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In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca are joined by guest Franklin Foer to discuss U.S. Soccer’s hiring of Jürgen Klinsmann as the national team’s new head coach. Stefan, Josh, and Mike also talk about the San Francisco Giants reality series The Franchise and the suicide of Japanese pitcher Hideki Irabu.
Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:
Grahame L. Jones says Jürgen Klinsmann is America’s first star soccer coach.
In the Wall Street Journal, Gabrielle Marcotti argues that Klinsmann is extremely inexperienced.
The New York Times’ George Vecsey on Klinsmann’s pros and cons.
U.S. Soccer came very close to hiring Klinsmann last year.
Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl did a Q&A with Klinsmann in 2010.
Klinsmann is a journeyman baker.
Claudio Reyna’s new curriculum for U.S. Soccer.
Showtime’s reality series on the San Francisco Giants, The Franchise.
Watch the full first episode of The Franchise.
Footage of Buster Posey’s disgusting ankle.\
Ryan Vogelsong and his wife talk about his tough journey back to the major leagues.
Brian Wilson explains the term “got heem.”
The New York Times’ Harvey Araton on Hideki Irabu’s life and career.
The New York Post on Irabu’s last days.
In 1997, Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci wrote about Irabu’s Yankees debut.
Irabu changed the system by which Japanese players come to Major League Baseball.
George Steinbrenner called Irabu a “fat pussy toad.”
Bill Pennington’s New York Times feature on Kei Igawa.
Robert Whiting’s books on Japanese baseball, You Gotta Have Wa and The Meaning of Ichiro.
Hang Up and Listen’s weekly Murakamis:
Mike’s Murakami: In search of Maddie Byrd, the girl in Bud Selig’s Wikipedia photo.
Stefan’s Murakami: The crisis in Greek soccer.
Josh’s Murakami: NASCAR’s “best prayer ever.”
Podcast production and edit by Mike Vuolo.
You can e-mail us at hangup@slate.com.
