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The ‘Hockey Shaman’ Who Rebuilt the NHL’s Hottest Goalie Apr 13, 2021

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the best teams in the NHL this year and goalie Jack Campbell has been a major factor in their success. As a teenager, Campbell was touted as the next great phenom in American hockey, but his time with the Dallas Stars was derailed by injury and a loss of confidence. After getting traded to Los Angeles, Campbell met Dusty Imoo, a coach who is described as a sort-of "hockey shaman," and who helped steer Campbell away from potentially ending his professional career. Today, The Athletic's James Mirtle joins us to talk about the special relationship Imoo forged with Campbell and how it helped put the goalie back on the path to greatness.

Read James Mirtle's story about Jack Campbell here: https://theathletic.com/2494891/2021/04/05/im-not-gonna-lie-about-my-life-how-jack-campbell-was-saved-on-his-way-to-the-maple-leafs/

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Trevor Bauer and MLB's Sticky Baseball Dilemma Apr 12, 2021

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It's been an eventful few days for the Los Angeles Dodgers. On Thursday it was revealed that MLB was inspecting baseballs used by the team's new star pitcher, Trevor Bauer, in a game against the Oakland A's -- and that the balls had visible markings and were sticky, according to an exclusive report from The Athletic. The following day, the team played its home opener in Dodger Stadium, in front of thousands fans (for the first time in more than a year), and hoisted its 2020 World Series championship banner. The Athletic's Molly Knight joins us to break down the Dodgers' up-and-down start to the 2021 season, why players from a former dynasty think the Dodgers will repeat as champions, and the dilemma that Major League Baseball faces as it tries to rein in the widespread use of sticky substances.

More from Molly Knight:

https://theathletic.com/author/molly-knight/

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Is NBA Top Shot The Beanie Babies Of 2021? Apr 09, 2021

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If you’ve been near a screen in the last six months or so, there’s a pretty decent chance you’ve heard the terms NBA Top Shot and NFT, which have star athletes ranging from Rob Gronkowski to Patrick Mahomes to Bryson DeChambeau getting in on the action. Today, The Athletic’s Bill Shea explains exactly what NBA Top Shot and NFTs are, why pro sports leagues are supporting them, and whether the whole thing — like Beanie Babies — is a bubble.

Read Bill Shea’s story about NBA Top Shot and NFTs: https://theathletic.com/2484646/2021/03/30/bitcoin-crypto-nfts-ethereum-sports-business/?source=theleadpodcast

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The White Sox' Style and Swagger Apr 08, 2021

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By 1989, the Chicago White Sox knew they needed to refresh their image. The team had struggled for years and became known for their constantly changing uniforms. Then, thanks to some savvy marketing and a team of high-profile stars, the South Siders managed to create a brand that has survived the test of time. Today, The Athletic's Jon Greenberg joins us to talk about why the White Sox logo resonates across the hip hop community and how the team's current crop young stars are bringing some of that swagger back to baseball.

Read Jon Greenberg's story about the White Sox logo change here: https://theathletic.com/2482781/2021/03/31/look-good-play-good-tim-anderson-and-the-white-sox-are-ready-to-take-over-every-bit-of-the-baseball-world/

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Why Rob Manfred Moved The MLB All-Star Game Apr 07, 2021

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On Friday, many people were caught off guard by Commissioner Rob Manfred's decision to move the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game out of Georgia, in response to the state's controversial new voting law and growing public pressure. And on Tuesday, MLB announced that the game would instead be held in Colorado. Amidst all the noise and political posturing surrounding the decision, The Athletic’s Evan Drellich joins us to break down what actually drove Manfred's decision to move the game, and what it reveals about the state of Major League Baseball.

More from Chantel Jennings:

https://theathletic.com/author/chantel-jennings/

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Can Anyone Stop Gonzaga? Apr 02, 2021

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The Final Four is here, and Gonzaga is poised to make history. The Zags are set to be the first men's team to go undefeated for an entire season since the Indiana Hoosiers pulled off the feat in 1976. So the question is: Who can stop Mark Few's team from making history? Today, The Athletic's Brian Hamilton joins us to talk about Gonzaga's quest for immortality, UCLA's cinderella run, Houston's tough as gravel mentality, and the Baylor Bears' dynamic backcourt.

Read Brian Hamilton's college basketball coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/brian-hamilton/

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MLB Opening Day: Stories To Watch In 2021 Apr 01, 2021

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After a strange and abbreviated 60-game season in 2020, it’s finally time for Major League Baseball’s 2021 Opening Day — which is happening right on time. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli to look at some of the story lines that will define the 2021 season, including the Yankees borrowing a page from the NBA to manage their injury problems, huge expectations for Shohei Ohtani, and a Dodgers-Padres rivalry that is already getting heated.

Follow Brittany Ghiroli’s coverage of Major League Baseball: https://theathletic.com/author/brittany-ghiroli/?source=theleadpodcast

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After George Floyd's Killing, An NBA Executive's Mission Mar 31, 2021

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Minnesota Timberwolves executive John Thomas grew up just a few blocks away from the convenience store where George Floyd was killed. Since that tragic incident, which inspired a national reckoning and global movement, Thomas has been on a mission to build bridges and inspire change in his old neighborhood in South Minneapolis. The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski recently took a stroll through the area with Thomas to learn what his life growing up there was like, and how he is striving to give back to the community that lifted him up and helped him achieve his basketball dreams.

Read Jon Krawczynski's story about John Thomas:

https://theathletic.com/2390979/2021/03/26/ahead-of-the-george-floyd-trial-a-quest-for-restoration-by-former-nba-player-john-thomas/

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