<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><br><p>In this week’s bonus episode for Slate Plus members: Saudi Arabia makes a big push into esports and fighting video games.</p><br><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><br><p><br></p><p>(Note: time codes are only accurate for Slate Plus members, who listen ad-free.)</p><br><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><br><p>You can email us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a>.</p><br><p>Podcast production and editing by Kevin Bendis, with production assistance from Patrick Fort</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>