{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/695d3fc3154465cd60067675/69d58b7d2a193257ad94ed8d?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"A March Without Madness","description":"<p>Hosts <a href=\"https://www.splitzoneduo.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Alex Kirshner</a>, <a href=\"https://lindsaygibbs.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Lindsay Gibbs</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.theringer.com/authors/ben-lindbergh\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ben Lindbergh</a> recap a chalky March Madness marked by coaching drama and uncertainty about college basketball’s future. Then Alex and Lindsay ask Ben about the early MLB season, from the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system to a new wave of impressive rookies. Finally, the panel speaks with author and soccer journalist <a href=\"https://x.com/rwohan?lang=en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ryan O'Hanlon</a> about the real story behind Wrexham A.F.C. and how high the celebrity-owned club can realistically climb.</p><p>Ben also has an Afterball on Kenny Albert's impending record for most national broadcasts called.</p><p><br></p><p>In this week’s bonus episode for Slate Plus members: Saudi Arabia makes a big push into esports and fighting video games.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>March Madness: (6:29): </strong>Was relatively mild</p><p><strong>MLB ABS (22:50)</strong>: “You can’t challenge the robots!”</p><p><strong>Wrexham AFC (43:34):</strong> The aging Welsh TV stars need to win now</p><p><strong>Afterballs (1:00:33):</strong> Kenny Albert has called almost 1480 national games</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)</p><p><br></p><p>Get more Hang Up and Listen with Slate Plus! Join for weekly bonus episodes of Hang Up and Listen and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Hang Up and Listen show page on <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hang-up-and-listen/id327595087\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Podcasts</a> or <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/65uyYjdz34l1411uDzmKlA\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify</a>, or visit <a href=\"https://slate.com/podcast-plus?utm_medium=link&amp;utm_campaign=plus_pod&amp;utm_content=Hang_Up&amp;utm_source=episode_summary\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">slate.com/hangupplus</a> for access wherever you listen.</p><p><br></p><p>You can email us at <a href=\"mailto:hangup@slate.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">hangup@slate.com</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort</p>","author_name":"Slate Podcasts"}