Floyd’s Fraud; Royal Blues; $40 Million Slaves; Women in the Negro Leagues; Charlie Pierce; Rally around the X Games

William C. Rhoden’s latest book “40 Million Dollar Slaves” is a commentary on the role of African-American athletes in the last century. Jackie Robinson indeed broke baseball’s color barrier, and Michael Jordan is the most recognized athlete in the world, but Rhoden contends they may have not done enough.

Just as that head-butting incident was becoming old news, a jockey called Paul O’Neill gave his horse a “Zidane” in the head. Bill Littlefield speaks with horse “City Affair” about the incident, sort of.

Half-Past A Past-Time; Wait til’ Next Year for O’Neill?; Getting Another Chance; West of Jesus; Charlie Pierce; The Fun Ain’t Over for Navratilova

Next month, the World Basketball Championship will take place in Japan. The field is wide-open, not only since the once high and mighty Americans have been grounded, but because we don’t even know which teams will be there.

Call him superstitious or call him crazy, or even call him both. But don’t call “West of Jesus” author Steven Kotler un-entertaining. Bill Littlefield reviews the wild account of an inspiring surfing journey.

WNBA Midseason Report; World Cup Fever; Yellow Floyd; “I Golfed Across Mongolia”; Charlie Pierce; Winning One’s Marbles

Andre Tolme golfed for over a thousand miles across Mongolia. Not on golf courses, and not with partners, but nevertheless, with a spirit that allowed him to finish the arduous task. For Tolme, golfing across Mongolia was a goal, not an incentive for publicity.

Zidane’s been playing long enough, he surely knows the rule–That to head-butt players is both illegal and quite
cruel–But when insulted to his face and behind his back,
it’s only natural–the old guy lost his cool.

World Cup Roundup; Truly a Place to Make Friends; Wimbledon with Bud Collins; Mad Seasons; Letters; Charlie Pierce; Lumber in Slumber No More