, decided to stay in school for another year instead -- in part because of NIL money. Today, The Athletic’s CJ Moore and Eamonn Brennan explain why college hoops is becoming an increasingly attractive option for college big men in particular, and how the decision to enter the draft (or not) played out for three top players. Plus, what all of this means for the future of the men's college game.Read CJ Moore and Eamonn Brennan's full story about NIL and college big men:https://theathletic.com/3357888/2022/06/16/bacot-tshiebwe-nil-college-basketball-nba/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why More College Basketball Stars Are $taying In $chool

On Sunday night, the Colorado Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in 21 years, and just the third time in team history. And the unanimous winner of the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP was their superstar defenseman, Cale Makar. In fact, Makar was so dominant during the playoffs that The Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky, compared him to the legendary Bobby Orr. Today, The Athletic's Peter Baugh joins us to discuss how Makar went from a 125-pound, baby-faced kid who was often mistaken for someone's little brother to arguably the top defenseman in a generation -- all at age 23. Plus, with Makar’s Colorado Avalanche now Stanley Cup champions, are they poised to become a dynasty?Read Peter Baugh's full story about Cale Makar's rise:https://theathletic.com/3374456/2022/06/21/cale-makar-avalanche-brooks-bandits/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hockey's Baby-Faced Assassin: The Rise Of Cale Makar

Plus: The Phillies playoff hopes take a major blow in San Diego. And Hornets fans are feeling deja vu all over again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting Five: After 21 Years, The Cup Returns To Colorado

On Thursday night, when he was widely expected to be the top overall pick in the NBA Draft, Jabari Smith Jr. instead became one of the new faces of the Houston Rockets — after a freshman year at Auburn that sent his draft stock soaring. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Brian Hamilton to look at how Smith, in the span of just five years, went from “a wiry, skinny kid with a little baby fat” to top-three pick in the NBA Draft. The answer has a lot to do with Smith’s own uncommon drive, and the sacrifices made by his dad, a former basketball star himself.  Read Brian Hamilton’s full story about Jabari Smith: https://theathletic.com/3088992/2022/01/25/the-next-kevin-garnett-how-auburns-jabari-smith-turned-himself-into-a-star/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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