In this episode of Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Joel Anderson are joined by Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley to assess the latest developments in the Michigan sign-stealing extravaganza. The team discusses the University of Michigan's decision to rescind a new contract offer for head football coach Jim Harbaugh, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. They also delve into Connor Stalions' sign-stealing program and his 'Michigan Manifesto,' as highlighted by Sports Illustrated's Richard Johnson. ESPN provides insights from someone who was paid by Stalions to videotape the sidelines of Michigan opponents.
Ben Lindbergh from The Ringer joins the podcast to break down the World Series matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. Lindbergh's expertise in baseball analysis is evident in his books, 'The Only Rule Is It Has to Work' and 'The MVP Machine.' He also explores baseball's new 'reliever-familiarity effect' and the ongoing 'too-many-pitchers problem.'
The discussion then shifts to the controversy surrounding Dwight Howard, the future basketball Hall of Famer who has been accused of sexual assault. ESPN provides coverage of Stephen Harper's civil lawsuit against Howard, who has denied the allegations. Diana Moskovitz's article in Defector provides a timeline of the sexual assault allegations, while DJ Dunson's piece in Deadspin questions why there is a lack of discussion on the matter. Outsports' Cyd Zeigler examines Stephen A. Smith's response to the allegations.
As the episode concludes, the hosts leave the listeners with some key takeaways. They highlight the need for Major League Baseball to adjust its 12-team playoff format after the early exits of the Dodgers, Orioles, and Braves. They also acknowledge the standout performances of Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia and the overachieving young players on the Arizona Diamondbacks. The episode ends with a bonus segment discussing the NBA's opening weekend storylines, including Victor Wembanyama's debut, LeBron James' alleged minutes restriction, and the new partnership between Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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For any inquiries, you can reach out to the podcast team at hangup@slate.com.
