CommentaryElissa Ely: Childhood Rites Of Passage ... During The PandemicSome rites of childhood passage never change ... even during a global pandemic.PlayOnly A Game02:42Jul 17, 2020Elissa Ely: Finding Inspiration Along The 'Chalk Walk'In the best of times, it's a challenge to keep body and soul together. (And these are not the best of times.) Commentator Elissa Ely found inspiration in an unlikely...PlayOnly A Game02:54Apr 3, 2020Advertisement Gay: For Athlete Of The Decade, Don't Forget About This Fast CatSports fans will remember the 2010s for LeBron James, Serena Williams and Simone Biles. But Jason Gay wants us to remember another great. PlayOnly A Game03:16Dec 20, 2019'Perhaps Rowing Really Can Change Lives': Lessons From A Rowing StudioBethany Ericson keeps showing up to the rowing studio, no matter what's happening in her life.PlayOnly A Game05:22Nov 8, 2019Given: A Fan's Crisis Of ConscienceEarlier this week, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution. Karen Given says the incident has at least some Patriots fans...PlayOnly A Game02:34Mar 1, 2019Littlefield: Boston's BountyOn the brink of his final day as host of NPR’s Only A Game, Bill Littlefield was asked whether any other city would have been as appropriate a home for...PlayOnly A Game02:59Jul 26, 2018Littlefield On The World Cup AftermathFrance has perhaps begun to calm down following Sunday’s win over Croatia by which the French became soccer’s champions. Bill Littlefield has been keeping track of that process.PlayOnly A Game02:38Jul 18, 2018Littlefield: Pondering LeBron's Latest DecisionAs next season's NBA rosters take shape, no change of jersey has been more dramatic than the one made by LeBron James. Bill Littlefield has some thoughts about The King's...Only A GameJul 6, 2018Littlefield: A Baseball Rivalry At Its RipestThis weekend the Red Sox will play three games in New York against the Yankees. A quick look at the standings would tell anyone, including Bill Littlefield, that both teams...PlayOnly A Game02:28Jun 27, 2018Littlefield: How Soccer Became My Favorite SportWhen he began hosting Only A Game 25 years ago, Bill Littlefield’s favorite sport was baseball. That isn’t the case these days, and it’s not just because the World Cup...PlayOnly A Game02:46Jun 13, 2018Littlefield: A Hard Line To WalkBill Littlefield reads a lot of books set in sports. He's particularly looking forward to one he's been asked to check out about women in football.Only A GameJun 6, 2018Littlefield: After A Celtics Surprise, LeBron Carries OnThe Celtics’ unlikely championship hopes ended on Sunday. Bill Littlefield feels the guy who brought those hopes crashing down is a good reason to keep watching basketball.PlayOnly A Game02:41May 30, 2018Littlefield: Imagining The Future Of Sports BettingThe Supreme Court has paved the way for legalized sports gambling. Bill Littlefield imagines the not-so-distant future.PlayOnly A Game02:37May 23, 2018Littlefield: 'The Heritage' Offers Incisive Look At Politics, Patriotism And Activism In SportsHoward Bryant's latest book considers the responsibility he feels the most successful minority athletes must embrace: passing on a tradition of activism. It also looks at another political message in...PlayOnly A Game03:15May 16, 2018Littlefield: NFL Protective Of Player's Heart, But Not Players' BrainsThe NFL is masterful at keeping its product in the news even between football seasons. Ongoing, full-time discussion of the NFL Draft is evidence of that. This time around, Bill...Only A GameMay 9, 2018Littlefield: FIFA Apparently Found Some Of Its Limits With Trump TweetsAccording to Bill Littlefield, politicians stumble into the world of sports at their peril. He’s found a recent example to back up that contention.PlayOnly A Game03:06May 2, 2018Littlefield: An Afternoon With 'Causing Chaos' And A Talkative ScotBill Littlefield took a break from playoff fever and the glorious, first-place Red Sox by going on vacation last week. But he didn’t entirely escape the world of sports.PlayOnly A Game02:57Apr 25, 2018Littlefield: 20 Years On, How Much Do Mark McGwire's 70 Home Runs Matter?This year marks the 20th anniversary of the baseball season during which the home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa captured the attention of fans. Bill Littlefield is...PlayOnly A Game02:44Apr 12, 2018Littlefield: Felipe Alou And Athlete ActivismIn a biography he read recently, Bill Littlefield found a story about another athlete who perhaps regrets that he didn’t join Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell and Muhammad Ali when he...PlayOnly A Game03:09Apr 4, 2018Littlefield: Grounds Crew Member Back To Work After Wrongful ImprisonmentWith the MLB season about to begin, Bill Littlefield has a story about a man who’s very happy to be involved in the production again.PlayOnly A Game02:51Mar 28, 2018Next Page
Elissa Ely: Childhood Rites Of Passage ... During The PandemicSome rites of childhood passage never change ... even during a global pandemic.PlayOnly A Game02:42Jul 17, 2020
Elissa Ely: Finding Inspiration Along The 'Chalk Walk'In the best of times, it's a challenge to keep body and soul together. (And these are not the best of times.) Commentator Elissa Ely found inspiration in an unlikely...PlayOnly A Game02:54Apr 3, 2020
Gay: For Athlete Of The Decade, Don't Forget About This Fast CatSports fans will remember the 2010s for LeBron James, Serena Williams and Simone Biles. But Jason Gay wants us to remember another great. PlayOnly A Game03:16Dec 20, 2019
'Perhaps Rowing Really Can Change Lives': Lessons From A Rowing StudioBethany Ericson keeps showing up to the rowing studio, no matter what's happening in her life.PlayOnly A Game05:22Nov 8, 2019
Given: A Fan's Crisis Of ConscienceEarlier this week, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution. Karen Given says the incident has at least some Patriots fans...PlayOnly A Game02:34Mar 1, 2019
Littlefield: Boston's BountyOn the brink of his final day as host of NPR’s Only A Game, Bill Littlefield was asked whether any other city would have been as appropriate a home for...PlayOnly A Game02:59Jul 26, 2018
Littlefield On The World Cup AftermathFrance has perhaps begun to calm down following Sunday’s win over Croatia by which the French became soccer’s champions. Bill Littlefield has been keeping track of that process.PlayOnly A Game02:38Jul 18, 2018
Littlefield: Pondering LeBron's Latest DecisionAs next season's NBA rosters take shape, no change of jersey has been more dramatic than the one made by LeBron James. Bill Littlefield has some thoughts about The King's...Only A GameJul 6, 2018
Littlefield: A Baseball Rivalry At Its RipestThis weekend the Red Sox will play three games in New York against the Yankees. A quick look at the standings would tell anyone, including Bill Littlefield, that both teams...PlayOnly A Game02:28Jun 27, 2018
Littlefield: How Soccer Became My Favorite SportWhen he began hosting Only A Game 25 years ago, Bill Littlefield’s favorite sport was baseball. That isn’t the case these days, and it’s not just because the World Cup...PlayOnly A Game02:46Jun 13, 2018
Littlefield: A Hard Line To WalkBill Littlefield reads a lot of books set in sports. He's particularly looking forward to one he's been asked to check out about women in football.Only A GameJun 6, 2018
Littlefield: After A Celtics Surprise, LeBron Carries OnThe Celtics’ unlikely championship hopes ended on Sunday. Bill Littlefield feels the guy who brought those hopes crashing down is a good reason to keep watching basketball.PlayOnly A Game02:41May 30, 2018
Littlefield: Imagining The Future Of Sports BettingThe Supreme Court has paved the way for legalized sports gambling. Bill Littlefield imagines the not-so-distant future.PlayOnly A Game02:37May 23, 2018
Littlefield: 'The Heritage' Offers Incisive Look At Politics, Patriotism And Activism In SportsHoward Bryant's latest book considers the responsibility he feels the most successful minority athletes must embrace: passing on a tradition of activism. It also looks at another political message in...PlayOnly A Game03:15May 16, 2018
Littlefield: NFL Protective Of Player's Heart, But Not Players' BrainsThe NFL is masterful at keeping its product in the news even between football seasons. Ongoing, full-time discussion of the NFL Draft is evidence of that. This time around, Bill...Only A GameMay 9, 2018
Littlefield: FIFA Apparently Found Some Of Its Limits With Trump TweetsAccording to Bill Littlefield, politicians stumble into the world of sports at their peril. He’s found a recent example to back up that contention.PlayOnly A Game03:06May 2, 2018
Littlefield: An Afternoon With 'Causing Chaos' And A Talkative ScotBill Littlefield took a break from playoff fever and the glorious, first-place Red Sox by going on vacation last week. But he didn’t entirely escape the world of sports.PlayOnly A Game02:57Apr 25, 2018
Littlefield: 20 Years On, How Much Do Mark McGwire's 70 Home Runs Matter?This year marks the 20th anniversary of the baseball season during which the home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa captured the attention of fans. Bill Littlefield is...PlayOnly A Game02:44Apr 12, 2018
Littlefield: Felipe Alou And Athlete ActivismIn a biography he read recently, Bill Littlefield found a story about another athlete who perhaps regrets that he didn’t join Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell and Muhammad Ali when he...PlayOnly A Game03:09Apr 4, 2018
Littlefield: Grounds Crew Member Back To Work After Wrongful ImprisonmentWith the MLB season about to begin, Bill Littlefield has a story about a man who’s very happy to be involved in the production again.PlayOnly A Game02:51Mar 28, 2018
Sections
Radio
Podcasts
CitySpace
Support
Subscribe to our weekday newsletter
Add WBUR to your morning routine
Commentary
Elissa Ely: Childhood Rites Of Passage ... During The Pandemic
Some rites of childhood passage never change ... even during a global pandemic.
Only A Game
02:42Jul 17, 2020Elissa Ely: Finding Inspiration Along The 'Chalk Walk'
In the best of times, it's a challenge to keep body and soul together. (And these are not the best of times.) Commentator Elissa Ely found inspiration in an unlikely...
Only A Game
02:54Apr 3, 2020Advertisement
Gay: For Athlete Of The Decade, Don't Forget About This Fast Cat
Sports fans will remember the 2010s for LeBron James, Serena Williams and Simone Biles. But Jason Gay wants us to remember another great.
Only A Game
03:16Dec 20, 2019'Perhaps Rowing Really Can Change Lives': Lessons From A Rowing Studio
Bethany Ericson keeps showing up to the rowing studio, no matter what's happening in her life.
Only A Game
05:22Nov 8, 2019Given: A Fan's Crisis Of Conscience
Earlier this week, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution. Karen Given says the incident has at least some Patriots fans...
Only A Game
02:34Mar 1, 2019Littlefield: Boston's Bounty
On the brink of his final day as host of NPR’s Only A Game, Bill Littlefield was asked whether any other city would have been as appropriate a home for...
Only A Game
02:59Jul 26, 2018Littlefield On The World Cup Aftermath
France has perhaps begun to calm down following Sunday’s win over Croatia by which the French became soccer’s champions. Bill Littlefield has been keeping track of that process.
Only A Game
02:38Jul 18, 2018Littlefield: Pondering LeBron's Latest Decision
As next season's NBA rosters take shape, no change of jersey has been more dramatic than the one made by LeBron James. Bill Littlefield has some thoughts about The King's...
Only A Game
Jul 6, 2018Littlefield: A Baseball Rivalry At Its Ripest
This weekend the Red Sox will play three games in New York against the Yankees. A quick look at the standings would tell anyone, including Bill Littlefield, that both teams...
Only A Game
02:28Jun 27, 2018Littlefield: How Soccer Became My Favorite Sport
When he began hosting Only A Game 25 years ago, Bill Littlefield’s favorite sport was baseball. That isn’t the case these days, and it’s not just because the World Cup...
Only A Game
02:46Jun 13, 2018Littlefield: A Hard Line To Walk
Bill Littlefield reads a lot of books set in sports. He's particularly looking forward to one he's been asked to check out about women in football.
Only A Game
Jun 6, 2018Littlefield: After A Celtics Surprise, LeBron Carries On
The Celtics’ unlikely championship hopes ended on Sunday. Bill Littlefield feels the guy who brought those hopes crashing down is a good reason to keep watching basketball.
Only A Game
02:41May 30, 2018Littlefield: Imagining The Future Of Sports Betting
The Supreme Court has paved the way for legalized sports gambling. Bill Littlefield imagines the not-so-distant future.
Only A Game
02:37May 23, 2018Littlefield: 'The Heritage' Offers Incisive Look At Politics, Patriotism And Activism In Sports
Howard Bryant's latest book considers the responsibility he feels the most successful minority athletes must embrace: passing on a tradition of activism. It also looks at another political message in...
Only A Game
03:15May 16, 2018Littlefield: NFL Protective Of Player's Heart, But Not Players' Brains
The NFL is masterful at keeping its product in the news even between football seasons. Ongoing, full-time discussion of the NFL Draft is evidence of that. This time around, Bill...
Only A Game
May 9, 2018Littlefield: FIFA Apparently Found Some Of Its Limits With Trump Tweets
According to Bill Littlefield, politicians stumble into the world of sports at their peril. He’s found a recent example to back up that contention.
Only A Game
03:06May 2, 2018Littlefield: An Afternoon With 'Causing Chaos' And A Talkative Scot
Bill Littlefield took a break from playoff fever and the glorious, first-place Red Sox by going on vacation last week. But he didn’t entirely escape the world of sports.
Only A Game
02:57Apr 25, 2018Littlefield: 20 Years On, How Much Do Mark McGwire's 70 Home Runs Matter?
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the baseball season during which the home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa captured the attention of fans. Bill Littlefield is...
Only A Game
02:44Apr 12, 2018Littlefield: Felipe Alou And Athlete Activism
In a biography he read recently, Bill Littlefield found a story about another athlete who perhaps regrets that he didn’t join Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell and Muhammad Ali when he...
Only A Game
03:09Apr 4, 2018Littlefield: Grounds Crew Member Back To Work After Wrongful Imprisonment
With the MLB season about to begin, Bill Littlefield has a story about a man who’s very happy to be involved in the production again.
Only A Game
02:51Mar 28, 2018