Articles

Society and Soccer

Moacir P. de Sá Pereira

In 1887, only two years after the English Football Association first permitted “professionals” to play for clubs, a German sociologist  published a book called Gemeinschaft und Gesselschaft. More than eight decades later, a British sportswriter published a book about Tottenham Hotspur called The Glory Game. The two books have more in common than you might think.

Home, Work: Michael Bradley Arrives

Patrick Redford

Michael Bradley might have been the best American player in European soccer. Instead, he decided to come home and play in the MLS. It's a big deal, for him and his league, even though the story's a long way from finished.

Sacramento Wants To Be Major League

Connor Huchton

Major League Soccer is looking to expand, and the expansion Sacramento Republic FC wants to be a part of it. It'll be a lot of work, but the presence of an American soccer legend has helped them to see the goal clearly.

Yakkin' About Baseball: Journeys Among The Basebros

David Roth

 et al.

It's spring. Jason Giambi is leading, Ian Kinsler is taking umbrage, and Bartolo Colon is eating balloon animals at birthday parties. So, pretty much the usual.

Why We Watch: Paul George, With Ease

Steve McPherson

Basketball just looks a lot easier when Paul George plays it than it usually does. That hasn't stopped him from working hard at it, which is just another reason why George is one of the NBA's truest must-watch stars.

The Quiet Blackbird

Argun M. Ulgen

Susan Cain's "Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," destroys the myth that categorically extroverted qualities like "charisma" and "gregariousness" are requisite to leadership and performance. Jason Brickman is the NCAA assist-record challenging embodiment of that.  

The NFL Biennial

B. David Zarley

 et al.

With the Whitney Biennial, one of the biggest events in contemporary art, opening in New York this weekend, there's no better time than the present to present the art analogues for every NFL team. Yes, there is an artist who resembles the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fathers, Sons, Junior and Me

Robby Kalland

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was a winner at Daytona this year. His triumph at the place where he lost his father 13 years ago was inspiring, but for a young writer dealing with the loss of his own dad, it's what Junior did during those years of growing up in public that really makes this triumph meaningful.

A Picture And A Story: Talking To John Rosengren About Juan Marichal, John Roseboro and "The Fight Of Their Lives"

David Davis

In 1965, Juan Marichal attacked John Roseboro with a baseball bat at Candlestick Park. The photo is iconic, and still horrifying. The story behind it is less well-known.

Big Expectations, or Wang Zhelin Is Almost Ready

Andrew Crawford

Wang Zhelin may be the next great big man to come from China. In his homeland, they're already sure he will be. How well that works out for all involved is yet to be seen.