Interviews, readings and Q&As with leading sportswriters from Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters, New York City's sports reading series.
On November 7, 2019, two novelists appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about their books on squash and tennis. Talking about their work in a conversation with Gelf Magazine co-founder Carl Bialik in this episode: Benjamin Markovits—teacher of creative writing at Royal Holloway, University of London, and author of nine novels, including Playing Days, about his experience playing pro ball in Germany—read from his pair of novels A Weekend in New York and Christmas in Austin, which follow the fortunes of a large family of Texan Jews, including Paul Essinger, a retiring tennis player. Christmas in Austin is being released the night of Varsity Letters. Alexander Tilney—a graduate of the Warren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers who has written for Gelf Magazine, among other publications—talked about and read from his new novel, The Expectations, about a pair of squash players and roommates trying to make it through their first year of boarding school.
On November 7, 2019, two novelists appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about their books on squash and tennis. Reading from their work in this episode: Benjamin Markovits—teacher of creative writing at Royal Holloway, University of London, and author of nine novels, including Playing Days, about his experience playing pro ball in Germany—read from his pair of novels A Weekend in New York and Christmas in Austin, which follow the fortunes of a large family of Texan Jews, including Paul Essinger, a retiring tennis player. Christmas in Austin is being released the night of Varsity Letters. Alexander Tilney—a graduate of the Warren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers who has written for Gelf Magazine, among other publications—talked about and read from his new novel, The Expectations, about a pair of squash players and roommates trying to make it through their first year of boarding school.
On February 23, 2016, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge for a night to devoted you, the fans. In this episode: ESPN producer Justine Gubar, author of Fanaticus: Mischief and Madness in the Modern Sports Fan Wall Street Journal sports columnist Jason Gay, author of Little Victories: Perfect Rules for Imperfect Living
On February 23, 2016, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge for a night to devoted you, the fans. In this episode: Sports Illustrated executive editor Jon Wertheim, co-author of This Is Your Brain on Sports: The Science of Underdogs, the Value of Rivalry, and What We Can Learn from the T-Shirt Cannon:
On March 22, 2016, two writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about their work on basketball—and one NBA Hall of Famer called in. In this episode: Shawn Fury, author of Rise and Fire: The Origins, Science, and Evolution of the Jump Shot --- and How It Transformed Basketball Forever
On March 22, 2016, two writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about their work on basketball—and one NBA Hall of Famer called in. In this episode: Rick Barry Sports Illustrated senior writer Alexander Wolff, author of The Audacity of Hoop: Basketball and the Age of Obama.
On June 15, 2016, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about work on Muhammad Ali. In this episode: Alex Belth, the editor of Esquire Classic and curator for Deadspin's The Stacks. Robert Lipsyte, a longtime sportswriter who penned the fighter's New York Times obituary.
On June 15, 2016, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about work on Muhammad Ali. In this episode: Brin-Jonathan Butler wrote and directed Ali vs Stevenson: The Greatest Fight That Never Was and authored The Domino Diaries.
On July 12, 2016, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about their work on the Olympics. In this episode: David Davis, author of Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku, the first U.S. superstar Olympic swimmer.
On July 12, 2016, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about their work on the Olympics. In this episode: Dvora Meyers, author of The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score from Nadia to Now.
On July 12, 2016, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to read from and talk about their work on the Olympics. In this episode: Varsity Letters regular Dave Zirin discussed his book Brazil's Dance with the Devil and what's really going on in Rio.
On July 24, 2017, four writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to talk about their recent baseball books. In this episode: Ron Kaplan, author of Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War Faith and Fear in Flushing blogger Greg Prince, author of Piazza: Catcher, Slugger, Icon, Star
On August 17, 2016, four writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to talk tennis. In this episode: Bart Davis, co-author with Richard Williams of Black and White: The Way I See It. Tom Perrotta, who writes about tennis for The Wall Street Journal and is not the author of Little Children.
On August 17, 2016, four writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to talk about their work on tennis. Reading from and talking about their work in this episode: Caitlin Thompson, co-founder of the quarterly Racquet—which published its first issue later that month. Racquet contributor Gerry Marzorati, who also writes about tennis for newyorker.com and is the author of Late to the Ball, a tennis memoir.
On August 16, 2017, Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge featured sportswriter Steve Rushin, author of Sting-Ray Afternoons: A Memoir.
On November 21, 2017, Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge celebrated the publication of The Best American Sports Writing of 2017. Speaking in this episode: ESPN senior writer Howard Bryant, editor of the 2017 volume of the annual series. Bomani Jones, host of The Right Time podcast and author of "Kaepernick Is Asking for Justice, Not Peace" Teri Thompson and Luke Cyphers, who co-wrote "Lost in America" for Bleacher Report
On July 24, 2017, four writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to talk about their recent baseball books. In this episode: MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand, author of The New York Yankees Fans' Bucket List Sports Illustrated writer Jay Jaffe, author of The Cooperstown Casebook: Who's in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Who Should Be In, and Who Should Pack Their Plaques
On September 9, 2019, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to share some of the most interesting stories in sports business. Speaking in this episode: Ben Reiter, a Sports Illustrated senior editor, discussed the updated paperback of his book, Astroball: The New Way to Win It All.
On September 9, 2019, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to share some of the most interesting stories in sports business. Speaking in this episode: Matthew Futterman, deputy sports editor of The New York Times and author of Players: How Sports Became a Business, discussed his new book, Running to the Edge: A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed.
On September 9, 2019, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to share some of the most interesting stories in sports business. Speaking in this episode: Albert Chen, a senior editor at Sports Illustrated, read from and discussed his new book, Billion Dollar Fantasy: The High-Stakes Game Between FanDuel and DraftKings That Upended Sports in America.
On November 21, 2017, Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge celebrated the The Best American Sports Writing of 2017. Speaking in this episode: ESPN senior writer Howard Bryant, editor of the 2017 volume of the annual series. Bomani Jones, host of The Right Time podcast and author of "Kaepernick Is Asking for Justice, Not Peace"
On August 1, 2018, sports-book authors Ben Reiter and Lori Leachman appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge. Speaking in this episode: Sports Illustrated's Ben Reiter—who accurately predicted the Astros' 2017 World Series win three years earlier—read from and discussed his new book, Astroball: The New Way to Win It All.
On January 30, 2018, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge for a look at the dark side of Olympic sports. Speaking in Part II: Thomas H. Murray discussed his new book, Good Sport: Why Our Games Matter — and How Doping Undermines Them.
On January 30, 2018, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge for a look at the dark side of Olympic sports. Speaking in Part I: Carla Correa and Meghan Louttit of the New York Times discussed their coverage of the Larry Nassar trial.
On March 13, 2018, Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge spent a night devoted to soccer. Author Sebastian Abbot read from and discussed his new book, The Away Game: The Epic Search for Soccer's Next Superstars.
On August 1, 2018, sports-book authors Ben Reiter and Lori Leachman appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge. Speaking in Part II: Duke University professor Lori Leachman, the daughter of former New York Giants Super Bowl XXI-winning defensive coach Lamar Leachman, read from and discussed her new book, The King of Halloween and Miss Firecracker Queen: A Daughter's Tale of Family and Football.
On June 18, 2018, three of our favorite sportswriters appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge. Speaking in Part III: Legendary sportswriter Robert Lipsyte read from and discussed the reprint of his seminal work, SportsWorld: An American Dreamland.
On June 18, 2018, three of our favorite sportswriters appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge. Speaking in Part II: Mike Pesca is the author of Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs in Sports History and host of the podcast of the same name, as well as Slate's daily podcast, The Gist.
On June 18, 2018, three of our favorite sportswriters appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge. Speaking in Part I: Dave Zirin discussed his two new books: Jim Brown: Last Man Standing, and Things That Make White People Uncomfortable, co-written by Michael Bennett.
On October 9, 2018, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge for a celebration of the history of basketball. Speaking in Part I: New York Times Magazine staff writer Sam Anderson read from and discussed his book, Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, its Chaotic Founding... its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-class Metropolis.
On October 9, 2018, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge for a celebration of the history of basketball. Speaking in Part II: New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Coleman is the co-author of Jerry West's memoir West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life.
On October 9, 2018, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge for a celebration of the history of basketball. Speaking in Part I: Veteran Varsity Letters speaker Rafe Bartholomew made his return. He is most recently the co-author—along with Jackie MacMullan and Dan Klores—of the new book Basketball: A Love Story, an oral history of the game and an accompaniment to a new ESPN documentary series.
On November 28, 2018, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge as part of an evening devoted to hockey—hosted by Greg Wyshynski, senior NHL writer at ESPN and co-host of the Puck Soup podcast.
On February 11, 2019, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge as part of an evening devoted to books about tennis—hosted by Racquet cofounder and publisher Caitlin Thompson. Speaking in Part II: Paris Review columnist Rowan Ricardo Phillips watched every single watchable match of the 2017 ATP season and brought us back The Circuit: A Tennis Odyssey, his literary tour of a historic season in men's tennis.
On February 11, 2019, three writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge as part of an evening devoted to books about tennis—hosted by Racquet cofounder and publisher Caitlin Thompson. Speaking in Part I: A trial lawyer and former U.S. Congress candidate, Judy Aydelott brought stories—and slides—about playing tennis after the age of 50, in Sport of a Lifetime: Enduring Personal Stories From Tennis. Former Top 5 player Julie Heldman came from California to read from and talk about her memoir Driven: A Daughter's Odyssey, covering her successful career and off-court struggles with her mother, World Tennis founder Gladys Heldman; and mental-health challenges.
On July 18, 2019, five writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to pay tribute to Jim Bouton, who passed away last week. The pitcher-cum-author wrote the seminal work "Ball Four," which gave fans an unprecedented look inside the world of professional baseball. Speaking in Part II: Neil deMause, Deadspin contributor and co-author of Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money Into Private Profit Read deMause's rememberance: http://www.fieldofschemes.com/2019/07/12/15068/friday-roundup-remembering-jim-bouton-and-the-latest-in-stadium-shakedown-absurdities/ Nick Diunte, SportsMoney columnist at Forbes Read Diunte's article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickdiunte/2019/07/12/bouton-marveled-at-how-ball-four-went-from-5000-to-5-million/#29ba1eb44652
On July 18, 2019, five writers appeared at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge to pay tribute to Jim Bouton, who passed away last week. The pitcher-cum-author wrote the seminal work "Ball Four," which gave fans an unprecedented look inside the world of professional baseball. Speaking in Part I: Jay Jaffe, senior writer at FanGraphs and MLB Network guest analyst Read Jaffe's interview with Bouton and Dr. Paula Kurman: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/ball-fours-big-bang-a-conversation-with-jim-bouton-and-dr-paula-kurman/ Mitchell Nathanson, Professor of Law at Villanova University and author of a number of books, including the upcoming Bouton: The Life of a Baseball Original Read Nathanson's retrospective: https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-jim-bouton-death-ball-four-dreams-20190712-fypt23rpvnedddl4wijqd6fegy-story.html Paul Lukas, former ESPN.com columnist and founder/editor of Uni Watch Read Lukas's rememberance: https://uni-watch.com/2019/07/11/jim-bouton-1939-2019/
Ahead of his appearance at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters in New York City, Jack McCallum talks with Carl Bialik about his new book about the Lakers of the 1960s and '70s, and the Warriors of today. Gelf Magazine: http://www.gelfmagazine.com/ Jack's website: http://jackmccallum.net/ Music by Lee Rosevere ('Southside'): https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-podcasts-4
Ahead of his appearance at Gelf Magazine's Varsity Letters in New York City, David Gessner talks with Carl Bialik about his new memoir and history of ultimate frisbee: 'Ultimate Glory: Frisbee, Obsession, and My Wild Youth.' Gelf Magazine: http://www.gelfmagazine.com/ Book site: http://www.ultimateglory.net/ Music by Lee Rosevere: https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-podcasts-4
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
