With the Stanley Cup Finals underway, the  Kings are captivating the hockey world, while the three-time champion Devils are viewed as underdogs. Mike Vorkunov of the Newark Star-Ledger talks with Bill Littlefield about the series.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/06/02/sympathy-for-devils">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/06/02/sympathy-for-devils</a>

Sympathy for the (New Jersey) Devils

U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe has revealed that she is gay. Bill Littlefield reflects on the announcement and the issue of homophobia in sports. 

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/07/05/megan-rapinoe-gay">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/07/05/megan-rapinoe-gay</a>

U.S. Soccer's Rapinoe Reveals She's Gay

The swimsuits from the Beijing Olympics? Banned. The usual pools? Changed. Reuters's Sharon Begley joins Only A Game to discuss the alterations to Olympic swimming in advance of the London Games.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/07/21/swimming-technology-olympics">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/07/21/swimming-technology-olympics</a>

Faster Pools, Slower Suits In Olympic Swimming

The Olympics always generate iconic moments. Guest host Karen Given reviews some of the most memorable scenes from the London Games.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/08/11/olympic-memories-london">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/08/11/olympic-memories-london</a>

2012 Olympics: Many Memorable Moments

Stadiums are great places to watch games, but they also serve to commemorate the greats of their sport through the statues that greet visitors. Bill Littlefield examines the good and bad of sports statues in today's society.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/08/29/sports-statues">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/08/29/sports-statues</a>

Sports Statues: Be Careful What You Wish For

In the wake of the massive scandal at Penn State and the death of Joe Paterno, author Joe Posnanski's just-released biography of Paterno has taken on special significance. Bill Littlefield offers his take on the new biography.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/09/01/thoughts-on-paterno">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/09/01/thoughts-on-paterno</a>

Thoughts On 'Paterno'

Notre Dame joined the Atlantic Coast Conference this week, but will maintain some of its football independence. Jordan Schultz, a sports blogger for the Huffington Post, spoke with Bill Littlefield about the move and its potential impact on the Fighting Irish.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/09/15/notre-dame-acc">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/09/15/notre-dame-acc</a>

Notre Dame Joins The ACC

Some sports fans can recall every play of an important game, decades after it's played. Even minor league baseball can illicit that kind of passion, especially when a play-by-play announcer has sprinkled a little magic on the proceedings. Sterling Smalley remembers such a game.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/10/06/baseball-commentary">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/10/06/baseball-commentary</a>

Minor League Team, Big Time Memories

Some NFL quarterbacks are forever associated with one team even after they’ve joined another. As former Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning settles into the saddle of his new steed, the Denver Broncos, Only A Game’s Doug Tribou looks at some iconic quarterbacks and their second acts.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/10/12/nfl-two-team-quarterback">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/10/12/nfl-two-team-quarterback</a>

Iconic NFL Quarterbacks In Their Second Acts

In Formula Drift, drivers drift around a race track and are judged on driving technique, speed, and show. Only A Game's Susan Valot went to a competition in Long Beach, and has the story of this up-and-coming sport.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/11/03/formula-drift-racing">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/11/03/formula-drift-racing</a>

Formula Drift: The Art Of Competitive Driving

Rychen and reporter Whitney Jones were highly competitive children. When the brothers grew older, Rychen kept looking for ways to harness his competitive energy and ultimately found ultra-marathons. Whitney brings us a day from his brother's 50-mile race along with commentary from the racer himself.

<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/11/17/why-run-an-ultramarathon">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/11/17/why-run-an-ultramarathon</a>

An Ultramarathon Runner's Motivation

Bestselling author John Grisham recently set aside legal fare to write about America's pastime: baseball. His novel, 'Calico Joe', follows the story of a breakout Major League star. Grisham joined Bill Littlefield to discuss the book and his love of baseball. 
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/12/29/john-grisham-calico-joe">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/12/29/john-grisham-calico-joe</a>

John Grisham Sets Law Aside In Baseball Novel ‘Calico Joe’

A little-publicized ESPN telecast of a bowling tournament is getting attention for what may be a first: a celebratory kiss between the male champion and his husband. Jim Bizinski of Outsports.com talks with Bill Littlefield about the moment's impact.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/01/05/bowling-tournament-gay-kiss">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/01/05/bowling-tournament-gay-kiss</a>

Bowler’s Kiss Creates Groundbreaking Moment For Gay Athletes

This week it was revealed that Notre Dame star and Heisman runner up Manti T'eo had spent the season publicly mourning the death of his girlfriend...who never existed. Bill Littlefield and Sports Illustrated's Michael Rosenberg try to make sense of the bizarre hoax.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/01/19/manti-teo-girlfriend">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/01/19/manti-teo-girlfriend</a>

Manti Te’o And The Girlfriend Who Never Was

There's plenty of news coming out of New Orleans this week in advance of Super Bowl XLVII. CBS Sports national columnist Gregg Doyel has a front-row seat, and he joins Bill Littlefield to talk about the pre-game atmosphere in the Big Easy...and a little football, too.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/02/02/super-bowl-doyel">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/02/02/super-bowl-doyel</a>

Super Bowl XLVII Kicks Off In The Big Easy

Full Broadcast for Feb 9, 2013

Only A Game is based in Boston. Like many people in the city and across the country, Bill Littlefield has been thinking about Monday's events, and what they mean.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/04/17/marathon-bombings">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/04/17/marathon-bombings</a>

Reflecting On The Boston Marathon Trajedy

The San Antonio Spurs have made it far in the NBA Playoffs yet again. Is anyone surprised? Probably not. Paul Flahive of Texas Public Radio reports on what's kept the team in the postseason for 16 straight years.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/05/18/spurs-nba-playoffs">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/05/18/spurs-nba-playoffs</a>

San Antonio Spurs Are A Model Of Consistency

Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays are forever intertwined in baseball history. The iconic centerfielders lived very different lives, but author Allen Barra argues they had more similarities than differences. Bill Littlefield speaks with Barra about his new book 'Mickey and Willie.'
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/05/25/mickey-and-willie-allen-barra">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/05/25/mickey-and-willie-allen-barra</a>

‘Mickey And Willie’ Details Ties Between Two Baseball Legends

In the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins went into overtime three times en route to splitting the first four games. The teams have shown some serious sports symmetry, but as Only A Game’s Doug Tribou reports they take very different approaches to the national anthem.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/blackhawks-bruins-national-anthems">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/blackhawks-bruins-national-anthems</a>

Blackhawks, Bruins Take Different Approaches To National Anthem

Former college basketball standout Ed O'Bannon's suit against the NCAA has taken another pivotal step.  Rachel Bachman of the Wall Street Journal has been following the story and joins Bill Littlefield to discuss where the case is headed.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/ncaa-class-action">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/ncaa-class-action</a>

Judge Hears Arguments, Class Action Lawsuit Against The NCAA

One month into their eighth season, the Chicago Sky are trying to do something they've never done before: qualify for the WNBA playoffs. To help them in that quest, the team has an asset they've never had before: rookie Elena Delle Donne.  Only A Game's Karen Given has our story from Chicago.

                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/elena-delle-donne">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/elena-delle-donne</a>

Elena Delle Donne Soars With The Chicago Sky

The conflict between the Turkish government and protesters has some worried just three months before the IOC votes on Istanbul's bid for the 2020 Olympics. Christopher Clarey went to Istanbul and speaks with Bill about his experience. 
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/istanbul-olympic-bid">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/istanbul-olympic-bid</a>

Dealing With Civil Unrest, Istanbul’s 2020 Olympic Bid Takes A Hit

Tim Jahnigen didn't like that kids around the world were playing with makeshift soccer balls, so he created one that can withstand even the most difficult circumstances. Gwen Knapp wrote about his project and speaks with Bill Littlefield. 
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/one-world-futbol">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/one-world-futbol</a>

One World Futbol Ensures Everyone Can Play

Bill Littlefield and Only A Game analyst Charlie Pierce discuss 2013's entertaining NBA and NHL finals, San Jose's plan to court the MLB, and Russian President Vladimir Putin's NFL championship ring.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/charlie-pierce-113">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/charlie-pierce-113</a>

Charlie Pierce: This Week In Sports

Recent stories have inspired our listeners to write, post, and tweet. Bill Littlefield sifts through Only A Game's electronic mailbag.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/letters-32">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/letters-32</a>

Team Names, Whistling Memories And More From The OAG Inbox

Legendary tennis player Jimmy Connors made a career out of challenging everyone. His new book is no exception. He joins Bill Littlefield to talk about his life and his book.
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/jimmy-connors-book">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/22/jimmy-connors-book</a>

Jimmy Connors Shows He’s Still ‘The Outsider’

Hockey season is over…literally as well as figuratively. Commentator Bill Littlefield looks back on the surprising way in which it ended.

                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/25/bruins-blackhawks-stanley-cup-over-2">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/25/bruins-blackhawks-stanley-cup-over-2</a>

Elation And Disappointment As Chicago Wins Stanley Cup

It's perhaps fair to suggest that the way Hernandez was embraced by the NFL despite his previous behavior off the field contributed to his skewed view of the way this world would always work.	
                    
<a href="http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/27/hernandez-murder-commentary">http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2013/06/27/hernandez-murder-commentary</a>

Now-Former Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez Charged With Murder

There’s the sports world and there’s the rest of the world; NPR® brings them together on Only A Game.

An award-winning weekly sports magazine hosted by veteran NPR commentator Bill Littlefield, Only A Game is radio for the serious sports fan and the steadfast sports avoider. Produced by WBUR in Boston, Only A Game puts sports in perspective with intelligent analysis, insightful interviews and a keen sense humor.

The hour-long program is characterized by Littlefield’s exceptional writing and affable personality. Only A Game tells the stories behind the box scores, including the explosion of interest in women’s sports, competitive opportunities for the disabled and the business of sports — as well as who wins and who loses.

Guests on Only A Game have included writers John Updike, Robert Pinsky and Roger Angell; commentators Bud Collins and Tim Kurkjian; current and former athletes Muhammad Ali, Kristine Lilly, former Sen. Bill Bradley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; and coaches Pat Summit and Geno Auriemma.

From Little League to the Big Leagues, from the Super Bowl to Soccer Moms, Only A Game is sports — NPR style.

Popular tracks by Only A Game